Friday, May 16, 2025
Happy Friday! I am coming in to you all bleary-eyed this morning. This is the longest part of the school year. We are testing and babysitting. I’m so tired. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share just a few favorites this week, but they are good ones!
I thought to take a photo this week of my facial products that I am really happy with. I owe it all to Jenn for two of the products. And, to Jen for one!
They are out of order. I put the coconut oil on my face both morning and night. I rub excess on my elbows. I also have not needed any sort of chapstick since using this because it takes care of my lips, too. It melts your makeup off and it makes your face so moist. I also have not experienced breakouts. It’s magic. Then, I put on the witch hazel with a cotton round. It is the rose scent and when Jen talked about it I was like – no, I do not like that smell, but it is really nice. My moisturizer on a normal day that I am not going to be outside is the Trader Joe’s 15. I go up to a 30 or 50 if I am going to be outside. And, then I recently started using the glotion and it’s good!

This mani is still going strong and still making me so happy. My senior girls were talking about how much their nails cost and I said, “Mine are like $3.50!”

I used my chair Sunday and just had to share how much I love it.

Tom finished the deck on Sunday – well, he still has the stairs to go – and it made me so thankful for this space. I have missed it.

I got the biggest surprise in the mail! My dear reader and friend Sally sent me a retirement box! The gifts were perfect and the little notes were so thoughtful. I love when someone knows me and I feel seen.

This mug is so cute – the handle is bacon!

I believe this to be true and put this sign in a place I will see it each day.

I love writing handwritten notes to people and do plan to use these cute cards!

I have never had bookmarks like this but have wanted them. How cute!

These earrings are so cute and so me!

Love these clips! If I am home, my hair is up!

Get you a friend like Sally! Thank you so much!
Tom surprised me with roses Sunday and they are just gorgeous. He also picked out a really nice card with the perfect wording for me. He is not a grand gesture guy, but I think he knew that I needed this this year.

My favorite meal of the week was roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, red onions, chicken, avocados, a bit of cheese, hot honey and lime juice. Tom liked it, too!

I treated myself to something this week and it was way better than the Japanese head spa. I got a 10 minute chair massage. We have a place in the mall and my back has been hurting and it’s much better now. I need to do this more often.

I don’t have a super long post today but I am thankful for all these blessings I have had this week.
What was your favorite from the week?
Amy
Aw, that retirement gift box is so sweet and so fun! The new deck is looking incredible.
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How nice to enjoy your deck! Girl, that box is so thoughtful and such great gifts. I hope you can rest this weekend after a long week.
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I just love that retirement box! Sweet idea and the egg cup is precious! Yum on that sweet potato dish. Totally going to try it! Get some rest this weekend!
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Thank you! I was so touched. The sweet potato dish is customizable, too. I think you could add more things or subtract things. You too!
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What fun items in the box! How sweet, practical and fun!! Girl, you were in my dream last night (we were shopping at a consignment shop and we were at the same rack. I was low key worried you were going to find something that I wanted but I had to act like it was NBD – it was weird and I just had it so it’s on my mind!!). The flowers are super pretty as well- flower buyer and a deck builder- you have a keeper :). Have a great weekend!
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Haha – That is so funny that you dreamed that. I would have fought you for it! Just kidding! I mean – it only took him 25 years to become those things. I was patient.
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Wow what a great gift box from Sally! So many goodies and you’ll love them all.
The roses are beautiful and so very thoughtful.
Hope you have a great weekend and get some much needed rest!
xo,
Kellyann
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How sweet was that of Sally to send you that retirement box?! I love it when people are so thoughtful. I’ve never heard of a chair massage, but am intrigued enough to try it if I ever see a spot to do that. I’m glad that it worked for you and that your back feels better! Maybe you could make that a new part of your life moving forward? Or even a real massage where you get to lay down and have nice music and aromatherapy at the same time? I would be so tempted if I were you! Happy Friday, my friend. Much love!
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That is a thoughtful gift from Sally! Your anti gravity chair looks very comfortable. I want to make a reading area in a wooded corner of my backyard. Your chair would be perfect for that! The only thing holding me back are the my mosquitoes!!
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Hi, I am retired too and my nails are so damaged from the salon. Which nails do you use? Do you use glue? How long do they stay on ? I am on the struggle bus I like the shorter length like yours. Thank You! I enjoy your blog!
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Hi! I only use Impress brand press ons. No glue! They last me about 10 days and by then I am tired of the color. Try them out but don’t give up. You get better with practice. The key is finding the right size nail for each of your nails and then once stuck on trim and file.
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Hey, I use that same toner! I really don’t notice any scent, though. According to my eye doctor, I have to step away from the emollients as makeup cleaners. They’re gunking up my eye glands (did you know we had those). I love that retirement box. What a thoughtful idea!
Have a wonderful weekend! The end is in sight…just keep thinking that!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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What a thoughtful, fun and lovely gift your friend put together for you. Funny, isn’t it, how random acts of friendship make such a difference.
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The retirement gift box is so thoughtful! I would love all of those items too! I also bought the glotion and love it so far. Hang in there – just a few weeks left! 🙂
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What a thoughtful friend! I agree with you about the coconut oil. It’s like a magic elixir that fixes almost everything. I’ve had a problem with my ankle and my daughter suggested I rub coconut oil on it and it’s helped. Hope you’re having a nice weekend!
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The deck looks great! The retirement box is such a sweet sentiment! The roses are beautiful. I’m draggging too! We don’t have school Tuesday this week…Election Day but I don’t think there are any elections?! 🤣
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