Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Now is the time for those holiday conversations. In fact, it’s probably past the time!

One of the best books I ever read and that greatly impacted me when I was a mom with young kids was Unplug the Christmas Machine. I highly recommend reading this book!

We are not buying gifts this year due to our trip. Jack suggested we each look for a small gift for each other on the trip and I thought that was really sweet.

But first…

Let’s start with Thanksgiving…

Have you talked about who is hosting? If it is you, delegate. Even if it is only family, people do want to contribute. Maybe they suck at cooking? They can bring dessert paper plates, napkins, Solo cups, rolls, drinks. If you are ever assigned these items, that means you can’t cook. Just kidding!

Set a budget. What is most important? If you know the family really cares about a certain dish, then that is a non-negotiable. But, if they really aren’t big into the turkey, you can outsource that or just do a breast or something easier. If they don’t really care about homemade cranberry sauce and they like seeing the can indentations on the stuff that slides off a plate, then you can just do that.

If you are the host, give people an arrival window and a time for the meal. If you know the people tend to be late, then tell them earlier! We all have some of those, right?

I think a theme would be so fun. What about “70s Thanksgiving” – ha! What about everyone wear something orange? That could make for funny photos.

If the weather is nice, encourage people to hang out outside. Bring a tv outside so people can watch football and stay out of your hair.

So, after Thanksgiving, we have about a month until Christmas.

Most of the Thanksgiving stuff applies for Christmas, but I think you can be more flexible with your meal. I like the idea of appetizers only for Christmas Eve and that can include a ham and buns for people to make a sandwich. I like a brunch on Christmas Day. Last year, we did a pasta bar the day after Christmas at my mom’s and it was a big hit! I did a “butter board” for the bread one person brought, each of us brought a pasta bake, my mom did spaghetti sauce and spaghetti, and one person brought the salad. It was a hit with the kids that outnumber the adults, too!

Now remember for both Thanksgiving and Christmas to use grocery pick up or delivery services. This is the time! It will save you so much time and energy!

When you add up decor, wrapping supplies, food, the gifts it can be staggering. With the increase in food, gas, and just the cost of living in general, you may have to/want to scale back your budget. And, what about if you have family members who are struggling? It might be better for you to scale back just so they don’t feel badly.

In my family, we only did grandparents and kid gifts starting many years ago. As the family grew, it just wasn’t possible to do gifts for all. On my side of the family, we have the cousins draw other cousins’ names out of a hat and then they are supposed to observe them on Thanksgiving and think about a gift they might like. We have done the same for adults some years, but in recent years, we have done “white elephant” gifts for the adults. We bring something from our house that we don’t want that is wrapped and then play “Dirty Santa”. The kids have sat around and watched and we have had some laughs. This has been fun in the years since we lost my Dad because he was such a big part of the holidays. I think we all needed a new tradition and something to laugh about. My sister also wrote down all my Dad’s quotes and we enjoyed those.

If you have lost a loved one, think about changing up the holiday in some way. I think it really helps. Gosh, I still can’t believe my Dad is not with us and that this year will mark 5 years. Depending on how long it’s been, your family might appreciate a tribute to the person or their photo at the table. Everyone is different and I think you just have to gauge the comfort level.

I love the “something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read” and tried to do that for my kids. We also are big stocking people and I may take our stockings/or use socks on our trip. They would definitely laugh if I did that.

I also liked to do themes and some years my grandparent gifts would be cozy stuff for winter, personalized stationery, or an experience.

I am not your girl for tons of Amazon links, but I hope I have given you something to think about and a few ideas.

Leave your best tips and ideas in the comments and I might re-visit this topic and publish them.

Amy

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

I have mentioned that I have had an adjustment to my schedule changing this year. I was 7:30-2:30 for 23 years! That’s a long time, right? Now, our official workday is 8:30-3:30. I guess I am getting used to it, but I wouldn’t say I like it. You wouldn’t think an hour would make much difference, but it does. I can’t get out of the parking lot until at least 30 minutes after school lets out and then traffic seems crazy and it really doesn’t seem worth it to run any errands. So, work and home. Rinse and repeat. I guess I like having a more relaxed morning, but I get up at the same time basically.

5:30 – go to gym on gym days – Just trying to get this started up again. I was sick, then had fall break, and just haven’t been motivated – to keep it real. I know I need this in my life because I just haven’t felt great. It’s a cycle, right? You are too tired to go, but going would give you more energy.

