And with that, the 2025 season comes to an end, Goodnight

Hello everyone, it has been…a while…to say the least. My last blog post was in March 2025 and I’m not sure if I just fell off my blog band wagon, had too much going on or what but I wanted to end this year (technically beginning the new year I guess now) with one more blog post that will basically be my 2025 summary (let's be real though, I started typing this up yesterday and it's taken me this long to finish with everything else I've had to do). A lot has happened this year and because I haven’t blogged at least twice a month nor have I kept up a journal to help me keep track of the events going on in my life, (and considering that my memory of this year seems to all blend together) I’ve had to go back through the pictures on my phone and piece together what all I’ve done/what’s happened in the last nine months (which was actually a pretty good idea, minus the 20k screenshots that are taking up my phone storage and made that process 10 times harder than it should've been). So I’ll be going in a chronological order starting with: 

April: 

In the beginning of April I went to one of my favorite places, Jeju Sauna Spa in Duluth, GA (jejusauna.com). When I thought back about it I couldn't believe that it’d been before Covid when I last went! The thought that it had been 6 years since I’d gone to Jeju actually made me a little sad; to realize how fast time has flown by, it’s crazy but that’s life I guess.

So Jeju is a Korean sauna/spa/bath house whatever you want to call it. I first went with a friend almost 10 years ago and have been on and off throughout the years (minus these last six years I guess lol). It’s an interesting place, that’s for sure. My favorite things to do there is to get an hour-long foot massage and body shampoo. Considering that I’m wanting to make this post cover nine months I’ll have to detail my actual stay there in another post. But it’s worth it, just trust me. You might have to be a little open-minded, that’s all I’ll say about it for now.

(I look like I'm in jail in that orange outfit)

OK, next. I realized after making Johnathon’s (*cough cough*…42nd) birthday cake that I don’t think that I can actually spell. Rabbit Trail So, for Nanny’s 90th birthday (in 2023) I flew Johnathon down and surprised her with a birthday dinner with most of the family. Nanny and Johnathon’s birthdays are 3 days apart (that’s important in a minute). I was SO busy planning Nanny’s birthday and making sure everything was a huge surprise that I completely forgot Johnathon’s 40TH BIRTHDAY (which is also a HUGE milestone) until he brought his own cake home.

(this picture broke my heart...knowing he got his own cake and candles, I'm pretty sure I was crying while taking this photo)

Needless to say I was SOBBING when I realized that he had bought his own cake (a carrot cake) at the grocery store and that I had forgotten about him. I was so mad at myself. Annnd We’re Back For John’s 41st birthday he wasn’t at home but he was this year and I wanted to rectify my massive fuck up for forgetting his 40th birthday. So, I set out to make him a homemade carrot cake for his birthday. I got the recipe from tastesbetterfromscratch.com. I’d made it twice before so I knew it was going to be good. Two problems with my cake though. One: I started it late so it was still hot when I iced it. Two: I was going too fast when I was writing on the cake and well you’ll see in the pictures, it’s a bit wonky. So, although the cake was not visually perfect it tasted amazing so I think (I hope) I made up for my absentmindedness from a few years ago. 

(he wishes he was 24...I also wish I was 24 lol)

(Happy Birthboy/Birthbay John)

actual recipe link

https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/the-ultimate-carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/ 

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May:

Ah yes, my birth month, let’s see…what did I get for my birthday… Rabbit Trail Last December (2024) my nephews were visiting from Missouri. Well, one day I had taken something to the room they were staying in and noticed Christian’s VR headset on the bed. I picked it up and turned it on and started playing around with it, trying to get the hang of it (kids have such cool stuff nowadays [God…I aged 10 years just typing that out, that made me feel so old to even put into words]). As I was playing around Austin walked up the stairs and started laughing. 

not verbatim

A: “What are you doing?”

C: “I don’t know just playing around, trying this VR thing out”

A: “are you actually playing a game right now”

C: “no, not yet. I’m trying to get it started”

verbatim

A: Oh…Well, I guess I’m going to go downstairs and do adult stuff (i.e. fold the laundry)”. 

My mood instantly changed, vibe killed, I was heated. He kicked that hornets nest like a football through a field goal and boy, did he know it. He told me over and over that he was sorry and that he’d buy me one, and of course, I forgave him but I told him not to buy me one because I’d never use it after that incident. (It’s so funny looking back now and talking about it because Austin told me, after we made up about it, that he knew as soon as the words left his mouth, that he fucked up.)

