Joyce for her fun linkup...let's check out these questions below...
1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025?
Grueling- Exciting- Beautiful
2.
I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how
we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along :
)
Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has
published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's
English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general
uselessness (go here to read about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026-
67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted • my bad • reach out
Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list?
This was fun to read- ha! I use "reach out" the most as it is part of my every day jobs. Which one would I want banished? Not sure-really don't have a strong feeling towards any of them but if I had to pick, I guess I would say "incentivize." I guess it irritates me because I incentivize myself- I always work hard- I am always incentivized and motivated by the rewards that come out of my work.
3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal?
I do some skincare and tie my hair up and then I surf Tik Tok and IG and then most nights will read a little and watch tv until I fall asleep. I guess it is ideal...for me.
4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans?
It is? Ha! I always remember the epiphany or Little Christmas on this date. I do like beans. I like green beans and I enjoy kidney beans in chili and black beans in Mexican dishes. I made a taco dish a few weeks back that had black beans in it.
5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate.
Well..I guess I am...I stay in the very back corner for yoga class because I don't want people watching me exercise...TMI?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Call me crazy....I hate false security...but I am pretty hopeful for 2026....I have faith and a good gut feeling...and I hope that is enough...
It's that time! It is time to choose my word of the year for 2026....it came to me so easily this year...not sure why....but first, let's reflect on the word I chose in 2025 and that was Thrive...I liked "Thrive in 25"
Did I thrive? I guess in some areas but I felt like I really only "survived" this year and that probably should've been my word...ha!
I thrived when it came to spending time with my girls...and with Remi...ha! I thrived when it came to helping Diana with the college process and particularly the cheer process (can't wait to write all about this in the new year)
I also thrived when it came to my health and that was a big one...but other than that, professionally, I survived...we are going on three tough years...
I took matters into my own hands...learned a new business and started my side hustle in real estate...not sure why I always have to pick difficult things but hey...proud that I learned something new if nothing else BUT 2026 is when I will really take the bull by the horns professionally
So last year was Thrive...or Survive and in 2026...my word shall be....
It is about time that I follow my own advice and Follow the JOY...I know 2026 will bring lots of it and I am here for it...I will do my best to focus on the positive...find the JOY and upside of every day life...Follow It...Spread It and LIVE it again
Hi Friends and Happy 2026! Sarah and I are back for another year of Hello Monday! Check out our new graphic above! We hope you will join us every Monday this year as we recap our weekends. As always, grab our graphic above and link back up with us below. C'mon...it'll be fun...promise!
Here is what our last weekish has looked like
First, my favorite way to wrap up the year was with some Blackout work...I was able to join some of the Project Blackout Board members and present a check to Boston Children's Hospital...a day like that reminded me of why we do what we do...and nothing felt more impactful than this
and on New Year's Eve to wrap up the year, we celebrated with some of our favorite peeps with Chinese and Japanese and yummy desserts....it was a quiet and chill night and just perfect...umm...the only pic I captured...I'll take it! :)
BUT none of us wanted to wait for the ball to drop so we headed home just before midnight AND the bonus was getting to ring in the new year with our girls...it may be the last one with both of them at home AND that was a miracle in itself...I went to sleep happy...great start to 2026!
New Year's Day was pretty chill outside of our walk....we are sticking to the neighborhood right now because A. The snow and ice are awful especially on the rail trail and B. Our walks are a bit shorter in 14 degree weather...sigh.....
The reason for the season....Little Christmas is upon us
That night Miss Sylvie Lynn came over for an adventure and what was supposed to be her first sleepover...before that, dinner
and a little K Pop Demon Hunters of course ;)
When it was bedtime, she got sick everywhere...it was awful so Kayla came to pick her up...poor little thing had a bug :(
On Friday, first thing I headed to mass and then the dermatologist...had to have a mole removed...Thank God he does not think it is anything bad...after that, it was a day of work and it felt great to start making connections in the New Year!
That night, we headed to Eva's first Indoor Softball Game with her Club Team and we had a blast! I am already obsessed...love this sport...love this team...love the coaches AND love the parents...what a great group this will be to grow up with!
First...needed a pic of the moon....picture doesn't do it justice but it was ominous ;)
Then warmups...
and...game time....ended up with the W!
Saturday was a great day!
First things first....date walk...to the golf course and back!
