Friday, January 10, 2025

First of all, I have been living in my own snow globe and I finally came out to see what’s happening in the rest of the country – oops. I cannot imagine the devastation going on in California. The only reference I had to the Santa Ana winds is from the movie The Holiday and this is part of what caused them I read.

It really puts things into perspective if they aren’t already there.

Sorry I have been slow to respond to comments this week, too. With my cold I just haven’t felt much like being on the computer.

So here are some favorites or maybe this week just happenings…

We had snow days all week long (today is another one but teachers are working from home) and I let my skin rest and did nothing but moisturize. It sometimes makes me wonder what would happen to our skin if we literally put nothing on it?

This:

Sorry to scare you like that!

I’m super impressed by this product and I have since looked into more makeup by Catrice, but haven’t purchased anything else yet. The prices are great and it’s available on Amazon. I believe it might be from Germany. I first bought the tan on the right and it worked great, but then my curiosity got the best of me and I ordered the pink and it’s even better for me!

I had my colors done in the 80s and they said that both warm and cool foundations went into my skin naturally. Am I a unicorn? I was a “summer”. I still have the fan of my best colors. I should find that. Does this change with age?

I took down the Christmas and now have a few white and blue things along with twinkle lights just on my mantle.

Old family photo in a snowy frame:

I was wearing a jean blazer from Target and I loved those turquoise beads. I always got my twins the same shirt in coordinating colors. I wish I could go back and squeeze those little things. They still let me hug them which I appreciate. They are actually pretty affectionate. It makes me happy.

Jenn sent me her quiche recipe and I lost it and then I asked for it again:

I switched out the spinach for broccoli. I used frozen broccoli but I heated it and seasoned it up in a skillet before putting it in my pie crust. I used a pie crust from Trader Joe’s that fell apart. I had to roll it out and piece it back together but it worked. My mom used to make broccoli quiche in the 80s. A quiche is a nice thing to have around. Also, you can be like, “I am having a slice of quiche” and you sound kind of fancy.

Holy yum! I used colby jack shredded cheese and some white cheddar. If I were a rapper my name might be “White Chedda”. I like to tell that to my students.

Eddie Otis brought in a frozen hunk of snow and played with it:

Younger was the perfect bingeing show on the day I felt the worst this week:

Sutton Foster’s hair is gorgeous.

It’s hard to be sick with this needy fellow:

We say he is our most “paw forward” dog we have had. He paws at us a lot. Our other dogs didn’t do that.

I finished this. I enjoyed parts of it but other parts I didn’t enjoy. I’m not sure I would recommend it. How’s that for a review?

Here is what my back porch looks like – still…

It looks like we don’t get above freezing temps until a week from Saturday.

A car got stuck outside my house:

We were going to help them but they left before we could offer them shovels and manpower. They came back with their own shovels and manpower.

Tom has been going to work and then a couple of evenings he has taken us where we needed to go. We had to kill some time at Target:

I couldn’t believe how bad the parking lot and sidewalk were…

And, then we killed some time at a little Mexican place that was really good! It’s called Taco Choza if you are local.

I said thank you to the few Target employees there and to the people working at the restaurant and gave them a big tip. I need to give money to local businesses when I can get out again. I hope they had a good holiday season and this didn’t hurt them too badly.

Look at Kroger’s message:

I just use the app as a place to put items we need in the future. I am not planning on ordering anytime too soon.

He wants us to participate in bone chewing. He brings us his bone and lays it on our leg. Very weird.

Look how cute:

Why is cinnamon toast – old fashioned, under the broiler so good?

I really miss my kitchen tv and my phone is just too small. Tom surprised me with this!

I need to set up all my streaming services on it. If you have one, tell me in what ways you use it?

This year I am trying to embrace January and you know what, it will be halfway over-ish come Monday. That’s both crazy and exciting.

Snow is weird. It makes everything look brighter outside and it muffles sound so much. I have enjoyed the quiet.

Also, it’s already staying light out later and it’s really noticeable now!

I will need some friend time soon. Our last couples’ dinner was cut short with Mason’s tire blow out. NYE was just me. Tom needs to get ready to be social!

It’s easy to save money when you are stuck at home. Or, is it? Do you want to online shop when you get bored?

