Wednesday, December 26, 2018

I’m mixing up my blog routine this week but that’s okay because I hardly know what day it is!  Are you like that, too, when on vacation?  Hub heads back to work for the next two days but then is off until January 2. 

So, let me get you up to speed.  My Dad passed on December 18.  We had the visitation on December 20 and the funeral on December 21.  I helped my mom with some things on December 22.  On December 23, hub and I finished our shopping for our immediate family and then it was Christmas Eve.  I had done plenty of online shopping so I was not in bad shape.  

Christmas Eve morning I got up and out early to wait in line for almost an hour for a ham!  Yes, I am embarrassed to admit this.  After that, I headed to Trader Joe’s in the same shopping center. The rest of the day I wrapped and wrapped.  But, I had two special deliveries come to my door that I will tell you about in a minute.  At 4:30, we went to church and then came home and ate dinner and opened Christmas pjs and played our new Christmas Eve game “What do you meme?”  I thought it was really fun.  One son was a good sport and the other thought it was “cringe-worthy” in his words. 

Christmas morning came and we started opening presents around 8.  Both days were just the four of us and you know what, I think it was just what we all needed.  We hadn’t been home much and we hadn’t been just the four of us much.  Yes, I was sad and had many “moments”, but I also felt the love and was thankful for my many blessings.  

Here is one special delivery.  Frozen soup plus a bottle of bourbon cream for my coffee. These friends came to the funeral but also wanted to bring me these comforting things.  I was so touched.  

The next delivery made me speechless and I’m rarely without words.  My friend had taken a picture of this photo of my dad from the funeral display, printed it out, and made it into an ornament.  She also brought me the Anthropologie Capri Blue Fir and Firewood votive candle set.  How special is this?  This was my favorite photo and my Dad always told us he looked like Tom Cruise, which he didn’t, but he thought it was funny.

This is what I wore to the Eve service.  This was the exact outfit I wore to the visitation except with my burgundy velvet top.  My little nieces told me my pants and shoes looked like they were from the 1800s!  Ha!

We sat in the balcony again this year.  I teared up several times because my Dad loved church and Christmas music.  

I decided to save my pasta plans and do this simple meal after church.

See that crust?  That’s what I stood in line for.

We got this for our family and played it.  Hub and I really liked it and the boys made fun of it.  It is a mature game.  There is a separate extra mature pack of cards.  It will make your eyeballs bleed.  They are DIRTY.  Hub and I read them after the boys left the room.

Annual p.j. pants.  One got moose pants and he called them “meese fleece” and the other got camping pants and he called them “trailer park pants”.  

Tolerating the game.

Christmas morning egg casserole and mimosa

One son made me muffins for Christmas and the other made me blog graphics and the promise to help me with my blog!  I was touched by both gifts because they were just sweet simple things.  Here is a blog graphic he made. Isn’t that cute?

Hub gave me these clogs that are like my beloved MIA Sofias but a little bit higher – these are the Abbas.  I will test them out some more to see if they are too high.  He also gave me a massage gift certificate.  So, I called my gift “Swedish clogs and a Swedish massage”.  It was very thoughtful.  We are not regular massage people around here.

One of hub’s gifts from me was this charcuterie board.  He loves saying that word and eating it.  I made him this for Christmas Day lunch.

I had a spiked hot chocolate.  It was so decadent!

The whole fam watched Die Hard and we had a fire.  It was so nice.  

We just snacked around during the movie and for dinner.  Hub had to go to bed early for work but it was a really nice and simple Christmas and just what we needed.  We will see hub’s side of the family on December 30 due to their travel schedule and my family on New Year’s Eve day because my mom wanted us to gather again then and not do our normal traditions.  

How about yours?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas to you and yours!  May you have a lovely day surrounded by family and friends.  If you are missing a loved one, my thoughts are with you, as I will be, too.  

I also want to say a heartfelt thank you for reading my blog this year, whether you have been with me for awhile or whether you are a brand new reader, I really appreciate you coming here and I consider you a friend now.  

