Monday, September 7, 2020

Hi all! I am still weekending, but come back tomorrow for my weekend recap. Instead, today, I thought I would show you the fruits of my labor yesterday. I didn’t have to be anywhere until afternoon so I decided to do my fall decor. I didn’t buy a single thing – YET.

I was excited, but I was dreading it. For many years now, my holiday tubs have been a mess. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that. I mean, they weren’t even labeled and I had to look through so many to find what I wanted. I labeled every bin I own and I went through all of my fall bins and put anything I didn’t want anymore into my donate pile. I also went through every other bin except Easter and Christmas. Those are a lot.

Here is what I decided to keep all spread out on my dining room table so I can see it. Now I’m really glad that I moved my work station down to the basement desk area.

Do you take pictures and place your decor the same way each year? I definitely do not do that. I kinda wish I were that organized!

The mantel. I will take the apples away after September.

Dining Room table. I need more for the tiered tray.

Side table. I need votives for the little spiders. The horrible pumpkin was made by me in 3rd grade – around the time that I realized I had no artist talent at all. Sorry to my mom the art teacher and to my sister the art teacher. I think it’s funny so that’s why I have it out.

The other side table. Archie, our first fur baby, when he was just a puppy. He was with us for 12 years and died when the boys were 10. The middle picture I just love. I got corduroy overalls and plaid shirts at the twin moms’ sale and they looked so cute. And, the last one is our professional family photo done when the boys were 11 by my former student who is now a professional photographer.

I have an idea! I am going to try to find photos of every single Halloween costume the boys ever had and put them in matching black frames. I am so excited! All of them should be printed out and I think I will probably do ages 0-12?

This needs work – coffee table. I will probably add a B and B candle in a fall scent and move to the kitchen table.

A super easy idea for you: “Borrow” letters from your Scrabble game. I chose to do “Autumn”. Look at that – I scored 17 points!

I have a pumpkin flag outside in the front and I have some apple decor on the patio.

I still want some pillows for the living room and patio, but I am super picky about pillows I have found. I have looked at Target and Kirkland’s so far. Any other ideas?

Have you decorated? Do you decorate? I am big on changing my mantel: January – white twinkle lights and snowmen, February – Valentine’s stuff, of course, March – St. Patrick’s Day, April – Easter/Spring, May – Derby, then Memorial Day, June – Summer, July – 4th of July, August/September – Summer again or apples/back to school, fall, October – Fall and Halloween, November – take down Halloween, leave fall, and add Thanksgiving (over the last few years I have collected several Thanksgiving things!), December – Christmas. My decorated mantel makes me happy. I must admit that I let March, April, May, June, July, August decor stay very plain. I just didn’t have it in me, but I should have done it, you know? Now that I am more organized I think it will be so much more enjoyable!

Keep enjoying your weekend, friends!

Amy

Friday September 4, 2020

Happy Friday to all! How was your week? I am linking up with Andrea, etc. right here!

It is really hard to believe but as of today I am an empty nester of 3 weeks. The timing was good because as soon as they moved out my work really ramped up. Otherwise I think I would be worse off. Also, I know that they are moving home November 25. That is not really that far away. I hope it is not any sooner due to the virus. As hard as it is, it was time for them to spread their wings.

Here are some favorites from the week. I hope you had some, too! Many of you have kids back in school in person or virtually I know! I hope everyone is doing well with whatever program you are on.

I continued working from home but halfway through the week I changed my workstation to the basement desk with its more comfy chair and now I have my dining room table back. I started getting a better routine. I walked with Ernie most days and went out around 4:00 each day to tackle some errands. I left the house each afternoon except for Wednesday.

I found this at Kroger!

You guys – it is so good! I poured a half carton over ice the first day I had it and it was a treat! It does have the same amount of caffeine as coffee so you have to be careful if it makes you jittery.

I apologize to the blogger that first showed it – I take a lot of screenshots and forget who it was from. Rumor has it that there is pumpkin spice! It was not at my Kroger – Boo! Would mixing these together be a bad or a very good idea? Let me know if you see this anywhere. I have not tried Target, CVS, or Walgreens yet.

I have most luck with crockpot recipes on weekends when I can watch it a bit and stir. I made Dr. Pepper pulled pork and it is so good! Tom said it was a lot of pork – yes it was – especially for two people! I froze half. We had it on buns one night, open faced on french bread one night, and finally I made quesadillas with it. Poor Tom. He had to eat a lot of pulled pork.

The night we had it on buns this was our side. Yum! See if you can find this. It says it is “slawsome” so how can you resist?

