Goodbye, 2025. Hello, Everyone Else.

by

in

Wow.

This feels very strange, to say the least.

It feels like I have been away far, far longer than I have.

To be honest, I am not even sure where to start, so I guess I’ll just “start” and see where we end up. 😄

The back half of 2025 was very, very hectic and chaotic in several ways.

Per my usual the last couple years, I got into a job where I very quickly got the “not what I signed up for” vibe.

Yeah, I know how to pick ’em.

What I thought would be more normal hours quickly morphed into 12-plus hour shifts, only more days per week than the previous place. Go figure.

I was also still stuck on the overnight shift, which was not my ideal, but I thought being shorter days would be slightly better. Well, yeah. Anyhow…

That said, I moved shifts last month and while I am not yet on 1st, I’ve made it to 2nd, which is a bit easier to manage. We’ve also gotten more staffing in place, so the shifts have been whittled down to anywhere between 10 and 11 hours. It’s progress, right? 🤷‍♂️

I have also been facing some health challenges, and that news started rolling in around July, about a month after I started the new job. These have been taking up a significant amount of my time and energy since then.

I started treatments for my back in August (arthritis in both hips and a protruding disc around L4, L5), so that’s been one issue.

The other I am not yet prepared to discuss until I have more information. I am still in the testing stages.

Suffice to say I think I have spent more time in the doctor’s office than the damned doctor does.

Now, lest ye think it was all bad, that is not the case.

I was able to spend some time with the lovely Miss Laura this past Fall. We had a great time enjoying the Autumn weather and foliage.

We did end up on one hike which was way longer than we anticipated, but we made it through in one piece. 😄

The above are a few pics from our random adventures. We had a lovely time exploring and just being able to enjoy one another’s company.

We are both alive and (mostly) well. It’s just been a very tough year for both of us with a lot of challenges, but thankfully there were some fantastic moments and we were lucky enough to be able to share a few.

I wish I could definitively say this was a return, but in all honesty, I cannot promise that at this time.

While I have missed you all greatly and thought of you often, I do not know where the path in front of me leads right now. I do not yet have enough roadmap to plot my destination.

That said, I will try to check in when I can.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you the absolute best and happiest of New Years for 2026.

Happy New Year, Kids!

In closing, stay awesome, stay healthy, and of course…

Stay Frosty.

P.S.

I am not giving up the Mayor’s seat. Just think of it as a long, long vacation. 😉

©KHR, 2026


Comments

41 responses to “Goodbye, 2025. Hello, Everyone Else.”

  1. Hey, Kevin! Happy New Year to you and yours. Good to hear from you. And I pray all will be well with you.

    I too am fighting with Arthritis in my back and degenerative disc disease. I hate it so much. 😒 still fighting tho, which is a good sign.

    My doctor introduced me to a device that helps with the pain. A Tens Unit that’s available on Amazon. Figured I’d pass that along.

    Stay safe and hope to hear more from you, when you are ready. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
    Willie Torres Jr.

    Hey Brother, it’s really good to see you back, even if only for a day. Sending prayers for healing in whatever you’re dealing with, and praying for your job too, that you get the hours you need and the rest you deserve.

    Hope you and Laura had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you both a Happy and Blessed New Year…

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. That sounds like a lot of challenges with both long hours at work and health. I hope your health issues will clear up. We’ve been missing you. Great photos.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. And I forgot, I wish you and your loved ones a much better and great 2026.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Happy New Year Kev and Laura. Those photos look lovely from the walk. Looks lovely and relaxing. May 2026 be good.

    Like

  7. Happy new year, Kevin.
    Glad you are back.
    Glad you are doing fine.
    Take care, my friend.
    🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Happy New Year Kevin, may the new year be a lot better than the last. 🎉🥳

    Liked by 1 person

  9. May the docs find relief for you brother. Hopefully the job will turn in your favor this year leaving you with 8 hours days on the first shift of life. It’s great to hear you and Laura had some quality time this fall and even though I know you like the winter days I hope spring comes quickly, leaving you in better health. I understand life is busy but hearing from you is a fantastic start to the New Year! As far as the Mayor position goes no worries, the job is yours for the long term Kinda like being in congress lol. Miss ya brother and here’s to you and yours, Happy New Year!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I’m glad you are still here Kevin 👍