Let me know what you think in the comments about any of my topics today – there’s a little bit for everyone here, right?

Ha!

Amy

Thursday, January 9, 2025

I don’t really have enough fashion talk or fashion photos to make a post, so let’s just talk as if we are sitting down to coffee, but make the focus more on fashion than anything else, ok?

The name of the game around here is just staying warm and cozy.

I am on my 4th snow day today! So, no online learning or online working for teachers – no nothing!

It’s actually been good timing for me because I think Tuesday I would have had to call in sick as that was my worst day. It started last Friday with a little congestion, then more, and more, and then it worked its way down to a chest cough. I’ve also had some sinus pain and pressure.

Anyway, some districts have a 3 week winter break and that’s basically what this has turned into.

Northerners don’t understand that we can’t handle even the smallest amount of snow. Add ice on top and we are literally debilitated. Add super cold temps and no chance of anything melting, and even worse…

So, the snow hit on Sunday and continued on Monday. Here is what Target looked like last night:

Before the snow hit, I wore my Halaras and my Koolaburras with my Walmart pullover from last season:

The next night I did the same thing but with the other pair of Halaras, my black Chelsea boots, and a sweater:

I tried the Rothy’s trick of putting a no show sock over the insert. I haven’t worn them out in the wild yet.

Leggings, Koolaburras, and my black turtleneck along with my black vest:

I enjoyed having a lighter pearly white mani after my Christmas colors and now I’m letting my nails breathe since I’m stuck at home. I am ready for color again!

Yes, my blue sweater badly needs this:

I’m excited to have a sweater shaver.

I hardly ever wear these 15 year old Hunters anymore. I find shorter boots so much easier to throw on. Also, these aren’t as warm as my short black boots. But to get 15 years plus out of a pair of boots is pretty amazing!

The other thing about living in Louisville, Kentucky or further south is we just don’t have the winter gear! We don’t even know what winter coat means here! A hoodie is not a winter coat.

People that live further north have real winter snow boots, waterproof gloves, serious hats, scarves, and winter coats, you know? I have all the stuff but I rarely need it here. Tom has more than all the stuff and our kids have all the stuff because Tom has bought it for them but they rarely even wear a coat because youth today, you know?

You can either be warm or be stylish but you can’t be both – lol. True or false?

What have you been wearing?

Amy

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

I’m coming at you from my third snow day! We were supposed to go back with students on Monday but because of Winter Storm Blair (they named it!) we found out Sunday around noon that Monday would be a traditional snow day. Then, we found out Monday very early that they had given up on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I love watching snow fall but I was worried about ice and losing power. It was nice that my kids had everything cancelled or were scheduled off work for all of Sunday and Monday and it was the four of us plus EO snowed in. These times are rare so that was really nice!

But, I don’t like feeling trapped. It’s like I want to stay home but I want options to not stay home. Does that make sense?

So, let’s dive in to the first Currently with Jenn of the year!

Loving

I am loving looking at the snow still. It’s so rare anymore that we get a real snow. I’ve had a cold so I guess it’s as good a time as any to have a cold, right?

I’ve been loving a little more time in the mornings to sip my coffee and do my quiet time. And, Tom has been home to entertain and walk Eddie Otis. He couldn’t get out to go to work on Monday so he worked from home.

I’m loving my new Spain and England mugs.

Doing to Stay Warm

Staying inside! But, on the first day of the snow I enjoyed being out in it. Some winters I don’t even take this out, but I’m glad to have my big Costco coat when I need it.

Resolving

I am trying to embrace the month of January. It’s always been a long, cold month for me. I am trying to do my twinkle lights, read more, use cozy blankets, sip more tea in the afternoon, and things like that.

Organizing

Well, I did put the Christmas decor way and I have Valentine’s ready to go in a couple of weeks or so. I wish I could say I am using this bonus time more productively but I just don’t have it in me with my cold.

Wearing

Socks! Pajamas! Leggings! Sweatshirts! All of this is getting worn so that’s good. Yes, I do go outside in my pajamas.

The weird thing is that I have not seen a human when I go out. I see no cars driving down the street, no mail or deliveries have come, no one is on the school playground. It’s been weird!

Now it’s time for Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970’s) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen’s English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year’s list includes-

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? How many did you have to look up? Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word/phrase not on the list you’d like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. 

