Friday, November 8, 2024

It’s been a weird week, which I knew would be the case. We had a teacher workday Monday which was fine – we had a lot of time to watch video trainings and get some work done – then we were off totally on Tuesday, and then came back with kids the rest of the week from Wednesday through today. I need to not pack in this weekend and do some prep to have a smooth week next week.

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites today!

In addition to voting, I made a Trader Joe’s run on Election Day. It was nice to have fewer people there when I shopped!

Have you heard of all of Trader Joe’s beauty dupes? I am sure I have mentioned hearing about them before on the blog.

I bought this leave in conditioner and it is amazing! It smells great, leaves my hair so soft, and I think helps with my tangles.

This will be a re-purchase. I also love their lip mask that I have in vanilla and the facial moisturizer.

While I was at work Wednesday, I got this photo from Mason. He had made himself lunch for the patio:

See his cup of tea?

I have neglected some cleaning lately in favor of getting outside in our very warm for fall weather.

The sunlight and the leaves just look so pretty.

And, I am turning my porch lights on in both the mornings and evenings to help me not feel so bad about it getting dark early.

We have moments of Eddie Otis acting like a big boy and being my calm companion.

Then, we have other moments of…

mom dropped her computer mouse; let’s play chase.

mom dropped the entire bottle of red pepper flakes; it belongs in my mouth.

mom opened the baggie drawer; I also have food storage needs.

mom opened the towel drawer; the towels shall be mine.

mom moved slightly; this means I must get up.

mom opened the fridge; the bottle of sauvignon blanc looks mighty appealing and it’s on the bottom shelf.

I’m tired!

I have only read a bit so far so I don’t have an epic small life yet, but I’m working on it! Some people might scoff at her books, but I always feel inspired or validated in some things I already do. I mean, look at me.. middle aged Spanish teacher in a suburban area. Can you get more basic than that? That doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? But, I really love my life most of the time.

Mason continues to be the biggest help with EO. We walked him to the polls and were going to take turns, but the lines were really long so Mason took him back home. He still got his walk in.

Remember how much I complained about my new schedule last year? Now I can’t imagine having to go to work at such a crazy hour like I did for 23 years! I left my house at 6:45! Now on top of the fact that I don’t have to be there until 8:30 I also have first period planning so I am the most chill I’ve ever been. I get up between 5:45 and 6:00 and then I do Eddie Otis and kitchen stuff while making coffee and then have until 7:30 or 7:45 until I have to think about getting ready. My morning time feels like a luxury and a necessity.

On Tanya’s rec, I ordered the same color phone case and it’s gorgeous! I don’t think to get new phone cases that often. I’ve only had pop sockets, but this loopy thing does the same – always me to hold it or prop it.

And, let’s leave with another Eddie Otis photo because he is always with me when I am blogging. We think he is about 75 pounds now. He loves catching falling leaves and he loves eating leaves, too.

What were your favorites this week?

Amy

37 thoughts on “Friday Faves”

  1. I’ve been neglecting our house cleaning lately too to spend more time outside. I did do a quick once over of the whole house these past two days tough since my parents were arriving last night to stay with us a few days and i didn’t want them to think we live like slobs. 😂

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  2. Now I really want that phone case – ha! EO is getting so big, bless his heart. He is so sweet looking – those eyes!!

    I’m glad you like your schedule now, it takes time to adjust.

    Have a super weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. It’s almost KD green!
      He really is.
      He can act like a civilized dog more and more but I bet this is really helping you be happy with your decision for now to not get a puppy.
      It really does. I’m going to love my schedule next year!

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  5. Hello there! I’ve finally decided to return to the world of blogs and will get caught up this weekend on all that I’ve missed. I love your new phone case, and seeing Mason’s lunch that he made for himself. I’ve been getting similar pictures like that from my Graham at his house. He’s become quite the chef and is starting to do weekly meal preps now that he’s settling into being in his own home. His friend is coming over Sunday to join him! I laughed at this, and loved it all at the same time. EO is such a big boy and so very handsome. I hope you have a great Friday, and that you’re able to get some things accomplished while having a fun weekend! I have to pay attention to my house this weekend as well and get caught up on things. ❤️

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  6. EO is so funny!! 😂 It’s like having a toddler, isn’t it?!! That’s a beautiful phone case! I have an android so it’s harder to find pretty cases.

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  7. Such funny EO statements! I love a relaxed morning too and glad that is working out better for you. I will look for that leave in conditioner from Trader Joe’s. I bought the Drunk Elephant drops dupe there and really like it. Enjoy your weekend! I think it is finally going to feel a little more fall-ish next week!

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  8. I can definitely relate to the puppy comments. Sometimes I think Mollie is the best dog in the world, and the next I’m thinking what have we gotten ourselves into!? EO is about the size of Albie now (although Albie has packed on some more pounds with age.) Mollie is as tall as Albie but much slimmer. I’m so glad you like the phone case. I have been using the ring stand on the case more and more. I love TJ’s beauty products. I was there yesterday and they had a 12 days of beauty kit. I was very tempted!! Hope you have a good weekend.

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  9. Tomorrow is the state marching band competition, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to a 3 day weekend with some comfort foods and drinky drinks.

    Other than that, this week can absolutely suck it.

    And that’s all I will say about that.

    Have a good weekend!

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    1. Good luck to your band an to Mia’s band! So exciting and what a fun season!
      I actually didn’t drink all week until yesterday and then enjoyed my apple cider sangria. Yum! I want to develop some new cocktails!

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  10. Eddie Otis’s thoughts are too funny! He definitely keeps your on your toes. I love that you are enjoying the sunshine instead of cleaning. The cleaning will be there when it’s chilly. Your slower start to the morning sounds lovely, but I would like to still get out in the 2 o’clock hour. I have quite a few TJ’s beauty items that I use every day – a hair serum, a hyalauronic acid serum, an antioxident serum, citrus body wash and lotion, and the shave cream. They are so affordable and great! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Ha! It would be funnier if it wasn’t happening to me! Lol! That is so true – cleaning will always be there. I would love a routine, but it’s just not a reality right now. I agree. I don’t love the late end time but it is here for now.
      oh – good to know – I will look more closely at their products. I was thinking a beauty basket would be a great gift esp. for someone who doesn’t have a TJs near.

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  12. I want to try that leave in conditioner. I will look for it next time I go to TJ.
    Love all the EO stories…sounds like Homer used to be…he’s a big boy!
    Have a great weekend.

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  13. the election! MAGA movement has spoken and i couldn’t be happier.. Oh and one week from today my daughter’s boyfriend is proposing to her and we are so excited! I think she is expecting it to happen on her bday but it’s happening 2 days before her birthday!! 🥳

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  14. My favorites from this week, since it appears I’m still not out of my blogging rut, was the new job I started. So far, so good. I really relate to you when you talk about your school schedule… For 1 million years I tried to be at school at 7 AM and it made my heart so happy. Now I generally don’t even start thinking about my day until 6:30 AM!!! It’s funny how easily we can adjust. That morning time is just wonderful, isn’t it?
    Our daughter brought home a rescue pup after graduation in May… The shelter thought he was about five months old so he and Eddie Otis are about the same age. It seems we are leading parallel lives with our doggies right now. Hope you have a productive weekend!

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  17. That sandwich looks awesome. I tend to clean in bursts for the most part. We have a steady stream of people coming and going here which is motivating. If there’s no company on the calendar I get a little lazy. I have a few smallish projects in terms of cleaning I want to do before the end of the year and feel like I need to pick dates and put them on the calendar to make myself actually do them. Hope you’ve had a nice weekend!

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