Tuesday, July 29, 2025

These are opinions based on 31 years of teaching high school and getting my own kids through all the grades and college. I’m not going to be all nicey nice and mince words here.

-Please print out and hang the school calendar. It really hurts your kids when they have to miss school. I know it limits you for vacations and appointments but trust me when I say that kids complained to me about it all the time. It is extremely hard to get caught up.

-Go to the open house or the orientation or the curriculum night or whatever the heck they call it. It’s important. You have so little ability to see what your kids do during the majority of their time away from you and who they spend their time with.

-Watch the negative talk in front of your kids. Remember they want to vent to you sometimes (you are their safe space) and your job is sometimes just to listen. Many kids work out their own problems through speaking them out loud. It’s easy to go all “mama bear” on a situation, but trust when I say there is more than likely another side to the story. Don’t say school policies are stupid. You know who repeats that at school – your kid!

-Assume that your child’s teachers, counselors, administration have the best intentions. Be kind. Don’t be rude. You catch more flies with honey as they say. And, please don’t get mad at them for a deadline that you missed or something you didn’t read. If you have multiple kids at multiple schools this is really hard. Please ask your partner if you have one to take on one kid or two kids or whatever. They would get the emails and are the point person.

-You won’t like every policy or decision, but try to think of positive things to say instead like “that is so cool you get to take pathway classes to see if you want to go into the medical fields. I didn’t have that opportunity”. Remember just how many diverse learners are in a school and some policies were probably made for a good reason. That doesn’t mean it’s not ok to advocate for your kid. Let your kid advocate for themselves when they can. It’s ok to ask if a kid can take a class as a junior instead of as a senior but there might be a reason why it won’t work.

-Just buy the supplies that the school asks for. If you can afford it, then there is no reason to be a rebel or to complain. It just hurts your kid.

-Think about starting a tradition. Maybe Grandma or Aunt or Uncle or… you get my drift – would love to buy the fresh sneakers, the backpack, the first day ‘fit. Do make back to school an important milestone. The kids may act like it’s stupid, but they will probably like it. You can set a budget and you don’t have to spend a ton of money. It even helped me get excited as a teacher to have a new dress or something new to wear.

-Whatever the school policy is on social media/cell phones, yours should be as strict or even more strict. I do not think it’s out of line to ask your kid to show you before they post something and ask “what is your intention?” in posting this. You are the parent. Society is not your child’s parent. I told my kids I better never hear that they were on their phones in class or they would lose it. We were able to hold off on phones until sophomore year so they had a little more maturity by that point.

-Let your kids do as many things for themselves as they can. They should be labeling their own notebooks, etc. I had a high school junior in class with mommy’s handwriting all over his folders. They should be packing their own backpack as soon as they can. They can do so much more than we think in this generation of extreme hands on parenting. And, aren’t you busy? They can go to the office, ask questions, keep their own calendar, and so much more.

-Start working on a better bedtime about a week before school starts. If your kid is a new driver, have them practice leaving the house at the time they think they would leave and clock it. Now, you need to add some time for school traffic. Have them think about if they will shower at night or in the morning and how long it will take. Think about timing it. They should do as much at night as possible to make the mornings run smoothly. As my kids got older I started saying things like, “what do you need help with?” or “let me know what you need help with”.

-Sleep is the most important thing to the success of your kid! They must get adequate rest. I also think nutrition plays a huge role in how they feel, too. Most kids are using refillable water bottles and are the most hydrated generation to walk the Earth. I like the leak proof that fit in the side pocket of the backpack. Check school policies regarding this, of course. In addition to breakfast before they leave or in the car (sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do), I like the idea of a high schooler taking a protein or granola bar in their backpack to have mid-morning. Again, check the school rules or ask your kid to check the rules. At my school, kids didn’t use lockers and were allowed to walk around with giant backpacks the whole day long.

-I hate the headphones around the neck trend or when kids have Airpods in at school. I think schools should be strict against this. I would have kids wear their big ol’ headphones and I would greet them at the door and they would remove one ear and say “what?” I pleasantly responded that they only get one “hola” from me. I will not repeat my “hola” because you were listening to something besides me! Come on! Do you really need to listen to four minutes of music in your in-between passing time? This is time to greet your teacher, talk to a classmate, and prepare to learn in your next class.

-I also think having expensive headphones or other audio equipment out at school is a recipe for dropping them, losing them, or sadly sometimes getting them stolen because you have advertised the expensive equipment you own. We seriously have parents drop off the headphones at the front office because their kid forgot them. Uh, no.

-My school didn’t have a policy against pajamas and blankets. You wear pajamas to school and bring a blanket you bring pj/blanket energy to your education. No. Just no. Even if your school does not have a uniform, you as a parent can designate what is a school outfit -what are school clothes. You save your crochet halter top for the weekends, umkay?

