Penny Farthing (y02w12)

Nope. It’s not “farting,” read it again.

I’m kidding, of course, but it gave me a laugh.

Anyway, if you don’t know what a Penny Farthing is, I’m about to share some knowledge I gained all because of my recently turned 15-year-old son.

A few weeks ago, I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and he said, “A bike.”

I was like, “You already have a bike!”

He’s like, “No, I want one of those bikes that have a really big front wheel and a tiny back wheel.”

I knew exactly what he meant, but at the time, I had no idea what they were called.

I said, “Why in the world would you want one of those bikes?”

“Because they’re cool!”

So we jokingly looked them up and learned that they are from the 1800s and are called Penny-Farthing bikes, named after British coins. Apparently, the farthing was a little coin, and the penny was large.

I guess you really do learn something every day!

In lieu of dropping $2,000 on a novelty bike, I opted to paint him a card and get him a few fun T-shirts that feature the bike. It seemed like a good compromise to me. lol

So, long story short, my baby, Little Bean, is now 15.

He asked me not to share his photo, so I am going to honor that, but he did approve this one for Instagram.

I cannot express how much joy this kid brings me daily. He’s smart, funny, witty, kind, compassionate, and even though he doesn’t want to spend that much time with Mom anymore, I love hanging out with him.

Watching him and his brother interact as young men absolutely melts my heart, too. We went out together on Sunday to celebrate his birthday, and it was just nice.

Nice.

I know that sounds simple and nondescriptive, but I think other people with older kids may understand. You spend so much time as a parent, well, parenting, disciplining, compromising, and let’s be honest, yelling.

And then something happens.

The kids aren’t kids anymore.

They’re young adults who communicate, crack jokes, share opinions, and experience the world in a way you won’t ever fully understand. But you get the privilege of observing, in awe, the human you had the honor of raising and watching blossom.

Ugh. And now I’m crying.

So, honestly, I have no idea where all that came from. I guess I’m a little emotional at the moment. I really just popped in to update my goals, and now I’m pondering the deep emotions about parenting.

On to the goals!

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Goal: Once a Week ❌ On Hold

#SaladTime videos! You can see them all here in a YouTube playlist.

I’m about to finish all the greens I bought for the week tonight! So GO ME!

If I get a moment to myself, I may throw on the camera because I’ve been making some banger salads recently!

Weekly Soup/Stew

Goal: Once a Week ✅

I added stew to this soup goal because I’ve been craving something more meaty than a traditional soup.

I’ve been enjoying this made-up turkey chili all week!

I made it with three pounds of ground turkey, browned with two onions and flavored with curry, turmeric, black pepper, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Then I added 5 smallish diced sweet potatoes, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of pumpkin puree, and two cups of stock. Once that all came together, I added half a bag of chopped kale and a can of black beans.

This one is a winner!

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

So proud of my loaf this week!

I’ve been enjoying it for breakfast all week with a smear of peanut butter and slices of bananas, which is now my favorite pre-workout snack.

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅

I’m glad I already reached this goal this month, as I’m not sure I’ll get another chance, but I’m still gonna try!

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌

Failing but keeping it here as a reminder.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

Since I am not preparing for an event, I started a new cycle to work on some core strength. Loving it.

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

I’m starting to dabble in these again, and my new programming will 100% help me achieve these goals, so I hope to have an update soon!

Daily Walks

I’m not going to lie, these are still a little sporadic. I am so over the current weather, it’s not even funny. Spring cannot come soon enough!

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March

I am committing to hitting the trails this weekend!

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18  ✅ 
  • February 2/1 ❌
  • March 3/1, 3/15 ✅ 

Hit the goal and still hope to go Sunday! But if I have to pick, I’m going with a hike instead. So I’ll see how this weekend shakes out.

Pickleball

We wrapped up our first league and signed up for another!

I cannot express how much I enjoy this. It’s not even about pickleball. It’s about spending time with my husband, doing something active, and learning how to be more competitive in sports.

I was not a young athlete, and I never really had the team-sport gene. It just wasn’t part of my culture, but playing pickleball is bringing it out of me. I am legitimately mad when we lose or I miss a point. That’s new. I’ve always been a “let’s just have fun” person, but now I have this growing desire to be good at it, and I like it.

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

I’ve been slackin’, but I am recommitting! I’ve also started learning some new chords, but I’ve been inconsistent with my practice this past week.

Painting

Just the card this week, but it was fun! Here’s the inside:

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

No progress — yet! I researched both and have very loose plans for this summer.

Spanish

Keeping up with Duolingo… no other progress.

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
  • February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
  • March

Killing it!

Looking Ahead

No updates on The Husband’s job issue. Students are still trying my patience, but I’m managing it better than I was last week. Although I am just waiting for spring break at this point. One more week!!