Then it was time to meal plan and do the grocery ordering. Then Rob took me to an appointment I had.
Later on, I met Bethany and Shannon for lunch- we had a great time catching up- so good for the soul!
While I was there, Zach and Zoe took Eva out and spoiled her- she loved her first lunch at Chili's!
After lunch, I headed over to the hockey rink for Eva's game- most of the family was in tow! Even though they lost (by 1 goal) it was a close and exciting game!
That night, Rob had a gig, Diana worked and then headed to a sleepover. Eva and I hunkered down at home and while she enjoyed some mac n cheese, I spoiled myself and ordered in Indian food- so good!
I am excited to have leftovers for a few days!
Yesterday was a pretty chill day outside of mass, cooking and a few errands. I wrote this post, watched the Priscilla movie on Netflix and took a nap which felt so good. It was the calm before the "the final semester." We can't believe Diana is graduating this year- ahhhhh!!!!!
Last night, Rob and I and Papa headed to Uncle Leo's surprise 85th Birthday Party. My parents were in tow as well and Rob and Randy played for us- the best entertainment
Diana worked and Eva went to her two hockey games with friends.
We all met at home, crashed and prepared for the first week back to school- let's do this!
Winter Cheer started and Diana had her fam rallying
There were many walks on the Rail Trail- even in the snow
Hockey was in full force and Eva had her people there
The Breton Girls enjoyed their Christmas Present- Dancing With The Stars!
We watched the inauguration
Eva loved spending time with her Godmother and "Godsister"
and I enjoyed my fave wintertime event- The NH Winter Wine Festival with the Fab Four
February
I attended Book Club at Laura's
We loved seeing Eva as a Bird Girl in Seussical Jr.
I loved attending the annual School District Deliberative with My Peeps
and there was more cheer and the start of winter cheer comps- Diana won Best Jumper at one of them!
March
We returned from one of our best trips ever- Cancun with Our Fam- Paradise!
There was more hockey
Rob started his job at Medicus and one of the benefits is getting to see Ally more often :)
I sold my first house!
There were more Cheer Comps!
We continued College Tours with a visit to UNE
The Fab Four Celebrated Our Annual St. Patty's Night
Sylvie's Obsession with Bluey Continued
We voted in our town election
We said Goodbye to our Original Hockey Team and Family
There were some warmer walks on the Rail Trail with Remi
Someone was rescued in Boston during St. Patty's Weekend ;)
I hosted book club
We celebrated Mimi's and Papa Bob's Birthdays
We celebrated the end of junior year cheer for Diana at the Cheer Banquet
Eva and Daddy had a blast at the "Dotty Dance"
April
Diana took the SATs
and Janie and I did a Career Day at WHS on the same day so we got to sneak in a squeeze :)
Diana and I toured UGA and loved it- especially the football stadium
We celebrated Lea's Birthday
Rail Trail Walks Kept Getting Warmer!
When Diana was meeting with her college counselor, some of us killed time at Playa Bowls ;)
We took our friends out to thank them for helping Rob AND to celebrate of course
Diana had a BLAST at her junior prom with her friend John
We loved participating in all of our favorite Easter Weekend Traditions
Softball was back on!
Diana headed to California on a school trip and made it to the Dolby Theater!
The Hockey Mamas got Together
We celebrated Eva's 11th Birthday!
and the 2nd half of spring break was all about our trip to South Carolina for college tours and a surprise get together with besties at Myrtle Beach
May
Rail Trail Walks kept getting better and better
Book Club was fun at Dawna's
We devoured the Karen Read trial
Eva and her besties enjoyed their first school dance!
There was even more hockey
and we celebrated Mother's Day!
The Rail Trail...don't need to say anything more
Eva had a blast at a bestie's bday party at an ice cream museum in Boston
We bid farewell to Kelly as she moved down south
Alexis looked beautiful as she headed to her senior prom!
Softball Season was in full effect
and I really enjoyed our real estate appreciation event
Diana wow'd us with her solo in her choir concert
and we enjoyed every minute of Memorial Day Weekend
June
It was graduation season and I loved attending all of Alexis's special events like her academic awards night
It was also spring concert season so we got to see Eva in her show
There was more softball
and more Rail Trail
I enjoyed Senior Breakfast and can't believe I will have a senior at the next one :(
Rob got to hand out diplomas at graduation to Alexis and Ella- made it extra special
and I loved watching Alexis in her Dance Rehearsal
and heading out after together
We made our Summer List
and we celebrated Father's Day on the Softball Field and at home with our Fave Dads
Diana wrapped up her junior year and Eva wrapped up 5th Grade!
