Happy Homemaker Monday 1-5-26

 If you missed the weekend's activities [pictures only Ugh] check out Saturday & Sunday 

*****

Linking up with Sandra for this 1st Happy Homemaker MONDAY of the New Year!!

For 2026 I've switched up categories they're in RED for todays post!

** The Weather **

Mother Nature seems a bit confused that's it's supposed to be Winter...

** As I look outside my window **

Sunny - 48°

 ** Right now I am **

Working on this post in between Laundry...

** OOTD **

Leggings & light weight long sleeve 

** Thinking and pondering [how I'm feeling] **

Better each day, and grateful to be!

 

** What I'm reading **

Devotions-Spiritual

The Couple Next Door-pleasure read

Successful Women, Speak Differently-Self Improvement [trying to plug along but not very successful]

** TV Shows this week **

Nothing special...regular program shows are off for the season, Mr and I have been watching whatever movies we have recorded DVR is down to only 21% full. 

** Menu Plan **

 Still whatever! 

** Meals at Home **

5/31

** No unNecessary Spend Challenge Update **

January Challenge 27/31 so far 5/31

 

** Action Items**

Radio segment this morening,

Chiropractor [so needed],

Banking,

Laundry [going now],

Refresh floors,

Start washing walls/woodwork

** Today's Motivation **

** Something fun to share **

The Kid and her buddy came looking for me during yesterday's trail race,

It...Was...HARD !!!

They were supposed to do the loop 2times and only did 1,That's how hard the trail was,

It had me questioning🤔myself...but I not only finished I was THE oldest person out there!

** Next Up **

 signed up to do a 10K with my runner Girl Beth...

She's recovering from an injury She has a goal of 1 a month.

**  Calendar/Schedule this week **

Today is a rest day [thank goodness] from walk/running. 

** From the camera **

I'm now getting to do window displays at the hospital Gift Shop...

Here's my Cardinal display for spring.

** Reflection(s) **

I can do HARD Things!!

Sunday....Trail Day [ again ]

 

Oh NUTS!! Frozen Nuts that is...

 

New Start Success

Re-Capping yesterday's reboot...The morning started with a social media post the Kid did about signing up for a summer race [there's so many early year discounts for races] I committed to a 10K for RTB

JRWS took over this event last year and even though it would have been my 5th year competing it I was uncertain if the original race director was still involved, there's a story there but not necessary to post about. So I'll ''re-Start'' my streak in 2026.

Another early bird discount race is one of my favorites...AMSNR, so of course signed up for it as well 

Summer is startingto be B.U.S.Y!!

[ really 🤔 thinking I may need a Job! 🤣 ]

The Mr made breakfast of oatmeal with a side of small sausage patty, I finished up a blog post [read it here] then off to do photography for the Frozen Rails race in Midway. It's become a popular way for runners & walkers to start their New Year re-set. Just over 500 signed up with 465 attended in person...it was a busy afternoon for sure.

I got there early enough to get in a run'ish mile+

 I even earned my 1st Badge of the year from Garmin

 so texted the Mr that I was going to finish up once I get home. I need round 70 miles per month to complete my goal challenge...luckily Garmin is tracking.

While out I get a text from runner gal pal Beth about 2026 goals. She's recovering from an injury and just got out of her boot 2 weeks ago. She had been trying to get a 10K a month done prior to her accident and is doing her own 're-Start'. She asked what goal races I was doing, [knowing where this was going😏] I of course volunteered to partner with her which also meant signing up for this

10K race coming up Jan 10th. Am I ready? NOPE, but doing it anyway!

Other photos from around Midway-->

the book nerd in me loves this door!

Not sure who makes this chair, but I want one or two, LOL!

Off I went to get some race shots, prerace/start line/finish line/post race... view them here-->1-1-26 Frozen Rails 10K5K

It was great to see so many of my runner kids [team Ky Roadrunners]

but Finally, home! I started downloading pic's into a folder then off to finish up my miles... 

I can't explain how good it feels to be back outside.

Dinner was leftovers of Salmon & Teriyaki rice while loading photos onto SmugMug. As always posted to social media for FREE ! I don't have another working race for a while, but there are plenty of races to get prepared for and do...my first Trail race is in the morning and praying it's not as difficult as I think it'll be. 

Time to get a few things done & get ready for another volunteer gift shop shift. 

Leaving with this motivation reminder:

 

2026 ReSet + ReFocus + ReBoot, New Chapters + New Days

 HAPPY  NEW  YEAR!!

Plans are made,

     Goals are set,

                                 Challenges are committed!

Hopefully everyone is as excited for 2026 as I am !! As I get ready for another big birthday in a few months here's what I will work on...

** Self Care

    --> Mind

    --> Body - Hair, Skin, Nails

    --> Soul

** Boundaries

     --> Saying No is OK

** Spiritual

     --> Work on daily Devotions

     --> Church Activities/Involvement

** Family/Friends

     --> More Connections [with them]

     --> Date Nights with the Mr

** Health & Fitness

     --> Make the Gym a Higher Priority

     --> Training for races - Set mileage goal challenge

     --> More Hiking

** Nutrition

     --> Continue meal planning

     --> Cook at home

     --> Try new recipe monthly

     --> Daily vitamin schedule

** Money/Finances

     --> Control spending - Wants vs Needs

     --> Budget

     --> Sinking Funds - 10% increase in 2026

** Routine

     --> Wake up earlier

     --> Daily ✔ List

     --> Clean Sink Club

** House/Home

     --> Be more 'pro-active' w/upkeep

     --> Purge/Clean Out

     --> 2026 Project List w/budget

** BLOG

     --> Get Going...Stay Going!

     --> Catch Phrase Posts [?]

** Collaborations/Ambassadorships

     --> More Advertising/Promotions

     --> Master List of promo codes 

** Social Media

     --> Schedule Postings [ weekly & monthly list ]

** Races

     --> 2026 Will Do List vs Wish List [ a lot of Doing & Wishing 🤣might need a Job ]

** Community Engagement

     --> Volunteer activities

     --> Committee involvement

     --> Club[s] commitments

** Office Duties

     --> Handle paperwork 1 time!

     --> 1 hour minimum daily

** Photography

     --> Day trips to photograph downtown cities

     --> City Cemeteries 

** Outside/Outdoor Maintenance

     --> Pressure wash house

     --> Update porch area - new furniture? screen in?

     --> Lawn Care ie;pest control application

     --> Flower Beds - complete cleanout & redo

     --> Update raised garden - compost barrel? 

**********

Now let's talk $$ $$

** No unNecessary Spend Challenge Update **

January Challenge 27/31 so far 1/31

** Sinking Funds - CC Update **

[ disclaimer 10% increase ]

Sinking Funds Categories

BUDGETED - CURRENT BALANCE - YET TO GO

Emergency Fund 2200$/500$/1700$

Pet Care Fund 550$/550$/$Done$

Pantry Freezer Restock 1100$/520$/580$

Trips &/or Race'cations 2200$/390$/1810$ 

Indoor Outdoor Projects 1100$/155$/945$

Car Maintenance 385$/195$/190$

Club Dues/Sponsorships 990$/115$/875$

2026 Christmas 1200$/784$/416$

Balance To Go w/o Trips: 4706$

Balance to Go With Trips: 6516$

********** 

It looks like a lot doesn't it....

Well it is a lot!

I'm STUBBORN enough to Just Do It! 

Follow my Journey with me...

2026 Word of the Year !