Friday, June 13, 2025

Today is Tom’s birthday! He is kind of working? I told him to take off today but he said His work had a golf scramble; he really enjoys playing occasionally, so he was happy! He has requested I cook dinner rather than going out, so I will let you know on Monday what I made.

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share my favorites of the week. This was my first full week of summer. It went by quickly!

I realize that feeling like I have retired won’t really hit me until August, but my mindset is already different. In years past I would be like, “oh crap, it’s already halfway through June! What am I doing? I must start summering!” This has been a slow start to summer around here with working later than normal, the rain, and lack of summer weather – it’s been so cool! I just don’t feel any sort of way about that this year. So, a favorite is that maybe I have relaxed my mindset already?

Another favorite is summer reading! I go to the library about twice a week because I have books come in that I have requested. I just pair it with another errand nearby and it’s no big deal. I currently have two books going – one a little more fluffy and one a little more deep. One danger in the summer is spending too much money out of boredom or because you have time to go out to stores. So, the library is a nice one since it’s free.

I saw this on Facebook in a group I am not part of but was advertised to me….

Isn’t that a fun way to track a month’s reading? I’m not tech savvy enough to make something like this, but many of you are!

This is a great follow and her photos are so lovely. This is on my library request list.

And, look how cute! She made a bucket list based on the book! I am going to post my summer bucket list soon.

People are so creative!

I got some gas and someone had left a happy rock near the pump. I didn’t take it because I didn’t want to be the only one who was happier pumping their gas.

My friend Beth and I met at my second school (I taught at three schools in my career) in 1998. She wanted to treat me to a lunch at a Louisville classic restaurant, Jack Fry’s.

Beth forgot her reading glasses so she had to wear her sunglasses to read the menu and I got this super cute photo of her!

Cheers!

We felt very fancy. Is this what retired people do?

We split a brie salad…

And, Beth ordered a chicken sandwich and I ordered the croque madame.

We stayed at lunch for over two hours catching up. It was such a treat!

Cooking in a more relaxed state is a favorite right now…

After lunch (it was a Tuesday), I stopped at Fresh Market to get their meat deal. Chicken is $3.99/lb. and beef is $4.99/lb. The quality seems so much better (than your average grocery store meat), too. If you have a Fresh Market, you should check out their Tuesday meat sale.

Did you read my Tuesday In the Kitchen post? I saw the different varieties of this oil I talked about at Fresh Market. They have “Sizzle”, “Frizzle”, and “Drizzle”. Does Snoop Dog own this company? Fo’shizzle. Just kidding. I only have “Sizzle” and guess what – I also use it to drizzle. Don’t tell anyone.

And, I left off two really good (to me) kitchen hacks on that Tuesday post. I put my sloppy joes in this container. Yes, I do want to move to all glass but I haven’t yet, Karen. If you get a stain on your storage dishes, you wad up a paper towel, add some Dawn (why would you use any other brand?), a bit of water, and then you shake, shake, shake. The stain disappears!

I don’t have a fancy hardboiled egg cooker so I use the old fashioned pot method. When your eggs are done, you drain the water, add ice cubes, and shake, shake, shake lightly and it cools the eggs and starts breaking the peels making for a much easier peeling situation.

I wanted to watch the Sex and the City “And Just Like That” and I want to watch White Lotus. I finally decided to treat myself and I did the $9.99 a month and also marked on my calendar when my month would be up.

I got a fresh pedi this week of OPI Funny Bunny. This will work with whatever color mani I do next, to.

I brought my book to read but a lady next to me wanted to chat and it was lovely. She was super interesting. She was a retired nurse and we talked about nursing, teaching, travel, and kids. Do you make friends wherever you go? I have a couple of friends that make fun of me for always making a new friend. I made a new friend at the boutique hotel pool last week, too. Lol.

Eddie Otis and I are working on a morning walking routine. We have a tennis center near our house and he can find stray tennis balls!

I went to the outdoor mall before meeting a friend and went in Loft and Ulta. I wanted to smell Philosophy Amazing Grace perfume. I am not sure it’s me.

I sent this picture to my niece Lena because she is obsessed with this brand!

My friend Jessica and I have been trying to get together for some time and we finally made it happen for an early dinner at Harry’s. It was so nice!

