January 17, 2026 – One of my favorite things about getting a new stack of books is shelving them. On Saturday morning, I took a photo of my new friends and then lovingly shelved them alphabetically on my bookshelf.
January 18, 2026 – Lucy girl! My mom said she had been very sleepy and not really herself the day before. (And she got progressively worse as the week went on. My mom took her to the vet, and she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. Poor sweetheart!)
January 19, 2026 – Here is Eloise in her napping chair. It’s her favorite place to be! Her new thing is making biscuits on the chair, which I’m not too pleased about, but at least she’s not using it as a scratching post. Yet.
January 20, 2026 – Look at this sweet baby! Yes, I’m still obsessed with my mystery coloring book. I’ll be sad when I finish it!
January 21, 2026 – My setup on Wednesday, since I was in a lot of pain. The area around my left collarbone was aching, and so was my right elbow, so I arranged a pillow on either side of me to add a little extra support. Thankfully, I didn’t need this setup all day, as the pain got better by lunchtime.
January 22, 2026 – I haven’t gone outside in a few days! I’ve just been in so much pain that the thought of climbing down four flights of stairs is too much to bear. But I was feeling a bit better on Thursday, so I went outside and took a short walk. The sunshine felt so good!
January 23, 2026 – I tried the new Butterfinger pizookie at my local BJ’s Brewhouse. (A pizookie is a cookie baked in a small pizza tin!) It was fine, but I probably wouldn’t order it again.
What was the last dessert you had?
Stephany, I’m so sorry that you’re still having so much pain, and I’m so sorry about Lucy’s illness. But, oh my goodness, the cuteness of the kitty sleeping on your coloring book is so sweet!
These cats are the cure to what ails me, that’s for sure!
Your rheum appt can’t come soon enough. Your pain reminds me of when I was diagnosed. I had so much pain in so many parts of my body. It was nuts. I’m thinking of you!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of Homegoing! I would put that in my top 10 books I’ve ever read!!
Oh, I didn’t know that Homeseeking is one of your top 10 books ever! Now I’m even more excited to read it!
I’m so sorry that you are continuing to experience chronic pain. Hoping the appointment helps!
Excited for your book haul–I LOVED Home seeking and also really liked Heart the Lover. I’ve been curious to check out I Who Have Never Known Men and One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.
Your glowing review is what got me to pick it up when I saw it at a bookstore! I’m excited to read it. <3
I am sorry you are in such a pain. Hope you will get some relief soon and see clarity when you are finally at the doctors office.
I am going to have some cheesecake as dessert later today.
CHEESECAKE. I haven’t had cheesecake in so long. I need to remedy that!
Poor you. Poor Lucy. I think 2026 should be a fresh reset on injuries/illness, not piling on!
2026 has not been the fresh start that I’d hoped it would be, that’s for sure!
Poor Lucy, and poor you! I am glad you were able to make it out a bit this week and hope you get some answers at your upcoming appointment 🥹
The second half of the week went much more smoothly than the first half. Oof.
Ugh, I hope your rheumatologist can give you some answers, this pain thing SUCKS.
Regarding Lucy, OH NO. I’m so sorry. Can she be treated?
You’ve got some good books there!
Yes! She is being treated. The vet gave her an anti-nausea shot and some antacids to help calm down her system. She’s doing much better now!
Ugh, I hope you get some relief from your pain. That really sucks.
My last dessert was a peppermint bark ice-cream bar 🙂
A peppermint bark ice cream bar SCREAMS my name!
Kitties and (coloring)books just go together. Kitties on comfy chairs go together.
Pizzukie… That looks so good! I’ve never had one! Last dessert… Boba tea on Saturday before our NJ snow storm.