Tuesday, April 8, 2025

I have been trying to revisit The Happiness Project this year and to be honest, I haven’t been very successful. Is this because I have done it before and many of the themes are already ingrained in me? Plus, I have listened to her podcast for many years? I feel like I get more inspiration these days from the Fiona Ferris books. Anyway, we will see if I continue or not after this month.

Gretchen Rubin’s April Theme:

Parenthood – Lighten Up

Sing in the morning, acknowledge the reality of peoples’ feelings, be a treasure house of happy memories, and take time for projects

I am in a new stage of parenthood. I have learned a lot this past year and throughout the college years. It frustrates me sometimes when my kids don’t do things the way I would do them, but I have realized that my relationship with them is more important than doing things my way or having the neatest most minimalist house. They leave 10 minutes later than I would leave for anything they go to – work, appointments, social things. I can’t be their alarm clock. I have had a hard time not reverting back to my old parenting style of the high school years. I try to say things like, “let me know if you need help with that”. I also try to tell them when I am stressed out and need more help in certain areas. I do ask them their schedules for help with Eddie Otis, but you would also do that with a roommate relationship.

I wake up in a good mood. I think I parented in a fun way when my kids were little and there was always lots of singing. I have thought a lot about my legacy and how people will remember me and how I made them feel.

Now, when Gretchen wrote the book she had young kids. She is now an empty nester.

So, I think skimming through the chapter was good for me. I also think many of the principles I talked about are helpful in a marriage.

Here is my spring list:

Decorate for Easter (then decorate for Derby) – it’s not extreme – just mostly my mantel- done for Easter

Start putting out bird seed again – have done it once and have more bird seed ready to go. I like to include it in my Kroger order.

Host friend and his family from Spain – they have reduced stay from two nights to one night so that takes the pressure off a little in a busy month.

Make an Easter brunch or lunch – family from Spain won’t be here anymore. They were originally going to be here and I was going to do an Easter basket for the little boy and probably be more fancy with my meal. They are coming Thursday night to Friday night now.

Go to Jack’s Macbeth play and enjoy and try to understand it!

Enjoy weekend with blogger girls coming to Louisville – try not to be stressed and be relaxed!

Do one Derby event – great steamboat race at sister-in-law’s business on the river. I don’t think I am doing anything else this year and that’s ok. I may need to go to my hometown Derby weekend.

Invite people to patio

Clean up patio first

Hope and pray that Tom can fix the back deck. I miss being able to go out the back door.

Work at my mom’s house

Wear all my spring clothes or they have got to go! I have already done my first pass through my clothing.

Start cooking more spring/summer foods

Buy grill and start grilling again

Plan for kitchen renovation – hopefully starting June 2!

Read outside!

Walk outside!

Well, I think that’s enough.

Remember that this part of the school year can be the busiest and most stressful for teachers. It can also feel the longest. It’s testing season and we are usually off the normal schedule and it is just hard.

So, I will give myself grace and try to live in the moment and enjoy what I can!

Do you have a list?

Amy

Monday, April 7, 2025

I don’t remember what the sun looks like…

So, if this could happen it would be great! I also don’t remember why I ever said I liked rain. Also, when the rain stops we are supposed to have a freeze warning. What a crazy weather year 2025 has turned out to be, no? How do you know you’re old? You talk about the weather this much!

Linking up with Holly and Sarah and you will hear all about it!

So I have been on Spring Break and I stayed at home. I was super productive at the beginning of the week and then the rains came…We had tornado sirens go off Wednesday night and then it just kept raining. I cooked a lot at the beginning of break and then I was tired and wanted my break to feel like a break so I started going out more. I went to breakfast once, tea once, lunch once, and dinner twice. That’s not too bad, is it?

I had lunch with Victoria at my favorite little French brasserie on Thursday. We split a croque monseiur – love that they let you do that. Half is definitely enough!

I was able to read in the rain on my covered patio so that was nice!

Isn’t that a pretty reflection? I love it!

I made Peeps hot chocolate and I think they look so cute floating there.

