Monday, August 8, 2022
Well, not to be dramatic, but as you are reading this I am back to being a full time workin’ gal. I leave for work at 6:45 and return home between 2:45-4, depending on after school meetings. So, it’s not too bad, but it will be rude awakening!
I am happy to link up with Holly and Sarah today where we share our weekend happenings!
Note: I will only be blogging three times this week (unless I get a wild hair) and I may be a bit slower to respond to comments! Please be patient with me.
I don’t even want to know how much Mason has spent at the Froggy’s popcorn truck this summer. There are 2-3 food trucks every night at Shakespeare in the park, but the popcorn truck is there nightly. We share a love of popcorn! I thought this was super sweet that he brought home beer cheese and pretzels popcorn for Tom Thursday night and left it for Tom to find Friday morning.
Friday was my last weekday off – weekdays off just have a different feel to them, you know? I decided to just do me and that started with a super lazy morning of blog reading and piddling. Then, I went to check out the new Aerie and Offline at my nearby outdoor mall.
Um, yeah, no. There was nothing that interested me. I think when the fall and winter stuff comes out there will be some items that I could wear. I absolutely love everything I have ever gotten from Aerie. I have a pair of Sunday shorts that are made from sweatshirt material and kinda 70s, a white pullover sweatshirt with collar, a leopard print quarter zip, and a few pairs of joggers and leggings. I know I am not in their demographic, but their quality and soft material factor are superb in my book. Lulu who?
I came home and made a healthy lunch at home – trying to get back on track with tracking. I did really well with only eating at home last week, by the way. I only went out to eat Friday night.
Friday afternoon was hair day!
My friend Heather had just sent her University of Georgia sophomore back to campus to participate in rush activities and her hub and son were off on an overnight trip so I asked her if she wanted me to entertain her.
We went to Steak and Bourbon (her pick) and decided to sit on the patio. The inside was hopping and noisy!
I love these neon signs that so many places have now!
We did not order steak or bourbon! Can you even believe that?
We did order spinach and artichoke dip – you can’t take the 90s out of the girl, you know?
We were talking about how in college and right after college we thought Applebee’s was the height of fine dining and we always got their spinach and artichoke pizza. Anyone else?
Heather and I call ourselves “flavatwins” because we seriously always pick the same things on a menu. It’s weird.
We got truffle fries, too!
And, we both had a glass of red wine from Lodi, California. Their reds are so good.
We were going to order a salad to share, but we were so full, so it was just appetizers for us.
A really cool surprise – I asked our waiter if my former student was bartending and he was and he came out and talked to us for quite awhile and then we found out he paid for our dip! How sweet!
Then, we strolled around the area where the restaurant is located to let our food digest and then we decided that ice cream would also help our food digest.
Two of my students who are brothers served us at The Comfy Cow! One has already graduated and the other will be in one of my classes this year.
We had a fun girls night out and Tom was happy to have a bros night with Ernie.
Saturday morning I had my coffee on the patio – my little plant head is doing really well and I moved her to my table.
After my coffee and some reading, I decided to start my first meal prep sesh of the year. I wanted to keep breakfast really simple and easy to eat to start the year so I made 10 faux egg mcmuffins.
These are 4 WW points for me.
I tried a new way to do my eggs – I mixed 8 eggs with a little bit of Egg Beaters I had left and 2 T. of water, salt and pepper and then baked them in my small cookie sheet at 350 for about 10 minutes.
Tom told me I should make the eggs round but I wish I had just done squares because I was dealing with scraps for the last few sandwiches.
I am keeping these in the freezer and I wrapped them in plastic wrap, then foil, then put them in a big plastic bag. I will take one out per morning and then heat in my classroom microwave about an hour later wrapped in a paper towel for about 20 – 30 seconds.
For Saturday breakfast, I sauteed up some mushrooms, onions, and frozen spinach and topped that with two scrambled eggs. I didn’t want to waste one of my egg mcmuffins!
I didn’t want to brave Costco on a Saturday, but I decided it was important to get it done. This trip was solely focused on easy dinners for the next two weeks and foods for me – as well as some chips for my kids. I arrived right at opening time and it wasn’t too bad.
