Friday, February 16, 2024

Whew! This girl is tired! I am so, so happy it’s Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites. 

Our students get to leave school today at 3:20 for a four-day weekend. They have off President’s Day Monday and Tuesday and the teachers have two, count them – two teacher days on Monday and Tuesday. It would have been nice for us also to get a break. 

And get this…because of the district bus fiasco at the beginning of the year they took away daytime Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday in favor of a teacher workday and teachers have to do them before or after school if they want to be paid. In our district, PT conferences are an extra day’s pay and you don’t have to do them. Well, your girl wants the money, so she is doing them before and after school Wednesday through Friday of next week. 

So, I am going to be wrecked after next week. I am looking forward to two days where I can go out to lunch and have some time in my room to do some planning for the stretch between now and Spring Break. But there will be meetings! Ha! I love a meeting that could have been an email – NOT! Tired of wasting my time to justify someones’ job. 

I think you can tell by my tone that I am struggling. 

Also, remember my education post? I had 37 out of 144 students absent on Monday for a total of 25% of my students. Didn’t the Superbowl end at a fairly decent time? We don’t start school until 8:40. Are we just looking for any excuse to miss now? 

I am also feeling guilty with Tom, Jack, and I gone from the house for so long each day. Tom has come home for lunch a few days even though it’s a long drive. I am trying to get home as quickly as I can each day. 

Since the news Friday, he kind of rallied but is moving slower and more finicky about food. We are feeding him whatever he will eat – canned dog food, canned chicken, tuna packets.

So, despite the hard things, I have been working harder to look for my favorites and my blessings this week…

We have had lots of sunshine for our after-school walks!

He was pretty excited one evening on another walk on the playground behind our house – loves to find water to drink. He acts like we don’t provide water! 

I had fun on Tuesday night for Mardi Gras making our favorite Cajun dish – Couscous jambalaya by Emeril Lagasse. 

This was also a lunch for Erica and I! Also, she made a healthy shrimp gumbo for dinner and that was our lunch one day, too. 

Erica made buffalo bowls one day – yum! 

Mexican bowls one day: 

And, I made the low carb pizza bowl one day!

I feel like we are both finding some new recipes that are making lunch really enjoyable!

This is a really bad plating job, but for V Day, Tom and I picked out ready-made foods from Paul’s Fruit Market for our dinner. I had salmon and he had meatloaf and a stuffed pepper. I made potato cakes and brussel sprouts to go along with it. We were both happy. We chose to do this, so we didn’t leave Ernie. We will go out to eat when the college kids can stay with him. 

I was pretty touched that Tom stopped at the Mexican supermarket and got me these heart shaped chocolate marshmallows: 

Looking forward to eating this lunch this weekend: 

I made sure to order all the ingredients. For the last couple of weeks I have done a Wednesday grocery pick up. I kinda like it! I do find myself back in a grocery store over the weekend, but the list is pretty short. 

My dance team girls sent me this when they were missing school for Nationals. I hate that they had to miss 3 days, but happy for them to have that experience: 

They had demonstration speeches to record in Spanish! 

Ha! 

Louisville is a huge Catholic city and it’s Fish Fry time. Also, so many restaurants run fish specials during Lent. Many of my friends are either Catholic or were raised Catholic, I think! If we go out with them on a Friday, there is a good chance we will go somewhere with fish!

Here is what I wore on V Day: 

It’s time to let the Shu Shop sneakers go. They are cute but offer zero support.

The French teacher gave me a plate of Mardi Gras goodies and Jack loves a croissant, so I brought it home to him and left it for his breakfast one day:

I love the sweet texts. 

Jack has been really helpful letting Ernie out one last time before he goes to bed, but Tom and I are getting up a few times a night (mostly Tom) to let him out. It’s like having a newborn again. Well, we don’t know what having a newborn is like because we only had newbornS! Ha! 

Despite my tone about school, I had some fun teaching days this week. I had a student tell me I’m “their only happy teacher”. Please pray that I don’t become bitter because of the adults NOT in the classroom making policies or NOT making policies. Please pray for the hearts of the other teachers who are “not happy”. That made me sad to hear. 

I hope you had many favorites this week! 

