Friday, August 22, 2025

Happy Friday! I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for the most fun post of the week!

This week went by quickly for me! I did something I’ve been putting off which made me feel accomplished, I took something to the tailor, I did some adulting by meeting with our financial planner, and I took some things to a donation center. I didn’t shop for recreation in person or online! So, I had a good week I would say!

I knew my prescription was wrong. I only wear glasses now and I really only wear them to drive and watch tv. During the pandemic when I was teaching from home I just stopped putting in my contacts. I was nearsighted and I just didn’t really need them at home and they compromised my up close reading which I did need so I would have to wear readers. I never went back to contacts!

As you get older, nearsightedness improves but of course you do need the readers. So, I hadn’t been to the eye doctor in 4 years. My nearsightedness is better and my up close vision is still not that bad. I opted not to get bifocals or progressive lens but I did opt to get prescription readers.

Here are my new distance vision glasses and they were already ready the same day!

I have to wait two weeks or so for my readers to come in but this is what I chose:

And, prescription sunglasses are a game changer. I had mine stolen last summer from Tom’s car and just never replaced them. I will say it was fun to wear different pairs of cheap sunglasses but lately I had been wearing them over my regular glasses and it was just not a cool look.

I went with classics but these are a more updated aviator than the ones I had before:

This is what I wore – again finding things that work with my new red Free People espadrille Mary Janes! By the way, I ended up wearing these that day from 9 am until 7 pm without ever taking them off. They are that comfortable and breathable.

I should have done my hair because of all the glasses photos I was going to be taking..

I took off my white mani and replaced it with this fun highlighter yellow. I use Impress brand and they really work for me. Here is a more detailed post if you have been curious. I’m sorry I talk about them so much, but these are definitely a favorite.

I ran out of my coconut oil and got a replacement jar. I try to get organic since I’m using it on my face. I use this cute little wooden spoon to get it out of the jar and then the coconut oil melts a bit in your hands. I use this as a makeup remover and just put it on my face before every shower even if I didn’t wear makeup. I also put it on both elbows. I’m not kidding when I say this has been life changing for my skin. I never have dry skin anymore.

Sadly, I finished Gilded Age season 3! This is the season that it got so good but you had to have the back story of seasons 1 and 2, of course. I’m so sad I finished it. The clothes are stunning and it’s interesting to think of what life was like in NYC during the gilded age of our country. And, yes I did some reading about this time period and want to do more!

I’m so sad I finished this book this week, too! I really enjoyed this story!

She also wrote The Flatshare which I loved. I can’t remember if I tried to watch the show version of that book. I think I tried it and didn’t like it.

Now, I have started this and love it so far!

I guess my iphone photos used to be this bad, but I came across this middle school photo of my boys this week. The went to public school but wore uniforms from K-8 and I loved it! Jack is in the black and Mason is in the gold. You can see their silly personalities in this photo.

I came across this photo of Eddie Otis’ dad Terry and thought I would compare EO now that he is growing up. He won’t be two years old until February but I feel like he might be at his full grown size now.

Dad Terry:

Son Eddie Otis:

Do you think they look alike? Terry has a really interesting face. Do you give dogs voices? I feel like Terry has a real country accent and is maybe a red neck.

Did I tell you that I connected with Eddie Otis’ brother Rowdy on Facebook? Well, I connected with Rowdy’s mom. They really look alike. The kennel where we got EO has a Facebook page and that is how I get to see other pups.

This week Eddie Otis stole my bra and ran around the house with it. It was in my bathroom. He also found a nickel and chewed on it for awhile until I could get it. If we were to do an x-ray right now there’s no telling what would be in his stomach. Have I told you how many socks he’s eaten? This dog!

You all seemed to really enjoy talking about extroverts and introverts this week and that made me happy!

I came across this photo of Frida Kahlo with the headline about an “otrovert”. Oh no!

Isn’t that just a human emotion that we sometimes all feel? Come on now, we don’t need another classification.

I kind of forgot about this CFA drink but got it again this week. It’s the pineapple dragonfruit lemonade and I got the diet version. It’s super sweet. It’s limited so try it soon if that sounds like something you would like, too!

This was my mom’s favorite comfort food and I needed it this week. It’s just macaroni noodles and tomato sauce.

Erica is keeping me in the loop about school stuff (Erica is my former co-worker/Spanish teacher/bestie from work) and there has been some drama. I had an afternoon coffee this week and this mug seemed appropriate! She gave this to me, too – “It’s not my problem anymore!” And, we are talking about the other adults in the building causing the drama. The kids are great! There are power hungry people in schools, too. They want more meetings than is necessary and they forget what they are they for – the kids!

