Thank You 2025...Here's to 2026!

It's definitely been more than a minute. What can I say, the last few months have been incredibly busy!

As for 2025, when I look back on it, there is so much to be thankful for. I was just recognized as a Senior Agent by Fantastical Vacations. That's a huge milestone for me and a testament to the trust that my clients place in me to help them plan and execute their trips, wherever they travel. I am really excited to see where you are all going in 2026 - and how I can help you get there!

My 2026 travel schedule is still under construction, but I do have some definite plans. Next week, I'm off for my annual trip to Disney World for Marathon Weekend. This is an important tradition in my life (as in, it's part of the conversation when I begin a new teaching job that I will be able to take those days off). My dear friend Paige and I have been doing this together since 2011, and our friends Amy and Aubrey have joined us since. In fact, 2026 is the ten year anniversary of Paige, Amy, and I going together to run the races. Up until 2024, I always did the Goofy Challenge (and added the Dopey Challenge once) - that's the half marathon on Saturday and then the full on Sunday. Last year was my first time dialing it back a bit; we did the 10K and the half marathon (except for Paige who superheroed the full also). I was training for the Boston Marathon at the time and it seemed prudent to play it safe. This year I'm also doing solely the half marathon - at the moment that's what my body can handle. It doesn't matter - we will visit the parks; we will wear our medals; and as always we will revel in the Disney bubble.

In April, Andy and I are taking a cruise on the Disney Dream! I'm so excited for this. I can't wait! The Dream will port out of Fort Lauderdale for a four night cruise. And in late June, I'm back to Orlando for our Fantastical Vacations annual meeting at Evermore Resort. Monika and I will spend a couple of Disney days prior to checking in for that meeting, where we will stay in one of the amazing houses there and enjoy all the amenities of this fabulous resort.

After that, things are a bit less definite. It's possible that I will go to Vienna (Austria) in August to visit my son. That will be my first time there, and it seems like a very beautiful, historic, and fun city. I will let him be my tour guide for my first time there and then will report back!

I'm looking out my window at a cold, snowy, somewhat dreary landscape. Winter is really hard, at least for me. I'm a warm/hot weather kind of person (I actually prefer summer in Florida to winter in New England). I miss the sunshine, the warmth, and the daylight. Knowing I have travel plans to the warm weather on the horizon helps me get through. It makes things much more bearable and gives me an optimistic outlook.

Happy New Year!