Your comments are also my favorites and I can’t believe you take the time to leave me such sweet and supportive comments. You are the best!

Amy

32 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. Alec’s school has a 1/2 day today and then Monday off… but as far as I remember even the teachers have it off; their in service days are almost always on the 1/2 days not the days off.

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  2. Gosh I know how you feel with the school stuff, reminds me of my former job and it is tough. I am also feeling for you with Ernie, when Sophie got so picky with her food at the end we were buying and trying all kinds of things. Bottom line we would do anything we could to bring her a bit of joy but it was exhausting and our emotions were all over the place.

    I hope you have a good weekend and you love on Ernie a bunch!!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. My blog is starting to annoy me so I am done with teacher talk after today! Ugh! I am so torn about retirement and luckily it’s not about the money. The KY retirement is really good. I just don’t want to stop too soon and I do get some much joy and feel so needed much of the time. I know you get it!
      As for Ernie, we still think he has a good quality of life. A sweet blog reader sent me a quality of life quiz. How cool! It just feels so hard and wrong that we as humans make this decision – I know it’s humane, but gosh it’s one of the hardest things.
      Thank you so much, sweet friend!

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  3. I’ve been thinking about you and Ernie all week! Everything is in God’s divine timing and you will know when it’s also the right time to step away from your job. I am understanding your frustration sweetheart. I just don’t get this world, but I do know we need more precious people like you in it and and you’re cute, white and green heart sweater! Have a great weekend!

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    1. I really appreciate that. I know – you are right. I don’t understand it either. I was running errands Saturday and saw 5 people in cars in 10 minutes make entitled and dangerous driving decisions. Pulling in front of a car to turn right because you can’t be patient for one minute? I just don’t get it. You too!

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  4. So many things to say, but I’ll wrap it up with this one thing: I will pray for God to give you wisdom and the discernment you need in your job. It really sounds like you’re on the fence, and I know you don’t want to retire too early. I hope your weekend is filled with good things that are relaxing and restorative. I am so sorry to hear that you don’t get a long weekend! I know you’ll make the best of your situation, though.

    I’m still praying for you all with Ernie, too! I read that his quality of life is still good, so that’s good to hear. You’ll know when it’s time, and I’m praying for more. Rest all you can in between times, because I know this is a hard time right now.

    On a positive note, yay for yummy lunches, dinners, chocolate treats, cute outfits, and quality time with your sons! I have a friend who passed away several years ago that always called such moments in life “kisses from the King”. I love that and think that’s exactly what those are to you right now. Much love, my sweet friend. ❤️❤️

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  5. I’m Catholic so I’ll be eating fish or some meatless meal tonight. Sometimes it’s cheese pizza, fish tacos or something with beans 🤔 I’m still praying for your sweet Ernie 🙏 Hope you have a relaxing weekend before your busy week!

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  7. Happy Friday! Having Paul’s on V day- brilliant! I don’t blame you AT ALL for spending all the time you can with Ernie!

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Good solution since we didn’t want to leave our chocolatey brown boy! Ha! But, dang it is pricey! I bought a piece of salmon for like $15 and I can make it better. But, I had just cooked Mardi Gras food the night before – lol.
      You too! I can’t wait to hang out very soon!

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  8. Does your school offer part time? By that I mean, teaching only for the first 3 periods or the last 3 periods only? Are you overqualified to do substitute teaching? Trying to think of some “solutions” where you could stay in education, but not have so much on your shoulders. My only child graduated in 2022 and we live in Indiana. I have always had a deep love and respect for teachers and though some things do differ from state to state, it seems like teachers are frustrated across the board. Let them teach!

    I really enjoy your blog and can see the love you have for your students. I’ll be praying for you to have peace when it comes to making the decision to cut back or retire. Hope you have a restful weekend and a speedy path to spring break!

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    1. I have thought about that – it’s kind of difficult. If you do part time, you teach 4 classes without a planning period. So, that can quickly become like full time. Full time you teach 6 classes with a planning period. There is no one part time at my school! It is an option to retire and come back part time but you have to sit out 3 months and it can’t have been planned ahead of time because it’s like double dipping. Lol – so it’s complicated. I could retire and sub but I think it might be really boring and I’m not sure I would like it.
      I am from Indiana and my sister is a teacher there!
      Thank you so much! I am going to be fine and the first step is to correct my attitude and stay focused on the positives. It’s been a hard year.
      I hope you also have a great weekend and I really appreciate your time to leave a comment for me!

