The first week of the year is filled with hopes and dreams that things will be better than the previous year. I feel fortunate to have survived 2025 mostly intact. This first week was supposed to go differently. It was supposed to be spent catching up around my condo. I planned to get a lot done on the kitchen and to finish the reorganization of my reading and music space. This would allow me to relocate my cookbooks to the pantry area and reclaim some space in my bedroom.

Alas, with an injured shoulder, I couldn’t even play videogames comfortably. This week began with me waking up in pain around 3AM. Why is it always 3AM? At least I was on vacation and could take a nap to recover some of the sleep that was lost. I received five movies for Christmas, so I set out to watch The Cell first. I hadn’t ever seen it, but it was definitely up my alley. At least, parts of it were. This one was a hard watch at times though I appreciated the artistic representation of the mind of a serial killer.

As I had used dad’s cash gift on a SodaStream that was on sale for 50% off on the way home, I figured it was as good a time as any to get it set up and give it a whirl. This was something I was interested in for many reasons. I find pop has become overly carbonated and I wanted be able to control how much was it my drinks. Liquids are a pain when shopping alone because of how much they weigh. It would also be possible for me to control the sweetness level. And it reduces plastic bottle waste and doesn’t plug in, so it’s better for the planet while being more convenient for me.

Though I was injured, I carefully assembled my additional Kallax unit. As I didn’t want to chance lifting it up onto the other one, I assembled it on top of the other unit.

Once they were attached to each other with L brackets, I just had to slide them back in place and return my chair to its home. It was a bit slow going. I took lots of breaks for water.

It went well until a leg broke off of the lower unit. I moved it, but another leg broke off. Perhaps I’ll eventually get the proper base for both, but all that mattered was that I could achieve the base goal. I could perfect it later on.

I took another break to drink some water and calm down from the frustrating turn of events. I decided it would be a good idea to soon take the legs off on the other units after seeing how easily they break. My mixer was on top and I didn’t want to have that come crashing down onto my noggin. I planned it for the next day as I really wanted to get the cookbooks out of my bedroom and I figured I could do that after my doctor’s appointment.

The appointment went well. I was prescribed some things to start after the holiday because they don’t go well with alcohol. I was also given a requisition for imaging to check the damage done. I wondered how part of that would go as they would be x-raying both shoulders for comparison. If you’ve been here before, you know that I hurt my right shoulder quite badly in 2024. It’s pretty good now, though the muscles still get knotted up.

For New Years, I happily stayed in. I made stew with a cheaper cut of beef since there’s a cow shortage currently. A woman next to me thought nothing of the $36 price tag on a package of stew meat. I spent less than half that on two packages of a cheaper cut. I made stew and watched several episodes of The Rookie as I was trying to finish it before I didn’t have Crave anymore.

I also reached out to friends and family to let them know I appreciate them.

In the wee hours of January 1st, I registered for softball. Yes, I’m hurt right now, but I think I’ll be good by the time the warm months get here. I have until mid-April to pay, which is plenty of time to be sure I can truly move forward with it. It’s a league change for me to a ladies league that is far closer to my home. No more long commutes on the 417. It also has games twice a week and none on the weekends, so I won’t have to sacrifice time with my other friends. It will conflict with choir at the beginning of the season, but I included that information in my details, so the captains will be aware for drafting, scheduling, and lineups.

Though I didn’t drink much the night before, I felt a bit sick after carefully handling the Kallax foot removal. I was ready to move my cookbooks in theory, but needed to rest a bit. I suspect it was the cola as I was having a reaction the night before. I had just gotten a bottle of pop rather than the SodaStream option because I didn’t see any SodaStream flavourings at the grocery store earlier that day. I don’t know what it is in Coke that makes me itchy, but it’s usually lactose that does it to me in other products.

I decided that other than working at my cookbook move, New Years Day would be a Matrix marathon.

It was also the first day of a new month and Freddie was the card pulled to channel for January. Starting off 2026 super gay. I’m good with that.

Saturday was a dinner outing for a friend’s birthday. Though slightly belated due to the wintry weather on her actual birthday, the meal was delicious. It took a bit to find a place that was open. We were searching for sushi that wasn’t just takeout and the sake component was a must have as well.

There was a full moon this weekend and the fairy oracle guiding me through this moon cycle is the Fairy of Hope. I don’t think a more perfect card could have surfaced at a time when I’m feeling overwhelmed by all I have going on right now. Staying positive will be a challenge, but it didn’t used to be so. When I was younger, it was second nature. I suppose years of bullies, toxic partners, and life’s challenges got to me after awhile. Starting off 2026 in a hopeful frame of mind won’t be easy, but I suspect it will be worth it.

Choosing the hopeful path this year will be important for me.

Catch you on the flip side,

Rae