Thursday, November 13, 2025

I am participating in “a day in the life” with Joyce and Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill at the end.

I decided to document Tuesday, November 11th.

I have been getting up around 5:45 and I simply put on gym clothes and brush my teeth.

This is me at a red light. Tom gets up at 4:30 and goes to the gym right when it opens at 5. He is part of the 5 am crew and they are chatty. I like arriving as they are leaving and there is a lull and hardly anyone there. I park next to Tom and we say “hi”. Lol. I am on my 7th week of my morning gym routine.

This jacket helps me on these cold days we have had.

I am so happy to have my driveway and garage back. We had a dumpster here for a week. My gate is automatic.

I just got my new to me car in July and I love how I get a little snowflake next to the temp.

I do have a heated steering wheel! I had it on my last car and didn’t think I had it on this one. Love a heated steering wheel!

I start my coffee as it’s now about 6:45.

Tom thankfully walks Eddie Otis and one of us turns on the patio lights. Tom took care of all the leaves over the weekend and now the yard is full again.

Eddie Otis eats and Tom goes back to shower and get ready for work. I read my devotional and open my computer. I talk to Eddie Otis.

This is my own fault, but I put my two multivitamin gummies and my vitamin D gummy in this cute little leaf for me to take after coffee. Eddie is worried about his vitamins and minerals, and I see him put his paws on the kitchen counter and start helping himself to the leaf contents. He got two before I got there.

The dumpster is gone and so is the nasty pile of old wood from April!

We go out to the recycling bin and trash bin together.

After I read blogs and write my next day’s blog, I open up my agenda and see what I need to do. I have ordered my 2026, as well. This is a great size for me – 8.5x 11 – and I write everything. It was like $7 on Amazon!

Elementary school starts at 7:30 and I have a nice window where no one is on the playground so when it gets light out Eddie and I do his second walk of the day. I listen to a podcast usually.

It is usually around 8:30 and I start to do the daily tasks of unloading the dishwasher if I haven’t already done it while my coffee is brewing, putting clean dishes away from the drainer, starting a load of laundry or putting something away, etc.

Sometimes I have phone calls to make. I have been making Monday my day to get admin stuff done and that has been working pretty well.

I make my breakfast and sit and eat it while reading my book.

This day was different because I was trying “Homeaglow” for the first time. I got a $19 voucher for a 3-hour house clean. I have only had my house professionally cleaned three times in my life. This was kind of a birthday treat and Tom suggested it.

So, I met my cleaner Leticia, and we talked and then she did both of my upstairs bathrooms while I worked on decluttering the mudroom, the kitchen, the dining room. Then, she came out and did the living room, dining room, and kitchen. I had to crate Eddie Otis because he was a little too “curious” about the bucket of mop water when she came out of the bathrooms. I did make sure she liked dogs!

I did the mudroom because she was going to run out of time. I worked the whole time she worked, and it forced me to get it done, too.

I added my little Thanksgiving touches:

I already had the mantel stuff:

She left at 11 and I went to take my shower and get ready to go out.

I was hungry and tried my peppermint bark Barebell. It’s ok. I’m just not a protein bar person. I only ate half. Barebell and Built are the best ones I’ve tried.

My toaster died and my kitchen trashcan needed an upgrade so I started at Target. I also bought a Method cleaner that Leticia had (she brought all of her own supplies) and batteries for my new trashcan. Yes, I said batteries. It opens automatically when it detects motion. By the way, I bought my mom a trashcan like this at Costco maybe 10 years ago and she loved it so much that she even wrote about it in her Storyworth stories as one of her “best gifts ever received”. Lol.

I had a birthday coupon for Clothes Mentor so I popped in and nothing appealed.

I got Mexican (local place like Qdoba) takeout for our lunch (Mason was home for lunch) because I didn’t want to yuck up the clean kitchen. I rarely get food out during the week – making my breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home most days.

I read my book for a couple of hours and Eddie slept because of all the excitement of the morning.

Then, I listened to a podcast while making dinner around 4:00. I chopped potatoes, yellow squash, and zucchini. I talked on the phone with my sister for about 45 minutes and then I started baked tilapia. I wasn’t feeling fish, so I made myself an open-faced artichoke melt sandwich for dinner.

Tom gets home from work around 6:00 and walks EO. I need to go with him but I’m finishing up dinner and I like some non-EO time in the house to straighten a few things up. And, it’s so cold!

We sit in the living room to eat dinner now and Mason sits with us a couple of nights a week when he is home. We are watching Ludwig when we can. We love having Mason hang out with us and EO loves it, too. We have decided he is really happy when we all sit in the living room.

Screenshot

It was about 7:15 when we finished and I still like my routine of cleaning up the kitchen and then going to shower and put pajamas on. Tom stays up for another hour or so and then he and EO go to bed. I usually come out from my shower and talk to them some more and then I watch tv in the basement on my more comfortable sectional. I come up and go to bed between 9:30-10.

And, now for some fashion…

I wore this Friday for my breakfast with my friend Beth. I have on my black Halaras, leopard Mary Janes, white AE button up and an old black fringe sweater vest.

Friday night I went to a Christmas open house at a shopping center and I wanted something a bit Christmasey. I wore my black Halaras, my black Lucky booties, my black Umgee blouse and then I used my red/green purse strap as my nod to Christmas.

Saturday errands – I have a feeling this will be what I reach for.

Halaras, black long-sleeved tee, and leopard vest.

Whew! That was a lot!

