Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Today is Currently with Jennifer and what better way to share what I am currently loving, looking forward to, planning, wearing, and eating…

Loving

My loving section will take over most of this post! That’s a good thing, right? First of all, I am so appreciative for your kind comments on my Ernie post. They are hard for me to read right now, but you all taking the time to comment means so much to me. The last few weeks have been hard. If you have been there with an old or sick dog, you know what I mean.

I decided to channel my grief and dedicate Sunday to whatever Tom or the kids needed. Mason went to a movie with his roommate and went back to campus after spring break and Jack had plans with friends so that was good for them. They are both really sad, too, but seem to be doing ok.

Tom wanted to walk in the dog park/nature preserve first thing and of course I questioned it, but it turned out to be really cathartic and lovely.

It runs by the river and we had the place to ourselves. Tom surprised me by saying he is ready to adopt a puppy right away!

We had time to really talk and it was really good for us.

Later in the day we went to a neighborhood to walk around. We got gelato for Tom which he loves and a frozen swirl margarita for me which I love – ha. The sun was shining, and it was good to be out.

I went to school Monday and two sweet girls brought me these as a little gift:

I had several sweet messages over the weekend from students:

I had a couple of sweet friends drop things off…

My mom sent this beautiful springy arrangement, too:

These gestures made me feel so loved…

I planned to not go straight home after school Monday because I knew that would be a trigger and I had been turning down plans with friends over the last few weeks so I could hurry home.

Monday’s weather was amazing, and I was able to meet my high school friend Beth of Host It Notes on the river at Captain’s Quarters. Not bad for a Monday!

We both tried this berry fizz drink and it was really good and pretty!

I have more plans after school this week that I am looking forward to which segues into…

Looking Forward To

Spring!

These flowers recently came up:

I always feel so optimistic with the first signs of spring that Mother Nature gives us.

This weekend is the St. Patrick’s Day parade which is really fun.


Last year:

Planning

I did some meal planning and some school planning. Here is me combining my meal prep breakfast with my school stuff Monday morning. This week is back to Amy Lu chicken breakfast sausage from Costco and low carb egg casserole.

I want to make Carolina Charm’s Lucky Charms treats and give them to the students that run our copy center at school and make it so I never have to make copies!

I love rye bread and I am planning to use it this month.

I also plan to make Jen’s Irish meal!

Wearing

Well, on Monday I wanted to start the week out in green for March and it was going to be 70 degrees, so I dug out this Target top from last year – still love! I also love my black Umgee pants and my new silver clogs.

Sunday, I wore my weekend jeans – Old Navy button fly with knee holes for ventilation, Old Navy button down with a tank under, and my Olukais that are sadly too wide and hard to walk in, but I love their look. Tom wanted to shop in a store that he hadn’t been in for a long time before we walked around a neighborhood.

Eating

We have been eating pulled pork that a friend made for us and take out from Waldo’s.

Waldo’s salad with rotisserie chicken:

I had another salad Monday night but then was really sad and couldn’t eat much so I made myself a bowl of popcorn for the rest of my dinner.

And, that is what is happening around here Currently.

What about you?

I hope I wasn’t too melancholy in this post, but I also don’t want to lie to you all!

Amy

34 thoughts on “Currently”

  1. I love seeing all the love and support that everyone is showering you with; that is so sweet! We bought the same type of rye bread this week and my son was questioning why the bread company bothered changing up their wrapper since they sell that same bread every week.

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  2. I am so glad you have been getting all kinds of love and care while you’re grieving; it really makes such a difference – I had no idea how much comfort those small gestures would make.

    Having plans is good and I hope you enjoy each time you get out!

    I LOVE your striped button up outfit and jeans – it looks so good on you!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  3. It’s so sweet that your friends brought you things! Don’t ever believe that you don’t have some great friends in your life; you do! I am glad that you switched up your afternoon routine each day. That was smart! I am surprised that Tom is ready to adopt a puppy already, but it makes sense. They do bring us so much joy!

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    1. You remembered my comment where I was being bratty and feeling isolated and that people weren’t checking in and you are right – they did make me feel loved. It is a reminder to me to be that friend next time, too.
      I do think I did well with that routine switching this week and I think next week I will be ready to come home.
      I was really surprised, too. I think we are both feeling our kids getting older and that we are not needed as much. He is such a dog person. It does make sense.

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  4. I love the flowers and sweet notes from your friends and students. ❤️ Hoping St. Patrick’s Day is not too warm. I have a pretty green Old Navy cardigan I want to wear. Those Lucky Charms rice krispy treats are so cute! 🍀

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    1. Me too! I want to wear a cardigan, too, I think, but I have lots of green to choose from – lol.
      I know – I think they have special Lucky Charms out in stores now too with more green.

