Wednesday, November 15, 2023
No, I didn’t post yesterday. I had writer’s block. I sat down to write about Thanksgiving and looked up my old Thanksgiving posts and I just didn’t have anything new to say! I rarely experience a lack of ideas for a blog post because I guess I am wordy, but it happened!
Literal coffee talk…I love my coffee mug warmer. I think it would make a great gift, too! Here is mine on Amazon! You could include a new mug or some gourmet coffee for your coffee lover.
School…
My school had metal detectors installed last week. Students can’t start going through them until 8:00 (we start at 8:40) so I try to arrive right at 7:59 to beat the students. It’s taken me a while to get used to my new schedule, but I think I have landed on leaving the house at 7:50 and then most days I am able to be home by 3:45. Last year it was leave at 6:45 and arrive home at 2:45. It seems like such a minor change, but it really threw me.
Even though it’s getting dark around 5:30, I get to go to work when it’s light out now, so that is nice. I’m also trying to do some of my chores in the morning so that I don’t have as much to do after school.
Friends…
I’ve been sad and this might have contributed to writer’s block. My best friend’s dad passed Sunday morning. I understand all too well how it feels so I want to be a support to her. That night I brought her a bag of goodies from our fabulous Paul’s Fruit Market. I brought bakery buns, deli meats and cheese, gourmet popcorn, homemade cinnamon rolls, and a few sweet treats. I also stopped at CVS and got her lavender body wash and eye patches and a card. I dropped it off when she wasn’t home yet.
I plan to make fruit salad and a French toast casserole and drop it off the night before the visitation that starts at 11. Hopefully that will be helpful?
I think most people think of dinner, so I like to think of daytime food. Any other ideas or things you like to do?
Mason…
I think he is a little bit homesick, but he hasn’t said it. He is worried that Jack misses him. He is also really starting to realize he has exactly a month left and needs to do some more day trips and experience some things on his list. It also seems that his courses are pretty hard and time consuming, so he does spend a lot of time reading and working on school work in England.
So, that’s about it for my coffee talk today!
What would you tell me over coffee?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I am sorry about your friend’s dad- you are a great friend. I am sure you are all counting down the days until you are all in England together 🙂
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Thank you Holly! She was so kind to me when my dad passed away – thinking of and doing the most thoughtful things.
Yes, I am nervous but so excited!
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Ugh, I feel for your friend. We know very well what it feels like and it just stinks. I think she will appreciate your thoughtfulness!
The semester is really flying by, good thing Mason has a list of places he’d like to visit, I hope he can make it to most of them!
xo,
Kellyann
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And, before the holidays! Yes, we do. It’s a club we are a part of, unfortunately. It really is! I hope so, too. I may have to push him a bit or give him some ideas. I can’t wait to hear about Greece!
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I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s dad. I bet it brought up some old feelings and memories from when your dad passed away. Sadness affects us in such strange ways! I love what you did for her, though, and I think it will be much appreciated. You’re a good friend!
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Thank you and it really did! I think that’s why I have had a down week – mentally.
I made mini muffins and fruit salad and French toast casseroles this am that I am taking to her house tonight.
That’s how I cope/help I think!
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What a nice and thoughtful gift basket to leave for your friend. And yes, I think daytime food is a great idea. For me, after my dad passed, it was the thought that meant so much. So many people just send a text and although that’s fine, those that go that extra mile and send flowers or drop off food are such special friends and you never forget their kindness.
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Totally agree! I had a friend drop off soup and bourbon cream for coffee! I loved that. So comforting!
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So sorry about your friend’s dad ☹️ We have a family friend who is in hospice. I’d like to bring his wife something – maybe flowers from Trader Joe’s and banana bread. Still thinking about that 🤔 You always give me great ideas! My girls bought their brother a mug warmer Christmas. I think he’ll use it alot.
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Thank you. I think that would be perfect. Flowers are something that everyone needs and she would love that. I love banana bread. The ultimate comfort food. You are sweet to say that! I love that they thought of the mug warmer – smart girls!
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Mason’s semester abroad has flown by…at least from the perspective of a blog reader. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s father. I feel like we are coming into the age where many of us will lose a parent, if we haven’t already. Your care package/food sounds like it will be such a comfort to her.
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It really has! No, I agree that it has. It has helped that Jack and I (and Tom) have also had a really busy fall. I know it would have felt slower if it was summer and I didn’t have as much on my plate. She really appreciated it!
