Monday, May 26, 2025
Memorial Day is a day to remember service men who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and it also serves as the unofficial start to summer for most in the U.S. There are lots of red, white, and blue things out in stores. I am a very patriotic person and I love red, white, and blue.
My Dad didn’t die while serving but he still gets honored in my hometown. The dates are wrong on the flag because he served much longer than what it says. He was in Vietnam in 1969, I believe.
Once a Daddy’s girl, always a Daddy’s girl.
I love this photo!
Friday I drove to school for the last day ever (with students and at the earlier time)! For my last 5 teacher days, I will roll in later.
Erica surprised me with an Etsy find – this headband – and it happened to match my outfit. Ignore the eyes as I had already gotten teary-eyed a couple of times.
Classes wanted to do a Tik Tok and take photos and who am I to say no? I was glad we finished finals so we had time to do this. I gave a little good-bye speech to each class and highlighted what I liked about them.
I received three bouquets, a few gift cards and a few heartfelt notes. I was so touched.
Anyone have a suggestion for my notes? A binder?
We had to have a happy hour at the Cuban place, right?
I mean, does it get better than the Kroger parking lot? European patios vs. U.S. patios!
I love the flags that line our neighborhood streets.
I came home Friday night just full of emotions. My heart was so full from a great last day. I had a nice happy hour and the feeling of accomplishing another school year. And, it was also the first day of my parents’ house estate sale. What a crazy coincidence that my last day of teaching was on the first day of the sale. And, I thought I was ok. I thought I was doing surprisingly well. And, I was until I wasn’t.
When Tom came home from work I kind of lost it. I started crying from sadness and then got a headache from crying and then went to bed early. And, I found out the next day that I had a touch of PMS thrown in there apparently.
I woke up Saturday feeling better. I slept about 9 hours and that had to have helped. I did my favorite Saturday morning thing of piddling around, doing chores, making a plan, and all the things.
I went to Trader Joe’s:
I went to the library:
Tom needed Eddie Otis out of his hair so he could do some yard work so EO and I did some indoor tv watching and I started this:
We eventually went outside and I read for a bit and Tom and EO piddled around. EO just follows Tom around doing whatever little thing and then stopping Tom every 5 minutes for a “hug”. It’s the cutest thing ever.
Tom took me out and the food was quite mediocre. He chose the place so I can’t be blamed.
My fish sandwich had zero flavor. I did like the parmesan truffle fries.
Sunday I did some more necessary things like mopping the mudroom floor.
I helped Tom put the railings back on the deck.
Sweet boy:
With railings – the stair railings aren’t back up yet, though:
So, it was cold and rainy yesterday. Ho hum.
I went to Fresh Market to get hot dogs and the chicken dinner meal deal. I saw this sausage in the case:
Someone is a real Porcasso.
I will be back tomorrow with a recipe!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
So neat that your dad is honored in your home town. I know you are so proud of:)
Congrats on the end of a great career! I can only imagine the emotions you felt. Your students are so sweet and I’m sure when you started teaching 31 years ago, you never would have expected to be tik toking on the last day 🤣 your students love you! So glad you ended on a high note. I bet all the emotions of all the things hit at once. I feel like that happens to me haha. The back deck looks awesome! Just in time for summer…what is this weekend weather? Blah. But honestly it’s been nice to feel like it’s ok to spend most of my weekend at home. I’m so tired…grateful for very few plans. I hope you have the best end to your weekend/start to your week.
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It sounds like your last day with students was good and overflowing with emotions. That is so true about patio dining in the USA…it’s just not the same! My father-in-law also served in Vietnam around the same time, although I think he was stationed on an air base in Thailand. Hope your last teacher days are productive and happy! 🙂
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How wonderful that your dad is honoured in your hometown.
It sounds like such an emotional day at school on Friday but lovely too! I am glad you felt a little better on Saturday. That is a shame that the food wasn’t amazing when you ate out.