6:15 – coffee, devotional, write my next day blog, read other blogs, pack lunch, unload dishwasher usually.

I timed myself unloading!

I used to hate unloading, but then I timed myself and couldn’t believe how quick I could do it. I usually listen to a podcast and that makes it better, too.

7:30- get ready for school – I take a quick shower (no hair washing – I do that every other evening), have a 12 minute hair and makeup routine, get dressed. I leave the house at 8 or a little bit before depending on when I started getting ready, unless I have a morning meeting, which is only a couple of times a month, if that.

Makeup first – I really don’t do much anymore on school days.

Not sure why it took me 7 minutes, but I timed it.

Then, hair was done, too.

And, hair only took me this long:

I don’t really lay out my clothes, but I usually have an idea of what I want to wear, so it doesn’t take that long. I leave for school and arrive somewhere between 7:45 and 8 I like to be on the earlier side so I don’t have to wait to park. It just makes everything easier to arrive on the earlier side.

8-8:40 – prep any last minute things for the day and eat the breakfast I brought.

8:40-3:20 – teach, teach, teach with a 50 minute planning period thrown in and a 20 minute lunch thrown in.

3:20 – done for the day, get stuff ready for next day

3:45 – head home unless I have a meeting

4-5:15 – read on patio, piddle around house, do laundry, clean, etc.

5:15 – start dinner after Tom calls to tell me he is on way home. Tom calls like clockwork everyday to tell me he is on his way home. I think he is gauging my mood so he knows what he is coming home to!

5:45ish – Tom gets home – if dinner is done I walk with Tom and Ernie

6ish – eat dinner and hang out in the living room with Tom

7:30ish – take shower, put on pjs, watch a show on my own

9- take my Ashwaganda gummy and head to bed

So boring! I literally do this Monday-Friday but on Friday I do go out for a happy hour usually.

Any thoughts? I love hearing others’ routines!

Amy

Monday, October 23, 2023

Well, you all…it’s Monday again! Why does this keep happening? I am happy to link up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday where we share what we did over the weekend.

Also, today makes one week and one day that I have not had a refrigerator! It’s not fun anymore and I no longer have a good attitude. Our new one is supposed to arrive on my birthday, so Tom knows what he is getting me. An added gift to me will be the job of restocking all the stuff.

Let’ s go back to Thursday night and my field hockey girls wanted me to see their region game. The weather was lovely as you can see by my photo.

Seriously, half of these are my girls! And, I taught 3 of their coaches! They won!

Friday after school Erica and I went to Boombozz.

I had an apple cider sangria and it was delish!

We had pretzel sticks and queso and we were starving because Erica’s lunch was so light. We had fish, corn on the cob, and green beans. We were like, “give us some carbs!”

I ordered salad and pizza to take home and then went walked over to buy a birthday gift I needed for the next night. Who is working smarter and not harder? This girl!

Jack, Tom, and I ate our pizza and salad and Jack and I watched an Outlander. We can’t get Tom on board!

Saturday morning I went out in the cool crisp morning for my coffee.

Then, it was hair day! I got new highlights and about an inch and a half off the bottom.

We had been trying for weeks to take our friends out on the boat and we finally arranged it for Saturday at noon. It was heading towards 70 degrees so it felt great with a sweater on. We stopped for lunch and this may have been our last ride of the season. I told Tom not to commit to winterizing quite yet!

We got home around 3 and I did these press ons that I have had for a while.

Then, it was time to celebrate my friend at dinner at Malone’s – a steakhouse. I love steakhouse sides so I ordered a potato and lobster mac and cheese for my meal and had some of the really good salad for the table.

Their chocolate cake is a show stopper! This provided over 6 slices!

We even got a photo with the guys. Why do Tom and I look so short? We also look like we were photoshopped in! But, Tom is smiling! He had his favorite salmon salad so maybe that’s why?

Jack had been at a friend’s house and got home a bit after us. He and I watched Outlander and I couldn’t keep my eyes open toward the end.

I was up bright and early Sunday morning to work on my to do list, my grocery list, and work on trip planning. I booked our lodging in two of our cities (the ones we are staying in the longest and the one where we will be from the 24th-27th) a few weeks ago and made reservations for a tour and three meals, and things are coming together. We are considering not going to London. If we do go it would be after Christmas and for only about 36 hours and one night’s stay. I am inclined to still do London, but Tom proposed just picking another place closer to the previous destination. Sorry I am being vague, but I am not sure if I want to share my itinerary before the trip. I will definitely share it after!

