Hello, everyone! I’m back! While I enjoyed the blogging break, I’m happy to be back at it.

I have a lot to catch you up on, but I’ll try to be brief.
The space between Thanksgiving and Christmas was nothing more than a blur. I worked a lot, but thankful for the opportunity. However, my daughter hosted a Murder Mystery party on December 12th and it was a blast. I don’t know how we did it, but our team guessed the villain and won a certificate for being the best sleuths. Here’s a picture of me and the grandchildren, minus the grandson in college.

Also in the space between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I went through a major purging of things. I got rid of SO much. I was finally able to let go of things I’d been keeping because I thought I had to. One day, I carried five trash bags and a big box down to the dumpster, and that was just out of my office. I also discontinued a couple of subscriptions I no longer want to keep up. Now, I only have what I actually need and want. I even cleaned off my whiteboard, so it’s ready for new inspirations! My office is streamlined and ready for work. It feels so good to enter into a new year much lighter.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 was the year of the snake. A snake always sheds its skin and that is what I did. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse which is known for being spirited, self-focused, optimistic, and active, while the fire element adds passion and enthusiasm. In other words, hang on for the ride!
Christmas was a bit different this year. Normally, I go to my daughter’s house to watch the three grandboys open gifts, then go on to the granddaughters to watch them. This year, the grandsons decided to open all their gifts at one minute after midnight instead of waiting for Christmas morning. I didn’t have it in me to go and have such a late night, so I missed all of that.
But later that day, we all gathered at my youngest daughter’s house for more gift giving and a great meal. My son-in-law grilled beef tenderloin and us girls provided all the sides. It was so good! The girls got me a LifePro Rumblex machine for Christmas. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it but it is a vibration machine that is supposed to be excellent for circulation, pain relief, weight loss, drains the lymphatic system and tones muscle. We shall see, but so far, I love it. And the best part is that it only takes 10 to 20 minutes per day to see results. I’ll let you know.

We gathered again for a New Year’s eve celebration. This time ALL the grandkids were together. This is us. I look tired because I was. I never take my blessings for granted and love spending whatever time I can with the kids.

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, and haven’t in many years. But I do always search for a word for the year and wait for it to show up. This year, my word is Courage. I believe this is the year to really step into my power and stand in my truth. Maybe we’re all being called on to move forward. It certainly feels right. Then, as I always do on New Year’s day, I pulled twelve tarot cards; one for each month of the year. It’s always interesting to look back at the end of the year and see how it all unfolded. I also pulled a Dragon Card as an overall theme for the year and it could not be more appropriate! This is what I got:

I’ve set a few goals for myself for 2026. I’m in the editing phase for the collection of short stories I plan to publish in April 2026. I don’t know for sure yet, but hopefully I can publish one novel or novella later in the year, if my muse shows up. I’d like to write another Christmas themed story. I also have a couple of new blogging ideas I think will be fun. I’m going to aim for blogging three days per week. Mondays will continue to be “meanderings.” I will have a Wednesday Word post and a Friday Focus. We’ll see how that all shakes out. Of course, I will still be blogging at Story Empire, so I hope you’ll join all of us there. I’m lowering the number of books I plan to read in my Goodreads challenge just a bit. I will continue to read and review a minimum of five books per month and hope to clear some older titles off my TBR list that have been sitting there way too long, as well as reading some books off my bookshelf that have sat waiting too long.
I’m starting to do more tarot readings at the store where I’ve been working. Again, the word “courage” comes into play with those. I find that if I get myself out of the way, the messages that come through the cards are always spot on. I’m also offering readings using my Native American Medicine cards which I’ve had and worked with for years. I hope it catches on.
In case you missed my 2025 top ten best books list, I created a video to showcase these fabulous authors and their stories!
Here is a bit of inspiration that touched me deeply going into the new year. I think once we understand we are in the pilot’s seat of our lives, we gain a certain amount of power.

I’m sharing the tarot card I drew for the month of January. It is such an encouraging and beautiful message!