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It’s great that your dad is honored and remembered on a flag in his hometown. It makes me sound old, but I feel like many people forget the true reason for a lot of our holidays. It by sounds like a great last day with students! I love your headband! We have 1/2 days with exams this week, Tues.-Thurs. Friday is a make-up exam day in the cafeteria. I just have to wait for a few exams to grade – those students had out-of-school suspension, and I don’t know if they’ll even make up their exams. I’ll do my grades and clean up my room while I wait! This is the end of year 22 for me, and I plan to do 9 more years. Nine! Congrats on your retirement!
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Your last day pictures make me teary! I think a binder with clear sleeves would work for your notes. I hhave seen some people punch a hole in one corner of cards and put a ring thru it. Pinterest has some cute ideas! Congratulations on your retirement!! 🎓👏👏👏
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What a fabulous last day of school; I do have a binder that I kept all my student’s and parents (nice) letters in and tucked each letter into one of those protective sleeves. I can see how all those emotions would hit at once. We were walking in Mystic yesterday and walked by one “sidewalk cafe” that people were literally bumping into the tables as they walked by and I remember thinking that is one time/place I would not have wanted to sit outside!
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The railings look so good on the porch! I can’t imagine the emotions of the weekend. You are looking cute as always though!
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Congratulations on your Retirement. I retired in 2022, after 31 years at Costco. Its so nice never having to worry about going to work. Enjoy!!
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Thank you and congrats to you! Yes!
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Happy Memorial Day, Amy! Your headband was so cute – what a great accessory for your last student day EVER! I’m so glad you felt the love all day long! I also love the way your hometown honors its servicemen and women. How special to see your dad’s photo featured! My daughter and I have started to watch Sirens at the lake this weekend… we are 3 episodes in and I’m intrigued!
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Thank you! Erica wants me to wear it each and everyday.
I am loving Sirens!
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Bwahahahaha, the porcasso – yes, that is some kind of art!
I bet it was a very emotional day on Friday and I don’t blame you for breaking down in tears. A binder is a great idea for all the notes.
The deck looks great!
xo,
Kellyann
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It was an emotional weekend. I didn’t feel like socializing and the weather kinda matched my mood until yesterday!
Thank you!
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The deck looks great! I know you wonder why he spent so much time on it when he could have hired it out – but now it’s something that you can both admire as a job well-done.
It sounds like EO and Tom have a VERY sweet relationship :).
Yes! You should put your letters in a binder to keep – they are special. Now you can go finish all the “other” stuff this week with time and a perspective not focused on coming back. Onward and forward!! Have a great week!
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So true! Thank you! I just feel bad for him for having so many work weekends.
They really do. EO loves me, too, but I am ok with Daddy being his bestie.
I might go ahead and buy my binder or find one so I can be working on it!
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How nice the town puts up photos! My dad was in Vietnam (a Marine) about the same time, he came home in the fall of 1969. I think you were probably overdue for a big cry and sometimes that helps us regain our equilibrium a bit. Lots of emotional stuff for you to manage currently and hopefully the summer can be a time of rest as you continue to grieve and think about this post-retirement chapter. I love the crown : ) Have a nice week!
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The stack you left work with on Friday is nothing but a small testament to the many lives you’ve touched. Your students were fortunate to have you in their lives, and they’ll never forget you! I’m glad you walked away feeling loved by them all. I would get a binder if I were you, with page protectors for the notes/cards you received. I’d even press some of those flowers and save them! I did that when I left my school two years ago, because I went away with so many notes and tokens of appreciation. I love going back through stuff like that every once in a while to look back, you know?
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That headband is awesome! Congrats on making it through.
I’m sure all the emotions are rearing up with everything you have going on. Hang in there. Trips to the library helps!
Had to laugh at the patio area – aint that the trust – US patios – you never know WHERE you’re going to sit
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I think a binder for your notes would be a good thing. I had mine in a folder. When we moved down to Brownsburg in 2015, I did finally toss them (keeping some that were extra special). If you have the room, keep them. They will remind you of a very important time in your life. I like your deck railings a lot. Our patio is just flat with barely a step down, but I still manage to trip every once in a while. We are watching “Sirens” now, too. It’s definitely different. Do you think Devon looks a bit like Kiki?
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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