August (Mid-year) Update

Wildly amused that I thought I'd update this more, considering I missed my normal midyear update. 

Personal: 

1. Keep the cooking journey with Owen going and set up some goals of things he wants to make together. He's doing really well in the kitchen and we're progressively giving him more responsibility (he finished a pot of chili for me recently and was very proud of himself). 

2. Back to sourdough! Still on it. Carrie Breadshaw has been the best starter ever.

3. At least do MFF for Q1 and see what new recipes we can add to our mix. This could use some additional attention. Womp. (Same answer, no updates.)

4. Keep working on the restaurants goal. Embrace leftovers and stop being lazy on tired weeknights. I think overall, we had some summer slide but did ok at this. Our freezers are in a good place where we're eating lots of the stuff we have. 

5. Organize my office. I've done this... ish... it could be better. I need to decide at the end of the year what to do really. 

6. Work on Lynn's tapes and stories. I need to just buckle down and do this one. (Same answer, no updates.)

7. Front yard/driveway project. Check done. 

8. Generator install and enjoy not losing power anymore! Also, check done! 

9.  Read at least one fun book. Have massively sucked at this. 

Wellness/Health: 

10. 250 Pilates classes, can I do it by July 4th? Done, hit in early August by surprise because I didn't keep track of the last few. 

11. Figure out a monthly massage situation. Was all over this until July... and I'm not super motivated to spend money on it right now. 

12. Keep working on my eyebrows with Minoo. This will probably be a fall thing but things are good for now! (Same answer, no updates.)

13. Enjoy my Sopra membership. Facials? So far this looks like botox only but that's also ok. (Same answer, no updates.)

14. Use my LED mask daily. Gave it to Anastasia, lol, oops. 

15. Get 10-15 lbs off this frame by recommitting to vegetables and protein intake. Not sure I care anymore? 

16. Daily 8600 steps. No real reason not to. This went by the wayside when we went to Europe and my app got all screwed up and I didn't realize it would fix itself when we got home :( I need to figure out something that isn't so all or nothing. I think dropping to 7500 and making that non negotiable might help?

17. Figure out what is worth keeping of the Peloton equipment. Strongly considering listing the rower on FBMP. 

Career/Financial/Travel: 

18. Enjoy new to me Milan and restock wine. Check done! 

19. Attack new role in Q2 and figure out how to make it mine. (PE/PMP Prep?) Check done! 

20. Work on mentor maintenance as they start to retire... what's next? Check done! 

21. Actually work on a budget after January when we have a better idea of how 2026 is going to shape up. Ugh... again, so not motivated but we're not in a bad place, we could just be better. 

22. Figure out college savings better for Owen. CHECK DONE!! All of his money is in an invested 529 in Kansas now. 

23. Tax situation... can anything be done? I mean... we're totally screwed on this and I need to just let it go. Mom's account will help us get through the next 8 years. 

24. Explore what other options we have at Creative Planning. While this hasn't been super successful as it stands, I did create a taxable brokerage for general investing and another one for the additional college funds we have set aside for Owen that I don't want tied in the 529 so I call this a Check done! 

25. Evaluate all current credit cards and subscriptions... what is worth keeping and what might be better spent elsewhere? I think overall, the math maths in terms of what we get out of the annual fees that we pay so I don't have any changes, just making sure to use the bennies! 

26. Get back to NYC somehow... Went in March and July... going back in December CHECK DONE! Love good crushed goal. 

Mid Feb Update

Going to attempt to keep this better updated throughout the year so I can be more intentional about hitting goals!  

Personal: 

1. Keep the cooking journey with Owen going and set up some goals of things he wants to make together. This has been mid at best... need to work a bit harder on it. 

2. Back to sourdough! OH beyond crushing this one :) The sourdough rolls are saving me at least $4 a week on buying other buns. 

3. At least do MFF for Q1 and see what new recipes we can add to our mix. This could use some additional attention. Womp. 

4. Keep working on the restaurants goal. Embrace leftovers and stop being lazy on tired weeknights. Jan/Feb are easier on this for sure as it's often snowy or freezing. I'd say we've done about 50% better and there is definitely room for improvement. 

5. Organize my office. Ooops. Haven't even touched it. 

6. Work on Lynn's tapes and stories. I need to just buckle down and do this one. 

7. Front yard/driveway project. Basically we're on the waiting list for when they get better weather! 

8. Generator install and enjoy not losing power anymore! See above - hopefully March?

9.  Read at least one fun book. I have two on my plate right now and need to get this going. 

Wellness/Health: 

10. 250 Pilates classes, can I do it by July 4th? I'm at 146 on 2/12. This is going to be a tall order. 

