What's Up Wednesday: December 2025
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Hello friends and farewell 2025,
What in heaven’s name was that? Did your December fly by at supersonic speeds, too? I am both happy and sad that the holidays are over. It was a tough month and rough holiday season for me in some ways, but I made a point to do ALL the festive things possible anyway. I can honestly say I am glad I did even if the holiday joy was short lived during the moments. I’ll take that joy over the alternative, right? I am grateful.
Diving right in…
I am linking up again to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of each month.
If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:
What I’m eating this week:
This week I have eaten out with friends and family and even by myself on Christmas Eve. It was nice to dress up festively or just dress up and feel pretty in general as well as share many laughs. I’ve also eaten some random turkey sandwiches or scrambled eggs at home. This time of year is so busy that I didn’t even consider cooking a real meal. That will be a goal for 2026 - cooking more for myself instead of snacking for dinner because I don’t want to cook. =)
What I'm reminiscing about:
All of the previous holiday seasons simmer around in my mind this time of year but to be honest it is difficult to escape reminiscing about my dad with the third anniversary of his passing 12/26/22. Thankfully, I had so many wonderful holidays with my family growing up and into adulthood that made both Christmas and New Year’s Eve special to me. Everyone gathering together at Mammaw’s for both holidays was a special time that I didn’t realize well into adulthood was not normal for most families.
We all gathered every Sunday at Mammaw’s AND on the holidays. We had Christmas morning with our immediate family and then we went straight to Mammaw’s midday for the rest of the day. We got to play with our cousins when we were young while the adults visited. When we were older we all visited and gathered together. There was always laughter, banter, insightful conversations, hugs, love, and joy.
One week later we did it again for New Year’s Eve and it was my twin uncles’ birthdays as well. We’d stay up ‘til midnight visiting and celebrating. It was incredibly special and fun.
I’m not a New Year’s “let’s go out and party” kind of person (even when I was younger). I’ll do it, but I don’t need it. However, New Year’s is special to me. It’s a time for love, reflection, joy, hope, promise, and closing chapters.
I think I’m ready for 2026. Bye bye 2025.
What I'm loving:
I am loving winter.
I do not love the warm Christmas we had in Houston nor the generally warm winter season that we’ve had here. But I am happy that the past two days here were colder and I have been delighted with my travels to colder places this past month. In fact, as you’re reading this I will either be close to boarding or in flight to NJ to spend NYE with my bestie, Karen. It will be COLD there and I am excited for that as well as to spend the New Year with her and her fam.
What I've been up to:
Buckle up. I had to think about this.
1) I did lots of pup arts & crafts and photo shoots this year. They were planned in thought for gifts, but after our disappointing cardiologist appointment/update for Loretta I felt I needed to do every single project that I had in mind.
2) I traveled to Knoxville to celebrate my uncle’s 80th birthday and got to visit with a majority of my family. We also celebrated Christmas with my nieces in town.
3) I went to many Christmas pop ups both by myself and with family & friends.
4) I had lunches, brunches, and dinners with friends & family. I remain grateful for the time, the opportunity, the smiles, the tears, and the heartfelt convos this time of year.
5) I traveled to DC for a Christmas themed half marathon. Oof, it was hard. I knew I wasn’t prepared as I never got my endurance back post the set backs this year. And it was SO COLD with no heaters for warmth the 1.5 hours before the race. I almost didn’t run it…I considered going back to my hotel and running on the treadmill. But, I found the first place open at 7am (The Ritz Hotel) and the bellman let me warm up inside with free coffee. God bless him. Once I could feel my body again and my faculties returned, I shuffled back to the race starting line for the 8am start time and completed it. Note to self* do more research next time. Not all races are the same with warming tents etc. I am also 99.99% certain I was the only non-local who traveled for that half.
What I'm dreading:
I am not currently dreading anything specific. I am ready for the holidays to be officially over and ready for a better year in 2026, God willing.
What I'm working on:
I am working on drafting various goals for 2026 for myself, my health, travel ideas, and my home. I don’t really consider them resolutions though perhaps they may overlap.
What I'm excited about:
I’m excited about all of my goals above and just generally a better headspace this coming year. Hopefully I’ll be able to handle my new-found allergies better, too. I’m excited for my mom and sister to visit in January. And just overall excited to have a better handle on this new life I have versus the adjustment period that has been 2025. As I type that out it makes me smirk because 1) do we ever really have a handle on life? and 2) I’m pretty sure I’m still in the adjustment period. ;)
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching:
I have had Hallmark Christmas on nonstop except for the evenings when I put on AMC or Freeform for Christmas movies. I don’t actually “watch” them, but they’re on and I can tune in and out. I have enjoyed it even if most of the movies are repeated over and over.
I did also finally watch the TLC (4 episode) series Hoarding for the Holidays and it was FUN, festive, intriguing, and a solid reminder that I actually do not have a problem with “too much Christmas decor”.
After the New Year, I will likely finish watching Desperate Housewives after the amount of time I committed to it and I have a long list to watch after that. Unfortunately I do not actually sit down to watch TV often so I am decades behind everyone else. =}
Reading :
I recently finished Rom-Commers, Just Some Stupid Love Story, and am currently reading Wedding Dashers. I’ve enjoyed all three. They’re fun, romantic comedy, and easy reads. These were library app suggestions based on similar titles to what I previously read.
You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.
What I'm listening to:
This month has been a lot of iHeartRadio Christmas stations on the TV, YouTube Christmas scenes with jazz music, or whatever I have on the TV to drown out sounds for the pups.
I am behind on podcasts and other than when I run or fly I haven’t really listened to anything non-Christmas recently. However, I am back to all of my favorites now.
What I'm wearing:
I’ve been adding more and more to my LTK profile throughout the month so you can always follow along with me there to see what outfits or home décor items I’m sharing! There are outfits on there that didn’t make it out of the house yet OR that I didn’t take a photo of when I wore it in real life.
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I started dressing festively with intention on November 1st. Even if I didn’t wear festive colors I made a point to wear festive earrings despite how discrete they might be. A lot of the things I’ve worn are from previous years (to even a decade ago) plus I made some purchases a long the way. Even if I didn’t feel festive, dressing festively boosted my mood. =)
There are many more outfits and home decor posts that I’ve shared on my LTK page in addition to these above. You do not pay anything extra to shop through my page there and setting up your profile is FREE. I earn a small commission from the various retailers for free marketing for them at no extra cost to you.
You can view most of these details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
This weekend I will be celebrating the New Year and visiting with my bestie, Karen, in NJ.
What I'm looking forward to next month:
I am looking forward to a clean and clutter free home, as well as all the fresh hope that a new year brings.
What else is new:
That’s about it for now!
How was December for you? Did you have a nice holiday? Do you have New Year’s Eve plans and/or resolutions? Comment below.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. May 2026 bring us all nothing but blessings, peace, and joy.
XOXO
