Friday, December 20, 2024
Oh my goodness! This is a Friday to beat all Fridays and I really should have taken off a day last week, I guess. I hate getting to this point and feeling so run down. My school district cannot think outside of the box about us getting out on any other day besides Friday. Wednesday would have been nice! Thursday is ok! Ha!
But, alas, I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites of the week. I am not sure of my posting schedule for next week, so don’t worry if I am sporadic. I am thinking I might post three times.
I really haven’t shopped in person! I did get to go to two Christmas markets but that was mainly for the looking and the activity. What would we do without Amazon? I do have a list of a few stores to get to this weekend. Tomorrow will be CRAZY! But, maybe I can go right at opening time or maybe I can be chill enough to wait until Monday. Me, chill? Nah!
I keep getting reminders of what I was doing this time last year. I was arriving in Manchester, England to see my baby! Mason had only been gone since September for semester abroad, but it felt like a long time. Travel meant I had to simplify the holiday. I didn’t do much decor in the house, zero Christmas shopping, and just got 3 days of sub plans ready to be gone from school. I keep getting emails to book the same restaurants as I did in England and Scotland this time last year.
Sunday I made these festive homemade Rice Krispie treats for the kids who make our copies. I almost never have to make my own and it frees up so much teacher time for me. I love these kids so much! We had a copy center cookie party from just our department – one of our men came up with it! A man! Incredible!
It was Sunday Funday and I took Tom to a Christmas market where he found a friend! A work acquaintance of his does beautiful woodworking and we purchased some of his wares. The market was at a brewery that used to be a greenhouse and I have mentioned it a few times.
I had German glühwein which is hot red wine and it translates to “glow wine” because you be glowing after drinking it.
I also had some German potato soup. Tom had stuffed his face with something at home so he didn’t eat anything.
Am I glowing?
Sunday also meant making some Amy McMuffins.
No real meal planning or prepping happened this week other than that. I wanted to use my Costco shortcuts!
And, one night I did a Thanksgiving meal! I had bought a box of Stove Top a long time ago. I bought turkey for sandwiches and a hot brown at Costco, and I made homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.
This was also a lunch for Erica and I and I made myself laugh with my post it for her:
She had some drama this year! So, she loved it and said it was a pretty high quality Thanksgiving meal and it hit the spot at school.
One night I made frozen fish with my own homemade blackening seasoning. This would make a great little gift – a cute little container of blackening seasoning.
And, I used up the rest of the potatoes to make little wedges.
Now that I look at what I “accomplished” in the kitchen during a busy week, I’m kinda like slightly impressed. Lol.
Mason and I laughed because this little boy wants to be involved in everything. He steals the dishtowels, oven mitts, cloth napkins – if we aren’t careful.
This wig is supposed to be my hair. A boy is doing his demonstration speech on how to be me. He was so proud of it but did admit it needs a little trim. I like her hair better!
Kids are crazy and so funny! We also made a TikTok at the end of class one day this week, too, for my Sra. Spanish account.
I literally took a shower and put on my pjs at 5:30 one night and I highly recommend. When you can do it, do it.
Bad photo, but I took it to remind myself how decadent it felt to be showered and jammied before dinner!
Story Time! Do you want to hear two funny-ish stories?
Maybe they will sound teacher martyr-ish – I’m not sure.
We had a faculty meeting after school Tuesday to watch a power point about the semester; it would have been better to show going into the second semester because we just didn’t have the bandwidth to take it in. It had lots of statistics – attendance numbers, test scores, etc.
Then, we could stay even later to have a dessert bar and get our holiday gift. The dessert bar was to be provided by us! I didn’t understand that part of it until it was too late for me to bring anything.
So, let me get this straight…you want me to stay after school from 3:35-4:30 to eat a dessert I made? I can go home and eat a dessert I made, too. Just saying.
Our holiday gift was a lunch bag with our school logo on it. It was cute.
Wednesday had been advertised as a special holiday luncheon for us during our normal lunch period. We usually have a catered meal in the library with tablecloths and decor and such. As I was walking in Wednesday morning, someone said the luncheon fell through. So, someone ordered pizza but many didn’t get any because one lunch group ate too much. Then they ordered more that arrived too late. It was really sad. An email was sent that you could have someone bring you a plate of pizza for you to eat in your room if you didn’t get any!
Someone said the lunch bag was a subtle hint that you better bring your own! Ha!
A sweet student gave me a candle! I told her how much I liked this type of smell!
