Friday, January 6, 2023
Ah, Friday…I love you! I am linking up here for Friday Favorites.
First of all, one of my favorites is that my district had teachers start on Tuesday and students on Wednesday. It gave us a little time to ease back in and I think 3 days is a good start for the students, as well.
Here are some other random favorites for the week…
I am trying to eat more oatmeal. This is old fashioned rolled oats cooked with skim milk and some cinnamon. Wow! It tastes so good to me! Are you an oatmeal person?
If you try the Impress press on nails (or any other brand), one of my blog readers said to remove them with dental floss. Genius! It was hard to get a picture, but this is me removing the nails I had on for part of break. You put the floss at the cuticle and gently lift both sides of the floss.
Operation Cure Amy’s Dry Face is in full force. Here is what happened. I bought a new The Ordinary serum and a new The Ordinary mask. I think they were just too strong and created a really dry patch on one cheek that became red and even puffy. I used Aquaphor and it took a few days for the situation to improve. Now, I am applying some coconut oil in the morning and at night (using this to melt off my makeup) and then getting in the shower and using Cerave cleanser to wash my face. Then, I am using Cerave lotion on my face twice a day.
If you can get over smelling like a baked good, I think this is putting moisture back in my face.
I am using this in the shower and I love it. You turn off the water and apply this, then dry off. My skin is feeling really good so far this winter.
The Cerave lotion I am using on my face (and everywhere else):
I am most definitely open to other suggestions. This is the first time my combination skin on my face has gotten this dry.
I placed a big Target order for some of the above items and some other things and it came in trickles. It has arrived in at least 5 boxes over the course of almost a week. So weird!
I love this scent if you can find it. Mrs. Meyer’s does it again, right? I think Snowdrop scent is perfect for my January wishes for a snow day. I am not sure what a snowdrop smells like, but this is good!
I am trying to get back on the healthier eating plan. I did not go out to lunch when I could on our teacher day, but came home and made the Big Mac salad with a Boca burger. I made a breakfast bowl for one lunch and a taco bowl for another lunch for Erica and I.
Mason helped me prep 6 Egg McMuffins – I guess I am on a McDonald’s kick! It was so good to have this ready to go on my first student day. I let Mason take half of them back to school. He said he and his roommate would eat them.
This weekend’s breakfast meal prep will either be breakfast burritos or low carb egg casserole with vegetables and turkey sausage. I like to rotate every so often so I don’t get too bored.
If you missed any posts this week, I did Hello Monday and Prime Purchases, 23 in 2023, Currently, and Fashion Files.
If you are looking for entertainment this weekend, I did a lot of tv viewing over break. I watched About Fate, Something from Tiffany’s, Glass Onion, Harry and Meghan, Emily in Paris 3, Wednesday (with my family), and a show you might not like because it was in Spanish called I am Georgina about Cristiano Ronaldo’s (soccer player) partner.
What were your favorites this week?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I saw that I am Georgina and I was hypnotized, just couldn’t stop watching… What a crazy life! They are so freaking rick! And they aren’t even married! C r a z y.
I got hold of Lessons in Chemistry again (I had to return it before I finished it) and it is so good! References to Sweden again….
So, back to routines right? I hope I will feel good about it too…. How were the students? Tired or ok?
Are your boys ok with going back to school? Is it their last term!? My youngest is graduating this summer, I can’t believe it…
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I love Tin-Tin on break because she is my first commenter each day and I say “awww” in my head! I can’t believe you watched and like Georgina, too. I showed it to my students as an example of a way to enhance their Spanish in their free time and many of them seemed hooked. Today I am showing some other options. Have you heard of Kaleidoscope? Tom and I started it last night.
Lessons in Chemistry was so sweet, but sad, and it drug on a bit too much. Glad I read it, though.
My students seem happy and well-rested for the most part. They seem happy to be back!
My boys seemed ready to go back. They have this semester and another full year and then should be able to be college graduates at age 21! I am scared about the real world jobs they will find but I will save that worry for next year.
Aww, your baby will be a graduate! Will she go to university?
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Oh, Sweety! ❤ Yay for the time difference! And thanks for posting so early!
I also love Tin-Tin on break! Who is this lovely and happy person!? 😀
Kaleidoscope is on my list! You watch the episodes in random order, right!?
You are the greatest Spanish teacher to let your students watch that show! So clever to get them interested in the language!
Oh, one more year for the boys, phew!
Well, baby wants to do military service like older sister, and then university. Oldest one does computer science but this one wants to make money…! She wants to study "industrial economics", a foolproof way to make money according to her. 😀 (I have smart kids, it's amazing! I'm so not into science…)
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Ha – time differences can be good! I love to read a blog that posts early, too. I don’t want to wait around!
Ha – you are lovely and happy all the time.
I think Netflix gives you an order but you can also pick?
I don’t know about that. I only played a few minutes but it got some of them hooked! One girl went home and watched 3 episodes.
Yup!
Oh, that is great. You do have smart kids. I wish mine were going into sciences, too. We are a bit worried about careers.