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That I enjoy your blog so much it the first one I want to read. I remember thinking at last a real person who is just sharing her life and including us in it. Hooray for you. It’s is getting close to Thanksgiving and I know that feeling of loss right before the holidays my mother passed away 20 years ago this week. I would tell you that carrying on family traditions is a lovely way to honor those who have passed on. I still think of my parents every holiday when I am cooking onions and celery for dressing and homemade stock is brewing on the stove. One of the big hits when my father passed was nugget platter from chic fil a. I know she is thankful to have you as a friend.
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Aww well aren’t you sweet and I needed this as I’ve been thinking that no one cares about my redundant drivel!
Haha
A CFA tray is an awesome idea!
Your words are so true and poignant! They live on in our traditions!
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oh no, amy. we care .i agree with a commenter above. i know i am here to read about your everyday life and you would probably be surprised at how enjoyable it is to just read about everyday things going on in someone elses life.
i will confess when you were out yesterday my thoughts went immediately to ernie and i was so relieved to see this morning that he wasn’t the reason!
so rough about your friends father. i think what you are doing is the best. too many times we tell the person experiencing loss to call if they need anything, and then that puts the onus on them. just doing ahead and doing things for a person without them having to ask is such a gift. you are a good friend.
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Thank you, Rita! I guess you are right, because I enjoy the same of other blogs. I am sorry – he is still doing great! I arrived at her house and expected all kinds of food that people had brought and she said I was the only one. People said exactly that. You just show up and have anything – flowers, candle, food, and it doesn’t have to be homemade.
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Hi Amy this is the first time I’ve commented and just started reading your blog this year. I think just doing things with love for friends who’ve lost a parent is the best thing. I lost my dad two years ago this Dec and my mom in Dec 1996 and I will always remember the friends who made the extra effort with caring actions, like you are doing.
I also have twin boys – sophomores in college – and last year one left for university and one stayed home for community college/baseball. Luckily they are only an hour apart. It was a huge adjustment but they remain super close. So Mason’s semester really resonated with me.
Anyway just wanted to say I appreciate you and your blog. And I wish you were my daughters Spanish 3 teacher – she struggled so much with hers she had to drop the class 😦
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Thank you for your advice and it is very wise. I know she will need me more once the activity settles down. Just a text asking how you are doing and asking to talk a walk or go out for coffee or a meal will be nice, I think.
Aww to your twins. It is such a special bond. I really feel that this semester will be one of growth for both of them looking back.
I wish I were, too. I am probably too easy sometimes but I really love teaching level 3. A teacher can make it or break it.
Thank you for the kind words on a day I was feeling quite down and that my best wasn’t good enough in my school life or my blogging life!
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I gave that mug warmer to quite a few people last year…I wish someone would buy me one 😆 I know Mason will be so excited to see you all. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s father. You are a great friend to her
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Such a great gift! Get one for your stocking! I think he will and thank you.
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I did miss you yesterday, but I’m always amazed at people who can post every day. It’s a process, right. You are truly a kind and thoughtful friend. I do usually take evening meals rather than stuff for the day. I will remember this for the future. I hope your friend finds comfort in her memories.
It’s hard to believe Mason has been gone this long already. I know it probably feels like forever to you, though. I think this will be something he remembers and treasures his entire life.
Have a wonderful weekend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thank you! Well, since my blog is very amateur, it doesn’t take me long and I have the structure of the weekly link ups/themes. Thank you. It has actually gone by faster than I thought. I was used to having him here from April until September and he spends a lot of time with me – we are both early birds and we have a lot to talk about. But, I have been so busy and it’s gone much faster than I had thought it would.
I’m not quite to the weekend, yet, but I love your positive wishes! Ha!
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Amy, you are such a sweet friend! And even though we haven’t meet it’s easy to feel through the cyber space that you are a genuinely nice person! And funny!
If we met over coffee I would love to talk about all our mutual interests: family, young adults, school, fashion, food, beauty… 😀
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Awww, thanks! I agree – it is easy to get a vibe from a cyber person. I think we would have no shortage of things to talk about!
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I am sorry to hear about your friends loss, Amy. I know that she will appreciate what you are doing for her. I am glad that Mason is having adventures. Also, cannot believe that you all will see him very soon. Time flies. Have a good week.
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Thank you. She told me how much she did. I agree – I want him to keep enjoying it and we will be going before we know it.
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