I’m reading two books at once because my Sarah Adams came in at the library and I abandoned this for a bit, but I love it, too! You will see my other book later on in the post. Both would be great vacay or summer reads.

On top of house chores, decluttering work, and just regular maintenance I usually only plan one thing for each day when I’m off work.

Friday Mason and I had a reservation for high tea. We have talked about going for a long, long time – like two years.

It was fabulous! We loved it! It was $35 a person.

After the tea, Tom and I met our friends for dinner. I didn’t want to say no to a social gathering and we hadn’t been together in quite some time. We took at least half of the tea food home because it was a lot and I didn’t stuff myself.

Paloma – yum!

Fajita bowl – took most of it home, too!

Saturday was a bummer. My sisters and I were supposed to meet in my hometown and my aunt and uncle were coming through on their way north from Florida and we had to cancel because of the widespread flooding. Molly’s road was flooded, Kate would have to travel through flooding, and the downtown of my hometown was flooded. It just didn’t seem smart to try to load cars in the rain, either. And, it was also storming.

The rain chain was off the chain!

So good!

Tom’s deck project got stopped, too. Major bummer. We drove around and went to Work the Metal Saturday and then came home and ate leftovers.

Guess what? More rain!

Sunday I did some meal prepping for the week ahead and that always helps me to feel ready.

Tom and I drove to see the river and then stopped at the prettiest bakery called Rose Bakery.

Wow! We brought these home to share with everyone. The croissant is a Dubai chocolate croissant.

We came home and ate lunch and then I went to Target and saw White Lotus creamers.

These are delish as a candy subsitute. My sister Kate discovered them.

Yesterday was one year of Eddie Otis! We brought him home on April 6, 2024!

The river in my hometown:

The river is supposed to crest tomorrow so let’s hope that happens and that all stay safe.

What about you? Are you experiencing the rain, too?

Amy

Friday, April 4, 2025

I’m sad! This is the final Friday of my spring break. My 31st spring break as a teacher, by the way!

I am happily linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. It’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

My first favorite is that I had a break at home! Travel can be great, but I have really been craving empty space at home. Did you read my post this week Leaving Space? I had some great comments!

Going in to my break I knew I wanted to sleep in, read, spend time outside, see some friends, spend some quality time with my little family, do some house decluttering and general maintenance of the house, and do a little shopping and a few restaurant outings.

I would say I did pretty well!

Other favorites were…

I loved using my gift card to get a fun and springy pedicure:

Bonus that I am wearing my new sandals!

I enjoyed putting on a fun summery salmon press on mani:

I supported Tom in his deck project. I watched him and brought him food.

I walked my Eddie Otis!

Tom and I had a fire one evening!

Tom brought out our old bedroom tv so we could hang out on the patio.

Little guy made me laugh everyday. This was one night when I came to bed and he was literally in my spot and sawing some major logs.

I cleared my closet and dropped off some donation bags. I loved having time to do this and my closet is so much more user friendly now!

I had a leisurely solo Target trip. Peep the doggy manta ray toy. Do you ever grocery shop at Target? I like doing this once a month or so. They have things I can’t get at Kroger and their prices are really good.

I made the last box of Chrissy Tiegen chocolate chip cookies. I am pretty sure they are no longer on the Kroger shelf. Best box mix I have ever used.

I made an electrolyte mocktail that was pretty good!

I finished this and really enjoyed it!

I made a Peep hot chocolate!

I was looking for something to watch one night and re-watched this. It’s such a cute movie in my opinion!

I needed new hairspray so I went back to this and I love it.

I did a Marshall’s trip and bought myself this cute little bag.

I did a practice run on these little yummy things for Easter. I bought just a small box of the Easter colors of M & Ms.

Tom did our first mow of the season and the grass looked so green!

It’s a luxury to do breakfast out and I went to Con Huevos with my friend Beth one day.

Cheers!

It’s tornado season in my neck of the woods. Sunday night and Wednesday night we had tornado sirens go off. Sunday they ended around 11:00 p.m. I think, and Wednesday they went off until 1:00 a.m. We are so thankful and lucky that we didn’t lose power or have any damage.

What were some favorites of yours this week? I hope you had many!

