Friday, June 4, 2021

Linking up today with Andrea,etc. right here!

I finished my school year last Friday at 2:30! Jack and Mason started their college summer at the beginning of May so I felt that May dragged on and on for me. I am gathering my thoughts for a possible post on how the school year went. But, a part of me just wants to put it to bed.

This week was a short week with the Memorial Day holiday and it felt like it flew by. There is just something wonderful about a week day off and Tuesday was the first day like that for me. Your husband leaves for work and you are free! Just kidding, but you know what I mean! I had a list a mile long of things I had been putting off, so I was actually pretty productive this week.

Here are some of my favorites (and I have A LOT this week) and you will notice a theme here…a favorite summer color is YELLOW!

I was way too proud of myself for putting four flower flats in my turquoise pot and was so happy to come home one day from running an errand to see this butterfly enjoying them, too! The butterfly knew what was up with my color scheme!

I had been seeing beautiful ceramic plant stands but didn’t want to spend $100. I was thrilled when I found a metal $24.99 version at MIchael’s in yellow. Remember I am doing lemons on my deck. I would love to have the more substantial ceramic, but the benefit of this is that I can spray paint it if the paint chips or I can totally change color if I change my decor. Michael’s decor section has gotten really good – like Hobby Lobby competition level! Anyone checked it out?

I had had dip nails for the last two months and I just don’t want the commitment of getting it done every 3 weeks. I think something is wrong with me because I can hardly sit to have it taken off and put back on. Is anyone else like this? I had my white removed and just did a regular mani in yellow! I am thinking about trying Olive and June. Anyone tried it?

I don’t think I have ever shown you my bike. Tom gave this to me for a very early anniversary gift – maybe when we had been married for 5 years? I love my bike and it is yellow! I rode my bike to school at the beginning of the school year for a few years. I wheeled my bike into my classroom and kept it in the corner. I have been dusting it off and riding it this week.

I started following Lazy Genius after reading her book and I just discovered her podcast. She has some very practical and useful tips for moms starting their summer with kids at home. She has some good stuff for my stage in life, too!

I had more time to read this week! This is cute but it drags a bit. I think I say that about a lot of books?

So, you know how I love black lemonade Trulys? Buy the red box called “Punch”. Inside the box are four types – Tropical Punch, Fruit Punch, Citrus Punch, and Berry Punch. They are 100 calories each just like the black ones.

I don’t know which I like the best!

Now for a more serious favorite:

At our football stadium graduation a week ago, I found my brick! Our old football stadium was condemned a couple of years ago and we went a season without a stadium. Our new stadium has been in the works and is almost done. They offered commemorative bricks and I wanted something for posterity. I chose to put “Jack and Mason Class of 2020 & Sra. (Señora abbreviated because that is my teaching name). It is at the opening of the stadium in the first row of bricks. I felt so happy seeing it there for the first time on graduation morning. My school is very special to me and it was a huge part of my kids’ lives. They ran those halls in the summer and on non-student days from the time they could until they were actual students in high school.

It was also fun to see so many bricks of past students and teachers.

I love this that I saw on Instagram this week:

Isn’t that great? I am trying to work on that!

Did you hear Taco Bell took their Mexican Pizza off the menu? I have fond memories of this item because my bestie was a vegetarian and still is and would always order it with no meat. So, I tried it with her many years ago and loved it! I came across a low carb copycat version and it was really good! It is just refried beans between two low carb tortillas, (I heated the tortillas in a skillet), taco sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and green onions. This was my lunch one day this week!

We had lots of summer rain this week. One lazy morning I spent a few hours reading out on my covered patio. It was so relaxing!

One day I had a lunch planned with my friend Beth. It was raining and we couldn’t sit on their lovely patio, unfortunately…

But, the interior is also pretty.

Prosecco felt right. Yum!

I ordered the salmon and it was so good. We shared a brussel sprouts appetizer and Beth got Nashville hot chicken.

And, I had a coffee date with two students – one who graduated in 2020 and the other who is friends with her and is my current student (was my student last year and will be again next year).

We talked for over two hours and it was just so nice!

What were your favorites this week?

Happy summer Friday!

Amy

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts on “Summer Amy”. Allow me to explain…

Summer Amy is the person I wish I could be in Fall, Winter, and Spring.

