2026

If I had to pick one word for 2025 I would choose the word, "challenging."

It was full of weird, rocky, and sometimes absolutely brutal blessings disguised as anything but.  I think I'm a little more open-minded to riding out the chaos without screeching like a pterodactyl in distress before I see what comes out of it.

Here are my 2026 Resolutions:

* Ask more questions but also listen more and better.

* When in doubt, humor it out.

* Once I'm able to, look for volunteer opportunities.

* Do everything in my power to become more comfortable in my body.

* Many, many breathing exercises.

* Find new avenues to keep family in life and don't give up.

* Get accepted into at least one art fair/opportunity (this one's a little bit out of my control).

* Keep working on my chapbook.  I've got it submitted to a few places, but if it comes back, fiddle some more.  Last year I grew comfortable with how my work isn't cohesive as a whole.  All of it together up may not work.  But first I try.  At some point next year I need to make the decision to divide and conquer.

* Keep creating things and encouraging others to do so.

* Business Goals: transition to CRM w/inventory of bigger awards, grow some, say yes or find answers to everything that's brought in, fiddle with showroom setup, add new things every time something old leaves, create last-minute awards case & Buy It Now area, extend hours (done!) and update hours everywhere (a surprising number of places), organize backroom to better suit different areas of work, update HVAC system even further and add vent hood to sublimation area, overhaul the website.

* Travel at least once with the nerd for nothing but pleasure.

* Work on not being so damn reactionary (just the stress noises and negative stuff like cursing).

* Read as much as I can, whenever I can, and write reviews for all the good books.

* I'm not even going to add tennis to next year's goals.  My first big goal is going for long walks when I'm able to.  Once I'm through PT, my plan is to hire a trainer to help me make sure I'm doing everything right and enough of everything right.

* Embrace cuddle mornings more.