Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Hi! I’m glad you’re here today! It’s the start of a fresh new month. Many refer to this month as “Maycember”. If you are a teacher or a parent of school age kids from kindergarten through college, it’s a busy, busy month. My sisters are super busy right now, one of my friends is moving her college grad daughter to a new city, one of my friends welcomed her daughter home from study abroad in Germany – all kinds of exciting transitional things happen this month.
It’s weird for me to have a May to myself! I am almost at my completion of a full school year as a retiree. It went by crazy fast – except for January and February! Ha!
My advice to you is to be organized, plan ahead, plan for easy meals, and then just take it one day or week at a time. Get up 15 minutes earlier each day and see how much you can get done. Take an hour to get your ducks in a row. Delegate! Also, say “no” to a few things. All this is easy for me to say now, isn’t it? But, seriously, you cannot do it all.
Link up with me at the bottom for Currently and read on to see my Hodgepodge answers with Joyce!
Digging – Literally or the 70s version meaning “loving”
I am digging this spring weather! I sometimes start my morning outside with my devotional and blog reading and writing but almost every day I eat lunch outside and then extend that into my reading time. I am so happy that Eddie Otis is finally growing up a bit. He comes out with me and then decides he’s done and goes back inside to nap and gives me some time to read. It turned cold on us again this weekend but I knew it wasn’t going to last long.
I am digging my spring clothing! I am really enjoying wearing my blouses and jeans. I am starting to pull out some shorts to wear out of the house, too. I think dresses will be coming soon, but I have only worn one to Churchill Downs and one out to dinner on Derby eve.
My new Aerie shorts and flip flops with an ON blouse:
Wearing a dress:
Weeding – Literally or “cleaning out”
I am weeding out my spring and summer clothing – I need to go through my dresses.
I’m also weeding out things from both of my kids’ old rooms and their basement area. For my Mother’s Day gift, they are coming to work on this with me!
Enjoying – foods, shows, books, clothing, people – whatever!
I am enjoying walking Eddie Otis more now that I have his “bra”. This keeps him from pulling too hard on the leash with me. I wish I had gone to the pet store sooner to do this! We are walking more and that benefits both of us.
I am enjoying so much right now: my outdoor spaces, reading outside, my flowers in wine bottles, my huge stack of library books.
I am enjoying my gold Birkenstocks again and they seem more comfortable? Weird, I know.
For food, I am enjoying simple things. A sandwich, an omelet, salad with protein, things like that.
For shows, all the Bravo shows and I am starting Running Point Season 1 so I can watch Season 2.
Eating/drinking – I found my favorite sourdough bread ever. It’s a thinly sliced half loaf from Whole Foods and I have been having a half of a sandwich with deli turkey, tomato, lettuce, and mayo. I still love my egg mixture for breakfast and have it with three Amylu chicken breakfast sausages. I am still drinking all the water I can, LMNT electrolytes, and coffee.
Shopping for – We are going to need a few house things soon so I am trying not to shop a lot right now. Tom wants to replace our porch ceiling fans, for one example.
I’m really trying not to do to any intentional clothing or shoe shopping now. If I see something I might get it, but I don’t need to go looking. I did see some adorable dresses on Nordstrom Rack and ordered a couple to try. I do feel that my dresses are lacking. I can return in person if they don’t work.
And, now, for Hodgepodge…
1. What’s something you may do this month?
Tom really needs to take some time off from work and we are trying to figure out a couple of weeknights away with our little boy Eddie Otis.
2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo… how do you feel about Mexican food? What’s your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?
I love Mexican food! I like to order things I can’t make as well, like chilaquiles. I have made them, but they are probably best with homemade tortilla chips. I feel like some of my Mexican dishes are better than a restaurant’s. I think my white chicken enchiladas are really good. I like my guacamole more with a few exceptions. Now, we are probably talking more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican food here. I can’t make white queso as well so that is something we enjoy getting at a restaurant.
Tom first called me his girlfriend at a Mexican restaurant so that is special! Ha!
3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they’ll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?
My catty answer is screaming. The children of today like to scream. I live in front of a playground and I can hear screaming inside my house. Bloodcurdling, horror movie level screaming. And, yes, I am aware that I now sound like a cranky old woman.
My real answer is probably very close to what I remember – the friends and family they spent time with, shows and movies, trips, favorite foods and who made them.
I hope they remember it as a time of freedom from worries.
I remember Jack turning to Mason as a child and saying, “Come on, you need to play with me. Soon we will be adults and life will be no fun anymore”.
4. What advice would you give a new mother?
Teach your children to only scream in the case of a true emergency. Buy earplugs.
