Friday, December 20, 2024

Oh my goodness! This is a Friday to beat all Fridays and I really should have taken off a day last week, I guess. I hate getting to this point and feeling so run down. My school district cannot think outside of the box about us getting out on any other day besides Friday. Wednesday would have been nice! Thursday is ok! Ha!

But, alas, I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites of the week. I am not sure of my posting schedule for next week, so don’t worry if I am sporadic. I am thinking I might post three times.

I really haven’t shopped in person! I did get to go to two Christmas markets but that was mainly for the looking and the activity. What would we do without Amazon? I do have a list of a few stores to get to this weekend. Tomorrow will be CRAZY! But, maybe I can go right at opening time or maybe I can be chill enough to wait until Monday. Me, chill? Nah!

I keep getting reminders of what I was doing this time last year. I was arriving in Manchester, England to see my baby! Mason had only been gone since September for semester abroad, but it felt like a long time. Travel meant I had to simplify the holiday. I didn’t do much decor in the house, zero Christmas shopping, and just got 3 days of sub plans ready to be gone from school. I keep getting emails to book the same restaurants as I did in England and Scotland this time last year.

Sunday I made these festive homemade Rice Krispie treats for the kids who make our copies. I almost never have to make my own and it frees up so much teacher time for me. I love these kids so much! We had a copy center cookie party from just our department – one of our men came up with it! A man! Incredible!

It was Sunday Funday and I took Tom to a Christmas market where he found a friend! A work acquaintance of his does beautiful woodworking and we purchased some of his wares. The market was at a brewery that used to be a greenhouse and I have mentioned it a few times.

I had German glühwein which is hot red wine and it translates to “glow wine” because you be glowing after drinking it.

I also had some German potato soup. Tom had stuffed his face with something at home so he didn’t eat anything.

Am I glowing?

Sunday also meant making some Amy McMuffins.

No real meal planning or prepping happened this week other than that. I wanted to use my Costco shortcuts!

And, one night I did a Thanksgiving meal! I had bought a box of Stove Top a long time ago. I bought turkey for sandwiches and a hot brown at Costco, and I made homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.

This was also a lunch for Erica and I and I made myself laugh with my post it for her:

She had some drama this year! So, she loved it and said it was a pretty high quality Thanksgiving meal and it hit the spot at school.

One night I made frozen fish with my own homemade blackening seasoning. This would make a great little gift – a cute little container of blackening seasoning.

And, I used up the rest of the potatoes to make little wedges.

Now that I look at what I “accomplished” in the kitchen during a busy week, I’m kinda like slightly impressed. Lol.

Mason and I laughed because this little boy wants to be involved in everything. He steals the dishtowels, oven mitts, cloth napkins – if we aren’t careful.

This wig is supposed to be my hair. A boy is doing his demonstration speech on how to be me. He was so proud of it but did admit it needs a little trim. I like her hair better!

Kids are crazy and so funny! We also made a TikTok at the end of class one day this week, too, for my Sra. Spanish account.

I literally took a shower and put on my pjs at 5:30 one night and I highly recommend. When you can do it, do it.

Bad photo, but I took it to remind myself how decadent it felt to be showered and jammied before dinner!

Story Time! Do you want to hear two funny-ish stories?

Maybe they will sound teacher martyr-ish – I’m not sure.

We had a faculty meeting after school Tuesday to watch a power point about the semester; it would have been better to show going into the second semester because we just didn’t have the bandwidth to take it in. It had lots of statistics – attendance numbers, test scores, etc.

Then, we could stay even later to have a dessert bar and get our holiday gift. The dessert bar was to be provided by us! I didn’t understand that part of it until it was too late for me to bring anything.

So, let me get this straight…you want me to stay after school from 3:35-4:30 to eat a dessert I made? I can go home and eat a dessert I made, too. Just saying.

Our holiday gift was a lunch bag with our school logo on it. It was cute.

Wednesday had been advertised as a special holiday luncheon for us during our normal lunch period. We usually have a catered meal in the library with tablecloths and decor and such. As I was walking in Wednesday morning, someone said the luncheon fell through. So, someone ordered pizza but many didn’t get any because one lunch group ate too much. Then they ordered more that arrived too late. It was really sad. An email was sent that you could have someone bring you a plate of pizza for you to eat in your room if you didn’t get any!

