A Daybook Entry: January 2026

Well hello friends!  Happy Monday!  Before I get started on the first daybook entry for this new year, I wanted to thank everyone who commented on Friday’s post and shared some of the things that “never have you ever” (or maybe you have…) done.  It seemed I was in pretty good company with several of the things I listed.  And I few of things you guys shared really surprised me.  I had mentioned when I was putting that post together that my mind kept going blank on things I had NEVER done.  Of course, this weekend (after the post was done and settled), all sorts of things kept popping into my head.  Why does that happen?  A little too late, maybe, but they were still amusing me.

For the record, never have I ever ordered groceries (or anything, for that matter) for me to pick up later.  Never have I ever ridden a motorcyle and never have I ever eaten any type of wild game.  Nor have I ever grown a garden…or even a tomato plant.  I did try peppers in a patio pot once but they were a failure.  Can you imagine me with an actual garden?  Funny – my parents never had a garden.  Nor did my grandparents – at least now when I was of an age to remember it.  Flowers bed (are those called gardens?) were a different story.  I definitely come from a family of gardeners, but I do not remember any veggies from the backyard:)  Nor do I remember even one family member (on either side) ever hunting and/or even talking about hunting.  Not one.  Isn’t it interesting how some things/habits/family traits are “passed down” without us even realizing or even tyring to do so?

But enough about Friday’s post.  Time for today’s post.  I had considered changing up the format for these monthly daybook posts.  But I could not settle on anything different that really seemed necessary.  I do like to change things up every now and then, but, for now, I will stick with what has been working:)

The Weather – has finally returned to winter.  It had been so nice (unseasonably warm) but that has all changed.  We had the prettiest snow on Saturday morning.  The flakes were huge…and so, um, fluffy.  Everything got a light dusting of white but it only lasted about thirty mintues.  Perfect, in my opinion.  The forecast called for snow again yesterday but that did not happen.  But it is cold!  Bundle up with a scarf, gloves and your bulky coat kind of cold!! Not exactly my favorite but to be expected in January, I suppose.

As I look outside my window  – the dreariness of winter has settled in.  All of the Christmas lights are down.  Well, except one.  There is always that one!  And the yards just look bleak.  The porches look bare.  Everything seems a bit sad.  It is one of my least favorite parts of winter.

This morning, I am – running to pick up a gift for a friend’s birthday.  Not exactly something I want to do first thing on a Monday morning.  I should have taken care of it over the weekend (or even any day last week) but I procrastinated.  Ugh.  You would think I would learn.  However, after I have said gift in hand, I am taking her to lunch.  That part I am looking foward to.  A birthday celebration sounds like a nice way to start the week! Happy birthday, Judy!

Lately, I have been thinking about – my hearing.  The blessing of being able to hear.  How challenging it is when you cannot hear.  And I’ve been thinking about those who live without being able to hear.  It really is a different world.  When I was sick in December, my hearing completely shut off.  One hundred percent in one ear and about eighty percent in the other.  In a perfect world, my ears should have opened back up after the infection cleared.  But that has not happened.  Eustachion Tube Dysfunction they call it.  The tube in my middle ear is “stuck closed” and fluid is trapped behind my ear drums.  All that to say, I cannot hear.  Not only is it challenging (obviously) not to be able to hear others’ words, but I have really missed the simple every sounds of life.  That, as well as not being able to easily join conversation, is very isolating.  And lonely.

I have been to the doctor and we are trying some first steps to reopen the eustachion tubes.  These first steps are the “easy fixes” and I am praying for an easy fix.  Did you know fluid left in the middle ear can eventually turn to glue?  Ugh.

What I am wearing – all the warm winter things.  Sweaters.  Tights.  And several sweatshirts.  These are new to my wardrobe.  When I think of sweatshirts, I think of bulky/heavy things.  But I have found several lately that are much lighterweight (although still warm) and cozy to wear.  Without hoods.  Do you like hoods on your tops?  I think I am at “the certain age” when hoods are no longer necessary or fashionable.

Around the house – the Christmas stuff is put away.  Although I did come across a stray Santa who somehow managed to avoid being return to his bin.  Not sure how that happened.  Now the snowmen are out.  Not that we have tons of snowmen.  There used to be quite the collection but that was purged several years ago. I’m not quite ready for the spring decor but I do need a little something to bring on the cozy (to avoid that winter dreary look I mentioned earlier).  A few snowmen here and there seem to do the trick.  I also recently bought a winter shower curtain.  Who am I??  I can see it from the bedroom…and even it brings on some extra cozy.  Can you tell what the goal is these days??

My To-Do List – put that stray Santa away.  Perhaps just to see if anything else has missed my notice.  Work on my Bible study homework.  I almost forgot about it and need to get on a good schedule since it restarted last week.  And keep pressing on with the steriod nasal spray!

And, from my camera – there is not much exciting.  If I was a good blogger, I would have grabbed my camera when those beautiful snowflakes were falling on Saturday.  But I did not.  Scrolling through, there is not much else on there that has been taken lately.  Some new boots I bought over the weekend.  I was in desperate needs of new boots.  There was a second pair I would have liked but they did not have my size.  So I took a picture to hopefully order them online.  And there is a photo of a cute bunny I picked up while out with a friend.  She will be added to my bunnies come April (for now, she waits on a shelf)!  Goodness, perhaps this is the category that needs some revising.  It is supposed to motivate to take photos but it usually just stumps me…lol!  Here is one of my snowmen:)

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.  I have several fun plans this week.  I hope your week includes at least a couple things that bring you joy!!  Thanks for stopping by –