Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts

December 14, 2025

The 2025 Swank Family Christmas Letter



Merry Christmas from Team Swank—still standing, still laughing, and still shocked they let us adult unsupervised. 

 2025 opened the way most Swank years do: with a mix of chaos, comedy, and at least one doctor saying, “You again?” Between cardiology, pulmonology, and urology, we’ve basically unlocked the Mayo Clinic loyalty program. We’re one appointment away from a free smoothie. Through it all, we’re grateful every day is a gift—even when it feels like that gift is tube socks. 


The highlight of our year? Hands down: Avery and Abby’s wedding. The big day was perfect—from heartfelt vows to a dance floor that could have used more oxygen tanks. We officially welcomed Abby into the family, though honestly, she’s felt like one of us since day one. Avery continues to crush it at Rocket Mortgage, still writing code and building features that make mortgages slightly less soul-crushing. 


 Luke’s still at Cyber Power Systems, working as a financial analyst and keeping the sales team honest—one expense report at a time. He builds spreadsheets that would make NASA jealous, but saves the real competition for fantasy football, fantasy basketball, and the occasional reckless parlay with Dad. He’s eyeing his first home in 2026, and if grit counts for anything, he’ll get there. We’re proud. 


We said goodbye to a couple of beloved family members this year. Grandma Leona passed away after blessing us for 93 years with love, wit, and enough homemade cookies to fill a small bakery. 


And Blue, our golden retriever and emotional support furball, crossed the rainbow bridge this fall. We like to think he’s up there now, tail wagging, judging us from above for giving his tennis ball to the neighbor dog. 


Thankfully, 2025 gave us some high notes too. We went on incredible trips—Hawaii was a standout, with ocean views so magical even Todd forgot to check his email. 


We also squeezed in weekend getaways, concerts, and our usual attempts to defy Minnesota weather by attending every Vikings and Timberwolves game possible. We cheer loud enough to be heard—just not by anyone who can do anything about it. 


 And now we head into 2026 with big dreams: Sheri plans to travel more, worry less, and finally learn how to pack light. Todd plans to build an AI-powered empire or at least finally organize the basement. Together, we plan to keep chasing joy, dodging doctors, and finding new ways to laugh when life throws us curveballs. 

May your holidays be joyful, your spirits high, and your 2026 be filled with adventures. 

The Swank Family

 

May 4, 2025

The Power of Oversharing (and Other Lessons from 25 Years Online)

So yeah… I sat down and talked for 52 minutes straight on a podcast. 

I covered my obsession with technology and AI, why I’ve been blogging weekly since before it was cool (or profitable), and how oversharing might actually be a branding strategy. There’s even a story about a photo, a mailroom, and a moment I still regret. 

If you’ve ever wondered what keeps someone creating content for 25 years, or why trusting your own voice beats chasing algorithms, this one’s worth a watch—unless you’re busy doing something boring. 

In that case, definitely watch it.

 

January 17, 2025

Advice from Clint Stalker - Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 16

 

Advice from Clint Stalker - Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 16

 


How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025 
 Day 14 - Advice from my Brother in Law Dave Mohar

January 16, 2025

5 Tips How to use AI to be More Successful in 2025

5 Tips How to use AI to be More Successful in 2025 - Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 15.

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 15 - 5 Tips How to use AI to be More Successful in 2025

January 15, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 14 - Advice from my Brother in Law Dave Mohar

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 14. Advice from my Brother In Law, Dave Mohar

Daily advice 

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025 
Day 14 - Advice from my Brother in Law Dave Mohar

January 14, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 13 - Advice from Cathy Klimek

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 13. Advice from Cathy Klimek


Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025
Day 13 - Advice from Cathy Klimek 

January 13, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 12 - Advice from Portia Vogt

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 12. Advice from an old friend, Portia Vogt.


 Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 12 - Advice from Portia Vogt


January 12, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 11 - How To Prepare for Mondays Without Crying

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 11. How To Prepare for Mondays Without Crying


 Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 11 - How To Prepare for Mondays Without Crying

January 10, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 10 - Advice on How to Get Out of a Rut

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 10. Advice on how to get out of a rut.

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 10 - Advice on How to Get Out of a Rut

January 9, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 9 - Advice from my ex-Oracle Co-Worker, Erin Rabideaux

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 9. Advice from my ex-Oracle Coworker, Erin Rabideaux.

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 9 - Advice from my ex-Oracle Co-Worker, Erin Rabideaux

 

January 8, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 8 - Advice from my Stibo Systems Co-Worker, Bonny Moore

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 8. Advice from my Stibo Systems Coworker, Bonny Moore


  Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 8 - Advice from my Stibo Systems Co-Worker, Bonny Moore


 

January 7, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 7 - Advice from my old wrestling teammate, Wade Powell

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 7. Advice from my old wrestling teammate, Wade Powell

 Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 7 Video - Advice from my old wrestling teammate, Wade Powell 

January 6, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 6 - Advice from my former coworker, Jake

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 6. Advice from my former coworker, Jake.


Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 6 Video - Advice from my former coworker, Jake 

January 5, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 5 - Advice from my good friend Orlando

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 5. Advice from my good friend Orlando

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 5 Video - Advice from my good friend, Orlando


January 4, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 4 - Advice from my sister, Tammy

@toddswank Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 4. Advice from my sister Tammy. #thrive ♬ Motivation - StoryTune

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 4 Video - Advice from my sister, Tammy

January 3, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 3 - Advice from Grandma Linda

Daily tips on how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025. Day 3. Advice from Grandma Linda.

Daily advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 3 Video - Advice from Grandma Linda

#newyear2025 #resolutions2025 #motivation #inspiration #happiness #success

January 2, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 2 - Advice from My Sister Tracy

Daily advice how to live happier and achieve more success in 2025 - Day 2 -Advice from my sister Tracy

 31 days of advice

How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 2 Video - Advice from my sister Tracy

#newyear2025 #resolutions2025 #motivation #inspiration #happiness #success

January 1, 2025

Happiness & Success in 2025 - Day 1 - Advice from Miss Sheri


 31 days of advice
How to live happier & achieve more success in 2025

Day 1 Video - Advice from Miss Sheri

#newyear2025 #resolutions2025 #motivation #inspiration #happiness #success

December 31, 2024

My 2025 New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year! 

These are my resolutions for happiness and success in 2025. 

I’d be honored if you shared your ideas for making this year amazing.

Let’s crush 2025 together!

Todd Swank