I have only used skibidi and period but just to make students laugh. Actually, I will make a statement and one of them says “period’ and then I repeat it. I just don’t think to say it. Sometimes I follow up by saying “exclamation mark”.

2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

This is a hard one. I didn’t love soup until a couple of years ago and now I really like it. Can I say chili? That is controversial! I also like lasagna soup, chicken noodle, and my new fave lentil soup. I really like most soups.

I really should have stocked up on my soups. I also have envy when I see everyones’ chili photos. I should have gotten stuff to make chili, too. I still had this lentil soup so I thought I was good.

3. How do you feel about winter? What’s one winter activity you look forward to? 

It’s not my favorite. I don’t love all the work involved in getting coats, hats, mittens and all the accessories on to go outside. I love one good snow and walking my dog in it and seeing how much he enjoys it. Our chocolate labs have loved snow and Eddie Otis is no exception!

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as ‘a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort’. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 

I really like this color. There is a pair of Adidas sneakers in this shade with white stripes that I am trying to convince my principal’s secretary and my friend to get. She wants a pair and has a neutral based wardrobe.

In a similar, but not really vein…if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

Mocha, I think!

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.  

snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball’s chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

Snowed under but I think I am taking that too literally!

Before I left for winter break on December 20th, I had all my lessons planned and copies made for the first week back. So, I am good right now. Also, grades were already done and posted ahead of time for semester one. So, right now is a lovely time of being caught up – at least at work. There is a lot I can do at home!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I saw that Younger came to Netflix yesterday. If you are looking for a chick show to watch on your own, I thoroughly enjoyed it and there are lots of seasons. I really love the actress Sutton Foster. I am planning to watch the series again! I feel like it didn’t get talked about much, but it’s so good. Hilary Duff is also in it.

Anyone have a movie or show to recommend?

If you are still here, thanks for reading!

Amy

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

I am happy to link up with Tanya today for her Prime Purchases because I have some things worth sharing!

First off, I want to share the most amazing eye brightener and I purchased it in two colors to see which one worked best for me. The pink is the best for me! But, at just $6, you could get both. I also think blending the two would work.

Thank you to the person who recommended this!

I purchased a new Bible and it would make a great gift. It’s so nice!

This deodorant is a re-purchase. I love it so much.

I splurged on some pricey olive oil for the holidays and frankly, I don’t notice much of a difference. I will save my $$ and just get something less expensive next time.

We’ve all gotten a big kick out of EO’s cigs!

This stuff is amazing! It cleaned off all the silverware scratches on our white dinnerware.

And, above you also see the other color of eye brightener.

You must, must, must have one of these protectors on your phone. I dropped a stack of Pyrex storage containers on my phone about a year ago and this protected it.

I purchased a notebook sized planner and really like it so far.

And, I ordered these eye patches which have also been soothing my sinuses. After this cold, I am going to look sooooo young!

I really want to cut down on my reliance on Amazon, but it helps save me so much time! I can’t find a lot of the things I need in the in person stores!

Amy

Monday, January 6, 2025

Yay! I remembered to use Sarah and Holly’s new graphic! Isn’t it pretty?

Let’s go back to Friday morning. I knew it was my last week day of break – wah! I went to a warehouse sale of my favorite boutique. They hold it in the back corner of a furniture store in the same shopping center – random.

Can you see the pep in the step of these ladies? We all got there right at the start of it.

Last year I didn’t buy anything at all; this year I knew if they had the black version of the magenta dress I bought this fall I would get it. The dress retails for $54 and it is by the brand Mitoshop. I got my magenta for $39. Well, they had it in black, rust, and a couple of other colors. They also had a short sleeve version. Um, I walked out with 5 dresses that were $15 each. The dress could literally be worn in 3-4 seasons. They are solid colors and you can put a cardigan or scarf over them.

The dress:

Did I go a little crazy buying these dresses? Yes. It’s a great material and the shape works for me – I think. I could have left with just the black but what’s the fun in that? Also, some people say not to get multiples but multiples have always been good to me.

Eddie Otis is a pack a day smoker these days. He loves pulling out the three cigarettes.