I made taco salad again this week and used this mini Doritos and I think they work great for a taco salad. They are so cute!

I thought this was interesting…

I think people are just struggling with how expensive eating out has become! I love that more people are cooking at home. I especially love how many of my twenty something former students are learning to meal prep and cook and my own kids are included in that. Many of my former students post their meals on Instagram!

If you have a Fresh Market near you, I found out they have $5 pizzas on Tuesdays that are 12 inches (so pretty big!) and they have some great flavors. They also have $5 sushi on Thursdays. These little deals are good to remember in this high priced food economy.

Isn’t this the truth?

Like I said, I took another load to donation this week. I decided it doesn’t have to be huge but that every load I take can bless someone else and help me manage my spaces.

Love this!

Are you suffering from “friendflation”? I was recently thinking about how expensive being a bridesmaid has gotten. There is almost always a bachelorette trip now.

It’s good to have friends that want to do cheaper activities.

I love this!

Many of you commented on me standing in line for a ham. It wasn’t just any ham. But, yes, it is kind of like Christmas with the Kranks movie! Honeybaked ham has a heavenly crust baked in and it really is the best ham you will ever have. You ordered it online or on the phone back then and had certain windows to pick it up, I think. I just felt that I had to explain that – lol.

Well, happy Friday to you! What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

Thursday, August 21, 2025

It’s Thursday and fashion day with Kellyann and Jill.

I wore this TJ Maxx blouse to happy hour last Friday.

I ordered light denim straight leg Halaras (also pull on – no zipper) and they were too long. I accidentally ordered regular instead of petite, but even if I had ordered petite I think they would have been too long. So, I took them to my tailor to hem them. The wide legs above are petite and almost too long with a couple of inch heel. I love my tailor. She is so sweet. She said I hadn’t been there in a long time and that is so true. I kid you not, there is a cobbler right next door. If only there was a candlestick maker. Wait – I think I got that wrong. By the way, the cobbler does more than just cobble. I think he fixes purses and belts, too.

I got a new denim miniskirt! It was less than $10 at Walmart and was exactly what I was looking for! I think it is no out of stock or close to out of stock, sadly. Maybe you could find it in the store in person? Also, the price has gone up to $16. It is still in stock in many sizes in the beige version.

This is my new white sleeveless. I wore this to run an errand and learned not to wear this kimono while driving. I got it caught in my seatbelt buckle. This kimono has already been fixed from my “accident” at school. I zipped it up in my jeans zipper and it was stuck and I couldn’t finish zipping or get it unstuck alone. Erica had to come in the bathroom and help me get it out and we were both late to our classes.

I got some new Nikes for fall. I really liked this combo and I think I will wear them with jeans, too.

What do you all think of the longer sock trend? It’s growing on me. I mean – if it weren’t 95 degrees. I had to hurry and strip these suckers off.

Here are two I am trying. The ones above are here. And, I also got ruffled ones here. These were both Kathleen Jennings recs if you follow her.

You might remember I was looking for a basic black and basic white sleeveless shirt to wear under things, but you might not because who cares besides me? I went to Clothes Mentor and found both for about $7 each. Then, I went to Sassy Fox to see their early fall and fall offerings. They started taking fall clothes at the end of July.

I found this Banana Republic cream blouse and it was $9:

I found this Evereve blouse and it was $5:

And, I found this Express cardigan and it was $4:

The pieces were either 50% or 75% off! And, this is why I love consignment shopping. It is a bit of a treasure hunt and the clothes are usually less than the clothes at Goodwill.

Now, I did kind of break my rule. I like to go through my old fall stuff before I bring anything new home. I did not do that yet but the things I bought were pretty practical items I think.

Are you turning to fall fashion yet?

I really am not a Talbot’s shopper. The stuff doesn’t fit me well and I am not quite that conservative/tailored in my style. But, I did work at the Talbot’s Surplus store in Lexington, Kentucky for a bit in the early 90s. I received a fall catalog of theirs in the mail the other day and I swooned and plan to use it for some fall inspo:

I liked the pops of red, the leopard, and the blue. I liked the London background, too.

I also read a really comprehensive denim post by Jo Lynne Shane – check this out if you are curious about denim for fall 2025.

There’s a really weird fall fashion 2025 going on… have you seen the Anthropologie website lately? There are dogs er’where on the clothing.

Well, this was a long one! What have you been wearing lately? What are you wanting to buy for fall?

