Friday, February 14, 2025
Happy Valentine’s Day! I am linking up with Andrea and Erika. It doesn’t seem like Valentine’s Day. I’m in a weird head space regarding the calendar to be honest.
Normally I would have done a small gift for my kids and a card for Tom but this year I am probably doing nothing. It snuck up on me. We will do some sort of takeout and include anyone who is home with us. I also didn’t get to do the V Day activity in class that I normally do. With me being gone 6 days and the kids being at home 3 days, the time just got away from us.
This week I worked online from home on Monday and Tuesday and then we had in person school Wednesday through today.
Monday was a good day because I was productive and got some things done with my mom’s estate. I was also social. Tuesday I just fell into a funk. I did my job – had a Zoom meeting, made assignments, communicated with students – but I just felt overwhelmed and sad. I realize this is probably the way it will be – some good, some bad – giving myself lots of grace.
At then end of January, I put out my simple V Day decor. I didn’t buy anything new.
I am glad I didn’t buy any new V Day clothing. I did wear this to school this week and two other things with hearts on them. I wore the C’est la vie t-shirt I showed in Fashion Files Wednesday because it has a heart, this on Thursday, and today I am wearing the big red heart sweater I have had for a long time.
I got really excited when I heard this news! I do think 5 Star Weekend was my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book.
I would like to do my own 5 star weekend with girls I have known at different stages of my life. Wouldn’t that be kind of cool?
I watched this silly movie on one of my at home days this week and lol’ed a couple of times.
My mom loved this simple meal of macaroni noodles and tomato sauce. I made it for her when she stayed at my house during my Dad’s 7 week hospital stay and I made it for her at her house after her stroke. One of my sisters made it this weekend and sent a photo and then I made it Tuesday.
God knows what you need, isn’t that right? My school district closed on Friday and Monday for the flu and then closed on Tuesday for the snow. I needed those two days to get my life together. When my Dad passed I had the luxury of two weeks of winter break following his funeral. So, I wanted to get back to my students but at the same time I felt like it was a blessing to have a bit more time. Here was our little Tuesday snow. It didn’t amount to much and the roads were fine.
I finished this and highly recommend to anyone who has lost an important person in their life. It’s just $10 on Amazon.
Monday during my work from home day I went out to lunch with Erica and had a nice soup and salad combo.
And, after work Monday I went to happy hour with Heather and we discussed the book I mentioned above. She is the one who gave it to me and recently lost her father.
My sisters and I left my mom’s house in perfect order but they agreed that I should take the English cork bottom placemats I got my mom after our trip. I got her four and my mom loved them so much that she ordered four more. I was going to order a set for myself but never did. Right now I have too many on this table, but I will either give four to one sister or move half to my other table.
I think each of my sisters took a small decor item, too, but I can’t remember.
I decided my Sambas were just about half size too small and gave them to niece Mia who has small feet. She sent me a picture of her wearing them to school on Monday. I love that it made her happy.
My friend Beth brought over these gorgeous cupcakes before I left for the funeral.
She also made a card with two pennies. I was so touched.
I got this book from the library but I am not sure I can read it…
Someone did this to the entire book. It gets worse. They drew arrows on many of the pages, too. What on Earth is wrong with people?
We got a Christmas card that had a snowflake that said it was a plant or could be a plant. Tom’s little project:
He moves his little sproutlings around to find the sun and is quite determined. Weird dude. Just kidding!
I feel like this Friday Favorites post was all over the place and my emotions were, too.
I am struggling to respond to comments but just know I appreciate each and every one. And, thank you to my dear reader Sally! A more formal thank you is coming.
I hope you feel some type of love today – self-love, familial love, friend love, or partner love. That sounds weird. Oh well… I think you know what I mean!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Happy Valentine’s Day! Not a big thing over here, but of course the stores want us to buy stuff…
I just read your posts from the last week, so many feelings and lovely descriptions of all the fantastic people you have around you!
