Oh hey, 2025. Happy New Year, friends. Or not so happy.
I posted this on Instagram the other day. Not what I wanted to post at the beginning of 2025. Uff. This year is off to a rocky start. We are just about half way through January, and I’d like to ask for a do-over already.
The year started well enough. I rang in the new year in the best way possible – which was with my family in Germany. I hadn’t been able to do this in a while, so it felt like an extra special start to (yet) a new year. But then things went downhill from there.
A few days later, I had to attend the funeral of my childhood friend’s father, someone who was dear to me and my family. He passed unexpectedly before Christmas. Then, Jon and I traveled back to the US on January, 6 just to find out the next day that Jon’s Mom was hospitalized in the UK (just before returning from her own European Christmas holiday) and wildfires had broken out in Los Angeles.
Did I already mention that Jon and I got sick a day later with a cold virus (which I blame on multiple coughing people on the long-haul flight), which took me out of commission for a week and forced me to drop out of the Power Zone Challenge I just started? No? And on top of everything else, my mom was hospitalized yesterday. (She’s ok.)
Oh, and let’s not forget that there is still a war going on in Gaza and Ukraine and that Tr*mp is officially going to be inaugurated (again) in just a few days.
The world feels heavy and I feel so behind on everything.
Tell me something good.
Nicole MacPherson
January 16, 2025 at 4:43 amOh gosh San, what a rough start indeed. I’m so sorry, friend. I hope everyone is okay health-wise. So scary and such a helpless feeling when you’re so far away.
But you want something good and so I will tell you that there have been the most beautiful sunsets lately. In December the sun sets before 4 and now it’s almost 4:30. Rex has a new collar which I thought was lost in the mail, but arrived this week, and he looks so cute. This morning we are going for a nice long walk and then I have book club with some ladies. I’m taking a editing and revising course for my novel. Oh and I am having a nice cup of coffee right this moment.
I hope you get better soon, and I hope your moms are both healing. xo
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:47 pmLovely to hear about that sunsets, Nichole. And a nice fresh cup of coffee is always ‘something good’ :)
Birchie
January 16, 2025 at 4:55 amMy something good is that my next blogger meetup trip is just a few weeks away, so close enough that it’s starting to feel real and very exciting.
I’m sending hugs for all of the heavy stuff. I have no answers or cures, other than what Obama said after the 2016 election: “the sun will rise”. Hang in there, my friend.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:49 pmOh yay, more blogger meetups! I am so jealous (and I mean that in the best possible way!)
Jenny
January 16, 2025 at 5:24 amI hear you, San. Luckily I’m not sick and no one close to me is in the hospital, but I’m definitely in that post-holiday funk. My son leaves tomorrow and oh yes… Monday is Inauguration Day. I mean… sigh.
Oh wait- I was supposed to tell you something good. Um- January is halfway over?
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:50 pmLet’s restart this year in February, shall we? ;)
Elisabeth
January 16, 2025 at 5:29 amI feel like this January has felt extra heavy, too. The whole world seems to be groaning under the weight of war and natural disasters and human greed and completely preventable suffering. I feel you, friend.
Good things. My sister came for a surprise visit. I have a roof over my head. I’m able to afford groceries. We have a trip to France coming up. I’m listening to one of my all-time favourite songs on Spotify right now. I have a cup of coffee on the table in front of me. It’s cold and I really need to microwave it, but it’s still a very happy, good thing <3
Sending love. What a rough re-entry you've had and I'm wishing speedy healing to all your loved ones struggling with health issues.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:50 pmSuch a good list of good things, my friend. We have to look at the good things in front of us. So glad you got to see your sister!
Lindsay
January 16, 2025 at 5:33 amOh, my heart is with you, San. I so very much felt this. Sending you and your family healthy thoughts and hopes for a better end to January <3
A good thing: This is so random, but my daughter is doing a competition dance solo for the first time and I was anticipating a whole negotiation process between me, her, and her teacher on the song (we get a vote since we have to listen to it on practice repeat); I made a suggestion and she loved it!I was so proud of myself even if I'm already over the song and practice hasn't even started. haha!
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:51 pmThank you Lindsay, and that is wonderful news about your daugher’s dance solo! How exciting!
Alexandra
January 16, 2025 at 12:05 pmDamn, 2025 hasn’t started well for you or your family. I am so sorry for you and your friend’s loss. Let’s hope the proposed Cease Fire goes through and that’s one less worry in the world. And here’s hoping you feel better soon.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:51 pmThank you Alex. The cease fire would be one less worry in the world, indeed.
NGS
January 16, 2025 at 2:23 pmI don’t know, friend. My cat is sick, the inauguration is Monday, and things are falling off the rails with a software implementation at work. This January has been a struggle. In happy news, I have a new co-worker who likes making signs and flyers? That’s actually pretty cool and has made some parts of my job easier.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:52 pmUgh, I am sorry you’re also having a rough start to the year… but I am delighted to hear about your new co-worker.
Ernie
January 16, 2025 at 3:15 pmWell, I think the year can only pick up from here, right? Fingers crossed.
Something good: I love my king bed. That’s really a me thing. Another me thing is that I am in the process of planning our trip to Italy. To visit Mini.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:53 pmYes, Ernie. Things can only go up!