Jennifer vouched for these and she didn’t steer me wrong. I am super picky about protein bars. Most are just plain nasty. I loved the cookie dough and haven’t tried the brownie yet. I plan to try heating it up slightly in the microwave. Thanks, Jennifer! These are 4 WW points for me, so not bad.
I also took a chance on these and OMG! I have already tried the dark chocolate sea salt and the chocolate peanut butter and they remind me of a Rice Krispies treat. These are 3 WW points, which is really good.
I picked up this new to me product – already cooked chicken schwarma – for an easy dinner. I plan to serve it with some vegetables and salad.
For lunch Saturday I made a really delicious taco salad. I mixed cauliflower rice (already cooked) with black beans, Laura’s Lean ground beef taco meat, salsa verde, taco sauce, lettuce, tomato, and a little bit of shredded cheese and about 5 Doritos. Yum! I will be making this again!
Then, it was off to see Bullet Train. It was pretty good, but super violent. I think I’m an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) so that really bothers me. I really think HSP is a thing, but 75% of my family thinks I’m being dramatic. What do you think? I also enjoy saying “I’m an HSP!” to annoy them.
I have a love/hate relationships with afternoon movies. I prefer going in the afternoon, but at the same time, I feel like it takes up the whole day. We got home and there was a nice breeze and the temp had cooled off so I sat out and read for awhile and put Tom in charge of the pizza ordering for dinner.
We ate pizza and watched a show (Jack was home with us) and then Jack went to Mason’s play and I got super sleepy. I put myself to bed before they got home.
Sunday morning I was up early since I had gone to bed when the small hand was on the 10.
A little more meal prep for the week…
And, I knew I needed to do some school work to feel ready for the week so I did.
And, then it was time for Sunday Funday! Look at that sky!
Do not look at the color of the water after all the rain and storms we’ve had. Tom called it Willy Wonka’s river. Yuck!
We went to lunch with Heather and Eric at a little place called Cunningham’s and I ordered a grilled fish sandwich and it was really good. I never get to see Heather twice in one weekend!
Then, we hung out for a couple of hours in the cove and talked.
I did my Kroger pick up on the way home. I had already done one earlier in the week, but I needed a few more things to help make the week run as smoothly as possible.
What was the highlight of your weekend?
Also, I need your help! Please leave me a comment if you have blog ideas. What do you want to read about? What are your favorite topics? What’s on your mind?
Thank you so much! And, thanks for reading! You are my favorite hobby! Remember that my posting won’t be as regular this week and I will try my best to keep up with the comments!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
We had a bit family party celebrating my mother in law’s birthday this weekend so that was our highlight. I too have been struggling to come up with blog topics (and I’m only blogging 1 or 2 days a week!).
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What an amazing weekend. I’m glad you had me time / girls day on Friday. I love that you see so many of your students. I hope you have a great day. I’m already tired. Zzzzz 😂
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I went to an 11:45am movie with my SIL on Saturday. I don’t think I’ve ever gone to a movie that early but it worked! We saw Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris – such a sweet movie!
I hope you have a great school year!
xo,
Kellyann
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Hope it’s a great week back to school as you adjust to the new schedule. Glad you enjoyed your weekend and have some good meal prep and ideas.
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I love that Mason bought that popcorn for your hubby! What a thoughtful gesture. I love that kind of thing and it always speaks volumes to me. I’m so glad you tried those protein bars and like them! I’m going to try the ones you took a chance on, because YUM. It’s hard to find things like that, that will satisfy a craving. Those protein bars do that for me. I know your week is going to be long and busy, but I’m glad to know you’re still planning on being around some. I totally understand that and getting back into a routine. Praying that you find your way back quickly and smoothly this week…it looks like you’ve prepared as much as possible to help that, so that was wise.
I always love meal idea blog posts. I also am always fascinated by posts made by teachers…and seeing your classroom/hearing about how you go about your day and even hearing about lunch ideas you do during your work week. Think “Teacher Tuesday”, like Andrea does, or a day in the life. I love reading about people’s towns that they live in and why you love where you live. Same for house tours…I’m so curious by nature that I love feeling like I’ve been “invited” in. Sometimes I made posts from the random things I take pictures of on my phone….you’d be surprised at the content that can come from that! I like reading Tanya’s blogs about books she reads and shows she watches. Sometimes I even write posts taking a stroll down memory lane and include old pictures of my kids…because some people who read my blog are in that stage of life and I like to encourage them in those years.