Enjoy the weekend, hope you are as ok as you can be!
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I always get a good laugh at Tom!
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He’s a unique individual!
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Ok 5 Star Weekend? Wow- now I am so excited! That was one of my favorite books by her too and I love Jennifer Garner- this should be great-have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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I know! I’m excited! Love a good show to look forward to!
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Glad you are giving yourself some grace, you need it. Grief hits at weird times, when you least expect it.
The cupcakes look so pretty and I love the card with the two pennies – so very thoughtful.
I hope you have a good weekend, just take some time to chill and read a good book (that doesn’t have weird marks in it – ha!) and have a little social time too.
Take care Amy – I hope you feel very loved today!
xo,
Kellyann
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Oh my goodness that snowflake plant (what an odd combo of words!) is amazing and I would totally be doing what Tom is doing! It sounds like you’ve had a pretty good week, all things considering. I love your Valentine’s Day touches- that is what my house is like- just a few things here and there that make me smile and think of the ones I love :). I hope you have a nice weekend!
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Honestly, if I were you, I’d let go of replying to comments. I looked back on my blog posts after Dad died, and I never replied to anyone. I think I would say something in a post, but I had to let something go, and that made the most sense. Grace upon grace! You’re doing the very best that you can, and I know you’ll find your way in a world without your mom. I’m so glad you and your sisters enjoyed that simple meal in her honor; find more things to do like that! I think that will help you heal. Love you!
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I feel like they should’ve made that person pay for the book! So weird…looks like they’re trying to learn english…
I don’t have any heart clothing but I went nuts, dressing Sutton in hearts this year because she loves them and I think I now appreciate them more than I used to.
Not the same, but last week I was at my wit’s end and then we had two days of canceled school due to sickness. A true answered prayer. It seems so silly but this is such a high-maintenance life (teaching elementary, having little kids) that I can’t do more than a 3 day week. So weak, right?
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Continue to give yourself grace. Grief will sneak up on you when you don’t expect it. I am glad you had a few extra days this week to re-group before going back to school. I love those placemats! Butterflies are my favorite now since they represent new life. I hope you have a great weekend!
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Sending big hugs to you! ❤️❤️❤️ My friend said her husband won’t get her anything for Valentine’s Day because he doesn’t celebrate it. I told her to go buy her discounted chocolates tomorrow and then hide them!! 🤣
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Hope you’re able to find some peace and comfort today. Wishing you a gentle Valentine’s Day.
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Oh I loved 5- Star weekend too; that could be such a fun movie/miniseries if it’s done right. Those cupcakes look almost too good to eat. I can not get over the writing in that library book! That would drive me nutty too. I love that you are having grace with yourself and realizing that your feelings are going to be all over the place for some time…
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Aww, hang in there, friend! I’m so glad you got a few days “off” from school. We have never had any days of school cancelled for illness in our area. Take care of yourself.
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And by the way, it’s no big deal not to reply to the blog comments! I always go and comment on the other person’s blog, and of course reply if they ask a question. It’s wonderful to reply to the comments, but it’s also ok not to! I don’t feel like blogging has rules like that. Just my opinion!
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Please don’t put pressure on yourself to respond to comments, Amy! I think people just want you to know that they care. The most important thing is to take care of your family and especially yourself. Wishing you a restful weekend ahead!
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Grief and loss can make everything feel off, and it’s completely understandable that this week felt that way. Giving yourself grace is the best thing you can do. A 5-star weekend with friends sounds like a beautiful idea. Thinking of you.
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I echo what everyone else is saying. Give yourself the time to grieve. Replying to comments isn’t a deal breaker for us. We know you need this time to process. Be with your family, urge Tom’s seedlings to grow, and try to find comfort any way you can.
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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Bahaha
Urge Tom’s seedlings!
Thank you Marsha and I hope Mike is getting stronger.
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