What's Up Wednesday: August 2026

 

It's been a really long time since I have participated in What's Up Wednesday and I know that my posting has been a little sparse lately. This has been a super challenging year and when the things get a little crazy, the words don't really flow for me. Today, I am back for What's Up Wednesday and linking up with Shay and Shaeffer. 

I am going to warn you that this post may be pretty real and raw at times. I try to keep things as real as possible on this site and so many of you comment how positive I stay most of the time, lately things are been hard. Some things I will share but I also need to keep a lot of things private right now.

Ok, closing my eyes, taking a big breath and jumping in. 

What We're Eating This Week

It's back to just being Running Daddy and me at home now that Hockey Guy is at college, therefore we are keeping our dinners pretty easy this week. I did meal plan which is a plus.

Monday-Banza pasta, sauce, meatballs with caprese salad. We used up our tomatoes from our visit to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery last week. 

Tuesday-Crockpot barbeque pork tenderloin. Not sure what I am serving with this. 

Wednesday-Taco meat, salad and choose your own adventure with what you want to do with the taco meat...traditional taco, bowl, salad nachos? 

Thursday-Ranch chicken thighs with veggies

Friday-Some type of take-out. I rarely if ever cook on Friday nights

What I'm Reminscing About

I would love to say my usual August answer of back to school from years' past, to be brutally honest, we rececently lost a a few people close to us including my mom at the end of July. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about times with those that we loved and had fun with.

Yes, that is me and my mom when I was little.

Pretty sure we were in New Hampshire when this taken. 

What I'm Loving

We have had some truly glorious weather the past few days. The temperatures have been in the low 80's with little humidity. I even drove into work today with the sunroof open.

I am also loving the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Kit. I received this kit in our holiday gift exchage in December but never really used it until our South Carolina trip earlier in the month. The Lord did not give me Good hair. I tried this and liked it the first night. It seemed to help with any August South Carolina humidity hair. What was even Better was how my hair looked the second night I used it. It seemed that my hair was better the more I used it.

Same results last week for our college drop off trip. Smoother hair and even Better on the second use. Truly amazing because the weather was like sitting in the Devil's armpit. I also felt like I had residue on my hair and it was cleaner the next morning. I think when I need to replenish my shampoo I am going to grab the Living Proof shampoo and conditioner and see if I have similar results with regular use.

In early July, I purchased the Vera Wang Green Tea and Pear Blossom Body Mist. It was crazy hot here in early July and I wanted something really light to spray on after I shower on the weekends. It is one of those fragrances that is not overpowering and just leaves you smelling clean. I brought this on our Hilton Head trip and it traveled with me last week through SEC country. The Best part, this fragrance is around $10 right now. 

What We've Been Up To

In the past five weeks, we have been to funerals and traveled for funerals. Thankfully we all had some healing time in Hilton Head, SC even though we postponed a day. 

The view from Skull Creek (no filter) 

We picked up Woodford at his training camp and then he also spent a few extra days there two weeks later while we did college drop off.

Running Daddy and I headed to help Hockey Guy with year three college move in. They have a house this year and they have done an amazing job furnishing and decorating it. When you think of what a townhouse with four college-age athletes living in it would look like...think the opposite and you have their place. They honestly have some amazing design sense.

For the last week, Running Daddy and I have been working to put our lives back together after the end of the summer went a little sideways.

What I'm Dreading

Things have been so tough in so many ways this year, I don't even have the energy to dread anything else. I keep asking myself...2026, why are you so mean?

What I'm Working On

In addition to finishing making over a room in our house, I am working sitting in my feelings. Renovating a room is way more fun and much easier than sitting in my current feelings.

What I'm Excited About

I am excited about fall and college football season. I am also hopeful that things get a little Better for all of us soon. 

What I am Watching/Reading

I am trudging my way through Real Housewives of Orange County. Anyone else feel the same way? I also have a bunch of half-watched series waiting for me since starting them in early July. 

What I'm Listening To

Like everyone else, I am listening to Dolly this week. Last week, when we were on our college road trip I picked up this Dolly mug. I am so glad I bought it to honor her!

If you are not listening to Dolly this week...what are you doing? 

What I'm Wearing

Since I am coming back from travel and it's August in Washington, I am wearing what is clean and casual.

What I am Doing This Weekend

I have a hair appointment on Saturday, which is always relaxing. I am also triyng to take it easy and do some things that I enjoy like cooking. I may go to Barre3 or I may look into another pickleball lession. 

I am trying to keep my schedule light and be easy on myself during the weekends.

What I am Looking Forward to Next Month

I am looking forward to September and hoping that all of the bad news we have been hearing finally stops for our family. 

I am looking forward to early fall and college football season.

What Else is New

The only news is that after pausing for July due to my family situation, Monthly Musings is back tomorrow. 

Just in time for early fall, we will be sharing Cleaning and Life Hacks tomorrow. Personally, I am looking forward to all the tips I can gather from the writers who join me for Monthly Musings. You will want to stop by tomorrow and check it out.

Thanks for joining me today for What's Up Wednesday!

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