What's Up Wednesday: January 2024
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Hello friends,
It’s the last day of January and I am not sad to bid it adieu. It has been a long, difficult month that felt much, much longer than a month. Did it feel that way to you? Christmas feels like it was at least six months ago. How many weeks were in January? 967? I mean…for real.
As usual, I am linking up to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of the month. I usually look forward to these posts each month because I have not been sharing my “Friday Favorites” posts like I used to do since I started blogging again in August. But, here I am just trying to wrap my head around the year that was January! 👊 So, I’ll aim to keep this light hearted and brief. 🤍
If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:
What we're eating this week:
I got back into town Sunday evening and had planned to dive into the Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet. It’s a five day fast that promotes cell rejuvenation and autophagy. However, I decided to postpone it yet again because one of my dearest friends is retiring this week and I plan to take her to dinner on Friday to celebrate! 🎊
I also need to exercise after splurging on my vacation soooo I guess I’ll be eating whatever take out with hopes of aiming for salads and less queso than I’ve indulged in (essentially daily) over the past month. 🫣
PS - here’s the book that the Prolon Fast is based on written by the creator of the fast.
What I'm reminiscing about:
Simpler, happy times in years past.
I went down memory lane after someone attempted to make an incorrect claim about a time frame in my life that said person was not a part of and while I corrected said person (because you can’t manipulate the narrative when reality is reality), I found myself going through old photos and smiling so darn much about a certain time frame in my life that brought me so much intrinsic joy I used to cry TEARS of HAPPINESS.
Y’all. My heart was abundantly full.
January 2016 - Secret Santa gift exchange with friends and my “new” selfie stick I didn’t know how to use, but we got some great laughs out of the outtakes.
July 2013 - In La Contrêche, France making what was to be fried goat cheese balls with honey in a “cook off” where we could only spend something like 20 Euros at a local market to buy things to make for dinner.
January 2015 - The sign Rachel made me for the Aramco Half Marathon that year.
Aspen 2015 - I was out there for a two part trip and had flown home for a week in between to resign from a company to take two-ish months off before starting at another firm.
What I'm loving:
I’m noot quite over these cropped puffer vests. I know they’re not for everyone, but for less than $18 and five color options why not try it? PS - the booties below are the recent obsession I keep gushing about since October. 🫢
Easy LTK Link: black puffer outfit https://liketk.it/4s8g1
Easy LTK Link: pink puffer outfit https://liketk.it/4tpMn
You can find similar ones on Amazon, but the similar ones I ordered in additional colors ended up not quite being the same puffiness as the ones above that I ordered through Walmart and they cost a little more money. You may have better luck, though.
What we've been up to:
Wow. January was a beast without all of the busyness that December brought.
I survived. So there’s that!
I dashed down to Galveston to have a few days to think and decompress - walk the beach and watch the sunrise and sunset.
I focused on preparing for the Aramco Half Marathon (mentally and physically), though honestly I didn’t get to prepare the way I had hoped to. Life happened.
But, the half marathon came and went and I “performed” better than I had anticipated and I am so grateful for everyone who came out to cheer me on along the course, who sent me encouraging texts and emails and messages online, and to everyone who could donate to CanCare on behalf of my fundraising efforts.
My sister came to town for the half and ended up staying longer because of the freeze/snow delaying her return to Tennessee. That was a BLESSING and I’m grateful she was here for as long as she was. ❤️
I did my best to recalibrate my life and draft some blog posts, had dinners and lunches with friends and family. I battled a “cold” (?!?!?) for about two weeks though I’m not sure what that was about. And I ventured to Cancun for what was meant to be a trip to focus on grieving my father, but morphed into a trip to just decompress and process other life things.
PS - the wine glass below is actually cold green tea and goodness it was refreshing!! Note to self: brew green tea to drink over ice.
Black one shoulder dress: https://rstyle.me/+Yh9R6fMKb7a1cDok_4Soog
Bright cutout one piece swimsuit: https://liketk.it/4v0nu
Floral cutout maxi dress: https://liketk.it/4v6dj
Black swim coverup and bathing suit info: https://liketk.it/4vbvG
What I'm dreading:
I do not like to dread anything, but honestly I am not looking forward to “celebrating” my dad’s 2nd heavenly birthday on February 6th. I miss him so much. Most days it still feels impossible that he’s gone.
What I'm working on:
I am adjusting to life post the half training and determining what that will look like for me. I’m considering signing up for it again next year, but would like to potentially schedule a trip based on a beautiful location to run a half marathon sometime this year to keep the momentum going.
My blog, as usual. My motivation wanes at times when life gets busy, but I still have a list of things to share.
A schedule for 2024. I didn’t even consider this all month long so I need to sit down and actually plan out my year.
What I'm excited about:
Lorenzo’s 6th birthday is in February and I just love celebrating my munchkins. I need to start thinking about his birthday pawty theme. You can see all of the posts I’ve shared throughout the years about pets by clicking here: https://www.everypiecefits.com/blog/tag/dog
I plan to eventually share a fun post about their birthday pawty themes. 🤍
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching:
I have intentions of finishing Virgin River (the two episodes released late last year) and would like to watch The Chosen. I need to get back to “relaxing” in the evenings and making myself stop working on stuff so that I can disconnect my mind.
Reading:
This has been a very slow month for me with the half training and traveling…
I finished this book finally after checking it out from the library a second time.
I finished this one as well after checking it out a second time, also.
I am working through this devotional. Goodness, I love it. Lysa TerKeurst has a way with words.
I started this one on Monday.
You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.
What I'm listening to:
I’ve been listening to Hillsong United’s album “Empires” a lot again. It’s so powerful for my heart.
What I'm wearing:
I’ve been adding more and more to my LTK profile throughout the month so you can always follow along with me there to see what outfits or (HOLIDAY) home décor items I’m sharing! There are outfits on there that didn’t make it out of the house yet OR that I didn’t take a photo of when I wore it in real life.
A little bit from this last 30-ish days:
Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4rXaA
Comfortable and chic with my favorite booties.
Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4syxb
Speaking of favorites, these boots were in my top new additions as well. Nine West shoes always fit and are comfortable for me. This SKORT has been shared a dozen times and it’s still one of my best wardrobe additions from 2023.
Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4t1QI
Winter whites and a cashmere poncho. Plus my fave peep toe booties.
Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4u7rY
I found this pretty spring maxi dress for some formal portraits and I admit I felt SO PRETTY in it even though it is not my usual go-to color(s).
Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4uyIV
After the photo session, I slipped into something more casual and comfortable with my fave booties (in a different color than above 🫣).
You can view most of these details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
God willing, this weekend I will be celebrating a friend’s retirement from the corporate world, celebrating another friend’s baby’s 1st birthday, and meeting my cousin’s new baby. 🤍 It should be a nice, heart filling weekend.
What I'm looking forward to next month:
I am looking forward to February being a shorter month than the 16 weeks of January. 😆 All kidding aside, I am looking forward to rebalancing my life and schedule.
What else is new:
That’s about it for now…
How was your month? Are you excited for anything specific in February? Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day? Comment below!
XOXO