Amy

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Tom played golf for work at this beautiful club here in Louisville this week!

It’s Wednesday and time for Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. What’s worth standing in line for? 

Gosh, not much. I did stand in line for a Honeybaked Ham a couple of years if I was the one charged with getting it. My mom would often ask me to get one for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I put this photo on Facebook:

Yup. I waited in line for a freaking ham.

2. Tell us about a favorite food related memory. 

My Dad’s mom was a great southern cook and always made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, the whole she-bang. She taught me to make mashed potatoes when I was elementary school aged and she would always laugh that I would choose leftover mashed potatoes later when everyone else was having a piece of pie. My own mom never made mashed potatoes so this was a treat.

My Dad started really enjoying cooking and baking after his career job ended. He was an Air Force pilot and air control commander until he turned 50 and had to retire from the military. Then, he flew a local chemical company corporate air plane but had lots of free time. He got into baking bread. He made bean soup. We would often talk about recipes. I still think of him often in regards to things I know he would love. He loved everything I made, though, and always told me it was amazing. He also loved my cocktail concoctions I came up with even though he wasn’t a big drinker. He would have one beer after mowing the lawn. He would have one thing if it was offered to him. But, my parents never had a liquor cabinet. My mom didn’t drink at all.

I would bring things like “Santa’s Tipsy Spritzer” to Christmas or my Fall Sangria to Thanksgiving and he always seemed like he couldn’t believe I could make those drinks!

Here is an example of something I came up with but I don’t remember the name:

3. What are some things you find particularly peaceful or calming? 

My puppy’s light snore

Waterfalls

Rain

Libraries

Classical music

4. Is there something you do now that gets you just as excited as it did when you were a child? 

A library haul! What could be better than a massive stack of books to read that I didn’t have to pay for? I still get excited and always show the photo of my book haul.

New shoes! I distinctly remember always wearing the new shoes out of the store and putting my old ones in the box. Did your mom let you do that? My mom wasn’t as shoe obsessed but she always told people it was her fault because she dressed me up like a doll from day one. I always had a bow in my hair, too. I still love new shoes more than new clothes.

5. To what degree are you in touch with friends from grade school? high school? college if you attended college? 

I am still in touch with quite a few people that I went to grade school, junior high (that’s what we called grades 7-9), and high school. Many of them live in Louisville which is the closest big city to my hometown of Madison, Indiana.

My two college besties live here, too. I am also in touch with other college friends but mainly on social media. I see them every now and again and it’s like no time has passed.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I went ahead and bought this and I have used it already! Yum!

I really love all things pumpkin!

What would you say to any of these questions today?

Amy

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

I went through my whole life thinking I was an extrovert but about five years ago I found out there were such people called “introverted extroverts” and “extroverted introverts”. Hmmm. So, now I think I am actually closer to one of those categories, but for the purposes of this post let’s go with…

Amy is an extrovert. Tom is an introvert.

Extroverts by definition: Extroverts are often “social, talkative, optimistic, outgoing, gregarious, friendly, and willing to take risks,” says Nancy Colier, psychotherapist, public speaker, and author of The Emotionally Exhausted Woman. Unlike introverts, when they are going through a problem or issue, “they are more inclined to talk it out with others than internalize and keep it inward,” says Astley. “They easily express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions and are action-oriented.”

With that said, being an extrovert may have its costs in many scenarios. For example, “Since extroverts are fast processors, they may unintentionally say embarrassing things that result in a need for relational repair,” says Charnin.

Um, that is exactly me. I have always loved being the center of attention. I am usually not nervous in social situations or when I have to do public speaking. You know how I am feeling and I talk out my problems with people. And, I have processed too quickly and stuck my foot in my mouth a lot.

Introverts by definition: Introverts are often misunderstood and are experienced as being shy, antisocial, and self-centered,” says Astley. “In actuality, introverts do not fear people or socializing with people; rather, they prefer to limit their interactional time and enjoy intimate gathering over large ones.”

…since introverts are so aware of their inner world, they have a great capacity to speak with thoughtful intention, which can be beneficial for honing relationships. When it comes to making decisions, introverts tend to “focus on their internal thoughts and feelings rather than external forces,” says Astley. This is why they are known to be quieter than extroverts. Instead of talking things out with another person, they prefer to spend time alone to come to their own conclusions. “One of their many strengths is that introverts make great active listeners,” says Astley.

Umm, that is exactly Tom. He is better one on one and he can talk your ear off if the situation and his mood is right. The most common thing I have heard about Tom is that people were shocked when his personality didn’t match how he first appeared. He is misunderstood sometimes.