I am so excited that you went with the King bed (game changer!) and about your trip to Italy! That’ll be amazing!
Tammy
January 16, 2025 at 5:03 pmSan, Sending healing vibes to all of you. ❤️🩹 That’s a heck of a lot to deal with in a compressed period of time, especially when you’re not feeling 100%. Something good? I’ve been listening to podcasts and making collages!
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:54 pmThanks Tammy! Love how you’re focusing on being creative!
Kyria @ Travel Spot
January 16, 2025 at 11:16 pmUg! I hope that your week gets better! I also got a cold from my flight but luckily it was just a minor one, and I was pretty much over it after a few days. It was nothing like the one I got after riding Amtrak last summer, which I swear lasted for almost a month!
Something good is that it is not raining! It is cold where I am, but it is not raining, which makes it a lot easier to get outside and do things. Tomorrow there are many outdoor Saturday markets and I plan to go hog wild on fresh veggies and cheese!
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:55 pmThanks Kyria. I am glad that it’s not raining here either (although I wish it was because LA needs rain – although, not too much because that’s just going to create a whole different problem). Sigh.
Sarah
January 17, 2025 at 4:56 amThis is a rough start– I am sorry so many people in your life are unwell. The nights are lighter, and this is one small thing that’s making me so happy. Literally light to combat metaphorical dark.
San
January 17, 2025 at 1:57 pmSarah, thank you for this – how very true: light does combat dark in all possible ways.
Allison McCaskill
January 17, 2025 at 5:02 pmOh man, I’m sorry to hear about the crappy stuff. I find January a really tough month – I look forward to the Christmas insanity being over (fun as it is) and getting back to the routine, but my brain chemicals don’t agree. I am enjoying the kids at school after having a break from them, though. And we have a Robbie Burns party tomorrow with a friend who always attempts the Address to the Haggis, so that will be enjoyable.
Lisa’s Yarns
January 17, 2025 at 6:18 pmOh wow that is a terrible start to the year!!! I hope your moms are both ok. That is awful that Jon’s mom was hospitalized while traveling!! :(
Something good is that my surgery is behind me thank goodness and we received hundreds of dollars of DoorDash gift certificates from family and friends!!! I don’t know when I will be able to cook again so that will really help.
J
January 17, 2025 at 7:52 pmI’m pretty pissed off that shitfuck is going to be inaugurated on MLK day, to be honest. I’m sorry that you’re sick, that your mom was sick, that your MIL was sick. The wars are still going (cease fire would be GREAT), Sudan is still suffering. Our air quality is kind of crappy because we are having a dry January, hopefully February will be wet. But no mudslides. Ugh.
OK, good things. My MIL had her pacemaker replaced yesterday (just because it was time) and she’s doing very well. I thought we were going back to a 5 day work week after 2 1/2 years of 4 day weeks, but no, we still get them. I still have a job, which is GREAT. Going to a funeral tomorrow, which is sad, of course, but it was a good long life, and I will see family. I have started volunteering to help with a cat rescue, and met a new cat today who was ADORABLE, and if Ted were not deathly allergic, we would have a cat right now.
Stephany
January 18, 2025 at 6:20 pmIt has been a rough start to 2025 for so many of us, hasn’t it? I’m ready for a do-over, and we haven’t even gotten to the inauguration yet, gah. Something good? We’ve had such great weather in Florida lately! I love January in Florida!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
January 19, 2025 at 5:00 amOh no that really is a rough start into 2025. I am so so sorry that the great vacations ends on such a low note now. I am hoping the positive memory will overtake and the bad stuff with disappear in the background.
Hope both your moms are gonna be ok.
Get well soon. I am currently also nursing a cold. Sigh. I blame it on my trade fair – again. Last year I came back with Covid so this year is an improvement.
I missed your blog posts (and comments) in the past few weeks but spending time with family is most definitely the best excuse.
Daria
January 20, 2025 at 12:51 pmAll is that does sound so heavy. I hope you feel better soon.
Something good… Tik Tok is banned? As a high school teacher, I am happy that my students, who may not have their self control developed as adults, will get a break. Many are so addicted through no fault of their own. That thing just sucks you in.
Also. Discovered Monarch Money app, for budgeting. Feel so much more in control of our finances.
Also… Taking two road trips this year: national. One to MD/Delaware in the spring, and one to **not sure** in the fall.
Lastly… I have all my limbs, I have eyes, and I am breathing. I do not have some terrible, terrible disease, and my family is also healthy.
Anne
January 25, 2025 at 12:12 pmSan, I am so sorry I missed commenting on this. And now it’s 10 days later, but I just have to say, the world is a lot right now. And not a lot of very good. Then you had all of your personal and family challenges to deal with. I hope you are taking good care of yourself, that your mothers are doing better, and that at some point the light starts breaking through. You are always there for this community, and I hope you are feeling the love coming back to you now. Hugs, my friend. <3 (And even if many of these challenges have resolved? I hope you remember that we are all here for you – good and not-so good.)
Hello February - theinbetweenismine
February 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm[…] weeks. Then we went down to Southern California to spend 10 days with Jon’s mom (after her hospital stay in Europe). She’s is doing… alright. We returned back home on Friday. She wanted us to stay even […]