So, Tom passed his cold on to me – just sinus pain and a bit of congestion. It could also be allergies after kicking up a lot of dust cleaning. These freezer re-usable patches are great for sinus pain. I’ve also been using the retinol patches. They feel great under your eyes.

We went out to eat on Friday night and splurged a bit on their version of the blooming onion:

I found You’ve Got Mail for free on Tubi.

Saturday I got up feeling a bit worse. It’s hard to know if it’s poor sleep or my cold. I have literally not slept well for the last half of break because of Tom hacking for part of that time and keeping me up and now my congestion. Fun times.

People started getting very excited about the winter weather advisory and that’s all I heard about for most of Saturday!

I got an Amazon delivery, though…

I can’t believe the quality of the rose gold She Reads Truth Bible from Amazon for the price – $22. It looks like it’s now $25. It came in a nice box and would make a great gift. Thanks, Jenn, for the rec.

I also ordered a new planner that is notebook size. I hope I like the larger size. We don’t mess around with our planners now, do we, ladies? I liked the price at just under $10 and the space it has to write your to do lists is great, too.

I started feeling better to the point that I didn’t think I was sick and then felt the need to get out because of the warnings that we could be trapped inside for a few days.

I had a Kroger pick up at 1:00 and I feared I wouldn’t get a lot of my stuff but it ended up great and I only had to be without a couple of items.

I went to my two consignment stores but left empty handed and then the library where I didn’t leave empty handed and got all these requests. I love reading everyones’ favorite books from 2024!

You may notice the top book is the one I bought from Target. My plan is to give my Target copy to a friend and finish the library copy because it was too late to cancel my request.

One goal I have for myself is to scroll on my phone less and read more. Well, the barrier to reading in my living room is the lighting or me being close enough to a lamp. So, I am keeping my neck light in the living room now and it’s working great except when Tom tells me I am blinding him. Ha! This helps me be in the same room as Tom but doing my own thing.

When I got home from my Saturday errands I read and Tom watched Top Gun and I kinda watched, too. I stopped my reading for the football scene, k?

Saturday night I wanted to go out again because I knew lots of cooking was headed my way – whether it be weather related or just going back to school related.

We went to our closest Mexican restaurant and I’ve determined it’s not my fave Mexican food place at all. Their chips are not that good. I guess it kept me from eating too many.

I could only drink about 1/2 inch of this skinny margarita.

This was just meh.

Tom had enough to feed a family of four.

We brought lots home so as to not waste food.

I woke up Sunday to the starts of the snow.

These pictures are bad, but Eddie Otis picks a toy to carry and runs the lap of our living room, dining room, and kitchen and it’s so funny. He does about 10 laps several times a day.

In this photo, he has chosen his elephant that we all call elefante. He has lambie gigante (Tom named it), lambie poquito (Tom named it and it’s not correct), purple nurple (a purple bear), fox, taco, margarita, chili pepper, monkey, tug, and a couple more. He can get pretty much whichever one we tell him to get.

Here he is with lambie gigante:

Can you tell this dog gets no attention?

I complained to my students that the snow we got in December didn’t allow me to watch it coming down – my fave – because it occurred after dark or overnight. So, I guess I got my wish on Sunday!

Eddie Otis loved it!

This was 4 inches, but I think our total was close to 8 when later in the day.

And, we got the cancellation very early.

I made a cake! Snow makes me want to bake!

I parked myself on the couch most of the day with my cold supplies.

I tried to go out one more time but I could hardly walk in the crunchy snow. It was so deep and we were having freezing rain on top!

I made beef bulgogi bowls for dinner and all 4 of us were home due to the weather!

So, that’s all I’ve got for now. What’s your weather like? I don’t think we will go to school Tuesday but I hope that we use online learning. No, it’s not the same, but it’s something to ease the kids back in after break.

What about you?

Amy

Friday, January 3, 2025

First of all…

Our best friends’ daughters goes to Georgia and they almost went to the game.

Well, there is really no way to segue after that. I just don’t understand these acts.

There’s talk of a big snow coming on Sunday in my neck of the woods. For you, too?

Milk and bread! Milk and bread! You know what you really need if it snows? Alcohol and chips! Alcohol and chips!

