I haven't made New Year's resolutions for many years, but I do set some goals, even if they are often a bit vague. I had a Word of the Year 2025 - Practice - which for me meant a general goal of consistently doing the things I needed to work on and make into healthy habits. It wasn't exciting but I took notes on what I did each day in an attempt to track those habits and see if I was putting things into practice as intended, and kept myself somewhat accountable by writing a monthly blog post about it. (Working on publishing the December post for later today) I struggled to stay on top of household tasks the way I wanted to but other than that I think I was reasonably successful, and certainly did better than if I hadn't been keeping myself accountable with that daily diary!
I am trying to decide on a WOTY for 2026 but as of this writing I haven't settled on one. My birthday is right near the end of the calendar and I will turn 60 in 2026 so I was toying with the idea of making a list of 60 things to do before I turn 60. I think it will be hard to come with that many but I may give that a go!
The most fun times are usually with family, and I'd say that was true in 2025. Highlighted fun times for the year were things like the Stadium Classic game with the kids, going to Blue Jackets games with my hubby, our family vacation weekend at Deep Creek Lake and visits to Maryland, and going on little adventures in Ohio with the family here.
3. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2025? Tell us why.
I was trying to think of a song that was popular in 2025, but then it hit me - what did I sing most this year but Jumpin' East of Java! It was one of two songs in the Scioto Valley Chorus performance at Regional, where we earned the championship and a spot at International in 2026, and it will be in our semi-final package at International so we are still working on it. I'd say I could sing it in my sleep, but I can't because the coffee in the song and the choreo that goes with it would keep me awake and keep my blood pumping!
Lots of yummy things to choose from! My favorite pizza place is Jets Pizza. I think our current favorite restaurant is Chi Thai. At home, something that was on the menu regularly is my Chicken Florentine. And a recent discovery is a very simple holiday sweet - candied puffcorn. Uber simple to make but so delicious!
More practicing and improving and winning! Also more reading, if I can. Honestly, I'd like to be able to sleep a bit more, or maybe just sleep better. Less procrastinating, less complaining. In my perfect world, less of the yucky jobs I don't like. Haha.
We had a wonderful couple of days with the family in Maryland for Christmas. Never enough time to be with our kids and with our granddaughter. Really not enough time to get together with friends either, but we managed to pack quite a bit into those couple of days. Last night some of the Maryland kids arrived to spend a few days in Ohio with us, ringing in the New Year. Once again, not enough time, but we will love every minute of what we do have and are anticipating lots of fun!
Last week we wrapped up the 2025 edition of the Wednesday Quotes link-up discussing the theme "Holiday Memories". I found it interesting that in North America our minds immediately go to Christmas and New Years and the holidays of this winter season, while participants in other parts of the world associate vacations with the word "holiday". You can find my anchor post (which has a Christmas-y focus) here: WQ - Holiday Memories. From there you can read the other posts and see how they interpreted the theme. Stop by and share a few thoughts and quotes of your own! Tomorrow I'll have an Everyday Images photo link-up post for you in which I wrap up the year and the last couple weeks. Share your own favorite photos from the year, and I hope you'll consider joining one or both of these link-ups as they continue in 2026.
What are your thoughts as you look back on 2025 and get ready to ring in a new year? Leave a comment and let me know!