But, do I really? I’m not sure.

I was born a Type A person; I can’t help it. I love being organized, efficient, and productive. I like routine and schedules – most of the time!

I started a super serious job at age 22. My job is tailored to the Type A personality, I think. I have been a teacher longer than I haven’t been a teacher! It is helpful as a teacher to be organized, goal-oriented, prompt, and so many other Type A personality traits. The job of a teacher requires constant multi-tasking, the ability to plan ahead and plan for more than you might need in a day’s lesson, organize so many papers or digital files, you get my drift…

I have always lived my life on the school calendar – well, at least I have since I was five years old! So, I have always had a true summer off. Sure, there were summers I worked as a teen and a twenty-something (as a beginning teacher who didn’t make much money), but even my summer jobs were pretty loose and stress-free – pool manager, pool supervisor, stockroom help in a retail establishment.

Basically Summer Amy is the opposite of Regular Amy in every way….

Summer Amy:

-stays up later

-sleeps in later

-isn’t in a hurry

-makes more time for friends and fun

-says yes more than she says no

-says yes first and asks questions later

-is more fun

-eats more fresh fruit and vegetables

-shops farmer’s markets

-exercises more

-spends more time in the sun

-invites people over more often

-does more local shopping and less online shopping

-listens to more music

-reads more books

-is more social

-wears more casual clothing

You know who resembled Summer Amy despite the severity of the situation?

Pandemic Amy and Virtual Teacher Amy.

The slower pace, the lack of pressure to get to bed so early and get a good night’s sleep to have the requisite energy for in person teaching, and the increased time at home contributed to this. I thought it was hard to teach virtually, don’t get me wrong, but I think teaching in person requires so much more energy. Virtual teaching was hard in different ways, of course, and I really don’t want to have to do that again!

Every August I think I will be able to maintain my Summer persona if I only can do this, this, or this – and it never happens. I told my colleague that long ago in my marriage I told Tom that August and May were the two times I needed his help the most. August and May are crazy for teachers!

Do you have a Summer version of yourself? Or, are you different in different seasons?

I’ve also been thinking…what will “Retirement Amy” look like? Hmmmmm…..

Thanks for reading this week’s Thursday Thoughts!

Amy

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

As my regular readers know, I challenged myself to wear 32 outfits for my 32 days of in person instruction. I didn’t quite make it – I wore one dress twice and one top twice, so you will only see 30 photos below. Why did I do this? Many of these clothes hadn’t gotten any love since spring of 2019!

Sometimes when I see others’ outfits it inspires me to pair something I wouldn’t have thought to put together. Maybe my outfits will help you to do the same? I love shopping my closet and it makes me feel so content with what I own.

I try not to take fashion too seriously. Bright colors and patterns make me happy. When you are comfortable and like what you are wearing I think you can be more outgoing. When you are uncomfortable and feel bad about what you are wearing, you just want to crawl in a hole alone.

I do not like all the outfits you will see. Not all of them are flattering. I would usually choose different footwear if I wasn’t on my feet all day as a teacher. But, this is real life here!

Here we go:

Day one I wanted to wear sneakers. I am not sure I am a dress and sneakers person. I just knew that day one would be exhausting after being away from the classroom for 13 months.

Would like this outfit on someone else, but again I don’t know if I am a sneakers and skirt person!

I managed to wear the white booties a couple of times which was a goal. I am hoping to wear them a bunch next fall! I look a like a majorette but I like them.

I was allowed to repeat these pants. Chico’s from consignment years ago for $10. I had to have them repaired at the tailor. Love these pants!

Looks horrible but it was a Friday. I could have at least tried to fix my school pullover. This is when our frigid classroom temps started so you will see me trying to stay warm for the next few photos.

The Thursday before Derby we were supposed to dress for Derby if we wanted to. The students always like it when teachers get in the spirit.

I woke up with my face swollen. Maybe it was allergies. My eyes look bad and I was very thankful for the mask!

This new dress I wore twice. I was upset it had a rip. I’m not sure if I did it or bought it this way. I had to take it to my tailor and wanted to wear it again. I am planning to make this work in the fall with booties. It’s a very memorable dress but it feels very “me”.

Getting tired… when is summer? This was around Cinco de Mayo and I thought it had a Mexican vibe.