-Do not believe the stuff you hear like “her mom is letting her”, “NO ONE is in class today – can I sign out?”, etc. It’s rarely true. And, you can always use that extra time to do homework, go to the library, read a book, get help from the teacher, etc. Attendance is made to feel like a choice these days and it is absolutely not. You should be in school unless you are sick or have an emergency. I will allow a college visit, too, but do look at that calendar.

-Check your kids’ grades on the portal. Figure out how to use it. Also check their attendance on the portal. Just because you saw Johnny leave for school does not mean he went to school. Just because you dropped off Jane doesn’t mean she actually went in the school building. I’ve had some uncomfortable phone calls.

As you can tell, I am quite opinionated when it comes to this topic. Parenting is the hardest job you will ever have. I get it. But, putting in the work at the beginning of the school year really does pay off.

I also don’t believe in being your kids’ friend. You are the parent. They hopefully have enough friends. They only have one or two parents. Kids want to be parented. They want boundaries. You will have to develop a thick skin during the high school years. I remember thinking I needed self-esteem workshops for myself because sometimes I was the worst, so mean, so strict, so this and so that. But, you will come out on the other side.

What have I forgotten? What questions do you have for me? Feel free to email me at amywscott0@gmail.com if it is something personal. I am happy to try to help!

Amy

Friday, July 25, 2025

Happy Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some faves.

How was your week? We finally got a break from the rain and it’s been hot and sunny. I didn’t have much on the calendar this week, which can be both a good and a bad thing. You have to plan for fun!

I’m sorry if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, but can we talk about how cute their greeting cards are? They are $1 and here is an example of a blank card:

I am trying to send more mail! The other night I had a stack of cards and my address book and I told Tom I was working on “my correspondence” like a Victorian lady. Aunt Agnes had an employee to help her with her correspondence in Gilded Age. Lol. It was great until Eddie Otis licked my correspondence and smudged it. He just wants to help me with everything! He wants to help with the laundry, dishes, putting on my socks, getting the mail, moving the rugs (yes, I’m serious), bringing in groceries – you name it.

Anywho, I was writing cards to family members from the Michigan weekend.

If you get a chance, stock up on cute cards for just $1 each at TJ’s. Have you seen how much greeting cards cost at the grocery or the drug store? I still like Dollar Tree for cards, too.

I went to Ulta and needed new hairspray and yes, the art on the bottle swayed me. But, I do love it!

I also found a new body wash at Kroger. It is sea spray/salt air scent and I like to be seasonal with my products. It’s fun to change them for each season. It’s also small enough to fit on my shelf in the shower.

I still can’t believe I did this. I wanted to try the Dubai chocolate in its pure form. I have had a Dubai chocolate croissant before, but not the real deal. This bar was $15 and I bought it! I saved enough money on greeting cards that I can buy $15 chocolate! I do realize I can be such a walking contradiction!

It’s Dubai chocolate but it’s made in Germany. That moment when your nails match your chocolate…

I think it’s delicious! I heard that Trader Joe’s has one for $3.80 but I haven’t seen it there myself.

I had a library haul on Monday…

I’m trying to cook more beans. I am spending more time alone, you know.

And, my library has a recycled magazine box and I scored a couple! Have you seen the price of magazines?

The best meal I cooked this week was a salmon bowl:

I saw this on Instagram and thought it was good for keeping a vacation mindset:

I bought 3 birthday gifts (I was proud of myself for getting all of these gifts early) at my new favorite boutique called Scout:

I’m reading this:

I started The Hunting Wives Club but I’m just barely in so I don’t know what I think yet.

And, I finally got a really mild morning to read outside:

I’ve been making my iced protein coffee. This week it has been instant coffee mixed with half a carton of Premier cookie dough.

I’m still loving my bright yellow nails and this is a better photo of the actual color:

I’m not a big drinker of soda, but I wanted to try this and it’s really good in my opinion. It would make a nice cocktail, too!

I made strawberry freezer jam this week. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be on my summer list or not, but then I got the urge to make it.

I had a happy hour with Mason! He declared it the best conversation we have ever had. Ok! I couldn’t believe he said that!

He got to try the goat cheese with strawberry jam on baguette and guess who might try to recreate that at home with her jam?

I have been so appreciative of having a new to me car! It has been so nice to have working AC and a working back hatch. I know it’s just a car but it has been a joy to drive. I really like the color, too. I have most recently had a black car for 10 years and before that I had a white car for 10 years so this is different for me.

Cam from Southern Charm said these were really good and when I saw them at the check out at TJ Maxx I had to try them. Tom and I both loved them!

These stainless steel wipes are great! I added them to my Kroger order. They are also on Amazon.