In all seriousness, I haven’t had many cocktails over the break and I’ve done pretty well on sugar compared to years past. I had one drink on NYE – an espresso martini, nothing on NYD, and over the break if I did have anything it was probably a glass of prosecco. I did have a mojito at Mojito one afternoon. I feel like perimenopause is changing how it makes me feel and I do not like to drink too much and feel bad. Have you experienced this?

I’ve actually posted all week! Click on the titles below if you missed any:

Hello Monday

2024

Amy’s Happiness Project – Join me! I have had a few say they will.

Fashion Files

So, let’s talk about some favorites from the week…

Tom worked Monday even though he didn’t feel great. So, he left at 7:30 am and returned at 5:45 pm and we walked EO together. We both really enjoy this time and I need to be more intentional about being ready to walk. The barrier to me walking is that I need a break from EO by this time and that I am still cooking dinner. Well, I had picked up Chick Fil A (dinner was done!) and I got Tom a chocolate shake for dessert because I thought it would be good for his cold. I got the peppermint mocha for the first time this year – so good! We watched Bad Sisters while we ate. This is the only show we are watching together right now and we are enjoying it.

Tom went to work Tuesday (NYE) at the normal time but came home around 2:00 and watched games the rest of the day. I made him soup and grilled cheese for a late lunch. We were supposed to go to an early dinner reservation at Malone’s with our friends. Tom didn’t want to be coughing in a restaurant, so I went alone.

The weather was nasty. It was rainy and really windy, but I got a selfie outside the restaurant:

My college besties “The Heathers” and I got espresso martinis and they were good!

We let the guys toast with their bourbon and beer after our girls only toast!

I ordered something out of character for me – mini steak sliders with potato cakes. The steak was too salty. The potato cakes were amazing. I ate one and took the other one home.

Mason had to work but was home by the time I got home and then stayed home on NYE; Jack was out. I brought Mason home some fancy salmon (Tom didn’t want anything) and we watched a movie together.

We sent this photo to Jack. I missed Tom at dinner but I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. And, I was still home by 8:00!

I’ve been wearing my new Koolaburra by Uggs everyday – even in the house!

My library books haven’t really been floating my boat so I took a gift card a student gave me and put it toward a Target book. I had fun wandering around Target but I didn’t go crazy buying up sale items. I bought some food items, though.

I was able to enjoy it with some hot chocolate! Yes, you do need this many mini marshmallows!

I think I want to read this! Have you seen the movie of It Ends With Us?

My sister Kate gave my sister Molly and I late birthday presents at Christmas and this sweater hood thing was part of it. It came in very handy for all the cold dog walks I have been doing while Tom was sick. It’s very funny looking, but it keeps you warm!

Do you have this? Oh my gosh! I used it to buff out the silverware scratches on our white dinner plates and it works!

I found this at Target! Target has some food stuffs that Kroger doesn’t have.

Time to switch out the peppermint for the snowdrop!

Do you like lentils? I made this soup on NYD and I think it’s so good! I added kale to it, but spinach would also be good. You could also add sausage or another protein, I think.

Here is a tip I plan to try for my new Rothy’s that I talked about in Fashion Files yesterday:

Green tea in my England mug!

Patching!

I read the January chapter and took notes. It only took me about 15 minutes if you are wondering about how much time it takes.

I made another batch of Chex Mix to use up all the boxes of cereal from the first batch. Why is this stuff so good? I ate way too much. We enjoyed eating the soup and cornbread and snacking on this on New Year’s Day. It was nice to have Tom off and he got into a really big cleaning kick. It was opposite the usual. I took EO out so Tom could clean. Usually he takes EO and I clean. EO tries to “help” if he stays in the house. He is both fascinated and scared of the vacuum.

Have you tried the Elf lip oil? Look at my collection! I wouldn’t say it stays on that long but the feel is great and you want to re-apply. It’s really pretty!

I got some new mascara and I really like it. I have been going bare for quite some time because it was bothering me.

Cute boy:

The lentil soup was better the next day!

Get this away from me!

Mason was washing kale for kale chips and Eddie Otis said, “I’ll dry!”

Mason gets such a kick out of EO’s personality.

My sister Molly told me about this and I was skeptical. But, if you are going to TJ’s, grab a bottle of the almond sparkling wine.

What have been your favorites this week? I think it was really odd for Tom with him having a day and a half off in the middle of the week.

