Tuesday, September 2, 2025

It’s hard to believe I have been blogging for over 7 years now. Seven? 7? I never remember the rules about typing numbers.

The purpose of this post…

I realize I have some new readers around here and also I have some newish things in my life. I will try to pepper in some photos so you aren’t so bored.

My name is Amy. I am 53. Why lie? If I lie about my age, I’m only going up so people can say I look amazing – “Oh my gosh – you look so good for 73!”

I am married to Tom who is 4.5 years older than me. We have been married for 25 years. We have only ever lived in one home! We bought it a couple of months before the wedding. We have one more major renovation project to do and it’s the kitchen. I hate renovation commotion and mess but I love the results.

This is Tom:

He doesn’t normally smile for pictures but our friend got him to smile over his bowl of lit up ice he ordered for dinner recently.

Almost exactly two years after our wedding, we had identical twin boys! My kids are almost 23 and I don’t talk about them much on the blog because they are private and it’s not their blog. After graduating from college they moved home and it’s been a little over a year and one is getting ready to get an apartment here in town (moving out today, to be exact) and the other is working toward it. I seriously could not have done my last year of teaching without their help at home with our puppy.

I absolutely have loved being a mom to these two!

We have a 1.5 year old chocolate lab named Eddie Otis.

Tom and his new baby last summer:

The baby is now big:

He is a handful but sure does make us laugh and add lots of excitement to our home.

I just retired from 31 years as a high school Spanish teacher on July 1. It’s still surreal to me and I’m figuring out my new normal.

Tom is a construction estimator. It’s great that he never has to be exact.

I had some fun on the first day of school in my old district:

I love reading, cooking, being outside in nature, fashion, quality time with family and friends and I write about all of that here. Thank you for being here! I can’t believe how much joy this blog has brought to me.

Tom and I have a lot in common but we also have a lot of differences; I just wrote about our extrovert/introvert natures if you are interested.

We live in Louisville, Ky now but are both from small towns. I am from a small town in Indiana and Tom is from a small town in Eastern Kentucky. But, Tom was born in Germany and lived there until he was two years old. Tom’s sister and her family also live here in Louisville but I don’t have any family here.

My twins first Halloween costume made by Tom:

Look at those chubby legs and cute feet! My twins were born at 30 weeks weighing only 2.9 and 2.14 pounds so everything seemed amazing for a really long time. They spent 6 weeks in the NICU.

I am the oldest of three girls and I adore my sisters. They are both teachers – one in Indiana and one in Ohio.

My Dad passed away in 2018 after a brutal 7 week hospital stay here in Louisville. For anything pretty major, people get transferred to Indianapolis or Louisville from my small hometown. It was a blessing that he was in the hospital here because I got to see him every day, but it was also extremely hard rushing from school to the hospital and all the other things I had to do. My mom stayed at my house during that time and we helped her get to and from the hospital. He had a hernia and when they went to fix it they found cancer and the hernia was probably caused by the cancer.

My mom passed away suddenly last January. It’s been a rough year. I am lucky I have two sisters to share the load with. In this photo, we visited our parents’ graves together. We also cleaned out the house over several weekends, had an estate sale, and are now selling the house.

So, in addition to my new retirement status I am adjusting to life with no living parents.

I try to keep it real here on the blog. Tom hates that expression “keeping it real”…

I hope that I am mostly positive, but there are times when I share the negative.

I love blogging and I think it’s a more sincere connection than social media. I do try to respond to all my comments but sometimes I fall behind. Just know that I read and treasure each and every one of them.

Did you learn anything new about me?

Amy

40 thoughts on “Allow Me to Introduce Myself…”

  2. I did learn some new things about you! I didn’t know the twins were in the NICU for 6 weeks, what a scary time for y’all and to see them now – wow!!!

    I cannot believe how much EO has grown, seeing him as a puppy from last year seems like such a long time ago. He sure does love Tom!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Yes! It feels like a lifetime ago. This is why I am thinking about volunteering to hold babies in the NICU if they allow it.
      I know – he looks like a calm puppy in that photo, too!

