Christmas 2016 has come and gone. This Christmas was a little low key for us this year. Many were sick in our family, including us. Growing up, we spent year after year traveling to grandma’s house on Christmas Day and were not home to enjoy Christmas at our house, so we encouraged our children over the years to develop Christmas traditions at their own homes with their children. My husband and I have become the “progressive Christmas travelers.” Like a progressive dinner, we travel to our kid’s homes to celebrate Christmas with them. We made the trip to Cumming, GA. to visit our oldest daughter and her family. While there, we all went to the movies together and saw Rogue One, the new Star Wars movie. We spent Christmas Eve at my brother’s home with his family. Christmas Day was spent traveling to our son’s house to celebrate with them and attempting to connect with our youngest daughter, but she and her family were sick. Many family Christmas traditions include drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows, watching Christmas Vacation and the Christmas Story movies together, and reading the original Christmas story from the Bible to celebrate Jesus, the birth of a Savior. We are so thankful for His special gift to all of us!

Looking to the New Year’s holiday, goal setting comes to mind. Beginning the New Year is a great time to spend some time reflecting upon the last year and setting some goals for the next year. Sometimes people are not sure where to start when thinking about goals. If you want to be somewhere different this time next year, setting some goals can help you move in that direction. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results so if we want to be in a different place, we may want to set some new goals. So what is a goal? A goal is a dream with a date on it. A goal is specific. Wanting to lose a few pounds may only be a dream, but it becomes a goal when you state that you want to lose five pounds by June. Starting to make sense? Ok, then think about some personal goals that you would like to achieve this year and also think about some professional goals that you would like to achieve this year. Write them down. Be realistic. Set dates. Evaluate your progress throughout the year. If you are serious about your goals, have realistic expectations and set dates, you can achieve your goals this year.

With the New Year’s holiday falling on Sunday, please check with your local city to confirm city council meetings and civic clubs that are scheduled to meet on Monday, Jan. 2 since many will observe the holiday on Monday.

Moody Kiwanis Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Lions Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Leeds Masonic Lodge Building.

Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Donations accepted.

Job Openings: Jack’s in Leeds and Regions Bank.

Quote for the Week: “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” ~C. S. Lewis.

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news, so please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com. I hope each of you have a very Happy New Year and have fun setting some goals. See you next week!