Derailed 2025: Revamp, Rebound, and Recount
Recap of goals for 2025 and how we did... And new things happening in 2026! A happy big 8 birthday to Crokell! Plus, bone-crushing sound effects courtesy of the birthday Chaos Critter!
Goals in Review
Well, last year we had a ton of plans. We were going to focus on two things: writing and training dogs. For writing we had three goals: (1) finish the novels, (2) quarterly regular short fiction, and (3) monthly blog fiction. For dogs, we had three goals as well: (1) get Crokell a few titles, (2) get Dante a few titles and (3) start working out with the pups more. So, how did we do… (Wait, we had goals for 2025? When did that happen? -Tod)
Well, not so well. Let’s just say that 2025 kicked our … hmm, revised goals midstream. For writing, we didn’t complete the novels. But we got 5 stories out, and we published 24 short stories on the blog. So we met and doubled the goals there... Meat Loaf suggests that two out of three ain’t bad. Except we missed the top goal. Still, we didn’t stop, and that counts for something… right? Makes sad eyes at everyone.
What about our dog goals?
Well, I guess we batted zero on that. Not completely, but Crokell didn’t get any new titles. Dante earned an ATT (temperament test) and his BN, and we were doing well on workouts for a little while until my health took a dip and the roll coaster of life dumped into the puddle of tiredness, injuries, and allergic reactions.
They say success is a rollercoaster. Well, we rode the dip. I decided that means I just need to aim for the sky again. At some point, we will make it. And hopefully it will be 2026.
Blog Revamp
Those of you who have been around might notice a few changes on the blog.
In 2026, we are using sections. “What” and “why” you ask? Sections let people subscribe to the stuff they like and ignore everything else.
And it isn’t like we don’t have a really eclectic set of subjects.
By default, you are signed up for everything we post. But for people like me that don’t always want to get everything, they can subscribe to their interests. So, we will have the following sections:
Chaos Critter Tails - Light Animal Fiction headed by Tod, twice a month.
Chaos Tales - Darker Fiction headed by Anna, four times a year, focused on fairytale retellings for 2026.
Leash Lessons - Animal Training headed by Anna, monthly.
Chaos Kitchen - Recipes headed by Anna (with guest spots from Tod), monthly.
Sunday Salutations - Life Updates done twice a year, with a random host.
As I am setting this up this week, you might notice some changes on the blog. Don’t be alarmed. There are more changes coming.
As we all know, just ask your dog, change is evil and should be barked at!
BARK!
We also might update the regular page on casasent.com but don’t count on it. (I intend to make Anna either update that or redo it to not have out-of-date content. -Tod)
When this next week (or two) is over, you should be able to alter your settings to only get the updates you want. How cool is that?
Goal Rebound
Writing Goals
Yes, I am calling a mulligan on last year’s goals, with a few changes.
FINISH the novels!
The first Western Dragons novel.
The first Nano Sapiens novel. (This series will each be around the length of a Heinlein Juvenile - my favorite length for a book. -Tod)
Quarterly Chaos Tale - Dark fiction on the blog
Monthly Critter Tails - Light animal based fiction on the blog
What about short story submissions? Well, Tod is going to be in charge of that. How many we submit will depend on him. I think he already chose these out for next year. (True, but I might substitute that with putting together self-published compilations of the short fiction for which rights have reverted! -Tod)
Dog Goals
Get Crokell his CGC-A/U, TKI/A and BCAT… We might try for Rally Choice. Timeline TBD. (Maybe Anna should describe what the alphabet soup means? -Tod) (NOPE! ~Anna)
Get Dante his CGC, TKN/I/A, BCAT, PCD or CD… Start Agility training. (I think he should finish learning “Stand” first. -Tod) (HEY! He knows it… mostly. ~Anna)
Back end workouts for both dogs. Why? Because Crokell is older, and I want Dante to fly the agility course.
Other Goals
Anna is working on learning German. Tod is working on learning Japanese. Goal of B1 for both next year. (What is B1, I wonder? -Tod) (Just means intermediate everyday conversion in our case. ~Anna)
Anna is learning to draw with her left hand (recap on that next year)… Tod is going to pick an RPG system for one of our universes and start writing it up and start a TypeScript project for Foundry VTT for it. (Wait! What’s happening here? -Tod)
Both of us are training to get in shape… or toned or whatever you call it! Anna’s goal Walk/Jog a 5k next year with Dante. Tod’s goal is to convince his health ring that his “cardio age” at least matches his chronological age. (“I feel I was denied critical need-to-know information.” -Tod and Burt from Tremors.)
Chaos Tip for the New Year
Don’t get discouraged. If things failed last year, it is time to reset. After all, even Godzilla couldn’t topple every city at the same time. Take a chunk out of your goals, one day at a time, and you might just make it… or not. But hey, at least your stomach will be full of rubble.
Speaking of destroying things and rubble, the video below is Crokell with an antler. His sound effects are impressive. Have you ever wondered what a wolf or hyena working over a dried bone or antler, just outside the light from your campfire, might sound like?
Well, Crokell’s your dog. He borrowed Dante’s Christmas present to demonstrate. He’s never been interested in antlers before now.
Chaos Question for the New Year
What are your resolutions for 2026? How are you going to prove to your pup you are “good boy”?
Wishing you all a good year and reminding you:
Everything else might change, but we promise you, the dog (or cat, or other cute fluffy critter) never dies in our stories. Everyone else is fair game.
Delightfully weird and occasionally dark,
Anna and Tod