You all know I hate mosquitoes, but I forgot about flies and other flying things coming in the house in the summer! Not even the insects want to be out in the heat!

But, we are having an issue with gnats, fruit flies, or drain flies. This is not working on them. I have made sure there is no fresh food out, made sure my garbage disposal is run and there is no organic matter in my drain, and they are better, but still here. I also set out apple cider vinegar to try to catch them. Help! Anyone have a good solution other than winter?

I also am becoming a grumpy Karen about yard work. There is no time that a mower, weed eater, or other loud tool is not being used right now in my hood. It’s 2025 and we have accomplished great things. Why have we not created silent yard tools?

Sorry to end on a negative note!

Happy Friday!

Amy

Thursday, July 24, 2025

What have you been wearing lately? Are you over your summer clothes?

I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill to share my ‘fits, some shopping I’ve done, and what I’m wanting to wear these days.

I resisted the Nordstrom Anniversary sale! Go me!

Normally, I would be thinking about footwear for going back to school. Footwear was always a big concern. The cement floors and being on your feet all day as a teacher are no joke. It feels weird to not really need as much now!

I did something I feel is very smart. I ordered black and white tanks from Chico’s to wear under things. I never have the right tank to wear under an open button up shirt or a kimono. I want something that skims the old tum and that is not too low cut in the chestal region. So, these tanks were on sale and I am hoping for the best. I will let you know if they are the tanks that will change my life. Do you have any pieces you can’t wear because you don’t have the right stuff to wear them with? I say let them go or do the work to try to be able to wear them!

I have a goal to buy and wear more navy! Weird, right?

Step one of said goal:

The material could be tragic but I am trying this in two sizes. Since Old Navy makes returns very easy, this was an easy decision.

I put on some jeans this week! I think my medium wash Halaras are a bit more lightweight than my lighter wash ones – go figure! I am thinking about ordering a different style of Halaras because they were such a good purchase for me. I have the same style in medium wash, light wash, and light black. They are wide leg short.

Saturday night we went to hear a jazz group at a distillery and I wore this old Old Navy blouse (it’s pretty thick unfortunately for the humid weather). A girl on the sidewalk complimented it! I live in the part of the country where we smile, say hi, and even start conversations with total strangers and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Earlier in the day I had worn my consignment Target short sleeved button up with the same jeans and I am wearing my Kork-Ease sandals with both outfits, too. I am reaching for these sandals all the time so that turned out to be a good purchase (gift from my mom from a return she had – aww) and this short sleeve consignment button up is another thing I have reached for so much; it’s super lightweight. I think it might look good with my long white skirt.

One day for errands I put on my Old Navy tennis skirt with my gauzy white top.

And, for an errand and a happy hour, I put this on:

If I am at home, I am wearing my Wild Fable sweatshirt shorts and a graphic tee, but if I go out I am wearing my Halaras. I’m not feeling the dresses too much right now. It looks like some colors of the shorts are now on sale for $8.40. They aren’t too thick or too hot if you are looking for something like this.

I will let you know how the Chico’s tanks work out and how the Old Navy navy blouse works out. When my twins were little they thought the name of the color was “old navy blue”.

Let me know your thoughts!

Amy

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

It’s Wednesday and that means Joyce link up day!

1. When does time pass slowly for you? When does time past quickly for you? 

Time passes slowly for me in the middle of the day usually. It passes quickly in the morning when I am trying to do all the piddling and little house tasks. I’m still trying to come up with a good schedule. I like to do a few chores each morning and if I have errands I usually don’t go out until after 10. The traffic has died down by then and the stores are open.

Time passes slowly in January and quickly in June! I am trying to enjoy January more. Let’s see if being retired will help or not. I think I am going to have to make an effort to get out and be social.

I love this photo of my twins! I loved dressing them. They both had white polos but two different plaids. I did outfits like that quite a bit while they still didn’t care.

2. Do you have a favorite beach? What’s your favorite ‘beach’ activity? Tell us what we’d find in your beach bag.

I love being near any body of water. I am going to walk in sand anytime I get the chance and in any season or type of weather. We went to the beach in Scotland in December of 2023 and walked along the water and we went to the beach in Barcelona and took off our shoes and socks to walk in the water last fall. I like walking in the packed sand by the water. I am not big on laying out anymore but I would love a lounge chair in the shade to read my book or I love getting in the water and playing in the waves if there aren’t jellyfish or sharks.

Scotland:

Spain:

Spain:

3. Your favorite book or movie with a beach setting? 

Gosh, any movie with a house with a pool that is also on the beach.

I believe this was Assateague Island National Seashore:

Lake Michigan – deep in conversation:

4. What’s a food you love, but find it’s a pain to eat? Is it worth it? 

Corn on the cob! Why does it taste better on the cob? Since we are talking about beaches, I hate getting sand in my food.