I got the most delicious grapefruit sangria – it was definitely more citrus/lemony than grapefruit forward. I am going to try to re-create it.

They bring you this wonderful bread with wonderful butter and a bottomless salad. Then we split the mini fish sandwiches and each had one. It was perfect.

And, as I have been doing as of late, I will leave you with an Eddie Otis photo.

Eddie Otis wants me to hold his Kong while he licks his peanut butter. He is a very sharing dog. He wants to chew bones on your leg, and share his sticks that he chews. The sharing of a stick resulted in a scraping of mom’s leg (I’m mom).

It’s never dull with Eddie Otis!

Happy Friday to you! I need to get going to plan Tom’s birthday dinner!

Amy

with Kellyann and Jill!

Thursday, June 12, 2025

I purchased myself a “summer” gift! I bought a swatch watch! I still like wearing a watch and only have a brown leather banded one that looks too fall/winter. I feel like this can keep me from looking at my phone for the time!

I went to a tent sale at a local boutique and bought this blouse, too.

I also bought this Amazon hat for the sun. I only had a fedora and a more cowgirl looking hat so I wanted something like this and had seen it on a few bloggers.

Now on to what I have been wearing. It’s definitely more casual this week!

I love my biker shorts and have three pairs of black ones. One pair is my favorite from J.Crew Factory and one is a bit shorter. One is ok but sags a bit.

Shopping outfit. I love these linen shorts from Old Navy (older) and here is the Aerie button up I can’t stop wearing.

One of my gauzy shorts. I have pink, orange, and turquoise. They are super comfy.

Pool day – I only have one coverup right now. I think I will wear a button up as a coverup, though.

This doesn’t work because the pants are wide leg and the shirt is oversized. I had to put something on to run a quick errand and it was a cooler day.

My friend Beth invited me to lunch to celebrate my retirement and I wore my new pink dress. I have the same dress in salmon. I used my consignment straw clutch and wore my Aerosoles cork camera sandals.

It’s harder to remember to take outfit pics in the summer as it was part of my get out the door routine for school.

What have you been buying or wearing?

Isn’t it great that by the time you actually need summer things they are on sale? I am trying not to Amazon clothes shop, online clothes shop much, or shop for entertainment. I like to swing by my consignment shops every couple of weeks and just see what there is to see.

I am also doing another closet clean out. Anything that seems too “teachery” is going. That may be rash. I don’t know.

If you are retired, how did your style change?

Amy

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What’s a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

I feel pretty strongly about spices! I even did a post!

I really like Trader Joe’s spices and spice blends. I have been using paprika more on potatoes like they do in England – according to my son. I use garlic powder, salt, pepper on basically everything. I love Tony’s Cachere’s cajun and Cavender’s Greek seasoning. Tom doesn’t drink but loves the bourbon smoked pepper made here in Louisville. I love everything but the bagel seasoning on lots of things, too – avocado toast, hard boiled eggs, celery with laughing cow – yum!

2.  It’s been said ‘variety is the spice of life’…in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

I guess it depends on what you are talking about. I thrive on routines but I like to go to new places and try new things sometimes, too.

3. What’s something in your life that adds ‘spice’ (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

Eddie Otis!

Don’t let this calm demeanor fool you!

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

Maybe I have resigned myself to the fact that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? I really can’t think of one. Maybe to be better at decorating? Able to envision and hang pictures on the wall? Home improvement stuff?

5. We’re halfway through the year…what’s one book, movie, or activity you’ve loved this year that you’d recommend to others? 

I am just happy that I was able to read from January until the weather got decent! I am a fair weather reader – preferring to read outside. Is that weird? Anyway, I think this was my favorite book of recent times.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am having a hard time going back outside after dinner to enjoy the evenings! I hate mosquitoes and I also hate bug spray and need to shower it off before bed. Any tips? The mosquitoes love me and I usually spray my bug spray on around 5:00 as I am usually reading outside before dinner. Maybe I should try long linen pants and long sleeve shirt and see if that helps to keep them away from my skin.

Goal – try this!

What would you say about one of the hodgepodge questions?