I want to credit this article for the above definitions and it’s a good one if you want to delve more deeply into this topic.

I love taking pictures and Tom does not. I love when people know it’s my birthday and Tom does not.

Why is it important to understand your partner’s personality type? I would say it’s also important to know and understand this about your parents, siblings, kids, co-workers, etc. I think we can take things personally if we misunderstand someone.

I have wanted Tom to make quicker decisions in the past and now I realize he needs time to process things. I have mistaken his personality for his feelings towards me in the past.

I worked with an extreme introvert. I found out she was really funny on text message or on Instagram DMs, but you would not know that if you only interacted with her in person. She wasn’t going to walk down to my room and chat, but she liked to “talk” in other forms. I think understanding her was beneficial to my work relationship with her.

That is also some food for thought. Are we more extroverted around certain people and more introverted around others? We have all met people where the conversation feels natural and we just jibe and we have all met people where it felt like pulling teeth and there were awkward silences, no?

Do you believe opposites attract? I kind of do. I think we can complement each other when we have different strengths. I know for a fact that Tom has helped me slow down, not be too wordy, be more patient, and much more. I think I have helped him to make decisions, take more risks and to be more social.

What we have in common: We are both the first borns in our families of origin. We both have a strong work ethic. We are both frugal and practical. We are routine-oriented. We both love learning new things. We are both interested in other countries and cultures. We have the same sense of humor and make each other laugh.

Tom loves tv. He seriously loves it. I prefer reading even though I do also enjoy tv. I can usually read in the same room so we are spending time together. If Tom is home, the tv is usually on. I don’t turn tv on during the day very much at all.

Tom gets all the socializing he needs at work. He goes to lunch everyday because he needs to get out of the office and this becomes social time as he always takes some guys with him. He knows I need to go out to dinner to get a break from cooking about once a week. He knows I need to be social sometimes. It’s not that he doesn’t value our friendships, but he just doesn’t need to be as social as I do.

I would like to make sure I do something social alone once or twice a week so that I can respect his need to be at home and not socializing. We’ve generally done pretty well with this.

He doesn’t get home until almost 6:00 on the weeknights and then his bestie Eddie Otis needs lots of attention. So, going out on weeknights just isn’t in the cards for Tom in this season. But, he is happy to go out on the weekend and he is fine if it’s just he and I.

The thing is…we really aren’t that different. I like to be home and showered and in my pjs early and go to bed on the early side so I feel my best. I want to eat mostly at home and like to cook.

Are you interested in this topic? Would you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert? If you have a partner, are you opposites?

Amy

Monday, August 18, 2025

It’s Monday and that means it’s link up day with Sarah and Holly. I didn’t take many photos this weekend but the star of my weekend was my AC unit. I’m tired of talking about the heat. I apologize.

Is this the first sign of fall?

Still looks like summer!

I’m reading this and it’s cute but a bit sad and slow moving.

Friday Mason and I did a happy hour and I had a lovely blueberry lemon drop martini…

and Mason picked the appetizer of a local bread with dipping oil, balsamic, and butter…

We stopped at Fresh Market to get some dinner for everyone and I picked up Jenn’s fave ice cream. You don’t need much because it is rich but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever tasted!

I went to bed early Friday night. I got my Shingles shot on Wednesday and I didn’t really have side effects except I was very tired.

Saturday Tom and Eddie Otis went out and did their thing and I cleaned for two hours and I loved it. I washed rugs, too!

I still love my hall bath so much…

And, I still love my bathroom so much!

I also cleaned the basement bathroom. I might take a photo of that one, soon, for you. I determined I needed to get some new rugs for that one because I think the rugs were at least 10 years old. So, I went out to Target along with my library pick up. I also bought new hand towels and soaps.

You guys….acorn spice is out!

Here are my two library pick ups:

It’s almost time to stop reading summer books, no?

Tom took me out to a very fancy dinner after reading and staying in the AC the rest of Saturday. We went to Rooster’s! It’s a chain but I’m not sure where they are located.

We split the onion feathers but the rest of my meal was healthy – salad and grilled chicken.

Sunday I enjoyed my frothy coffee and Tom’s amazing fan.

What about you? Did you also stay inside in the AC?

Amy

Friday, August 15, 2025

Happy Friday to all who celebrate! That’s just a little joke from the retired world.

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some faves.

