Goodbye 2025: A Guide to Catching Every Bug on the Way Out
Well, well, well... if it isn't me, your friendly neighborhood catering chaos coordinator, here to tell you about how I absolutely NAILED the art of collecting every single bug, virus, and bodily malfunction that 2025 had to offer in its final weeks.
The flu hits me like a freight train carrying nothing but regret and congestion. Now, most normal people would probably take this as a sign from the universe to slow down, maybe binge-watch some Netflix, drink some tea, call it a day. But did I do that? Of course not!
Just when I thought the flu was done with me, like, I'm talking maybe 48 hours after I started feeling human again my body decided to throw me the plot twist of the century. SHINGLES. Actual, honest-to-goodness shingles.
For those of you who've never had the absolute joy of experiencing shingles, let me paint you a picture: imagine someone took a blowtorch to one side of your body while simultaneously playing the world's most annoying game of connect-the-dots with pain receptors. Fun times! Really adds to that whole "professional caterer" vibe when you're trying to arrange prosciutto while feeling like you've been used as a piñata.
Just when I thought my body couldn't possibly have any more surprises in store, I woke up with a pinched nerve on the opposite side because why have one source of discomfort when you can collect the whole set?
Ah, did I mention I had a terrible eczema flare up too? No? Well it happened and is currently still happening.
My husband keeps looking at me like I've lost my mind (which... fair), and I'm over here trying to explain that "the show must go on!" while physically unable to turn my head to the right without wincing. I should use that spa gift card he got me a couple years ago… or make a chiropractor appointment soon.
The funniest part is watching people's reactions when they ask how I'm doing and I give them the honest answer. Their faces go through this whole journey: concern, disbelief, more concern, then this weird mix of admiration and "is she having a breakdown?" But mostly I'm just... impressed with myself? Like, who knew I had this level of "push through it" energy hidden away?
As we head into 2026, I'm choosing to see this whole experience as 2025's way of giving me one final test. Like, "Hey Abby, you think you're tough? You think you can handle running a business? Let's see how you do when your body decides to malfunction in four different ways simultaneously."
And you know what, 2025? Challenge accepted and CONQUERED. Maybe not gracefully, maybe not without a lot of complaining and probably way too much caffeine, but conquered nonetheless.
So here's to 2026, you guys! May it be filled with healthy immune systems, properly functioning necks, and absolutely zero surprise medical conditions.
Thanks for sticking with me through this absolutely ridiculous end to the year. Your support and understanding while I've been basically falling apart and pulling myself back together in real time means everything to me.
Here's to new adventures, continued charcuterie excellence, and hopefully getting through at least the first quarter of 2026 without my body withering away and whatever positive energy I can summon from my collection of essential oils.
XX,
Abby
Song of the day: Chance Peña- Sleep Deprivation
