Friday, April 25, 2025

Is it really true? Is it here? I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites.

I am hoping for a pretty cocktail this weekend!

Here is a random assortment of things that made me smile this week..

I brought home my mom’s vintage mah jong set and my kids told me they knew how to play. But, as we started they said they knew Japanese and not Chinese style. What? Did you know there were different styles?

We took lots of time to set it up, read directions, and then we finally played on Easter afternoon and it was lovely.

I also admired my new highlighter yellow mani!

Tom worked really hard on the deck this weekend and it’s coming along!

Pretty after a little drizzle…

Then muddy and not so pretty…

It is back breaking work and Tom has already put in maybe 5 full days. He said that pulling up the old boards was harder than he thought it would be.

Blurry photo that I asked Tom to take of our Easter meal. I had a brisket in the crockpot all day, ham, roasted carrots, hasselback potatoes, and rolls.

It was fun to “announce” my retirement on Instagram this week. I had already done so on Facebook. Facebook is my family and friends and Instagram is mostly former students and some friends.

I had this photo of me with a clock and said, “it’s time”…

I was so touched by all the messages that came through and thought of each and every former student and what they mean to me.

As much negative as there is surrounding social media, it has helped me to stay in touch and there probably isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t engage with a former student – not in a creepy way. At least I hope not in a creepy way!

We replaced our shamrocks that told why we felt lucky with our suns which tell what we hope to do and will do this summer. We used the future and subjunctive tenses for any nerds out there.

Big boy tried out the leather couch for the first time this week and looks pretty proud. He has his emotional support chili pepper from Aunt Molly.

I ordered two sizes in these from Target and I really like them! I took the smaller size so I am glad that I had two to compare because I was leaning toward the larger size. They are like nerdy cool, no? They are Universal Thread that does good dupes for higher end brands. Target makes in person returns easy so I will return the other pair.

Wow – my twin niece and nephew tried on their cap and gown for their graduation invitation.

And, Mia had her AP art show. I wish we lived closer.

I feel like I need to add electrolytes on a regular basis – like every day. Do you have any brand/flavor recs? This strawberry is good and I mixed it with sparkling water.

Baby with his elephant…

The excitement is in the air for Derby week as it is only a week away now! Some events were cancelled due to the flood, sadly. The track is open for people to watch the warm ups and then there is racing all week leading up to Saturday, May 3rd – Derby day. I have been several times but only to the infield which is just a big old party! I have also been to Oaks dressed up and on some of the other racing days dressed up. I have been to night racing in the summer and I have been to the fall racing – which I really like. The ticket prices have gotten so outrageous!

Look how these ladies are dressed in 1910!

This weekend is also something you may have heard about in blog land. Jenn, Marilyn, Tanya, Joanne, Maria, and I will be hanging out in Louisville! They did this last year in Nashville, but Maria had her broken bone and I had my kids’ last college play. I have only met Jenn in person a couple of years ago when she visited my city. So, this is like a blind date with the other women!

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Happy Friday and Happy last weekend of April!

Amy

23 thoughts on “Friday Faves”

  1. Lots of things to smile about this week! Yay for announcing your retirement in such a cute way! Your niece’s art is awesome! Congrats to them as they graduate.

    Your new sandals are cute, they do look like the higher end brand.

    I’m excited for you to hang out with other bloggers – I think this is always so much fun!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  3. I had no idea there were different versions of mah Jong but I guess that makes sense. The deck is looking fabulous. I’m just about ready to board the plane!

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  4. My husband keeps joking that no one is real in blog land (except, somehow, me…) I will send him proof of real blogger photos later!! Your niece is so talented and I guess twins run in the family? Great pics of them in their gowns. Speaking of gowns, the ladies knew how to dress up back in the day! See ya soon- I haven’t been to Louisville since my dance mom days. It’s time to make new memories :).

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  5. oh, you are going to have so much fun hanging out with the ladies in Louisville! It will be a blast. You are just the cutest! Your retirement announcement was precious and 31 years, kudos to you, Mrs. Scott!

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  6. I’m hoping for a delicious and beautiful cocktail this weekend as well! I love that highlighter yellow mani; you know neon yellow is my favorite every summer. I love that Aunt Molly gave EO an emotional support chili pepper; and I love that he needs them. I get to see you today!! I love what you said about it being like a blind date with the other women!

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  7. We’re hosting a Derby party this year which is feeling a little crazy since the kids don’t technically move out until that Friday. We have a house cleaner booked for that same day lol. You will have a fun weekend. I had two blog friends I didn’t know irl come stay with me when I lived outside of NYC. My hubs kept asking when the strangers from the Internet were coming to stay. I’ve met a few bloggers in real life and they have all been who they seemed to be online. Enjoy your time together!

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  8. we are big electrolyte drinkers in my family – the ultima brand (on Amazon) is good – watermelon is our favorite – sometimes they have sales on the ultima website and I stock up. I have also tried the Key Nutrients brand – peach mango is very good. Congrats on retirement!

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  9. My husband is a mountain biker. He says he usually gets cramps when he rides but the last time he rode he tried LMNT in his water. He said he didn’t get a cramp but his water was kind of thick and unappealing 😂 Maybe he should try Liquid IV 🤔

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    1. I have almost purchased that brand. It’s just so expensive, no? I guess you get what you pay for. Costco has Liquid IV and I want the red, white, blue popsicle flavor. I tried it in a sample last year and it’s very good.

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  10. I didn’t know there was a two different styles of mah jong. How interesting.
    I love your new nails! That is such a spring/summer colour!
    The deck is looking fab! Well done Tom!

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  12. I saw your post on Instagram! That was definitely a cool way to announce your retirement! I’ve always wanted to go to the Derby, but I’ve never made it. Really, I just want to get a really cool hat! Have a fabulous time with the other bloggers! I am sure you’ll have a blast!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  13. I love the nails! The Universal Thread slides are nice too…I miss the quality UT used to be, overall.

    Funny: I cannot do Liquid IV. I tried it when I was pregnant and I’d never been so sick. There’s all kinds of literature out there about how LIV and other similar brands stack up with ingredients. LIV has something in it that doesn’t agree with a lot of people.

    Your days in the classroom are winding down! I bet you’re excited 🙂

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    1. Thank you! The color has been fun. I know – I rarely buy the clothes anymore and I am not really supposed to buy Target shoes (my own rule) but sometimes I break it.
      That is crazy and good to know about the LIV!
      They are! I am! I am tired and that is the feeling that is winning out right now!

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  14. Love the suns to replace the shamrocks. All the EO pics are precious. He looks so handsome in the couch pics . Your nieces and nephew pics – so nice too! Lots of good going on for your family! And yay retirement!

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