Someone said the lunch bag was a subtle hint that you better bring your own! Ha!

A sweet student gave me a candle! I told her how much I liked this type of smell!

Wednesday also marked the 6 year anniversary of my Dad’s passing. Honestly, I have chosen to think of him more on his birthday than on his death day. But, my sweet cousin remembered and texted me. I shared the text with my mom and sisters and said, “I hope Dad leaves me a penny today”. Well, I got home from school and looked at an outdoor chair that I never pay attention to right now. It’s the farther one away from my back door, it has no cushion on it, no one has sat there for ages, and it had a dime on it! I was so happy!

My kids went Christmas shopping together this week and decided to pick out books for each other. I am not sure if they misunderstood or if they just liked that idea. I’m glad they still love and appreciate books. I picked a book for Tom that I also want to read because Tom is not a reader. I still have to find the good chocolate to add to this tradition!

Ok, well, that’s about all I’ve got in me!

What were the highlights of your week? Are you feeling good?

Amy

Thursday, December 19, 2024

This week at school we have had a holiday theme week – I was going to make my own anyway! Monday was red or green day, Tuesday was Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Wednesday was Let it Snow day with silver, white, blue, Thursday was holiday accessories day, and Friday is Christmas PJ day.

Linking up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files today!

One day after school last week, I changed into this. I can’t remember where I went – maybe just to pick up dinner?

I have two holiday items that I can’t wear to school – the one above says ” The North Pole Cocktail Club” and my other one is my “Prosecc Ho Ho Ho” shirt so I have to wear those on weekends.. I wore my ruffle Matilda Janes and I think I already had on my fun headband from school. I slipped on my SoftWalks. Ok, ladies, I plan to get them in black, too. They are GOOD. Like better than Danskos good. Better than Birkenstocks good. For me. I have learned the feet, arches, preferences are different. These are worth the money and actually more affordable than the aforementioned brands. Here is a link if you want to check them out. I do like the ones that look more like Danskos.

This was a school outfit and I wore my black consignment jeans, red consignment knot tee from Target Universal Thread brand, my Target Christmas tree button sweater, and my headband, along with my consignment New Balances – brand new – found them about 6 years ago now. I had to proctor so I wanted to be comfortable.

What is going on with my hair? The higher the hair? I wore my Merry & Bright sweater with darker red Matilda Janes and my Gap silver mules. OMG. I literally threw the mules away after school. They were so uncomfortable. I was dying for a different pair of shoes to change into and I dehydrated myself so I didn’t have to walk in pain to the restroom.

Friday I wore jeans, Stan Smiths, white button up, and green sweater.

Friday night I wore Merry & Bright, silver skirt, pink blazer, and old Target boots. Another color footwear would have been better.

Sunday I wore Prosecc Ho Ho Ho on a day date with Tom to a brewery for a Christmas market. I added my black faux fur vest.

Here is where we start the theme week. Monday was red or green day and I wore my old red velvet top with my black silk slip skirt and Sambas. I was comfy and liked my outfit!

It was a rainy day!

On Jenn’s rec, I ordered a pair of Halara jeans. They were very reasonably priced but they did take about 2 weeks to reach me and then they had a bit of a gasoline smell? What is that?

This is the model I ordered;

I ordered the short length as I am 5’4 and you can see without shoes that they are still long but with shoes they are fine. I could cut the hem and fray it.

Here they are styled with a slight heel:

I wore these old boots:

They are the brand Sanita and I need to wear them more. They do require me to use a shoe horn to get them on and off and that has been a deterrent.

Anyway, I freaking love the jeans! They are so comfortable! I promptly ordered another pair in a washed out black/gray color. They are pull on and have no zipper or button but have front and back pockets.

I threw them in the wash so I could wear them again this week!

Do you have a favorite outfit? Are you also thinking I am going to be sick of my festive attire soon? Ha!

Amy

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

It’s Wednesday and time to link up with Joyce for her fun hodgepodge!

1. What’s one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

I probably say this every year, but…declutter. I hope to have some time and motivation to go through some spaces and get some donations together.