This Amazon skirt was so staticy that I was uncomfortable. I had not washed it before wearing it because I was worried it would shrink. I have not worn it since but I will let you know if it improved. I love a palm print.

The dress after the repair.

This needed a sweater. I brought one but our classroom temps had regulated by then.

And, I tried my hair straight this day. I wore my new cow print consignment wedge slides and they were pretty comfy.

Last day of school and I wore this easy to throw on top again. I think I forgot a photo when I wore it the first time.

Do you have a favorite? Mine are the dress I wore twice and most of the outfits with the Chico’s black pants. I wore the white faux Birkenstocks a lot and the black Reef sandals a lot for my footwear.

That was fun but I’m tired. I’m not sure you want to see my What I Wore posts for a while! Ha!

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

How was your Memorial Day weekend? I want to say thank you to all who served and my thoughts are with you if you were remembering someone yesterday.

Here is my weekend wrap-up…

Friday was the last work day for teachers and the Class of 2021 graduation. This is the day we pack up our rooms, finalize grades, stuff like that. I finished all of that Thursday in anticipation of not having as much time to do that with graduation. It was supposed to be at 9:00 but we pushed it back to 11:00. It was basically the same forecast for both times. It was rainy and ugly and the first year to have it on our football field. Normally we have it at an arena at our fairgrounds, but due to Covid all of our district’s graduations were held outside. I was a ticket taker and had to stand in the rain from 9:30-11:30. I wore my rainboots and a rain jacket so I was o.k. I loved having it at our school and it was so much more special in my opinion. (It was a bit hard for me personally since my kids didn’t get a graduation last May and I think we could have done it just like this last July.) They did have a Class of 2020 graduation later in the day Friday but my boys weren’t interested and I wasn’t going to push it. If I had really wanted them to do it I think they would’ve.

After the graduation ended around 12:30 we had box lunches, a speech by our principal, and a farewell to our retirees. We were giddy to be done with this crazy year!

After work, I just went home, had a cocktail, read a bit, sat on the patio with Tom later in the afternoon, and I was just so tired. I felt like I should be celebrating out somewhere, but it was still rainy. Tom suggested ordering pizza so that is what we did.

I am almost done with this; it is cute!

Saturday was so cold! I went to Target to do a couple of returns without a mask! It is so nice to have my glasses fog-free!

Later in the day Tom and I went in Kohl’s and we are seeing this sign in the windows of several businesses. Is it the same in your area?

Mason and I went to a little market.

Lots of color on Mason; most of these items are thrifted!

The market was really little so we walked to a couple of other locally owned shops.

Then, Jack and Mason weren’t interested so it was just Tom and I for Cruella. I wasn’t that excited but Tom wanted to see it. I loved it. It was really good!

I cooked Mexican for dinner and we watched a couple of shows with the four of us.

Sunday it was still a bit chilly but the skies were blue and the sun was out.

Tom and I went to Captain’s Quarters and ordered salad and a Greek pizza.

We headed home around dinner and I made sliders, corn, and potatoes.

Monday we went out again and it was warmer.

We passed a riverboat.

How about you? What was the highlight?

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Friday, May 28, 2021

Well, my first favorite is that I will be finished with my responsibilities for this school year at 2:30 today! What a year! I am linking up with Andrea, etc. right here!

When I got home from school yesterday (the last day of school for students), Jack and Mason had bought cake to celebrate me. I was so touched!

These two sweet girls gave me a mug with their photo and Spanish names on it!

You’ve just got to laugh – at 8:30 on the last day of school the fire alarm went off and we had to go outside for 20 minutes.

I got a new Pioneer Woman! Love this magazine and reading magazines out in the sun feels very summer to me.

On Monday, our seniors did their senior walk and a sweet girl gave me this cup that says “I am a Spanish teacher. What is your superpower?”

If you are low carb or watching your carbs, these tortillas are delicious. I also bought the larger size.

I bought the Truly Punch and they may give my black Trulys a run for their money.

My little pot of flowers seem to be doing well and now I want more.

What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many! Does it feel like summer in your neck of the woods?

There is no Hello Monday due to Memorial Day. See you back here Tuesday – I hope!

Happy Weekend,

Amy

Thursday, May 27, 2021

I am not sure I can call this a “haul” because I didn’t get that much, but here we go!