I started this little blog in April and really didn’t know if I could sustain it.  I had been a blog reader for years but was daunted (and still am) by the technology, photography, content creation, time commitment and so much more. I want to say thank you for your comments that have all been positive and supportive.  I especially want to thank you for the messages of comfort last week when I talked about losing my dear Dad.  

I hope you will stick around, because I’m not done for the year yet!  Here’s what I have planned for this week and into 2019: 

What to Wear, Do, and Eat on New Year’s Eve, Do you care about Clothing brands?, How Having the Right Stuff in Your Closet Makes your Life Easier, How to Make Friends as an Adult, January Fresh Starts, How to Deal with Grief, and Books I Read in 2018. 

What else would you like to see?  I’m all ears!  

Merry Everything, friends!

Amy 

Monday, December 24, 2018

Is it Monday? Haha! Happy Christmas Eve to all!

I am going to be a wrapping maniac today because nothing is wrapped yet.

I also may get in a ham line this morning. Honey baked ham is a once or twice a year treat for us – Christmas and Easter. There’s no other ham that compares. My husband uses it for 16 bean soup when we have had our fill of it as the main course and sandwiches so it gets used for several meals. For dinner tonight I’m making pesto pasta with artichokes and sundried tomatoes and shrimp and fettuccine Alfredo with chicken along with goat cheese garlic toast. We have a 5:00 church service.

Now I am just with my little family of four but the last few days we honored my dad and it was beautiful, fitting, and perfect.

Here are the nine grandchildren. I did all of the girls’ hair. My mom went to one sister’s house and then we will gather back at my mom’s house in a few days.

Merry Christmas Eve to all!

Amy

Thursday, December 20, 2018

I think my boys were 4 in this photo. I bought them bomber jackets and they wore camo pants for my Dad. After having 3 girls, my Dad’s first grandchildren were my twin boys.

My Dad passed away in the early morning hours Tuesday.  Feel free to click away today – I will understand.  But, I want to honor him in this space. This afternoon from 4-8 we will hold visitation and tomorrow we will have his service at 11 at my childhood church and the church where I was married.  Afterwards, he will have a full military honors service at his burial plot in the veterans cemetary because he was a career military man.  He was a fighter pilot in The Vietnam War and then continued on with the US Air Force until age 50 when he started a second career as a corporate pilot.  

How old do you have to be to feel ready to live life without a Dad?  Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful to have enjoyed him for 47 years and I know that some of us don’t get so lucky.  But, I’m greedy and I wanted more.  He has been such a powerful constant in my life.  He was a great sounding board for problems and we often would just chat about recipes, bourbon, current events, and many other things.  He loved running and getting up early.  He loved coffee and tea.  He loved doing his own house projects and doing yard work.  He appreciated almost all food and always was the first to compliment you on your meals. He loved every gift we gave him for his birthdays, Christmas, or Father’s Day.

My Dad was the oldest of three boys and as the story goes, kind of unprepared to be a father to a baby girl.  The joke was on him because he went on to have two more girls and no boys!  He had to play with dolls and learn to fix our hair.  My Dad loved to talk about how I mispronounced words and continued to imitate my words for 47 years.  He loved to talk about how I loved his bean soup as a baby.  I get my good memory from him and in his words we both have “a mind like a steel trap.”

When all the stuff about Title Nine came out I honestly didn’t get the fuss.  My Dad was the reason for this.  He always made me feel that I could do and be anything I wanted in life – gender not being a deterrent.  He told me I was smart and funny and talented and I believed him.  This never changed throughout my life.  Some powerful statements he make have always stuck with me.  When I was feeling that I was spread thin and not able to be the best teacher I could be, he told me that my average day was someone else’s best day.  When I announced I was pregnant with twins he told me he didn’t know anyone else better equipped to handle twins.  

