In early November, I set 10 goals I wanted to complete by the end of the year. While there are still six days left of 2025 (omg), I wanted to do a check-in before I start going crazy with my “Best of 2025” posts, so here you go!
1) Figure out a new home organizational system. Complete! I still think this organizational system can be improved, but at least for now, everything has its place and I know where to find the things I need.
2) Read two books that are over 500 pages. Complete! (Well, almost.) I listened to Generations, which was 560 pages, and I’m almost finished with 11/22/63. I will definitely have that done by the end of the year to complete this goal.
3) Visit The Book Lounge. Complete! My friend Amber and I went to The Book Lounge the day after my birthday and I spent over $100 on books and bookish goodies. Oops! It’s such a cute place and I’m so glad it exists in my community.
4) Finish the Taylor Swift reading challenge. Complete! All done. I’ll show the whole list in my 2025 goals recap post.
5) Get a handle on my finances. Not complete. You guys, I have not updated my budgeting spreadsheet since September. I’m calling the end of the year a wash and restarting everything in January. Everything is getting paid and I’m not going crazy when it comes to spending money, but I just haven’t felt the inclination to update my spreadsheet.
6) Find relief from my back and hip pain. Not complete. I did say that “this may be a lofty goal outside my control” and that’s definitely true. I tried a round of steroid shots in both of my hip bursae, which gave me about 18 hours of relief before everything went back to my new normal of chronic pain. I’ve decided to see a rheumatologist in the new year to find out if I have psoriatic arthritis. All of my symptoms point to this condition, and I can’t lie: I will be incredibly relieved if this is the diagnosis because hopefully it means I will start to have some relief from my chronic pain. More to come!
7) Do one Christmas-themed local event. Complete! I actually did three Christmas-themed local events. I went to Christmastown at Busch Gardens, Putt the Pier in Downtown St. Pete, and A Drag Queen Christmas.
8) Have a “planning day” to create goals for 2026. Not complete… yet. There is still time to complete this, although I’ve already come up with most of my goals for 2026. I still want to set aside a morning or afternoon to set up my 2026 planner and finalize my goals. I might do that tomorrow!
9) Develop a “40 Before 40” list. Not complete. I totally forgot that I made this goal. I’m still on the fence if I want to do a “40 Before 40” list. Probably not.
10) Bake one new-to-me Christmas-themed dessert. Complete! I made peanut butter balls, some with peppermint sprinkles and some without. They were a hit at my book club gathering, yay!
Six completed, one that was outside my control to complete, one that will likely be completed by the end of the year, and two that fell off my radar. I’m happy with that progress!
I kind of hope you get a dx for your pain because it would be ideal to have an explanation for all the pain you are having. Your PCP could even run an inflammatory panel. That is how I got my RA dx. I had a bunch of tests that were off the charts, like the rheumatoid factor. Technically you can have elevated levels of several tests and not have RA/PA, but if you have joint pain and positive tests, you have it. You can also have the pain and no blood markers and still have it. It’s kind of a confusing dx. But once you have that dx, there are lots of different therapy options. I was pretty relieved that I had RA when I was dx’d because I was in so much pain I feared I had bone cancer or something!!
Yes, I’ve been reading a lot about how to get diagnosed and it’s all very confusing. Like, blood tests can show elevated inflammation but also, they may not show any elevation but I could still be diagnosed with PsA. It’s all very weird! I don’t WANT this diagnosis, but I do want a reason behind all my joint pain!
Chronic issues are debilitating both physically and mentally. I hope you get answers and relief in 2026.
I only make peanut butter balls once each year and it is at Christmas and I love them so much!! I’ve never heard of peppermint sprinkles. YUM!
The peanut butter balls were definitely a hit and so easy to make!
I love the idea of setting 10 goals for the end of the year, and you did great with these! Tracking finances is a forever goal–I go through phases of being on top of it and then just…not. Love the new to me Christmas baking goal, and I may have to try baking the Peanut butter balls because my kids and husband are both peanut butter fiends.
They will probably love peanut butter balls, and they are so easy to make! It’s going on my list as an annual dessert to make.
I am always so impressed with your goal making and your follow-through.
I totally get that you’re starting over with your budget in 2026 though – going back four months, just to “document” it is an insane amount of work. Not worth it.
Thank you! I need to figure out a better system for tracking my budget in 2026. Maybe it’s finally time to invest in software that will do all the itemizing for me.
You did well! And, now I’m reminded that I never made peanut butter balls this season. Do I still want to? We have so many sweet things around… maybe I’ll make them later in January.
I agree you’re at the point where it would be a relief to get a diagnosis for your hip pain. Chronic pain is just awful, it would be nice to FINALLY have a treatment plan.
I”ll be interested to hear what you thought about 11/22/63! I really liked it.
Peanut butter balls are definitely the type of dessert one can have at any time! They’d be great for the Superbowl!
I know you don’t usually post on weekends, but I’m so excited for some of the end-of-year wrap-ups that I’m checking on a Saturday. What do I see? A GOALS POST. Such excitement. You did such an amazing job with your goals. I hadn’t looked at my $$ spreadsheet for two week and holy cow was that something to see. It’s crazy the sheer number of financial transactions I make and I don’t even pay most of our bills!!
I really should figure out how much money I spent on Christmas but I just do not have any sort of desire to do so, ha.
You really crushed your goals toward the end of the year. While mine fizzled out and I just tried to survive you checked one after the other. You can be proud.
Thank you! And survival is a worthy goal. I have been there for sure!
Add visiting the Book Lounge to the list for when I come visit! 😍
Starting fresh with your financial spreadsheet in Jan makes total sense.
I really hope you know what is up with your hips soon so you can get a plan going!!!!
Peanut butter balls? Yes, please!
Yes, The Book Lounge will be a must-see place for all visitors! It’s such a cute space.
I was so excited that I finally made a dessert that my vegetarian/gluten-free/egg-free friend could eat with the peanut butter balls!