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  10. I hope you have a good relaxing weekend. Teacher life is hard and then when you add all the other ‘stuff’ into the mix it can almost tip you over! Last year was one of those years for me and I felt sad that I may have lost my zing. This year we have started with some good changes and I’m hoping for a better year. I’ll be praying for you! Sending big hugs to you and pats for Ernie xx

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    1. Thank you! I need to correct my attitude! Yes, it is. It’s a very personal and emotional job. I am glad you have some positive changes. Isn’t it great that we get a fresh start?

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  11. Oh, Amy, I’m sending you prayers and hugs for Ernie, for teaching, and for life! I do remember those days of meetings for meetings sake. I think it’s why I’m so impatient at any kind of meeting these days. We used to have to do our P/T conferences on half days and evenings so I know that special kind of tired you’re going to be feeling. Does your school corporation have a truancy policy? I didn’t teach in the corporation where my kids attended, but I would get letters if my kids missed more than three days (I think) in a grading period. My corporation would get after families if their kids missed more than 10 days in a semester…which is almost laughable. That is crazy to have that many missing…was it because of the Super Bowl?

    Your meals all look so good. I have got to do something, but I’m just plain stumped! I am so bad at getting protein in!

    My youngest son sends me texts like that (he turned 40 last month…how do I have a 40 year old for a youngest). It’s a very unusual day that he doesn’t call or Facetime. He will even post things on Instagram at times…usually poking fun at me…but still.

    Have a wonderfully peaceful weekend.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thank you! I need them all! Ha! I am totally the same at meetings. They are so inefficient. I am sure we do, but it is probably rarely enforced. My absences this year are crazy. They don’t just miss one day but a string of days that are really impossible to come back from. You can’t miss 10 days and still pass! And, I should not be expected to work for free to catch you up when you have no legitimate reason for those absences. It’s so messed up.
      Thank you! My advice is to find a website you like and just start small! Skinnydish, Slender Kitchen, Clean Food Crush. Just pick two recipes that look good. I found steak bites in the air fryer on Skinnydish and I think I will make like a French meal with homemade fries and a side arugula salad. I don’t have my air fryer anymore so I am going to use that setting on my oven, but convection would also work. Done! Copy that from me and see what Mike/Nigel thinks! He!
      Your youngest sounds so sweet. The relationship we have with our sons is a sweet one.
      You too! I hear you got some major snow. My sister in Martinsville had a scary drive home with it taking her more than double the time and seeing 15 cars off the roads!

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  12. “Their only happy teacher”! Ha ha! Don’t feel sad for the “unhappy” teachers; we all have responsibility for our own life! I have a very negative teacher colleague, and I do my best to avoid her! You work for you positive approach on life, but it’s very rewarding! I really try to tell myself to Lighten up as much as possible.

    I hope your weekend will be the best!

    (Ugh for the conference days next week! I also try to hide away in my classroom as much as possible…)

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    1. I don’t feel too happy right now, but I need to correct my attitude. I know – you are so right.
      Thank you! I know – I am going to have a good attitude – maybe get a McDonald’s or a Starbuck’s and treat myself and be kind to myself.

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  14. I have a professional development day Monday. Luckily I’ll have time to work in my classroom. We have conferences after school on Tuesdays, from 3-3:30, if the parent schedules one (usually all of the teachers have to attend). I average about one conference a month, which is surprising to me as a parent who was involved with my sons’ educations, and then again not surprising because I teach the lowest 25% in reading, and most parents have checked out by this point in their kid’s education. I email progress reports to parents every Friday for nearly 100 students and usually don’t get any responses. I do my best to be cheerful in class, and if I start the class that way, I find my students are more receptive, and we can laugh together. It’s silly things, like on Friday I said, “Happy Monday!” or instead of “Good morning, Broncos!” I said, “Good afternoon, Stallions!” Sometimes cringey, but I try!

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