Friday, September 6, 2024
It’s Friday! Woohoo! This four day week didn’t feel longer (sometimes they trick you like that!) and for that I am very thankful. It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites! I don’t have as much this week, though, but here we go!
I received the most thoughtful gift this week. My co-worker Sarah had asked for a photo of Ernie last spring after he passed and honestly, I was having a hard time looking through pictures. She asked again recently and I found one. Look what she did! She made a nightlight that automatically comes on and look at his sweet face. I put it in our bathroom for our nightly visits. It puts out a lot of light, too.
I guess I need to switch out my patio placemats – ha! But, this scent is really nice. Tip – if a candle is too strong/artificial/cloying take it outside. I actually don’t really burn any candles inside right now. I light this each morning and sometimes after school or after dinner, too.
On Sunday I treated myself to a little prosecco and potato chip snack. I felt very European. Ha! I am really enjoying my two new Target sweatshirts. The blue one is Florence, Italy (a scene from there).
Sometimes the most simple snacks are the best. I also made pan con tomate but with ham for a snack later in the week.
I have flown through this book but I am ready to say bye to summer themed books soon! Where are the fall themed books! Come on!
Tuesday morning gave me a taste of fall and I kinda liked it!
And, here is my other Target sweatshirt:
They are both so cozy on the inside. I want to put one or the other on in the mornings and evenings after my shower.
So, you might remember my former student Ali who came over this summer? She made it to the north of Spain for her one year teaching assignment!
This is Madeleine, another former student, who is getting ready to leave mid-month to teach in Madrid. I brought verb notes and we went over all the tenses and I made tinto de verano (Spanish Rioja with some Sprite), truffle popcorn, Spanish cheese and meat and pan con tomate. We spent a couple of hours chatting in English and Spanish and it was like no time had passed. I’ve kept in touch with her and seen her twice since graduation?
I am so proud of these girls!
Another Mirabelle Creations graphic that spoke to me:
This is something we really stink at as Americans. The Spaniards definitely do this better!
Then, my devotional was about rest! I guess I must do this!
I think I am doing better with my schedule this year because I just don’t expect to be productive from 3:45-bedtime. I hang with Eddie Otis and my family, cook or assemble dinner and that’s it. I don’t try to run errands anymore. I am happy to have people over after school sometimes or to meet someone if EO has a person home.
My struggle last year was mindset. I think our mindset counts for so much. If I frame something as “I get to do this” rather than “I have to do this” it really helps me. Now that we are grown adults we really don’t have to do anything we don’t want to do. Well, you know what I mean!
How was your week?
Did you have a good mindset this week?
Happy Friday!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
That nightlight is really thoughtful and lovely!
I’m so glad you found your rhythm with your schedule. I love the idea of having a friend over in the afternoon – and especially a former student! So special to keep in touch with these young adults, you really had an impact on their lives Amy!!!
xo,
Kellyann
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Wasn’t it?
I mean – it’s not perfect but I am getting better with it.
I need to be intentional about being social. I have found Eddie Otis really likes having someone over, too. Lol!
I hope so! It will make all the pain of education worth it in the end?
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The nightlight is so thoughtful! So fun to reconnect with your students. You have a mirabelle quote too! I know what you mean about mindset. I have to shift mine around a lot too!
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Wasn’t it? I was so touched. It was a highlight of the week to get to see my student!
I loved your Mirabelle one!
Yes, I’m a work in progress with mindset, for sure.
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It sounds like you are settling into the new schedule well this year and glad you are taking time to rest. A good snack helps promote that! How thoughtful that you received that night light. You continue to demonstrate the positive impact you have on your students. Keep up the good work at school and rest at home! Enjoy your weekend!
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I think I am! Yes! I really was touched by the nightlight! You are too kind to say that. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever loved – just like parenting almost! You too!
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Great job getting into your groove- I think I need another week to get into mine here…stay tuned…ha!
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Thank you! Yes! It takes time for anyone involved with a school routine.
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I think I did have a good mindset this week and it feels like we’re all settling into our routines better this week. I’m struggling to find good fall book that I haven’t already read… why aren’t there more fall themed books?!
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Great! It does take a while and I always forget that. I know! Let us know if you find one!
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So much to love; your snacks, your sweatshirts, the fact that you keep in touch with your former students, and the whole mindset/rest thing. I saw that same Mirabelle Creations graphic and loved it; it’s true! And mindset is EVERYTHING, which is why I’m struggling right now. I’m dealing with sadness and anger, and those two things sniff out the other more positive things, so I’m trying to not wallow in either bad emotions for too long. I know it’s normal and expected, but it doesn’t feel like me, because I’m not a sad and angry person. I hate this phase right now, and I don’t ever say that word, but I’m hopeful to get things moving soon. I’m ready to be finished and wanting to move on and heal. Anyway, I didn’t mean to make this about me, but those things spoke to me, so thank you for sharing.
In case anyone hasn’t said this to you lately, you are very inspiring, my friend. Thank you for always being that for us!
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I loved your long and thoughtful response. I don’t think you can worry about mindset right now and you need to live in the anger and hurt a bit longer. I hate this for you! I know you aren’t that person but these are real emotions and it’s like grief because there is a death of what you thought to be your future and your present.
I think you’re doing amazingly well!
Hugs!
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Aww! That night light is beautiful and such a thoughtful gift from your friend.
Prosecco and potato chips are just a perfect snack.
You must be so proud of your students!
Good on you for taking time to yourself and to relax on an evening.
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Isn’t that sweet?
It really is! It’s like fancy but not.
I really am. I do try to fit plenty of relaxation in!
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The weather! Amazing. New Jersey has been having cooler weather and I’m loving it.
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Right? I am, too! I think we will go back to a bit warmer before it’s all said and done, though.
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What a beautiful and thoughtful gift! We all need friends like that! I need to switch out my candles, but I just can’t seem to get into the right mood to do it. I haven’t even burned many of the candles I got out for the summer. Oh, well, they last.
That’s amazing your students are going to be teaching! Are they teacher teachers, or are they doing some kind of program where they teach English? My nephew was in the Peace Corps right out of college and taught English in Bulgaria. He said his students actually were better at the grammar part than he was!
Have a wonderful weekend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Yes! That’s ok – give yourself grace. Life hasn’t been normal for you with the wheelchair.
They are doing Fullbright or CIEE where they are helper teachers.
That is usually true about the grammar!
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