January 10, 2026 – It was book club day! We met at a local breakfast place and then ventured over to play putt-putt golf. I did not golf because of all my joint pain (can’t really grip the putter and definitely can’t lean down to pick up my ball), so I was the designated scorekeeper! This was probably good for me, too, since I can get way too competitive about things like this. (Also, we were sweating halfway through, and that is unacceptable for January.)
January 11, 2026 – It’s strawberry season, yasssss! While watching playoff football at my mom’s house, she made me a bowl of strawberry shortcake and it was so, so good.
January 12, 2026 – You’re all probably going to tell me what a terrible mother I am, allowing my child to sit so close to the TV. And you’re right, but Eloise does what she wants.
January 13, 2026 – New year, new watch band. It’s Pride-themed, and I loved the material!
January 14, 2026 – Only two weeks into the new year, and I’m already dealing with some new ailment. I went to urgent care because I thought I had a UTI, but the test was negative. Then I learned that, sometimes, UTI symptoms can manifest in psoriatic arthritis. FUN! They sent out my sample for a culture, so I’m really hoping that comes back positive for a UTI because I am struggling and I really hope I can get some antibiotics to help. (Oh! The good news from this appointment: The nurse tested my blood sugar just to see if diabetes might be the cause of these symptoms. I was anxious about the results, but I was completely normal! Hooray!)
January 15, 2026 – Look at these sweet little bebes. I just got this rug, and I wanted it to be obnoxiously fluffy, which it definitely is, and Lila can’t get enough of it! This is supposed to be my little reading nook, but it’s mostly the girls’ napping spot.
January 16, 2026 – LOOK WHO IT IS! Jenny is in Tampa this week, and she was happy to drive over to Downtown St. Pete for an afternoon of bookish adventure. We went to The Book Lounge, Book + Bottle, and Tombolo Books, and while I did not adhere to my limit of one book per location (I came home with five books, so I wasn’t completely out of control), it was so much fun showing Jenny around my favorite places in my city. Downtown St. Pete is so beautiful, vibrant, and super liberal, and it always makes me happy to be there. Jenny was lovely company, as she always is, and we chatted about all sorts of subjects. I love our annual January adventure date!
What’s something fun you did this week?
Yipes, am I reading this right that you have the symptoms of a UTI but don’t have a treatment yet? OUCH!!!
My “child” likes to sit between us and the TV. She’s too big to get on the TV stand, but she has bigger ears than Ellie so she can block more of the view.
I’m jealous of the bookstore crawl with Jenny. Good times!
No treatment. The nurse wasn’t keen to give me antibiotics if I didn’t have a UTI – and turns out, I don’t! Everything went back to normal after a few days, so I’m guessing it was related to my PsA. The fun never stops!
I am on an emotional ROLLERCOASTER here, Stephany! First photo: “Eeeee Stephany’s hair looks so great!” Second photo: “OMG strawberries!” Third photo: “Lololol kitty.” Fourth photo: “I didn’t even know those existed, amazing!” Fifth photo: “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”
Then kitties and Jenny!!! How fun!!! I’m so glad you two got to get together!
An emotional rollercoaster is a great way to describe my life right now, ha.
Gosh the hits just keep on coming in terms of your health! Did you switch back to a PPO or stick with a high deductible plan? The start of the year is tough when you have a high deductible plan since you have to meet that deductible! I hope you get some relief from the UTI symptoms! You poor thing!
But how fun to see Jenny!! Your book adventures sounded awesome!!
I’m on a PPO plan because we changed insurance companies and the deductible plan is much worse, lol. So at least I’m not paying out the wazoo for these appointments. The symptoms went away after a few days so I guess it was a false alarm? So weird!
Oh goodness, UTI are SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Do you have results yet? Medication? I’m so glad the diabetes numbers were normal, that’s a relief.
YAY! A bookstore crawl with Jenny sounds like JUST THE THING, and you kept it to 5 books for 3 stores? That’s amazing. Well done you.
I *just* got a call about the culture today! Everything was negative and the symptoms went away on their own after a few days. So weird! But I’m glad I didn’t start antibiotics for no reason!
I had to google what UTI means. Do not like!. But yeah for good blood sugar levels.
Your reading nook looks so very cozy.
Is a UTI called something else in Germany? I’m surprised you’ve never heard of it! It’s a common occurrence among women in the U.S., it feels like.
I loooove my reading nook!
Here it is Sunday night, and I’m hoping you’re feeling better! Have you tried AZO? It’s a pill available at any drugstore, and it really helps with UTI pain. (It makes the urine bright orange!) It doesn’t cure it, but it sure eases the discomfort while you’re waiting for treatment.
I love the picture of Eloise in front of the TV, as if she’s saying, “Watch MEEEEE!”
AZO is a great suggestion! The UTI symptoms went away after a few days, no treatment needed. But I should grab some AZO to have on hand if they come back.
Eloise always needs to be the center of attention!
OMG ELOISE!!! What a cute photo of her in front of the TV. “LOOK AT ME, MOM!”
I love the new watch band!
OMG so could they help with your pain since it was not a UTI?! I hope they still gave you something! And glad it was not diabetes!
OMG LILA STAHP YOU ARE SO CUTE TOO!
Aww, so glad you had a fun date with Jenny!
Such a little diva, that Eloise!
The nurse didn’t want to give me antibiotics since she wasn’t sure if it was an infection, and I’d rather not be on antibiotics if I can help it! But then the symptoms went away on their own and the culture came back negative. So I’m wondering if it was related to psoriatic arthritis, and I just had a nice little flare in my nether regions. WHYYYY.
Oh how fun you got to hang out with Jenny again! 🙂