5.  Do you like roller coasters? What’s the best (or worst) roller coaster you’ve been on? 

I love a mild roller coaster. I don’t want to go upside down. Most kiddie roller coasters are just my speed. I love a water ride. I can spin with no problem or I could. Who knows now. I love the water ride that is a circular raft and you go through rapids.

My worst ride I went on was at King’s Island. It was a standing up roller coaster and I was terrified. My Jordache purse strap broke right as I was getting locked in. I think I was also worried about my purse. My friends peer pressured me to ride it. That was in 7th grade.

But, then I went back to King’s Island after college with two guy friends and a few girls. We had so much fun. Blonde Heather always made me feel better about scary rides and I enjoyed them with her. She was a dare devil. I say “blonde Heather” and “brunette Heather” here on the blog but IRL I call them “Heath” and “Hig”. Blonde Heather was my roommate all through college and four years after and Brunette Heather was a girl we met like day one of college and it turned out she was from a place very close to where I was from – right across the river.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It was a long time ago, but the Harry Potter World at Universal was so clever. We surprised our kids when they were really into Harry Potter and it ended up being one of our best trips ever. We drove to Orlando, stayed in a nice hotel with pool, and the next morning we woke up and they had tickets to Universal HP in their Easter baskets. It was Easter and spring break, by the way. We did the park and the next day we drove through the Everglades and did a swamp boat ride, then we went to the Florida Keys and stopped at each and every one of the keys practically, then we took a boat from Key West to the Dry Tortugas, then we drove home along the west coast of Florida and stopped at Siesta Key. It was an epic trip. We all loved it.

That was a fun one, Joyce!

Amy

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

I thought today would be a fun chit chat where I talk about random things that aren’t enough for a post in and of themselves.

First, I generated this image with AI. Is that why it has two handles? Oh man!

Blogging:

I am having fun blogging this summer and keeping to my normal schedule. I hate that many blogs loose steam in the summer because that is when I always had more time. Sometimes I feel like a broken record and that I need to infuse some new-ness into my blog.

I am struggling to respond to comments but it’s very important to me that I do respond if someone has taken the time to leave one. I only want to be on my computer for an hour in the morning and then the comments trickle in all day and oops – when do I respond? What do you do if you are a blogger? I had the idea to get back on the computer while I am waiting on dinner to cook? I don’t know. I don’t love to respond from the app on my phone because typing there takes longer, so I really would love to respond on my laptop at some point in the day.

My mom’s house/estate:

My mom’s house has been on the market since the end of June. We haven’t had any offers yet. Do I worry? Molly and I really want to get it sold but Kate is chill about it and is in no hurry. We haven’t had to do any work to speak of this summer in regards to it so that is really nice for Kate and Molly who start school back before we know it and who wanted to enjoy their summer. We have all had nice time to process my mom’s sudden death at the end of January. We talk openly about what it looked like for us to have all the stuff to handle in the second semester of school.

Cleaning/Dog hair:

We have had three chocolate labs and this one sheds way more than the other two did. I have decided that the dry Swiffer is as good as anything for getting up the hair. I also just use a good old fashioned broom and dustpan. Then, I can run the Dyson stick over the surfaces.

One problem – this is really the only thing I can’t do with press on nails – I can’t push the Swiffer cloth into the four holes so I devised a chopstick method and use the chopstick to press it into the holes. I also use a chopstick to clean out the Dyson stick canister.

Chopsticks – they’re not just for your Chinese food.

Also, how many times did I just say the word chopstick?

Tom/Amy Shower Shelf Battle:

In the three shelf shower wars, I came up with a new plan. I have dedicated the middle shelf to shaving – for both of us.

I also got smaller shampoo and conditioner bottles for me and I really like this brand which is a bonus.

I felt that this was very giving of me.

Cleaning/Decluttering:

When I have the urge to shop, I like to declutter. This book is really good but I am just skimming it.

She says when there is a statistic she has probably made it up!

Here is an example of what happened last week. I get really excited when someone recommends something whether I needed it or not.

Kat James talked about these Pixi products – ph reactive lip and cheek. It looked so pretty on her. Now, these prices won’t break the bank, but I went and cleaned out my makeup and saw some things I forgot I had and was pretty happy.

A blogger recommended this doohickey and I added to cart. I cleaned out my closet and realized I had a lot of pants/skirt hangers and that I also had shelving to fold my shorts. I wanted a better frother but then I changed my batteries in my current frother and got the desired frothiness.

It’s all too easy to add to cart, right? And, I still might get some of these things but a 72 hour holding period is a good idea!

For Michigan, sisters and I created a thank you gift for Neal and his wife. We brought products from our three states – mostly food things. I brought bourbon mustard and Ale 8 bbq sauce. I had it on my list to go buy a bag for the gift but I found one in my cabinet that would work just fine. I also was going to go buy a new cooler just for Michigan but we used one we had. So, when we use things we have we save money and we reduce an errand for ourselves.