    Like

  11. So nice to see you! Hope 2026 is the year everything falls back into a manageable pace for you!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. wowow, welcome back!! I hope that they’re able to do something about the pain and that you get to find your way to the first shift. glad you and Laura are alive, I’ve been wondering what happened but didn’t wanna bug

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Happy New Year, Kevin 🎉🎆😎

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Glad to hear from you.☺️ Happy New Year! Prayers for a year full of blessings and peace.🙏🏻❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  15. CJ Antichow Avatar
    CJ Antichow

    Wow I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing!! Nice to hear from you and all the best in 2026!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Wonderful to see your post. I’m sorry 2025 was challenging but glad to see some positive too. I hope 2026 is the best year for you!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. May this year bring you closer to everything your heart desires most!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Not all who wander are lost Avatar
    Not all who wander are lost

    I’ve been thinking of and praying for you and Laura a lot, especially recently. It’s lovely to see you here any time. You are loved and missed!! Hope the doctor continues to give you the help you need!!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Good to hear from you! Beautiful fall scenery, and glad you got to go see that. Wishing you a Happy New Year! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Happy New Year Kevin. Great to hear from you. You do what you have to do but please keep us informed. When someone has been missing from this community, it is noticed. May 2026 be better for you in health, career, and overall happiness.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Love the photographs!
    Understanding on the health front.
    Happy New Year 🥳
    And you’ve still got my support, Mr Mayor!!

    Like

  22. Nice to hear from you I was wondering if you would show up. Wishing you a joyful, healthy, and progressive New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Michael Williams Avatar
    Michael Williams

    Happy New Year Kevin – glad to see you here. Give my best regards to Laura. I’m rooting for you both to have a quiet and peaceful – and healthy 2026! Mike

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Happy 2026🥳

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Wow. Awesome photos! Glad you are back. Those pesky back issues are horrid, good luck finding a doc that knows what they’re doing – stay clear of Houston Med Ctr. No worries about hurrying back to blogging. Take your time!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. So great to see you again, Kevin! I hope things start falling into place for you. All the best in 2026! Take care and Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. We missed you, Kevin! Happy New Year! Glad you’re doing well. Thanks for the visit. We’ll be here when you return. Take care of yourself!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Happy New Year. Great to read an update from the Mayor!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Happy New Year, Kevin. Hopefully a better one for the club of bad backs.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Happy New Year 🥳🎆

    Like

  31. It was great to see a post from you which reminds us that you’re not dead, post when you can

    Like

  32. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Happy New Year! And thanks for the much appreciated update. Wishing you and our precious, much missed Laura health and joy for 2026!!

    Like

  33. Yay, a post from Kevin! That certainly is a hectic second half of year. Glad to see a post, and hope that 2026 is a bit kinder.

    Like

  34. Happy New Year Kevin. You’ve been missed! Hope your health issues clear up and this is your best year ever.

    Like

  35. Happy New Year, Kevin! Wishing you a healthy and joyful one. I love hiking and spending time in nature too—there’s nothing quite like it. That said, I completely agree: a trail that’s too long can turn the whole experience into more of a slog than a pleasure.

    Like

  36. Hi Kevin! It’s so good to “see” you. I’m sorry about your health problems. I know how much time, energy, and money our health can take. Hopefully, you get everything figured out and dealt with.

    I’m happy you and Laura are still seeing each other. Much love to both of you, and may this year be your happiest with all the work, health, and relationship issues worked out.

    Like

  37. Happy New Year, Kevin! Nice to hear from you. Yeah, you need to take care of that back, my friend.

    Like

  38. Happy New Year, Kevin! Wishing you a healthy and wonderful 2026!

    Like

  39. Dude! Just saw this! So good to hear from you and glad you and Laura had some fun times in the fall. You had mentioned some health issues and job stress… Hope everything came out well and we’ll soon be hearing from you. WP land is no good without the Mayor! 😎🙏

    Like

  40. I’m so sorry I missed your message here. The photos are beautiful and I’m glad you and Laura have been hanging out.

    I’ve missed you terribly and hope this year is kinder to you than the last.

    Like

  41. O M G – I am SO late to see this post – glad that you are spending some time to yourself (and with Ms L) – take care of yourself and see you next time you pop your head up (hopefully not 4 months later – oops!!) Linda x

    Like

Leave a reply to Sharon Cancel reply