Assumptions
I always somehow operate under the assumption that you know what I am up to, even though I realize I don’t necessarily share a lot of my mundane day-to-day on this blog. I mean, between Monday and Thursday, I spent most of the day behind a desk, and there’s not much to report (unless something out of the ordinary happens at the office that I can actually blog about.)
My mornings consist of workouts (as you know from my Weekly Run Downs), and the evenings are always short. I cook, I eat, I (often) take a quick walk lately, and I read a few pages or watch the news before heading to bed and doing it all over again.
You might recall that I had contemplated switching back to a 5-day work week and I’ve been trying this out a little bit. It’s nice to be home a little earlier, but I also like my 3-day weekends. So, for the last few weeks I’ve been deciding week by week if I want to work four long days (and get Friday off) or if I want to work five shorter days. I make the decision based on what’s going on the following week. I often schedule appointments on Friday (so I don’t have to take time off work during the week), which often means that four long days work out better.
I might not have the flexibility to work from home anymore, but at least I have a bit of flexibility with my work hours, and I realize that’s at least something!
Doppelgänger
I swear, someone is playing a mean joke on me because we have a Tanja Doppelgänger in our neighborhood. More than once have I been tricked into thinking I saw my friend Tanja on my morning runs. There is a lady (with two greyhounds) in our neighborhood who looks exactly like her from a distance, and whenever I catch the first glimpse of her, my heart literally skips a beat until I realize that it’s not Tanja, but just my wishful thinking.
DUMB PEOPLE
Have you heard about the two women at Yellowstone National Park who went off the trail and across Grand Prismatic Spring last weekend? Sometimes I seriously question people’s intelligence. It’s nothing short of a miracle that they didn’t get injured or die.
Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Pops
I made these “Reese-inspired peanut butter yogurt pops,” and they’re so delicious.
Greek yogurt (1 cup)
PB2 or Peanut Butter (2 tbsps)
Honey (1 tbsp)
Protein Powder (1 scoop – optional)
Dark Chocolate (6 oz)
Coconut oil (1 tbsp)
Peanuts (chopped — optional)
Mix all the ingredients, scoop dollops on a tray, place some popsicle sticks in the middle, and freeze overnight. The next day, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil. You can also add some chopped peanuts to the chocolate coating for some extra crunch. Put back in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
I usually have all the ingredients on hand, and I picked some of these wooden popsicle sticks on my last grocery run. It’s a really easy treat to make at home with FULL control of the ingredients.
AN UPDATE ON MY Niece’s HEALTH
My niece is seeing a new doctor (an internist) who’s taking another look at her lingering symptoms (mostly extreme fatigue – to the point that she has to miss school – and a whole slew of chaotic bloodwork results).
In case you don’t remember: it’s been over a year since my niece had symptoms of hemiparesis during soccer practice, and they have not been able to find the cause. It was not related to an accident or acute injury. She’s had a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) initially, blood tests, an MRI, and nothing came back conclusive, other than they suspect some sort of infection and a possibly leaky blood-brain barrier (BBB). She was eventually diagnosed with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which is often linked to viral infections, but it’s really just a catch-all diagnosis without actually finding what the cause is.
Well, this new internist wants to dig deeper. My sister arrived with a big binder of medical records, and they insisted that they wanted copies of ALL OF IT. They ordered more bloodwork, and I am really hoping that they’ll not give up until they find the root cause and know how to treat it. Fingers crossed!
Have you seen a Doppelgänger of someone you know?
Let me know when – not if – you try the frozen peanut butter pops!
Nicole MacPherson
July 25, 2026 at 6:22 amOooh that frozen pop looks really good!
I did not see the news about Yellowstone, but it’s not surprising in the least to me. I saw some crazy things while hiking in Banff over the years. I could not believe the risks people would take for a photo – and this was before social media was such a thing!
San
July 25, 2026 at 12:49 pmWhat is wrong with people?
Elisabeth
July 25, 2026 at 11:08 amWe LOVE looking for doppelgangers. We do it constantly as a family.
Those frozen pops look amazing.