Once school wrapped up, we started checking off items on our Summer List
First things first- Pidge and Mum went Berry Picking
Eva lived her best life- enjoyed a day of swimming, sunbathing and fancy smoothies with besties
We had a blast at our Summer Book Club get together at Dreo
We watched the verdict live and we were pleased with the result
Diana and I scooted off for a quick 24 hours in NYC to see Smash before it closed on Broadway that weekend
Softball Awards Were On Tap
We filmed our 2025 Blackout Tee Shirt Video and it was our best one yet!
We enjoyed a summer visit from Zach and Zoe
Eva had a blast at Film Camp
July
Summer Walks on the Rail Trail were my Fave
I met up with my Dance Mom Besties
and there was more softball to be played!
Rob signed off on softball coaching
and we spent 4th of July Weekend at Laurel and Tom's
We celebrated Sylvie Lynn Turning 2!
We met up with besties to catch up
We tried an adorable coffee shop
I worked real estate on the weekends
We enjoyed a concert in Gilford with our friends
We enjoyed pool days but the one when Sylvie came to swim was our fave
Rob and I loved golfing with Matt and BA
Warm walks at the rail trail were a fave
We said Goodbye to one of my faves
and we enjoyed hearing Rob's Band at Griffin Park one night
Mimi and I enjoyed a girls night at Figaro's- one of our most fun nights of the summer!
August
The Cheer Season kicked off with a fun pool party for Diana
We loved seeing Eva in her DRT Production-she played Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka Jr
The College Tour at Merrimack proved to be a winner!
We loved seeing Caden shine in Anastasia
Cass and I took the girls to see Shania Twain up in Gilford- it was their 2nd time and our 5th I think :)
We loved seeing Eva's bestie in her TTTC show too
The Rail Trail didn't disappoint even on some rainy days
and we were off on another college tour
Blackout 2025 was off to a great start! Love this team
Eva shone as Charlie in her 2nd DRT Show
and we loved seeing Diana and her cheer pals cheer at the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game up in Vermont
There was more Rail Trail
and on a balmy summer night, we had Diana's Senior Photo Session with the lovely Amber and it is a night I will never forget- grateful we could share it with my mom
Eva had a blast at a summer party with her hockey team
and Diana and I enjoyed a morning at the beach until a seagull attacked me...still can't think about it
BUT nevertheless....the very next morning, we headed back to the beach with Eva to have our annual Mommy Daughter Boogie Board Day and there were no additional incidents ;)
I took Eva back to school shopping
We celebrated 21 years of marriage
We started Project Homecoming
and Eva and her bestie loved their day at Canobie- as you can see, we try to squeeze in as much fun in the summer as possible!
We had breakfast together...just us girls...before school started up again
Eva got her Back To School Haircut
and we celebrated Papa Pete's and Diana's Birthdays
We loved getting to know our new Club Softball Family at a party
and we celebrated Diana turning 17!
We celebrated these lovely seniors at the Cheer Kickoff dinner that we hosted
I loved observing the start of Diana's Senior Year Traditions like painting her car
We went back to school! 6th grade...
and last one...Our Senior!! Ahhh!
and this guy remained our Best Pal Ever
September
We celebrated our birthdays....multiple times ;)
Labor Day Weekend was full of lots of fun...
First, we had to see Jaws for the 50th anniversary for Cass and Rob
Eva had a blast with besties at a pool party
and I had a blast with my besties
We capped off the long weekend with s'mores at the fire pit
We made our Senior Cheer Mom Buttons which was so much fun
Remi had an incident and needed heavy duty meds and the cone which is not his fave
We had our first FNL of Senior Year and despite the lost we had a blast!
Wolverines Jaguars Day was a Blast!
Club Softball became our new fave!
and more FNL FTW! ;)
We loved sponsoring an HR networking event!
Another fun senior tradition to see- Senior Sunrise!
Hockey started up again!
and Blackout Week was upon us!
