Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Well, it’s the last day of 2025 and I’m here with Joyce for Hodgepodge. Joyce comes up with great questions that are both thought provoking and fun!

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we’re waving goodbye? How did that work out for you? Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you’d like to share. 

So, here is the thing… I have always lived my life on school year calendars and not traditional calendars! So, I generally set goals in August. I guess since I am no longer living by a school calendar that I could adapt. I do have a winter bucket list coming and I believe in making seasonal lists. I find it easier to look at smaller chunks of time.

2. When did you have the most fun this year? 

Well, this is a hard one. This year has been difficult. I found ways to make fun during the hard, for sure. Isn’t that life for you? There is always the beautiful in the ugly and the good among the bad.

My sisters and I laughed and cried while clearing out my parents’ house. We had so many laughs finding our videos!

That only scratches the surface! Boat outings, pool days, breakfasts, lunches, happy hours, and dinners with friends were so much fun this year!

3. What’s a song or song lyric you’ll associate with 2025? Tell us why. 

“Take this Job and Shove It” – bahahahahaha – self-explanatory!

4. Best (or a favorite) bite of something delicious you tasted this year? 

This queso with chorizo!

This salmon salad!

This goat cheese with strawberry jam!

5. What do you want to do more of in the new year? Less of? 

I want to say YES more if it’s a “heck yes”. I want to spend less time worrying, overanalyzing, and expending mental energy on stupid things and people that don’t exert that energy on me.

I had two big things happen this year – my mother’s death and my retirement and when big things happen you kind of see things clearly. I have let go of the fake work friendships and I also see my circle getting smaller in my real life. I am open to meeting new friends and hope to in 2026!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I want to slow down and take more careful and thoughtful photos in 2026. There’s a resolution! I love looking at my camera roll as a way to reflect and savor experiences and memories.

My sister has a newer iphone and took this beautiful photo out of our Airbnb window.

Look at the beams in the Airbnb!

I look naked, but I had on a tank top and shorts and got hot in my sweatshirt. Playing this game was so fun and one of the best memories I will keep. The youngest boy got so giggly when he picked a funny card. The oldest boy laughed a lot during this game.

My parents created this. How cool is that?

What would you say to any of the questions?

Amy