I’m so sorry your niece continues to search and wait for answers. It can be so discouraging and disheartening. While you dread hearing a negative answer, having NO answer is sometimes even harder to bear. I hope this new doctor is able to get to the bottom of what’s causing her symptoms.
San
July 25, 2026 at 12:50 pmHa! That’s a fun pastime for sure!
Thank you friend – I’ll be updating you all here if they find any new clues about my niece’s diagnosis!
Michelle G.
July 25, 2026 at 4:10 pmI did hear about those tourists. There are incidents like that every year, and I just don’t get it. I really hope the new doctor can figure out what’s going on with your niece! It’s nice that you have some flexibility in your work week. It’s so nice to be able to get a weekday off for any appointments or banking.
coco
July 26, 2026 at 2:12 amSan, can you share the link of where you bought your hammock? is it self standing? i’m seriously considering to get one after falling asleep in 5 min on it.
I heard about the yellow stone incident from my husband as we visited that place over 10 years ago. I really wonder what they were thinking.
I like 3 days weekend and rarely go to office on fridays because i miss being home alone and friday is the only chance I get.
Suzanne
July 27, 2026 at 3:39 amWhile I hadn’t seen the Yellowstone story, I am (bitterly) unsurprised. A few years ago, I visited the badlands in South Dakota and so many people were going off the marked path to get selfies on the edges of promontories that looked distinctly unsafe.
Doppelgangers can be fun, but they can also be a little sad! I know exactly that feeling of your heart lifting a little at the sight of someone you love, only to have it plummet when you realize you are looking at someone else.
Having the option of a four-day work week sounds excellent. A previous job of mine did Summer Fridays for a few years, allowing people to work 40 hours in four days, and I loved having those long weekends.
Tanja
July 27, 2026 at 5:20 amWish I could surprise you one of these mornings…. while you would think to see my Doppelganger (again) you run up to you and give you the biggest hug. Wouldn’t that be amazing…. hahaha, I have way too much imagination…..
Girl, these tourists in Yellowstone – I really hope they’ll be banned for life.
Hopefully the new doctor can find the cause of what’s going on with your niece and help her.
Stephany
July 27, 2026 at 5:49 pmUsually when I see a doppleganger, it’s of someone I didn’t want to come across in the wild so I’m relieved! Hahaha. And sometimes I think I see my dad (who I’ve been estranged from for 20 years) and that causes my heart to skip a beat! But nope, just someone who looks like him. Or, I guess, what I *think* he would look like.
That’s awesome that you get to choose if you want a 4-day week or a 5-day week! I love that you have that kind of flexibility.
And HOORAY for a great doctor for your niece! I hope they are able to figure out what’s going on.
ernie
August 2, 2026 at 10:51 amI’ve come across someone now and then who looks exactly like someone else I know – a few months ago, I almost approached a woman at Costco who I really believed was my friend. That friend lives in NC now, and it wasn’t her, but it made me pause.
I am trying to eat healthy (more healthy). I was shocked to learn that rice cakes might be contributing to my menopause belly. Grr. I thought I’d found the perfect snack. I hope to make these peanut better ice cream like treats.
Gosh, I certainly hope this new doc finds out what is going on with your niece’s health. I remember reading when it first happened and it feels like it’s been going on for an eternity, which cannot be easy for a young person. Praying that a fresh set of eyes makes all the difference.
Oh, and I babysit mon-thurs and I love it. I don’t work longer days to compensate and I could make more money if I included Friday, but I need a day. It has been so helpful when having college kids, which we are halfway through with – but it still feels like it’ll be another decade plus before the college years are over.
Five Things Friday Vol. 132 – theinbetweenismine
August 7, 2026 at 7:30 pm[…] niece had her follow-up appointment with the new doctor and her recent test results have uncovered a slew of compounding issues. I […]
Tobia | craftaliciousme
August 8, 2026 at 11:57 pmI WANT one of this epopsicles. I don’t want to make it though. But maybe I should stick my battery thing in the freezer so I can actually use my ice cream maker. I have already bought all the ingredients….
Hope your niece’s doctor can figure out what is happening.