Life Update: December 2019

Welcome back to the blog & happy December! If you read my last life update post, I opened up and let you guys in on some struggles I was going through and what I learned from it all as I came out on the other side of it. Today’s post is an update on life since then + some changes, so let’s catch up!

First things first, I’ve been as sick as a dog this week — like REALLY sick and it came out of nowhere. I’m talking chills, body aches, fever, killer sore throat, throwing up (yuck) and I couldn’t eat or drink anything. I went to Urgent Care convinced I had strep, hoping to get an antibiotic prescription and get the hell out of there… but 2.5 hours later, I tested negative for it and all they gave me was a medicated mouthwash. They basically told me to wait it out and come back in five or so days if I’m still feeling sick and they would test me for mono. I really don’t think I have mono, but regardless, I hope I’m back to normal soon. This sickness has made me realize it’s been a really long time since I’ve been sick, which I’m grateful for, but I felt like I was due for it. I’m feeling a bit better and back to work, but I’m still on the weak side.

The big change I mentioned in my last post was getting a new job. I’ve been at my new job for a month now and it feels great to be back to standard full-time work with much more security and benefits. With the full-time contract position I had for two years previously, I had a lot of uncertainty about the timeline of the position and what the job would turn into, if anything — or even if it would go away completely without notice. Having a “regular” job again has given me peace of mind and comfort that I’ve really missed. Knowing that I could take a paid sick day off if I needed to (which I did this week) is such a blessing.

I will say it took me much longer to get back into the swing of things than I expected in all aspects of my life following my weird rough patch. Starting a new job really is a new life in many ways, especially after working from home every single day for a few months. My days are longer now, I’m getting up 1.5-2 hours earlier and getting home an hour later than I used to in total darkness (6 p.m. feels like 9 p.m., thanks to Daylight Savings). With this type of change, you’re in a new environment with a new schedule, new responsibilities, etc. and it takes time to get used to your new every day. I have less time at home now during the week, so I’ve found myself really stripping away any unnecessary responsibilities to focus on my family and being present with them. Getting to cuddle with my husband and pup in the evening in between prepping for the next day is a win in my book and the most I can squeeze in many nights. Like everything in life, it’s a learning curve! Change is good.

As for health, remember that blissful period I mentioned in my birth control update posts about my migraines pretty much going away? Yeah, that’s over now. I was hoping that they were back due to adjusting to a new job and would soon go away, but it’s been a month now and I’m averaging probably five a week. Some of those I can catch early and not be down for the whole night, but some have been a bit more untouchable. This especially sucks after that 4-6 week period of having very few to almost none. I’m not sure what the cause is, but I’m continuing to stay off my preventative medication and hoping for the best every day.

Something I really look forward to every day is watching How to Get Away With Murder. Justin and I are completely sucked in! I watched the first 2.5-3 seasons years ago, but I started it over with Justin a month or two ago since he’d never seen it and we haven’t been this obsessed with a show in a LONG time. It’s so fun to grab snacks and run to our bed to watch it together. It’s the best show to binge because all the episodes tie into each other and it’s very detailed, so watching it all at once helps you not miss anything. This show is just too good and the writers never fail to amaze me. We just watched the first episode of the 6th and final season last night and I truly can’t believe it’s almost over. Prepare for me to mourn over it. Side note — I also dove into the world of 90 Day Fiancé on Hulu while I was sick this week and it’s been pretty entertaining! I’m getting some good laughs out of it (and maybe a tear or two).

To update you on my sweet pup, I’m more and more obsessed with her every single day. Lucia and I really bonded over those few months that I worked from home and I miss her like crazy when I’m not with her. Justin gets home from work a couple hours before I do, so I always demand that he sends me a picture of her ASAP! 😂 She was the sweetest little snuggler when I stayed home from work the other day too, as if she really knew I wasn’t feeling well. We’re starting to ease into the idea of letting her be out more in the main living area when we’re not home, but the most we’ve been brave enough to do is leave her out while we made a run to CVS 5-10 minutes away. She’s really not a chewer, but I don’t know what boredom would cause her to do on the long days when we’re away at work. My biggest fear is coming home to a chewed up couch or something else that would be an absolute nightmare to have to replace. I’d love to hear about your experiences with this and at what age you started letting your dog roam around while you’re away.

As we’re already a week into December, I really can’t believe that the year is almost over. This time of year always comes with a rush of emotions thinking about what I did and didn’t accomplish this year, how far I’ve come, and in what ways things have changed or stayed the same. It’s crazy to me that we’ve already lived in our house for over a year, I changed jobs, we got a dog, and so many other things in 2019 — but in many ways, the good parts of life are the same, and for that I am so grateful. I’ll touch on this way more in my New Year’s post, but there are signs that are pointing us in the direction of what’s next for 2020, and though I know not everyone believes in signs, I do believe they can really feel right and guide you in a comforting and undeniable way. I have a few things that I really hope happen within the next year and I’m hoping for peace and smooth transitions.

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That’s an update on my life lately! Thank you for taking time out of your day to catch up with me — it means so much! As for upcoming blog content, I have some Let’s Talk topics in mind that I want to cover, in addition to posts on stocking stuffers and our Christmas card. If you have any requests, send them my way! I really want to serve as an equal-parts entertaining and valuable resource/outlet, so please don’t hesitate to share with me what you’d like to see. Anyway, thanks for reading & enjoy the rest of your day/night!