December moved at its own pace. Some days full, some quiet, all blended with the familiar mix of people, routines, and surprises that shape the season.
My template:
– Thankful for:
– Sum up today in 1 sentence/Or one memorable thing from today:
Number of Steps:
Monday/12.1.2025
– 6 out of 7 emails I sent to students about interviews for spring job responded!
– Lunch with Rob to discuss Christmas, etc. Home after work for nap and started decorating for Christmas.
7,634
Tuesday/12.2.2025
– Simple joys
– Always enjoy lunch with Drew. Also enjoyed a date night out with Rob, Waldo’s chicken and Tina musical at the Gogue.
6,110
Wednesday/12.3.2025
– Relaxing in the hot tub with Christmas music
– Rob came home, had turkey and beans, he and Drew left for basketball, I cleaned, decorated, soaked in hot tub, and went to bed.
7,502
Thursday/12.4.2025
– LA hitting more milestones
– Another student interview. After work I picked up LA, who’s adorably close to crawling. Rob’s feet killing him.
6,922
Friday/12.5.2025
– The love Drew and Caitlyn have for their pastor.
– Rob shared the heartbreaking news that Pastor Jeff from my son and daughter‑in‑law’s church passed away last night. I interviewed three students for Spring. Drew, Caitlyn, and LA came over. I love the conversations that happen when we’re in the hot tub.
7,634
Saturday/12.6.2025
– Saturdays
– Just a chill day around the house. Rob’s feet really bothering him a lot lately.
8,029
Sunday/12.7.2025
– That Alex still values the tradition of Christmas tree shopping so much that he took the day off to go with us.
– Christmas Cantata, tree farm emotions, Zen House lunch with LA’s first high‑chair meal, trees set up, Target topper run, and the day closed with Waffle House after Popeyes was closed earlier than they are supposed to.
7,229
Monday/12.8.2025
– Fun night in Atlanta
– Alice and David and us had dinner at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market, then enjoyed the For King & Country concert at the Fox with them and the Farrows. Even spotted a meteor on the way home.
6,749
Tuesday/12.9.2025
– Students who show appreciation and say goodbye on their last days.
– Headache morning eased by Panera breakfast, farewell to Abby O., amazing thrift finds at Goodwill, made pretzel delights, hot tub time, and then off to bed.
8,134
Wednesday/12.10.2025
– A cozy home
– Enjoying the coziness of the house decorated for Christmas and the natural smell of the tree.
8,279
Thursday/12.11.2025
– Students that stick with us through their college careers.
– I said goodbye to one of my students who’s been with us a long time, Cara as she moves on to her internship, enjoyed some sweet time with LA, made jambalaya that didn’t quite hit, and ended the night early.
7,930
Friday/12.12.2025
– For students who show appreciation
– It was a bittersweet day. Letting a student go left me unsettled, but goodbyes with Yun and heartfelt appreciation from Johnny and Aidan reminded me how much student kindness matters. I balanced errands, music, cooking, and time with Rob, ending the night tired but grateful .
6,284
Saturday/12.13.2025
– Getting outside decorated
– Rob and I spent the morning raking. Drew and LA came by to hang out. Caitlyn came over once she was done at her sister’s baby shower. They got in the hot tub. I watched LA before putting her to bed while Rob started putting up lights.
10,792
Sunday/12.14.2025
– Finally be able to go to bed after church bc feeling sicker and sicker.
– I pushed through a rough morning, went to two church services, grabbed Yaki Bowl after errands, rested at home, Rob dealt with a yard decoration missing hardware, and ended the day with a phone call from Randy saying they’re coming Tuesday to house‑hunt right when you’re keeping LA.
8,313
Monday/12.15.2025
– Paid sick days
– Rob went to work and then had his blood work follow-up, where Brian suggested Sudafed and possibly Flonase for may cold. I slept and just hung out for the most part. I made pork chops and squash for dinner and are leaning toward going back to work tomorrow.
9,974
Tuesday/12.16.2025
– Feeling a little bit better.