Annnd We’re Back Oh yea, right. My birthday. So Austin looks pleased as punch on my birthday while I’m opening my presents from him and lo and behold what do I find in one of the gift boxes but a VR headset. Let me tell y’all, I was not expecting that. At all. I know he said he’d get it but, let’s be honest, I’ve slept many times since then and had definitely forgotten about it.

Well...it's fucking cool. I’ve played so many different games on it and the immersive aspect of it is amazing. As neat as it would’ve been to have this as a kid I’m glad I didn’t because I would’ve NEVER gotten ANYTHING done. He also got me a beautiful kitchen aid that I’d said I wanted a while back. I hadn’t even realized that he was paying attention to me when I mentioned wanting it. (Always listening and so in tune to me, he’s actually perfect). If you’re reading this bub, I promise I will make you something with the kitchen aid (eventually).

May, this year, was also extra special because it was the month that my oldest nephew (Michael) graduated high school. I’m still so very proud of him. It’s a MILESTONE accomplishment in a persons life. Many tears were shed for many reasons but I’m so glad that his dad and I got to be there for it. I’m also pretty pleased with his little gift basket that I put together (It had a personalized poem book from Wonderbly.com, 5 coffee bean flavors from Bonescoffee.com, a coffee grinder, “open when” letters, Open When book, Atomic Habits book, a “congrats grad” pug mug, a necklace, and a graduation card.) Mike, I don’t know if you even read my blog, but if you do just know I’m so very proud of you and I hope you’ve gotten good use out of all your gifts. I love you! ♥ Auntie CJ

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June:

I can’t remember if this was May or June so we’re putting it in the June category. But I signed up with a Nourish Dietician (usenourish.com) and I really enjoyed it! I was only on there until August due to some other stuff that I had going on this year but I really enjoyed it and I felt that journaling and talking about what I was eating and how it was affecting me was starting to really help. Hopefully I can get back to using it and talking to my dietician.

Bean had knee surgery this month and looked like the cutest Minion look-a-like I’ve ever seen with his little cone on his head (Minion from Megamind not from Despicable Me). Rabbit Trail For the last 6 months or more Bean had been limping and when we took him to the vet they said he had a luxating patella. That basically means that his knee cap was popping in and out of place almost constantly and per the vet his staging was 3 or 4 which meant it was actually staying out of place more than it was staying in place. So we scheduled him for surgery at alpharettavets.com and they did an AMAZING job on his knee.

I wish I could tell you the surgeons name that did the surgery but I just don’t remember right now and I’m not sure where Bean’s paperwork is but let me tell you he has been doing great since. I can’t speak for all staff members there or every procedure that they do but I definitely recommend this vet office if your pet is in need of Bean’s specific surgery.

I learned an important lesson about pest control and how Black Widows will run RAMPANT if you let them (there were literally So. Many. Black. Widows. UGGGGGH!) cue picture of a Black Widow on my fucking outdoor furniture (I NEVER sat on that furniture again after seeing that)

I could’ve SWORE I mentioned this in a previous blog post but I guess I didn’t, I’m not sure that I had used it all that much when I had written the last few posts so I guess that makes sense…So last October (2024) I signed up for this mental wellness/self care app called Quabble (app website: https://quabble.app/). Now, currently typing this blog post, I have to say it’s been a while since I’ve used the app (mainly because, well, life be lifeing at times and I guess I’ve just had a lot going on) but I hope to start it back up going into the new year. It’s such a good app with so many neat things about it. I remember when I first found it I essentially wanted an app that was like a tomagatchi (that was also an OLD statement…*sigh* granny mode activated, get me my walker!), something that when I took care of myself it also allowed me to take care of a virtual creature and that’s what this app does (minus killing the duck if you don’t feed it). I will do another post detailing more about this app because I think it truly is a game changer. (God…I’m going to have to keep up with all these update posts that I’m promising y’all. cries internally) My main reason for talking about it today though is because I have outfit Ideas for the duck that I've sketched and/or traced and I want to show them off lol (I emailed them to the company but haven't seen any new outfits like them so idk).

(nurse or doctor duck)

(artist duck)

(Royalty/King/Queen Duck)

And lastly for June...HOUSE HUNTING!!!! So I can’t really remember why Austin and I decided that we would start house hunting in June but we did.

July:

Seeing the fireworks this 4OJ with Austin, John and Nanny were such a core memory that I hope stays with me always. We drove to where I went to college because they shoot the fireworks in the baseball field across from it and we sat outside enjoying each other’s company and enjoyed the fireworks.