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  3. I did learn a few new things about you and loved reading this blog. Eddie Otis is adorable and has grown a lot! The twins first Halloween costumes were adorable.

    Trish

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  4. Enjoyed reading about and learning more about you! You know I am about keeping it real- I think some people are more glass half full and that shows up in their writing while some are more glass half empty and that shows up in their writing (assuming the writing in both instances is done the intent of being real and not only showing one side of things). You seem more half full so your blog is mostly upbeat, I feel like. To me, genuineness is the most important thing. Anyway, back to you (haha), I like this post and format of giving some facts about you and your upbringing. I hope the move out goes well today!

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  6. I knew most of this, but it was fun reading it anyway. I don’t know that I realized how long your day was in the hospital. I cannot imagine how hard that was for all of you! I know you’re still getting adjusted to this new normal for you, but you seem to be doing really well most days. I know there are ups and downs, but you are doing your very best and embracing all that life has to offer.

    I hope you have a great Tuesday, my friend! xoxo

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    1. Thank you! Yes, it was a brutal time. My mom slept on my basement couch for that whole time. She didn’t want to have her car here so we drove her each morning and after a while used an Uber sometimes.
      I’m having my moments. I am scared about the holidays for sure.
      You too!

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  7. Dear Mrs Amy,

    I never comment but I’ve been a fan of your blog for a while now. (Ever since you won the Mix & Match Mama giveaway.) I live in Japan and I commute to work about an hour every day. You are the first blog I read on my way home from teaching grade 5 in a private school in Tokyo and I look forward to winding down the day “with you.” Because of my limited English skills, I apologize in advance, but I really enjoy your blog because it is so normal in the best way possible. You are honest, funny, open minded, confident but not preachy, not political or religious, and just like your blog title, I feel like I’m sitting across the table from you having green tea in your company! I say this with a lot of respect but your writing style is “easy” reading for my tired teacher-self at the end of the day on an extremely crowded train ride home. 

    I like that you are not self-centered which I know sounds contradictory since the blog is about your life… it’s my lack of English but I just feel like you are including me in your space rather “dumping” me about your life which I like a lot. (To be honest, I am sometimes “culture shocked” by the amount of information America bloggers offer on their blog. I understand they can say whatever they want on their own blogs but as a more reserved Japanese, I am often startled and taken back with the what is made open to the public!)

    Anyway, I am sorry if this makes little sense. I just thought I’d give myself the courage to send you a message of Thank You for being my companion on the train ride home everyday! I truly look forward to reading your blog at the end of my day! 

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    1. Hello and welcome! Your English is perfect! What a nice message that will warm my heart all day, all week, and all month, and more! I am so interested in the Japanese culture and so many principles that make sense to me.
      I love hearing your observations on American bloggers and to be honest, I agree. I love that this is the end of your day and the beginning of mine and that this helps you wind down. I bet you are exhausted. The hour train ride would put me to sleep, but by the time I reached home I would have processed and forgotten any of the details of the school day.
      I am so happy to have my new friend Ya from Japan here!

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  8. Congratulations to your son on his big move. I enjoyed reading this, even though I’m not new here. I’ve been blogging for sixteen years which sounds absolutely crazy. I think readers sense when a blog is ‘keeping it real’ and yours feels genuine. Like i”d know you if I met you in person. My hubs hates the expression ‘lots to unpack here’. Have a great day! Are you helping with the move?

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    1. Thank you! I’m excited to clean the spaces he occupied because he was -ahem- messy. He had a band of friends help and didn’t even ask his twin brother. He wants us to come when it’s all set up. So, again, letting my adult kids take the lead here. That is a long time! Thank you. There was so much to unpack.

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  9. I am a long time reader. You crack me up! Also, my kids are close in age to yours, so I can relate to much of what you write. Love your blog!

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  10. First, I sang the title to your post! I didn’t realize your sons were premature. That would have been a long six weeks. I keep hearing about a festival coming up in Madison. That’s amazing you’ve been in the same house. I wouldn’t have wanted to stay in our first home with a family…too small…but, I wish we’d stayed in our third. Have you always had Labs? It’s difficult when you make that realization your parents are truly both gone. I loved this and would like more “autobiography!”

    https://marshainthemiddle.com

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    1. I wanted people to! Yes it was very difficult. You are probably hearing about the Chautaqua. You should go! I’m not sure if I’m going yet or not.
      We have always had chocolate labs. I have let Tom decide this. He is partial to them. I might do another post with weird stuff about me.