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We started Kaleidoscope yesterday and saw yellow (I didn’t understand anything) and orange (ok, so now I got the story). We’ll see one more tonight I think!
Your boys will do fine, they seem to be empathic and smart and into things! Will they study more do you think? Gap year? I’m so happy about military service, it’s like a gap year (nine months of summer camp :-)) but better than partying in Thailand for a year…
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Hehe. I have kinda lost interest to be honest. I hope they will be fine. I think they would both love to go to graduate school, but mom and dad cannot pay anymore. They would have to be paid to go or have jobs as teaching assistants. Tom and I will have put about $80,000 into their college by the time they graduate with bachelor’s degrees and that is cheap compared to what many pay. Also, without scholarships they would have had to pay $200,000 each. Of course, part of that is room and board and we wanted them to have that independence. It’s crazy here. I love the 9 months military service. My friend in Spain (they do that, too) was simply a lifeguard for the Red Cross, I think. Or, it was Spain’s version of the Red Cross.
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It’s always such a good time of year to binge tv- over break I binged The Watcher (my favorite-so creepy-based on a true story and has been renewed for a 2nd season- Netflix), White Lotus (Season 1 and 2), Dead to Me (Final Season), Firefly Lane (Season 2) and just started Ginny & Georgia (Season 2)- have a great weekend Amy 🙂
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Yes! I definitely watch more tv over winter break than normal. I wish I had HBO for White Lotus but I can’t justify another service now. I started Ginny and Georgia!
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Hi,
Happy New Year! May it be the best till now!
I want to recommend you 2 Spanish movies I saw during the break on Netflix ( hopefully they are available in US also).
Las de la última fila is a short serie, 6 episodes, I really like it.
And Matrimillas which I thought was quite funny.
Thank you for your posts, they are enlighten my daily lunchbreak.
Sorry if my English is not so good in writen.
Whish you a great week-end,
Oana
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Thank you and to you, too!
Thank you so much and I will check those out.
Your English is perfect! Where are you from? You are so kind to say that and I am glad I can entertain you on your lunch break.
Happy weekend to you, Oana!
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Good morning!
From Romania ( Estern Europe).
Wish you a easy week!
Oana
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Welcome from Romania! Do you have a blog? Would love to read about your life there! Thank you!
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Oh man, I can’t believe your face got so dry and irritated from those products- that stinks! I love Cerave, you can’t go wrong. Hope it heals quickly.
I bought some inexpensive press on nails from TJMaxx to wear for Christmas and they were so ridiculously long and pointy I had to remove them – I couldn’t take my contacts out without losing an eye – ha!!! I think I am going to buy a gel nail kit from Amazon and try that.
I think it’s great to come back from break and have a 3 day week – it’s good for everyone!
Have a super weekend!
xo,
Kellyann
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I don’t really blame the brand, but user error on my part. But, I am scared to use them again. I already feel so much better. Ok – so you have to cut them down and file them. The Impress are durable yet easy to cut and file. Kinda weird. And, you can keep cutting and filing throughout the week if you get a chip or something.
I don’ t know how people with super long nails function! I need to do a new gel coat today. I need to sit at the table and be patient. Sometimes that is hard to do.
Yes – agreed! Have a great weekend!
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I am so glad your face is healing! That coconut oil is a miracle in a jar. I’ve been using it the way you have- in the shower and it’s made all the difference in the world. I even use too much when I put it on my face and rub the excess on my arms and elbows. It’s made a huge difference in my skin and so far, I’ve not had dry skin yet this winter. I am also using the cuticle oil I shared on Prime Purchases Monday on my hands and feet, and it’s keeping them soft and supple as well.
Your meals look so yummy! Did you know that I am not a salad person? I can have it along with something as a side, but I can’t eat it as a meal. It hurts my stomach, and it also makes me hungrier quickly. Isn’t that strange? Even with protein on it, the same happens. Did you read Holly’s show/movie recs from today? You should! She had some great ones, and I added them to my lists. Happy Friday and Happy weekend!
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Thank you! It really is. I wanted to get the most organic one I could so I went to Whole Foods. Great idea to use it in other places – wouldn’t have thought of that!
I got the cuticle oil! I have never used one regularly I must admit. It seems like it will last forever.
That is horrible that it hurts your stomach.
I did read it and I don’t like dark stuff. I am so sensitive about that. I would like some of them, though!
I am so excited and happy for you. Rest up this weekend cuz you will need it. Also, you will have to bring your lunch? Give yourself grace to adjust to your new schedule and don’t plan a bunch after work.
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So sorry about the face dryness, I know that’s frustrating when products do that. I love prepping Egg McMuffin’s. Did you ever have the egg white delight muffins with the white cheddar cheese from McDonald’s? I was so sad they took those away, lol. I love Oatmeal. Mr. Nine and I have it every Sunday morning but I need to start making it more. I just ordered some of the oats overnight which I’ve been hearing rave reviews about with such easy prep and I can’t wait to try them. Glad you could ease back into things and happy new year
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Thank you! It’s getting better. I never had that at McD’s. That sounds amazing, though. I have to be careful with the cheddar cheese slices because I will eat too many while prepping! It happened last weekend. I love the Costco liquid egg whites. I need to get a circular thing to put in my pan to make the eggs the right size.