Amy

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Tuesday is always a wild card post for me and today I have some new kitchen ideas and products that I thought it would be fun to share. I like to link up with Joanne’s Talking about it Tuesday posts, too, so this works out.

I have been wanting to try this olive oil for some time. It’s Bobby-approved and I have seen it at Costco. I happened to see it at Kroger when I had run out of my other olive oil and I grabbed it.

I freaking love it! I am not sure why I love it so much, but I love the easy to squirt bottle and I probably use it every day.

I have only been off work for a week, but one thing I like to do is to cook dinner or elements of dinner in the morning. Here me out…I have no energy left at dinner time. I can easily resort to carry out if I have nothing planned or prepared. That’s ok one night a week, but I want to cook most meals.

The other day I knew I had a pool day and that makes me extra lazy – the sun and the water – so I went ahead and boiled the cavatappi noodles, cooked the bacon, and I already had the sauce ready for our dinner. It worked out great!

If you have your energy in the morning like I do, have you tried this?

I made the chicken for our Greek bowls in the morning last week, too. That made dinner time super easy.

Are you a coffee with creamer person? I have a new favorite. I thought oat milk was good for you and then I heard it wasn’t and now I just like the taste of this so I’m going with it for now. If you like a brown sugar shaken espresso or cold foam or whatever the kids are calling it, this might be for you…if you have a Trader Joe’s.

After I whined to you all many times about what to do for my coffee – Keurig? Nespresso? Pour over? I am a classic coffee pot gal now. I don’t want to grind my beans because I can only imagine what Eddie Otis would do. I like to set the pot up at night and then it’s ready to go. I am the only one drinking it so I just make about half a pot each morning. We also have a Nespresso machine out and we have decaf pods for Mason and for me sometimes in the afternoon.

Right now I have found this Trader Joe’s ground blend. I thought it looked better in this large Mason jar.

I am also drinking a green tea most days in the afternoon. I have read about many benefits including reducing inflammation.

I bought this and I am not sure what to do with it. I think I will use it in my skinny margarita. Any ideas?

For my green tea, I do one tiny squirt of stevia to make it taste a little sweeter.

I made a fancy grilled cheese for Mason recently. I offered. It’s brioche with mayo on the bread instead of butter (that is how you get the nicely golden color), fig jam, and havarti cheese.

This looks like a dog’s breakfast (love that British expression) but my lunch one day was leftover potato, bacon, a bit of cheese, and some sour cream. It was the same effect as potato skins.

I made sloppy joe’s one night. Tom loves them.

I made this broccoli salad. I love a broccoli salad!

I left out the craisins, cabbage, and bacon. It didn’t really need them. I liked the addition of the shredded carrot.

Sunday night everyone raved about this. I boiled angel hair. I put grape tomatoes on a cookie sheet with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic and roasted them. When they were almost done I put about 1/4 block of cream cheese because I didn’t have boursin. I added feta when it was done. I cooked spinach on the stove. I guess I could have added it with the tomatoes. I grilled chicken and put that on top. This is basically the Tik Tok pasta that was trending a few years ago.

Here is what it looked like without the chicken:

I enjoy cooking. Sometimes I am over the ideas/shopping for ingredients part for sure. I have a niece Nora who also really loves to cook and seems to be a natural. Her mom (my sister Kate) says she just has a knack for technique and knowing what to put with what.

I proposed a challenge with Nora this summer. We take turns sending a recipe to each other on a weekly or biweekly basis and then we both make it and take photos and share how it turned out. She seemed excited! For her summer gift, I sent her a 200 year old San Francisco sourdough starter from Etsy! I hope she likes it!

What would you say about any of these products, tips, or meals?

What have you made or purchased lately?

Amy

Monday, June 9, 2025

Hello! It’s Monday! Who cares? Lol! That was mean. I’m sorry. Mondays mean nothing to me anymore is all!

I am linking up with Holly and Sarah to share my weekend with you!

Let’s go back to Thursday. I actually got a medicine ball/honey citrus mint tea from Starbuck’s both Wednesday and Thursday. My allergies/cold had moved down and I think this tea really helps.

I walked around Target and stuck to only food items – go me! There were many tempting things, but I held strong.

I made myself green teas and bengal spice teas at home, too.

I had time to sit and read.

