Friday, May 30, 2025

Well, the pollen has gotten me! Or, whatever allergens come out in May have gotten to me. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week, though.

I talked about most of my Memorial Day weekend here, but I wrote my post on Sunday afternoon. I didn’t have much motivation to be productive or social. The weather was cool and gray until Monday, too. I did have lots of cardinals visit my yard. I filled up my two feeders and they came. I wrote a little song, “My birdseed brings all the birds to my yard” and that’s all I have so far.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the estate sale was going on at my mom’s house. We didn’t have any part of it, but just had to have everything out we wanted to keep. The agent was selling everything in the house except the appliances. And, in fact, he sold the garage fridge he wasn’t supposed to sell. We watched on our security cameras and there was lots of texting with the agent. I will probably do a whole dedicated post to what I have learned. We got messages from hometown people and it was emotional. I felt like I had that cloud hanging over me all weekend.

But, on Monday, the sun came out. Tom and I went down to the river to check on our boat, charge the battery, and let little Eddie Otis swim in the river.

I parted ways with Tom and EO and took myself to Haymarket which is kind of like a farmer’s market indoors, bakery, coffee shop with a greenhouse in the back. They are affiliated with a big farm out in the country, too.

I sat in the sun for a bit and it was lovely.

For my summer scent, I am using this body wash and body butter from Trader Joe’s.

Along with this summery hair and body mist from Ouai.

I also purchased Trader Joe’s sunscreens. I have only used the facial before. I believe both the facial and the invisible gel body are dupes for Super Goop.

I was putting new eggs in the container and Tom asked if I had put self tanner on the eggs like I put on myself.

Wear the shorts! I do hate getting my legs stuck to a restaurant or car seat – note to self to put a towel in my car. But, I am so happy with my Amazon Anrabess boxers and my Wild Fable from Target. Wear them at home if nothing else.

I am sticking with lemon decor for now.

Part of my kitchen renovation will include cabinetry in the mudroom.

It’s so nice to have my deck back again. I am out here as much as I can be!

I enjoyed using my Mother’s Day gift card when I ran out of coffee. I went and bought two brewed coffees to doctor up myself at home. I also got my favorite breakfast sandwich. Gift cards feel like free money!

A long term sub gave me this specialty bbq sauce for helping her. I really didn’t help her much, but what a sweet gesture. Food gifts are always great gifts to give.

Joanne is so sweet and makes really cool cards with her own two hands! She sent me this gorgeous retirement card!

I finished this book and really liked it. It dealt with Alzheimer’s and I think the author handled it really well. From the back cover, “Leaving Chicago behind, the last thing she expects when she walks through the door of her childhood home is Adam Wheeler in her bed”. Adam is a live in nurse and the main character is Elle, the granddaughter who was raised by her grandmother Lovie. I wasn’t sure I would be into it, but I am glad I read it.

Now for my most favorite of the week…

We have had teacher work days this week from Tuesday through today – but wait there’s more. We also have to come back Monday. We have to sign in at 8:30 and sign out at 3:30. I thought I might be able to run a few errands but it’s like maximum security prison. I asked my world language department if they wanted to do a pitch in/potluck brunch on Tuesday (it was the day with the least amount of scheduling) and no one seemed interested. I went as far as to think that maybe I would just do a brunch for the whole department. Then, I got tired.

Well, those little stinkers had a surprise up their sleeves!

They did an Italian buffet, fancy Italian soda with fancy ice, and a cake. They gave me a giant card and flowers, too. I was so touched and tickled. I tried to say this and it came out “touckled”. I got teary-eyed. I really didn’t expect anything at all.

My room is almost totally wiped clean of any Spanish evidence. I have separated my sentimental stuff from my giveaway/trash/donation stuff and the Japanese teacher has started moving his stuff in. I received a really sweet and thoughtful message from a dear old friend about her mom’s teaching stuff in boxes in her garage. She advised me to pass my stuff along rather than keep it. So, I did a lot of giving things away and only kept what I think I will truly look at again. I have a box of photos and a box of letters and cards that are my main prize possessions.

When I take a picture of what my room looks like now and put it on Instagram my students will be shocked. Maybe I shouldn’t?

I’m in my feels, but I still have peace about my decision. I typed a thank you letter to my principal but I made it funny (I think). When they started talking about PD, training videos, committees, and new initiatives at the faculty meeting I broke out into hives and that further solidified my decision.

My Friday Favorites led me once again to this topic! Sorry!

What filled your heart this week?

Amy

34 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. Aw, that was so sweet of them to throw you a retirement party! I love that. I’m hoping and praying for short weather. I bought a couple new pair this spring that I’d like to style. I’m hearing it’s supposed to be hot this summer so we’ll see… every few years we have a real rainy and cold summer and so far that has described our spring to a T.

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  2. I think the way your dept. surprised you is so sweet! The banner was fabulous – you are a legend! No doubt you are making the right decision.

    I bet it was an emotional weekend with the estate sale happening. Good thing you weren’t there in person. That would have been so hard.

    Have a great weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Thank you! I am not sure I’m a legend, but maybe a short story.
      I hope I am. It’s been a bit conflicting this week.
      For sure – all the emotions and all the feels but good feels all the same.

