2025 Year in Review

Well, I hope I do the year justice and NOT forget something important. I tried to remember what all we did last year. The first half of my year’s calendar was thrown away because I got a new planner. I usually refer to my blog, but I didn’t blog every day and most of my life now is documented by videos and I certainly couldn’t watch all the videos from this year to help me remember what happened, but here we go!

Goodreads reminded me of all had read this year. I am not sure why it surprised me but most of them were spiritual books, cooking or food books, and not as many fiction. But of course not all of them are shown here.

I know that I started the year with the flu and that kicked my butt the first of the year. It was the first year of retirement and was a really nice year . I had so much that I was behind on when the year started that I hit the ground running with home projects and with YouTube and I didn’t stop for much. I did have time to read and watch a few shows but by August I was feeling a bit “spent”. I knew I’d been busy and tackled a lot, but I also knew that I had to regroup and change my focus to not push as hard and allow myself to actually feel some pleasure and varieties in my routine.

Between August and December, I re-learned how to use my TO DO list more appropriately for retirement. I no longer need to have every minute planned and prioritized now that I am not working. There was a time when it was necessary but I’m learning to stop and smell the roses now (to read a book, play Farmville2, do things on a whim). But whew! Getting this under control took a little minute. I guess I’m too disciplined. Thank goodness George encourages me to slow it down. By the end of the year, I started calling this new way of living “slow living”. It’s actually a buzz term probably coined by someone on YouTube but the concept ways big on my heart going into 2026. Staying home more, making our own bread, making some jewelry, working puzzles, cooking up some awesome homemade meals, reading a book, watching a show. It just all sounds good to me – real good!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The new year goals will have to wait – the video is coming Jan 10th to reveal all my thoughts about the new year. If you have been reading my blog at all though you will likely already have ideas. So now this is a Year in Review vlog so let’s get to it. These are NOT in order of importance. lol

Several things we did in 2025:

• Made lots of ice cream in the Ninja Creamy
• Katy and I went to Waco for a girls trip and I got to go to TX to the ranch afterwards on my own (there was the mice though that terrified me to sleep there as they were getting in the beds)
• Took Mom to see assisted living place and she agreed to be on the wait list
• Basement Project – Mostly George but I was involved a lot in going through things and lots of things donated
• Started a Grandson board although I have to say I wasn’t very good at ordering new pics every quarter
• We did a Marie Kondo of the house, area by area.
• Made my Office more functional in many ways. Physically and also digitally.
• Upgraded technical devices and software: new computer, Microsoft, new iPad, digital planner and writing with GoodNotes
• Bought a new camera and I love it. A big win.
• Den Makeover and it made such a big difference going from paneling to a light sage green color.
• Cooked a LOT more. Usually a recipe a week. Enjoyed most of it, but felt pressure because of my To Do list, lol.
• Read more. I met my goal of 24 books and actually think I went over to 26 or so.
• Worked a couple of puzzles.
• Had a lot of outings and day excursions with George: yard sailing, McKaye’s, thrifting, birthdaying, Christmas shopping etc.
• Reorganized a lot of places in the house, particularly the laundry room storage and the pantry.
• I should clarify that I actually got to go to TX three times last year. Once in March with George (dust storm), by myself after the Waco trip, and then again at Thanksgiving. Almost enough to call it a 2nd home, but not quite, lol.
• I realized this important fact! I HEALED MY GUT. You can go back and watch the “healing my gut” video on my channel if you want to see what I did. I only had one slight issue with it earlier in the year last year but it quickly was resolved and I’ve not had any other problems.
• We went to Chattanooga for a heavenly 2 nights and 3 days of a trip with friends.
• I improved my sleep score from the 70’s to a high 80’s score, simply by not working – I think.
• Made a family hallway collage which we love, celebrating family by walking between those that are still here and those that have passed, several times daily.
• Went to a Black Tie Wedding. I think it was my first black tie event ever and it scared the bejebies out of me. I don’t know what a bejebi is but hope it’s nothing criminal or rude, lol. But it worked out and great time had by all – but it DID IN FACT take a lot of $ and time spent shopping to get to go.
• Joined Costco and highly thrilled about it.
• Did Vlogmas.
• Got my Passport. Now will George let me use it? Or was it all in vain?
• Found Mom a fabulous cleaning lady and she is so awesome. Does an amazing job and is so nice to Mom.
• Joined the Magi packing group. Love doing this, packing these boxes for the kids.
• Did TWO fundraisers. By “Did” I mean we went and ate a fabulous dinner and gave money, lol.
• Changed my relationship with my TO DO List to use it properly and not have it LORD over me. Just because I stage it a certain way to happen does not mean it has to rule my day. It’s ok if I need to change it mid-stream.
• Was very surprised to be diagnosed with depression. Tracked the root cause to sleep, nutrition, and metabolism issues. Still working on those things. Not working helps though.
• Had a major plumbing issue that cost us thousands and we had just repaired the ceiling for over another thousand so…we have not repaired it again. We have a lot of repairs waiting on the repair list that we cannot EVER get to. We have been waiting to call an electrician to fix some issues and install a new ceiling fan, get new stove, and some serious gutter repairs need to happen – all of these been on the list for YEARS. I could go on, but don’t want to further my depression. I have always said that I will eat well but the house may fall down around me. Likely so at this rate of progress. One step forward and two back.
• Started a card ministry for those in my church (sick, sympathy, encouragement, etc). I don’t sent to everyone every week as that would be too costly, but I generally send to the ones that I know personally and they usually know me already. That way I can afford it.
• Rearranged the sunroom so the table is close to the den and we eat out there more often. It was great switcheroo.
• Reorganized a lot of closets.

What I didn’t get done in 2025.

• Lose weight
• Get to 7500 subscribers on YT
• Plan a cruise

And I’m highly disappointed in all those things, more than any one person can ever know, but that’s life.

So beyond this I cannot think or remember. But maybe that is a good thing as otherwise it might keep us here all day long. If I forgot something important, forgive me, and let me know what it was, lol. :-O

Happy New Year everyone! I will likely pop in tomorrow, but in case I do not, much love and good wishes for your 2026!