I bought St. Germaine elderflower liqueur so I could make my spritzs of last summer. I was hoping I would still like the flavor and I do!

We had some rain again but it felt nice to sit outside.

I am trying to establish a cleaning routine – I have said this many times. I need puppy out of house and I like to work quickly once Tom has him on a walk. I have put off so much that I have a lot to do now, but it’s ok. And, I finally felt like my allergies/cold symptoms were almost gone.

Usually we can get our boat on the river in mid-May. So, this is really late for our maiden voyage, but it was so much fun!

The boat was super dirty/dusty!

We went out for about two hours and pulled the boat back in just in time for the rain to start up again.

We keep our boat on its trailer in a big barn right by the river.

Our friends wanted us to meet them for Mexican and the timing worked out. We went straight there to meet them. I got a pineapple drink and it was delish. Did you know you can request a sugar rather than a salt rim?

I hadn’t had lunch so I was really hungry and ordered this dish:

I came home and sat on the covered patio and listened to my rain chain.

I finished my second Kristy Woodson Harvey book. I realized I had read this one, but I read it again because it had been so long. I have her newest on request and I have a third book already checked out so I want to be caught up before her new one comes in.

Sunday morning – guess what – it had rained some more.

Little boy looking at me:

Tom went down to wash the boat with Eddie Otis and I brought him a bacon, egg, and cheese and we sat and talked to another boater for a bit.

Eddie Otis was hilarious trying to drink the hose water and biting at the scrub brush. I kept trying to get a photo of his face with soap all over it. I took him home since he wasn’t a very good boat washing assistant.

We had a grad party to go to! I used the college colors to add a little something more to a monetary gift. It’s a bow shaped hairclip and yellow OPI since the colors are black and yellow.

It was a nice party!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Friday, June 6, 2025

Cheers to Friday! I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share my weekly favorites. I hope you had a good week!

Monday was my last day of work and I used a gift card to get a Starbucks! It’s become a rare treat for me again since I don’t get one very often. I did my old standby of non-fat vanilla latte. I don’t like the aftertaste/taste of sugar free syrups so I didn’t do that.

Our principal surprised us by saying we could leave after lunch instead of signing out at 3:30 as we had been doing. I was in my feels saying goodbye to my department after lunch and had a moment in my car with a few tears.

One last photo by my room:

Then, I decided to take myself to Trader Joe’s (on a Monday and not on a weekend!) and these plants made me smile! I did not get one because I have a lot of plants right now.

Note: I am not allowed to step foot on school property until October 1. I have to have a 3 month break in service and cannot even come on property to bring someone lunch or my pension could be at risk. So, saying goodbye felt like a big deal.

I turned off all alarms and it felt so good!

The rest of Monday was spent in my yard. Eddie Otis and I filled the bird feeders and cleaned up the outdoor table.

It felt pretty special that my first hydrangea bloom came out on my last day of work.

If you don’t already have one of these chairs, get one! This would also make a great Father’s Day gift – we got one for my dad and father-in-law in the past.

Get you an outdoor charger – or not – if you are trying to stay off your phone. I like having the ability to charge my phone outside. Tom says my phone is always dead.

Some good foods this week were favorites.

Greek salad:

Greek bowl:

A sweet gift from our school front office clerk…she got me a queso bowl! So, I used it on my fave snack currently. I take only 1 T. of the Tostitos queso and then add as much salsa as I want. Heat up in the microwave.

Tuesday was my first full day at home for summer! I tried to get all the things done. I didn’t know where to start! I did laundry, dishes, cooked that night’s dinner, cleaned my closet, dealt with some piles, and I was like a drunk squirrel. Mason walked into the room and said, “Mom, you need to slow down” and he was right.

I decided to do something summery and I wanted to make a summer makeup bag with minimalist yet summery makeup.

This Physician’s Formula Butter Glow & Go was my main mission but I added a new forest green eyeliner, clear brow gel, and Neutrogena hydroboost that Jenn had.

I have become a big fan of “stick” makeup. I am not sure how great this particular product is yet, but I am experimenting with it.

I treated myself to a summer Southern Living! Mags just aren’t the same. They are so thin and full of ads. Sad.

So, Tuesday was a great day. I enjoyed not having anything I HAD to do!

