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2025 Goals Journal

wycwyc’in Away! (w23)

I had big plans for this post, but now it’s after 7 pm and I’m on the couch with the kids, eating dinner, and watching Jeopardy.

Years ago, this would have never happened because I was THAT Mom. You know, the one who made everyone sit for family dinner at the table. It was a daily occurrence. No TV. No phones. Just the four of us around the table, talking about our day or playing some sort of table game.

Now, the mom of a 14-year-old and soon-to-be 20-year-old (that happens this weekend, OMG), dinner at the table happens maybe once or twice a week.

At first, this bothered me, but over time, I have realized we are wycwyc‘ing it!

I mean, these kids will inevitably grow up and move on. At least I HOPE so, at this point, transitioning them to adulthood feels like my only job as a parent, but I digress.

For those who don’t know, wycwyc refers to “What You Can When You Can,” a mantra I’ve used for years.

My book, What You Can When You Can: Healthy Living on YOUR Terms, was published ten years ago.

I was proud of the book, but because it was traditionally published, many decisions (like the cover and layout) were out of my control.

My co-author (Carla Birnberg) reached out to me a few months ago, and we began the process of editing and republishing a new edition.

To say we wycwyc‘d this project is an understatement. Between Carla’s work and international travel, and my full-time teaching position, which usually requires overtime and extra classes, we slowly made progress.

I involved a graphic design teacher-friend who had his students work on cover ideas (the new cover is student-designed and I love it!!). Carla had a friend work on a new layout, and we made edits and proofread when possible.

There were many 5 am texts and late-night emails, but we did it! And I’m really proud of it! Even more so than our original version.

THIS is the book I envisioned ten years ago!

In other news…

I hosted my Cuban-inspired dinner party on Saturday, and we had a blast!

The menu was pretty simple:

  • Cocktail:  Hotel Nacional Special
  • Appetizer:  Queso Fundido with Chorizo
  • Salad:  Mango, Orange, and Jícama Salad
  • Main:   Cubanos 
  • Dessert:   Pastelillos de Guayaba (Guava Cheese Pastries)

I’ve made Cubanos before, but I never made Cuban bread before, and oh boy, is that a game changer! So, so good.

It was such a great night.

The only other thing I need to mention this week is my niece Judy’s graduation!

She completed her residential high school program, and we enjoyed celebrating.

Can you tell I’m starting to rush this? Because I am!

2025 Goal Check In

I’ve got to go. I still need to do Spanish and take my walk!

Here’s my goal update this week. Until next time! 🙂

  1. Blog Weekly.
    • so far… ✔️
  2. Paint More. Don’t overthink it.
    • so far…✔️ (meh… haven’t been fitting it in)
  3. Make a new handmade pasta monthly.
    • Jan ✔️ ✔️
    • Feb ✔️ ✔️
    • March ❌
    • April ✔️✔️
    • May ✔️
    • June (Not yet)
  4. Hike at least twice a month.
    • Jan ✔️✔️
    • Feb ✔️✔️
    • March ✔️ ✔️
    • April ✔️✔️
    • May ✔️✔️✔️
    • June ✔️ ✔️ (went this morning instead of the gym!)
  5. Perform one unassisted dip.
    • Training!
  6. Perform five strict pull-ups.
    • Training
  7. Handstand walk.
    • Training!
  8. Take at least three yoga classes a month.
    • Jan ✔️✔️✔️
    • Feb ✔️✔️✔️
    • March ✔️✔️✔️
    • April ✔️✔️ ❌
    • May ✔️✔️✔️
    • June (slacking!!)
  9. Make homemade sourdough bread.
  10. Take the kids to Iceland.
    • Planning is starting to pick up!
  11. Fix the holes in my house (long story, lots of plumbing issues this year).
    • Two holes down, two to go!
  12. Continue my Spanish Streak on Duolingo (I’m on day 1,231!!).
    • so far…✔️ day 1391 (once I do it tonight)
  13. Take a Spanish class in person.
    • Searched today. I’m at a loss!
  14. Plan something special for The Husband’s 50th birthday!
    • Research is underway.
  15. Snatch 125lbs.
    • Training! (I hired a new trainer – will post more soon!)
  16. Compete in at least one weightlifting meet.
  17. Walk a minimum of half a mile daily with Marsh and, preferably, with the Husband, but I can’t base my goal on him.
    • 144/152 days so far this year. (Once I go after this)
  18. Track my movie-watching on Letterboxd.
  19. Keep my citrus trees alive! (I have a lemon and a lime tree I named Laverne and Shirley. Laverne is not doing too well after a disastrous root rot issue this fall, but we are doing our best.)
    • so far…✔️ They are outside! Thriving!!
  20. Host an extended family dinner monthly.
    • Jan ✔️
    • Feb ✔️
    • March ✔️
    • April ✔️
    • May ✔️
    • June (Have a BBQ planned this weekend)
  21. Clean out and organize my closet and drawers.
  22. Thrift more and purchase no brand-new clothes.
    • so far…✔️
  23. Take daily supplements more consistently.
    • so far…✔️ (Killing it!)
  24. Reduce alcohol consumption to once or twice a month.
    • Jan ❌ 1/18, 1/23, 1/31 (close!)
    • Feb 2/1, 2/15 ✔️
    • March 3/22 ✔️
    • April 4/25, 4/26 ✔️
    • May 5/3, 5/10
    • June 6/7
  25. Cook one new recipe/dish a month.

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