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  12. Hello! Love your blog! I am curious about Tom being born in Germany. Was his family in the military? I know that you have had German visitors previously. Another thing I am curious about is if your sons are extraverts or introverts, with their parents being one of each. Have a great day!

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  13. I love the first day of not going to school picture! So cute! Congratulations on your retirement! I don’t often comment, but I have been thinking of you as you navigate so much newness at once. I know it’s tough when you leave a job you’ve loved for so long and have so much time stretched out before you, and especially losing your mom at the same time. I hope you continue to thrive in your new normal. And I love seeing pics of Eddie Otis! He is so cute!

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  14. Loved reading this and glad I’m a pretty OG reader! So exciting that one of the boys is moving out – I mean I’m sure it’s been great having them at home — just meant it’s an exciting stage of adulthood:) tom not having to be exact made me LOL!

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  15. This is the first time I’m visiting your blog and I appreciate your sharing. Sorry for your losses and admire the way you and your sisters are there for each other. I’ll check back again another time. Saw this post at Talking About it Tuesday #86. My shares at that party are 54, 55, and 56. Wishing you and your readers a fabulous Sept. and much happiness. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.

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  16. I enjoyed reading this all about you post! I don’t think I knew just how premature your boys were. That must have been a hard/scary time. Congrats to one son getting an apartment! By the way, I love the expression “keepin it real!”

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  17. I don’t know how long I’ve been reading your blog (years, for sure) and yes, I did learn new things about you. Nothing surprising, mostly personal like how long you’ve been married, a bit about your twins’ birth, and Tom’s occupation. Have you ever blogged about how you met?

    I love blogs for how well you can get to know others – I love SM for the back-and-forth. I used your meme from the weekend (about not allowing “just anyone” at your table) in an upcoming post – loved that.

    Good luck to your kiddo moving out. Big step. We still have 2 of 4 at home. . .they graduated and wanted to save money which makes sense. In some ways I think it’s “stunting” them (we live in the ‘burbs) but on the other hand, they are not alone either. . .the balance is different for everyone, right?

    Keep blogging please!! And, I responded to one of your posts recently about a linky party but was on my iPad and it wouldn’t post – boo. You would *really* stretch me if you did a “create this look” kind of thing. I promise I would try to participate in whatever you decide (if you decide)!

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    1. I think I did blog about how we met, but I will look! I am thinking about a follow up funny post about me.
      I know my other son is ready to move out soon but he has had trouble finding a job that will support that. Now he is talking about Chicago and trying to find a job there.
      Thank you for the encouragement. I kinda feel like I’m not motivated to do a link up right now but maybe I will do fashion challenges where people can play along.

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      1. I “get” it – wanting to do something, having a bunch of ideas, then just not being motivated. And that’s great about friends (are blog commentors friends?) – you can dream out loud but no one holds you to it unless you want us to 🙂

        Chicago is a BIG one! We have one who keeps telling us she wants to go to Brooklyn next year (she’s never been there) – but lives in Clarksville now. THAT would be culture shock. She say’s she doesn’t want to live in the South anymore. We’ll see. . .20’s is a time to try lots of things and see what works. So are your 50’s, BTW 😉

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      2. Ha – that makes me seem/sound lazy! Yes, I think they are. Honestly, I think I am still exhausted/processing the past few years.
        That is funny – she needs to at least visit and stay in an airbnb first!
        Amen to your 20s and your 50s!

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  20. I love your “First day of NOT going to school” photo haha. I am not retired, I just changed careers, but I really wish I would have thought to do this after I quit teaching after 10 years haha. Of course, I was still going to work that first day of school so maybe sans mimosa…

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  21. This was such a great synopsis of who you are and I definitely learned a few new things about you! I’ve been following your blog for four years now – ever since I retired from teaching. A year later, in 2022, my blogging partner and I started our own site. It’s been a fun journey!

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