As a big fan and long time follower, your goals are inspirational. Yours is one of the few substacks I never miss, along with the Sunday Links (that is what got me hooked years ago). So excited for your journey, and thanks for taking us along!!!
Thank you!! I still need a publisher for book 2. I promise to keep you posted ❤️ curious what your skill set is in case I end up extending my job search out of Chicago!
Kudos to you for setting ambitious goals and having the courage to share them with us. In addition to setting goals, I also create a short year end story where I reflect on the goals and highlight the hits, misses and surprises. I love to look back year over year and give thanks for my many blessings.
Thank you, Michele. It is always so scary to share some of these goals so publicly. I love how you reflect back on the year and your hits, misses, and surprises. No matter how much we plan, nothing goes exactly like we think it will.
My husband takes my written goals and frames them for my office when I hit a milestone.
So impressed by your work…since following you, my algorithm has been bombarded by French IG’s/ Blogs…yours is far superior. One of the things that I am most excited about is your redesigned Paris Guide. I believe that it will be much easier to use. My only regret is that I don’t live in Chicago…would love the chance to work with you!
One last thing…I admire your love of family and how visits always seem ti be a priority in your life ( including Henri ! )
Thank you, Annette! Oh, the algorithm everywhere is a challenge. I think you are going to LOVE the redesigned Paris Guide. My designers passed it back to me, and I need to complete it with all the new updates.
Curious where you live and your skill set. For the right fit, I am willing to look outside Chicago!
Thank you for your sweet words about my family. They are very much a top priority. I am lucky to have a wonderful family. Henri is the best addition and better than I ever imagined he would be. xo
Awww…so sweet of you to respond. Unfortunately I live in the east coast tri-state area, not quite near Chicago. But thank you for the wonderful thought. I may try to come to Chicago for the Art Fair…I will be sure to say, Bonjour ! annette〰️
I love salmon but can’t eat on a regular basis because of the string oily content.
I guess Henry is a bernedoodle and my Daisy is a tricolor bernedoodle as well and close to 50 lbs. Our family took a trip to Paris in 12/2025 and we felt we should have brought Daisy along with us. The thought of flying her in a cargo makes me nervous.
I love salmon too, and was eating it more than twice a week. Once a week (or twice) is totally fine. It has a higher fat content, even though it is healthy fat. We made some adjustments to my overall diet to see what could move the needle for weight loss. I was stuck at the same weight for a long time. Everyone has different goals/diets/bodies. This is the best decision for me at the time. Once I have worked on more weight training and built more muscle, we will bring back the salmon. That is some good motivation for me!
Absolutely loved this post - it’s so inspiring to read about your goals and the heart behind your business. I always look forward to your updates and weekly gems! :)
If it's any help, my brother and SIL moved from Australia to Canada (her home country) and brought both their dogs with them (the oldest being 13 at the time and he's still going!). They are both German Short-haired Pointers so more than 50lbs. That involved a long haul flight from Sydney to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Toronto. MY SIL is a vet, which helped, but your vet should have some tips about how to prep your dog in advance. There are also several excellent pet-moving companies who specialize in domestic and global travel. I do remember one meeting a woman and her teen daughter on a flight to Iceland and they were traveling there to pick up a pony for her daughter to bring back to VT, so even horses aren't out of the realm of possibility as pets who can move. (by the way that was a totally mind boggling concept - both logistically and financially!!).
Your systems concept is definitely something I could use. Thanks for sharing!
Also you forgot to add 'more sessions with Katie to the list' :)
This is a great list, one that really makes me think about finally setting time aside to come up with my own goals. Also makes me want to live in Chicago so I could work for you! (I'm in NYC).
Your goals are inspirational, and they’re specific enough to make them achievable. I’m turning 65 on Sunday, so also thinking about aspirations. Fitness is a big priority: when my mom was my age, her general health and mobility were significantly compromised, which is a good motivating factor. I’m lucky to be retired and to live in Lucca, so one goal is to walk the walls surrounding the historic center every day with my retired racing Greyhound, Penni. (I do give it a miss on rainy days.) I take classes at a local gym—mobility class twice weekly, strength class and yoga each once weekly. I find that it’s much easier to commit to a class rather than a weightlifting session, but I do need to add the weights to my routine.
Just as an FYI regarding travel with Henri: we weren’t comfortable putting Penni in cargo, so we bit the bullet and the two of us flew with K9 Jets. (My husband took a commercial flight.) For us, we knew it was a one-time commitment—Penni will live out the rest of her life here in Italy—and it was worth the price to get her here safely. It was a great experience, and we would recommend it.
As a big fan and long time follower, your goals are inspirational. Yours is one of the few substacks I never miss, along with the Sunday Links (that is what got me hooked years ago). So excited for your journey, and thanks for taking us along!!!
Thank you so much for your support and for following along!! xo
I can't wait for your second book! If I lived in Chicago I would be thrilled to work for you!! I'd probably do it for free lol.
Thank you!! I still need a publisher for book 2. I promise to keep you posted ❤️ curious what your skill set is in case I end up extending my job search out of Chicago!