Pretty soon I will work on the other nights’ lodging and the train tickets. The train doesn’t run on Christmas or the day after which is Boxing Day so we knew we had to stay put from the 24th until the 27th.

I also have a Google Doc because of course I do! I enjoy the planning process and researching different locales, but I really have little to no time to work on it during the school week!

So, that’s about it for my weekend!

What about yours?

Amy

Friday, October 20, 2023

This week… I almost don’t know if I should tell you this, but it’s too crazy not to share. I know I have some teacher readers here and others who enjoy hearing about my job. My school ran out of white paper. We only had red paper. Very dark red paper. Red paper that makes your eyes bleed when you try to read from it.

We found out about the paper Monday morning right before school started. The story was that there was white paper in a warehouse, but we were told there was no one to use pallet jacks and deliver it. There was no paper Monday, Tuesday, and on Wednesday it had been delivered but it was in a locked area in my school and also had yet to be delivered to our copiers or communicated to the teachers.

Anyway, being old, I have lots of old school teaching methods. I went “paperless” for a few things, used notebook paper for a few things, and luckily already had a few things copied. I also have textbooks which some do not anymore.

Things just keep getting crazier. That was definitely not a favorite. I tell this story because I feel like there are already so many barriers to this job and something so easy should not be so hard. Does that make sense?

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for my actual favorites now!

This book went too quickly for me! It was so cute! I was happy to sit outside in the cool weather with my pom pom hat and twenty year old Uggs with a candle and a warm drink this weekend.

Started this next…

Cute cover! I think it has potential but I just haven’t had much time this week!

I was so happy that it was warm enough to sit outside two mornings. I just love this! Sorry I talk about it so much but if you haven’t tried it, it really makes me feel better about being inside a building all day.

I did an orange mani this week.

And, living out of coolers this week has been fun! Gosh, I’m glad we have this Yeti! I am trying to live like a European with very little fridge space and no freezer space. Fresh food every day from the market? I have actually done really well. I cooked Sunday and Monday nights, we ordered out Tuesday night, and I went back to the store Wednesday night for the next two nights’ meals.

Look what this gal made from the old cooler – bacon, brussel sprouts, and whole wheat penne.

But, Tuesday night it was Panera delivery. I got choose two and it was tomato soup and half a sandwich. I cut my sandwich in half again. Sometimes I cut things in more pieces to make myself feel like it’s more food.

Jack had two days off for fall break from his college on Monday and Tuesday and he has been going hard for the last two months, so I think he needed the four-day weekend. He also sings in a church choir every Sunday morning. Two of his days he leaves home at 8 and returns after 8 p.m. It’s an intense schedule but he says he is happy living at home and that commuting is not so bad. He eats meals with friends while he is on campus or they go somewhere close by.

He helped me chuck all the stuff from the old fridge after we unplugged it. I saved what I could but honestly, it will feel nice to get to start fresh with new condiments. Look at your girl making lemonade out of lemons!

This fridge was the first major purchase Tom and I made together and we bought it right before our wedding, I think. We had purchased our home right before that, too. So, this fridge is almost 24 years old. We have never lived anywhere else. Isn’t that crazy?

From across the pond…

Western Union could not have been easier. I sent cash to Mason for only a $5 fee and then his debit card situation has been resolved. – mostly. The bank still owes us some money. We actually sent the physical card by certified mail, too. Thank you all for being invested (hehe) in his money woes.

I got this text this week!

Yup, that’s Mason enjoying a glass of red wine. He seriously didn’t drink before turning 21 and now it strikes me as funny that he is choosing a glass of wine. I hope he doesn’t like it too much, though!

I’m proud of him for finding this meal deal!

And, Jack and I have started Outlander! We are both really enjoying it. Has anyone watched it? I tried to start the first book a long time ago, but didn’t get into it.

This meal was a favorite at school. Erica made an old WW blue plan meal that is a Mexican casserole with ground turkey. It was so good!

And, this meal at home was a favorite, too. I made yum yum bowls.

Spanish Club was this week and it was called “Coco and Cocoa” for Day of the Dead. We watched part of the movie Coco and drank hot cocoa. I used my electric kettle for the hot water and it worked great!

So, what were your favorites this week?

Amy

Thursday, October 19, 2023

It’s Thursday and time for a little fashion with Kellyann and Jill.

What have you been wearing? We have had 50’s and 60’s mostly around here. We also had some grey and drizzly days. I think we are getting to the 70’s next week, so that will be nice. I love this cool and crisp weather, to be honest. When people say they are cold, I’m like, “you ain’t seen nothing yet”. Usually people are cold because they aren’t dressed appropriately.

This is a new blue top that I was kind of on the fence about. It is from a local boutique called Darling State of Mind and it’s one of my favorite brands Umgee. I liked the color and it’s UK blue and I liked the style. This is a bad photo and I hope it looks ok. I did change shoes to closed toe.

I want to point out that I am wearing the other style of Matilda Jane pants that are more like a flare yoga pant with layered detail at the bottom. I love these pants.

There we go – I cleaned my mirror. I wore this Friday to school because it was Friday and I felt celebratory. I made it through the first week back! I am wearing my Target Universal Thread straight leg jeans in short, my cougar? poncho silk top, and my gold clogs.

Saturday night for dinner – same jeans, same clogs, my woodland print blouse from TJ Maxx and a fuzzy hooded vest thing because it was chilly out.

Monday for school I was preppy-ish. I wore the same jeans (don’t worry, I am now washing them!), a white button up, my sweater vest, and my Moo shoes. The Moo shoes are Hush Puppies loafers that are super comfortable. I have been getting lots of compliments on my footwear. People comment on the gold clogs and the Moo shoes a lot.

I thought this was funny. I was in a hurry and Tom was doing his “hair” in the background. I am wearing another pair of Matilda Jane flares in a dark green with a J.Jill consignment blouse and a mustard cardigan from Target. I’m wearing my brown Danskos.

Do you have a favorite? I am enjoying wearing my fall clothes! I love fall colors!

Amy

Wednesday, October 18. 2023

I got this idea while walking around the mall with my friend Beth a couple of weeks ago. I cannot remember the last time I walked the mall with a friend and I thought, “Oh wow, we are like teenagers!”

So, that was the idea behind this post. I am around teens all day and even though they can be annoying, especially if you have to live with them – ha! – I think they also have some lessons to teach us adults about happiness.

-Be selfish – at times. I think many of us are guilty of martyrdom or of trying to sacrifice all of our needs to make everyone else happy. I think it’s so important to take time to yourself. I used to take a day off each semester to go on one of my kids’ field trip and then I had one personal day left for me. I did a Target trip in the evening after bedtime. I had a weekly sitter in the summer so I could run some errands. There are so many different ways to “be selfish” every now and then that are important.

-Prioritize your friends. Friends are everything to teens. Make time to talk on the phone and make regular plans. Text silly things. Just keep up the friendships! It requires work and it can be frustrating. Start small with one friend and maybe build it in to something you and that friend already do. If you see them at a lesson or class, get coffee after. This is why happy hour after school works for Erica and I. We are both already at school and then we go somewhere. It doesn’t require a separate time.

-Be comfy. Gosh, you guys. the teens don’t wear hard pants anymore. It’s so rare to see a teen at school in something other than leggings, yoga pants/flares, sweats, or pj pants. Before it turned colder it was athletic shorts. They have so many cute athleisure things. Maybe we should also be comfier!

-Binge on Netflix, Hulu, etc. and don’t feel one bit bad about it.

-Get a fun drink. The teens and their drinks, right? They have so many cups and water bottles and it’s all about getting a drink like a Frappuccino, a Polar Pop, or a can of Celsius.

-Just go out for a drive. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house and play some good music.

-Make music listening a priority. I am guilty of choosing podcasts over just some fun music. I’m trying to use some of the fall playlists on Spotify.

-Go to the mall with friends and shop together and laugh at the offerings like these “nutcracker shorts” for the holidays.

-Be messy – for a while. I can’t stand it for very long, but sometimes it makes more sense to just wait and straighten it all at once instead of constantly spinning your wheels. Teens have absolutely no problem with a little mess, am I right?

-Be happy with a simple meal. Teens are not gourmets. They seem to be happy with a basic meal from a chain. They love Panera, Taco Bell, and Cane’s or other chicken finger places.

-Wear sneakers. Wow, is the sneaker the “it” shoe right now or what? I also see Birkenstocks and Crocs but only when worn with socks. Ha! I guess that saves needing a pedicure, right?

-Don’t carry a purse or if you do, make it a belt bag. Don’t be encumbered by so much stuff.

What else can you think of that I missed? Do you think there are lessons to be learned from our teens?

Amy

October 17, 2023

I hardly feel qualified to write this post and that’s why I’m calling myself a mere “apprentice” at this stage in the game.

My regular readers know that I am trying to save money this year and one of the ways I have done that is by trying different grocery strategies. Up until the end of May I was a loyal Kroger pick up shopper with an occasional trip to Trader Joe’s, Walmart Neighborhood grocery (just a grocery – not the big ol’ Walmart), Fresh Market, and my local Paul’s Fruit Market. In June, I tried Walmart Plus and I think the convenience of it caused me to lose my mind and spend a lot! Ha!

The best way to save money on groceries is to not waste food. Another important key is to meal plan and stick to your list. I also feel that by not going in and only doing pick up, it reduced the impulse items and made meal planning and sticking to my list easier.

So, let’s talk about Aldi…

Aldi is not that easy for me, but it’s also not that hard. It’s about 10 minutes away as opposed to Kroger which is 1 minute away! I decided I pretty much have to do Aldi on Saturday or on a day off from work. The traffic gets really bad after I get done with school and that just puts me in a bad mood. Also, I don’t have the energy required that late in the day. Know yourself!

I took Tom the time before last and he liked the small size of the store. I think many people are also attracted to that. He gets overwhelmed when he goes in a big grocery and he often goes in hungry and comes out with a lot. He was also impressed by the prices, although he doesn’t know prices as well as I do.

Here is last Saturday’s haul for $130. This included two big packs of chicken, bacon, Canadian bacon, and lunch meat. These bags hold a lot and I paid 12 cents per bag so I was stuffing them. I did self check out and usually do have old bags, but this time I forgot.

I’m still using K cups and theirs are about $1-$2 less than the ones that are store brand at Kroger, I think. I am using Aldi fat free creamer and this time, I picked up a pumpkin pie spice creamer, too. Unfortunately, they are out of the pumpkin spice K cups that I really liked, but I have liked all their K cups that I have tried.

Their cheeses are really great. In fact, you can find shredded gruyere which I have never seen at Kroger, and this blend was intriguing, so it came home with me.

I haven’t tried these yet:

I love these bags of little potatoes:

I bought this for my apple cider sangria:

I bought blue cheese and canned chicken. I’m using the blue cheese for a wedge salad and for the buffalo chicken dip. I’m using the canned chicken for the buffalo chicken dip. It just works better, in my opinion.

This cheese is less than $2 and makes a great fancy grilled cheese.

Jack really likes this:

There are still things we have to go to Kroger to get. Tom didn’t like the Aldi skim milk and he drinks a lot of milk. So weird when a grown up drinks milk with dinner, no? Maybe it’s me but I only use milk in cereal. I think I will need to continue going to Kroger once every week or two, Trader Joe’s at least once a month, and Walmart on occasion when I can’t find a few things at Aldi or Kroger.

So, where do you stand with Aldi? Groceries in general? Any tips that work for you?

I made this wedge salad Sunday night, this spicy turkey and green bean for Erica and I for lunch, and this bacon brussels pasta last night for dinner and for Erica and I for lunch if you are looking for ideas!

Thanks for stopping by,

Amy

Monday, October 16, 2023

Happy Monday? I am linking up with Sarah and Holly and I must warn you that I mostly took food photos this weekend! If you are hungry, you may be triggered!

Let’s go back to last Thursday after school…I invited my friend Heather and her golden retriever over for a French happy hour. I made truffle fries with aioli and truffle popcorn and we had French white Bordeaux. So fancy, no? All you do is buy a bottle of truffle oil and then you can be fancy. I feel bad that Ernie is alone on Thursday for a bit more time so this is my compromise. Bring the happy hour to me!

Erica took her mom to Italy for fall break for her mom’s birthday and while there, they did a pasta making class. Guess who benefited? It was Erica’s turn to do our lunch Friday and she made us a lemon pasta for lunch Friday with a….

deconstructed Caprese salad. I was like, is this real life? Could my 20 minute lunch in a student desk BE more decadent?

After a long week, after school, we went to a marina with a Mexican restaurant – random, but wonderful!

Chorizo queso!

We walked down and looked at boats, too. It was a lovely way to start the weekend. I came home and made the family random stuff for dinner but I wasn’t very hungry so I just nibbled a bit.

Saturday morning dawned and it was an Aldi trip and a library trip for me.

Look at all the fall goodies:

I had this on reserve at the library:

And picked up a few more that looked interesting:

I put away groceries, did some chores, ate some lunch, and then I enjoyed the covered patio in the light drizzle. This weekend’s weather was grey and cold. I was most excited about this book, so I started it first!

The highlight of Saturday was Facetiming with Mason for almost an hour while he made brussel sprouts.

He bought them at the farmer’s market. He is so cute! I already see how much he is growing through this experience. And we sent him cash through Western Union, and it was so easy. We also sent his new debit card in the mail. This mama definitely feels better. The bank has not returned all the money yet – $1908 including overdraft fees. But they gave him a “provisional credit” while they work it out with the online gambling site.

I was really lazy Saturday afternoon, but at around 4:30 (a new record?), Tom and I went to Waldo’s for dinner. We brought Jack home a meal and he went to a concert later.

I made a copycat Crumbl for one!

I finished David Beckham. He lays his clothes out for the week, you guys! After watching this, I really like both David and Victoria.

And, I started Lessons in Chemistry.

Sunday morning, I got up and started Don’t Worry, Darling with Harry Styles. I also realized our fridge and freezer weren’t working around this time…

Living like pioneers until we can call a repair man…

I figured I should drink a mimosa so I didn’t waste the oj.

And, in case the repair is too much, we looked at some new models at Lowe’s and Costco.

There’s been a whole lot of adulting this week. Mason’s money crisis, open enrollment for health insurance, and now a fridge on the fritz? Seriously, these are no big deal compared to the very real and very sad state of the world. I feel blessed to have these little adulting tasks, you know?

How was your weekend? Was it also cold and dreary? We hope to take the boat out next weekend and then it will be time to winterize. We hold off as long as we can.

Amy

Friday, October 13, 2023

Oh no! It’s a Friday the 13th! High school teachers get really worried about these kinds of superstitions! Have you seen kids when there is a full moon? Tread lightly today!

I am happy to link up with Erika and Andrea for everyones’ favorite post of the week.

Gosh, it’s been quiet in the blog world this week – maybe some are on fall break and there are only so many Prime Day posts I can read. I need some new blogs! I want to read about fashion, recipes, lifestyle tips, and product recommendations. Anyone?

So, I finish up my Hello Monday post on Sunday mornings usually because I just know that I am not great about working on my blog at night. If I do a Sunday activity, I usually don’t tell you about it until Friday because it’s always a favorite to cap off my weekend with a bit of fun.

This past Sunday, Tom and I went to the only urban winery in Kentucky and listened to their “Sunday Sippin” series from 1-4. It was lovely! They had the big window open, and I really liked the voice of the singer.

Then, Tom had brought something with him. He has a group of old gym friends. Like, they are retired men. They have given him so many gifts. One is a retired preacher and he gave Tom a wooden cross, one is a doctor with a daughter in Vermont and he has given Tom Vermont cheddar cheese. Tom has fixed one of their cars. Tom has given them construction advice and contractor names.

Anyway, someone brought him spaghetti seasoning and a gelato cone from Italy.

We stopped at the gelato place after the winery and Tom said to the poor teenage girl working, “Fill me up” while holding out his cone.

I stepped in and explained that Tom had a cone from Italy. She responded that she isn’t allowed to “fill someone up” but that Tom could get a cup of gelato and DIY his cone.

Tom conceded to filling his own cone. He’s so weird. We are just two weird people who found each other in a weird world, I guess.

I didn’t partake since I had wine. We were home by 4:00 and still had plenty of time to relax and get stuff ready for the week.

How does one leave a sweet baby like this to go to work? This cool weather has made Ernie so peppy! He deserved this little nap after his morning walk!

I got a sweet rainbow pic over campus from Mason this week! I love when he sends me photos!

This mama is worried, though. His debit card situation still has not be rectified and when it is, he will only have his card on his phone in the Apple Wallet and we will have his tangible card. He only has one other credit card and is running out of cash. I’m just so mad that this happened. Apparently, our bank is seeing this with multiple customers. The charges were all for Fan Duel which is an online gambling site. Ugh! I know it’s 2023 and there are multiple ways to pay for things, but I just worry that he will be in a place where only certain payments are accepted. Advice is welcome!

Tom and I found these at Aldi and they are Jack’s fave kind of fry!

We also tried and liked Thin Wheat instead of Wheat Thin from Aldi.

It seems the ingredients are better. Did you know that regular Wheat Thins have BHT to preserve freshness and these don’t appear to. Apparently BHT is not good.

My fave meal of the week was this burger bowl. This was dinner one night and lunch one day for Erica and I.

I am just loving my fall scent. I use the body wash and lotion and it leaves a nice fragrance.

I am also loving my minimal fall decor in my living room. The front porch has some jack o lantern lanterns that I have had for years, the back has my pumpkins and mums because I should enjoy looking at them, right? I just can’t believe we are already halfway through October!

I’m so glad I bought this dough bowl at a flea market last year. I like my pumpkins in it!

I have a few other knickknacks around and I will add my Thanksgiving specific stuff after Halloween.

I was also happy this week to use my TJ Maxx fall cups from last year that I saved. I took a pumpkin spice coffee to work.

I broke out my acorn spice lip color, too!

Give me all the fall colors of burnt sienna, mustard, olive, camel, and orange! After Thanksgiving I will be sick of these colors, but I love them right now!

School was good this week. My Spanish Ones did Spanish speaking country presentations, my Spanish threes did Hispanic artist presentations, and my AP Spanish did famous Hispanic American presentations. The students have to take notes while their classmates present and then we have an open note test. The students are clamoring for a food day soon!

What were your favorites this week?

Thanks for reading and commenting on my posts this week! I did Hello Monday, news about our trip, quotes, and Fashion Files if you missed anything. Simply click on the red font to go back and read those.

Anyone feel like my apple cider sangria this weekend? I know I do! It’s going to be pretty cool here, I think!

Happy, happy Friday, dear readers!

Amy

Thursday, October 12, 2023

I have a lot to share this week as I link up with Kellyann and Jill. I have them out of order, but that’s ok, right?

The weather in the last week has been a mixed bag. We had mid-80s and we had 40s in the morning a few days.

I wore this to go to dinner with Tom’s work friend. It was raining and I had worn the jeans all day, but changed into a flowly black sleeveless blouse from Loft from maybe 10 years ago and my beloved star cardigan that my mom gave me last year for Christmas. My shoes are too big, but I wish I had them in a size down. They are Dr. Scholl’s. They have great potential. Why am I having trouble sizing my shoes in the last year?

Before I went to dinner I wore my new TJ Maxx waffle top (I think I bought it in August thinking it would be great to have for fall and winter) to read on the patio in the light rain. The shoes don’t work with the jeans, but I had fun trying out my new top for the first time.

I wore this to the mall with my friend Beth. I got so many comments on my hot pink animal blouse that I bought over the summer.

I wore this to my boutique hotel pool day. The dress is probably 10 years old from Target and I wear it over my swimsuit to look a bit more polished than a coverup.

I wore this to eat lunch at the French restaurant with my friend Elizabeth. The jeans are Target Universal Thread, the shoes are a MIA dupe from Amazon, and this is my new TJ Maxx blouse that I bought that very day and put it on immediately! Ha!

A week later, this past Monday, I wore the blouse again to school with my Matilda Jane pants and my new Lucky brand ballet flats.

This is my other TJ Maxx blouse that I wore a couple of days after I wore the first one. I have on my consignment Kut from the Kloth jeans and my Eurosoft sandals.

And, another school outfit this week. I wore my Old Navy chambray (love this! I have it in cream, too.) with my mustard Matilda Janes and my Danskos. Why can’t I figure out what to do with my face in my photos?

My mom bought me most of my Matilda Janes from a former rep – isn’t that cool? I found my first pair at a consignment shop, bought two pairs new after seeing how much I liked the first pair, found more at a consignment shop, and my mom hit the mother lode from a former sales rep in my hometown. The quality is freaking awesome. They wash well. They add a bit of fun and they feel like me. Do I look like a 5 year old? Maybe? Do I care? No! Being a teacher requires a lot of movement (yes, even at the high school level) and these are really a great teacher pant. Sadly, Matilda Jane is no more, but you could find some on Ebay or at a consignment store I bet. If the ruffles are not for you, they have a great pant with layers at the bottom that flair out a bit.

Anyway, that is what I have put on the bod this week.

What have you been wearing?

Amy