I would like to share a deep thought before we get into the weekly favorites. I ran into a friend at Trader Joe’s and she just closed her retail business at pretty much the same time I retired. So, we were both chatting about both being retirees. I told her I was kind of tired of people asking what I am going to do and why I had to do anything. A lady in her 70s (I would guess) chimed in and said, “that’s exactly right. You go, girls. You have already done your part.” It was nice to get that validation.

And, yes, I live in a place where strangers regularly strike up conversations or join in and I love it!

Now for some favorites…

Monday as the school children were playing behind our house on the elementary playground I snapped this photo of Eddie looking longingly like he wanted to be part of it:

Isn’t that the sweetest? It was until he decided it was time to bark his head off!

Monday I had to get two cavities filled! I haven’t had a filling for 30 years and I only had one filling. Boo! But, the people at the dentist office are so nice and my friend is my dentist!

My reward after was getting to see Madeleine, my former student who taught in Madrid and is going back in September to do another year at the same school.

My outfit for dentist and coffee shop was a favorite:

I always feel weird sharing stuff like this but this blog is also for my memories. I got a follow request on IG from a former student that I honestly didn’t think liked me very much, and, honestly he could be difficult.

Awww! We had a nice little chat back and forth! We have to love them through their high school years and then they come out on top I guess. It’s just a reminder to tell people you appreciate(d) them because it can really make someone’s day.

Sister Kate (she said she sounds like a nun when I say that and I can assure you she is definitely not – lol) asked if my encounters with former students made me sad and I honestly don’t think so. Seeing Madeleine and hearing from the IG former student make me happy.

This book has all the stuff you would think it has to get you motivated…

I really loved this. I have friends and family who can’t park their car in their garage! I also loved “just because you have the space to store it doesn’t mean you should”.

Is anyone else concerned about the literal storage unit businesses we have popping up all the time in this country?

Anyway, what do you do if the clutter isn’t your problem yet? Also, this book has lots of bad words if you are sensitive to that. You can’t really do anything about someone else’s clutter unless they ask you for help in my opinion.

I made copycat Taco Bell enchiritos for dinner this week and I loved them! I never ordered that but apparently it was a thing. Here is the recipe I used.

And, I served it with a Caesar salad because Caesar salad was developed in Mexico! Look at me still teaching!

The next night I made Kristin’s Caesar wraps and added bacon:

Target has really great super chopped salad mixes and I used this:

Lots of Caesar going on around here!

For my baking this week I made such a good peanut butter chocolate bar. You put graham crackers in the peanut butter mixture and it added a little something something. It’s only a 5 ingredient recipe with no baking involved. You’ve got to try this if you are a pb/choc fan.

I also made the Kat James lentil recipe again this week. I can’t get enough of that for my lunches. I actually liked the canned lentils better than the Trader Joe’s refrigerated lentils and you can find canned lentils at any grocery.

Did you know that I am not allowed to step foot on my school property until a 3 month break in service from the date of my retirement? I can’t even go to a football game until October 1. So, I asked Erica to do a pick up at my driveway and I gave her an enchirito, lentils, and some chocolate peanut butter bars for her lunches this week. Erica is my old meal prep partner. I wanted to make her first 5 day week a little easier.

I did a Kroger pick up this week. I went in to the store on Saturday did a pick up mid-week. If you read my Grocery Epiphany post you read that I am trying to buy less at a time to make sure I am using up my food. Pick up is free with a $35 purchase and we all know it’s not hard to get to $35 these days. Go back and read the comments on that post. My readers have a wealth of tips.

I am trying to send more cards and the recipient of this one texted me that they loved it!

I finished this – loved it!

And, I started this. It starts out quite melancholy.

I’ve been putting this off but I finally did it – got my first of the Shingles shot series. I walked around for the 15 minute period that they want you to wait. They gave me a coupon but I didn’t buy anything yet.

Fall stuff it out! I am team love candy corn.

I love to have some seasonal plates and napkins for happy hours and get togethers. I especially like the small cocktail plates and napkins. This reminds me of my mom. She had so many paper products on hand at all times. I am still using some of her napkins that I thought were cute.

It’s been fun and not sad to think of all the ways I am like my mom and the seasonal napkins and plates is definitely one of them. The little ghosts with the glasses are super cute, too. Maybe this is how I will spend my Walgreen’s 20% off coupon.

I feel like this post is getting long because I type like I would talk to you, I guess. It’s like a long one-sided conversation.

I was so, so, so thrilled when Nordstrom.com came through for me! My sister Molly had her bday on Wednesday and she is a big Nike girl. As a first grade teacher she only wears sneakers to school now. Nordstrom told me these wouldn’t arrive til Friday but they were there when she got home on her actual birthday! Yay!