Keep it simple. Have a structured routine. Your kids do not need technology, tons of toys, lavish trips and experiences yet. I just saw an acquaintance take her kid to NYC for a 4th or 5th birthday. My first thought is…”What will this kid expect for the subsequent birthdays?” In my day, we had some cupcakes in someone’s garage and called it a day. We are seeing and comparing others’ parenting on social media and it makes it really hard. Normalize a simple birthday. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your kid needs a happy, healthy you.
5. What’s a phrase your mother often said to you? If you’re a mom do you say it to your own children?
“It’s bedtime for Bonzo” and yes, I do, too!
Bedtime for Bonzo is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Frederick de Cordova and produced by Universal International Pictures, starring Ronald Reagan as psychology professor Peter Boyd, who raises a chimpanzee named Bonzo to demonstrate that environmental influences outweigh hereditary factors in shaping behavior.The film premiered on February 15, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a wide U.S. release on April 5, 1951, and runs for 83 minutes.
This is actually the first time I have looked this up!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I have had my first serious thoughts about moving from this house. I don’t like that I am becoming grumpy. I love kids! Between the screaming kids and the next-door neighbor’s ex who uses a leaf blower almost every day, plus the fact that we have the school traffic, 500 new apartments being built across the main road to get to our house, a new VA hospital going in very, very close to our house, it’s something to think about. It’s just weird when you have been so contented and never given it a thought and then one day you do. I also don’t want to “cut off my nose despite my face”. I am home more now and I’m noticing it more now.
Let me know if you have experienced this and have any advice.
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I think people have moved out of their current homes for less reasons than you’ve provided! When you have several factors it all adds up to some compelling reasons to move. The kids’ screaming would drive me nuts! And the leaf blowing for NO REASON surely would, too. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the nice weather- I hope we have great weather in early June. I’ll plan to spend more time outdoors.
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True. My best friend thinks I should email the principal about the issue and how it’s important for a school to teach good neighbor skills and about noise level. Thank you – I can’t wait for you to have more time outside in your nice outdoor space.
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I need to weed through my dresses. That will be a project I may do on Saturday. I love your comment of normalizing a birthday. Ugh, I hate that for you and the noises. I am trying to get use to some new noises living in an apartment on the first floor under someone. Maybe living away from a school with a little more distance from the neighbors house? Or maybe your neighbor could move, but there is still the school nearby. Thanks for hosting Currently and you get some quiet hours outside today!
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Yes – I need to try mine on. Thank you! I might not always be home this much if I take on a new job. We don’t think the neighbors will move – long story. If we moved it would be a bit more out in the country.
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As one who often thinks of moving I don’t have much advice but I think when the reasons to go outweigh the reasons to stay then it’s time. While our weather is slowly improving it’s still only in the 60s at home most days so I MAY get around to pulling out patio and deck furniture this month. We’ll see. I’m the meantime i spent a few days soaking up the dessert heat and sun.
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That is good advice, though! 60s can still be cold depending on wind and amount of sun. I’m learning that this week, too! I bet it was hard to come back to colder weather!
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It seems like your first year of retirement has blown by for me too- ha! Enjoy your more normal and quiet Maycember 🙂
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Right? I’m glad it’s not just me! Hehe! I hope I haven’t talked about it too much. Thank you!
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I can’t comment on your Currently or your Fashion Files – it’s giving me a weird error saying “not found” when I click on “post a comment”.
I love that you know how old your things are and that you keep them so long and they look so good. Lily never goes out of style.
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Love the Jack to Mason quote. How precious. Tom calling you his gf – what a sweet memory too. Trav always says he’s never dated someone as long as he’s dated me 🤣
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They were always saying funny but deep things like that. He told a baby leaning over our booth that the baby was “looking at his girlfriend” and I was like, “oh, I’m your girlfriend?”
Haha – that’s true!
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I loved your answers for both of these prompts today. I’m loving Maycember so far, but it’s way different for me since my kids aren’t young. I don’t have other responsibilities that are getting interrupted, so I’m able to say ‘yes’ to lots of after school things as we celebrate retirements and moving on. But with kids? I remember this month as being brutal.
It’s hard to think about moving; I always wonder how I’ll feel when I move from here. At that point in time, I’ll have been here for about 26 years! It’s hard to think of, but it’s also a little exciting to think of settling somewhere when my people have all moved out. And I might be starting over as well…and by then I might have acquired a roommate (or even maybe a husband). These are things I think about a lot, even though slow and steady is still the name of the game. Welcome to my brain at night.