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  3. Congratulations and so well deserved- I will miss your teaching stories but you are a funny writer regardless so I look forward to following along in your next chapter 🙂

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  4. Congratulations on your retirement! And, what a wonderful party your colleagues threw for you! No wonder you were surprised after trying to plan a brunch. I’m looking forward to reading about all of your new adventures!

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  5. I picked up that TJ body butter again this season. It’s one of my faves. I’ve heard good things about the TJ sunscreen. The tan eggs comment 🤣🤣
    I love that your World Lang dept threw you a surprise lunch! So sweet! You will be deeply missed, I’m sure! I know you’ll get in a summer groove soon…& back to school (or not going back to school) will feel odd…but so well deserved!

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    1. It’s so good and it will last me until I get sick of it I think. The sunscreen glides on so smoothly.
      Tom is weird!
      It was so sweet. It’s kind of hard to watch the Japanese teacher move in to my space. It’s as if I was never there. I think summer will feel like summer and then come August it will hit me. I’m both excited and nervous!

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      1. I bet it is an odd feeling!
        I’m changing rooms – I’m getting a bigger room thanks to a retiring teacher. I absolutely wanted to give him his space to move out at his leisure. We chatted twice about how I had first dibs on some things before he offered to others, etc and he said after 5/29, he’d be all moved out. I was up at school Friday and peeked in the room and it’s a blank slate. I think trav and Hayden will help me move some things next week just so I have things out of my room for the next recipient. I can deal with setting up my new room later but I do want to get my things in their new home. The good news is that room has an extra room for storage so I can just put my stuff in there out of the way before they start cleaning out rooms this summer.

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  7. Is every shopping destination in Louisville adorable? Half at least, I’d say :). The surprise party looks so special! How great to be appreciated for what you’ve done. Goodness, I can see how you have all the feels. Have a great weekend!

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  8. What a sweet, sweet gesture that they gave you! I’m sure you were touckled! 🤣 That made me laugh, and so did Tom’s funny comment. I think you could do a whole post on him alone, and his funny sayings. I like his humor! You are loved by so many, my friend. I hope this weekend is full of joyous moments for you! My heart was filled up yesterday with volunteering for a children’s hospital with my son, and by hugs from friends. I had a couple of hard days this week and have been battling emotions all week long! I really hate weeks like that, but today is already better.

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    1. Super touckled! I could do a Tom post. He makes me madder than anyone and make me laugh more than anyone! They better love me! Ha!
      I am so sorry you had some hard days but I hope the good moments made up for those. Without the hard, we wouldn’t appreciate the good – that is what I tell myself.

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  10. I am using the body soap and lotion too and really love it for summer. I love that your coworkers surprised and loved on you! You are so close! I am hoping this weekend feel so much lighter for you than last. You are entitled to all the emotions with a continuation of so many transitions. You are also loved! Thanks for talking this week!

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    1. It’s really nice and a good price point and not too strong. It was so nice! Thank you! I hope so. It was so nice to talk to you. It’s easy to get in our own heads but reaching out and sharing our loads is always good.

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  11. So excited for you! It is emotional and a little scary to retire but it is the best ever and you will love the freedom it brings. That was so sweet of your team to recognize your retirement and the many years you have spent teaching. Good advice from your friend about things you keep. I had a few boxes in my storage for several years and my husband asked what I was saving it for and I didn’t have an answer so out they went lol. Looking forward to seeing where retirement takes you.

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  12. hehehe! Your birdseed song did make me chuckle. I do love feeding the birds.
    I am glad the sun came out on Monday. The Haymarket sounds a great place to spend some time and how lovely to have your deck back!
    Aww! What a sweet celebration for your retirement.

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  13. You made a difference in the lives of teachers as well as students. I’m glad they recognized that and threw you this party! I’m betting you will be even more missed than you think! Hugs to you over all the sentimental things you are going through right now. Here’s to the next chapter! May it be happy and filled with as much joy and meaning as the last!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com

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  14. The retirement party was well-deserved and very thoughtful of your team. I’m also using the Tj’s lotion and body wash…so fun for summer. The estate sale brings back memories of my mother-in-law’s. It went well, but was hard for her to get rid of things to downsize. We kept her away from the house during and after the sale. Hope you have a good weekend.

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    1. Thank you! I am always the organizer so I was shocked. It really is fun to change up all your scents for each season.
      I can’t imagine having to do the sale with the person watching/still alive to see it all. That is definitely smart. I bet she felt a weight lifted after, though.
      I hope you do, too!

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  15. What a treat to be toasted by your colleagues… and so well deserved, too! I hope you felt all the love and respect that was coming your way! I’m sure there are many emotions surfacing as a result of your mom’s estate sale. Another step in the journey, but none of it is easy! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!

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    1. It was really unexpected. I did! So many, but I am so blessed, too. That is my overwhelming feeling is that I got to have a great 31 year career and I got to take care of this in honor of my mom and in a way that she would have loved – I think and hope!

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  17. The retirement party is a fun surprise! I hope you have a very relaxing weekend planned after a week of PD…*What* could they even possibly talk about for that many days????

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    1. It really was! Thank you! Well, get this…they won’t even tell my department who is teaching what so the past four days were a missed opportunity of creating plans for next year.

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