She sent me this picture and said she loved them. They are grey but they look lavender.

Bad photo but Mason, Tom, and I had Mediterranean this week and it hit the spot. This fed all three of us with the addition of some pita and hummus and some sidewinder fries with a spicy dipping sauce. This is rice, salmon, and chicken. It’s so good. It’s Shiraz if you are local.

Tom turned on the patio lights for me the other morning. I am out of the habit of it and enjoyed seeing this when I got up and went outside.

And, that’s a wrap for my favorites of the week! I’d love to hear one of yours and thanks for reading!

Amy

Thursday, August 14, 2025

It’s Fashion day with Kellyann and Jill!

Who is starting to think about fall clothes? Once school starts back I start to think about all things fall. Of course, we will be wearing summer clothes for quite a bit longer, but it’s fun to think about at least!

The ankle jean is back! Now that we have all gotten rid of our ankle jeans, of course! So what I am seeing, is that your ankles are showing so a kick crop or a straight leg with ankle showing would be the most current.

I read that the wide leg will still be in style and the straight leg will still be in style, too. They say the barrel will be, too, but that is not a look for me. And, you know, wear what works for you! I do think the super skinny jegging type jean looks all wrong on me now.

I placed a Halara order for their straight leg pull on jean. I accidentally picked regular instead of petite and then tried to correct it with customer service but I am not sure I was successful. I really don’t want to have to have them hemmed but maybe it would be worth it. We shall see. I will let you know when they come in.

I have been so happy and gotten my money’s worth from my three identical pairs of wide legs from them. I have this medium blue below, light denim, and black. If you have been wanting to try them, I would say do it. My blog reader Kim swears by them as well and took them on her Alaska cruise and wore them the most!

The medium blue are the lightest weight (I think the light blue and black are a little bit heavier material) and I have surprised myself by how much I have pulled them on this summer. The flowy legs allow for air to move whereas if you had sausage casing jeans on in the summer you would not get that same effect!

Meh to this outfit. I was trying to wear my various blouses. I think I just ran to the store. I have a lot of issues with blouse lengths. Sometimes they are so long they are not flattering.

This is what I wore on my first day of NOT going to school after my photo I took. I have loved the white gauzy shirt especially this summer, but I have it in black and hot pink,too. I have the pink and white and red and white versions of these boxer short type shorts. I took myself to breakfast, a pedicure, Starbucks, and to buy fall magazines in this ‘fit.

This is my favorite outfit of the week. I wore my new TJ Maxx fruit blouse with my old Target cut offs and my new Free People espadrille Mary Janes.

I wore the above to go to the new wine bar that turned out to be closed that day. Wasted outfit! Ha!

For the Saturday night wedding I wore this boutique brand She & Sky dress that I found at my consignment store for $12 along with consignment heels that I have had for 3 years or so. They are Target A New Day but they are pretty comfortable for a heel.

And, this is my second favorite outfit of the week. I have two dresses in this style with pretty thick cotton material and pockets. They are both from Walmart. I pictured this dress with red shoes and tried it out and loved it. I also have red clogs and I think I did that before with those.

I mentioned that many of my dresses and skirts felt too teachery. I do not think this one feels it.

Here is the pink version of the same dress. It is a little different in the back and the hemline.

I love my new shoes!

Some red espadrille inspo:

They are not a bright red but more of a muted red and when looking in my closet I couldn’t believe how much I have that will work with them. I was picturing just jeans and a white blouse, too.

I bought another pair of Target Wild Fable shorts. They were still $14 and not on sale in store. These are a brownish purplish color and I took the photo at night so the photo is not representative.

For fall/winter, I am thinking about buying these Birkenstock dupes from Quince. These appeal to me because the price is less than half of the Birks and because they are water repellent.

I have never ordered from Quince. I have heard only good things.

So, pretty soon – like September – it will feel weird to wear my summery colors and fabrics, tropical prints, and things like that. I think it’s so important to have early fall transition pieces. Over the years I have tried to have some summer weight things in fallish colors.

I always like to inventory what I have that I still love and still loves me (lol) before buying anything new.

I’m still figuring out my retirement lewk, of course! I do want to get dressed each day!

I want to have less stuff but more stuff that I love. I want to have more quality and less quantity.

What have you been wearing?

Have you bought anything for fall?