11. Figure out a monthly massage situation. Feb massage coming on Sunday! 

12. Keep working on my eyebrows with Minoo. This will probably be a fall thing but things are good for now! 

13. Enjoy my Sopra membership. Facials? So far this looks like botox only but that's also ok. 

14. Use my LED mask daily. I hate that thing and want to get rid of it so that's fun! 

15. Get 10-15 lbs off this frame by recommitting to vegetables and protein intake. I feel like I'm down a couple (in terms of the way things fit and fee) but I was good about veggies for maybe 2 weeks in January, womp.

16. Daily 8600 steps. No real reason not to. For Feb, I've been working on 10K a day, thinking about adding a 2 days at 12K per week goal to that. Definitely challenging myself and doing it! 

17. Figure out what is worth keeping of the Peloton equipment. I at least used the rower this year, ha. 

Career/Financial/Travel: 

18. Enjoy new to me Milan and restock wine. 2 months until we leave! 

19. Attack new role in Q2 and figure out how to make it mine. (PE/PMP Prep?) This has gone better than expected and I've had so much more time in Q1 to do it. 

20. Work on mentor maintenance as they start to retire... what's next? Crushing this one so far. 

21. Actually work on a budget after January when we have a better idea of how 2026 is going to shape up. Not crushing this one so far. 

22. Figure out college savings better for Owen. Will pay off the Texas plan next week and then figure out what, if anything, we can do this year. 

23. Tax situation... can anything be done? Skull emoji in the not funny way. 

24. Explore what other options we have at Creative Planning. I have no idea what I was thinking here. But I'm wondering if we can find a taxable brokerage option that isn't the giant CP minimum.

25. Evaluate all current credit cards and subscriptions... what is worth keeping and what might be better spent elsewhere? In progress! 

26. Get back to NYC somehow... Will be there in about a month!!!! 

2025 Year in Review

  1. What did you do in 2025 that you'd never done before?

Went to Italy! Ate all the food and drank all the wine. It was the best. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

I did pretty well with my to do list, all things considered, and will continue this year. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

This year? I don't think so! 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Again, this year... I don't think so? Thank goodness. 2024 was too much. 

5. What countries did you visit? 

Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Belgium, France. Pretty awesome passport year! 

6. What would you like to have in 2026 that you didn't have in 2025? 

Rest... and I mean productive rest. I actually need less scrolling on my phone and more truly devoting to rest. 

7. What dates from 2025 will be etched upon your memory, and why? 

Spring Break... going to Italy for the first time. It was such a neat experience and we had a fabulous trip. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? 

Continuing to seek career clarity and getting closer all the time. I'm really excited for 2026. 

9. What was your biggest failure? 

Probably back to the scrolling, just wasting time where I could have been more productive. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? 

All of us? For getting through the world events shitshow that was 2025. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 

Not wanting to discuss it but a certain person really disappointed me this year. It's been building for awhile but really came to light in 2025. 

14. Where did most your money go? 

Travel! As always... also a new backyard. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

Italy, my shopping experience at Gucci, feeling like that trip was planned pretty close to perfectly between all the excursions we did and cities we hit. 

16. What song will always remind you of 2025? 

probably anything from Life of a Showgirl

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) so much happier, time does help to heal wounds

b) way thinner

c) richer - we have done a really good job setting ourselves up for retirement

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? 

Being present with Owen and Adam - oof same goal as last year

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? 

Scrolling on my phone

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Totally lazy morning, watched football and got ready to tailgate in the afternoon.Watched a great football game and halftime show in the parking lot and then enjoyed the heck out of a surprisingly close Chiefs game. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2025? 

Ohh... Pilates was a great addition to my life. 

22. What was your favorite TV program? 

Dancing with the Stars!  

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? 

Hate is a strong word but I saw true colors of people that I really did not care for. Again... seeing true colors is a better way of putting it than hate. 

24. What was the best book you read? 

The memoir by Phil Knight that I read for Seller-Doer was excellent. 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? 

I don't know that I discovered anything new or groundbreaking this year but I continued to love Taylor Swift, Kasey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Dua Lipa

26. What did you want and get? 

Everything? I'm spoiled.

27. What did you want and not get? 

New driveway and a generator but those are both coming when it's time. 

28. What was your favorite film of 2024? 

As usual, I don't watch many movies.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 

My birthday was a Friday, my dad, Josh and Lori were in town. We went shopping and ate lunch at a really awesome Italian deli and continued the theme with going to Farina for an excellent dinner. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

Good question... maybe less work frustration? 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2025? 

continued Nuuly and lots of homeless athleisure. I did have to figure out how to wear workout clothes outside of the home again when I joined Pilates. 

32. What kept you sane? 

Pilates was a huge piece of this over 2025. I'm so glad I woke up one morning in July and knew I needed to do something new and just went for it. 