Wednesday was my fun day for the week! Every Wednesday in June is free for teachers at the Myriad Swim Club which is part of the Myriad Boutique Hotel here in Louisville. Yes, I am still a teacher in June. My official retirement date is July 1, Karen.

Erica and Elizabeth and I met. Elizabeth is not a teacher anymore so she had to pay. She has some PTO days she has to burn and wanted to make it a point to plan a couple of pool days. It was hot! We stood/sat in the pool the whole time chatting.

I wasn’t very close to Erica or Elizabeth before the pandemic. Erica is a Spanish teacher at my school, but she had been in another part of the building when she first came. Elizabeth was new to my school the year before the pandemic. But, during the time that we worked from home and then when we went back to school without students and taught online from school we became very close. Nothing like a shared trauma to bond people.

I am glad that Elizabeth has stayed in our lives because she is such a ray of sunshine. She is truly one of the nicest people I have ever met and she has my sense of humor.

We took a break to eat some food. They split a wrap and I got some hummus with lavosh. We stayed from 11 until almost 3.

I watched Dirty Dancing this week. I have YouTube TV and it came on and I thought it would be a fun flashback summer movie and it was. I am still sad about Patrick. What a cutie!

I finished Sirens on Netflix. I liked the first 3 episodes more than the last 2 and I am still not sure about the ending. It’s only a 5 episode deal so it’s not a huge time commitment.

I read that we are going to experience a weather phenomenon called “Virga” which means the clouds will look like jellyfish.

Cool, huh? Look at me still “being” a teacher.

It’s hard to slow down. I am finding my summer footing as I do each summer, I suppose. I can feel that school year adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

I want to leave you with a sweet photo. This is Tom and Eddie Otis saying goodbye yesterday morning.

That’s true love. Then, I explain to EO that Daddy has to go to work and that mommy is FREE!

Tell me something you liked from my favorites or tell me one of yours!

Amy

Thursday, June 5, 2025

It’s Thursday and time to link up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files.

I wore this last Thursday to work. I think the tropical linen shorts from Old Navy are one or two years old. I also have a lime green and white striped pair. I do think Old Navy does linen shorts well, but their sizing can be off, so you must try on and you must possibly try two that say they are the same size! Lol!

The top is new from Loft. I succumbed to one of the IG ads and bought it without much thinking – not realized the bottom had an elastic band. It’s also a thick material that may be better for fall or into fall.

I bought myself a yellow monogrammed Land’s End tote, too. These totes are great. The pockets are just awesome. I have actually been using it as my purse in the last few school days and then to run errands.

Friday my group had to wear black to work plus it was a really ugly rainy day. Ok – done!

Sitting down photos can be so bad. I wore my white linen pants and my hot pink consignment blouse with my consignment scarf-like kimono out to eat last Saturday. I also have a consignment straw clutch. I told Heather and Heather that most of my outfit was consignment and they were impressed as they love consignment shopping, too.

I wore this comfortable gauzy green J.Crew consignment dress to my niece and nephew’s grad party.

The theme for our last work day was tropical/bon voyage – yes we had themes – so I wore my Walmart dress.

I did a pale blue press on mani over the weekend:

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

It’s Wednesday and time for hodgepodge with Joyce! Let’s go!

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

I love a birthday or any celebration! I like to start with a surprise on the kitchen table like a donut or a card or something the person likes. I ask if they want to go out to eat or if they prefer to have me make something about a week before. In the above photo you see the BLTs Tom chose for his birthday dinner a few years ago. I ask if they want cake and what kind and I either buy it or make it depending on what they say. Tom’s birthday is next week! I need to ask him what he wants to do. Tom’s birthday and Father’s Day fall very close together! As an adult, sometimes what we do depends on the day of the week that the birthday falls on.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I would rather have a plant. I would rather have an interesting bouquet. Is that wrong of me? But, I did get a really beautiful peach rose bouquet from a student. Also, it doesn’t have to be a dozen. I do see the world through rose colored glasses sometimes because I am usually an optimist. I can get into a real Negative Nancy mode and no one likes that so I try to see the bright side.