My Dad led a good life and it was a long life of 76 years.  I want him to feel peace that he leaves behind a legacy of his three daughters, three sons-in-law, and nine grandchildren.  He had a marriage of 53 years.  His career was his passion and he got to do things that others only dream about.  But, he loved his family most of all and truly was a “family man”.  

We love you Dad and we will do our best to let you live on through us.  Until we meet again.  

Love,

Amy

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

This post seems kind of silly now because I lost my Dad early Tuesday morning.   He was finally transferred from the hospital here in my city to his hometown rehab center on Sunday.  I am posting a tribute to him tomorrow.  I am at peace because I didn’t want him to suffer and I’m glad he made it “home”, but this all happened so quickly, so I think I’m also still in shock.   I wanted to tell you because you have been so sweet with your messages of support.  Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.  Come back for my tribute tomorrow or not if it’s too much right now.  I will probably take a break until Monday but this space has helped me.

I think the undershirt is a little too clingy.  This velvet kimono was only $20 last year, MJ green pants, and my Mia Sofia Clogs.  I love these shoes.  It was a milder weather day I think.  

Hub doesn’t smile in pictures.  It’s a family thing.  This was his work party Thursday night.  MJ velvet pants, black consignment pumps, Old Navy $15 metallic shirt, and old Target wrap.  

Thursday was a late night so Friday was a ponytail day.  Old Navy tunic, Old Navy vest, old jeans that I will donate because the rear is seriously almost ripping out, and black booties.  

Monday was jeans day and these are Vigoss jeans that are really my only pair I want to keep, same clogs, and a Free People top that I ordered from my Nordstrom gift card winnings.  

Over the break, I plan to do a major closet purge and only keep things that I really love and that flatter.  I also plan to start a health campaign for myself in honor of my Dad who I ran with for many, many years.  He was a lifelong runner to stay healthy and was still running 6 weeks ago.  I started running at age 22 and kept running until I was 28 and we ran a few races together and would run whenever I was home.  I then took up running again around age 32 and ran until my neck started giving me issues.  So, I don’t know what exercise I will do.  I have to think about it.  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Spoiler Alert!  I love it!  Mamas of young kids, I used to dread when my kids would be too old for the magic of Christmas!  I used to lament the fact that it took years to understand the fun only to quickly grow out of it a few years later!  I hope today’s post will make you feel a bit better.

I remember well the days of being a room mom and trying to create and give my high school finals, trying to take a personal day to shop and wrap, trying to squeeze all of the activities in – there was something almost every night!  I was caught up in trying to have the perfect holiday now that I was The Mom!  It made me so tired!  

Now, the holiday is much more relaxed and if I may say, the reason behind the season is more at the front of our celebrations.  Along with the religious parts, we are more focused on quality time with family and friends.  I am able to take more time for myself and my husband and I have more time together.  

I love to go to a 4:00 or 5:00 Christmas Eve service with communion.  Last year we sat in the balcony and had a great view.  We went for Chinese food for the first time ever!  I actually prefer a nice meal at home and will probably try to do that this year.  It is just the four of us for Eve usually.  Some years my parents came to go to church with us.  We usually went to their house the day after Christmas with my sisters and their families.  My parents would rotate going to one of our houses on Christmas Day.  

My boys aren’t big on breakfast, but I made cute little mini cinnamon rolls last year for Christmas morning.  

Now that we have teens, we wake up slowly and enjoy coffee, tree lights, candles, and just being lazy. When the boys wake up, the four of us open presents and then spend time enjoying them.  Some years, I will throw in a french toast casserole or breakfast casserole. 

Then, my in laws and my sister in law’s family come over most years.  Here is my spread from last year.  

I make these cookies every year – a tradition started by my aunt who got the recipe from her mother’s friend.  I will put the recipe on here soon!  They are so special and everyone looks forward to these.  

We used a tripod and took this on Christmas Eve for our family in Germany.  Two of us got in our jammies too quickly!  

