As I sit down to write my year-end post, I have much to reflect and be grateful for. While 2024 brought major changes with my household move and merger with my boyfriend E and the birth of my first grandchild Z, 2025 was all about adapting to new retirement rhythms.
My life surely didn’t slow down. In fact, at times I felt like things were speeding up. “How is it that it’s December already,” I said to E the other day.
It’s a nice ritual to think about the past 12 months and how I’ve continued to evolve during my life after 60.
My boyfriend E and I adapted to our new relationship as domestic partners
My first winter in Sarasota
I spent my first snowbird stay in Sarasota with E. I enjoyed my winter there and exploring all that this Southwest Florida city has to offer. If you missed my Sarasota blog posts — check them out including my fun-filled sunny days and my culinary adventures eating at some tasty Sarasota restaurants.
Sarasota beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world
I also managed to get back to my old stomping grounds in Naples (Florida) to see old friends and experience a few delicious meals. I highly recommend these top Naples restaurants.
BTW, my Great Places to Eat in Sarasota was one of my top performing posts in 2025.
Sarasota has much to offer for a snowbird and great foodie options, like ice cream made by the Amish community
Slowing down to repair my post-menopausal body
I was so active during my Sarasota snowbird stay – between pickleball, Zumba, walking, pilates reformer and yoga — that my knees started to ache, my calves were cramping and my flat feet began to act up. When I returned to New Jersey in April, I was not in good shape.
“You have a torn meniscus on your left knee,” said the orthopedist Dr. D. “Although that’s really not what’s causing your pain. There is no bone on bone or arthritis. It’s patellofemoral syndrome, overuse.”
I over did my outdoor exercising in sunny Sarasota
I wasn’t sure I would be able to go on my trip to Italy with my sister N. Thankfully Dr. D gave me shots of cortisone before I left. He prescribed physical therapy to strengthen my quads and glutes which will utimately lessen the load on my knees.
“You have a bit of plantar fasciitis,” said the podiatrist Dr. H. She recommended daily exercises to stretch and build my arches and orthodics. Note plantar faciitis can also be attributed to overuse.
I wear ice packs to soothe my overused knees
“You’re doing too much exercise,” said my GP Dr. M. “One exercise a day, not two or three.”
Dr. M was right. So was Dr. D and Dr. H. I’m not 40 anymore or even 50, I’m in my late 60s and inching closer to 70! My body needs rest. It’s so challenging to accept that I have to slow down. I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to exercising — I love it all — but I cannot do it all — all the time. I have to pick and choose.
It’s a balancing act as we age
“You have to start some type of treatment for osteoporosis,” said my endocrinologist Dr. T. “If you start now when you’re bones are not so bad, you may not need treatment as long.”
In September, I had my initial infusion of Reclast zoledronic acid. I had flu-like symptoms for two days and some other minor side effects afterwards. I will have a bone-density scan in 2026 to see how it’s working. (Side Note: I was told to drink large quantities of water the day before, day of and day after the infusion to help flush out my system.)
Physical therapy exercises are part of my weekly schedule to build my quads and glutes
I’ve realized that as we age it’s a true balancing act — from what we eat, to the meds we need to take and their various side effects, to the exercises we should do to strengthen and stretch, to the amount of sleep we need each night, and more.
Wish that darn estrogen never left my body and left me post-menopausal. And don’t get me started on my middle-aged middle! My body has for sure changed dramatically in my 60s. How about you?
Memorable travels in 2025
Enough about my aches and pains. Let’s move on to the good stuff. I took several wonderful trips in 2025.
My journey to Northern Italy with my sister N was magnifico. We went to Milan, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre. Of all the places I’ve traveled during my life after 50, Italy remains my favorite. Nothing compares to the fresh and flavorful foods and incredible landscapes in Italy. Read my six blog posts for a full recap.
Cinque Terre tops the list of my fav places in Italy
My vacay to Seattle and Whidbey Island, Washington were equally enjoyable. The Northwest part of the United States is truly beautiful and the best time to go see it is in the summer months when it’s less rainy. One of my favorite places in downtown Seattle is Pikes Place Market. Our food tour there was really fun.
Pikes Place Market is a top tourist attraction in Seattle
Exploring my new hometown and surrounding counties
This fall was lovely in my new hometown in Central New Jersey. E and I took morning walks around the neighborhood and hikes in nearby parks. We discovered quaint towns in our county and surrounding townships such as Frenchtown, Lambertville, Pennington and Hopewell. We explored Princeton University and E audited a class there during fall semester.
Frenchtown is a quaint NJ town worth visiting
My condo on the corner at the Jersey shore continues to be my respite during the summer months. It’s still my go-to place to stop, breathe and be. After 17 years of ownership, it too needed repairs including a new roof and major outdoor water pipe fix.
Being Grammi J was the best of 2025
Watching my granddaughter Z grow and become a little person over the past year was one of my most awe-inspiring experiences of 2025. I made about four visits to California and my son D and family came east twice.
My granddaughter Z is a budding California fashionista
Each time I saw baby Z she was totally different – first holding up her head, then sitting up, then standing up and right after her first birthday, taking her first steps. It’s amazing how much babies learn and develop in 12 months. And since I wasn’t raising her like when I was raising my own kids, I could take a step back, watch, and take it all in. In the same way, it’s wonderful to see my son D and DIL S develop their parenting skills.
Of course I went overboard with buying baby clothes. Z is definitely going to be a fashionista. OMG, she already is a fashionista! I completed my needlepoint sampler in time for her birthday. And have found a new hobby — embroidering baby clothes. I’ve even been embroidering some of my own clothing.
Z loves going to the playground
Ooh, ooh, ooh, as I revealed in my holiday post, there’s a new grandson due in February 2026. Wow-o-wow I’m going to be a Grammi again and Z is going to be a big sis.
Extremely grateful
Closing out 2025, I feel exceptionally lucky for my family and friends, for my BF E and the partnership and blended family we have created. And I am grateful for you, my dear readers, who have followed my journey during my life after 50 and now after 60. I so appreciate having you as part of my blog community all these years.
As the sun sets on another year during my life after 60 my heart is filled with gratitude
In this crazy and stressful world we live in, I hope you will take time for some rest and relaxation during the holiday season.
“May there be bold, unbridled joy
and endless, boundless peace.”*
Have a happy and healthy new year. See you in 2026.
Judi
*Note: This quote is from Workman Press Morgan Harper Nichols’ Shine On, Anyway: A Year of Art & Inspiration 2026 calendar.