I love that you have oatmeal on Sundays.
Same to you!
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I’m a cream of wheat kind of girl. It’s usually my Saturday or Sunday breakfast. I haven’t heard of that wet skin moisturizer but now I want to find it! I had a version of the Big Mac salad this week but with potatoes. I’m so happy it’s Friday. It’s been a good week but I was so tired this morning that I hit snooze which I never do…& I scheduled today’s post for tomorrow 😂
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I don’t think I’ve tried cream of wheat! Now I want to! Tell me more about the potatoes! Instead of lettuce? Omg!
The wet skin is so good! I have used it in past and kinda forgot about it. Jergens is so good!
I looked for your post! Sounds like something I would do!
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I guess better late than never with my post. We buy the red box of 12 cream of wheat packs. We always use a little less milk than it suggests and then 1 min 20 seconds in microwave(don’t know what package says, but that is the time that works) kids love it too. Little bit of brown sugar as well. The recipe I had was basically what we’ve been doing but diced up potatoes, salt and pepper and a little water in the pan until they are cooked. It was a hearty addition. I made it for dinner one night
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I will definitely try that and see how many points it would be. I love brown sugar so much.
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I think it’s 3 but I log as 4 w/ milk and a dash of brown sugar. It’s a “treat” since I usually don’t eat breakfast except maybe one weekend day. I remember having it as a kid when I was sick. My kids love it.
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That’s not bad. Most of my breakfasts are around that.
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Lettuce too!
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Oh, ok! Now I want to make this for my Saturday lunch! So, the potatoes are kinda like the McD’s fries!
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I feel like I’ve been watching a lot of TV and movies lately too. It’s the perfect time of year for it I guess. My favorite this week was FINALLY getting to see the inside of Alec’s school (I mean we did tour it in 2019 before he applied but… never again since he started). This week the restaurant the culinary kids run was open to the public and me, Evan, my mom, my step father and even my mother in law went to check it out. It was wonderful!
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It really is! I always watch more in the winter, I think. Wow – so awesome! It sounds like such a cool school and program. Now you can picture him there more and that is so great!
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I love oatmeal! I am lazy and use the oatmeal packets, but need to cook with the old fashioned oats sometime. My skin is still on the struggle bus with dry skin, combined with hormonal acne…fun. I did figure out that I was making it dry with trying to treat the blemishes. So I’m trying some new things now. Maybe the coconut oil will be my next option. Sigh…midlife! Have a good weekend!
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The old fashioned rolled oats are way easier than I thought and only take about 7 minutes on the stove top. I also can make a bigger batch and portion them out. I just love my eggs so much. Still trying to figure this out. I need to lower my cholesterol so this is one way I have heard to do that. I think my acne is even better now that my skin has more moisture if that makes more sense. Yes, that is so true. I know – no one told me I would have wrinkles and pimples! Try the coconut oil. I really do think it’s helping in such a short time!
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Your salad looks delicious! I want to like oatmeal so badly, but I just can’t bring myself to love it. That Mrs. Meyers soap sounds like it smells wonderful.
Following up to a comment on Holly’s blog today – a whole Lilly shelf!! I would have ZERO self control! I think I need to make a trip to your town for the delicious restaurants and that consignment shop! It all sounds amazing!
Have a great weekend!
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I can’t wait to make the citrus salad again. Is it a texture thing? Have you tried steel cut and old fashioned rolled oats? The soap is a highly recommend! Right? That would be so fun to do. I really love my adopted city. It was the closest big city to my hometown so it does feel very much like home to me and always has.
You too!
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Oh my gosh, everyone here went back to school on Monday. Monday! I remember that last year too. It’d be so nice if they’d have given that day just to teachers, you know?
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That is crazy! I think there should be a very open teacher day after every long break. We only had about 1.5 hours to actually do our actual job preparations. They had us do 7 rotations that were very very unhelpful to me.
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Sorry to hear about your dry skin! When we were in Colorado my skin got so dry it started cracking and bleeding— yuck! My only suggestions are two things you’re already doing— Aquaphor and coconut oil. The Aquaphor worked better for me but if I wasn’t in the mood for something so thick on my skin, I’d do the coconut oil. Hopefully it subsides soon!!
Also, now you’ve inspired me to make some homemade egg McMuffins for the week. Thats genius!!
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It’s ok and it’s getting much better. Oh, man. That sounds absolutely horrible. Aquaphor works so quickly! I am trying to use the coconut for prevention.
You can freeze them, too. If I am going to use within 5 days I usually just keep them in the fridge. I hope you like them!
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Yes, it does seem crazy when one order comes in so many boxes! I am not a fan of oatmeal, but wish I was because it seems so easy and healthy :).
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I guess they think we want it as fast as possible, but I would rather get one box. Wondering if there is a place to check that? I really like oatmeal. I used to eat instant so the old fashioned are new to me. He – that sounded funny!
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