33. What political issue stirred you the most? 

FFS - too many things to count. Living in Trump's world sucks most of the time. 

34. Who did you miss? 

my mom - still stings for sure. 

35. Who was the best new person you met? 

probably the continued relationships built with our neighbors, not sure if anyone was new in 2025 but I love where we live and the community we have. 

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025. 

Lots of things can be both/and or two competing things can both be true. 

26 for '26

 Personal: 

1. Keep the cooking journey with Owen going and set up some goals of things he wants to make together. 

2. Back to sourdough!

3. At least do MFF for Q1 and see what new recipes we can add to our mix. 

4. Keep working on the restaurants goal. Embrace leftovers and stop being lazy on tired weeknights. 

5. Organize my office. 

6. Work on Lynn's tapes and stories. 

7. Front yard/driveway project. 

8. Generator install and enjoy not losing power anymore! 

9.  Read at least one fun book. 

Wellness/Health: 

10. 250 Pilates classes, can I do it by July 4th? 

11. Figure out a monthly massage situation. 

12. Keep working on my eyebrows with Minoo. 

13. Enjoy my Sopra membership. Facials? 

14. Use my LED mask daily. 

15. Get 10-15 lbs off this frame by recommitting to vegetables and protein intake. 

16. Daily 8600 steps. No real reason not to. 

17. Figure out what is worth keeping of the Peloton equipment. 

Career/Financial/Travel: 

18. Enjoy new to me Milan and restock wine. 

19. Attack new role in Q2 and figure out how to make it mine. (PE/PMP Prep?)

20. Work on mentor maintenance as they start to retire... what's next? 

21. Actually work on a budget after January when we have a better idea of how 2026 is going to shape up. 

22. Figure out college savings better for Owen. 

23. Tax situation... can anything be done? 

24. Explore what other options we have at Creative Planning. 

25. Evaluate all current credit cards and subscriptions... what is worth keeping and what might be better spent elsewhere? 

26. Get back to NYC somehow... 

2025 - How did I do?

  Personal: 

1. Figure out my eyes :( 

Got a lot of pairs of glasses. 

2. At least come up with a plan for the back yard, perhaps execute? 

DONE! We started enjoying it in August. 

3. Maintain what was done in the front yard. 

I think this was successful for the most part and we'll finish the driveway and lighting this year. 

4. Enjoy the heck out of Italy! 

Absolutely nailed this. 

5. Go to NYC at least once. 

Yikes. I don't think this happened. 

6. Figure out our 15 year anniversary celebration. 

This looked totally different than expected but we had a fantastic time in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. 

7. Clean and organize my office to something more functional. 

Ope... this is moving to 2026

8. Work on Lynn Hearn's tape and papers. 

See above :(

Health/Fitness: 

9. Work through 3 fat loss phases with the nutritionist. (Jan-mid-March, April-May, Sept-Nov)

This was a fail but not entirely. 

10. Finish at least 5 Peloton programs.

Did a major pivot this year but in a good way. 

11. Hit 20K peloton minutes.  

See #10

12. Get to a place where we are only going out to eat 3 times a week at maximum. 

GAH. Total fail but I think that Torchy's closing mid year helped a ton. 

13. Work through the food in our freezers! 

I think I've gotten more intentional about this! 

14. Go to a class with Anastasia. 

I need to give up on this as we have children to compete with but I did go to a lot of Pilates with other friends so it all worked out! 

15. Teach Owen to cook. 

Work in progress but we're doing it! 

16. Figure out what maintenance looks like and live there. 

Unintentionally did this for a lot of months of the year... just about 20 lbs heavier than I'd like to maintain at. 

Professional: 

17. Enjoy my time with NOW. 

Year 1 down, on to year 2! 

18. Exceed all my billable time goals. 

I would say this was nailed beyond what I'd hoped for and that will continue at least for Q1 of 2026. 

19. Continue to mentor my team even when I am no longer their direct supervisor. 

I consider this a win! Some more than others bur I have a lot of good relationships built. 

20. Finish PMP Coursework. 

100%

21. Pass PMP Exam. 

Also, check done! 

22. Apply for APM in the fall. 

This didn't look the same but did end up working out as I applied for an entirely different and much more suited for me role and got it! 

23. If not Seller-Doer, figure out another way to be involved in a T&D Training Program this year.

HAHAHA ones like this are always fun to look back on. Boy did I accomplish this! Not only was Seller-Doer a highlight of my year, I am now FULLY involved in T&D Training. 

24. Have a transition plan that makes sense for all parties, i.e. get out unscathed and leave it better than I found it. 

I think this worked out as well as it could have given the challenges and circumstances and for the most part, I get along fine with everyone. 

BONUS:

25: Read 5 books. 

UGH. I maybe did 2 and that might be generous. OPE. 