Amy

Thursday, April 3, 2025

I wasn’t sure how much I would have to show you since I have been on spring break, but I have a few outfits so I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill.

I had a really warm day last weekend and I broke out the favorite cut offs – from Target years ago. They have the perfect amount of stretch. I love this Soho ball cap I ordered from JCPenney back in the winter. I also ordered a green corduroy Paris ballcap and enjoyed wearing that a bit this winter. They were each around $6 which I thought was a steal. Have you seen what the ballcaps go for on sites like Anthro and Evereve? I have on my new this season Aerie button up. I like how it’s not super long. And, I am wearing my Target neutral flip flops.

I am not sure what is going on with the hair but Monday was cold, cold, cold and I was sad that it was cold. So, I tried to put on rainbow cardigan.

Breakfast out with friend outfit:

New sandals!

They are Dr. Scholl’s from the Amazon spring sale. I think they were around $35. I plan to wear them with pants and dresses.

Favorite flip flops when I got home:

Girls shopping outfit:

I love a white or cream blouse. This one is Old Navy this year.

Spring/summer mani:

Did you see the Target/Kate Spade collab coming up? I think I need the champagne and french fries clutch! I love the straw bag, too.

I am finding it so easy to get dressed with my new cleaned out closet. I know I need to be more ruthless and let a few more things go and it will be even better.

We really need so much less than we think!

What have you been wearing lately? Buying lately?

Amy

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

It’s Wednesday and that means hodgepodge with Joyce!

No foolin’ that my skinny margarita is better than many restaurant margaritas. I plan to have this on hand as well as some other things for outdoor entertaining. Keep a couple of chilled white wines, some nuts, olives, and potato chips.

1. No foolin’! April is here. What’s one fun thing on your April calendar? 

My April calendar is more packed than normal. I am so excited to host an old buddy from Spain and his wife and son. They are staying at my house for two nights so I have a lot of work to do. Then, the following weekend some girls are coming in town for a girls’ weekend and it will be a full one. My kid is in Macbeth -a community Shakespeare performance – both of those weekends so we have to figure out when to see him! Also, we are cleaning out my mom’s house and getting ready for an estate sale, along with talking to a realtor. So, yeah, April is going to be busy. But, I am really looking forward to my two fun weekends. My job is going to get in the way!

2. It’s often said, ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’…what’s the last thing you wasted money on? 

Well, I have been spending money on sneakers. I bought Vejas in the fall for Spain and they turned out to be too narrow. I bought another style of Vejas in the spring and then went and got fitted and found out I need a wide. Vejas run narrow, so they are just not very comfortable. So, I guess I wasted money on sneakers. They aren’t cheap, either.

3.  April 2nd is National DIY day. Are you a do-it yourself kind of person or maybe you’re married to one? If so, what’s the last thing you DIY-ed. If you’re not a DIY-er what’s the most recent job you had to hire someone to complete? 

We do most of our own stuff. We do our own taxes and many of our projects. This is Tom’s project this week. He is replacing all the boards in the deck.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so do you have a favorite dish that calls for lamb? 

I do not. Eddie Otis loves lambie and lambie gigante so much.

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain. 

I don’t want to, but I probably look like the stereotypical middle aged high school teacher but then I start rapping or singing my Spanish songs and people are like – ok – she’s not normal.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am using paper plates this week but there are still so many dishes! When you cook a lot, you have a lot of dishes. It’s annoying!

Amy

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

This post is not an April Fool’s joke, nor is it unique. I’m not the first person to talk about this concept, but it is something that has been on my mind lately.

I want to leave space in all areas of my life..

My refrigerator functions best for me when I leave space:

I am not sure if this photo is the best example of leaving space, but this is my current fridge view.

I have to see what I have and I feel like I waste less when I have less.

My closet functions best for me when I leave space:

It’s taken me a long time to realize that less is more in my closet.

I am currently trying to figure out how to best utilize my bins.

I don’t like too much out in my living room or kitchen. I like it to be simply decorated. It’s easier to clean and I want only decor that means something to me, if possible.

I leave space in my calendar, too. I have friends who try to do so much in one day.

