The Weekly Slice

Another Hard Week

Aug 17, 2026

This week was hard. I’m not going to lie.

And I think the fact that I somehow filmed ALL of my YouTube footage in slow motion and didn’t realize it until I started editing pretty much sums up where my brain has been lately. So unfortunately, there won’t be a Weekly Slice on YouTube this week! You just have my terrible writing.. Ha!

My mind has been all over the place, and it feels like we have a million different things being thrown at us at full speed.

First and most importantly, my little dog is still here with us. We’re slowly learning what is working, what isn’t working, and how to navigate her chronic kidney disease. We’re administering subcutaneous fluids at home, researching constantly, talking to people we trust, and trying our best to make decisions based on how she’s feeling and what her bloodwork is telling us. It’s hard because we’ve been giving conflicting information and suggestions so I’m trying my best to advocate for her and what we feel is right based on how she’s acting.

We’ve had a couple of really bad days where I truly thought we were at the end, only for her to perk back up, eat, run around, and start acting like her cute little self again. This dog is my heart, and this has easily been one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. I’ve never lost a pet as an adult, and navigating the uncertainty of it all has been excruciating.

At the same time, work hasn’t exactly slowed down. We’ve been finalizing paperwork for our visa program, figuring out a new restaurant schedule, making a new hire, and somehow being much busier than we anticipated for August. Then Wednesday, a storm rolled through and knocked out our power because apparently we needed one more thing to add to the list.

Life has felt like a lot lately.

I’m trying really hard to take things one day at a time and keep my stress levels down. Between everything happening around town, our businesses, personal life, and worrying about Chilly, there are moments when it all feels incredibly heavy.

But there has also been a lesson in all of this and I’m realizing that I don’t have to solve everything today or have to know what next week looks like. And, sometimes the only thing I can do is take care of what is directly in front of me, make the best decision I can with the information I have, and trust that we’ll figure out the next thing when we get there.

I’m also being reminded over and over again how much the people around you matter. I’m so grateful for our friends and family who continue to show up for us, for the lessons even the difficult seasons bring, for my faith, and especially for a partner who is beside me through every bit of this crazy life.

So that’s where I’m at this week. I’m taking it one day at a time, trying to give myself a little grace, and reminding myself that not every week has to be productive, perfectly documented, or wrapped up with a pretty little bow.

Sometimes getting through the week is enough.

Sorry there’s no YouTube video this week. Apparently filming an entire vlog in slow motion isn’t ideal. 😂 We’ll try again next week.

Love you guys. ❤️ Mean it.

-Mal

A verse that has helped me this week:

The Lord gives his people strength.

The Lord blesses them with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Link to the Camera I’m using for YouTube that everyone keeps asking me about:

Best Camera