01/23/2026
Today is the calm before the storm, literally. J took me out for Dutch Bros before the weather turned.

I made Swedish meatballs for dinner over egg noodles and have been charging our rechargables, like the power bank and our new emergency flashlight. Hopefully we won't have to use either.

01/22/2026
Got the first two of my four fillings done! I was numb for hours, so I ate McDonalds french fries as my lunch lol. Apparently I have tiny little teeth.

In a bit of irony, J's work had a wellness seminar. He brought me home a gigantic pink and purple gradiant bottle for water, a Liquid IV, and some "healthy" snacks in a [work] branded totebag.

01/21/2026
JL and CL lost another guinea pig, Peanut Butter. They bought her at the same store as Mocha, who had to be put down on Christmas Eve. They are down to a singleton, Coco, which is really bad for the species. They're social animals and langish alone.

I tried out Just Dance for the first time in years and ahahahaa, oh my God. I seem to be unable to move my arms and legs independently so it's hilarious trying to mimic the moves.

01/19/2026
There's supposed to be a big winter storm heading our way, so we went grocery shopping to pick up nonperishables and other items to make it through the weekend (and maybe beyond?)

I also made gravy and biscuits for the first time, which was a hit with J!

01/18/2026
I officially weigh under 200lbs! Onderland, I made it!

01/14-17/2026
Spent a couple of days kind of down in the dumps over all the physical and mental prepreation I did to be ready for the interview for a job I didn't get.

Received my Barbie, who is awesome! Also had to order ring sizers because I flung my damn wedding band off my finger when putting on a sweater, lol.

01/13/2026
Went through Job 2's interview process and didn't get the job. I was told privately (since it was a group interview) that I was overqualified for the position and they're going with someone else.

*blink*

Okay, next, I guess.

I ordered Mattel's first Autistic Barbie to cheer myself up.

01/12/2026
Survived my dental appointment! Since my interview is tomorrow, I opted to have my cleaning done today and to come back for the four fillings that I need. (Only 4 fillings, including the tooth I cracked! I was expecting like, a damn root canal or something.) It had been 12 years and the dentist was happy with the state of my teeth and gums. I am incredibly lucky.

My lifelong struggle as an autist has been dental care, which is why I call myself lucky. I rarely floss. Brushing is a sensory nightmare. On good days, I can make myself do it. Bad days? No.

01/11/2026
Had to get new business casual interview clothes as the last time I had an in-person interview, I wore a size 20. I tried on several pairs of black dress pants until I found a pair that wasn't too short or awkward fitting. I hated nearly all of the blouses and cardigans, so I ended up with a dark purple sweater and a black undershirt.

I purchased a pair of black Sketchers ballet flats with a slightly pointed toe because none of the boots I have are "dressy". Size 9.5; last ballet flats were an 11! That's something else very interesting about weight loss, it doesn't just affect your clothing size. My feet are less swollen.

01/10/2026
Played Pandemic with J for the first time and it's really, really fun! He's really into board gaming. I'm not nearly as much of a fan, but I do enjoy some board games. He was happy this was one of them. I mean, Resident Evil is a special interest of mine, so it makes sense that I dig a game about trying to save humanity from strains of plague engulfing the world.

01/09/2026
Job 2 had me sign up for a group interview!

01/08/2026
Somehow, I managed to crack a tooth in my sleep, so J scheduled a dental appointment for me. At this point, I haven't seen a dentist since I was 24 and on my father's insurance. I'm THIRTY-SEVEN. J is working for the first employer either of us had that includes a dental package.

Been keeping up with a consistent work out schedule and I hate it. I wish I got endorphins from exercise. I can't stand being hot, sweating, having spandex stick to my skin, and I don't like the feeling of aching joints. But I know it's good for my heart and that being active will help me as I continue to age, so I struggle through it.

01/07/2026
I got a voice mail from the hiring manager of Job 1, so I returned her call and HR said that she'd call me back later.

[Narrator: That never happened.]

I did, however, get a package in the mail from my friend CB! She had cross stitched us the cutest introvert thing ever, a framed sign that says "PLEASE LEAVE BY 9" surrounded by florals. HAHAHA. She also sent us knit coasters that stack to look like a potted plant (ADORABLE and perfect for my black thumb) and Claire a set of Buffalo Bills catnip toys. (Included were a football with a feather, a beer bottle LOL, and a helmet with their logo.) Oh, and a cutie kitty sticker, too! Sweet friends make dumb days better.

01/06/2026
Put on a little make up and recorded two of those dumb virtual interviews for customer service jobs at grocery stores. Shrug. My husband was sweet enough to take me to Dutch Bros as a reward for getting through The Hella Awkward.

01/03/2026
My parents helped JL and CL remove the last of EL's personal items from his old house so they can finally transfer ownership. I'm sure it's bittersweet.

Since everyone was in Meridian for the day, we went to Trader Joe's to pick up a few items.

I also got two Neopet Avatars that have been evading me! One was a stamp accomplishment (expensive! they're NP sinks!) and the other was a luck-based card game.

01/01/2026
Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is gentle to us all.

We spent NYE playing Uno Golf and watching a crappy cam of the downtown Dallas drone show.