All our Christmas decor is put away except for twinkle lights on the mantle and the white pre-lit tree in our bedroom. I’m keeping those for January at least. I did look at my Valentine’s decor but it feels too early.

Alright, I better stop writing your ear off now.

Amy

Thursday, January 2, 2024

It’s hard to know what day it is, but I think it’s Thursday and it’s been a bit since I have done a Fashion Files post with Kellyann and Jill.

First of all, some recent additions to my closet…

Tom gave me these Koolabura by Ugg short booties at my request. This is a much more affordable option than the Ugg Uggs. I plan to wear them to work everyday and bring an extra pair of shoes with me, but honestly, I might not change out of them. I wear them without socks and they are so cozy without making my feet too hot.

This was a total impulse purchase. Jenn showed us her new red ballet flats from Walmart and I went looking and saw my fave Scoop brand but in silk? Don’t they look nice?

The quality is unbelievable and they were only $15 ish each. I may have gotten a half size too big but they are fine. I am a size 8 but in pointy toes I go up to an 8.5. So, that is what I did for these. I wore the red on Christmas Eve. They were very comfortable at the grocery and then at dinner and a church service.

And then I wore the black for NYE:

I had a great Rothy’s light tan pair years ago and then I washed the entire shoe and they were too snug after that. I forgot that they made my feet sweat something fierce. Anyway, I saw these on sale and I love black and tan. I have worn them for an errand. They are very comfy but the weird feet sweats were a bit bothersome.

I really want a pair of the Mary Janes by Rothy’s! I predict that we will be seeing Mary Janes a lot. Any tricks for the feet sweats caused by Rothy’s?

My recent flats are very demure, no?

I walked in Aerie and found these cute pajama pants on the clearance rack. I love Aerie’s quality and they have a scalloped hem and a little bow at the top.

My new bag, of course, deserves a spot.

And that’s it for my Christmas gifts or things I added in the last couple of weeks.

So, in the fall I wore all the fall colors – olives, oranges, mustards, browns. As soon as Thanksgiving Day was over I shoved all that aside for the reds, greens, and festive holiday attire.

Now, I want to wear my blues, blacks, burgundy and non-Christmasy patterns. I only want to put on my blue and black Halaras, guys! They are that good. I don’t like wearing skirts and dresses in the cold of winter. Leggings feel weird under those to me now. I can also wear all my Matilda Janes to work. I’m feeling more the flares than the ruffles.

I think I have three sweaters with hearts on them for V Day. I have seen some more cute ones but I am trying to restrain myself.

I really don’t want to shop for awhile. I want to be content. Also when I do shop online, I spend too much time checking on when it will arrive and anticipating its arrival. Are you like that? I want to get away from fast fashion but I get pulled back in!

Also, to be honest, winter clothes are my least favorite to buy. Come spring, I get giddy about the bright colors and patterns. So, I hope this will help me to be content with my current closet offerings.

Do you have any fashion goals for 2025?

Amy

January 1, 2025

A Christmas gift that I asked for this year was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I had the book a long time ago and did the “project” but I have been wanting to do it again. I think I donated my first copy or gave it to someone. I’m going to make it my own, though! I may add/subtract/vary the monthly goals a bit. Anyone want to join me?

I started a book club about 15 years ago and this was the first book we did. I remember one of the ladies being very critical of Gretchen Rubin and her happiness project. She said that it was easy for Gretchen to be happy. She is wealthy and lives in New York City; why wouldn’t she be happy? I didn’t see it that way at all. My friend Kara and I both got a lot out of this book. Kara even quoted that after The Bible, this book had the biggest impact on her adult life. So, I am a different age and at a different stage now, so why not? And, if I get bored with it after awhile that’s fine, too. I feel zero pressure.

The way I see it is that anything can have a positive impact on me and to scoff at something like this is a sad way to live. I like a self-help book. Don’t you want to learn and grow and wake up a better version of yourself each day?

I might even share this with my students. I can see some of them really getting into monthly goals and challenges.

Here is Gretchen’s front cover quote, “Why I Spent a year trying to sing in the morning, clean my closets, fight right, read Aristotle, and generally have more fun”. So, some of those things don’t appeal to me so I will make this mine!

