Wednesday, January 8, 2025

I’m coming at you from my third snow day! We were supposed to go back with students on Monday but because of Winter Storm Blair (they named it!) we found out Sunday around noon that Monday would be a traditional snow day. Then, we found out Monday very early that they had given up on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I love watching snow fall but I was worried about ice and losing power. It was nice that my kids had everything cancelled or were scheduled off work for all of Sunday and Monday and it was the four of us plus EO snowed in. These times are rare so that was really nice!

But, I don’t like feeling trapped. It’s like I want to stay home but I want options to not stay home. Does that make sense?

So, let’s dive in to the first Currently with Jenn of the year!

Loving

I am loving looking at the snow still. It’s so rare anymore that we get a real snow. I’ve had a cold so I guess it’s as good a time as any to have a cold, right?

I’ve been loving a little more time in the mornings to sip my coffee and do my quiet time. And, Tom has been home to entertain and walk Eddie Otis. He couldn’t get out to go to work on Monday so he worked from home.

I’m loving my new Spain and England mugs.

Doing to Stay Warm

Staying inside! But, on the first day of the snow I enjoyed being out in it. Some winters I don’t even take this out, but I’m glad to have my big Costco coat when I need it.

Resolving

I am trying to embrace the month of January. It’s always been a long, cold month for me. I am trying to do my twinkle lights, read more, use cozy blankets, sip more tea in the afternoon, and things like that.

Organizing

Well, I did put the Christmas decor way and I have Valentine’s ready to go in a couple of weeks or so. I wish I could say I am using this bonus time more productively but I just don’t have it in me with my cold.

Wearing

Socks! Pajamas! Leggings! Sweatshirts! All of this is getting worn so that’s good. Yes, I do go outside in my pajamas.

The weird thing is that I have not seen a human when I go out. I see no cars driving down the street, no mail or deliveries have come, no one is on the school playground. It’s been weird!

Now it’s time for Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970’s) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen’s English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year’s list includes-

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? How many did you have to look up? Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word/phrase not on the list you’d like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. 

I have only used skibidi and period but just to make students laugh. Actually, I will make a statement and one of them says “period’ and then I repeat it. I just don’t think to say it. Sometimes I follow up by saying “exclamation mark”.

2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

This is a hard one. I didn’t love soup until a couple of years ago and now I really like it. Can I say chili? That is controversial! I also like lasagna soup, chicken noodle, and my new fave lentil soup. I really like most soups.

I really should have stocked up on my soups. I also have envy when I see everyones’ chili photos. I should have gotten stuff to make chili, too. I still had this lentil soup so I thought I was good.

3. How do you feel about winter? What’s one winter activity you look forward to? 

It’s not my favorite. I don’t love all the work involved in getting coats, hats, mittens and all the accessories on to go outside. I love one good snow and walking my dog in it and seeing how much he enjoys it. Our chocolate labs have loved snow and Eddie Otis is no exception!

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as ‘a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort’. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 

I really like this color. There is a pair of Adidas sneakers in this shade with white stripes that I am trying to convince my principal’s secretary and my friend to get. She wants a pair and has a neutral based wardrobe.

In a similar, but not really vein…if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

Mocha, I think!

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.  

snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball’s chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

Snowed under but I think I am taking that too literally!

Before I left for winter break on December 20th, I had all my lessons planned and copies made for the first week back. So, I am good right now. Also, grades were already done and posted ahead of time for semester one. So, right now is a lovely time of being caught up – at least at work. There is a lot I can do at home!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I saw that Younger came to Netflix yesterday. If you are looking for a chick show to watch on your own, I thoroughly enjoyed it and there are lots of seasons. I really love the actress Sutton Foster. I am planning to watch the series again! I feel like it didn’t get talked about much, but it’s so good. Hilary Duff is also in it.

Anyone have a movie or show to recommend?

If you are still here, thanks for reading!

Amy

38 thoughts on “First Currently of the Year and Hodgepodge”

  1. Do you call that snow? Ha ha! Well, our winter is almost snowfree so far, so maybe I shouldn’t say anything. So fun that you shut down because of a litte snow! That can’t be the case in the northern part of the us, right!??

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  2. I really liked Younger too! I still find it funny/ odd that you have snow and we have none. While most schools with close with snow that’s about it so we rarely feel trapped inside when snow hits… unless we get a real blizzard with several feet of snow but dear Lord I hope that does not happen. We haven’t had snow like that since my boys were little. I remember having to shovel off our patio because the snow was so deep that none of them could walk outside; one step and they’d sink right up to their hips.

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  3. Wishing you less snow days! I know what you mean when you say feeling trapped- I always feel like that on snow days- hate winter- ha! Yes loved Younger- great show!

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  4. I totally get what you mean about feeling trapped. I’d love a snow day (I think) but I’d probably want to spend it doing something fun or going somewhere. It would be weird to see no cars on the road or people out but I guess that’s what happens when the weather’s bad.

    I hope you enjoy a few days of rest and get better soon. Fingers crossed life gets back to normal for you tomorrow!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  5. We watched the movie Six Triple Eight about a week ago and that was excellent. We’ve watched Call the Midwife on and off for the last couple of years and just picked it up again this week… Guess I’m into period pieces right now?

    I have family who lives in Cincinnati and talk to my sister Monday morning… Nothing keeps her in and she was still contemplating whether or not to go to work (?!?) – I’m sure she stayed home. She doesn’t like to be trapped anywhere either and I forgot to call her yesterday to see if she made it in. I’m glad you’re not at home with a lot hanging over your head for school, though.

    Joyce great questions! Thanks for sharing today.

