We'll call this my "Photo of the Weekend" and I'll talk about it in a bit :)Joining Holly and Sarah this morning with their new graphic for 2026 for a second Hello Monday from me this year!
A couple weeks ago these traveling friends were over to plan our trip this year, which is Germany. The overseas trips are all planned for us, (the one in this picture with us here is the one that coordinates all of these) the "planning" we were doing was trying to decide if we wanted to go to Europe early or stay past the tour - the Bourbon Trail we are doing on our own - not as "easy" - ha! If anyone in the Lexington area wants to give us an idea of a great place for dinner that weekend, I'm up for suggestions :)
Friday after work I went with a friend over to Crossville to play tennis with a friend that lives in Cookeville and plays there. Fairfield Glade is a retirement community between Cookeville and Knoxville in Crossville - quite a drive for a rec tennis match, but my Cookeville friend and I are playing in a Racquet War tournament together next month and we wanted to practice together. I have done these several times in the past but she never has. It has always been fun - looking forward to getting away and playing with new people!
Speaking of tennis, I had my first Tri-level USTA tennis match Saturday night - my partner and I had a great match and I'm hoping we have more competition like that this season. I had three teams ask me to play with them but in the end decided on just this one, based solely on the timing - tri-level is hard because it's only on the weekends, and in two cases the matches didn't start until 7:30 p.m. on a Friday or later on Sunday. . .there was a time when I could spend all my weekends at the indoor courts in town playing, but that's not the stage I am in right now. Thankful to get to play when I can though!
The picture I led the post with is Ellie at the finish line of the Walt Disney Marathon. She ran the entire 26.2 miles Sunday morning!!! The newlyweds headed down there Friday - she was up at 3 a.m. and at the starting line soon after. 
Never been a dream of mine but happy to cheer on those whose dream it is :)
Tom and I also spent quite a bit of time planning a Bourbon Trail weekend in Kentucky next month for my birthday (we'll celebrate my uncle's birthday too - he's going to join us). We've chosen and booked a tour company and chose our hotel and made reservations for that yesterday. None of us on the trip have done this before - some of us were together at the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Ireland last year, which prompted this idea. 
This was just a 1/2-day activity - we drove in for lunch, this tour, then out and to the next city afterwards!
What else?? I read a cool blog post Saturday, 10 on the 10th - the topic was:
I wasn't aware of it, nor did I have time to participate and link up, but I might keep it in mind for the future. I read several posts and they got me thinking about this, of course. From silly to serious, it was thought-provoking and not your typical "what are your goals/word of the year/resolutions" this year - ha!
I wasn't aware of it, nor did I have time to participate and link up, but I might keep it in mind for the future. I read several posts and they got me thinking about this, of course. From silly to serious, it was thought-provoking and not your typical "what are your goals/word of the year/resolutions" this year - ha!1. I probably won't run a marathon - or any race for that matter - ha!
2. We probably won't buy a lake house this year - boo. But never want to take the possibility off the table.
3. I probably won't like winter any more this year than I usually do.
4. I probably won't read more than 2-3 books a month, although I would like to!
5. I probably will not find any more time to blog this year than I did last year - I did get 50 posts out though! That is quite a goal to keep up with :)
6. I probably won't learn to like beans, mustard, beer, or raw tomatoes this year.
7. I probably won't stop wanting to do a project, finish a project, or think about the next project - much to Tom's dismay since most include "help" from him.
8. I probably won't fall in love with working out, but who knows?? I *want* to like it and make it a priority if that counts?
9. We probably won't move this year - although that is something I would do in a heartbeat if the right circumstance landed in our laps. And I have no idea what that would even look like - but I'm sure I'll know it if I ever see it!
10. I probably won't play in any pickleball tournaments because I've committed to keeping that sport F.U.N. and don't want to pay to compete - ever. Maybe stating it here will keep me to that resolve.
That was much harder than I thought, because my brain doesn't want to limit myself or rule things out. And "life" happens. This is just fun and not meant to be taken seriously I hope :). I would much rather be accountable to goals or my word of the year - NOTICE.
Shay and her family just got back from Germany - she had a post on their stay in Munich, which is where we will end up so I'm sure we'll all be looking back on this post the closer we get to our trip. Salzburg is also on our itinerary - so glad it will be warmer when we go!
I didn't get a chance to participate in Joyce's hodgepodge last week - if I had, I would have answered her yearly question like this: What are three words you would use to describe your 2025?
Fun, full, and steady - it was a busy year, but not crazy. We had a lot of fun together as a family and I also enjoyed my travel, tennis and pickleball people a lot. For the most part, relationships stayed "steady" or grew, except for one that was heartbreaking for someone I love. The year is easily forgettable in it's "normalness" and yet one to look back on as a turning point for us (Tom & I) as it was our 30 year wedding anniversary and our first child got married. I feel the tide changed a little, we need to acknowledge and grow from here.
I'm sorry I didn't get around to joining in on Amy's link-up, Currently - will try my best to hit it in February!
Just for fun - 
Not sure what this week will bring - I'm launching my yearly leadership series at work this week - hope people like the theme this year - Leaders that Multiply Impact. Our departments are growing and our industry is constantly evolving and changing - there's always a need for the Training Department! Happy to be starting another year with this bank :)
Have a great week - looking forward to reading about what is going on with the rest of you too! If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your weekend highlights in the comments :)
Love,
Jenni
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