Look at this face! Have you ever seen anything cuter? Now that Ernie is an only child he is getting a lot of attention.

I love rain! I am sure I have mentioned it before; I apologize but I just love it! I had two wonderful mornings of coffee on the patio listening to the rain before my work day began. I am really trying to find balance. I have found that if I check my work email too early I am in work mode. Work can wait until after my coffee and quiet time. Amiright, friends?

See if you can see the rain coming through my rain chain from the gutters.

In this one you can probably just see the wet grass.

I love my new Kirklands wooden charger? It was only $7!

New work space at my desk.

This makes me kind of sad. Our days will start getting shorter. That coupled with the virus – I just do not know. I am hoping for the best as we head in to fall. But, in all reality, we will probably still be in the thick of this. How is your mental health? Talk to people and do things that make you happy. Take care of yourself. I talked to two co-workers on the phone this week and that was nice. We are in this together.

Sorry to go so deep on a Friday! Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby. There are no fans. This was supposed to be the first Saturday in May and it was postponed. It is also Labor Day weekend and it is also my boys’ birthday! I hope that people are smart and safe!

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Amy

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Are you a morning shower or a night shower person?

My life/routine has drastically changed since March, but I have been a night shower person while I am working full time for a long, long time. I will give you the main reason: wet hair in the morning is too time consuming. You can seriously shave off major morning time if you start with dry hair! Plus, most people say that their hair does better styling if it is not squeaky clean. Bonus!

During the months of March, April, May, June, and July I was often a morning shower person. I missed my night shower to be honest.

Let me make a case for the night shower.

Do you suffer from allergies? I have fall allergies worse than spring and I live in a horrible place for allergies. This baby right here – Simply Saline is my best friend. I was told years ago to not ever sleep on hair that could have pollen or whatnot in it from being outside. It makes a lot of sense. You are breathing it in all night long.

Are you ever too tired to wash your face at night? One hack is to wash it immediately after dinner or after work and not wait until you are too tired, but my solution is to keep your face wash in the shower. I love this cleanser. It smells so good!

I love getting in my sheets when I am clean and I love going to bed with slightly damp hair. I take my shower right after dinner when life is normal – so around 7 or 8. I sleep in a tank top and shorts and never socks – please! I love having the added coolness of damp hair.

Plus, this fan has changed my sleeping life. I love having a ceiling fan and I am just sorry that I waited 48 years.

And, guess what is on its way to me? A satin pillowcase! Amanda of That Inspired Chick posted an $8 deal on Amazon. I had not wanted to spend a fortune on one so patience paid off – I think. I will let you know. Satin pillowcases are supposed to help with facial wrinkles and with keeping hair smoother.

I think I have gotten smart. I put my creams on in bed now. I just was not taking the time to do it if I waited until too late so now it has become my get in bed routine. I spray my pillow with lavender sleep spray when I can (I have to be careful because I have sprayed Tom in the face before and he did not enjoy it!). I next put on lip stuff, eye stuff, facial wrinkle stuff, and lavender lotion.

I am trying not to be too dependent on this routine but I do it most nights. I am trying to avoid becoming too high maintenance.

O.k. – so my morning routine when I shower at night. I swear I am not lying. I was not rushing and I was not even looking at my stop watch. I fact, I have timed myself before and I had some haters – just kidding – they were not really haters but they questioned my timer.

I wash my face with the same cleanser.

I brush my teeth.

I clip up the sides of my hair and curl the bottom, take clips down and curl the top, I use hairspray.

I do a bit of foundation, concealer, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, and lipstick.

Here was the time it took to do these steps:

Finished product:

I am not dressed yet. I am still in my sleeping clothing. So, getting dressed maybe takes another 5-10 minutes depending on how decisive I am.

What are your thoughts?

Try taking a night shower!

Try timing your routine!

It is eye opening!

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Hello! How is your week going? Mine is going. I am slowly getting more into a routine. I have not been back to my classroom since that second day. I am finding I like the ability to teach from home. Plus, we have crazy long breaks between live classes and it seems to make more sense to do some chores and work from home where it is more comfortable, you know?

I would say I have been loving the kimono for the last week.

Olive shorts, olive shirt, kimono with olive and pink flowers.

This was a weekend outfit. I am looking for the perfect wide leg cropped. These are not it. I sent these back to QVC – They were Lisa Rinna pants! Real Housewives, anyone? Anyone have an idea for me for what I am looking for?

Look at this lovely kimono outfit. Um, she is 5 foot ten inches according to the article in Southern Living!

Another day, another kimono.

Another day, another kimono.