House hunting was tiresome BUT we put an offer down on a house and were so excited to be in our own home soon! I was also trying to decide if this was the year we were going to get married. A photographer I follow (Ireland Kelly) was doing an elopement and photography session at a place called Wayah Bald in North Carolina (It’s gorgeous btw, not that I got to see the best of it). So I decided I wanted to take a trip up to see if I liked it for a possible elopement location (well turns out Wayah Bald was a 66 mile, two hour drive up a very twisty and curvy mountain road and still had a bit of a hike, at least for those with major mobility issues, before you made it to the elopement spot). Austin was out of town so, sadly, he didn't get to go. I piled my family (Dad, Nanny and Johnathon) in my Prius and we went on a little adventure. As beautiful as the location was in other photos by the time we got there the fog had settled on the mountain and the view was, unfortunately, not visible.

However we did have fun on our adventure. We ALMOST made it home when Nanny became car sick (mainly from not having eaten anything until well before our trip up the mountain so minus her getting sick it was a pretty good time). Ok so no Wayah Bald for an elopement, great. Next.

August:

The first of the month was officially blue tape day in our house so we went through with the builder and taped everything that needed work and waited. It's crazy the memories that get stirred up when you get ready to move and try to pack everything you own. Stuffed animals from childhood, pictures, school work saved by your parents. There is a minimalists podcast episode out there about this I'm sure of it. I believe one of the sayings I've heard from them is if everything you have is sentimental, then nothing is. I think that's probably why it's important to keep what means the most to you and not hold on to everything with a steel grip. (I'm trying to preach this to myself right now too as I sit in my office with my many possessions that I've yet to try to get rid of...*sigh*).

Closing day on your first house together was August 19th and moving day was August 20th and let me tell ya, it was a lot. I completely understand why some people just stay in one house. Forever. However to my point above, if I didn't have So. Much. Shit. It would've made moving MUCH easier. Our first night eating our first homemade meal in our first house together was definitely a core memory of "firsts" that I will treasure forever (I love you forever and always my bub). Nanny also had her first visit in our new house and got to sleep in her bedroom.

Well, I decided. The wedding is officially going to be on 10/24/2025. Why, WHY do I do this to myself, I've literally had since JANUARY when Austin proposed to me to plan this but NOOOOOOOO I had to wait to decide until AUGUST, a little over TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY to actually make the decision that this is the year that I want us to get married. I know I work well under pressure but DAMN I didn't need to test it out.....(my blog post about everything wedding planning will have to wait because it would literally take me HOURS more and then I still wouldn't be done with August's recap.) Ok. On to the next month!

September:

Surprisingly (actually, you know what, no, it's not surprising at all...geez...) I didn't get my venue booked in August so that happened to become September's problem. So September, let's see...Wedding venue, wedding dress shopping (yea I know I hadn't gotten that yet either, I know I'm a mess you don't have to tell me, I live with myself. Trust me, I know. And so does Austin), trying to find Austin a CUSTOM FITTED GREEN SUIT (I know, listen ya'll think I'm crazy, I know. It's because I am), finding or making a bouquet and boutonniere, John's wedding outfit, Dad's wedding outfit, Nanny's wedding outfit, the guest list, surprise boudoir pictures for Austin on the wedding day, dress alterations, and wedding shoes. Everything I just said plus trying to get settled into our new house and new routine. UGH. It stressed me out just typing all of that...Shout out to ChatGPT for helping me visualize everything I couldn't picture in my head. Lord help...alright, let's move on to October.

October:

My dress alterations were completed (thank GOD), we received Austin's custom made suit (hallelujah), my jewelry, basically everything except for the arch and the chairs for the venue. Wait. WAIT. I like really REALLY need those though...I was skeptical that the company we used (beautifulweddingsllc.com) was going to get back to be in time so me being filled to the brim with anxiety, I took to facebook to try to find what I was looking for and find them I did. In Savannah, GA...almost 5 hours away from me...Off on another adventure I went to get these chairs for our wedding just incase the chairs with the wedding supply company didn't work out. The rest of the time before our wedding was filled with me trying to get our cake, appointments booked and scoping out the venue a week or two in advance to decide how I wanted everything laid out.

Can I just say that, wedding planning is so stressful and chaotic but our wedding day went by so fast I wish I could relive it over again without the stress, but even with all the stress, I wouldn't change a single thing about that day. It was perfect and when I write the post detailing everything leading up to and on the wedding day you'll see why it was nothing short of divine intervention that everything line up perfectly for us to get married.

If there was ever a sign given that Austin is MY PERSON. Everything leading up to and including our wedding, was that sign.