I have friends who say they wish they “had time” to read. My question would be are you leaving space in your schedule to read? What are you doing with your time instead?

I also want to leave space for spontaneous plans. People stop asking when you are always busy and can never say yes.

I am pretty routine oriented and that can be my fatal flaw. I hope that I can leave space for changing up the routine.

The other night I was so happy I left space for a phone call. One of my high school buddies called me on my birthday and I was at brunch. We never connected that day and on his birthday I told him I owed him a phone call and he would get one when least expected. So, we played phone tag a couple more times and finally he connected with me one evening last week. I sat on the patio and we laughed our heads off for 45 minutes. Normally I would have been doing my shower and wind down routine but I am so glad I broke from that routine. That phone call was so good for my mental health!

Maybe I am getting away from the point, but in what areas of your life do you leave space?

Amy

Monday, March 31, 2025

How are you on this last Monday of March? I am good! It’s my spring break! I am just staying in town but Tom is off work with me and we are doing some house projects and yard projects. I am happy to link up with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend.

Part of me wanted to plan a trip and part of me thought the decision making would be stressful. Also, I don’t like being with all the spring breakers. Lol.

Vacation is a state of mind, not a place. I will keep reminding myself of that.

Thursday for the last day of school before spring break, I brought the sunny vibes.

I told little boy I would be off work soon.

After school I kicked off the break with my friend Victoria who teaches at another school. We went to Irish Rover and it was lovely.

We had some smoked salmon paté and irish soda bread.

Then, I went home and made spaghetti. I already had the meat done so that made it quick.

I love a slow breakfast at home and here was my Friday breakfast…

I finished this over my breakfast and I loved it!

I decided to give up on the interspecies girl and lochness monster relationship in this book and return it. Not that there is anything wrong with that if it’s your cup of tea. It’s too bad because I love the cover!

I had a fresh stack of requests that I brought home with me.

A healthy mix of non-fiction/self-improvement and fiction. I am not going to Yorkshire, but I saw it on the shelf and loved York, England so thought I would read it.

And, I started this because it was recently recommended in blog land and it was on the new release shelf.

I also went to Marshall’s and Whole Foods. I never go to either, but Whole Foods was amazing! I want to shop there regularly.

Mason had to work late afternoon but was free and wanted to go to his favorite lunch spot.

He always gets a decaf and loves it. He loves how it comes with a Biscoff cookie.

We split the frites and a choripan. And, we still had leftovers. Neither of us were super hungry.

I was going to go get a pedicure but Elizabeth called and wanted to stop by and I quickly pivoted. Eddie Otis doesn’t like her at all. He did calm down.

I was enjoying the patio so much as the weather was just perfection that I said screw it to my toes and made a coffee with a Peep.

For dinner, I made fish tacos with mango salsa. I read on the patio again after dinner.

Saturday morning it was cloudy but so warm.

Our outdoor area is so neglected but we will get to it this week. And, Tom is replacing the patio boards because they are deteriorating. I guess the reclmained wood was too reclaimed.

Tom and EO went to visit Tom’s parents, the kids were working, and I got ready for some friend time.

I went shopping with my friend Jessica at Work the Metal.

Then, we stopped for Greek food and cookies! What could be better?

The pedicure happened Saturday late afternoon and I went with a periwinkle blue that I bought at Marshall’s.

We had a Stoney River Steakhouse gift card so I picked up a Cobb salad to share with Tom…

And these little steak sliders and sides. We split one meal and still had enough for Mason to have a full meal after work.

I bought myself flowers at Whole Foods for less than $6.

I bought a spring magazine, too!

I made another good breakfast of more of a veggie scramble.

EO is either sleeping or transporting his stuffed animals.

Sunday Tom did my returns with me. I had one Amazon and one Old Navy.

It was a gloomy day so I was happy to read more!

And, enjoy some rain…

And, really this kind of sums up my relaxed state right now.

I’ve got some hard stuff going on and coming up, but, for now, I have some of my favorite foods, the ability to watch the sun rise and set, some great library books, my flowers I bought myself, my favorite songs I will sway to (let’s not go too crazy with full out dancing), and I do feel blessed.

