Winter 2025/26 Goals

Wow!  Can you believe today is the last day of 2025!  I have to say that 2025 was a fantastic year for our family with so many good things including:

• Halie graduated high school and had a successful first term of university.  
• Anya turned 16 and got her license the very next day!
•  We enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to Venice and Paris, and we were jointed by my mom and dad. 
• We had a lovely celebration with our family and friends in the beginning of summer to celebrate Halie's graduation.
•  Mr. and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary.  
• We spent time at the lake and have both continued to enjoy our jobs and our personal lives. 
• I accomplished my first sprint duatholon in the spring and a half-marathon in the fall.  And I will complete another December Running challenge with over a 100 km, strength training once a week and pretty regular stretching.
• My photography side-gig, A&H Snapshots, had a fantastic year and I hope to maintain the same level of clients as last year.  

Now let's look forward!

Last year I made a switch from long-term goals to quarterly ones, and I really like this system for myself.  It feels more intuitive and responsive to the things I am leaning into in the moment and where my family is at.  So here are some things that I am loving and want to keep doing:

• Reading daily (I aim for 20 min./day)
• Exercising vigorously 4-5x/week (running, spinning, strength training)
• Walking with my husband & dogs (3-5x/week)
• Blogging 1/week
• Book Club with the Ladies 1/month

Specific goals I have for the winter this year:

• Iron Slug Challenge in January (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike & 42.2 km run/walk)
• Do the "Up For Anything: A year of creative living challenge"
• Planned family time/activity 1/month
• Skating 
• Cross-Country Ski - specifically go to ski Eb's Ski trails
• Snowboarding/Skiing - mountain trip or local hill
• Winter Wonderland Mini Photoshoot with A&H Snapshots
• Get away to the cabin
• Host a friends gathering 
• Take myself on a Blogging Coffee Date
• Host neighbours for a visit
• Visit my in-laws 
• Do some AI photo training course
• Begin booking some things for our Montreal trip for Summer 2026
• Make photobook of Europe trip from 2025
• Pre-plan & pre-book to have cleaners 1/month
• Plan some races for the year and summer dates
• Volunteer Gigs: Social Media manager for 100 Women Who Care & Golf Tournament for Literacy in June 

Long-Term goal:

• Update our wills
• Meet with a financial planner

Now it's your turn.  

Do you set goals?  

How do you do them?  

How do you track?  

What are some of your goals?

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Ageless Style: Oldie but a Goodie & a Tear Jerker

What's the oldest piece in your closet?  I have a couple of things that come to mind.  My moms vintage fur coat, my grandmas necklace and this dress!  Today's prompt was the oldest thing in your closet and as soon as I read it, I knew what I was going to showcase.  

This classic, dark navy, fitted dress, is 28 years old and it's still in my closet and gets worn once or twice a year.  I got this dress for my grade 8 farewell! Yep, I wore this as a grade 8, 14 year old student.  Here in Saskatoon we have elementary schools, K-Gr.8, and high school, Gr. 9-12.  When we end our elementary school career we have a farewell that students dress up for, there is a ceremony, a party, and speeches, like a practice graduation.  Well, I bought this dress at Suzy Shier for the occasion and I just never let it go. LOL.  I usually wear it for funerals now, or for this post I decided to throw on my sparkly, rose gold, duster cardigan to make it more festive.  I actually love this outfit and would wear it to a school event such as one of our holiday concerts, or dinner out.  It's really a timeless and classic piece and it's why I've kept it all these years.  Sometimes, I throw over a sweater and wear it as a pencil skirt.  

WARNING: TEAR JERKER AHEAD

You'll notice that in both of these photos, I am also wearing a necklace.  This is the most precious thing I own.  Ready to get teary?!?  

When I was little, I used to always tug at this necklace around my baka's (grandmother) neck and say, "when you die, can I have this?" I was young and mesmerized by it.  When I was 10 years old, in the early hours of a morning, my family fled our city during the Bosnian war.  We didn't say goodbye to friends or neighbors, because it was dangerous, but my grandparents were there to hug us one last time and send us off.  That morning my baka took off her necklace and put it around my neck before we got in the car.  OH GOSH, now I am crying.  Years later, my baka and dida, arrived in Canada and we were reunited, I was 14 years old by then.  I asked my baka if she wanted the necklace back but she told me to keep it.  My baka is 94 years old and a force to be reckon with.  I have endless love and respect for her and feel so lucky to have her living just a couple of blocks away from our home.  This necklace is the most valuable thing I own because it represents love, strength, resilience, history and family.

So with that I leave you with a message of love, peace and joy as you enter this holiday season.  

Thank you for being a part of my little world here on this blog, I appreciate you more than I could ever say.  I hope to be back on Monday, Dec. 22nd with a Winter Bucket List and then a 2 week break.  

Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Jennifer - Overflowing with Thankfulness

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Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Lace, Texture, and Autumn Elegance

Just a few weeks ago fall was still visible but if you were to take picture of my front entrance today    a) you would see all the holiday decor and b) white fluffy snow everywhere.  Regardless, this chocolate brown, lacey dress is a beautiful addition to my closet this fall season and I plan to style it right into winter with some booties, or maybe even some fall suede boots.  Mixing textures like lace, leather, and suede is a great way to keep things fresh.  I immediately fell in love with this dress when I purchased it this summer, knowing that I would wear it tons through fall and winter.  The color is on trend, the lacey detail makes it feminine, the key hole neckline a little flirty and the bell sleeves add a romantic touch.  I love the length because it's modest and easy to wear to work for events where I need to be dressed up such as our upcoming many evening concerts and events.  I plan to wear it for our evening band concert where we will be greeting and hosting many families.  

Shop This Post:

Somedays Lovin Dress (small)

Plum Crossbody Bag (old; similar at Amazon or  Aldo)

How is everyone enjoying December so far?  

Do you find December overwhelming or festive or somewhere in between?  

We had a great first week of December!  We celebrated my moms 67th birthday and my MIL birthday by taking everyone to the  local theater to watch A Christmas Story.  It was soooooo good and we all enjoyed many belly laughs.  This weekend Logan and I were invited to DipMas, everyone brings a dip to share, and we got to enjoy company of some friends as well as meet new people.  I was able to get going on my Christmas baking and we ended the weekend off gathering with my family for my moms birthday supper.  Overall, I feel excited for the week to come and also know it's going to be absolutely go-go-go!  Where ever you are on the holiday rollercoaster, I hope you have moments of peace, joy and quite, amongst the chaos.  Thanks for stopping by. 

XOXO Bo