End of Year HodgePodge

I liked the questions this week for the last day of 2025.  Head over to this blog to learn more. 

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we're waving goodbye? How did that work out for you?

Yes, I had some physical, relational  and spiritual goals.  I did manage to meet most of them and am happy about that. 

Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you'd like to share. 

Yes, I plan on setting just a few goals this year.  One: to read through the Bible chronologically.  This will be easy as the Bible I bought is set up to do just that...a portion each morning for each day of the year. I'm excited to do this as the last time I did this was when my youngest and I did it together when she was in 6th grade.  She is now 27. 

Another goal I have is to set down my phone for an entire day once a month. It will probably be a Sunday.  One Sunday a month I plan on being off line. We shall see how long that lasts!!

Petroglyph National Monument trails
our first time desert hiking! 
so much easier than the Adirondack Mountains!!

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

I think I had the MOST fun this past year (May)  in Albuquerque with my husband, his brother and wife, his oldest sis and her partner, our niece and her hubby and our nephew. What a fun trip!   but I also had alot of fun with my husband on our Maine vacation (June) and with my oldest on our Adirondacks vacation (August) I had a blast with my youngest in the Berkshires this past autumn. Life is an adventure, right? I actually had a lot of fun moments. Many involved hiking up mountains!

Anniversary trip to Maine 

Central Adirondacks
summit ridge

Courtney on the Wanakena Historic suspension bridge
one of the longest suspension bridges in the USA
going across the Oswegatchie River near Cranberry Lake 
northern Adirondacks
August 2025

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

This one. The one we worked on the most for Xmas Eve. Difficult harmonies but so awesome and challenging. We worked on this for the last 4 months of 2025. 

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

Probably this would be the AMAZING fish tacos I had at an authentic Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque.  I can't begin to recreate it (although I've tried as we love fish tacos). 

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

I would like to do more hiking in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks come Summer and do less saying Yes to every extended family request.  I'm learning to say No to certain things. Now to do it without  hurting people's feelings. Also I plan on adding Nordic walking outdoors this winter! 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

2025 Book Review #58:Strength for Each Day

 

I just finished this daily devotional book a day early as there were a couple of evenings this month when I would read two entries.  This was a gift last December from Deb at this blog. Deb and I have been pen pals so to speak and we exchange texts, emails, marco polos and gifts each Christmas.  I have treasured this book as it really brought me into the Presence of God each morning or evening (usually evening is when I would read this particular devotional as I tend to read directly from the BIble in my morning time). "Presence" was my 2025 word of the year.  This really helped!

SUMMARY OF BOOK

There are 365 daily readings.  

Each day had a title and then a short anecdote by the author after the Scripture which is written out along with chapter and verse.  After the anecdote, which is just a page, sometimes 1.5 pages, there is a short prayer.

The book has a short introduction first and then the daily readings. 

In the back of the book there is a salvation message along with a prayer. There is also a little biographical sketch about the author and her ministries she is involved with. 

Most of the readings center around where we get our strength from:  God! 

Some of the readings are encouraging and some are more reflective.  Some teach us how to deal with other people. 

I really enjoyed this book and plan on passing it along to our church library for other people to enjoy. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 12 and older. 

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10. 

WORD FOR 2026

 

This Scripture has me meditating on it throughout the last couple of days. 

In the warm sun sparkling on the snow a little  bit ago, I was out walking and thinking about how my confidence in my self has slipped somewhat when I'm around certain extended family members or when I'm dealing with an extended family situation.  And I realized.....wait a minute, Faith.....your confidence comes from the Lord. Don't allow others or Satan to steal your joy, your trust, your faith or your confidence. I'm probably not explaining myself well right now but I believe my "Word of the Year" for this new year is going to be Confidence and this Scripture will be my Scripture of the Year. I've been doing this since 2014.  