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That is true and it’s all so new for you. Well, you did it that year from March-May. I also think you are at an amazing school that keeps it in perspective. My sister went to a first grade baseball game one night last week. She is such a good teacher. I tell her that as much as I can. She dresses up for her students in costumes and is just super creative.
Good food for thought on moving. It’s hard to picture a life elsewhere, isn’t it?
You will know when it’s time I think.
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I can understand the desire to move to a more peaceful spot in this quieter season of life. As much as I love cities when we’re in one I’m reminded of how grateful I am to live in the country now. I think it’s good to be open to possibilities. Never hurts to look…is your hubs on the same page? I am with you on the birthday insanity. Mine all have had home parties like they grew up with and we love it, as do their friends. Backyard cookouts or pizza/chick fil-a, homemade cakes, maybe a bounce house but mostly the kids just run around and play and have a ball. They do love a good theme like their momma did : ) but the day’s activity is simple. Have a great day!
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Well said – it is a quieter season for me. Yes! I try so hard to be content but it’s also good to think of the what ifs in life. He wants to finish renovating and live in the renovated house. I do, too. But, also, I spend more time at home and outside than he does.
I like a theme, too, but kids really just want to play!
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For me May has always been the calm before the storm with things getting crazy at school in June and finishing the year in July. Your outside time sounds lovely and well done to Eddie Otis giving you some space. It has been chillier here compared to last week. I love your denim shorts and blouse and your Derby dress looks great on you! I hope Tom can get some time off work. Jack’s words to Mason were true, being an adult is fun sometimes but not all the time like it was when you were a kid! That is a shame you are wanting to move house because of what is going on around you. I hope when school finishes for summer it quietens down a little.
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Yes, you end later than us so your June is our May, perhaps?
Same here with chilly weather, but when that sun comes out, I am soaking it up!
Thank you so much.
I think I’m just in a bad mood with so much noise around me. I hope it will get better when the yard work of spring settles down and the kids become their parents’ problem – lol.
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I want to go shopping for new spring clothes!
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Yes! My advice is to go through what you have first and make a list!
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I understand the thoughts about moving! I love my house, my neighbors, and my big yard but I do not love the increasing traffic noise that is going on around us. I think the road construction in our area is finally winding down. Fingers crossed!! On a completely different note, I read Whitney’s blog Polka Dotty Place. I laughed so hard this morning at her recap of her Walmart shirt incident. You should read it if you need a good laugh! 😂
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Yes!
Thank you – I read it from time to time! I also thought the Depends story was hilarious!
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Yes!! That too! 🤣
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I can’t believe the driver came back.
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I like your spring blouse from ON and the dresses. Your gold birks are cute too. I would like to buy some spring clothes but I need to go to a store to try on the clothes. It’s nice that you can sit outside and read your books. It’s still cool here in the 60s. I’m glad for warmer weather and taking walks to my gym and walking my dog. Thanks for a fun currently link-up this month. Take care and I hope you have a happy Mother’s day.
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Thank you! Trying stuff on stinks but it’s really necessary. I can handle the 60s if it’s sunny but 70s are my sweet spot.
Thank you and same to you!
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Hi Amy!
First, I want to say how you have totally stepped up your game on your posts! I’m so impressed! Keep going and congrats!
I went to Target this morning and I saw some really cute dresses. My dress up day post is coming I want to sit down and think about it.
I loved your talk about the Derby. I’ve been there once and totally got the bug for betting on horses, it was the year War Emblem won which is a Bob Baffert horse. My Favorite!
Take care & Cheers!
Missy
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Well thank you so much! I do have more time now!
Do you have a blog? Did I miss that?
I haven’t been inside a Target in a while!
That was an exciting year I bet. Did you watch Kentucky Roses on Hallmark?
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Would you believe I’ve never watched a Hallmark movie?!?!
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They are so bad! You aren’t missing anything!
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I am going to start from the bottom and work up. Think long and hard about moving, and think even longer and harder again. The first two times we moved were no-brainers. We had outgrown those houses. When we moved from up north (near Fort Wayne) to the Burg, we did it to be close to the kids. I had no idea how hard that would be. Everything is different. But, the other side of that is they have really stepped up with helping me with Mike. I can’t imagine being a new mom today. My advice would be to not give the kid a cell phone until they’re in high school and then keep really close tabs on them. Ugh…birthday parties…they really are productions now. I agree with you about cupcakes in the garage! Love Eddie Otis’ bra! I think you always look so good in shorts! I wish I did, too!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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That is good advice about moving.
We held out til sophomore year for phones for our kids.
Thank you so much!
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I think you are right that you notice things about your house/neighborhood more when you are home more. Very true for me!
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Yes! I was too busy to notice before which can be a good thing!
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