I will send you a private email.
Kudos to you for setting ambitious goals and having the courage to share them with us. In addition to setting goals, I also create a short year end story where I reflect on the goals and highlight the hits, misses and surprises. I love to look back year over year and give thanks for my many blessings.
Thank you, Michele. It is always so scary to share some of these goals so publicly. I love how you reflect back on the year and your hits, misses, and surprises. No matter how much we plan, nothing goes exactly like we think it will.
My husband takes my written goals and frames them for my office when I hit a milestone.
Wishing you a wonderful 2026! xo
So impressed by your work…since following you, my algorithm has been bombarded by French IG’s/ Blogs…yours is far superior. One of the things that I am most excited about is your redesigned Paris Guide. I believe that it will be much easier to use. My only regret is that I don’t live in Chicago…would love the chance to work with you!
One last thing…I admire your love of family and how visits always seem ti be a priority in your life ( including Henri ! )
💙🤍❤️
Thank you, Annette! Oh, the algorithm everywhere is a challenge. I think you are going to LOVE the redesigned Paris Guide. My designers passed it back to me, and I need to complete it with all the new updates.
Curious where you live and your skill set. For the right fit, I am willing to look outside Chicago!
Thank you for your sweet words about my family. They are very much a top priority. I am lucky to have a wonderful family. Henri is the best addition and better than I ever imagined he would be. xo
Awww…so sweet of you to respond. Unfortunately I live in the east coast tri-state area, not quite near Chicago. But thank you for the wonderful thought. I may try to come to Chicago for the Art Fair…I will be sure to say, Bonjour ! annette〰️
I love salmon but can’t eat on a regular basis because of the string oily content.
I guess Henry is a bernedoodle and my Daisy is a tricolor bernedoodle as well and close to 50 lbs. Our family took a trip to Paris in 12/2025 and we felt we should have brought Daisy along with us. The thought of flying her in a cargo makes me nervous.
Dee
Hi Dee!
I love salmon and used to eat it more often. It isn't for everyone, and I totally understand that!
Henri is a Bernedoodle (tri-color) just like Daisy! When we plan for an extended period in Europe, he will make it happen in the best way possible.
I love salmon and eat it twice a week. What was the reason you were given for eating less salmon???
Hi Debbie,
I love salmon too, and was eating it more than twice a week. Once a week (or twice) is totally fine. It has a higher fat content, even though it is healthy fat. We made some adjustments to my overall diet to see what could move the needle for weight loss. I was stuck at the same weight for a long time. Everyone has different goals/diets/bodies. This is the best decision for me at the time. Once I have worked on more weight training and built more muscle, we will bring back the salmon. That is some good motivation for me!
Absolutely loved this post - it’s so inspiring to read about your goals and the heart behind your business. I always look forward to your updates and weekly gems! :)
Thank you so much, Laura! This brought a huge smile to my face. Wishing you a wonderful 2026! xo.
I’m beyond proud of you and can’t wait to see how EDP continues to grow!! Always cheering you on from the sidelines! ❤️❤️
Thank you! I am SO proud of you. It had been such a joy to work with you and watch you grow. ❤️ Team Alyssa, all the way 🙌
If it's any help, my brother and SIL moved from Australia to Canada (her home country) and brought both their dogs with them (the oldest being 13 at the time and he's still going!). They are both German Short-haired Pointers so more than 50lbs. That involved a long haul flight from Sydney to Vancouver and then Vancouver to Toronto. MY SIL is a vet, which helped, but your vet should have some tips about how to prep your dog in advance. There are also several excellent pet-moving companies who specialize in domestic and global travel. I do remember one meeting a woman and her teen daughter on a flight to Iceland and they were traveling there to pick up a pony for her daughter to bring back to VT, so even horses aren't out of the realm of possibility as pets who can move. (by the way that was a totally mind boggling concept - both logistically and financially!!).
Your systems concept is definitely something I could use. Thanks for sharing!
Also you forgot to add 'more sessions with Katie to the list' :)
This is a great list, one that really makes me think about finally setting time aside to come up with my own goals. Also makes me want to live in Chicago so I could work for you! (I'm in NYC).
Your goals are inspirational, and they’re specific enough to make them achievable. I’m turning 65 on Sunday, so also thinking about aspirations. Fitness is a big priority: when my mom was my age, her general health and mobility were significantly compromised, which is a good motivating factor. I’m lucky to be retired and to live in Lucca, so one goal is to walk the walls surrounding the historic center every day with my retired racing Greyhound, Penni. (I do give it a miss on rainy days.) I take classes at a local gym—mobility class twice weekly, strength class and yoga each once weekly. I find that it’s much easier to commit to a class rather than a weightlifting session, but I do need to add the weights to my routine.
Just as an FYI regarding travel with Henri: we weren’t comfortable putting Penni in cargo, so we bit the bullet and the two of us flew with K9 Jets. (My husband took a commercial flight.) For us, we knew it was a one-time commitment—Penni will live out the rest of her life here in Italy—and it was worth the price to get her here safely. It was a great experience, and we would recommend it.