Let’s take the theme of January, for example…

The theme is “Boost Energy” with an emphasis on going to sleep earlier, exercising better (not more, but better), toss, restore, organize, tackle a nagging task, and act more energetic. I think I am going to write in my copy and adjust as needed.

But, before you start January, I think the Getting Started chapter is important.

So, remember I did this 15 years ago? I am different in many ways! I am 53 now. I have 22 year old kids now. I am in spitting distance of retirement – whereas 15 years ago I thought I might still become a principal before it was all said and done.

Anyway, in the Getting Started chapter Gretchen Rubin lists her commandments and her secrets of adulthood.

She lists “Be Gretchen” as her first. I would say that it is harder now than it was then to not be influenced. Sometimes I stop myself and think, “that is not even something I enjoy; why am I letting myself be influenced?” I distinctly remember that I didn’t have a smart phone until my kids were 8 and I used to have to go to my basement to check my email on my desktop computer. Lol. She also lists let it go, act the way I want to feel, do it now, be polite and be fair, enjoy the process, spend out, identify the problem, lighten up, do what ought to be done, no calculation, and there is only love. Mine would be different; yours would be different.

Do you make resolutions for a new year? My life has been measured in school years rather than calendar years, so I don’t really go big on January 1.

What say you? Any thoughts on this project?

Amy

December 31, 2024

I mean, as I sit here thinking about my year I can’t help but feel so blessed. I had some very hard things happen, but it will also be a year I remember for all the good things, too. Some highlights were my twins getting college degrees, adopting a new puppy, and our trip to Spain. Some hard things were the loss of our old Ernie boy and my mom’s very serious condition and hospital stay in July.

Want to take a walk down memory lane with me? If not, that’s ok. It was a fun post for me to write. It was cathartic, too, as I shed some tears while writing. I may have said this before but I am really quick to tear up these days. I am also quicker to laugh because I don’t take myself or life too seriously.

I had to spend a lot of time at home this year because of Ernie and then Eddie Otis. That’s ok. There are seasons for staying home more and seasons for leaving the house more.

I had trouble editing photos on this post, so it is without many photos I had planned.

January – I was riding a high after getting Mason back to the US from him study abroad in England. We returned from our trip on December 29th and then I had a couple of weeks with him home before he moved back on campus for his final semester. Jack continued to live at home for his last semester.

We had one good snow and that would be it, sadly.

Februrary – Mason and I did a coffee shop date at least one time on a Saturday. Ernie was starting to really slow down after about the year mark of his cancer diagnosis.

March – on the second of the month we said goodbye to Ernie. Our vet could not have been more compassionate and as sad as I was it was an absolute honor to be there with our boy to comfort him. The rest of March was sad but Tom and I spent a lot of time together and got out of the house a lot.

April – I had spring break and spent it at home and Tom was ready for another dog in the house. We adopted Eddie Otis and he and I spent the final day of Spring Break – Eclipse Day – together. The rest of April was crazy with both of us coming home from work to let pup out.

May – Thankfully the college semester ended and we had puppy help! No, but it was also sad because it was the end of an era. I truly miss the small liberal arts college that my kids attended in our city. I loved the ability to go to performances and events so easily. Don’t overlook the colleges that are close to home because you can still live on campus and have “the college experience”. Of course, it depends on the kid and their needs.

June – We celebrated a niece graduating high school in Columbus, OH.

July – We boated! My mom got very, very sick. My sisters and I came together and helped manage her hospital stay and her transition back home. She quickly got back on her feet by the end of July when one sister and I had to get ready to go back to school. The other sister still had a couple of weeks.

August – I headed back to school at the most crazy early date of my career. I think I was in my classroom on August 2nd.

September – Twins turned 22! We left for Spain! A dream come true!

October– We were in Spain until October 5th and really nothing else matters. I did all the fall activities I could do!

November – I had my birthday! We celebrated Thanksgiving.

December– We had a lovely Christmas! In the weeks leading up, I did all the festive things I could. I wore all the festive clothing and accessories I have. I had fun!

I learned a lot in 2024. I have so much more to learn! Thank you for being such a big and happy part of my 2024!

