The Traveling Steve's

DOS and I rang in the New Year 2026 as we did last year in 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary, Florida. This was a bit of a one night staycation/celebration of the old year, and looking ahead to the New Year.

We don’t like being out on the roads for New Year’s Eve, NEVER drinking and driving, and even with Uber you never know who’s out there inebriated, so it’s nice staying in a luxury hotel and walking next door for dinner as sort of a celebration for the past year. We checked into the Marriott Lake Mary, FL hotel, which is conveniently located next door to Fish Bones Restaurant, where we went for dinner. We stayed at this Marriott last New Year’s Eve as well, also going to Fish Bones for dinner. As we never travel light, even for one night, we used a self service bell cart to take our overnight luggage to the room! LOL!

We relaxed a bit at the Marriott and shower before headed next door to Fish Bones at 7:15pm for our 7:30pm reservation. Fish Bones Restaurant, in Lake Mary (not to be confused with the BoneFish chain of restaurants.) is a deluxe and high quality restaurant, part of the Talk of the Town local chain of several uniquely named-restaurants and is on par with the local nearby Ruth Chris’ steakhouse we’ve also gone to for special occasions as well.

We had a bit of a wait for our 7:30pm reservation, so sat at the bar for a half hour or so, while I had a brewski.

We had a wonderful and relaxing dinner with wine and a shared appetizer, steak and dessert.

After dinner, we walked back the short distance back to our Marriott Hotel. In our room, we watched the Ball fall in Times Square, and the drunken and dismal coverage by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN, before heading to bed, fortunately thankful we were not in the New York crowds to observe this. Steve DOS and I then headed to bed shortly after midnight, wishing each other a Happy New Year!

I’ll be short in the remainder of this post, but looking back over 2025, we have so much to be thankful for:

• Our Health. I had a knee replacement operation this year on my left knee and it has made a world of difference in my walking ability!
• In previous years I have had 2 open heart surgeries (one major and life threatening in 2022, and an ICD Defibrillator installed in 2024), and while I’m still not 100% pre-surgery, I’m doing quite well. DOS also had an ICD installed several years ago and is also doing well.
• Friends, Family and Neighbors: We have a great support family of friends, neighbors, social media and Family.
• We have all of our essentials and so much more: Food, Shelter, Clothing, Home, and in these days I would include transportation as well. The extras such as Travel are a luxury plus.
• Charity giving is also a necessity for us, and we’re glad to give both our money and time to help others.
• Travels: We went on 4 cruises this year: Virgin Voyages in February, RCCL Star of the Seas, MSC Seashore (Yacht Club), and the Sky Princess on a 16 night TransAtlantic cruise from London to Port Canaveral (with a 3 night pre-cruise stay in London). Not only do I thank God we can afford to travel, but also we are physically able to travel as well. As I tell many people we meet, not only does travel expand your mind, critical thinking, views of the world, compassion for others, etc, it is a gift that you are able to do so, and I encourage people to travel while they are physically able to do so.
• LOVE BIG! Loving others and overlooking their (and our own faults). We are all one people; the Human Race and made in the image of God. Let that sink in when you’re judging others.
  
  

Looking ahead to 2026?

Well as our pastor at our church says, pick one word. Just one word, and write it out, use post-a-note to remind you, index cards strategically placed, or simply repeat it in your mind daily to keep you on track. My word this year is HEALTH.

I am writing this down to hold myself accountable. By Health, I mean several things, starting with weight loss and diet. Also exercise, be it walking, light weights etc. And generally things to help my overall being, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’m embarrassed to say I’m up to 238 pounds as I write this, and my goal for the year would be a more reasonable 200 to 205 pounds with a smaller waist than 42. I will check back on my progress over the year to hold myself accountable.

Finally I have some incentive to lose weight and inches on my belly! Steve (DOS) and I have several major trips in 2026, including a Japan cruise in March/April, an Alaska cruise in September, and a month long cruise to Australia in October! Plus other places along the way, God-willing. I’m writing this to keep track on my progress, not to boast.

I would also like to do more volunteering when I have the opportunity to do so.

So thank everyone for reading and following along. I wish everyone the happiest of New Year’s in 2026, and health, love, and joy as well. May God bless you and please remember when times have you down, you are always Loved Big by God! God Bless!