We have covered some topics today!

What would you say over a steaming hot cup of coffee with two handles?

Amy

Monday, July 21, 2025

How was your weekend? I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share mine!

After letting my nails breathe for a few days (6?), I put on this fun florescent yellow.

It looks dull yellow in this photo, but it’s really bright in different lighting!

Mason and I hadn’t done a coffee shop in a long time so I suggested we start out Friday doing that. He was free and I was free so it worked out.

After that we went to Barnes and Noble book store and then we went home. I was so hot and ready to be in the AC. I gave Eddie Otis a frozen carrot because I figured he was hot, too. He wants you to participate just like he wants you to participate in bone chewing. He is a sharing boy.

Has everyone been enjoying the Coldplay concert news?

I hate that there are victims involved. It’s easy to laugh at all the memes, but there are people who didn’t ask to have their lives put on display. The one about Coldplay just came out with four new singles -uh, yeah.

Friday night we stayed home for dinner and ate leftovers. I have got to get my fridge to a more functional state. It has been packed and hard to manage.

Saturday Tom went out of town for the day so I was with Eddie Otis most of the day except for a trip to drop off donations and to browse this cute little boutique and

Mason takes a piano lesson on Saturdays after playing basketball with his college roommate at a park (such a cute Saturday routine) and then we met for a little lunch after the lesson in this strip mall where both the music store and the boutique are located. That sounded really confusing. Anyway, we ate at this little place.

Please note the sky:

I went home and napped with little EO snoring on the floor beside me until it started storming something fierce. It was the loudest thunder I had heard in a long time. EO wasn’t nervous at all. Whew!

Tom returned home and EO couldn’t get close enough to him!

We ate at home again and then went to a free jazz show at a distillery where one of the musicians was a college professor of Jack’s.

We only stayed out about an hour but it was good to get out.

Sunday morning I had to go to Trader Joe’s because I have decided I can’t live without my brown sugar oat creamer. I also made people at the cabin in Michigan fall in love with it – especially a teenager named Ellie! She is my cousin’s daughter.

It was muy, muy hot out but we had plans to go out on the boat with our friends. If we kept moving it felt fine. We stopped to eat and I sweated something fierce.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, July 18, 2025

It’s Friday and it’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!

How was your week?

I’m still in this weird state where I would normally be getting a pit in my stomach about summer going by too quickly and not feeling like I “did enough”. I have so many teachers in my life that are feeling that way right now and now I’m not. Does that make sense? It’s still surreal that I don’t have to watch fourteen training videos on things like blood borne pathogens. Do you know how many times I touched blood in 31 years? Zero.

Instagram liked my Tom story…

Doesn’t he look sad on this sailboat for one in Michigan? My brother in law Jason made a video of this, too! Do you get the What About Bob? reference?

IG has a cool new font called Rosalia which is what I used there. You can follow me at amscott2 if you so desire.

I’m still riding a high from last weekend and how special it was to be in Michigan. I honestly want another trip to Michigan before the end of summer. The weather is just divine. Ahhhhhhh.

We came home to a happy dog and a house that was pretty darn clean. Mason even picked up this coffee at Kroger that he thought I would enjoy and I do! It’s really good!

I seriously burned my face in Michigan on a cloudy day! I should know better. It was really cloudy on Friday and it drizzled for most of the morning. My forehead and cheeks got burned.

Crazy Eyes was so happy to have us back!

My aunt Sally said she takes leftover coffee, adds milk, and puts it in the freezer in the summer. I did that, too, upon arriving home, and it was so good as an afternoon treat.

I was excited to come home to several library books that had come in for me. Here is my library haul. Hey – let’s make library hauls a thing instead of Amazon hauls!

I started the new Emily Henry book and yes, I abandoned the book I was reading before. I feel no shame or guilt!

My sister Molly brought me a retirement gift of this set of four appetizer plates. Aren’t they so cute and so me? Now I just need to host a happy hour!

And, she gave me this Joanna Gaines candle that smells amazing. I haven’t gotten a new candle in a long time.

After having a white Funny Bunny pedi for quite awhile I was ready for a color. I chose an orangey red.

Ok, I was reading one of those “favorite Trader Joe’s products” articles online and one person said this cheese. New favorite!

I started following a beauty influencer on IG named Kat James. Well, she also does lentil recipes! Lol. I couldn’t find the pack of already cooked lentils at TJ’s but I bought a can and now I have a new obsession. I had some naan bread with hummus on the side. No worries if you don’t have a TJ’s – just buy a can of lentils. It’s a can of lentils, a can of diced tomatoes, red onion cooked in some olive oil, a tablespoon each of yellow mustard, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Then, add a bit of salt and pepper. It’s super weird and I would love to know who came up with it, but it’s delish! I will cut down on the brown sugar next time because it really doesn’t need to be as sweet as it is.

My favorite family meal I made this week was both chicken and salmon with teriyaki sauce. My piece of salmon from my Kroger pickup was pitifully small so I did chicken, too. I bought one of those stir fry veg bags (fresh) and added more chopped broccoli and cooked them in a skillet. The fam had rice and I had cauli rice.

This sauce is really good!

I had a spontaneous happy hour at a local favorite with one of my Heathers. This place has a 3-6 happy hour every day. I got a raspberry lemon drop and Heath got a Hugo Spritz. Her spritz had dry ice in the bottom and we were googling if it’s safe to drink dry ice.

They have this appetizer that is a baguette (still warm) with a bowl of goat cheese and a bowl of strawberry jam. You spread the goat cheese and then the jam and it’s basically one of the best things ever.

Even though our anniversary fell on a Tuesday we had to go out. Tom met me straight from work at a new to us restaurant called Ata which means “eat” in Swedish I think but probably has some dots over the vowels.

I got a shrub mocktail and it was so tart I couldn’t drink it. My friend just made the best strawberry basil shrub. Do you know what shrubs are? Tom is on an Arnold Palmer kick. He doesn’t drink any alcohol.

We both ordered their special – fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, succotash and a watermelon salad. All that was $25!

And, we split a strawberry shortcake that was the star of the meal.

We took so much food home and Mason ate it!

I had a pool day! It was touch and go with rain and storms in the forecast for each and every day. Someone said we live in Florida now. Ha!

This is Erica’s country club pool and it’s really nice.

I got a salad with grilled chicken…

and we split some tots.

Erica went out to her car and brought me the neatest retirement gift. She was waiting til I had a party and I haven’t had a party so she wanted me to enjoy it now.

Each of the letters of RETIRE had a gift associated with it. R – Relax, E – Eat, T – Travel, I – Indulge, R – Read, and E – Enjoy.

It was such a nice and creative gift!

I took this fan to Michigan and it was a lifesaver. It’s super lightweight. Our room was really stuffy and I went to sleep cuddling with this fan.

I tried a Strawberry strato matcha from Starbucks and not only is it pink and green and so pretty but it was also good!

And, this is our forecast. What in the world?

What were your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, July 17, 2025

I hope I don’t get kicked out of Fashion Files for this not very fashionable entry! I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill, nevertheless.

I returned from my Michigan weekend Sunday late in the day and then Monday was an errand/get my life in order day.

I put on this top and old Target olive shorts and the material of the top made me sweaty.

My sister Molly gave me these Birkenstocks she ordered because she didn’t like her big toe in them – lol.

Tuesday night I put this on for a happy hour with my friend followed by my anniversary dinner. It was easy to throw on. It felt good to style my hair! I am still learning how to do my shorter hair.

In Michigan, I only had two pairs of shoes – my New Balance sneakers and my Hari Mari flip flops. I brought my pink and white checkered shorts and my red and white checkered shorts and wore them with a graphic tee from Old Navy.

Another graphic tee from Old Navy that I wore with my Target Wild Fable shorts. These shorts have been worn by me every day this summer – for walking, lounging or for sleeping. So, I brought three pairs to Michigan. I have yellow, light blue, heather gray, black, and mauve. I am really considering getting some more because I love them so much. They are the perfect length for me and they have pockets. I am seriously impressed with the quality.

The teen girls got dressed for sunset pictures in their cute tops and jeans or mini skirts. I restrained myself and only brought one sweatshirt even though I had more I wanted to bring. I brought this Aerie one in navy (I thought a darker color would be best for wearing it multiple times).

I do like to get dressed when I leave the house. I wear my lounging clothes, exercise/dog walking clothes, and then I go get a little more presentable for going out.

What have you been wearing?

I am really trying not to shop any more summer things! What helps me to not shop is to clean out my closet. I like to do it pretty frequently.

Amy

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Today is Hodgepodge with Joyce day!

1. What’s a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate. 

I really admire good listeners. I think I am a good listener but I also like to talk. Sometimes I am very eager to respond or state my opinion in the matter. It’s something I’m conscious of and something I work on.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let’s see it. Why is this one your favorite? 

I am not a big Starbucks fanatic but I do love and treasure my Starbucks places mugs. They were either brought back to me by a special person in my life, brought back by me, or acquired to remember a trip or place. My Mom just gave me England and Spain for her last Christmas with us. She passed away almost a month to the day after Christmas this year. I really know how to turn something sad, don’t I? They are also the perfect size and heft.

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day…will you (or did you, depending on what day you answer these questions) give something away? If so what? Do you regularly give away or do you tend to  ‘accumulate’? 

I regularly give things to people I think can use the things more than me or I donate. I currently have a pile ready to go. I would say I constantly have a bag and I try to be thoughtful as I use or don’t use things. Is this serving me? Do I need this? I want to be more minimalist than I am but I am pretty good at not accumulating too much – except shoes. I love shoes!

4. You’re planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 ‘off the grid’ towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed which one would you most like to visit? Tell us why? 

Boothbay Harbor Maine, Middlebury Vermont, New Hope Pennsylvania, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Brevard North Carolina, Saugatuck Michigan, Medora North Dakota, Ouray Colorado, Lamoille Nevada, Neah Bay Washington, Hood River Oregon, or Cambria California

*You can read more about each destination by clicking the link above. 

I like the smaller places. When I have limited time and can only see the big cities I think I miss some of the flavor of the country. I didn’t get to see any smaller places in Scotland – only Edinburgh and Glasgow. In England I got to see some smaller places like York and fell in love.

I would really like to do a New England trip and see some of the first places mentioned.

5. Have you ever…ridden a motorcycle? been to a Disney park? met a celebrity? won a contest? Tell us something about whatever you answered yes to on this list. 

My Dad was a fighter pilot and I think he had to have a motorcycle, too as part of the fighter pilot package (think Top Gun). I rode on the motorcycle with him while I could sit in front of him, but I was scared when I had to be behind him. I distinctly remember him telling me I was too tall to sit in front of him but me fighting him and him letting me sit in front anyway. I was probably about the age in the above picture.

I have been to all the Disney parks. I think I enjoy Disney more as an adult because it’s just so clever and creative. My favorite is Epcot! I’m sure you’re not surprised. I did however hear someone say, “why would I pay to travel when I can visit 20 countries at once right here?”

I have met Jack Harlow. He was really nice. Your kids might know who he is if you don’t!

I have won a $500 Nordstrom gift card from Mix and Match Mama, a free trip to the Dry Tortugas on a boat that I still haven’t used (I went once and won the return trip), a speech contest, a short story contest, and probably a few other things I can’t remember.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Yesterday was my 25th wedding anniversary! Tom had to work – he had just been off last Thursday and Friday. We don’t have to celebrate on the actual day and I am hoping to do a little trip at the end of the summer or in the fall. So, we just had a special dinner.

These crazy kids had no idea what was in store. Actually we were 28 and 33! So, we definitely were not kids.

What would you say about any of these topics?

Amy

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

How we did meals:

Cousin Bryan made a spreadsheet and each of the three families signed up for meals. Neal said he would provide breakfast stuff but people also brought breakfast breads, breakfast casseroles, and little boxes of cereal, too.

My sisters and I signed up to order pizza the first night and serve it with my salad and strawberry cake. Lunch the next day was leftover pizza. My sisters and I signed up for Friday night dinner which was a Mexican fiesta (and unbeknownst to me would turn into a retirement celebration for me!). Saturday lunch was a sandwich bar and Saturday dinner was burgers, brats, salads, and chips. It worked out great!

What I Packed:

I packed really well! I packed one dress in case we went in to town to a winery (we didn’t), one pair of pants (didn’t end up wearing), one cover up, two swimsuits, and then just my Target Wild Fable shorts (3) and graphic tees (4) which were all I wore. I only brought one pair of tennis shoes and one flip flop. It was a super casual vibe and most people just wore swimsuits all day to be ready for any fun water activities.

Did you read my post yesterday? We left off with Friday morning…

We arrived Thursday around 5:00, toured the three cabin complex – the main house came with a small bunk house up the back hill from the lake and then Neal was able to buy the small cabin next to it a few years later. There is a massive staircase leading down to the main house. So, this is how he slept close to 30 people! The people who weren’t in the main house really only left to go to sleep. I was in the main house and Tom and I were the only bedroom downstairs next to a bathroom. It was perfect. I was the earliest riser with Neal so it made sense for me to be next to the coffee machine!

Friday morning was really nice because Neal and I were the only ones up around 6:30 and we sat on the porch and talked for about an hour. You all know I like my one on one connections. Neal is 47 and a financial advisor. He is married to another Amy and they have four kids. He is soft spoken and thoughtful but also an Energizer Bunny. He did not stop from after coffee until dark. He was showing people how to use water toys or driving the wake boat at all times.

Friday morning it was overcast but a group of maybe 10 left for a kayak/paddleboard trip that took about two hours. Kate paddle boarded but Molly and I sat and drank coffee, walked to the market to get a couple of things, and cleaned up breakfast.

They came back and it was tubing time! I rode with Neal to spot and it was a lot of fun watching the kids.

The sun started peeking out when we got back and all the ladies floated on floats with an adult beverage. We also got to watch Tom learn to sail with Neal and two of the teen girls.