2. What’s something that brought a smile to your face this year?

So much! I am thinking of writing a 2024 in review post. My sweet old dog Ernie in the last 3 months of his life, my new puppy Eddie Otis, my kids, Tom, my students, my friends, pretty scenes in nature and out and about. I am quicker to tears these days but I think I am also quicker to smiles, if that makes sense?

3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety? 

Cheese! Dips! I am an appetizer person, for sure. I am into Nut Thins and Triscuit thins right now. Have you seen that funny meme about Triscuits? “I always wondered what it would taste like to chew on a wicker chair” or something like that?

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

I don’t think I have stayed up until midnight in a few years. The last few we have gone to dinner with our best friends and been home well before midnight. It’s midnight somewhere, right? This looks interesting to me for this year:

5. What are three words that describe your 2024? 

Oh gosh that is hard – change, bravery, mindset?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had no gifts purchased as of December 7th and now I am almost done. It always comes together. I wasn’t stressed at all. Isn’t that a metaphor for life…”it always comes together”.

What would you say to one of the hodgepodge questions?

Amy

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

I decided to share this in case it can help anyone! I use the term “baking” very loosely.

I will include my recipes to help you, too!

I started making a list in my phone memo and then I ordered the ingredients from my last Kroger pick up and from Amazon. I cannot find bagel chips in my Kroger!

I love to make Chex Mix at the holidays because we have more time at home to watch movies and snack. Homemade is just so much better than the kind you can buy. I am using pretzel sticks, bagel chips, peanuts, Rice Chex, Corn Chex, and Wheat Chex. Have you ever heard it called “Nuts and Bolts”. I had not and it made me chuckle.

I want to try Melanie Shankle’s recipe below for chocolate chip cookies. My kids are purists and love the Nestle Recipe but maybe I can fool them? I am intrigued by the raw sugar and purchased it to try in this recipe. The Ghirardelli chips are next level! I had to peek, but have not made the recipe yet.

White Chocolate Chex Mix – I would almost rather have a little cup of this than a cookie. Are you like that, too?

Puppy Chow – lol. I did buy Crispix cereal rather than using a Chex cereal.

Peanut Butter Blossoms – why are these so good?

Pretzel Rolo Candies with red and green M & Ms.

Pink meringues because it’s tradition.

I don’t plan to have one big baking day, but to make things when I feel like it.

Do you have a baking list?

Amy

monday, december 16, 2024

my left shift key doesn’t work unless I really, really hit it hard. not sure I have the energy or the desire to use the shift key on the right. are we ok with that?

linking up with Sarah and Holly, by the way!

this picture from friday kinda foreshadowed the weekend to come. how honest should I be? let me think about that.

Erica brought us chicken breast and a steak knife to cut it for lunch. I wrote “Friday the 13th with a week left” on my photo…

I’m kind of scaring myself and the forehead wrinkles and lines are super scary…

If you peeped my nail, here is the leftover press on from exactly a year ago…

I was able to get another mani out of it and it makes me quite happy! You can usually get two manis out of one box. The boxes range from $6-$10.

It was hard to find a time to go a holiday happy hour with Elizabeth and Erica before everyone got busy with holiday stuff. We went to Osteria at 4:00 but had to leave by 5:15 – it was better than nothing! And, we shared their frites!

Changed into this for the next thing…

I kept the pink blazer off most of the night and wore my Merry & Bright sweater with my silver sequin skirt. The boots aren’t the best, but they were ok.

Eric and Heather picked us up and we went to NULU to a cajun place that has a speakeasy in the basement. The bartender was named Joe and put on a show. He rhymed the whole time.

Did you see what I did there?

We got espresso martinis and one for our other Heather. She and her husband Scott arrived a little bit after us.

Then, Tom gets a call that Mason has blown a tire on the highway. Eric wouldn’t take NO for an answer and drove Tom to Mason. Scott decided that he had a long day anyway and left Heather to have a girls’ night. So, what was supposed to be a holiday table for 6 with a visit to the holiday pop up bar in the next block after became a girls’ dinner for 3 with a distracted Amy.

The bread they brought us:

parmesan risotto:

Pizza and cajun fries:

We all shared and then Tom and Eric came back to pick us up even though we said we could Uber. We offered to order them to go food but they both declined.

Saturday morning and it was time for all the chores and all the errands. Tom gets Eddie Otis out of the house which is great but it means that I usually spend all my puppy free time working.

