Monday, February 17, 2025

Hello and Happy Monday! I am linking up with Holly and Sarah today. I guess I am falling back into my normal posting routine. I appreciate what many of you said about comments. It feels like a lot to respond right now but I do read and appreciate each and every one of them.

I can’t believe that my mom has been gone for three weeks now. I am expecting grace and getting grace right now. I have my moments. I’m sad. I’m overwhelmed. This isn’t my first rodeo, unfortunately, with losing a parent. When my Dad passed away, though, my mom took care of most of the business of his passing without involving us. Now that I am doing it, I have respect for her strength and ability to do what she did.

There’s no way to transition to me drinking a sangria so I won’t even try! My friend Beth (I have multiple friends Beth – lol – and multiple Elizabeths!) and I started at Osteria for the Galentine’s event at a nearby shopping center. We both thought the sangria sounded good. We had about an hour to chat and eat this wonderful whipped goat cheese with jam…

before two of her friends arrived. I had met one of them before but quickly liked the other one, too.

Each store was having Valentine’s snacks or specials and Beth was most excited for the doggie bakery.

We got to hold 6 week old chow mix puppies!

We went into two boutiques and I found an Umgee dress that is new for spring.

I also found these earrings that can work for Derby events. I wore them on Friday, too.

It was fun to get out Thursday night!

Friday I wore this and got lots of compliments. People are being extra nice to me right now, though. Lol.

I brought a pan of buffalo chicken mac and cheese to school that Elizabeth made me to share with my department and the sweet PE teacher had left the most delicious chocolate chip butter cake on my desk. So we had quite the feast in my little wing.

I went home after school. Shortly after, Tom came home with some chocolate for me.

We were originally going to go to Fresh Market and pick some gourmet ready made foods, but when I told Tom we were going with Totino’s for him and Good and Gather for me he got that spark in his eyes just like when he first saw me.

The man loves a Totino’s pizza and staying home even more.

I woke up Saturday with a pit in my stomach. Tom and I had to go to my hometown to take care of some things. The weather was horrible but at least the rain held off for both the drive there and back. There was so much eerie fog, though. One sister lives 2 hours away and one lives 3.5 hours away and I volunteered to take care of stuff before we all meet again at my mom’s house.

We had a romantic day late Valentine’s date at the little burger shop called Hinkle’s…

I got through the trip with Tom’s help.

The rain started coming down when we got back around dinner time and it didn’t stop until yesterday morning when it turned into snow! It was big beautiful fluffy flakes, but I am over winter! That rodent who predicted 6 more weeks of winter can stick it where the sun don’t shine!

Ok, it’s kind of pretty and it gave me an excuse to not leave the house. Well, I did do a giant Kroger pick up because I think it had been since January 25 or so since I had gone.

I did my laundry and I thought I would show you my view of my three Halaras ready to go!

When I did the Kroger pick up, I saw those little devils pushing their product in the store lobby. I went to the ATM and got cash and went inside to get them for Tom. Now, that is love. They don’t really tempt me anymore.

Is it just me or are they really not as good as they used to be?

Tom and I watched Fly Me to the Moon and that’s about it for my day yesterday.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Is it winter where you are?

Amy

32 thoughts on “Hello Monday”

  1. Oh my goodness; look at those cute puppies! We had snow that turned to rain yesterday and we’re bracing for another 10 inches of snow later this week so yep, definitely still winter here (and I am definitely over it but know we have a good month or two left).

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  2. I LOVE Totino’s! Well, I loved. I think the quality has gone down (not that it was super high to begin with!!). Same with GSC- I think their quality has gone down as well. They hold no temptation to me. We got snow Saturday into Sunday, too. It was so pretty and I loved staying in because of it. I was also getting over a cold so I needed to be in anyway! Have a great Monday!

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  3. Yay for cocktails, puppy snuggles, and late V day dates! I agree about the thin mint cookies; they don’t tempt me at all these days. I honestly feel sick now if I eat dessert of any kind. When you do low (or no) sugar, you want it less and less. Thanks for texting with me this morning!

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  4. Well puppies make any day better : ) We had 65 degree temps here one day this weekend, but so much rain. I’m so ready for spring. I love the heart top and the rose earrings too. Glad you were able to get things done that needed doing. You have a nice group of friends and co-workers. Have a good week!