Thank you for blessing me with your comments!

Amy

Friday, March 28, 2025

Well, my first favorite is that it is Friday! I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share an eclectic bunch of favorites today. I hope there is a little something for everyone!

I thought this was pretty cool – LL Bean and Free People collaboration or collab as the young kids say…

Now I want a new boat tote.

I am really enjoying seeing all the spring offerings!

Did you all watch With Love, Meghan? I wasn’t a fan. I did, however, read about the shoes she wore to go garden in; apparently they made a big splash. I ordered them! They are Crocs and will replace my rubber Danskos that Eddie Otis snacked on. I like a slip on option for taking him out and that can get wet.

It’s margarita season! I want to remind you of this skinny marg recipe that I got years ago from my sis. Mix 1/3 to 1/2 stick Crystal Light lemonade into a shot of tequila. Add some lime juice if you desire. Top with Fresca. Feel free to do more or less of the ingredients depending on your preferences. Add a lime wedge to make it more professional and fancy. You will be shocked by how good it is.

I also want to remind you of my skinny buffalo chicken dip – mine now – can’t remember where I first saw it:

I used two cans of chicken – like tuna – you can also buy in the pouch now, too. Trust me that it works best with this kind of chicken. Add one laughing cow wedge, 2 tablespoons of non fat plain Greek yogurt, some ranch dressing powder – maybe 1-2 tsp. and a glug of Frank’s hot sauce. I like to heat mine up in the micro. I like it a bit warm. You can add more hot sauce, more ranch powder, more yogurt.

So, yeah, I had buffalo chicken dip, celery, and a skinny marg one day after school this week!

My keychain broke so I bought this and love it so far. I love having a keychain that you can wear on your wrist.

I want to talk about my new favorite lipstick. It was recommended by a reader back in the winter when I was talking about red lips and I have recently realized just how good it is. I have now ordered two more springy colors.

It is the Revlon Colorstay Ultimate liquid lipstick. It goes on so smooth, you can smack your lips together to get more coverage, and it has lasting power. I am super picky about texture. This is great and I think it’s cheaper on Amazon than in the stores. Here are the other colors I ordered. I also did the virtual try on that Amazon offers. Lol. You turn your camera on and it puts the color on your lips.

This is Top Tomato. I ordered Miracle Mauve and Stellar Sunrise.

I picked this mint up from a planning period meeting we had last week because it is the kind of mint my Dad always had and it made me smile. It made me smile again to find it in my school backpack. I swear that these show up in places when I need to see them.

I am so doing this! I put Peeps in my Kroger order. I also have hot chocolate in my order so that would be so fun, too!

Well, that’s about all I have for you today!

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

PS – If you are behind in posts, this week I shared:

Hello Monday

Cooking Lately

Hodgepodge

and

Fashion Files

Thursday, March 27, 2025

When the clock hits 3:20 today I will be on spring break! I am linking up today with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files.

I keep wondering how my style will change in retirement but right now I don’t think it will change much. Plus, I do plan to work again after a break. Since the pandemic I have definitely worn more jeans to school. Jeans seem dressy now – hard pants – remember that term? I almost exclusively wear dresses until like October and then switch to jeans and wear jeans or pants until after spring break. That seems to have been my post-pandemic teacher outfit pattern.

I remember my friend Beth getting rid of all of her teacher clothes and then saying she was left with not much. She retired pre-pandemic.

I have been really good to my feet lately so all of my outfits would look better with different shoes.

Let’s go back to last Thursday. I was excited to wear my new Natural Life rainbow cardigan that has Aviator Nation vibes – well, kind of.

Thursday night happy hour I switched to my hot pink cougar blouse, fringe sweater vest, and black booties.

Friday for school I wore my new Aerie tassel sweatshirt.

It was pretty cool out but I added my summery bracelet stack that is really, really old.

Saturday for the baby shower I went to I wore my gold clogs, J.Crew Factory clearance pants, and my new Natural Life black super lightweight blouse. I wore a beige cami underneath.