Also, we had tires to buy! So, I helped with the drop off and picking up of the car and stopped at the library nearby after.

Look at their fire themed shelf! “Stay warm, folks” picks:

I also had to take in the book EO ate and pay for it.

Tom wanted to do Costco with me so we went together. I ripped our list in half and we got two carts. There were so many people. Where do they come from? It was miserable.

One kid was home and I made bowtie alfredo with cajun seasoning for him and Tom had a leftover lunch from the week of chicken pot pie. I had the bagged salad we got at Costco.

And, popcorn…

I felt like I deserved it by the time I sat down. It was a day full of adulting!

Sunday morning it was raining and mild…

More chores, more organizing, and chocolate chip pancakes!

And, it’s all good. I have so much to be thankful for.

What about you?

Amy

Friday, December 13, 2024

It’s Friday and link up day with Andrea and Erika!

Here is an eclectic mix of things I loved this week!

Boy, do I need this reminder each day to live in the moment and not wish each part of the day, the week, the month, and the year away. I have really been into quotes this week. Did you see my Tuesday Inspo post?

But, yes, I live for that 3:20 bell and especially for that 3:20 bell on Friday! Ha!

I know, I know, but I am enjoying my holiday creamers in my coffee at home! Frosted Gingerbread and Peppermint Mocha are this week’s selections. Because I am crazy like that, I have one of each each morning! Do not forget about a frother as a Christmas gift option. It has made me so happy and I could probably use an upgrade!

I have also started using Vital Proteins in my coffee. Anyone else? Have you noticed any positive changes? I didn’t realize there was so much protein in a serving so I think it’s also helping me to up my protein.

I placed a Target.com order for a couple of holiday sweaters – the green fuzzy Christmas tree looking one and the Merry & Bright one – and Mrs. Meyer’s. It amazes me how happy these make me. I have peppermint soap and cleaner for this month and snowdrop soap and cleaner for January. Remember that I am trying to embrace and love January?

I bought a box of Swiss Miss hot chocolate and mini marshmallows and have enjoyed it immensely in the afternoon a couple of times this week. I use my electric tea kettle to give me the hot water. That would be another great gift to give someone along with your favorite tea.

I was thrilled Sunday to be able to sit outside with it and my book and my blanket. I am asking for a new cozy blanket to help with my January hygge goals.

And someone staring at me…

Sunday night was a bust. I wanted to see the Christmas boat parade on the river but Tom wasn’t feeling great. We got to see some launch but didn’t go to the place with the best view.

I did see some Facebook photos the next day and would like to see more of this event next year, perhaps!

I was able to start my day on the patio Monday and Tuesday because of milder temps.

Does anyone else have the baby Solo Stove. We can only keep it going for about 5 minutes. I would say that would be a great gift, but I can’t keep it going. We do love our big boy sized Solo Stove and that works great.

My Spanish 3 had to make PSA posters for the hallways and some are so artistic!

Aren’t they cute? I smile when I walk down the hallways and see them. I let them pick where to hang them.

OK, the name is dorky, but this series on Netflix was good enough that I binged all the episodes in two nights.

I loved Anise and Suzane especially and they are great models for growing older with style and class. And, the dating coach Logan has the most incredible head of hair!

I can’t explain this but I love when my weather app uses the word “drizzle”.

And, then I woke up Wednesday to a dusting of snow!

Bedroom pencil tree – tacky but cute!

I am taking earlier showers and putting my Walmart jammies from last year on. I bought three pairs of Christmas pjs that are long sleeved tops and pants (with pockets!) They are too hot to sleep in so I just use them as lounge wear. I have my only pair of fuzzy socks for the holiday and my Christmas blanket in this photo, too!

Another meeting this week with a snack bribe. The Chex Mix in the cute snowman holder was nice, though. Yes, the meeting could have been an email!

My co-worker brought me an afternoon tea and it made my day! She keeps a kettle at school and I gave her these cups as a gift.