The Emperor is the 4th card in the Major Arcana. Keywords associated with him are: Inspired Action and Personal Power. There are so many beautiful aspects to this card and I’ll do my best to summarize. While clothed in a robe, he is wearing his armor beneath which indicates he is ready to spring into action at any given moment. His throne is solid and grounded. The card often suggests you need to act with logic and strategy. It’s time to stop dreaming and start organizing. Set boundaries and take the lead. That seems like a good card to step into a new year with. What do you think? Can you relate?
That’s it from me for today. I hope you enjoyed the post! Have a great day and start to your week.
Welcome back to the blog, Jan. It looks like you had a great time during the holidays — that’s all that matters. Good luck with your goals this year.
Loved finding Poetic Justice among her Top 10!
Me too!
It was a wonderful holiday season, Dan. And you’re right. That’s all that matters. Thanks for the good wishes!
It looks like you and your grandchildren had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s. “Courage” is a wonderful word for the year. I chose one, too: Rejoice.
Oh, Priscilla, I love the word “rejoice!” What a great inspiration. Thank you for sharing. Hugs!
You’re right about grabbing those moments with family when you can, Jan. With my sons now in different states, we’re doing the same. Love your focus word for this year! Mine is Progress, and I’m hoping to make some every day with my writing/marketing.
I love your word, Teri! And with the energy of the Fire Horse, it’s the year for progress! Thank you for stopping by!
Great rundown. What a good life you lead, Jan. Love your streamlined office. That monitor–I love it! The only change between mine is the printer. Mine is stuck in a cabinet because I print so little.
I think that’s a good move to do more tarot readings. You have a face people trust. I can’t imagine you won’t do well.
Thanks so much, Jacqui. My life is always busy and hectic, but I know it’s what I’ve created, so no complaints whatsoever. I love my big monitor. It helps so much, especially when editing. I hope the readings take off. It will lighten my workload greatly if they do. I appreciate you stopping by and wish you a great year ahead!
Isn’t it the best feeling to get rid of clutter and stuff that we no longer, if ever 🤣, needed. I’m not a big New Year’s resolution guy. I read that only 10-20% of resolutions are actually kept. That said, I do believe in setting goals, though, why only do that at the start of a new year?
Yes, Pete! It’s the best feeling to get rid of things I no longer need or want. And I agree. Why only set goals at the start of a new year? Why not at the start of every month, week or day? I think of it more as setting intentions. And I do that each morning. Thank you for visiting. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Oh, this year I set a goal of 100 books on Goodreads. Mountain Laurel Christmas was my first, and I read another one, too. Only 98 more to go. 😊
Woot Woot!!! Congrats on the Goodreads goal, and thank you for reading Mountain Laurel Christmas!!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful moments of your life Jan. I like that 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse which is known for being spirited, self-focused, optimistic, and active, while the fire element adds passion and enthusiasm. Wow! that gives me a little kick! Wishing you a year full of enthusiasm.
Thank you, Balroop. The Fire Horse gave me a little kick, too! I appreciate you stopping by and I wish you a wonderful year ahead!
I think your project to purge all excess has rubbed off on me. I’ve decided to clean out a closet that I’ve stacked boxes and boxes of books in. There’s no need to keep them. I’ll probably never have another autographing. 🙂 It’s time to let the things I’m holding onto go. Love the holiday pictures of the kiddoes, the quote, and the Tarot card. May 2026 be an improvement over 2025. Love you, Sister.
Purging feels good for sure, sister. I know you hate to part with the books, but if you aren’t going to do more in-person signings, I can see no reason to keep them. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and YES to 2026 being an improvement over 2025! Love you, too!
Cheers to all you have done and experience and decluttering, Jan! Love your digging out and digging into your reading goals and blogging and of course the great cards! ❤️
Thanks so much, Cindy! Thank you for visiting and I’m happy you enjoyed the post!
Looks like a super holiday and an aggressive set of goals for 2026. Best wishes in achieving what you want.
Thanks so much, John!
Sounds like you had a good break. Congrats on clearing out stuff. I really need to do that. I also plan to read some of those books on my shelf and on my Kindle.
Thank you for stopping by, Darlene. I have books on my Kindle that have been there five years or more. It’s time to read them or delete them. 🙂 Maybe that’s part of my purging process. I look forward to a great year of reading! Hugs!
Hurrah for your Top 10 books and those grandkids. And the downsizing and word for the New Year. A terrific wrapping up the old and launching the new!
Thank you for dropping by, Joy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Yes! Out with the old and in with the new. I’m ready. 🙂
Your grandsons opening their presents on Christmas Eve is amazing to me, Jan. It’s sure good to hear from you. I hope you have a wonderful year ahead.
Yes. It’s nothing for the grandkids to stay up late, but not for this old lady. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a great year ahead as well!
😍
I love that end of year cleansing! Apparently you and I aren’t the only ones. When my family dropped a bunch of stuff off at Goodwill, we had to wait in line. The inside of the store was hopping, too. So, apparently, people were getting rid of junk and picking up NEW junk. Haha. I wonder how much of it will wind back up at the store around the end of this year.
Here’s hoping your 2026 is off to a great start! Onward and courage, indeed!
I love the cleansing cycle, Ilsa. I also had to wait in line to drop off at Goodwill. Lots of things being recycled. Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a great new year ahead!
Great post, Jan! Happy new year! I have a vibration plate and love it! Great reading! Courage is a great word for this year!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Oh, how wonderful you have a vibration plate too. I am loving mine and hoping it really has all the health benefits they claim. I appreciate you stopping by and wish you a wonderful new year!!
I can imagine how tired you were keeping up with grandkids, Jan, but it’s easy to see (throughout the whole year) how much you love them. Great holiday photos. And wow, you purged. I can imagine how good it felt. I do the same in dribs and drabs, but would love to do one big one! Lol. The lightness of being would be wonderful. Great goals for the new year – I look forward to reading whatever you write. And great card choices – a wonderful start to 2026. <3
I have to admit the grandkids can wear me out, but somehow I manage to keep up. 🙂 The purging was such a freeing thing to do. My husband has been gone almost seventeen years and I still had things of his I thought I had to keep. I don’t know why that is, but it sure felt good to let go of so much! I’m ready to work and create again! I’m happy you stopped by and so glad you enjoyed the post! Hugs!
I think purging does have a very freeing effect. It creates room inside us in equal measure.
Some new titles here for me. Thanks! Video is nicely done.
So glad you enjoyed it, Paula! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jan, this is a lovely post. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed the festive period.
Jan, I love your post. You are so creative, and so busy. I wish the the best trying to manage three posts per week alson with all the visitation that goes with it! I’m not sure I could even get out of bed thinking about my to do list! I love your video of your top ten. I loved Liz’s and Robbie’s books especially. It was also a thrill to see Dan and Willow’s book listed. So many great books, but this is a great way to review them.
Thanks, Marsha. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I keep suiting up and showing up everyday. That’s all I know to do. 😃 Glad you enjoyed my top ten list for 2025!
What a stellar plan, Jan! You’re definitely ready and raring to go. I’m excited to see what your Christmas story looks like for next year (I can’t quite let go of Christmas yet, lol)!
I’m excited about writing a Christmas story, Jean. It’s been way too long! Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave a comment!