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

A day without cheese is like a day without the sun. I eat a string cheese every day pretty much. Sure! I will celebrate now that I know! I just bought feta for Greek bowls, I have parmesan for some pasta, and I also bought havarti for brioche grilled cheese with havarti and fig jam. We fancy!

4. ’tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar? What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

No weddings on my June calendar, but I am looking forward to an August wedding. Our friends Beth and Bob have their first daughter getting married. Her invitation is so pretty and unique.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

I love June. I think our weather is just so nice. It’s cool in the mornings, it’s perfect during the day, and in the evenings it’s just divine (if it weren’t for the mosquitoes!). I also think June brings such a feeling of possibilities. I have lived my life on a school calendar for 48 years now and in June you just feel like the world is your oyster. I am hoping to have the motivation to declutter (it’s an ongoing theme with me), organize, make some spaces look better, be social, be active, and do a lot of reading and cooking.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I made a good dinner this week. Tom raved about it to Eddie Otis. He said, “this is too good to share, Eddie Otis”. I made roasted potato wedges, roasted zucchini and yellow squash, and blackened tilapia fish sandwiches with a homemade blackening seasoning and a homemade remoulade. Both were super easy. I air fried the fish in my oven on the air fryer setting.

The remoulade:

1/2 cup mayo

1 T. pickle relish

1 T. lemon juice

1 T. spicy brown mustard

a dash of dried parsley

a dash of Tabasco

a dash of sea salt or kosher salt

Thin out with water if you need to and apply the sauce to both sides of a toasted bun, baby. Both sides! Then, add a little shredded lettuce and a tomato slice before placing your fish atop.

Blackening seasoning:

Mix it all in a little bowl.

3 T. paprika

1 T. onion powder

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. cumin

1 t. oregano

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

1/2 t. cayenne

You put some olive oil on your thawed fish and then you massage this mix atop. I air fried at 400 for about 12 minutes. It wasn’t too spicy.

What would you say to one of the hodgepodge questions?

Amy

Monday, June 2, 2025

Here I am coming at you later than normal because I got home late last night! I am linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday, of course!

Friday I felt pretty bad – allergies – and had to wear black for our work day competitions. Ok – done!

We got to leave an hour early so I was home at 2:30 with a hot tea on the patio.

I felt so much better Saturday and loved the summer book display at my library.

I made a batch of pink meringues!

And, I abandoned my The Littlest Library to start this…

We went to dinner Saturday night – boys vs. girls…

And, yesterday was my twin nephew and niece’s graduation party two hours away.

My sister thought of all the details…

a candy bar – with cookies, too…

taco bar…

the cousins that could make it…

a Polaroid picture and message book…

a game…

This is the idea I gave her – to use Chat GPT to make coloring pages…

My sisters and I with Aunt Judy…

My sisters and I with my mom’s best friend Maria…

Mia and I – I got one with Miles, too, but I think it’s on my sister’s camera…

It was so nice! I can’t believe they have graduated!

I am off to my last work day today!

Amy

Saturday, May 31, 2025

It’s the final day of May and here I am doing a Saturday post so I can link up with Jenn!

Basically, she gives us four prompts and we fill them in. So fun, right? I will probably be a bit redundant, but it’s also a time for reflection.

I loved

May was a month of a little time off from work with our Derby long weekend, going to my hometown one last time before the estate sale, Mother’s Day, and the end of school with the students.

I really appreciate Tom. He helped me with my mom’s house and worked on the deck. He also did all his normal stuff of yard work, dog entertaining, and the other little things he does. He made me feel special on Mother’s Day, too.

Tom is tired:

Last trip to my mom’s house before the sale:

The deck:

I loved getting through these things this month.

Celebrating:

There was a lot of celebrating! Last day of school with students, a last happy hour, and my department retirement surprise lunch!

I learned

I learned how estate sales work, I learned about the retirement process, and I learned that I should have cleaned out my room better at the end of each school year. I also learned what is important to save.

Went well

I would say the estate sale and the end of the school year with students went well.

Let go of

I let go of some possessions for other people to enjoy. A dear friend will have these piano rolls from our family’s player piano. One of them even has my Dad’s handwriting. I know I can go to her house and see it.

I let go of school stuff for others to use and enjoy.

I let go of school responsibilities and some drama that happened this week.

What would you share?

Amy