Wednesday also marked the 6 year anniversary of my Dad’s passing. Honestly, I have chosen to think of him more on his birthday than on his death day. But, my sweet cousin remembered and texted me. I shared the text with my mom and sisters and said, “I hope Dad leaves me a penny today”. Well, I got home from school and looked at an outdoor chair that I never pay attention to right now. It’s the farther one away from my back door, it has no cushion on it, no one has sat there for ages, and it had a dime on it! I was so happy!
My kids went Christmas shopping together this week and decided to pick out books for each other. I am not sure if they misunderstood or if they just liked that idea. I’m glad they still love and appreciate books. I picked a book for Tom that I also want to read because Tom is not a reader. I still have to find the good chocolate to add to this tradition!
Ok, well, that’s about all I’ve got in me!
What were the highlights of your week? Are you feeling good?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
It sounds like I am where you were last year as far as trip planning. It’s so hard to concentrate on Christmas this year!! Looks like you had a fun time at the Christmas market. The soup looks delish, and you were definitely glowing ☺️Love your earrings and headband! The penny from your dad made me smile and tear up at the same time. Have a great weekend, Amy!
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I’m so excited to hear about your trip! Sadly, I have no trip this year. Thank you!
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I am cracking up at your school stories- seriously why have to make dessert for something that was supposed to be spoiling you? Ha! I know you will get it all done- you got this Mama!
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Crazy, right?
Thank you!
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Okay, I was just laughing about holiday parties this week. I was talking to one of my friends who has a corporate job and she was telling me about their swanky holiday party. I told her that our school faculty parties were always after school in our cafeteria and we had to bring the food! Or, if we decided to have it at a restaurant we had to pay to go! I’m not sure people in the corporate world understand that we don’t get bonuses and big parties!
And I got chills over the dime – wow, just wow!!!
xo,
Kellyann
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I know! It’s so sad to hear what Tom gets each day at work on top of a monetary bonus. Today he has a nice lunch.
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I’ve got to get back to meal prepping in January. I’ve definitely been winging it. Your school stories- yikes. The lunch tote is nice. I Tues faculty meeting was canceled but they sent the materials on email for us to sign on a Google doc. I’ll take it. Love that your boys went shopping for books for each other. I hope you all have a great weekend. Only a few more hours – we can do it)
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Same! I have kind of lost my inspiration this semester. I need to find it and read my old posts of all the great things I made.
Right – it makes you question my admin.
Yesterday they decreed that the building would be frozen and anyone who had to go to the bathroom had to call for an escort. Guess who had to call for the escort? The teachers – so it felt like one more thing.
I would much rather sign a Google doc!
It was sweet to me that they did that.
Thank you – I have so much to do getting grades done and planning for Jan. 6! Eek!
I hope your day goes smoothly!
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The luncheon thing is depressing! We had one last week but it was at 2:30 after an early dismissal…so, like, an early dinner basically?
I took it a step further with the Amazon-ing. I shipped everything straight to my parents’ house.
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Right? What in the world? That is weird at 2:30. Teachers want a break from bringing lunch!
That is so smart! I think I am done ordering and just need to inventory and then go out in the scary world of in person shopping.
We have really simplified, though.
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I’m always a bit off when Thanksgiving is late and I feel like I’ve lost a week before Christmas. Also, my deliveries have been terrible this year! I get the wrong stuff, my things go to the wrong house, delays, etc. So, I’ve hit the Christmas wall. Not going to bake cookies, not sure about the stocking stuffers, half of our cards went out, I just feel done. Sigh….I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas, Amy! I’m going to start drinking–haha.
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Yes, pros and cons. I hate having a whole month between the holidays at school because the kids get squirrely, but at home it is nice. Oh man! That stinks. We have gotten so spoiled with deliveries and to have them fail at the holidays is not good.
You know, maybe this is the universe making you simplify? Yes! Take care of you and part of that for me is making myself a nice drink in a pretty glass.
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I know you are tired and ready for a break, but you are glowing and still looking beautiful! And good for you for still cooking dinner! I am so out of that habit, it is honestly a little hard to think I would have to cook. I do hope to cook more in 2025 though so I can eat healthier instead of snacking so much. I am so glad it is the last day for you and what a bummer on the luncheon/pizza story. Happy weekend friend!
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Ha – thank you! I will have some suggestions for you in 2025. Greek bowls, Lots of bowls! You can prep some ingredients on Sunday and then mix and match!
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I’m done with shopping and wrapping. I went to an orthopedic Dr on Tuesday because i have terrible hip bursitis and he seemed annoyed that was all it was and he didn’t get to replace my hip!! That annoyed me! But it’s starting to feel better. Who knew that actually resting it and not walking 4-5 miles per day would help (yes sarcasm)!!! Have a wonderful holiday! We will be celebrating with the newly engaged couple and my mom and then heading to our beach house Dec 27 for 2 weeks. I can’t wait! Merry Christmas!