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  6. I loved all of your answers! I have never heard the word skibidi. I am like you when I’m snowed in and wear pajamas nonstop; and I go outside in them too! We have that headed our way tomorrow, and I am prepared to hunker down at home for the days that it’ll be around. I have a grocery order pickup today, and I’ll finish work tomorrow and stay home from then on. I don’t drive in ice! If we have church Sunday, my son will drive me if it’s still icy. This is one scenario I’ve been dreading with my new life; the other one was going to the ER. I’ll be fine though, and I’m just going to have to learn to suck some things up and do them, no matter how scary it is. I didn’t mean for this to take a turn, but I’m rambling.

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    1. ha – it’s so silly!
      You have so many friends that I don’t doubt you will be ok in those two scenarios and you know what – you have already had to do the ER. God will provide for you.

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  7. So nice to have a 3 week break for the holiday! I think I prefer a January snow vs a March snow, which we have had in the past. Enjoy the extra time at home organizing and relaxing. I need to watch the show with Sutton Foster. I saw her on Broadway and have always been a fan of her. Stay warm and enjoy your day!

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  8. I hate winter. I like 78 degrees year round but live in southern Virginia so…..For me, soup seems to be the hardest thing to get right. I try various recipes and they just never taste quite right. I’m a pretty good cook except for soup. Please post your recipes and photos! Enjoy all of that snow!

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    1. I am now at that point but we have so much more to go!
      I used to be that way about soups but now I follow recipes to the t. Have you tried lasagna soup? My lentil soup was delicious, too, and you could add turkey sausage? Let me know what soup you would like to try! Also, I have better luck in a pot on the stove than in the crockpot – could that be it?

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  10. It’s kind of nice you didn’t have to go back to school with a cold. Hope you’re feeling better. We may get snow here on Friday, although the lake causes the weather to do unpredictable things. Around us it looks like there will for sure be some snow but we have plans to be in for the weekend so I’m going to just enjoy. Have a good day!

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  11. I bet EO loves the snow. I know what you mean – I love the snow but don’t like feeling like I’m trapped. I finally left the house yesterday- hadley and I went to the gym. I plan on getting out more a bit today no matter what. I have those same striped pjs from Walmart . Haha
    Enjoy your snow day!

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    1. He does, but I think Ernie loved it the most? I have left the house twice to go in Tom’s car somewhere but I have left to go walk in the snow with EO most days. That helps.
      You are the one that told me about the pjs. They are oddly warm for thin material, right?
      This week was nice to be honest. Love my job! Ha!

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  12. I can’t help it: I love January. Mostly because I detest summer and it’s the opposite of summer lol.

    I also can’t help it, but I love those Starbucks mugs. I just got one from my town in PA (yes, they make one! It’s a Penn State Starbucks mug) and I’ve been using it every day.

    I think I know what adidas shoes you’re talking about. I like the idea of those so much better than the Nike dunks or court shoes everyone wears.

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  13. i do love winter and bundling up- but we’ve gotten so used to not having any snow around here that I’m a little overwhelmed! lol I’m venturing out today and Robert is headed to the Ville to dig Bug’s car out.
    I just saw Younger pop up last night and already binged the first season. It’s so cute! I’d never heard of it! Stay warm, friend (period)

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    1. Right? It’s been so mild for years. I still haven’t gotten out – combo of my roads in my neighborhood and having a cold and not needing to go out just for boredom. Tom took me out to Chick Fil A in his Suburban one night and to Target and Mexican one night – that was my entertainment.
      Glad you are enjoying Younger! It was pretty slept on but it’s well done and well written. Mason has been watching a few with me and I catch him chuckling.

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  14. Happy New Year, Amy! I’ve been following the snowfall in your area of the country this week and while we have had cold temps here in Minnesota (about 0 degrees) we’ve had no snow for a few weeks with only a dusting on the ground. Two years ago we had almost 90″ by this time of the year… So strange! A few extra snow days – especially those that extend Winter Break sound lovely as does a day at home cocooning with all your boys!

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    1. Thank you, Laura!
      How crazy that we are getting more! Have you been preparing hot dishes? That is a joke on Minnesotans from one of my favorite podcasts – Watch What Crappens.
      I actually really enjoyed the week. Going back to real life will be hard but it will be time!

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  15. I think I watched a little of Younger many years ago, but need to revisit it. It seems like it would be a good show to watch while cooking, etc. Stay warm!

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    1. I think you would like it! It is a great winter binge show and I am really enjoying it again. I had forgotten lots of details. I also highly recommend The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza. It was a good winter book for me!

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  16. I feel so similar to you, January’s typically a hard month for me just because I don’t feel like I can easily leave the house. I also get overwhelmed with the whole “resolutions” idea at the start of each year.. I have some downtime right now waiting for our dumpster rental to get picked up and I’ve been stressing trying to think of some good resolutions for this year, but maybe I need to focus on the short term? Live one day at a time.. have smaller goals instead of resolutions.. anyway. Thanks for sharing, it helps to know I’m not alone in how I feel! I’ll definitely be coming back.

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    1. It’s a lot to ask from a month – be the most depressing and cold month but also plan your life! ha!
      just focus on the short term. Great that you are clearing stuff out.
      Have you heard of low level goals? The Big Boo podcast talks about them. So funny.

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  19. Gosh, did you get more than us? We got 11 inches, but there wasn’t any school Monday for kids, and the teachers get to make it up through something over the course of some weeks or months. Not even a delay on Tuesday which was kinda dumb because the county roads aren’t great even today.

    We are watching “Nobody Wants This” right now. We just finished “No Good Deed” with Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano. I don’t really like him, but he wasn’t the goofy Ray from his other show. This one was a little dark, more a dramedy than anything. I haven’t heard of “Younger,” but now I’ll have to look for it.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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