– I wasn’t able to return to work today because still just so much congestion. Embarrassing to blow your nose…I did manage to get quite a bit done regardless. I chatted with Alex, got some stuff at Walmart, wrapped gifts, and tidied up before Randy, and Pam arrived in the evening.
10,404
Wednesday/12.17.2025
– LA getting to stay with us for the next few days.
– Randy and Pam met with realtor to look for homes. Drew and Caitlyn brought LA over and ‘moved her in’ for the next few days while they’re gone.
7,338
Thursday/12.18.2025
– Standing my ground.
– Brought LA by my work and then upsetting afternoon and evening. Didn’t go as well as I would like to have with LA, but we persevered and she slept through the night.
6,867
Friday/12.19.2025
– A great day!
– Went to LA’s Christmas Party at Daycare and visited Rob’s work and then brought her home. It was a much better evening. Went to Culver’s with Rob’s Dad and Step Mom and to look at the house they’re thinking of buying.
8,115
Saturday/12.20.2025
– Time with friends.
– Rob and Randy/Pam house hunting after a lovely brunch with Rob’s Men’s group and the wives. They loved seeing LA.
7,247
Sunday/12.21.2025
– Fun time with nieces/nephews
– I took LA to church where the folks in the nursery just loved her, had lunch at Foosackley’s with both sets of in‑laws, Alice and David watched her while we took nieces of nephews to Columbus for their fun outing, and wrapped up the day by taking the Blacks to Hollywood Connection.
7,294
Monday/12.22.2025
– Resolution
– Rob spent the day checking out rental properties with his dad and Pam. Ended up finding one that he put an application in for. Drew and Caitlyn hung out, Alex stopped by with presents and fixed the flashing TV, and we all ended the day with dinner at Baumhower’s.
8,838
Tuesday/12.23.2025
– For such sweet time with LA
– Rob and I ran errands and to dr for me to get steroid shot and get tested to see if I have a viral illness. Ate lunch at Popeyes with the in-laws. Dinner was ajitas on the Blackstone courtesy of Drew, hot‑tub time, stocking‑stuffer runs. My father-in-law signed a lease! Lots of food prep throughout the day.
9,220
Wednesday/12.24.2025
– The ability to bite my tongue but also for the fortitude to state my feelings even when the person probably doesn’t want to hear it.
– Busy day of food prep. Visits from my kiddos. Church and Alex coming over to spend the night for Christmas.
8,626
Thursday/12.25.2025
– Having our house back – my in-laws went back to Texas!
– Such a beautiful Christmas with the fam. Still fighting feeling terrible.
6,321
Friday/12.26.2025
– Being able to push through fatigue
– I pushed through a headache‑filled day of packing, cleaning, and errands. Drew and George were hanging out today. They ended up coming over to get in the hot tub.
8,227
Saturday/12.27.2025
– Making it to Tampa safely
– A long travel day to Tampa unfolded with last‑minute house chores, heavy traffic, a crowded CFA stop, a detour through Clearwater Beach for street performers and dinner, a Walgreens charger run, and finally a got to bed bc I am still so sick.
6,574
Sunday/12.28.2025
– Easy embarkation day
– Got on the ship and enjoyed watching us leave from Tampa and our first night at dinner.
11,112
Monday/12.29.2025
– Chill day at sea
– Relaxing day just chilling around the ship. Formal night and comedy.
6,482
Tuesday/12.30.2025
– Getting to go back to Mr. Sanchos
– A smooth, early arrival at Sancho’s turned into an easy day of food, drinks, and the new pool before a longer than expected taxi ride left only a short window to shop downtown before heading back to the ship.
9,486
Wednesday/12.31.2025
– A great NYE
– A full New Year’s Eve at sea unfolded with brunch, contests, music on deck, naps, formal night, comedy, the 88 Keys show, and a late Lido party before finally crashing close to 1 a.m.
10,609
As the month wrapped up, I was reminded how much these ordinary days are busy, quiet, joyful, and everything in between. All of it shapes the season more than any single event.
It sounds like D and C go to the same church as my son. That was such tragic news about the pastor. Jack didn’t know him personally, but I know it was devastating for all in their community.