I have also worn some of my swing dresses with kimono over.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

I have mixed feelings about writing this post. It makes me incredibly sad. I guess I want to remember this time in my life, though? And, maybe this will also help some parents and other teachers out there? Anyway, let’s jump right in. You can take a pass today if you want to! Ha!

First, a little back story. I started teaching when there was NO INTERNET! I even remember my first school still had a mimeograph machine – I think we called it – the thing that made the purple copies of my childhood – ooooh the smell of that fresh purple ink. I am also the girl that sniffed her markers and put glue all over her hands so she could peel it off. So satisfying. Maybe I should do the glue thing now for self-care?

Anyhoo, don’t judge. This is my 27th year and the new methods and technologies I have learned in that time period is simply mind boggling. I remember using a typewriter for my handouts my first year because I didn’t have a home computer. I can remember thinking how bizarre it was that I was given such a big job at age 22 and absolutely no resources. I had to buy my own everything or take handmedowns from other teachers.

I have some strong thoughts and you may or may not agree with me. I am also going to be talking about high school level – the only level I know as a teacher. Good teaching has not changed. There – I said it. I still use some of the methods I learned as a student teacher. Kids have not changed. There – I said that, too. In the 90s they passed notes and now they send Snapchats or group texts. They are the same content, though, for the most part.

High school kids want teachers that care about them. In fact, they can’t learn until they know that the teacher cares and they can’t respect a teacher unless the teacher shows them respect, too. They don’t want to be talked down to. And, we shouldn’t. Teens today are smart, sensitive, compassionate, creative, funny, and so much more. If you don’t believe this you shouldn’t be teaching high school. Now, there are a few tough kids. I have been cussed out and I have been made to cry – only once and it was in the bathroom. I have had to have a pretty thick skin. I have also made the point to many a colleague that women have to be tougher than men in this gig. Some things kids will try with a female teacher and not with a male teacher.

I also think that maybe the tenants of teaching a language may have stayed the same – you still need to be immersed in the language. You still need to memorize things. You still need a community to speak with and who will listen to you.

Our first experience with distance learning in April and May was pretty basic. We could hold live classes or Q and A sessions but we couldn’t make it mandatory and there was no school schedule. We mainly posted 3 things a week for kids to do for our class.

This time around, we have a set schedule. We have a 7 period day and the kids go to 4 classes one day and the other 3 the next day and then they do it again. So they will meet with each class twice a week.

During our 2 weeks of training so many apps, platforms, websites, and ideas were being thrown at us. My colleagues were spending 8 hours making a Bitmoji classroom. I was intrigued and I was listening but it didn’t feel like me. In fact, it was really stressing me out.

I knew that I wanted to use Zoom so I could see all their faces at once. I teach Spanish III and AP so I wanted an interactive and communicative virtual class. I am really lucky that my district is letting us teach from our classroom or home and they are really letting us decide how to teach. I love that autonomy.

I decided to try to teach as much like we were in person as possible and to keep as many of my routines and traditions as possible. We are currently supposed to go back October 6, but most of us don’t see that happening. We think it may be January or February at the earliest.

I actually had a great first week. I would say I taught old school style using new tech. I called roll and had them pick a Spanish name. I had them write on paper to answer their daily journal question and then some volunteered to read. I had them do a mini presentation of objects that represent them. They were willing to turn cameras on and speak. I showed a short video clip by sharing my screen. I posted handouts on Google Classroom.

Once I decided to be me/do me/ teach my way I was more at peace. Teaching is really an art form and we don’t all have the same style – nor should we.

The best thing was getting to “meet” many of their pets. We always talk about pets during the school year but I’ve never gotten to actually see so many! The worst thing was not getting to see each other face to face, ask about summer, compliment them, talk to them one on one, and feel that energy that a new school year brings.

I had almost perfect attendance! I have to keep my live sessions engaging and worth their time. We still are being very sensitive about equity – some may not have WIFI or devices and we can’t really penalize a student.

So, the teaching part and the student part was great!

Here is what was not so great….

We were told we could use Zoom or Google Meet (we are using Google Classroom so Google Meet is a part of this and flows really well with it but it has some limitations). I chose Zoom for day one. At the end of the day we were told we had to use Google Meet. I switched to Google Meet for day two. At the end of day two, we were told we had to switch to Microsoft Teams by Monday. We had a few students in a few schools that shared links and went to classes that weren’t their and did bad things or showed bad things on camera. So, a few bad apples are ruining the whole bunch.

Microsoft Teams is the worst of the three I have tried in my opinion. On certain devices, you cannot see more than 9 faces. I have classes that range from 22-31 kids.