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  5. I’m so thankful that you got so much love and support last week. And also that you had intentional plans to help you process your grief. That is exciting that you might be open to a puppy soon. The texts from your studnts were so sweet. Hang in there!

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  6. I have learned that there is no wrong or right way when it comes to bringing another dog into your family after losing your trusted companion. After we lost our Molly, we still had our Charlie and wanted to take some time to catch our breath and grieve, but then Charlie was so lonely that we decided to go with what he needed and brought Pippa into our family. Our Charlie passed away a year ago and Pippa is the reigning queen right now, enjoying being an only child.

    So wonderful that you have so many people to show you support and kindness. It is hard. Be kind to yourself.

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    1. So true – you are right. When our next dog is meant to be, it will be. I get so sad thinking of dogs losing their dog friends or their owners. Aww sweet Pippa.
      Yes, I feel blessed and I have been kind – maybe too kind!

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  7. Amy, I haven’t commented in a long time but I still read your blog every day! You remind me so much of one of my previous teachers turned friend! I have my own fur boy, who I love dearly, so I’m so sorry for your family and your loss. Thinking of you all. I hope you find a penny soon! 🙂

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    1. Oh, that is a nice compliment! I have so many students who I think I would be friends with IRL if we were closer in age. But, sometimes age doesn’t matter and I do have students turned friends, too. Thank you so much. I didn’t even think that Ernie might leave me the pennies, too! How cool would that be. I did have a bird stare at me for a really long time one day this week – lol. Maybe that was Ernie who is now a bird?

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  8. First, I am so sorry about Ernie….he was clearly such a beloved part of the family. The kind gestures from your friends, family, and your students really got me, sure that support means everything! Take care of yourself during this tough time.

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    1. Thank you so much – he was. We are teaching students so much more than the subjects. I hope they are learning humanity and things that will take them further in life.

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    1. Yes they are. I do and I needed this reassurance because I have felt pretty isolated and distant from friends since 2024 started. It’s probably my fault. I hope the same for you!

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  10. Those Reese’s mini eggs wouldn’t last five minutes in this house! Love the parade photo, the best St. Patrick’s Day parade we’ve attended was Newport, Rhode Island. Through snow and rain and occasionally sun, it was always an awesome event.

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    1. I decided I didn’t like them as much as the bigger ones. I like a more pb to less choc ratio! Ha! Thank you! That would be so fun. I love the east coast.

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  11. I’m glad you’re going out after school and avoiding any triggers. It’s hard. I still think about an orange stray that I took care of for about 10 months. He passed in early September and only let me pet him the last week or so. I had my childhood dog from the time I was in Montessori school (he was one of the puppies we took care of there) until I was in college! I’m glad you’re open to adopting another pup when the time is right. I’d love to get a cat, but cat dander triggers my husband’s asthma. I also received a bag of pb eggs for V-Day. I told my students not to be sad if they didn’t have a valentine, that I would be a valentine for anyone who needed one. I believe most of the time we get back what we give in terms of caring and energy when it comes to our students.

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    1. I think I did the right thing. I had a really nice week and was still home to be there for Tom most days at 5:45. Awww – you did a good thing. You are a sweet teacher. They needed to hear that even if they didn’t say anything back.

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  12. Your “loving” section is so sweet and thoughtful. I’m glad you all had time together & that everyone is showing you all the love. The texts from your students are so sweet.

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    1. Thank you. It was bittersweet. My kids are so great. I kept apologizing to them if they felt it was a bad spring break and they kept reassuring me. They really hate to see me sad, though. They are really attuned to my emotions. Yes, they are so sweet. I love them. I wish I didn’t let the jerks get to me so much and only focused on the good ones!

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  13. Amy, you have definitely touched the hearts of so many. To have students check in on you when you’re sad really says something about you as a person not to mention a teacher. Like you said, when you’ve got a dog with health issues (our last Westie had diabetes for almost four years before it defeated him), it’s just so tough to know what they’re trying to tell you. I think you listened hard to Ernie and were the absolute best mom to him.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. You are so kind to say that and I am a words of affirmation person. One comment keeps me happy for a long time! Lol! I am an open book and I think kids respond to that when they aren’t on their phones. The phone issue is getting so bad that I can’t fight it alone.
      I hope so. I have had thoughts this week that we should have waited. But, that would have been for us and not him. He was hardly lifting his head to acknowledge us most days at the end.

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  14. I am so sorry, Amy. Our fur babies are a huge part of our heart. Praying for you and your family. Big hugs. 

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  15. I am so sorry to hear the your sweet Ernie is gone. He lived the best life with you, Tom, and the boys. I will also be missing him, he was a highlight on your blog. It is wonderful that you all have some much support at your time of loss.

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    1. Thank you so much. Aww – I will have to show old pictures from time to time. It’s nice that I have lots of friends who are also animal/dog people.

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