Amy

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

I told myself I wouldn’t mention anyone’s birthday on the blog because I wouldn’t want to leave anyone from my IRL out and have them be mad at me, but it’s my baby sister’s birthday! I still remember the day she came home from the hospital. I was so excited! She is next to me in this photo so you can see our age difference of 7 years. I’m in the Snoopy bathing suit. We were always buddies. She fought with the middle sister but I don’t think she and I ever fought. We had a little dance routine we did together where I would hold her and swing her around.

I sent her a gift and I hope she will be surprised and really like it!

1. August is National Golf month…do you play? Do you enjoy following golf? Have you ever been to a professional tournament? 

I do not. I do not. I have been to Valhalla once here in Louisville for some significant tournament with Tom.

Can I talk about Top Golf? We went there for a work event and it is terrifying. We were on the third floor and I could have so easily tripped and fallen into the net and then plummeted to the ground.

2. Astronaut Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame passed away this past Thursday. Are you interested in outer space and what’s happening today in terms of space exploration? If space travel became common in your lifetime would you go? How do you personally relate to the idea of exploring something vast and mysterious…does the idea excite you, intimidate you, or something else? 

I am not really. I don’t understand how planes work let alone how a space ship works. I did take a bit of interest in the rich and famous people that flew to the edge of space recently for a crazy sum of money. No thank you. I was also very invested in the poor astronauts who only prepared to be in space for a week at the space station but then had to stay for months. The poor female astronaut went gray in space and people talked about how much she aged. Come on now! That’s just mean! She only planned to be in space for a week. I told my students they thought they had a bad day; think about those two.

3. Describe your communication style in three words. 

Honest, blunt, direct

I used to say I could express my feelings better in writing but I have gotten better with my verbal abilities. I hope that I express my feelings with kindness and understanding but if you ask for my opinion you are going to get it. I also realize the older that I get that I may not have the answer. When you are younger you feel that you have it all figured out. I know now that I do not.

4. Do you have a favorite cookbook? A favorite celebrity chef? Do you watch any cooking shows on TV? 

I used to have a small tv in the corner of my kitchen counter and I loved watching cooking shows while I cooked. Pioneer Woman was always my favorite but I wouldn’t say it was healthy cooking so I moved away from her recipes. Damaris Phillips is a local celebrity chef who is on Food Network.

My favorite cookbooks are the church cookbooks or cookbooks where people submit their best recipes. They are seriously the best!

5. As a child did you have any back to school traditions? If so, did you carry on those same traditions with your own children? Do you have any back to school traditions you’ve started on your own? 

I don’t remember having any traditions other than buying a new lunch box – the metal kind with a character on it. We had LLBean backpacks before they were trendy and those lasted us for years. I guess we went to Kmart to get school supplies. It just didn’t seem to be as big of a production back then. I was always excited, though! I loved school!

I always took my kids back to school shopping at Target and sometimes we also had to hit Office Max or Depot. They came to my classroom with me to “help” me, too. We always got new tennis shoes for them and Tom was usually involved in that.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I chatted at a coffee shop with Madeleine for two hours on Monday! She is my former student that was an assistant teacher in Madrid last year. She is doing it again this year from September through June at the same school. We had so much to talk about that the two hours just flew by.

As we were finishing up, we noticed two big tables of ladies playing cards. It was around 2:30 at this point. I thought it was so lovely to see this!

What would you say about any of the Hodgepodge topics today?

Amy

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

I feel like I have done it all – shopping in store, pick up, delivery and have been everywhere – Kroger (like any big supermarket), Walmart, Walmart Neighborhood Market (just the grocery part of a Walmart), Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Fresh Market.

I don’t want to even think about how much of my time and mental energy I have used on the task of grocery shopping.

We buy almost all of our gas and groceries on our US Bank Kroger credit card. Kroger is the king supermarket around here and the credit card gives us really good gas discounts. Last month it was ugly. I spent at least $1500 on groceries. That may not even be all of it since sometimes I don’t use the credit card. Since my salary has gone down in retirement, I have been doing a spending audit.

What I am trying now is to buy less. That’s it. It’s that simple. I’m trying to use up what I have before buying more even if it isn’t what I would ideally pick. In order to use it up, buying less is helping me.

I need a less crowded fridge so I don’t waste food. We need to eat what is going to spoil first, too.

Tom likes to take 2 cuties, one banana, and one Oikos Pro yogurt to work so I literally count out how many he needs a week for my list.

I do think by going in you can find some deals and discounts and adjust your meal plan possibly based on what you find. I have been buying some bagged salads that are discounted, for example. It often means that they are expiring that very day or the next. No big deal.