I have been trying to go out on Wednesdays to break up my weekly monotony of school, home, school, home – and I understand that some people would love to only have to go to work and then home! It’s been good for me to do something once a week, though. This week it was so, so, so cold on Wednesday so I merely went out to our favorite Mediterranean food place with Mason. He was home that day and we actually looked through some cookbooks together while sipping my cocktail testing for the holidays. Then, he went with me to pick out some food for dinner. We are trying to explore the menu and not just get our standby. We picked fried cauliflower – it seemed grilled, though, as there was no breading -and it came with two dipping sauces and it was fabulous! We also got stew, rice, salmon, and lavash rolls.

This is super random, but in a corner of the restaurant is a Cuban bakery and their stuff is literally works of art. We got a piece of opera cake and it was so good. Have you heard of opera cake? It’s a little like tiramisu which they also had. I should have taken a photo of their bakery case.

I told Mason about this and we decided we are going to incorporate it.

I plan to go to a locally owned book store but I’m not sure where to get really good chocolate. World Market? Our locally owned candy shop? Let me know if you have a favorite brand recommendation.

What was the highlight of your week? 3:20 Friday, baby!

Amy

Thursday, December 12, 2024

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

Want to see some really bad photos taken in my dusty mirror? And, would you also like them to be out of order? Done!

Sunday I wore my Spain shoes, my Westbound jeans, and my new Target Merry & Bright sweater. Where did I go? Target!

Saturday night I wore this to my work karaoke Christmas party…

But during the day, I wore jeans and sneakers with the same everything else!

Friday night I wore the black version of the sequin skirt with my Christmas tree button sweater and I think black under would have been a better choice now.

Friday for school I wore my old plaid with a vest, black flare yoga pants, and sneakers.

Thursday for school – what is going on with my hair? I wore jeans, Sambas, white cropped button up with crystals, and a consignment sweater vest.

Monday for school I repeated my Thanksgiving Day 2 outfit but with the Westbound jeans. I am waiting impatiently for my Halara jeans to arrive. Jenn introduced the brand to me and I have high hopes.

And, I paired some really old things together here for Tuesday at school. The blouse has tiny green flowers and looks kind of Chritmasey. Are fur vests still in style? I felt out of style.

Well, do you have a favorite?

Gotta run! I have to dust my mirror!

Amy

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

It’s Wednesday and time for Hodgepodge with Joyce. It’s already Wednesday and it’s only Wednesday!

1. What’s one task you’d like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite? 

I would say putting ornaments on the tree, but I really just need a cleaning elf. My house is messier than I would like it to be with puppy toys everywhere and just the stuff of life of four people living here. That’s also stuff I will miss later so I am trying to be chill about it.

2. What’s your biggest challenge during the holidays? 

My biggest challenge is and always has been keeping up with my school life and taking care of all of the extra holiday stuff at the same time. This is a busy time of year in a school! We get out of school on December 20th. I was telling someone that my district can’t think outside of the box about letting us out on a day other than Friday, so it’s always the last Friday before Christmas. The traffic and amount of people shopping is crazy on Saturdays so traditionally I have always taken off one week day in December to help myself out. I haven’t planned that for this year. Of course, online shopping, grocery pick up, and all the modern conveniences really help!

3. Are you a cookie baker this time of year? If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be? 

I love a holiday cookie. My Aunt Judy had tins of cookies in her freezer each Christmas and I want to do the same. She sent me some recipes in her handwriting in the mail this week and it was so sweet!

Gosh, what a hard question. 2024 was the year that Mason was back in the US after England first semester (and I was riding that high of seeing England and Scotland), that my twins graduated from college, that Ernie passed and we adopted Eddie Otis, that my dream came true of taking my family to Spain, and all the little things that make a life. Maybe my shape would be a heart because my heart because my heart was full for much of the year. And, maybe my heart shaped cookies broke a couple of times when I experienced loss and sadness this year.

Also, I can’t wait to wear this shirt!

4. Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What’s the last thing you made that called for milk? 

So, I make so much fun of my husband. He must have a giant glass of milk each night with dinner. It’s always skim milk. I like milk in cereal but rarely eat cereal these days.

5. Share one favorite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune? 

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” but not a big one where plans have to be changed and driving is difficult!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I love making a seasonal cocktail as you know. I am drinking blue ones in both of these photos – hmmmm…. I am thinking cranberry or red this year!

Amy

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

I have been gathering what I call “inspo” in my camera roll…

Let’s talk about it…

Wow, this is so true.

Love this.