We almost always get a Honey Baked Ham and this was me standing in line at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve.  My social media post said that I used to stand in line for concert tickets but now stand in line for ham along with other people in my age bracket!

I am bringing this french toast casserole to school for a brunch on Thursday.  I will try to put this recipe up soon, too!

I

This was from one son at age 7 at the start of our break.  This is my wish for you, too!

It’s hard to believe this was just a year ago.  We met my parents for a Christmas music show.  

Other traditions include:

new pj’s on Eve

playing a new game on Eve

getting chips and salsa from a Mexican restaurant to munch on Christmas Day

mimosas on Christmas morning

meeting as many friends as possible for a meal over break

going to the movies a few times

traveling to both grandparents’ towns

doing a family charity project

What about you?  If you have teens, what do you think?  I’d love to start some new traditions, too.  We are major homebodies and just love being at home during this season!

Amy

Monday, December 17, 2018

One more week until break!  We are getting out so late this year.  What about you?  

This weekend was long and emotional.  My Dad seemed to deteriorate a lot from Friday to Sunday but at the end of the day Sunday we got him transferred by ambulance to a rehab center in my parents’ town and my hometown.  One sister and her family visited Saturday.  I shed many tears this weekend and had the puffy eyes to prove it.  We know my Dad probably doesn’t have long left with us here but we don’t want him to suffer.  He went from a 76 year old daily runner on Nov. 1 to a stage four cancer diagnosis found from a hernia on Nov. 5.  

There’s really no way to segue from that last sentence, so please excuse my quick turn.  On Friday night we stayed in and I made “bar food”.  When I asked my boys if it sounded good they looked at me funny and one of them said, “Mom, we’ve never been to a bar.” Touche!

pork nachos, chicken nachos, orange chicken, twice baked potatoes, puff pastry pizza.  Not too healthy, but it was Friday.

I finished this.  It was cute but predictable like a Hallmark movie.  That’s all I’ve had energy for.  

On Saturday I found this little garden on the fourth floor of the hospital.  What a pretty little space.  

Then, I showed this crazy crew of nieces and nephews.  

On one of my hospital breaks I made the real chex mix in the oven.  Oven at 250 and I found the little seasoning packets for 10 cents at Kroger with all the spices ready to go.  6 tbs. butter and 3 cups each of the cereals.  Use one cup peanuts and one cup pretzels and add anything else you like.  

We ate dinner at McAllister’s and my hub, their uncle, is quite popular!

I forgot about these great little studs for wearing scarves.  A dear friend gave these to me last year and they are so cute.  

My Matilda Jane fin pants came in and now I’m set for awhile, I promise.  

I started this – another Hallmark-esque little romance novel.  

I got 100 photo cards at Costco for $25 ish dollars.  Merry Everything to all of my blog friends out there since I can’t send one to all of you!  Do you still send cards?  I skipped last year and was just so sad.  I really enjoy this tradition.  

I worked on the cards for a bit on Sunday afternoon when on a hospital break.  It may seem weird that I am sending them this year but I have so many blessings and as I address each one I am thinking about what those people have meant to me.  

I hope you had a good weekend!  Love on your friends that have recently experienced a loss or that have a sick loved one.  It’s especially hard during the holidays because they probably just don’t feel like seeing decorations everywhere.  We had carolers come to our door and when they sang the words “comfort and joy”  I cried again!  Lol! If you have experienced a loss or have a sick loved one, I am thinking of you, too.  

I’m linking up with My Glittery Heart, Lindsay’s Sweet World, and The Sirois Family today.  Check out the posts here!

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Friday, December 14, 2018

If you don’t want to pay Bath and Body prices, Kroger has seasonal soaps again!

The photo above is our first Christmas with Ernie. When your kids get too old, take your dogs to sit on Santa’s lap!

I did my nails Thursday afternoon for hub’s holiday work party.

This is what I wore. Excuse bathroom selfie photo!

Look at the desserts!

Bourbon and ginger ale was my cocktail of choice.