And, then Neal was needed for wake surfing! We had different combos go out on the boat for tubing and wake surfing. Tom got to do this, too. I joked that this was like a summer camp for Tom – he kayaked twice, sailed two types of boats, and wake surfed. The teenage girls think Tom is a character. They said they had never seen him smile this much.

We started grilling Mexican chicken, making taco meat, and cutting up all the toppings. I forgot to take a photo of the Mexican spread.

Kate brought these little taco boats and it worked out great. Everyone loved choosing hard tacos, soft tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls. I had made brownies and sopapilla cheesecake bars for the dessert.

While people were finishing dinner, it became a retirement celebration for me and there was an Amy’s Career trivia game! It was fun for everyone because they included questions about teen slang and some general education trivia. I need to get a list of the questions!

It was a little cool but I loved it after the humidity of Kentucky. We literally had this fire going day and night and young kids – like 10 years old – would go and get it started or keep it going. We had a little 7 year old fisherman that fished a bunch off the dock. The kids were ages 6-20 and they were off their phones, talking to adults they didn’t remember, and just active and engaged in whatever was happening. It was so sweet!

Friday afternoon my aunts and uncles arrived. Judy and Roger live 45 minutes away from the lake and Jim and Sal live in Cleveland. They had traveled to stay with Judy and Roger and came both Friday and Saturday and it was so nice to visit with them.

Tom and I walked to get ice cream. Tom is a big ice cream fan and I didn’t want him to walk alone so it worked out great because…

We walked back eating our ice cream…

Mine:

And the party was not over – they had set up a piñata for me!

The kids had so much fun but I got to hit first!

Then there was more fire sitting and some s’mores making:

Saturday morning – gosh, I love being near any body of water. My favorite place to hang out was at the end of the dock. Coffee with a view:

Saturday was family float day! We looked like the craziest group with 30 floats/kayaks/paddleboards. We floated from Stony Lake to Lake Michigan. It takes about an hour to go down the creek and it lightly moves so you don’t have to paddle but some did. I was attached to Molly and Kate was attached to cousin April and we chatted the whole way down.

I don’t have any photos because I didn’t take my phone! After we floated we were hungry and the first ones back had set up this sandwich bar and the aunts and uncles arrived again.

I also had a cappuccino because we got cold on the float. I spent the rest of the day in my swimsuit and a sweatshirt. Divine!

More fire time! The kids played this four square game you see in the background quite a bit and some adults played, too.

Wine on the dock while we watched the different groups go out on the boat or use the jet skis. I jet skiied with cousin April to look at houses on the lake!

Tom went out in a one person sailboat:

He looked just like Bill Murray in his tiny lifejacket.

Uncle Jim telling stories:

Before dinner, Tom and I went out with the wake boarding kids and the light was gorgeous on the lake…

Someone stole my phone – these are my nieces Lena and Mia with my sister Molly, their mom.

Niece Nora took a video of Tom walking with his nightly ice cream cone:

And, we got up Sunday and cleaned up and packed and said our good-byes.

We hadn’t all been together in a happy time for maybe 8 years. We used to have a family gathering in April in northern Indiana.

It was great to hear stories from my aunts and uncles!

My aunt went through jewelry of my mom’s to tell us their significance.

My aunt labeled some photos Kate brought.

When I looked around at the many different seating areas – there were several – there were representatives from each family in all the seating areas. Everyone meshed really well and just blended seemlessly despite not really knowing each other in recent times.

I felt like I had conversations with each and every person there.

I had another group of people celebrate my retirement – again, I must be on Amy’s Retirement Tour!

The weather wasn’t perfectly sunny but it was fine. No one let cloudy skies and drizzle affect anything they did. And, the sun was out part of each day, so that’s fine.

Neal and Amy were the best and most chill hosts. They have stuff set up so that people can make themselves at home and make their own drinks and food. They have things labeled so people don’t have to ask about everything. They aren’t territorial and have things set up so they can enjoy themselves, too – I think. We were told not to bring anything like sheets, towels, beach towels, or even shampoo and conditioner. It was all there.

I forgot my hairbrush and ended up not brushing my hair the whole time. Lol. I didn’t wear a bit of makeup I brought. I didn’t wear any jewelry!

Tom and I had the furthest to drive – Louisville, Kentucky – and there were two groups from Cleveland, Ohio, two groups from Columbus, Ohio, three groups from Kalamazoo, Michigan, one group from Grand Haven, Michigan, and one group from near Bloomington, Indiana. My mom is from Chicago and her siblings stayed in the Chicago area for many years. My mom moved to Southern Indiana.

And, that’s a wrap!

I’m so glad we went. It was a long drive that felt longer than it is but it was worth it!

Amy