The day after our wedding (I'll call it our mini-moon because we didn't get to take a honeymoon yet) Austin took me to this place called the Capybara Cafe that he knew I'd been wanting to go to. It was so fun and cute, we got to pet capybaras, an armadillo, a chinchilla, a guinea pig, a muntjac deer, and a fennec fox. I loved it so much. Before the month was up we got all our wedding photos back and they were so amazing. (Ireland and Brandi, I can't thank y'all enough). We got to celebrate our first Halloween in our new house even though it wasn't an eventful one this year like some of our past Halloweens it was still a special one.

November:

Ahh yes, the month after Halloween or as I like to call it (for the first time ever actually) the first month of Christmas (listen, don't come at me. Thanksgiving is a single day, ALL of November is Christmas to me except for on Thanksgiving day. I would've put the tree up on Halloween night or November 1st had I not had to work on the first). Austin and I pulled out our tree and began decorating when I had a little mini meltdown about the decorations. (I never thought I'd be that person that has multiple trees in their house at Christmas time but I probably will be now because...I want a main tree that is decorated very specifically and I also want a special ornament tree for all the personalized or gifted ornaments, I also want a small tree for my office that is green with only pink, and maybe gold, decorations and I want to decorate a small tree in Austin's office with all the things he likes.) So anyway, while Austin travelled for work I got a new tree and new ornaments and went to town decorating.

I also got outdoor lights and hung them up along with garland around our porch posts, hand rails and bordering our garage (let me tell you, I believe I have a little OCD in me because I was out there with a RULER measuring the distance between the command stickies to make sure it all looked uniform...and you know what, it paid off because our lights and garland looked damn good if I do say so myself.)

We had our first Thanksgiving in our new house with Johnathon and Nanny and it was perfect, the only one missing was Dad...

We're at the end folks. My God, I never thought I'd make it but with only an hour to spare (when I wrote that I was very optimistic because it is now 0235 on January 1st 🙃) this nine month summary is almost finished and with that the 2025 year as well.

December:

While the beginning of this month is a bit more blurred together for me the end is a little clearer. Austin and I binged watched the two Avatar movies on tv to prepare for the newest movie (if you watched all three movies back to back it's like 9 hours and 45 minutes, that is insane)...Then the next day Austin, Johnathon and I went to the movie theater to watch the newest Avatar and it was really good. However, I was looking into when the next movies are set to come out...Avatar 4, 2029 and Avatar 5, 2031 (y'all...I will be 40 years old in 2031. I can't with James Cameron. He must think he's gonna live forever with the way he's spacing these movies out...) I look forward to watching them if they ever happen but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

We played all the Christmas music and Austin took me to see Christmas Lights. They're set up in a waterpark parking lot, which sounds weird but it was really cool. Austin, Johnathon and I helped hand out presents to residents at a memory care and assisted living facility near my work. It was really special to see all of them open their presents for Christmas just like I know they did when they were young.

I had to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so Austin and I had our Christmas on the 23rd. We used this app called Elfster.com that made our gift giving this year MUUUUCHHHHH easier. It's basically like a wish list/secret santa list that you create for yourself and others create their own and you just go to their wishlist and buy what they have on there and vice versa. I highly recommend using it if you have issues with trying to figure out what to get someone.

(elfster's cute little logo)

OK.

Holy shit.

Well I didn't get to post this before 2025 was over but I had more important things to do, like ring in the new year with my new husband in our new house. It's been a "new" year for sure. We kissed at midnight and popped confetti cannons in our house (that we immediately regretted doing because we had to clean them up lol). I don't think there could've been a better end to 2025 and a better beginning to 2026. Happy New Year Everyone!

Morals of today's story:

• Life is short, treat yourself to spa days

• Remember the birthdays of those important to you, otherwise when you forget you'll end up breaking your own heart

• Food journaling is a great idea and if your food habits are really bad you'll learn that really quick

• Make sure you sign up for adequate pest control. It's really important.

• Make sure to spend time with your friends and family

• Don't put off wedding planning until two months before the wedding. It's even more stressful than what it would normally be.

• Book that boudoir shoot. You're sexy and you deserve it.

• Sometimes suits bought from Etsy and shipped from India are actually legit.

• DIY. Plain and simple. If you can't find it or you can't afford it you can make it.

• Cute animal therapy is definitely a thing that everyone needs to try.

• Don't be neurotic. Lets those who love you help you do things and make memories with them. The perfect tree looks perfect but doesn't have meaningful memories tied to it, like the wonky tree does.

• When binge watching SUPER long movies make sure not to watch them in the same day.

• Give back to your community. Help where you can. Make someone smile. Your mind, heart and soul will thank you for it.

• When faced with the choice of finishing a project before the deadline or making memories. Choose to make the memories. Every time.

  
  
  
  

  Thanks for reading. Follow along & grow with me. 

  
  
  
  
  
  

  -CJ