Windham was one of the top towns in the country in line for a huge prize from T Mobile and it was to win a stadium! We ended up being a runner up and still won a $25,000 prize to go towards our athletic facilities!
Blackout 2025 proved to be the most successful yet and record breaking- still brings me to tears!
October
There Were More Fun Football Games
and time with my football Mamas...so good for the soul!
and more hockey of course!
We celebrated Robby B's Birthday
and there was more rail trail
Diana and I loved seeing "The Life Of A Show Girl"...Eva saw it two nights later with besties for a birthday party
My besties and I enjoyed our Real Estate Appreciation Party
and the Martorana Strong Foundation Gala Right After
We got a Sylvie Visit at Club Softball
Eva went to her very last ice cream social...it was ours too...ahhh :(
I returned to hot yoga- Praise God
We celebrated Remi's 5th Birthday!
Diana and I had a great visit to Coastal Carolina and she had a blast at their cheer clinic
I loved watching Diana tumble at the annual Cheer Showcase
Our efforts with Project Homecoming were a win!
There was more hockey!
Eva had a blast at her school's Monster Bash
Our Comedy Night Cheer Fundraiser was Successful
Diana had a blast at her Senior HOCO and our project paid off!
Book Club enjoyed a great night at Shannon's
Diana enjoyed banner making with her team
and cheering at more Football Games of course!
and we celebrated Halloween!
November
We started the month off with Diana's Senior Day for Football Season- Emotional and Wonderful Day!
Eva's Hockey Pictures Came In
The Senior Cheerleaders Signed The Mat- a WHS Tradition :)
There was more cheer and football
Diana and I enjoyed seeing "Regretting You" at the movies
Cass and I had our Annual Risotto Night
and we signed our 2025 Blackout Thank You Notes!
We decorated for Christmas early
We made it to the playoffs!
and the rail trail continued to be a place of solace for me...and Remi ;)
The Soul Sisters finally made a dinner happen again
and we enjoyed one last football game of Diana's senior season- tough loss but we enjoyed every minute of it this year!
More hockey with some of her fave fans :)
There was more real estate
We celebrated Kat's Birthday
and Miss Bethany's too!
Diana had a blast and learned so much at the SNHU Cheer Clinic
I hosted wine group....it was the first time we got together for this in about a year!
My Mama spoiled me with a beautiful fall lunch
Diana won the Coach's Award for Leadership for Fall Cheer
and we loved every minute of Wicked 2- For Good- we pretty much all cried for the last half hour of the movie...ahhh!
and we loved celebrating our annual Thanksgiving Weekend traditions...with some new ones mixed in too!
December
We had our first four snowfalls of the season...some of us are more excited than others ;)
Diana was named one of the captains for the WHS Winter Cheer Team
There has been more hot yoga...Praise God!
and more rail trail!
I hosted my Annual Favorite Things Party
While Eva and Daddy enjoyed a dinner out with besties
The next night we all enjoyed a Gingerbread Party at Eva's besties house
We enjoyed a night at the future in-laws with these two lovebirds :)
I just keep hustling...hoping it will all turn around
Hockey was extra fun this month when Zach was in attendance
Eva and I enjoyed seeing her bestie in a Nutcracker
Rob and I enjoyed the McLain's Annual Holiday Party with Besties
The Fab Four enjoyed the Annual Holiday Dinner
I took the girls for ice cream one night and we were feeling oh so festive
We thanked our delivery drivers- one of my favorite traditions- we didn't get to do all the things this year but glad we got this one in
Our church has been beautiful
Eva hosted besties for a fun Christmas night
and I made a festive breakfast the next morning for the girls who stayed over
We visited the cemeteries
and Eva had a blast at her Holiday Softball Party
and we loved our quiet night with the Batsons
We didn't make some of our favorite holiday traditions happen this year...busy and intense year with crazy schedules I guess? No Jammie Christmas- No Zoo Lights- No Donations to the Food Pantry- I will do better next year- I ran out of steam and spirit unfortunately
We did enjoy spending the holidays with family and friends though
and the BEST ending to 2025
Presenting a check to Boston Children's Hospital from Blackout #grateful
I always love looking back on our years...this blog has helped me to compile all of our memories and share my thoughts...though it was a very tough year for me, I love looking back at all of the wonderful times and try to focus on those because we are blessed and God is holding my hand through it all