I think I like TJ Maxx more than Homegoods. I go to a really small TJ Maxx, but it has lots of good stuff.

The candy is too tempting, right? I got these for my son’s friends who were coming over that day.

Remember that I am doing my deck in lemons? I specifically went to TJ Maxx to look for a faux lemon tree. I had seen some months ago. I found this on clearance!

I haven’t developed any new cocktails in a quite some time and I am sad. Actually, I have been drinking less, too. But, this intrigued me. I have seen elderberry on lots of cocktail menus. Stay tuned…there may be a new recipe soon.

The Michel brand of soaps are just gorgeous. I may keep this or I may give it in a gift for someone. This was in the check out line. Don’t you just love how you get to keep shopping while waiting in line?

Look how beautiful this sea salt soap is! I needed a new kitchen hand soap.

And, here is where I placed my lemon pot.

And, you know I couldn’t not check the shoe section! I got these because I am attracted to the studs and they match my bright pink swimsuit. Total impulse purchase, but I am happy!

Are you a TJ Maxx shopper?

I love to see what other people buy!

Amy

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Happy Hump Day! I am linking up with The Style Six right here! Check them out!

Here is what I have worn over the last week. I am trudging along with my 32 outfits for my 32 days of in-person learning if you are new here!

This is a Savanna Jane blouse from a local boutique, an old LulaRoe Cassie skirt, and my Reef sandals. Extra credit if you can spot my self-tanner mistake!

Next up is a go-to outfit for me that you may have seen in the past – not this year, though! My Chico consignment pants that I have more than gotten my $10 worth from, an old Loft tassel blouse, and a black and white TJ Maxx kimono made up this outfit. I wore my red Saltwaters for comfort. Yes, yes, yes – I highly recommend Saltwater sandals. The flat does nothing for my leg line, but they are such good quality and, legend has it that you can get them wet. If you have a little girl, they are a classic.

I wore these pants after school for a happy hour one day, but I never wore them to school this year. These were a major Versona clearance rack find years ago. I think I paid $8 for them at the end of the summer season. My top is from Costco a few years ago; it was maybe $12. And, for comfort I am wearing my faux Birkenstocks from Amazon. Again, a bit of a heel would help the leg line, but I am dressing for comfort right now.

Here I have on a Savanna Jane clearance blouse from last year, Matilda Jane consignment pants, and consignment Birks (the real deal).

And, finally, I have a bonus weekend outfit for you! I have on my new Target Universal Thread pink shorts ($15) with a favorite long sleeve blouse. I love long sleeves with shorts for some reason. My sandals are Soda from Amazon. The shorts have a matching top that is on its way to me. I ordered one size and it was too small so I re-ordered. I am not sure I can pull off the matching set look. Stay tuned… But, I liked the shorts enough that I kept them even if their sister top is a fail. I was happy to also find that the shorts match my cactus top that I love. It is the best when you keep finding items in your closet that work with a new item, no? The pink and black feels very early 2000s to me. Is this combo back?

What have you worn this week? Are there any summer styles you are trying?

Amy

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

I think I got this recipe from Facebook? Someone shared it and I took a screen shot. Two days later I got a bag of the juiciest, ripest strawberries from cousin Hollis (Thank you, Hollis!). It was fate.

Look at that!

It isn’t a super sweet bread. It is big on the strawberry flavor.

And, the glaze is amazing. I think you could double the glaze.

Alright…here we go!

For the Bread:

MIx:

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

In another bowl mix:

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Now add those two bowls together and mix, but don’t over mix.

Cut up 2 cups of strawberries and coat in 2 T. of flour and add that to the batter.

Pour the batter into a greased 9 x 5 bread loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let bread cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely.

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 T. butter

1/3 cup finely diced strawberries

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1-2 T. heavy cream or milk (depends on the consistency you prefer)

Spread the glaze on top of the loaf and slice.

Let me know if you try it!

Amy

Monday, May 24, 2021

Hello Monday and hello dear readers! How are you this morning? I am happy to link up with Heather, Tanya, and others right here for Hello Monday!

