Hodgepodge ~ December 31, 2025

 How fun to complete the year with a day of Hodgepodge! 

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. 

I think my goal this time last year was to survive and I did just that!  I feel like my goals for each year are very similar in theory.  2026 will be brought to you by the letter F...faith, family, friendships, finances, fitness.  These are all areas where I want to improve in 2026. Oh, and have a lot of FUN!

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

Yesterday, I did my yearly recap of 2025.  It was a great time to reflect personally on 2025. In terms of just having fun, I really think it was the night Jenn and I went to see Darius Rucker in concert.  I loved everything about it.

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

The Truth by Megan Woods

This song speaks such truth and is so encouraging for any of us to hear.  I heard it for the first time this year. Below is the chorus:

The truth is I am my Father's child
I make Him proud and I make Him smile
I was made in the image of a perfect King
He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing
The truth is I am truly loved
By a God who's good when I'm not good enough
I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You
And that's the truth

Another song that has given me such encouragement this year is I Knew You Were Waiting by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. This song makes me smile when I think there is someone out there waiting on me. 

Like a warrior that fights and wins the battle

I know the taste of victory

Though I went through some nights consumed by the shadows

I was crippled emotionally

Somehow I made it through the heartache, yes, I did

Oh, I escaped, I found my way out of the darkness

I kept my faith (I know you did), kept my faith

When the river was deep, I didn't falter

When the mountain was high, I still believed

When the valley was low, it didn't stop me, no no

I knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting for me

With an endless desire, I kept on searching

Sure in time our eyes would meet

And like a bridge that's on fire, the hurt is over

One touch and you set me free

No, I don't regret a single moment, no I don't

(I know you don't) Looking back

When I think of all those disappointments

I just laugh (I know you do), I just laugh

When the river was deep, I didn't falter

When the mountain was high, I still believed

When the valley was low, it didn't stop me, oh

I knew you were waiting, hey, I knew you were waiting for me

So we were drawn together through destiny.

I know this love we share was meant to be, oh

(Knew you were waiting) Ooh, yeah

(Knew you were waiting) I knew you were waiting

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

I had the best Key Lime Pie when Jenn and I went to the beach in July.  We bought it at a local place on the way in Alabama.  I heard about this recommendation from Sophie Hudson from The Big Boo Podcast and she was so right about this pie shop.

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

I want more hugs, laughter, peace of mind, and financial stability/peace so I can provide for myself and my daughters.  I want to speak kindly to myself. I tend to do this towards others more than I do to myself.

Currently, I want less of coughing! Since losing my voice on Thanksgiving, I have struggled with a deep cough that sounds like I have smoked for my entire life.  

I also want less of gaslighting from people. Ugh.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I jumped onboard and played with Chat GPT with these pictures of my daughters with a Norman Rockwell painting vibe.

Today, I am having an eye exam and then hopefully hanging out with some friends tonight at the same parties Jenn and I went to last year.  Say a little prayer of strength for me as go into these parties alone this year.  Whether I am home by 10pm or after midnight, I know I am going to be okay and continue to get stronger in 2026.

Happy New Year's friends!  

2025 Recap

 Hi!  Welcome to my longest post of the year....my 2025 recap!  Yes, 99% of these pictures have been shown here, but it is good for me to see the good parts of the year.  Yes, it had it hard parts, but lots of fun in it as well. Note: this post contains more pictures than usual :)

JANUARY

One of my best friends from NC came for a visit.

I met up with some friends in New Orleans for a weekend.

I saw Michael J Fox and the cast of Back to the Future at a 40th year anniversary event.

The event included me seeing my favorite, Huey Lewis, which was the driving factor of me going down there!

FEBRUARY

I surprised my daughter for her 24th birthday.

I took a weight lifting class.

MARCH

Brook came home for spring break.

Jenn and I giggling as we look at dating apps.  Who are we?

Greeting my brother at the airport with Elvis!

Grizzlies game with my co-worker

Tulips with Jenn

And other celebrations with Jenn

April

I had a work event.

I took myself on a date and had a lovely time.

I spent Easter in Charlotte with my daughters and former in-laws.

Took an epic trip to Louisville with these awesome fellow bloggers turned friends!

I loved visiting Churchill Downs the week of the Kentucky Derby.

MAY

Jenn and I went to McKinney, Texas and met up with Tanya.

I took a tour of the Air Traffic Controller center in Memphis.

I wrapped up taking dance lessons.

Brook came home for Mother's Day!

JUNE

Brook, Wade and I went to our AAA baseball team's game.

Father's Day with my dad and siblings

Sunday lunch with Jenn

A sleepover with these kiddos!

I took a trip to Chattanooga and saw my oldest!

I went from there to Lexington, Kentucky for a meet up with one of my other best friends who was there visiting from South America.

We celebrated a co-workers wedding.

I had a brunch with old church friends from the 90's.

JULY

I had my yearly brunch with my elementary school teacher and fellow student/friend.

Jenn and I went to the beach for several days and had the best time and enjoyed key lime pie and margaritas every day :).

Brook traveled to Beaumont, Texas to honor the memory of one her best friends she lost in the Texas flood July 4th weekend.

AUGUST

Jenn and I went to see Darius Rucker in concert and I haven't stopped listening to him since!

We also saw Teddy Swims in concert.

I had a "framily" dinner with one of my other best friends and her family.

SEPTEMBER

I love my co-worker and also fell in love with these 2 precious interns we had at work this semester. We needed each other's laughter at another work event.

Jenn and I went to hear a Huey Lewis tribute band.

I traveled to Chattanooga and then to NC for a weekend.  I was able to meet sweet Joyce, hostess from the Hodgepodge, along the way!

Hiking with my friend in Brevard, NC

I stopped in Atlanta and went to a Braves MLB game by myself.  Another day date I enjoyed!

It was a thrill to honor my dad with an award he received from the University of Tennessee medical school.

I met my sister's 11th grandchild :), my 12th great (my brother has one).

It cooled off enough to have outdoor fires in the evening.

Fun times with Jenn and Kendra!

OCTOBER

I had a work day at my house with dear friends from church.

I traveled to Savannah to see Brook.

We took a day trip to Charleston.

I went with my sister to take most of the greats to a pumpkin patch.

NOVEMBER

I moved into my rental house and set up for Christmas.

I walked a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning.

I had a one day college reunion with sorority sisters.

Brook came home for Christmas break!

I officially, finally sold my house I had lived in for 9 years.  My marriage of 27 years officially ended earlier this year.

I will miss this incredible neighbor and our neighborhood lake.

I celebrated my 55th birthday with dear friends.

DECEMBER

A low key Christmas day with my daughters.

Post Christmas day with my siblings

A visit with my Colombian friends, who now live in Australia, in Dallas, Texas! I drove there to see them on a connection from their flight.

I refer to him as my Colombian son!

Lots of Christmas visits with Jenn!

Grizzlies game with Brook

2025....Thank you for letting me see lots of smiles among the tears. I feel like the past 5 years can be summed up like this....

But cheers to a brighter last half of this decade!