I had fun reading my mirabellecreations enneagram type and how I find rest…

Wow – that is exactly what I need! I struggle with the last one but no, I am not the cruise director.

This still applies in December…

A few people shared this one on IG…

Tom has always told me that I expect too much from people. I check on people who don’t check on me. He tells me I have to stop expecting people to act the way I want them to act because I will always be disappointed. By no means am I perfect and I have stopped going above and beyond for some people in my life. I have learned to keep some at an arm’s length.

Yes!

Yes! We have so much control over our happiness. Our perspective and attitude is so important. “I get to do this” instead of “I have to do this” changes the narrative.

Which piece of inspo resonated with you?

Amy

Monday, December 9, 2024

It’s Monday and that means link up time with Sarah and Holly. Let’s talk about our weekend. It’s hard to believe that we only have two more before the holiday. I am not trying to make anyone nervous! I really should be the nervous one – but only about gifts. I think I have my list made and I know what I am ordering. The local shops and in person purchases I can wait on.

Friday night Tom and I went out! We ate frozen pizza at home with bagged Caesar salad – really just so we wouldn’t have to leave Eddie Otis for as long. The kids had their own fun plans so it was just us. We left the house at 7:15 and stayed out until 10:30. We went to a new to us place to hear some live music! The place was so cool – The Whirling Tiger. The music space was awesome and I had splurged and gotten us a high top table but most people had to stand.

The person we went to see is a singer and a cellist and had like nine more people up on stage with him and it was so good. I have liked him for a long time and seen him perform before and now I teach his kid! My student was working the merch(andise), too!

The bar looked like your Grandma’s 70s living room decorated for Christmas. They had a fun holiday cocktail menu and I got a “Nice List” which was an adult Capri Sun drink. There was also a “Naughty List” and it was some red drink.

Some views of the bar:

See the menu that looks like a wrapped present? Isn’t that cute?

I ran into someone the next day who thought she saw me there, too, and she told me there was a second floor to the bar that is even better (decorated for the holidays) but costs $10 to go up and she said it was totally worth it.

Saturday I went to my school for their huge holiday halls craft fair.

These ladies were lining up to buy wooden reindeer with curly antlers. The lady in the photo had so many. I guess they were all the rage. I only left with a candle and a car air freshener.

At 4:30, I met Erica at a really cool place that was new to me called NEAT. Tom was happy to sit in his chair and watch all the tv while I went out.

It was so cool and also decorated for the holidays. We had a drink and chatted and then went to our staff holiday party at a karaoke place called Akiko’s a couple of doors down. I had been there once a long time ago.

I only took a few photos right when I got there but it was a pretty good turnout and I stayed until about 8:30. It was from 5:30-9 and then opened to the public. We had pizza and bar snacks and we could sing as many songs as we wanted for free. I sang “Feliz Navidad” with the Spanish teachers who came, Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” with Erica and Dolly Parton’s “Working 9 to 5” with Erica but we changed it to “Working 8:30 to 3:30”. We signed up our principal for “Smoking in the Boy’s Room” but he declined. lol.

I just felt so happy to live where I live. We have some cool places! I got to experience two new to me places this weekend which I love.

Friday night outfit:

I bought two sequin skirts from Old Navy about a month ago – black and silver. They weren’t cheap (for me) at $40 each. I decided to keep both because they are elastic waist and the perfect length and they make me happy. Friday night I wore my Christmas tree button sweater. I think black underneath would have been better. My boots are very old suede from Target and they are comfortable. They are a bit of a Western vibe. I also have them in tan.

Saturday night outfit:

Same boots, silver skirt, black tee, new Target sweater, new Amazon headband, new Amazon earrings. The sweater was only $23 when I ordered it, but now it’s up to $32, sadly.

I bought one other sweater from Target that says “Merry and Bright”.

I am going to try not to buy any other holiday attire!

Eddie Otis did not approve of my holiday reading this weekend. I left the living room for a few minutes while he was asleep.

Well, he woke up…

Now I must go to the library and hang my head in shame and buy a new copy for them – at the very least.

So, I started this…

I liked this…

Hmmmm…

We have 10 more days of school that include 2 five day weeks, midterms, final semester grades, spreading of germs, holiday merriment, and who knows what else.

So, tell me a highlight of your weekend!

Amy