July 2026 Life Updates
- Ash
- 8 hours ago
- 7 min read
Quick Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these, I may earn a small commission. Please see my "privacy policy" for more information.
Welcome back to another monthly life update! What have Ashy, Benji, and Luke been up to this month? I honestly cannot believe everything that has happened this month, oh my god. This is one of my more vulnerable life updates, just FYI and reader discretion advised sorta thing.
Previous 2026 Life Updates:
January 2026 Life Updates (8 min read)
February 2026 Life Updates (8 min read)
March 2026 Life Updates (8 min read)
April 2026 Life Updates (9 min read)
May 2026 Life Updates (7 min read)
June 2026 Life Updates (6 min read)
PIN IT
July 2026 Life Updates
Luke had his combined 30th birthday party with two of his school friends at the Union Hotel, Ascot Vale. I did my best at being a social butterfly and spoke to as many people as I could. I also was able to drink a little bit without flaring too much, which made me happy. However, I started having some tummy issues and got SO exhausted in the afternoon that a lovely friend of mine dropped me home so Luke could stay out longer. I have a feeling it was the food that upset my tummy. Luke had a great time so that's all that matters!
The font on my blog randomly updated (and so did some of the settings).
I had the CRAZIEST day on the 1st of July. The TLDR version is that I was having issues with my crown tooth, so I rang the dentist, got in straight away, then the car wouldn't unlock for me, but I still made it down to the dentist, and she did an X-ray and was like "it's probably just your sinuses, nothing to worry about". Then when I went to pay, I found $10 in my wallet I didn't know I had. Then I sold some stuff on FB Marketplace, and the buyer came instantly because they really wanted the stuff; then our cockatoo friends came and visited us. You can read the full version of my crazy day in "this blog post". And we've had our cockatoo friends come visit a few times! I hope they don't get sad when we're away.
Speaking of the dentist, I HAD to go back again on the 20th of July and then the 22nd of July because I started having a tiny bit of sensitivity/pain and I didn't want to take that into my overseas trip. It turns out I probably chipped a filling flossing too hard, and my dentist was like, "Oh, that's an easy fix; let's fix that because YOU MUST get to try ALL the food in Vancouver". And now I'm worried I might be grinding my teeth at night, so I've got some disposable mouth guards to try because I don't think this is normal for me - I think I'm just in a heightened state of anxiety because of everything going on.
I also rang my dad on his birthday to wish him a happy birthday and had a bit of a weird conversation with him; he asked, "Have you got a real job yet?" and I explained that my blog IS my job and works better for my health and that they're looking into autoimmune diseases for me. I don't think he cared. I also don't think he'll read this blog. Anyway, then he told me my uncle (his brother) wasn't doing too well and only had a few weeks to live. And then the following Monday he texted me to say that my uncle had passed away. No funeral, just a cremation. I didn't really expect that, and I don't think I've ever really dealt with any grief, so it was a bit shocking. I get worried that people will say, "Oh, she moved so she doesn't care", which just isn't true.
Step Counter Updates: As you guys know, one of my goals for 2026 is to walk at least 5 - 10K steps per day, so here's my July 2026 progress! I'm very interested to see what August will look like, being away for 3 weeks (and losing a few days in the air, haha). I'll put the asterisked steps in once the month is officially over.
STEPS | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
WEEK 1 | 6308 | 10,377 | 7010 | 6341 | 5872 | ||
WEEK 2 | 8021 | 6902 | 10,185 | 6599 | 6675 | 6129 | 3569 |
WEEK 3 | 10,791 | 7938 | 7957 | 7641 | 6977 | 5518 | 5260 |
WEEK 4 | 10,424 | 8483 | 7135 | 7186 | 4585 | 7133 | 5372 |
WEEK 5 | 6397 | 7256 | 7049 | ** | ** |
SAVE TO PINTEREST
The YouTube videos I have put out this month are as follows: Strange Events From 2025! // The Adelaide Oval Abduction // I really wanted to get more out; I just didn't have enough time.