Let’s go back to Friday! I came home from school, rested a bit, and then got motivated to cook dinner. Our restaurants are getting crazy on Friday and Saturday nights! You can tell that people are just done and want to go out! So, I didn’t want to fight any crowds. We had angel hair with alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, and mushrooms. I heated up Trader Joe’s fried ravioli in the oven with some marinara (this was a new to me product – I do recommend; broil for a couple of minutes at the end or, if you have an air fryer, that would be perfect for this).

After dinner, Tom, Ernie, and I went to the river to put the battery charger on the boat and let Ernie swim. It was a beautiful night and it has felt like summer all weekend long; in fact, it is like we skipped to July. I am hoping for the nice 80s of June before we get to these temps again.

Saturday morning I made myself a simple omelet after my hot coffee and had my Premier Protein vanilla iced coffee alongside of it.

I read a bit before doing some chores. I almost finished this this weekend and I do recommend. It is a bit cheesy and unrealistic, but it is cute.

Next up is one of these summer reads!

In the afternoon, we invited my mom’s cousin’s daughter and her husband to go on a boat ride. We only met at the end of March! You may remember my photos from the beautiful lunch we had. We had a really nice day cruising around and stopping at Captain’s Quarters.

Hollis gave me this marine candle and I love it! She and her husband Greg are lovely people and this was the first time Tom had met them. We both have two boys and have lots in common which is so funny.

We hopped off the boat and hustled to our evening plans. Who am I? It was the first concert of the season. They didn’t have any last year and this year they have a reduced number. Our friends met us and we had food truck food and snacks I brought.

We just barely lasted until sunset. Tom and I were wiped out! I took a shower and watched Veronica Mars with my kids and then went to bed later than normal.

Sunday morning I slept in until almost 8:00!

Then, after my coffee, I made strawberry bread! Hollis had gone to a strawberry patch and gave us a big bag of strawberries. I coincidentally had just saved this recipe on my phone.

Recipe coming this week!

Then, I did lots of cleaning, Home Depot for plants, TJ Maxx (haul post coming this week), and Kroger for just a few things. Mason had friends over on the patio and I made them some snacks.

It was a nice and full weekend! I have one more week. We have 2 days with Group A, 2 days with Group B, and Friday is teacher closing day and graduation. It is surreal, y’all. One one hand I can’t believe I’ve almost made it – we had to pivot so many times. But, on the other hand, it seems like we only just came back to school because we did! I think I have gotten the closure I needed. I think the kids that returned to in-person got some nice closure and will end with happy memories. I do think I will be processing this year for a bit. I have changed. I have learned so much. I apologize if I’m talking too much about school!

And, let’s talk about masks for a moment. Over the last week and a half I have gone maskless in Trader Joe’s, Home Depot, and Fresh Market. I still had to wear one in TJ Maxx and Kroger. It feels so good to be maskless; so tired of my glasses fogging up especially! Now, my family of four are all vaccinated so we may be a different story. I know there are families with kids that aren’t old enough to be vaccinated and if they want to still wear masks that is totally fine. I wish I didn’t have to wear a mask this week to school; it is not ideal in a language class – for me or them. Also, I have lots of fully vaccinated students, but not all, of course.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Amy

Friday, May 21, 2021

Happy Friday! I am happy to link up today with Andrea, etc. right here!

How was your week? MIne was pretty good, but man, am I ready for next Friday afternoon! Freedom!

My oldest/first niece graduated from University of Kentucky nursing program last weekend. She has had her first job lined up for a few months and I am so proud of her!

I can now show you my mother’s day gift for my mom because I gave it to her last weekend. This set of bracelets and…

this personalized pillow from Etsy. These are my mom’s grandchildren in birth order. I did the same for Tom’s mom, but with a candle instead of the bracelets.

My mom’s best friend got this succulent for a thank you gift for coming to Jack’s play.

Sunday afternoon after I had already done my Hello Monday post, Tom and I went to an art fair! It felt so good and so normal!

The tap on the right says “mimosa”!

I think it is a mimosa style beer or flavor of beer and it was yummy! We also bought gourmet popcorn but left without any art.

I have been reading this when I have a chance and I really like it.

This Facebook memory of baby Ernie popped up. We brought him home in March and I so enjoyed my first summer with my boy!

I took a mask-less trip to Trader Joe’s this week!

And my final favorite for the week was this sweet message from a kid!

What were your favorites this week?

Hope you had many!

Amy