As 2025 moves into the rear view mirror, here’s a look at some of the highlights of the past year.

I became a published author when EMBASSY KID: AN AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE FAMILY MEMOIR came out in April. What a thrill it was to collaborate with my painter husband in our book and art launch party in May, and to share the success with illustrator Camila Acosta.

A woman holding a book stands next to a man in front of a colorful abstract painting during a book and art launch event.
An author smiling while signing a book at a launch event, wearing a colorful scarf and holding a pen, with attendees in the background.
Two women smiling while holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid' at a table with a patterned tablecloth against a red wall.
A woman in winter sports gear holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid' on a snowy mountain with snow-covered peaks in the background.
A smiling woman holding the book 'Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Family Memoir' by J.K. Anderson López, with a lush green background and blue sky.
A smiling woman holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Family Memoir' in her hands.
A woman wearing a colorful sweater smiles while holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid'. A dog is also present beside her.
A woman smiling and holding a copy of 'Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Family Memoir' in a living room setting.
Two women smiling together, one holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid' while sitting on a colorful crocheted blanket in a cozy room.
Seeing EMBASSY KID in the hands of family and friends is a deep joy, and reading the five-star reviews on Amazon warms my heart.
A group of diverse women standing together in a bright interior space, smiling and holding a book. The scene conveys a sense of celebration and community.
A group of women gathered around an elderly woman seated in a chair outdoors, surrounded by palm trees and a sunny atmosphere.
Group of women posing together on a beach boardwalk, holding a book titled 'Embassy Kid'.

The Mermaids, my pool exercise posse who follow Laurie Denomme’s Water Exercise Coach, show up for each other, and they were a great part of the book launch.

A black Labrador wearing a festive 'Merry Christmas' outfit with jingle bells and a blue scarf, sitting in a decorated room with wooden chairs in the background.

Our rescue Lab and therapy dog, Kumba, and I visited the assisted living and memory care residents of Elegance at Lake Worth nearly every Thursday last year. We are so grateful for the gracious welcome extended to us by staff, for the coaching from Complete Canine Training that launched us on this path, for the certification from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and for Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida that brought this dear dog into our lives.

A black Labrador retriever wearing a blue therapy dog bandana sits on a carpeted floor, smiling with a background of indoor plants.
A therapy dog wearing a blue bandana rests beside a person seated in a care facility, with other residents visible in the background.
Close-up of a black Labrador retriever wearing a blue bandana and a red leash, sitting next to a person with an arm on the armrest.
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My husband and I enjoyed discovering America’s oldest continually inhabited city, St. Augustine, last summer. Now I know where Floridians go on vacation (besides Disney)!

A stone watchtower nestled among greenery against a bright blue sky, showcasing the historic architecture of St. Augustine.
A man and a woman standing together on a balcony with a scenic view of water and palm trees in the background.
A serene sunset over the ocean, with a pier extending into the water, casting long shadows on the sandy beach.

We also exercised our right to protest, a natural outgrowth for me of having grown up representing all our democracy stands for as the daughter of a diplomat.

A person holding a sign that reads 'It's not LEFT or RIGHT, it's a RIGHT or WRONG' in a park setting with trees and blue sky in the background.
Two individuals holding protest signs that read 'DEMOCRACY NOT DICTATORSHIP,' standing outdoors among trees.
An elderly man sitting in a wheelchair holds two small American flags and a sign that reads 'I FIGHT 4 iDEMOCRACY!' He is wearing sunglasses and a black polo shirt, with greenery in the background.

Kumba has bandanas for every occasion. Here he is on the Fourth of July, turning 10, and on Thanksgiving.

A black Labrador retriever wearing a patriotic blue bandana with fireworks and stars, sitting on a brick pathway.
A black Labrador retriever lying on a tiled surface, wearing a blue bandana with the word 'Play.'
A black Labrador retriever wearing a festive bandana with a turkey design, sitting on a patterned stone surface.

When you live in South Florida, you can go to the beach on Thanksgiving. That is, after dining out at Seasons 52, then changing out of your party clothes!

A woman stands in a parking lot wearing a bright yellow floral dress and a white cardigan, holding a pink tote bag. Palm trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
A plate of Thanksgiving dinner featuring sliced turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato mash, green beans, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
A woman stands smiling in a parking lot, wearing a colorful patterned top, white shorts, and a wide-brimmed hat. She holds a large pink tote bag and is surrounded by green trees and parked cars.

I will give Kumba the last words: Merry Holidays and Happy New Year!

A black Labrador retriever wearing a red bandana lying on a brown leather couch.
A black Labrador Retriever lying on the floor beside a cloth with 'Happy New Year' written in gold, set against a background of furniture.

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