Amy

24 thoughts on “A Day in the Life + Fashion Files”

  1. I don’t really like protein bars either; though I have tried several different brands and flavors. Funny enough we got our automatic trashcan as a Christmas gift too and I just love it. I have been really struggling with getting outside and squeezing in walks. I hate it when it starts getting cold enough that I need to wear my winter coat.

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  2. The first pic in both of our pics is of a red light! I like all the detail you went into- mine not so much for a variety of reasons though I did do two mini days in the life. It was interesting to read about your day!

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  3. I enjoyed following along on your DITL.
    You really tackle the day early- gym girl! I’ve found in the summer, I like to go to early classes but then I know I can come home and drink my coffee and ease into the day. Love that you tried a house cleaner. It’s a treat for sure, but so worth it. Love your outfits!

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    1. I find if I don’t go immediately upon waking I can find so many excuses. And, I don’t want to chat. Is that mean? The later you go the more retirees you have to wait on! Lol!
      So worth it! Thank you!

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  4. I was part of the 5am crew at my old gym for many years before switching gyms. The new gym is open 24/7, we use key tags to get in so no more waiting for the door to open. The 5am crew has a special bond though, I remember when I first started going and I could not believe how many people were there and all so awake!

    We have finally decided to hire housekeepers on a monthly basis. I told Brian that when he retired that would be his job because I am not working my two jobs and doing the cleaning too. Well, that turned into us finding a company – ha! So far so good!

    I am so glad you kept the leopard puffer vest, it does add a special touch to your outfit – love it!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Yes, and Tom needs that bond to himself! Ha! He has made some good friends! We use key cards, too, but they don’t work til 5. Then, the desk is staffed at 7 I think.
      Good for you for hiring it out.
      Me too!

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  5. Aww loved reading about your day- seems like EO is your constant sidekick- ha!! Love how you said you need “non-EO time”- hysterical! Even though you are retired you are still productive- congrats on your commitment to the gym too- awesome work!

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  6. I’m not a protein bar fan either. They’re too heavy or dense. Maybe this is one of those things people only pretend to like? You’re doing great with your gym routine. I must get on top of my exercise plan. The ankle threw me off and it’s tough to reestablish habits when you’ve gotten a little bit too used to lounging around. What do people without dogs do??? Thanks for linking up today…happy Thursday!

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    1. Haha – let’s go with that! Why would you pick a bar over a banana? A banana is the perfect portable snack. I really think we’ve gone too far with protein.
      Don’t give me too much credit. My routine is only about 30 minutes. I was losing strength and getting sore from daily tasks and had to start back stat. I need to up my cardio.
      I lounged from June – September! It’s really hard to get back into a routine and so easy to get out.
      I don’t know – you can see how much my pup factors into my day. You too!

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  7. I loved reading your day in the life! Way to go on all that gym time, my friend. I’m proud of you for getting out and getting that done! I might eventually join somewhere to do some strength building; I know that’s important for us as we age. I think it was a good idea for you to get someone to come clean for three hours, and how smart that you worked separately alongside her. I love it when I’m forced to do things like that; they say entertaining is great for that as well. I want to entertain more! I’m having my niece Erika, her hubby Kyle, and my four greats over this afternoon/evening since they’re in town. I can’t wait! I’ll come home and do some cleaning and figure out dinner, but we may just order pizza. But look at me being home for the THIRD night this week! Who am I???

    I love all your outfits, but that leopard vest is everything. It looks great on you! Have a happy Thursday, my friend…today is my Friday, and I am over the moon. Then next week is the last week before we get a week off at Thanksgiving!

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  9. I need to start getting up earlier to work out like you do. My weights are in my garage so I don’t have an excuse 😜 Since the time change, the days seem to fly by!

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  11. My husband and I had a 5 a.m. workout schedule for years until Covid shut everything down, as well as our routine. He again goes to the gym at 5:45, while I have gotten lazy. I so appreciate Joyce doing this link-up because I love getting to know new friends by living a day with them. You sure got a lot done, and I love the outfits, by the way.

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  12. That is so awesome that you get to the gym first thing! I’ve always been a nighttime workout person and, yes, that means it doesn’t happen all the time and the day gets away from me, but I prefer to be uninterrupted by children, as Wells has always gotten up by 6am.

    You reminded me I need to look for a 2026 planner!

    The vest really is great, and so is the black crossbody.

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  14. Wow, the two of you get those workouts in early. Smart. I’m amazed at all you do by 8:30 am. Fun to see the fashion selfies of you. We love Ludwig. Can’t wait for season 2. Whew…you accomplish a lot in your day. Happy Day in the Life!

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  15. God job with your gym routine! I don’t think I could be that motivated so early in the morning!
    Oh my goodness it is cold with you, it sounds like you need that heated steering wheel!
    You have reminded me that I need to order a new planner for next year!
    How great to be trying out a cleaner.
    I loved reading about your day!

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  16. I don’t really like protein bars either. Way to go with the gym. For some reason I didn’t know you had been going. How wonderful to have the house professionally cleaned and it was so smart to work right alongside to get even more done. Our routines sound similar. 🙂

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  17. These are so much fun! I am finding, in the posts that I have read so far, is that we are all early risers! I love that – it’s when my natural energy is the highest. Good for you with the gym routine – I need your inspiration to get me back in the game. And good call, ordering lunch out – I wouldn’t want to mess up my clean house either! What a treat, to have someone there to do the things you don’t necessarily want to do.

    I feel like these give that little bit “more” insight than a normal post – people and their lives, routines, and relationships are so interesting to me. Thanks for sharing yours 🙂

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