 Personal: 

1. Figure out my eyes :( 

2. At least come up with a plan for the back yard, perhaps execute? 

3. Maintain what was done in the front yard. 

4. Enjoy the heck out of Italy! 

5. Go to NYC at least once. 

6. Figure out our 15 year anniversary celebration. 

7. Clean and organize my office to something more functional. 

8. Work on Lynn Hearn's tape and papers. 

Health/Fitness: 

9. Work through 3 fat loss phases with the nutritionist. (Jan-mid-March, April-May, Sept-Nov)

10. Finish at least 5 Peloton programs.

11. Hit 20K peloton minutes.  

12. Get to a place where we are only going out to eat 3 times a week at maximum. 

13. Work through the food in our freezers! 

14. Go to a class with Anastasia. 

15. Teach Owen to cook. 

16. Figure out what maintenance looks like and live there. 

Professional: 

17. Enjoy my time with NOW. 

18. Exceed all my billable time goals. 

19. Continue to mentor my team even when I am no longer their direct supervisor. 

20. Finish PMP Coursework. 

21. Pass PMP Exam. 

22. Apply for APM in the fall. 

23. If not Seller-Doer, figure out another way to be involved in a T&D Training Program this year.

24. Have a transition plan that makes sense for all parties, i.e. get out unscathed and leave it better than I found it. 

BONUS:

25: Read 5 books. 

2024 Year in Review

 1. What did you do in 2024 that you'd never done before?

Spent time at a Cancer Center, watched a blood transfusion, worked on settling an estate. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

My to do list was a mixed bag but, all in all, I think I did the best I could. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Anastasia did but I am sick and haven't gotten to see Lola yet! My boss also had a NYE baby yesterday. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. Too much loss, in fact. Adam's grandma in May, my mom in July and my stepmom in December. 

5. What countries did you visit? Canada and France.

6. What would you like to have in 2025 that you didn't have in 2024? 

A little more peace. 2024 felt like we were constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. I know they say bad things come in threes but it felt like bad things came in units too many to count this year. 

7. What dates from 2024 will be etched upon your memory, and why? 

May 4th - the day that my mom told us she was sick, it completely changed the course of our lives this past summer

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year? 

surviving - truly. There were so many obstacles and tough things to overcome. 

9. What was your biggest failure? 

I gained a ton of weight and did not handle stress in positive ways. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? 

Pretty much everyone around me, I can't imagine I was easy to be around for much of the year. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 

This year was challenging at work, for sure. On a positive note, it did give me clarity on next steps for me! 

14. Where did most your money go? 

Travel! 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

The Superbowl was such an unexpected and incredible surprise of the year! 

16. What song will always remind you of 2024? 

The Alchemy

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) sadder - this year broke a lot of things inside me

b) ugh, so much fatter

c) richer - we have done a really good job setting ourselves up for retirement

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? 

Being present with Owen and Adam

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? 

Crying. Being sad or mad about things I couldn't control. 

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We were in Paris! Walked around for a bit, enjoyed a lovely lunch, went up in the Eiffel Tower all the way to the top and took a boat cruise on the Seine. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2024? 

I felt like the Superbowl was one of the most awesome days of life that I've ever experienced - almost as awesome as getting married. 

22. What was your favorite TV program? 

We pretty much watched all the sports this year, so I'll go with the Olympics since it inspired our trip to Paris. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? 

Hate is a strong word but I saw true colors of people that I really did not care for. 

24. What was the best book you read? 

As per usual of late, I did not read many books. I think the Elizabeth I book we read as a work book club might have been my favorite. 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? 

I don't know that I discovered anything new or groundbreaking this year but I continued to love Taylor Swift, Kasey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Dua Lipa

26. What did you want and get? 

The trip to Paris, being away at Christmas was cathartic

27. What did you want and not get? 

I know that both my mom and stepmom are in a better place but I miss them and wish they were still here and wish they'd had less suffering before they both passed away. 

28. What was your favorite film of 2024? 

As usual, I don't watch many movies but &Juliet and Suffs on Broadway were both moving and incredible. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 

My birthday was a Thursday, I worked all day from a hotel room in NYC, went to Peloton and rode with Jess King (my wish was granted and it was a holiday ride!) and had dinner with Adam and friends. It was perfect. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

Spending less time at hospitals.  

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2023? 

Nuuly

32. What kept you sane? 

Adam and Owen

33. What political issue stirred you the most? 

Nothing really stirs me all that much, I was so disappointed but not surprised by the election.  

34. Who did you miss? 

my mom the most 

35. Who was the best new person you met? 

moving divisions was such a gift as there are too many new people in my life that have impacted me positively to count.  

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024. 
That I am both stronger and weaker all at the same time. And that both things are ok.