Does anyone else have the haunting strains of Zager and Evans’ only hit song in their head? 2025 is 500 years away from In the Year 2525, which went to #1 in 1969. But it can’t help but come to mind for those of us raised on pop music. This particular song was pretty dark so it cut through alongside peppy tunes of its time like Sugar, Sugar and I Can’t Get Next To You. (For a refresher, the video is at the end of this post.)
I did something different this holiday season. For many years, I resisted all treats and thought I was being mature and controlled. Other years, I ate too many sweets and suffered tummy-aches and weight gain. This year, like the third bear’s bed tried by Goldilocks, I think I got it just right – for me.
Oh, I gained a couple of pounds, to be sure, but I’m not freaking out about it. I also enjoyed some of the wonderful confections I would have turned down in years past. My sister-in-law Barb made little cowboy hats out of chocolate pieces and a length of red licorice. It would have been rude not to try one! Or two. My SIL Carolyn made trifle and I enjoyed a little serving. My old deny-deny-deny self got smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror as I sampled a few things in moderation and felt like part of the gang.
As a recovering alcoholic, I tend to apply total abstinence to everything I think has the potential to become addictive, whether or not there’s a real risk. This year, I proved to myself that a candy Stetson isn’t a gateway drug. There’s no chance of someone finding me in an alleyway, a limp Twizzler in my vein and chocolate smeared all over my face. I CAN stay in control.
IN OTHER NEWS
You’re likely aware that a partial GST/HST holiday is underway until February 15th. The tax is waived on a lot of things, especially baby items, but there are also a lot of exemptions.
Physical books are part of the deal. Three paperbacks from my back catalogue offered on this site are included – The Naked Truth, Celebrity Tantrums, and Trade Up. You’ll find them in the Books section of the online store.
We are so grateful that people who have ordered heart pendants from the G and F part of the store are being patient. These items are caught up in the pipeline following the Canada Post strike. In fact, the tracking number associated with them is broken. Where they are is anybody’s guess. I do know that they left England in mid-November and that’s where the trail goes cold. I will give it another month or so and if they still haven’t arrived, future Lisa will figure it out and make it right! But I’m optimistic that they’ll find their way here.
WHAT’S NEW
Meantime, we have two new items. Many people have asked for earrings. We took some time to find just the right ones to go with our heart pendants. They have a satin, silver-leaf finish like the necklace hearts.
And we have another collaborative design that Erin and I made for younger women we Queenagers love and appreciate. We know that our listeners aren’t all our ages, but they’re Queenager-supportive. Now they can show it too!
The pre-Queenagers design features a tiara instead of a full crown. They’re available in the same wide range of colours and sizes as the Queenager shirts, in V-neck cotton-poly. Just scroll to the top and click G and F Boutique under STORE to see them.
2025 GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS
If someone were to ask me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”, I’d respond with, right here. Goal-setting is important but I think it can be overrated, too. What if you don’t meet the goal? Is that a failure? I’d rather “like to” do a few things. 2025 will be another year to chug along, take life as it comes, and maybe pivot a bit here and there. Much like 2024.
In accordance with the AODA legislation passed in 2005 as of January 1, 2025 Ontario is to be fully accessible! And hell has frozen over and I will continue my efforts to bring that to fruition.
So 2025, will involve a lot of ass kicking for any organization not up to speed and #1 will be the Toronto Real Estate Board and the MLS system.
Did you know that your data stored on the MLS system can be sold to 3RD parties and stored on databases outside Canada and subject to their laws?
I had no idea. 😳