Recently we have eaten:

blackened tilapia sandwiches

BLTs

hot dogs

spaghetti

Doritos Tacos Locos Taco Salad – you make a taco salad and then put Taco Bell mild sauce (bottle from the Mexican aisle at the grocery) and crushed up original Doritos on top

Loaded baked potato and salad

Salmon, broccoli, and potatoes (Tom says he needs a break from the salmon!)

A couple of things I have realized…

It’s ok to have a sandwich for dinner.

It’s ok to not all eat the same thing as the other family members. Use up or repurpose leftovers one night.

You don’t need two sides. You can just have one.

I have more energy in the morning so I made my taco meat in the morning. It’s wonderful to have the bulk of the work done when 5:00 rolls around!

I am trying to embrace the summer meals and foods but looking forward to what I consider to be more fall foods! That bowl of chili at the beginning of my post looks good to me!

If you are a teacher or have kid starting school, I would say plan super simple meals for the first week.

It’s not joke that our groceries are super expensive right now. I do think by sticking to real food and not as much packaged and processed food I can save money. That’s the goal.

So, I used to think that buying more and going in the store/ordering/getting delivery less often (but buying more at a time) saved money but now I feel like buying less at a time is going to save money. I am excited to compare this month’s amount to last month’s of $1500ish.

What grocery epiphanies have you had recently?

What meals have you been cooking or craving?

Amy

Monday, August 11, 2025

How was your weekend? Mine was good! Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday!

Thursday was our district’s first day back to school so I did some self-care and had some fun and if you read my post Friday you saw this:

And, I kept my fun day going by NOT cooking dinner, either! We went to a new to us sushi drive-thru – yes I said sushi drive-thru for take out and I was impressed! Mason is usually home at dinner time with us so we have started the new season of The Bear.

I love their ginger dressing!

I did a white press on mani that would work/go with my pink pedi.

Friday I did chores around the house – trying to feel out the back to school traffic and didn’t want to be on either end of it and I did mention it, but there is tons of road construction near my house. But, around 2:30, Mason agreed to go with me to a new wine tasting room from a Washington state vineyard.

Sadly, it was closed for a private event that was happening later, but the chef had us come in and look around and poured us two wines to taste. He did not have to do that! So nice! So, if you are local, check out The Wine Room by J.Bell Wines. I asked him what the Louisville/Washington state connection was and he said the owner of the vineyard is from Louisville. So, now I really want to support a business that was so nice to me!

Mason and I couldn’t think of another place we wanted to go and the traffic was getting bad so we went home. I made salmon and over cooked potato wedges and Trader Joe’s vegetable nests.

Eddie Otis slept in on Saturday morning and I thought this photo was so funny!

He’s so long when he stretches out!

Tom took EO out for a couple of hours and mama had some peace. I am loving this book!

More eggs with chives…

I went to the library and their themed bookshelf was “dog days of summer”…

I got this:

and this…

The second one is written by “Messie Condo”. I’m pretty sure that’s a pen name.

I also went in to Kroger and I did in person shopping again.

I am obsessed with Cobb salads lately and had one for lunch.

I had to make the smart, adult decision later in the afternoon, guys. I could hardly stand in these shoes, let alone walk. Does someone not test out a shoe? I’d like to see the person that can walk in these. So, I am returning them.

I went with my old consignment shoes that I bought to be in my friend’s wedding a few years ago. So, this dress is consignment for $12 and the shoes were consignment for about the same amount. I did decide to wear my rosé earrings to add a little spice.

We were off to our friends’ daughter’s wedding at a botanical garden about 20 minutes away called Yew Dell. Tom said, “this is inside, right?” to which I replied yes. Oops. It was not inside.

Also, we had to walk a long way from the parking lot to the field where the wedding was held so I was so glad about my shoe decision!

Everyone staying in the shade as long as possible:

Some moved chairs to the shade and some stood in the shade.

The reception was outside but it was in an open air pavilion that had a roof and fans.

It was a lovely wedding!

Sunday was going to be another hot day so Tom and I went out on the boat early to beat the heat.

It was lovely and we had the river to ourselves! We had McDonald’s and I had a…

mimosa (when it got a little later)!

I took a shower and then read outside and it wasn’t too bad with my fans going.

I made a late afternoon trip to Target and found some Swedish candy I wanted to try. It wasn’t very sweet, but it was good.

And, I needed more coffee for the week and I couldn’t leave Eddie Otis on the shelf. Doesn’t it look like him?

For reference:

They even have the same collar! I will become Eddie Otis’ agent and he will make us lots of money from his modeling career!

Tell me a highlight from your weekend!

Amy