Amy

Monday, December 30, 2024

It’s such a nice feeling to have until January 6th off from work! Yes, it’s hard to get out so late – December 20th – but my sister put it this way – the longer you have off before Christmas the more Christmas errands and prep you will do and you could have time to add more to your plate and spin your wheels. The time you have off after Christmas can be for relaxation and house projects and non-Christmas things. Sister Kate is very wise, no?

I hope that Sarah and Holly are doing their link-up today!

We left off on ye old blog with Friday Favorites and we had gotten to the end of Christmas Day.

The day after Christmas was the day we were gathering at my mom’s house in Indiana. My mom spent Eve and Day with Molly’s family and they brought her back. My other sister Kate was coming from Ohio.

We literally have to go over the Ohio River, so this works…

Somebody thinks he’s a lap dog. One of my students thinks EO’s tongue is too long. Lol!

EO is a great car rider. He would have slept the whole hour in the way back of the family truckster but Tom stopped for a bathroom break (yay – it’s him now that always has to stop and not me!) and that got EO excited. He was very concerned about his people getting out of the car.

EO was also an angel at Grandma’s house again like he was at Thanksgiving. Cousin Ezra (Kate’s lunchmeat dog – as Tom calls him is very aggressive toward EO but EO remains calm). Ezra is only about 10 pounds.

We took some silly sister pics on the porch:

Do you think we look alike? I am the oldest and the floral print is Kate (the middle) and the green is Molly (the baby).

We did a pasta bar and I made bowtie alfredo:

It has cajun seasoning on it. And, I made some roasted broccoli that was criticized for its smell and small amount. Lol.

All the carbs…

We did white elephant gifts with a game involved and then my mom gave her gifts out and we gave my mom gifts but that is all we do by way of gift giving and it’s great!

I had changed my Christmas mani to this:

So fresh and so clean!

We had a really nice day with my side of the family in Indiana. The next day we were supposed to go to Tom’s parents but there was illness afoot at their house so it was cancelled. We were literally walking out the door all four of us and Eddie Otis when we found out.

So, Tom and did some returns we needed to do and then I did an errand on my own and talked on the phone to a couple of people I needed to get caught up with. Then, we really didn’t do much the rest of the day. Tom and I are watching Bad Sisters so we watched a couple of episodes. Then, we got Thai for dinner.

Pad Thai with chicken:

I watched a movie in Spanish and stayed up too late, but still got up early on Saturday morning.

It was only 52 so EO and I started our day on the patio!

I don’t want to be materialistic, but I want to share a few special gifts that I received this year. My former student went to college and started making the preppy leather monogram belts with a friend. It morphed into a business with a store in both Louisville and Charleston, SC! I loved this kid and he took AP Spanish! The store is called Clayton and Crume. I have wanted a bag for years – years, I tell you!

Look what Tom did and I didn’t even really tell him.

I did tell him I wanted to replace my glittery Kate Spade studs and he did that, too.

And, look what my mom got me! I’m so excited!

And, then Tom got sick with what he thought was a sinus infection. Spoiler…he was sick all weekend. He logged a lot of hours in the chair but he did go and take Eddie Otis on some walks when he wasn’t in the chair.

I had plans so off I went on Saturday morning at 10 in this ‘fit.

I met my friend Victoria at Con Huevos and we talked for 3 hours! We hadn’t seen each other since September probably so we had a lot to catch up on.

I went home and lacked motivation to clean and do laundry and put holiday things away. Eddie Otis is super advanced so around 4:00 he grabbed his margarita for happy hour.

Since he isn’t 21, I met my friend Heather at Mojito and we both had a mojito. When in Cuba…

And, their plantain chips and guac are to die for. And, my former student waited on us! A former student worked at Con Huevos and came over to say hi there, too. They’re everywhere I tell ya.

I came home after happy hour and started the Holiday Touchdown Kansas City Chiefs movie – lol.

Sunday morning I did the walk with EO because Tom was in the bed. He finally got up and EO got another walk.

I literally did nothing Sunday until about 2:00 and then I went to TJ Maxx and the store was so empty of merch. I’ve never seen it that empty! I didn’t buy anything. Then, I did a grocery pick up and made this chili:

And, now I am writing this blog post.

Anyone have any other movie suggestions? Shows? Books? Let me know!

How was your weekend? Did you continue the celebrations?

Amy