Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

I mention in passing the shows that I watch but I don’t think I have ever done a dedicated post, so here goes. For what my opinion is worth, anyway!

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – Hulu

I watched Season 1 with my jaw hanging open. They all look alike. They have had lots of cosmetic work done already. These are young, young women with three kids a piece already at age 24. There is nothing wrong with that if that is what you choose but they have no life experience. They pick and choose rules of their religion that they want to follow? I learned a lot and it was like an anthropological study for me. They brag about how many soft drinks they drink and how addicted they are but they don’t drink alcohol (well, some of them do but they aren’t supposed to) or caffeine. I don’t follow any of them on Tik Tok but all I can see is that they do dances on that platform which sometimes involve their babies. I have had some wonderful Mormon students in my career, by the way, if that has any relevance here. Tom said if I watch it I’m part of the problem and he is right.

I could only watch like one episode of season 2. I am not sure if the blue winter coats from season 1 or these outfits are worse. I do know it was a really funny Halloween costume this past year.

Thoughts?

Wear Whatever the F You Want – Prime

I was disappointed. I don’t like the format. I also wanted real people -like normal people. I only made it through three episodes and I didn’t like it. The styles were too extreme. One girl was Amish and then was a stripper for 20 years and then went back to wearing her Amish dress when she got married and now wants to dress like Dolly Parton. Where did they find these people.

I still really like Stacy and Clinton but I want to learn from them about what works and what doesn’t and even the most normal one (that I watched) still seemed like she was in costume.

I think I am done with the series but I might watch the rest this summer.

Race for the Crown – Netflix

I am about halfway finished. It was cool to see Lexington and Louisville highlighted and some of the wealth is crazy (the owner from Miami!) and I really am not sure how I feel about the horse racing industry. The last race I went to resulted in five horses dying that very day. I watched most of this limited series the day before the Derby so I was into the behind the scenes details and then saw some of them on Derby day on the tv!

I will probably finish it out but I got bored with it after the Derby.

Ransom Canyon – Netflix

Loved! I think I might start it again! Two words – Josh Duhamel has aged well. Minka Kelly is so pretty and elegant.

The Four Seasons – Netflix

I know a lot of people really liked it but I just thought it was sad. Maybe I will re-watch it this summer and see what I think. I will admit that right now I do a lot of falling asleep at pivotal moments so that could very well affect my opinion!

Below Deck- Bravo or Peacock

I love this show! It follows the lives of the employees of luxury yachts. This current season is located in The Seychelles and I didn’t know much about this area. I like seeing how they cater to the guests, what food the chef cooks, and I also like the drama that goes on with the yachties.

Summer House – Bravo or Peacock

I love this show! It follows the lives of young (ish) New Yorkers who rent a house in The Hamptons.

Love Hotel – Bravo or Peacock

This is ok. It follows four of the Real Housewives that you may know of as they try to date some guys/find love in Mexico.

The Lady’s Companion – Netflix

This is in Spanish and I started it with my kids. They never want to start it before 9:00 p.m. and you guessed it – I fall asleep. The one episode I was awake for was very cute. I will go back and get caught up. Maybe I will watch it in the morning! Ha!

What have you watched lately?

I like reality and drama. I wish Younger was new to me again! I love Gilmore Girls, New Girl, Hart of Dixie, and things like that. I am here for any recommendations. I do not like horror, true crime, or anything like that. I do like some detective shows that I watch with Tom.

Amy

Monday, May 19, 2025

Sharing a few weekend highlights with Sarah, Holly, and many more. I would love to hear yours in the comments!

Friday we got word that all after school activities would be cancelled for the possibility of severe weather – storms and tornadoes. Not good! Not a Friday vibe. I came home and we ordered pizza and I was glad everyone was staying home. It started storming as I was going to bed but it didn’t manifest anything big in my area. I am sorry for those in southern Kentucky that were hit hard. It’s been a year for weather, no?

Saturday morning the world was wet from the night before but it felt nice out. I am trying to embrace black coffee. I keep thinking how freeing it will be to not have to buy creamer!

The day was shaping up to be gorgeous but I had a lot of chores to tend to. Oh well.

One of them was another closet cleanout. I hate everything. Well, not everything. I took a basket of clothes to Clothes Mentor just hoping to get a little credit and I did pretty well.

They had the Amazon sweatshirt priced higher than on Amazon! It is good to know your brands and prices when you shop consignment.

Buc ee’s bathing suit anyone?

No, I did not buy the above items, but I did get this gauzy kelly green J.Crew dress,

this Tacos & Tequila wallet,

this crystal stone necklace,

and an “S” signet ring. Score!

I got into my next book! I am almost done and I don’t want it to end. I took a break from my Scottish book. I’m almost done and I know what is going to happen.

Scottish book:

Maybe when I grow up I will read more serious books.

Cute boy napped on my feet for a little bit.

I counted it up and Tom has now dedicated both days of 7 weekends to the porch project. There was one weekend that he didn’t work on Saturday and then there were about 3 spring break days in addition. So, I am counting it as 16 full days. You guys! That just seems like so much. I know he is saving a lot of money but one’s time is valuable, too. He doesn’t complain, but I do.

Saturday he redid the stairs and Sunday he did the backs/risers and he and Mason stained it.

His assitant:

I went out and got us take out mediterranean.

Sunday morning was more chores in the interior for me. I am organizing some stuff I brought back from my mom’s house and clearing some of my clutter, too.