Hopefully one or two those things stand out and will inspire you. Feel free to join me on Thankful Thursday! It helps focusing on all of the good during the week…for me it sets my perspective on the right track, because sometimes it’s tempting to focus on the negative. I sincerely hope you have a great first day back and week, my friend!
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So, back to the mine, right? 😀 I hope you had a great Monday!
Best of my weekend was boating! It seems like all of us with boats have boating as our absolute favorite way to spend a sunny day! I guess it’s the feeling of freedom and a sense that you are on an adventure!
OK, blog topics: it’s been a while since you talked about your make up and skin care; I guess it’s different now in late summer with a little tan and so on? And school of course! And more Ernie <3. Otherwise I just love to read about your lovely American life!
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yup! Thank you! I have written down your ideas!
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I found your blog through the Friday Link ups and have been reading yours daily for the past six months. I’m curious to know about your teaching: what made you become a Spanish teacher (my SIL is a Spanish teacher) and how you stay connected to your students. I like the food and clothing post. Some blog ideas would be teacher related, friendships, day in the life, parenting style ( I have an 18 year old son) ect… just wanted to chime in and let you know I enjoy your blog and how you keep it real. 🙂
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Aww, I’m glad you did! Welcome! Oh – that’s a good idea. I can do that. I have written down your ideas and I really appreciate the input!
I try to keep it real and sometimes it’s probably so real it’s boring! You are sweet!
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I hope you have a good week back at school. As for blog posts, I really enjoy everything you write. Keep up the great work!
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Thank you so much, Tanya! You are sweet. I will try to come up with some good posts soon – I hope!
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You’re so funny, love that enjoy saying certain things to annoy your family. I do that too, just for my own amusement. And your blog is great, I’d like to hear more about your job and your relationship with your students (who clearly adore you), health & fitness, and family stuff. Basically, whatever you want to share! 🙂
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Thank you,Suki! Thanks for the ideas. I just don’t want to sound repetitive, but a lot of you want more of the same so that is easy!
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LOL We had a box of those protein bars from Costco last summer. Could. not. do. it. I would try to eat them to just get the protein in but I didn’t like the texture.
I’m 100% an HSP when it comes to light, sound, and temperature. I read a book about it a few years ago and it really hit home.
I like reading posts about what people don’t like. I’m working on one now 🙂
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I think these are better than many I have tried, but you should know I hate nuts, so that limits many of the bars.
Me, too on the HSP front.
I like doing the Unpopular Opinions that you inspired! Fun!
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You are one of my favorite bloggers! Thank you for all you do, I know its not easy being a teacher but you truly seem like a special one! I love reading food posts because I’m on weight watchers as well and I love your fashion posts because they are affordable and my same style!
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Tracy, you are so sweet to say that – well, all of that! I am glad you like hearing about food because that is one of my favorite topics. I need to do some dedicated recipe posts maybe. Great that you are doing WW! I am excited to try some fashion posts. I plan to do that but they are time consuming as far as taking the photos. I really enjoy them, though! Thank you for the great ideas!
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How about a blog post or two about getting ready for college? Any tips on what to bring? College in the northeast don’t start for a few weeks yet. Also, any housekeeping tips or ways you stay organized? I enjoy all your topics! Have a great school year!
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Great idea – I did that two years ago and then re-posted it last year. If you go to my search bar you can put it “dorm”. I can think about housekeeping tips and organization tips, but I struggle with those, too! Thank you for the input!
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Just want to chime in on the HSP topic. I believe it’s a real thing. A couple of years ago I picked up a copy of Psychology Today because the main headline was on narcissists and I wanted to read to see if any names were given! I didn’t know Jane and John Doe so I flipped to the next story. It was about HSPs and I thought, they’ve been following me! It’s sometimes difficult being such a sensitive person. Elaine Aron is a great resource on navigating the world as an HSP. And, I recently found your blog and look forward to reading each of your posts!
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Yes! I don’t think I have the most severe type? If that is how you put it, but I do think I am on the spectrum for being HSP. Loud noises and really bright lights really bother me. I fit most of the descriptions.
Thank you so much for the sweet words.
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