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  5. “He got that spark in his eye just like when he met me” – I almost spit out my coffee!! Bwahahahahaha!! Totino’s needs to hire ya’ll to do a commercial!

    It’s nice that you are so loved and people are doing what they can to show you they care – eat it up – literally!

    The snow is gorgeous but I bet you are ready for it to be over with. Hopefully soon.

    Are you off today for President’s Day?

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  6. You have such amazing friends and co-workers. I’m glad you are sprinkling in fun when you can. Your pizza dinner comments – so funny! The puppies are precious- homer has some Chow in him! Enjoy this day off. I have a feeling this won’t be a four day school week. I will take it but then I’m ready to move on from winter!

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  7. Tom has to be my brother from another mother, lol. I can so relate to his expressions. So good that he is supporting you in the times that you need him most.

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  8. Hi! I have not commented lately because I know you are getting a lot of them, and I know how hard this is for you!

    Today it is 0 degrees right now with a windchill of -20! complete CRAP!

    I am glad Saturday went as well as it could.

    Your still in my thoughts!

    Missy

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  9. I am glad you are getting grace. You deserve it. It was so kind of you to share your food with your team. I bet they enjoyed it! I love your new earrings and dress and your Valentine’s Day outfit is so cute! Good job making the trip to your hometown. I bet it was hard, but you did it.

    I am SO OVER winter! I cannot wait for spring and that sure can stick it where the sun don’t shine! Here’s to sunshine!

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  10. You are doing such a wonderful job healing…so glad you are surrounded by amazing people and had such a fun Valentine weekend 🙂

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  11. Those sea salt caramels are a favorite around my house except my husband picks off the salt 😂 Very low key weekend here. Met my sister in law for dinner on Valentine’s Day at a favorite Mexican restaurant. Still thinking about you ❤️ You absolutely don’t need to respond to any comments from me! I just enjoy reading your blog ❤️

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  12. i just bought those same sea salt caramels at Costco! 🤤

    Hinkles… ahh the late night memories! I don’t think I’ve ever been there in the light of day! 🤭

    sending you love my friend!

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  14. LOL to the Totino’s. We didn’t do frozen pizza but we did leftovers I think? Scott offered to bring dinner home but I could do without $50+ on takeout, you know? It does baffle me how people in Missouri seem shocked by winter weather. It’s not new. There are 4 seasons here…..

    Girl Scout cookies aren’t nearly as good as they were even 10 years ago.

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    1. When you want a cheap gross pizza, it’s the move. The price has gone up, though! I feel the same. We DoorDashed a bit too much because of sadness. I still don’t really have motivation to cook.
      I think it’s because we have gotten used to a mild winter.
      I agree.

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      1. We prefer California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas. We used to buy them for about $4 in 2017-2018. Now they’re almost $8 so it’s not really worth it anymore.

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  15. Those chow puppies are so cute! And the good and gather pizza looks delicious. I agree about the girl scout cookies. In fact, many grocery stores now sell very similar cookies for less than half the price. Grace was in girl scouts for awhile, and one year I handled cookie sales for the troop. To be honest, I was not impressed with the way the organization did things or how much of the money ended back with the troop. We are getting one more blast of cold air this week.

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  16. Chow puppies are the cutest (next to Westies). We had a black chow for many years. He was like a bear. He barely tolerated summer, but he looooved winter! We had to shave him one year after he tangled with a skunk. I chuckled over your comment about Totino’s. I think the Thin Mints are definitely different than they used to be. But, I love Tag a Longs…they are my kryptonite. Our youngest granddaughter sells them so we always have bunches. I started donating them so I didn’t have as many around. It is absolutely frigid here with lows near zero. We got rain Friday that turned to sleet then snow so some streets are just sheets of ice. I’m not going to tell you each week gets easier. Each week is just different. Don’t worry about commenting. Take care of you.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. I guess they have never been on my radar. These puppies were going to get huge. I can see them getting so hot. I can’t even buy Tagalongs. They are too good. I am officially over winter!

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  17. How was Fly Me to the Moon? That is on my list of movies to watch. I am glad you are so supported still walking through some hard times. Keep taking care of yourself. I hope the day back to school goes well tomorrow. Or is it a snow day?

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  18. I love how you found moments of joy, even through the tough times. The puppies, boutique finds, and buffalo chicken mac and cheese sound like much-needed treats! Sending you so much love and prayers as you continue to navigate this time.

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