Past years, my words have been: Still, Liberty, Simplify, Trust, Savor, Thrive, Believe, Joy, Hope, Shine, and this past year was Presence. For some reason I didn't have a "word of the year" for 2019. 

So I'm going with Confidence. Although I feel like there are some strained relationships in the extended family, I'm still going to live my life the way God is leading me. I"m still going to lead the ministries and groups He has placed before me.  I'm still going to engage in various volunteer service projects as God leads and have the confidence that I am a daughter of the Most High King and am living for an Audience of One. I don't have to explain my choices to others nor do I have to apologize to family members when Dave and I choose to do other things vs a family gathering. ( although we were planning on attending the last one until some people were uncomfortable with us being exposed to a daughter who had cold symptoms...I'm so glad I don't live in fear....we did understand, sort of.... but were also a bit perplexed as one of those people have been vaccinated!) We've chosen to not get the flu shot and so far this winter we have been healthy.  Of course we eat a lot of citrus fruit and get enough sleep and drink lots of water on top of taking vitamins so I believe that helps. We move through our days confident that God will take care of us.  

"In the fear of the Lord, one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge" ~Proverbs 14:26~ 

There is a security  found in God when we revere Him. (fear Him). Having a deep respect of the Most High God...our Sovereign Father in Heaven, provides for us a refuge from the struggles of life, from the anxieties of life, the fear of man, and is a model for our children. Confidence in God gives one an inner freedom of peace, strength and security from the world.  It's also a generational blessing so to speak: when I have a healthy fear of the Lord, my children (now young adults) have a shelter and reap the blessings. 

Do you have a word for the new year?  Did you have a word for 2025?? 

Saturday NIne

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This song was chosen because it's time to say goodbye to 2025.

I'm linking up with other bloggers to participate in the Saturday Nine questions.  I liked them today and our plans to go to a party fell through so I have a free morning!

1) In this song, a man predicts his lover will start an argument. Is there anyone in your life who can be quarrelsome?

oh yes.  I won't mention on here who it is though.  Let's just say it's an extended family member. 

2) He says he's had it, he's checking out and signing off. Can you think of a time you were glad you walked away from something?

YUP.  More than once, many years ago,  I've walked away from either a toxic relationship (in 1985)  or in one case, a toxic church (2005).  Lately, I've had to walk away from a toxic extended family situation. I won't go into details. 

3) This week's song was performed by the band NSYNC. The group was formed in Orlando, FL, which is world famous as home to Walt Disney World. Today there are 12 Disney theme parks located around the globe. Have you ever visited one of these Magic Kingdoms?

nope not a one! Dave and I don't really have the desire to do so. 

4) They made a celebrity appearance on The Simpsons. What's your all-time favorite cartoon show?

My fave would be from childhood as I don't do animated shows now. (other than Charlie Brown Christmas) ...it's Bugs Bunny. I LOVED it as a child. 

5) In 2000, the year "Bye Bye Bye" was popular, Brad Pitt was named People's Sexiest Man Alive. Are you crushing on anyone right now?

"Crushing on someone"?? haha um I'm 66 and happily married. but if you mean like  a famous actor, etc I'd say Hugh Jackman. LOVE that dude. 

Let's look back on 2025 ...

6) What's the farthest from home you traveled in 2025?

Albuquerque, New Mexico in May for a week!

7) What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2025?

My brand new Kia Soul bought in the beginning of November. 

8) What was your favorite book of 2025?

That's a tough one because I'm an avid reader and have read a LOT of books this year (57 to be exact).  I'd have to say I have three top faves: (but there are about 5 more I really loved) 

Heartwood, Horse, The Frozen River

9) What are you looking forward to most in 2026?

Trying a new to me winter  sport: Snow-shoeing

and planning a mom-daughters vacation to NH for summer

also we (Dave and I) are tentatively planning an Alaskan cruise although I don't know if it will be June 2026 or June 2027 yet. We shall see!!

HAPPY SATURDAY!!