The Freaky Friday Files I have put out are as follows: Types of Déjà vu and Other Psychological Phenomena // The Creepiest Libraries Around the World // The Bennington Triangle // The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi // I'll save tomorrow's one for next month.
TV Shows that Luke and I have been watching are: Yes, still The X-Files (there are so many seasons!!), Cup Fever, Masterchef AU, HYBPA?, The Cheap Seats, Schitt's Creek, Last Week Tonight, Travel Guides, Live At The Apollo and Upper Middle Bogan. I watched Upper Middle Bogan during COVID and thought it was so funny, so I thought Luke might enjoy it, and he has been! The movies we watched were The Dink and 72 Hours. They were both very silly movies. OH AND THE BEST TV SHOW WE WATCHED THIS MONTH WAS NZ SPY, IT WAS SO GOOOD YES I AM YELLING BECAUSE THAT'S HOW GOOD IT WAS!!!! It's available on ABC iview in Aus, and I think TVNZ in NZ, so you MUST watch it.
TV Shows that I have been enjoying are: The Last Thing He Told Me (S2), Sugar (S2), Five Star Weekend, and Tracker S3 - Part 2 (finally!)
Books I have read this month are as follows: 1. The Greatest Hoaxes in History by Daniel Whitmore 2. The Australian Dream by The Betoota Advocate 3. I Catch Killers by Gary Jubelin You can read my July 2026 book reviews "here".
We found a new bakery in Brunswick to try called Vandel's Bakery, and they have GREAT pastries but not great coffee. They also have dog cookies!!! I highly recommend giving them a go. I also finally tried "Plot", which is near Essendon station, and the bread was VERY yummy. I definitely wanna go back there again. Plot sells Korean-style pastries and sogum (think salty buttery bread goodness). Now, their coffee was delish!!
Luke did a half marathon run! Everyone say "well done, Luke" in the comments!!! Woooo!!!
I made Biscoff truffles; you can find the recipe on my 2nd blog, Eats with Ash, "here". They worked okay, but I think I know how to make them better next time.
We had a quick video call with my friend in Canada to discuss our trip, and I also found a really yummy Mont Blanc at the coffee shop near our house; it was SO good.
Tomorrow I am getting a haircut and colour so that I look good for my trip, and my hairdresser is going to blow-wave my hair so I don't have to worry about my curls for at least the first week of our trip.
I also realised last minute that my togs didn't fit me, so I had to get some really quick, and thankfully I got a nice bikini that I can wear, and it doesn't feel too revealing. So yay, we can go swimming in Canada!
We completed our tax returns so that's done, and I think we don't need to do the census because we're gonna be overseas while that's on (which kinda sucks, haha).
We got a month's notice about our routine inspection - that's happening on the 26th of August, so that's good timing, right when we get back. I did not expect a month's notice for an inspection though; we usually only get a week.
There was some drama with my banks back in NZ. I had two banks I left open and had forgotten my passwords, so I got locked out. I was unable to call and get back into one, but the other one, I had to get all these documents certified and go through so many questions with them. It was intense, but I got back in, and now I am just waiting to close that account, and then everything is finished!! It was drama.
Today is Luke's aunty's birthday!
And in good news, this morning my mum found out she's going to get her second hip replacement much sooner than she thought.
Things I am looking forward to in August:
Canada (Vancouver/Victoria is where we are going).
Meeting my pen pal after 15+ years of internet friendship!!!
Seeing bears and hummingbirds and whatever other wildlife we can find.
Going to the Northern Hemisphere for the first time in my life.
Being reunited with Benji after our trip because he always gets SO excited.
Our routine inspection being over.
Thank you for reading! I'm taking most of my camera gear to Canada with me, so that means Luke has to take my laptop in his carry-on (how kind), so I'll try to get some photos up on my socials for people to see, and if I can edit/do some work in downtime, but don't expect too much because I might be quite busy. I suggest you follow me on IG: @asheycakes if you want to follow close to real time what we're doing.
Much love,
Ash x
PIN FOR LATER
Comments