It’s been a long week! Hope you have something fun planned!

I’m linking up with Andrea, etc.

Amy

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Do you buy teacher gifts?  When my boys were in elementary school, I tried to get parents to pool together for a nice gift card or I would do gifts that were pretty substantial.  When they hit middle school and had as many as 12 teachers between the two of them we switched to a card and a bag of homemade cookies or maybe a special gift for one or two teachers that really made an impact.  

It really can add up, but I also think it’s the perfect time to say a thank you for essentially helping you parent while your kids are at school.  There is no person outside of the family that has a bigger impact on a child than a teacher.  

So, I’m coming from the perspective of a high school teacher.  My very favorite gifts to get at the holidays (or the end of the year) are handwritten notes.  It’s very special if my student writes it himself.  But, I also appreciate it when a parent writes one.  Is there a certain instance where the teacher went above and beyond for your child?  I would mention that instance.  Most teachers do not enter the profession for the money.  That would be dumb, right?  Lol!  I have saved every.single.letter/card that I have received over the years.  I have also tried to print out many of the emails I have received.  I cannot tell you how much I treasure these notes.  

So, hands down my favorite gift is just simply a handwritten note or card.

I also love even a $5 gift card for Starbuck’s or a local coffee shop.  Most teachers love coffee.  Don’t feel that $5 is too little.  We really do appreciate any amount.  Please do check your school’s policy about gift giving.  My school does not have a policy against it, but I have heard that some do.  

I have gotten gift cards for Target and various restaurants.  We have a locally owned ice cream shop that has gift cards and I was the recipient of one last year.  

Ask your child if their teachers mention a particular restaurant that they love. Does their teacher always have a particular drink?  I have a friend who gave a 6 pack of Diet Dr. Pepper 12 oz. bottles along with a sweet handwritten note.  

Now, I’m not saying don’t do this because the thought is always appreciated, but teachers get a ton of mugs and ornaments.  I do not need any more ornaments.  I would like the mug if it was personalized or had a special meaning.  But, as a high school teacher I do not want anything with apples or the alphabet on it.  But, again, I always appreciate when anyone gives me a token.  

I would love a personalized notepad.  It may be too late to order this for Christmas, but that would make a great end of year gift.  Teachers are constantly writing notes and this would be a great gift.  

I would love a personalized water cup or bottle.  We usually have to keep a lot of water on our desk because we can’t leave our rooms often.  

I love good pens.  I love dry erase markers.  I love regular markers.  We go through a lot of these items and buy most with our own money.  An office supply store gift card would be really appreciated.  

Any teachers out there want to chime in?  I hope I have given you a few ideas!

Amy 

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Happy Hump Day!  I’m going to try to make more of an effort to do weekend wear along with my school outfits, o.k.?  Unfortunately, my weekend hair and makeup are not as camera ready, if you know what I mean, thus the cut off head.  This was Saturday hospital and errand attire:  Hue black jeggings – just picked these up, half of a blanket scarf, new Nordstrom Bobeau butter tee, Old Navy vest, and consignment Tieks.

The Kate Spade glitter studs are on sale for $20 on Nordstrom’s website.  You must wear studs with scarves in my opinion.  I have had these for several years and have worn them a bunch.

This outfit was from last week.  I wore my four pairs of Matilda Jane pants one each day from Monday through Thursday just for fun!  These are the $17 consignment pair.  The shirt is from Versona and the sweater is from Walmart.  

Here is my green consignment pair that were $29.  

Friday’s attire was super casual and I’ve decided to donate these jeans.  They just don’t fit correctly.  They are baggie in the legs and just awkward.  

I think I needed a looser shirt with this.  This is my kimono from fall with my Hue black jeggings.  

This is the same butter tee from the first photo with an old sweater and the black MJ pants.  

This is my art teacher sister – second blog appearance!  She has a cute and funky style.  She purchased this dress/tunic from Amazon.  

What have you been reaching for lately?  What are your biggest closet work horses?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy