Monday, January 30, 2023

I am linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday AND Tanya today for Prime Purchases which is now on Mondays.

So, I don’t have many pictures from the weekend and you will find out why in a minute. But, first, a little back story. When I started getting serious with Tom he sat me down and said, “Amy, I plan to have a chocolate lab named Archie.” We both came from dog families and I couldn’t wait to get married to have my own dog! I was fine with a chocolate lab because I didn’t really have a preference. Of course I could have had my own dog, but I was waiting until I had someone to share this responsbility with.

So, we had a wonderful dog named Archie for 12 years. He died with our twins were 9. We waited about 8 months and I finally convinced Tom it was time to look for our next baby. Tom was very emotional about losing Archie and wasn’t sure he could do it again. But, we found our Ernie! And, obviously, Tom fell in love with him.

Look at that joy rolling in the grass this weekend!

Ernie turned 10 this week and also was acting off. He didn’t come to bed with us two nights and he just seemed lethargic. Wednesday when he hadn’t eaten his breakfast Tom said he would come home for lunch and check on him. He made the decision to take him to the vet where the vet (not our preferred vet) did blood work and said she thought he had an internal bleed in his abdomen most likely caused by a tumor on his spleen which is common in big dogs, I think. The news was dire and the surgery would be risky and didn’t always result in a good outcome. Tom had dropped him at the vet and had to go back to work and I had left work during my planning period (last period) to go get him from the vet and hear the prognosis. I took him home and loved on him the rest of the day. He was acting slightly better, I thought.

The plan was to go back the following morning to have an ultrasound of his abdomen done by our preferred vet. I took off because the vet of the day before made us think we would have to make a decision on Thursday and possibly not bring him back home with us! Tom and I both took him in. At this point, we hadn’t told our kids because we wanted to wait until this appointment. I waffled back and forth Wednesday evening about telling them at that point.

Thursday morning Ernie was acting pretty normal. He socialized with all the ladies at the desk at the vet and all the dogs and people who came in. He worked the room. When we went into the examining room, Ernie went and sat in the corner by the dog treat jar until our wonderful vet gave him a treat. Our vet did an ulttrasound and said he saw something on his spleen but that the bleeding had stopped and clotted. He did still see fluid/blood in his abdomen. He basically advised us to do nothing, but that we would have to make a decision as he went downhill.

He did tell us that there is a Chinese herb you can put on the dog’s food to help thicken the blood and promote clotting so you can surely bet I went and bought some of that at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine store. Tom went back to work and I took Ernie to the McD’s drive through and put that powder on his hamburger.

I called and told both kids and they made plans to come home Friday and spend time with him this weekend.

So, it’s been a lot of time at home and a lot of walks and cuddles. The thing is – he is acting almost normal again. The only thing not normal is we don’t think he is eating as much. The vet said that the bleeding had made him weak and that is why he was acting off and the clotting made him more like himself so I guess that would explain his improved behavior.

I am in denial to some degree, but I am holding out hope that they are wrong. Since we had Archie for 12 years and Ernie has been more active and at really good weight I had hoped for a nice 14 years. Ever the optimist, I guess.

I made sweet potatoes for Ernie and made a hash for me for breakfast:

We can’t be with Ernie constantly as will still have to go to work, but I did a few errands Saturday morning when J and M could be with him. Tom had committed to working a boat show for his sister and brother in law’s business, so it was just J, M, and I on Ernie duty Saturday.

I went to the library, to Target for a drive up, and to the Walmart grocery for things I can’t find at Kroger. A WW Instagram follow of mine has posted some fun mocktails/drink recipes. Sonic cherry limeade powder with a La Croix cherry lime that I couldn’t find so I picked this Polar Cherry Limeade and it is great by itself. Adding the powder takes it to the next level. And, another drink is pineapple Crush powder with a Coconut LaCroix. OMG! I am super happy with these new drinks. They will also help me get my water intake where it needs to be. You can add some fresh lime and lemon juice or the bottled kind like I keep on hand.

Our Saturday weather was a gift. I took a long walk with Ernie – he seemed up to it. I think he had four walks on Saturday! I just kinda let him dictate which way and how long we went. I let him off lease by the tennis center near our house and he had fun sniffing and looking for balls. I sat outside and read while Ernie napped in the sun. I ate my lunch outside, too. Like I said in many posts, I have tried to jump every time it has been mild enough in January to do this and I really think it has helped.

Ourside on the patio with my pineapple coconut drink:

I need to try more flavors of this:

Late afternoon as Tom was getting home, J, M, and I went to the shopping center that has Barnes and Noble bookstore and Loft. I had a 40% off coupon to use at Loft and they love a bookstore.

I tried the denim on denim look. I think I need more contrast but I didn’t hate it.

I got a bit sad looking at all of the empty shelves as the bookstore is moving to a smaller space in the shopping center. We have been going to this bookstore for 18-19 years and played on the Thomas the Train table there many a time. My kids have always loved libraries and bookstores, which was a wonderful thing for me.

They thought Blaze sounded good and it is very close to the bookstore so we got it to go. I wasn’t that excited about it, but I got one for me, too.

I opened a new bottle of wine from Trader Joe’s. Recommend! It is a nice smooth red!

Ok, this pizza was really, really good. I hadn’t had one in probably two years.

Sunday morning I did a southwest breakfast bowl for Erica and I for Monday’s lunch:

I made myself another sweet potato breakfast:

My Soup Sunday was Drizzle Me Skinny’s potato chicken corn chowder:

Mason and I went out for coffee and I got this beautiful concoction:

Mason got a Cuban coffee and tres leches pancakes:

I had already eaten so I just had coffee. This is our third weekend coffee shop that we are doing as much as we can! Everytime I left the house this weekend it was just in short increments because I didn’t want to be away from Ernie too much.

I went to bed early both Friday and Saturday nights because not only was I physically tired, but I think I was also emtionally tired. I couldn’t keep my eyes open while watching tv.

Please send some healing thoughts, vibes, or prayers if you are so inclinced for Ernie’s comfort and quality of life and for us to make the right decision at the right time.

Let’s talk about Amazon now…

I tried to be really frugal this month so I feel that most of my purchases are needs more than wants.

I love my new Shark! I got a refurbished machine and I picked the cheapest color – blue. It was $68. Cordless is a game changer. I want to use it! I have found it works great on my kitchen floor and is much easier than getting out the broom and dustpan. Ernie is scared of it, though, so I have been trying to use it when he is outside.

I bought the smallest box of Tide ever created to try the hot water/Tide floor cleaner thing. I used it with my Swiffer and dry mopping pads and I loved it.

You can tell cleaning has really been on my mind this month.

I really like this! It seems much more expensive and better quality than you would think for a $3 foundation. I got this for days I didn’t feel like doing my Seint makeup system.

It’s a little light and I am thinking about getting a darker one and blending to get the best color for me.

See, this is a need. You don’t want to see me without coffee! I love this!

I put these green laces in my white leather sneakers. Love! I am seeing this color green for spring everywhere! Loft had a ton of this color.

I lost my Stanley cup straw and choose these to replace it. They are thinner, but they do the job. They came with a cleaning brush, too.

I finally bought the cuticle oil everyone raves about. I have nothing to compare it to but I like it!

I bought the good stuff. Apparently all cinnamon is not created equally.

I needed more vitamins:

And, that’s it. I did pretty well this month and really resisted the more frivolous items that I might have normally clicked “buy” on.

What about you?

Amy

Saturday, January 28, 2023

This will be my first Saturday post ever – I think! I am linking up with Jennifer and others for this special linky party.

So…Happy Saturday!

I know this will be somewhat redundant if you are a regular reader so I apologize in advance. Since we are almost to the end of the month, I am going to share my four somethings from the month of January.

loved

I have loved the milder January and the fact that I have margin and space in my schedule. Most days I come directly home from school and take Ernie for a walk. I run to my patio anytime the weather cooperates. It has been so good for my mental health.

One reason why I have had more time in my schedule is because I have done a Frugal January. I have tried to have several no spend days. I get time and money this way! I’m not running around spending money. I have usually had Monday-Wednesday as no spend days. Sometimes I have to order something online on one of these days, but most of the time it isn’t urgent and I just put it in my next Kroger or Amazon order and don’t click buy right away. Usually I do a grocery pick up on Thursday and that way I am set for the weekend. My biggest spend day is Saturday.

I know, Ernie! We need time to just roll in the grass!

I am at a stage in my life where my time after school is my own most days. I think there is so much to say for not over-scheduling no matter what stage of life you are in, though. I have a couple of hours most days before I start dinner.

read

The only book I have been able to read and finish is this:

It may very well be my favorite book this year or one of my favorites.

learned

I learned that my oven died this month! I guess it has given me about 20 years of service?

While we wait on its replacement, my air fryer does more than air fry and it’s been a lifesaver. I have even baked cake and cornbread in this puppy. So glad Tom convinced me to get this rather than a small air fryer.

ate

I ate much healthier in January and I didn’t suffer at all. Most of my meals have come from Slender Kitchen website. I have enjoyed dabbling in Thai and Asian foods!

Here is a recent buffalo turkey meatball meal that I ate:

A recent Thai chicken with peanut sauce meal that I made for hub and I:

a vegetable soup meal that I ate for school lunch:

A Big Mac bowl meal that I made for school lunch:

and a whole wheat pasta with bacon and tomatoes meal that I made for dinner and lunch:

See what I mean? It does not look like I am sacrificing flavor. I have still had my sweet tooth, so that is something I need to work on.

This week I made breakfast burritos during my Sunday prep and I think I will do that again, but make some more southwestern with Morningstar Farms chorizo crumbles.

What are four somethings you would share today? Or, just one something?

Amy

Friday, January 27, 2023

It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!

Here are some favorites from the week as I look through my camera roll!

Is all Hawaiian coffee wonderful? I found this in a Costco variety box and ordered it on its own from Amazon. So good! I’m open to other coffee recommendations. Yes, I am still using k cups but I do recycle.

These are so good! Artichoke Timbales from Trader Joe’s – I had to look up “timbal” but it’s like a little pie or quiche basically. I think they are 3 WW points each. I will definitely buy these again. They are in the frozen section.

Please make Shay’s bacon and tomato pasta. It was so easy! I cannot wait to make this again!

And, I can’t wait to make another Big Mac bowl. I have never ordered an actual Big Mac! This is just really good and satisfying. I don’t have a recipe but I did google Big Mac sauce and I used Greek non fat plain yogurt with a little bit of mayo to keep the calories down.

I usually talk Tom into a Sunday Funday. In the warm weather we usually boat for a few hours. In the winter, it’s a little bit harder, but we usually find something to just cap off our weekend. Last weekend my friend and I shopped and had some nachos and margaritas. It was just what I needed to be ready for Monday.

My pink lasted longer than my…

burgundy. The burgundy started peeling on one hand after about 3 days. I’m sure there is something I can be doing better. Still learning, but still happy to be learning how to do gel at home. The biggest thing is that my nails are not getting destroyed at the salon by the removal process.

My natural nails are pretty long and strong right now:

This is cute so far and it’s just what I need right now:

This was my old Cerave cleanser, but…

this is even better!

This is the dry shampoo I am using now. Love it!

This is the comb I use to tease/get more volume out of my hair. I only use the black side and don’t use the metal side.

What were your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, January 26, 2023

It’s Thursday and that means it’s time for Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill!

What have you been wearing lately? I am trying to circulate through all of my winter clothes to make sure everything gets worn. I have done numerous edits so most things are staying.

But first, some updates…

Jeans January – I started the month doing Jeans January and wearing jeans each day. I have now worn each pair at least once and some twice. I do think it served the purpose of getting me to eat more healthy foods to feel better in my jeans. Once I started making TikTok videos I didn’t want to always be in jeans, so I have pretty much let that go.

23 in 2023 – I have already bought more than two new things this month that I will show you soon. But, I also had Christmas money to spend. I have not gone off the rails yet, but I could with an order I am waiting on. Oh well!

Old Navy – I had not bought much from here in maybe the last two years, but I am having a moment. Their stuff seems of higher quality now. Anyone else think that?

Vaugu London – Still waiting on my order of two dresses and a top. I saw an IG ad for the cutest dress and they advertise as “being made for women’s bodies”. I absolutely hate to mail returns back so that’s a big dread if the things don’t work. I placed my order about 10 days ago, so we will see.

Monday I started the week off with black hearts:

Tuesday was more black and an old Norstrom bat wing sweater:

Wednesday was more black:

Meh – nothing to write home about.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

It’s time for the last Wednesday of the month’s What’s Up Wednesday with Sheaffer and Shay!

So what’s up with you? Here’s what’s up with me!

What We’re Eating

I made a Big Mac bowl for Erica and I to have for lunch on one of my days this week. Yum!

I made Shay’s bacon and tomato pasta and you have got to make this! This was dinner for Tom and I and a lunch for Erica and I at school. It was also very easy. I can’t wait to make this again. I made it with whole wheat pasta and I made Tom’s with angel hair.

We also ate chili and tacos that I had made over the weekend.

What I’m Reminiscing About

I am kinda nostalgic for the 6 of us – my two sisters and the three guys. We all loved Kate’s first ex-husband (sorry again, Kate!) Kate is the blonde and is the middle child, and Molly is the one on the right and the baby.

I did the photo of the six of us out to tell about my plane ride story yesterday.

I also found this picture. Tom wishes he still had that hair and I wish I still had that body. We can’t all have what we want, though, can we now?

Alexa announced that Tom’s hair products had arrived yesterday and I said, “Alexa, does Tom have hair?” She responded with…

“Hmmmm, I’m not sure.”

Exactly, Alexa!

What I’m Loving

I discovered this Hawaiian coffee in a variety box from Costco and I love it! I ordered more from Amazon.

I changed out my pale pink home gel mani to…

burgundy.

What We’ve Been Up To

Tom and I went to eat Cuban Saturday night and each had a salad with grilled chicken.

It’s hard to say no to plantain chips and guacamole.

Then, on Sunday afternoon I asked my friend to have a bit of a Sunday Funday and we shopped in a few boutiques and then had $5 margaritas (as good or better than mine) and…

homemade potato chip nachos!

Apparently this place offers $5 Bloody Marys and $5 margaritas all day Saturday and Sunday. It is a locally owned pizza place with more than just pizza called Boombozz. They have really unique pizzas, too, and have won lots of awards.

What I’m Dreading

A few stressful things happening this spring at school. Some testing I am involved with is one of them and another one is a relatively new club that I am in charge of.

What I’m Working On

All of my classes are having food days. I bought a plantain to fry up just for fun. Fried food doesn’ t reheat well so I try to steer them away from that.

What I’m Excited About

When am I not excited about this? My happy place! I love being able to sit on my patio. I had a lovely afternoon this weekend with a jam jar of wine, a candle, and a book.

A few little Valentine’s touches…

What I’m Watching/Reading

I started this on Netflix and I’m really liking it!

Tom and I are watching Bad Sisters on Apple TV.

I started reading this book:

What I’m Listening to

My students! A few podcasts!

What I’m Wearing

This Old Navy pullover as much as I can!

Black and jeans as much as I can!

What I’m Doing this Weekend

Not quite sure yet!

What I’m Looking forward to next month

My January frugal challenge being over! No, I do plan to continue to be frugal, but I have been recording expenditures and I am kinda over it.

Amy

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

You all were so sweet and complimentary about my last story time that I thought I would do it again. Did I ever tell you that I got the Teacher Superlative last year for “Most Likely to Have a Talk Show”? Ha!

So, this story is a little different than last week’s that highlighted my sister’s thoughtful and touching gesture to me.

And, I can’t believe I found photos from this very day!

My Dad was a pilot in the Air Force and then flew for a private chemical company in my hometown. The owner of the company was also a pilot and liked to fly his salespeople and engineers to different places where they did business. My Dad had so much fun with this job after retiring from the military and everyone felt so confident with him at the helm as a former fighter pilot.

One of the perks of the job was that my Dad got to use the plane for personal use sometimes. On this occasion my mom was teaching in China for a semester with a special program, but the rest of my family at the time was heading to a family gathering about 45 minutes away by plane.

Tom was co-pilot for most of the flight because he had dreams of flying, too. My sister Molly and her boyfriend (now husband) Jason were in the plane, Kate and her first ex-husband (sorry, Kate!) were in the plane, and I think I brought up the rear. I think the plane was a 6 or 8 seater, so it wasn’t very big.

We had packed food for the family gathering that consisted of cookies, dips, and several bags of chips. The food was all behind the seats of the plane.

It was a very turbulent flight and I was white knuckling it. I think it was winter and it was very windy. I’m a nervous flyer. There was no flight attendant to bring me alcohol and I hadn’t provided my own.

I guess I was chatting with my sisters and suddenly we heard a loud pop. I thought for sure a wing had been hit by something or the engine had blown. It was that loud. I looked up toward the cockpit and my Dad and Tom looked normal and were not panicking. My sisters and I looked at each other wide-eyed but nothing seemed amiss.

I happened to turn around and could see that all the bags of chips were open at the top. That was what the loud pop was! The air pressure opened them all at the same time! Whew! It was a bit embarrassing arriving with opened bags of chips swearing that we didn’t eat out of them on the plane. But, luckily there was no aircraft emergency.

And I will leave you with a dip recipe. I know I had a dip to take to this gathering because I’m a dip girl!

Easy Taco Dip:

2 packages of cream cheese (can use light)

16 oz sour cream (can use light)

I pkg./envelope taco seasoning

Blend together and top with chopped tomatoes, shredded Mexican cheese, and bell pepper, olives, and jalapeños if desired. You can really top with anything you like.

Serve with tortilla chips.

I think you will be surprised by how yummy this combo is!

If you are still here, thanks for listening to my story time!

Amy

Monday, January 23, 2023

Ok, you all – now we start a stretch of 4 five day weeks but in a way it’s a good thing. The kids need their routine, I need my routine, and I have a lot of fun things planned. We have Cultural Experiences in all my classes – that is my educational term for FOOD DAY! It is for a grade and they have to cook an authentic dish from any Spanish speaking country. We have some fun Valentine’s vocabulary to learn, and some fun Valentine’s speaking activities to do so it’s all good, but it will also be exhausting in the best way. If you are a teacher or have been one – you know what I mean!

I am linking up today with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday!

But, first, I want to thank you for all the great information you gave me in regard to my Cleaning post here. I can’t believe how much you all wanted to talk about cleaning! Love that!

I also want to thank you for the sweet words about my surprise gift from my sister here. I told her to go back and read the comments. I just think I have the kindest, more supportive readers out there. I didn’t post the story to shine any light on me, but to share how thoughtful she was. It was a reminder to me to pay it forward.

Also, an update on my Tik Tok status…I hope you know I’m not taking this too seriously at all! I have now posted 7 videos with a grand total of 32 million views between all of them. What the heck? I seriously thought I would have 50 views and they would be my students.

I went to talk to my principal about it after the first couple videos went “viral”. I had to look up what that even meant. I opened with, “So, I’ve accidentally gone viral on Tik Tok” and he loves it and is supportive of it. If you know Spanish, I have posted videos about pronunciation of the two LLs, the H, the C and G, and about when to use por or para, the verbs ir and ser in the simple past tense, and the present subjunctive tense.

After all that teaching Spanish last week, I needed a Friday after school margarita! Oh yeah! This is supposed to be skinny, but who knows?

My cordless Shark had arrived! Blue was the cheapest so blue it was! I couldn’t use it Friday because it had to charge. Friday night Tom had a Totino’s pizza and I had random fridge leftovers. I went to bed at 9 so I was up with the birds on Saturday and ready to clean! I love my new Shark! I cleaned the whole main level of the house while listening to podcasts. I used the powdered Tide with hot water and my Swiffer with the wet mopping pads that don’t have anything on them. It felt good to have a clean house at the beginning of the weekend.

I ran errands that included Trader Joe’s wine shop, Trader Joe’s, an Old Navy online return, the library, and Walmart Neighborhood Market (just the grocery of a Walmart).

I bought a new item at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section that is like an artichoke fritter and it is delish! I also made a small Spanish omelette. This was my breakfast and lunch.

I spent time putting all the stuff away and then J and M came home to host some friends in the basement. I made them ham and swiss sliders.

It warmed up enough for me to get my outside time reading on the patio.

I used my candle my niece made me, a bottle of wine that Elizabeth decorated for me, and I enjoyed the wine out of a tiny jam jar. Love drinking out of mason and jam jars. Do you? I had also cleaned out my candle collection and my pantry – two things I had needed to do!

I got a photo of one of my cutie nieces going to winter homecoming:

I fixed myself up a bit to go to eat at Mojito en Havana with Tom. Tom is behind me but it looks like my hair has a big crease in it!

I got to use my clutch!

Plantain chips and guac!

Mojito!

Tom and I both got salads with chicken but we each got a different salad. Their salads are to die for.

We came home and watched a bit of telly.

I went to bed early again but I slept in a bit more than on Saturday. Then, I was so surprised to wake up to snow!

I started this book:

I did burritos and one egg mcmuffin for my breakfast prep:

I also made chili for our dinner and prepped a couple of other things.

Tom went out to work on my car and looked kinda funny:

His assistant Ernie was also ready to go. My car heater hasn’t been working properly so Tom thinks he knows what is wrong.

How was your weekend? Any highlights?

Amy

Friday, January 20, 2023

Oh Friday- I could kiss you! It’s time for the favorite link up of the week right here!

It’s been a long short week, you know? As much as I love a short week, I always feel off my routine and a bit discombobulated. I love that word. Tom asked me when I ever feel combobulated when I told him this. Is this a word? It should be!

Looking through my camera roll, here is what made me smile this week…

I love this book! This will be the first book of 2023 that I am able to finish. It really should be made into a rom com.

I also love the fact that I have walked Ernie each day after school and had time to spend on my patio reading. The fresh air gives me life. I have to admit that a mild January has also helped. I know we do have true winter coming, but I think I will be better prepared mentally after having this milder weather.

I also love that it’s staying light out longer!

Tom found this show and we’ve been enjoying it together:

Walking with Ernie while I talk on the phone or listen to a podcast:

I rarely think to cook shrimp, but I got some at Fresh Market and put it on top of a salad with a simple dressing this week:

I also got some already cooked cocktail shrimp and I can vouch that this is an amazing cocktail sauce:

I can vouch for all of the Primal products I have tried so far.

Jen reminded me of Dave’s Killer thin sliced bread. This is the perfect avocado toast bread. I have had this for my after school snack this week. I have to keep it in the freezer because I use a loaf up so slowly.

Here is what my avocado toast looks like:

One of my lunches for Erica and I was a roasted Greek bowl with carrots and radishes from the weekend:

Erica made lentil soup with…

Indian Butter Chicken:

Erica loves Indian food and has been making more of it at home. I have not had much and I am enjoying her Indian dishes.

I made my funfetti cake but only used half. You seriously cannot tell this is healthier. So good! If you want to just make half, the cake mix is 3 cups worth so you just measure out 1.5 cups, use half a cup of water, half a cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt and mix it all together. It bakes at 350 for about 25 minutes.

My friend Heather dropped this pretty candle off for me because I made her meals last week. Wasn’t that sweet? She didn’t need to do that.

Also, I enjoyed my pale pink home gel mani this week. I feel like I’m getting better at it.

What were your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, January 19, 2023

It’s Thursday and that means Fashion Files link up day with Kellyann and Jill.

Friday, I wore my favorite jeans right now – Target Universal Thread in black – with my Gucci-esque Amazon sweater and my new green Amazon laces in my Madewell sneaks. Seriously, if you need jeans, I say go on Target.com and order a few sizes and styles of Universal Thread jeans. These are the quality of Madewell in my opinion. I am comparing them to Madewell because that is the only higher priced brand I have tried on in the last year besides my Wit and Wisdom flares.

Saturday I wore my bright pink sweater again to go eat Mexican – along with my tequila earrings – when in Rome! I also wore my Wit and Wisdom flare jeans with my Hush Puppies beige pumps that look like J.Crew. Sorry I didn’t get a full length photo.

Trader Joe’s bathroom selfie! Why do I always use their restroom? I wore old leggings with my Shu Shops and my new Old Navy cropped polo sweatshirt. Highly recommend!

I don’t think I wore anything special on Sunday, but on Monday I threw this on to wear my grey jeans. I don’t like the white of the cow loafers with the faux fur vest. I have too many animals going on. I just ran up to Fresh Market, so I wasn’t that concerned.

For school Tuesday, I broke my Jeans January and wore Matilda Janes. Did I hear that Cabi bought them? Matilda Jane was going to be no more, but I think I heard that Cabi is going to resurrect the brand. I wore my current favorite star cardigan.

And, I broke Jeans January again for school on Wednesday and wore leggings with Lucky booties and my TJ Maxx sheer sleeved sweater with scalloped neckline. That’s fun to say!

I will tell you why I broke Jeans January; it’s for my Tik Tok career – lol. I was making some more videos and didn’t want to be in jeans. It was a self-imposed rule so I am ok with it. I will wear jeans again at the end of the week.

Has anyone ordered from Vaugu? I gasped when I saw this print below:

I was further intrigued when I read their tagline about clothes for a woman because that would mean that they account for someone having a chestal region to deal with. We shall see. I ordered two dresses and a top. I know that I am also doing 23 in 2023, but a girl has got to live her life! I haven’t kept anything yet! My sister told me I shouldn’t do 23 in 2023! I did so well for two weeks! He, he!

I think I might need these for spring and summer?

I also probably need to stop following Things I Bought and Liked on IG!

Anyway, now you think less of me for breaking my JJ and potentially my 23 in 2023. What have you been wearing? We have had 40s, 50s, and even one day in the 60s. I know the real winter is coming. I can feel it. We get the worst of our winter in February, usually. These temps have made it both easier and harder to dress.

Thanks for stopping by!

Amy

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

This blog post may bore you to tears! You’ve been warned.

I love to cook, but I will admit that cleaning is not my favorite. That being said, I love a clean house. I hate clutter and I love the smell of “clean”.

I have had a cleaning person twice. The first time was $250 for the whole house for the first visit and I wasn’t that impressed. The second time I can’t remember how much it was and it was a different person. I didn’t know the person yet so I stayed there and it just felt weird. Hiring someone is not in the budget and I also think I want to do it myself (with Tom). Or, I want to have a better division of labor. He really can’t do much during the week because he doesn’t get home until 6:00. He does almost all of the Ernie related jobs.

Tom is a great cleaner, but he doesn’t do it often enough for me and he takes an extremely long time. And, like I said, he can really only do it on the weekends. I would like to not fill my weekends with all the cleaning tasks.

I know there are different schools of thought – some like to have the whole house clean at the same time. I am ok with dividing the tasks so that it isn’t so overwhelming on any given day.

It definitely helps that there are only two humans making messes now.

I am really working to improve my skills and my efficiency.

I bought this booklet/pad on Amazon:

This is what it looks like inside (same as the cover):

It doesn’t fit my plan, but I like the idea of checking off boxes.

Here is my tentative plan:

Everyday – Load and unload dishwasher, cook dinner and clean up, pick up after myself, wipe down bathroom counter and shower glass every time I use these areas.

Monday – Dust

Tuesday – vacuum, sweep and mop kitchen and mudroom

Wednesday – grocery pick up, unload groceries and clean out fridge freezer to some degree

Thursday – my laundry (one load), water plants (Thirsty Thursday), collect trash because Friday is trash day

Friday – Really don’t want to do anything on this day!

Saturday – sheets and towels (one to two loads)

Sunday – bigger cleaning tasks with Tom as needed, meal prep

Other things I am trying/debating:

-Trying to have less so I have less to clean

-Buying the best and most efficient cleaning products. I would like a cordless stick vac and I am debating the O-Cedar mop system. I only have the kitchen and mudroom to mop and currently use Swiffer mopping pads. Is it worth it? Also, where do I store the bucket when not in use? I don’t have lots of space. We have a Dyson Animal currently for vacuuming

-I want the cleanest cleaners (less toxic) but I don’t like the smell of vinegar and I want the products to work. I love the smell of bleach. Ha!

I am open to suggestions!

Favorite tutorital to watch or IG follow?

Favorite cleaning products?

Routine?

Vacuum and mop suggestions?

Do you like to clean?

Amy