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No, surgery should not be the first thing! Good! Rest that hip – stop doing so much hula hooping for a while – lol. That sounds so nice!
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Big hugs to you as you remember your dad this holiday season ❤️ Also thank you for being a teacher! You really should be an administrator. You have much better ideas about running the school!! That’s very sad about the luncheon. 😕 I have been feeling very behind with Christmas prep mostly due to Thanksgiving being a little later. Finally caught up though. Hope you enjoy your break!!! 🎄❤️
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Thank you so much! Thank you! I actually did my Master’s in Admin and Supervision but then I got pregnant with twins and decided to choose my family and stay in the classroom to have better balance.
It was and there was no thank you or email or card or anything from our principal. He really needs lessons on managing people.
yay for catching up or for simplifying – which I did!
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Holidays are tough when you’re missing someone. Your dime made me smile. I have found a lot of pennies lately. I think you accomplished quite a bit for this last week before break. One year, we went to school until Friday, December 23! That was fun. We used to have a monthly breakfast prepared by grade level. It was ridiculous because it took up our prep time; it cost a fortune (because, of course, it turned into a competition); and you had that smell all day long. It’s funny how administrators think they’re doing you a favor, right?
Have a wonderful holiday season!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Yes! Thank you – it really made my day. Thank you. I do try to be pretty organized and intentional. The things we have been asked to do as teachers just wouldn’t fly in the “normal world of work”. It makes me laugh sometimes at how ridiculous it is!
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Oh no! That is rotten that school didn’t finish before Friday! I hope you get all your shopping done in time.
Those Rice Krispie treats look so good and the Christmas market sounds lovely!
That is a bit unfair making you stay late at work for something which would have been better going into the 2nd semester and how rubbish there wasn’t enough pizza to go round.
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I know! Oh well, I did manage pretty well this weekend and then I have some errands today.
The treats turned out so festive and the market was fun.
Right? My workplace sometimes makes me crazy!
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Several things here made me laugh! You were in rare form when you composed this. I loved hearing about the glow wine and your fun week. I know you’re thrilled to be at home this year and on Christmas break. I think it would be fun to travel at Christmas sometimes, but I can’t imagine having to rush back into a work schedule after that and resume normalcy after having jet lag. I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend! You definitely earned the treat.
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First, I am so sorry about your forced rest! I watched Love Actually, While You were Sleeping, and Christmas with the Kranks this weekend and it felt decadent to watch day time movies – so if any of those appeal – an idea!
Thank you so much. It’s nice to be home but I am having all the nostalgia about what we did last year. We do have some family drama to attend to here at home so that always puts some damper on it. Last year it was nice because I still had a week at home after the trip.
Thank you so much. This weekend was nice. I am off to a few shops at 8:45. I did not finish early like smart Jenn! Thinking of you!
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Oh, Amy! I just love the way you tell a story! Your school stories bring back so many memories (good and bad) and I feel you…. Oh my goodness! The number of times admin would say, “we want you to say ‘no’ to things” but then would add extras to our plate! Our holiday meals and connection time dwindled, too, especially from earlier years when we could be festive! Your sweet story about finding a dime touched me, too! My dad has been gone since 2007 and I still miss “my compass” every day! Sending hugs your way!
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You are so kind to say that!
Yes! Admin lose their minds after leaving the classroom, don’t they?
Our admin really have an us against you mentality that is so toxic.
Awww, I have been really sad when I see father /daughter relationships on tv lately. He was my biggest cheerleader and I miss that. But, the funny thing is that my son Mason is really taking on those characteristics. He gives me so many words of affirmation.
Same to you and thank you for the kind words!
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This was a great post – I’m so glad I didn’t miss it! Not that I blog much, but I do generally keep up a little better than I have the past few weeks. I’m sorry to hear that you had to work until that last Friday… I remember one year in the late 90s when we had to work until the 23rd! I only remember it because we always did Christmas with my dad on that day and I said “now I know how people with 9 to 5 jobs feel when we ask them to constantly do things when we have time off“. Ha! Your teacher stories were funny/not funny and oh so relatable. I’m sorry! I just don’t think your administration “gets it“, right? I have so many things to say, but I’m sure you have thought them all and where does that get anyone anyway, right? It seems like, from reading ahead, that you have had a restful and reflective break with your bunch. Sorry you’ve had to deal with sickness, but it seems to be going around everywhere. Luckily, ours hit the week before Christmas this year, so it didn’t spoil our holiday. Enjoy these last days and Happy New Year!,
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Thank you! Yes, they are sad but true and you are so right but pretty soon it will no longer be my problem!
I hope you have also had a wonderful holiday season!
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