Sunday for a guitar concert it was cold and rainy so I wore the rainbow cardigan again. I like it better with black underneath.

Monday for school I brought the spring break vibes as it was the last week before break.

Tuesday I had to proctor a test and knew I would be on my feet so it was super comfy.

Our building AC got turned on and it has been very cold outside. Make that make sense. Our building is very cold. I am never cold at school. So, figuring out what to wear has been a challenge.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

It’s Wednesday and that means hodgepodge day with Joyce.

These may be my favorite questions ever for a Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. Spring has officially sprung (in the northern hemisphere anyway)…did she roll in more like a lion or more like a lamb in your neck of the woods? What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year-your house or your garden/yard? 

She rolled in like a lion! It was so cold on the first official day of spring! I wasn’t too mad since we have had some great weather. And, I know how fickle spring can be in my area.

Goodness – both! I will be more focused on the house. Can I tell you my excuses? Puppy. Four people living here again. Tom will have to deal with the yard since it’s all I can do to keep up with inside. The kids do help and I leave notes almost everyday. The biggest thing they help with is puppy who requires a lot. Some of the stuff I need to do or want to do. Decluttering is at the top of the list. We have a pretty small house and if I am not careful and let too much in it becomes a problem.

2. What’s put a spring in your step lately? 

Spring clothing! All the color! A few new things!

Less clutter in my closet that enables me to see what I have!

Patio time!

Reading on the patio!

Being intentional to see friends again after a long winter of not much socialization and then the sadness that came with 2025. I saw friends, but not in a fun visiting sort of way. I also have not been able to do much for friends. I have been hanging on by a thread.

3. When you were a kid, what was the best snack to find in your lunchbox? If you didn’t do the lunchbox thing, tell us what was your favorite after school snack. 

I remember discovering string cheese in Wisconsin on vacation. I think we were watching a water skiing show. Cheese and you could “string” it? But, at home we had Little Debbies in our snack drawer. I guess I liked those in my lunch, too. I remember my quarter taped to the top of my lunch box to buy milk. The tape would get crumbs in it and it was gross. This was when lunch boxes were metal.

I still love string cheese but I think Little Debbies are really gross and artificial tasting now. Why did I like them?

4. In what area of your life are you planting seeds ? 

I guess in my relationships but only in the ones that I feel are mutual. For the people that don’t give much to me, I have put them in the peripheral. I think I am getting more like my Dad as I get older in that I don’t need as many people in my social circle but I want those people to be quality people. I am done with toxic relationships or people that don’t mutually check on me. I’m not going to throw anyone away, but I will just not expect much. Does that make sense? I also am trying to understand that people are going through things just like me and it’s not necessarily about their feelings toward you.

This may sound bad, but I will not keep up with many people from work. Not many people said anything to me when my mom passed. You could say it’s on me that I haven’t cultivated work friendships but that is not the case. I get to know as many people as I can and ask about them. I offer help to them. when I can. So, that is fine. It makes it easier. Some people say that elementary and middle schools have more friendly cultures because they are in the trenches together. At a big high school it is easy to be more distant and cliquey perhaps? Also, some subjects think they are superior to others. Ha!

I don’t want to become bitter and I hope this doesn’t have me sounding bitter. I really don’t feel bitter. I am trying to say this in a matter of fact way because that is how I feel.

5. Why do you live where you do? Would you consider living somewhere else? Why or why not? 

I guess you could say I live where I live because it’s close to home or has always felt like home. I was raised in Madison, Indiana and the closest big city was Louisville, Kentucky. We came here for the zoo, for museums, for shopping, for dates, for prom dinner, and more. I went to college near Lexington and then lived there for four years and then was ready for a change and thought Louisville was the answer. Then, I met Tom who was living in Louisville and it all came together to move here.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It’s hard to believe that exactly a year ago we had just said goodbye to Ernie and that we were already looking for a new puppy.

New puppy:

Look at my baby!

We are definitely in love. We miss our Ernie, but we have a new love, too. Their personalities could not be more different. Ernie was the easiest we have had and a bit of a loner. This one wants to be touching one of your body parts at all times.

We just don’t deserve dogs, do we?

Amy