Whew – I am tired! I’m sure I forgot something! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. I would love to hear from other teachers!

Amy

Monday, August 31, 2020

Hello all! Can you believe September is tomorrow? I have mixed feelings. I think we all thought life could maybe be a bit normal by September and it is really not, is it?

I am linking up today with Heather, Tanya and many more here.

I have a post coming to you tomorrow on my experience as a teacher trying to do virtual teaching – if you are interested – but, this is a photo of what I did Friday after at 4:00 p.m. after another surprise training that should not have been needed. I have my sangria with a splash of ginger ale, my book, and a fan on me. I set my sangria down and fell asleep! It was lovely.

Shortly after this it started raining so I ordered Panera soup and half a sandwich for Tom and I and we watched the telly. Now I am back on the same level as Tom on Fridays and understand why he is fine to stay home! I did not drive my car anywhere on Friday. I think I had two days like that last week – Tuesday and Friday.

Saturday morning I was up early. I decided to hit the Farmer’s Market earlier than I did a couple of weeks ago. Two weeks ago I arrived at 8:30 and it was packed. This time I was ready to arrive at 8:00. I couldn’t believe how many people beat me!

The one I go to is in a church parking lot. There are also booths with jewelry, honey, kettle corn, flowers, beer, wine, and other cool things.

I had a nice time and this was my haul:

watermelon, kettle corn for Tom, white wine for me, corn, zucchini, cucumber, tomato, and a pimento cheese biscuit.

I also stopped by Walgreen’s to get my son’s Europe trip pictures developed. His trip was last November but I recently thought I should get his memory card out of our nice camera because he had mentioned admiring my photo albums. I had a coupon code and printed all 600 photos for him. I thought he could do something with them on his semester break.

I also picked up two fall magazines – my guilty pleasure.

I cleaned and did some school work and then had a snack on the patio. I love Triscuits! Do you like them? I once saw a meme that said “Triscuits – For those people who have always wondered what wicker tasted like”. I firmly believe they taste better than wicker.

I made a trip to Target after that to check out the Magnolia fall stuff. I wasn’t a big fan. Or, my store didn’t have much to see. I need to go to TJ Maxx and Home Goods. My fall decor is not doing it for me anymore and I really want to try to clean out my seasonal bins and donate what doesn’t fit my taste.

Saturday evening we had one of our couple friends over and I moved my early fall apple decor outside to the patio. We had bourbon slushies and food from a Cuban/Spanish restaurant.

I put my white hydrangeas and twine apples on the table. I also got mustard colored placemats at Target.

I went to pick up the food.

We had guacamole with plantain chips.

salad, short rib flat bread, ham croquettes, fish and pork tacos, and spicy potatoes. We took everything outside and just passed it. I also made a chocolate chip cookie and served it with ice cream for dessert. You can see it on the left below. I took the break and bake cookie dough and just pressed it in my pan and baked it. Yum!

We turned on our patio lights and stayed outside talking until almost 10! That is quite a record for us. It was so nice.

Sunday morning was sweatshirt weather and I took my coffee and book to the patio. I finished Eliza Starts a Rumor and I liked it. It was deeper than I expected. The writing style was a bit choppy but I do recommend.

I think this is my next book. I have so many library books right now. I really should return some.

And, Sunday was back to work to get ready for the week. I like to work on Sunday morning so that I can feel more free the rest of the day. I also went to the grocery and came home and put Dr. Pepper pulled pork in the crock pot.

Then, we went out on the boat for a bit and it was really nice. Tom and I enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, half a baked potato and slaw for dinner.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, August 28, 2020

Fridays sure do mean more now! I am linking up with Andrea, etc. right here!

Well, that was rude of me not to let you know I was not posting yesterday. Will you forgive me? I have a really good reason that involved teaching in a pandemic. I am planning a post for next week to tell you how it’s going if you are interested!

O.k. – here are some things that made me smile this week.

Hub and I started watching two shows together in the evenings. We watched Cougar Town when it was on live t.v. but it’s been so long. It is really funny but Jules is Monica from Friends!

We watch one episode of Cougar Town and then one episode of The World’s Toughest Race.

My lonely classroom. I went in on Monday and cleaned and arranged. I taught from my room the first two days.

And, I set up a home classroom and taught from here yesterday and I am teaching from here today, too.

Last week I went to Trader Joe’s and got some white hydrangeas. I will dry them out and still use them when they die. They are so pretty.

Yum! I tried these, too. I like the mini ice cream cones better.

Back to school supplies, amiright? This is really good. It’s in a weird rubber bottle. Maybe it’s made for boating! I have been adding a bit of Diet Canada Dry for fizz. Yum!

I also went in Kirkland’s last week and forgot to tell you. So much cute stuff for fall! You must go in one if you can!

I put the hydrangeas in a pitcher on the mantel.

What a beautiful sunset one morning this week.

What were your favorites this week?

Amy

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

I am trying to get back to outfit pictures! Current goal: to wear all of my summer stuff and do some purging!

I got dressed up to get my hair done Saturday. I love my MIA sandal clogs, my fun flouncy Matilda Jane pants, and…

I wore an orange silk blouse that I have had forever from a consignment store. The shirt and pants were both thrifted!

I can use my the mirror in a boy bedroom now. I decided to wear a swing dress and tropical kimono to go to the Cuban place Saturday night.

Monday work day I wore my Target Universal Thread olive shorts, Old Navy floral blouse, and an old cardigan.

First day of school outfit. I found this dress for $10 at Old Navy Monday after work and I had been eyeing it earlier this summer so I went for it!

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Today is my first day of school – virtually! I will have 3 classes today and I am planning on going live from my actual classroom so they can see it! Please send good vibes for my technology functioning!

So, the first grocery trip I made after dropping the boys off was two days later on a Sunday morning. I went in and shopped myself because it was very early. I thought I would hardly spend anything – Nope! It was $170! I think I had let a lot of things run out and I needed vitamins and some bigger ticket items. Oh well.

One of my 2020 goals was less food waste. I would give myself a B- maybe on my ability to use up all food – still working on it.

One night Tom had leftover spaghetti sauce with meat – I did make him fresh angel hair (his preferred) to go with it.

And I made myself my cacio e pepe from my post here.

For my breakfasts since the boys left home I started up my standard breakfast again.

Tom really wanted this dinner because it had been awhile – fish sticks, mac and cheese and peas.

We had a mid week patio meal and I had a delicious grilled cheese with peach jam and green apples.

Tom had a chicken BLT.

I made burrito bowls one night.

and grilled cheese and tomato soup one night.

I hope to do more entree salads and soups in the empty nest. It will take some getting used to. I also think some nights we will have different things to use up leftovers or because of preferences.

Any ideas for empty nest cooking?

Amy

Monday, August 24, 2020

How was your weekend? I hope it was good! I am linking up today with Heather, Tanya and others here.

I did a bit of work in the morning Friday (it was a day off for me because it was a flex day that I had already worked) and then met my friend at the Christmas Morning Cafe. Only their outdoor space is open right now. We waited in line, ordered, and then found an outdoor table. They had Christmas music playing.

We both ordered the crepes and they were good!

I had a library appointment to pick up this book. It’s good so far!

Then, that evening after Tom came home from work one of our favorite bands was playing at Bearno’s By the Bay – a pizza place at a marina. It drizzled a bit but we hung in there and it was fine.

We ordered the chicken barbecue pizza and it was really good.

We lasted until about 8:30 and had a really nice time. We felt safe and were distanced away from others.

I got some happy mail – my Pioneer Woman magazine came!

Saturday morning was hair day! I put on some clog sandals and fun pants and this was me waiting at the door to get my temperature checked.

I got new color and quite a bit cut off. I always feel so awkward taking selfies.

Saturday afternoon was kind of dreary. Tom went paddleboarding and I started watching The Lost Husband on Netflix (I read the book a few years ago). I was a bit sad on Saturday because of my empty nest. I did o.k. through the week probably because I was really busy, but I guess weekends will be different.

We had made plans a few weeks ago to try a new Cuban restaurant with our friends so I was excited about that.

This was the first time since before mid-March that I have gotten this close to them and we just got close for the photo.

The chocolate cigar dessert was amazing. They brought a cigar box out and opened the box and it was smoking inside. The cigar was about the size of a banana and it was chocolate mousse with hard chocolate shell on top and it was accompanied by some coffee flavored ice cream. We cut off a piece for everyone. We had to eat inside since it was raining and I would’ve preferred outside but we were spread out quite a bit.

Sunday was a lazy day. I did some school work, did some reading for pleasure, went to the grocery, and watched some t.v.

We start school on tomorrow – virtually. Today is our last teacher prep day. I don’t really feel ready, but I guess I am. I am still deciding whether to teach from home or from my empty classroom. I think I will try going in this week and see how it goes. I have a lot to do today!

What was your weekend highlight?

What do you have going on this week?

Hope you have a good Monday – only one more in August and then it will be September!

Amy