I did a grocery list, a meal plan, and I went and picked up my groceries.

Later on I made myself a mimosa with a bit of grenadine. It’s so pretty and the grenadine stays on the bottom. I am still very happy about my new glasses.

I brought back this fish punch bowl from my mom’s and decided to try it out as a vase.

I really miss getting the paper and treated myself to a Sunday edition.

Tom took a break and we went to Costco and to an art fair. I am kind of over art fairs because all the stuff is the same. Boy, I sound like a grump!

We didn’t buy anything but we did go get Mexican on a patio!

I got grilled fish tacos!

In my Kroger order I decided to try Dolly Parton’s cookies because Chrissy Tiegen has no more cookies at my Kroger. Loyal blog readers with good memories will remember that I found her mix and it is the best mix I have ever used.

Chrissy is better than Dolly in this department.

Tom said Dolly’s cookies weren’t big enough. Sorry, guys. You can click away if you need to.

The stain:

Well, I hope you came here to hear about a 7 week long deck project and box cookie mixes because that is what you got.

It’s our last Monday with kids! No seniors will be in class, but we will have the others. I am just excited for a less crowded parking lot! Can I get an Amen?

Amy

Friday, May 16, 2025

Happy Friday! I am coming in to you all bleary-eyed this morning. This is the longest part of the school year. We are testing and babysitting. I’m so tired. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share just a few favorites this week, but they are good ones!

I thought to take a photo this week of my facial products that I am really happy with. I owe it all to Jenn for two of the products. And, to Jen for one!

They are out of order. I put the coconut oil on my face both morning and night. I rub excess on my elbows. I also have not needed any sort of chapstick since using this because it takes care of my lips, too. It melts your makeup off and it makes your face so moist. I also have not experienced breakouts. It’s magic. Then, I put on the witch hazel with a cotton round. It is the rose scent and when Jen talked about it I was like – no, I do not like that smell, but it is really nice. My moisturizer on a normal day that I am not going to be outside is the Trader Joe’s 15. I go up to a 30 or 50 if I am going to be outside. And, then I recently started using the glotion and it’s good!

This mani is still going strong and still making me so happy. My senior girls were talking about how much their nails cost and I said, “Mine are like $3.50!”

I used my chair Sunday and just had to share how much I love it.

Tom finished the deck on Sunday – well, he still has the stairs to go – and it made me so thankful for this space. I have missed it.

I got the biggest surprise in the mail! My dear reader and friend Sally sent me a retirement box! The gifts were perfect and the little notes were so thoughtful. I love when someone knows me and I feel seen.

This mug is so cute – the handle is bacon!

I believe this to be true and put this sign in a place I will see it each day.

I love writing handwritten notes to people and do plan to use these cute cards!

I have never had bookmarks like this but have wanted them. How cute!

These earrings are so cute and so me!

Love these clips! If I am home, my hair is up!

Get you a friend like Sally! Thank you so much!

Tom surprised me with roses Sunday and they are just gorgeous. He also picked out a really nice card with the perfect wording for me. He is not a grand gesture guy, but I think he knew that I needed this this year.

My favorite meal of the week was roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, red onions, chicken, avocados, a bit of cheese, hot honey and lime juice. Tom liked it, too!

I treated myself to something this week and it was way better than the Japanese head spa. I got a 10 minute chair massage. We have a place in the mall and my back has been hurting and it’s much better now. I need to do this more often.

I don’t have a super long post today but I am thankful for all these blessings I have had this week.

What was your favorite from the week?

Amy

Thursday, May 15, 2025

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

My favorite outfit of last week was this – my new white pants and my old tropical blouse. I managed to wear my Dr. Scholl’s for about half the day and then I changed into flat sandals.

I had an early dinner at Captain’s Quarters that evening and changed into my Aerosoles cork heels.

The next day for school I wore this. These pants were $8 at Versona many years ago and I love them. I am not sure if the gauzy camp shirt is flattering on me or not.

I am loving my new pink and white gingham boxers from Amazon – a Melanie Shankle rec. I paired them with my Aerie button up. I also have ordered a blue and white gingham pair from Aerie. I do wear shorts a lot in the summer and I love pairing shorts with a long sleeve when I can. If you get the Amazon shorts, I recommend ordering a size larger than normal. You don’t want them to be tight and they run a bit small.

I found out this weekend that I need to be back in my sneakers for work. My back told me so.

So, this next outfit is blah. I wore my Halaras to work Monday with one of my three Old Navy blouses from last year or the year before. I have it in the pink/orange combo and the black version, too. Also, I have the pink/orange dress version of the shirt. I saw the pattern and swooned.

Tuesday for work I wore my light blue gauzy pants and my Aerie button up. It has a tiny blue stripe that runs through.

I saw this and thought it was interesting. I consider my nails part of my fashion. I have the coral red on my fingers and pink on my toes. I was going for a lighter shade of pink but they didn’t have what I wanted.

My classroom is still hot and muggy. I need to wear short sleeves but I am not really feeling wearing dresses this week. We have a chance of rain every day and it has already rained every day this week!

What have you been wearing?

What have you been buying for summer?

Amy

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

It’s Wednesday and time to link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. What’s something you’re curious about right now? 

I guess I am most curious about what my retirement life will look like. I think this summer will just feel like a summer but I have never had much free time in the fall!

I am also wondering what my style will be like.

2. If you could plan the perfect girl’s weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? 

I would really like to plan a beach weekend with my sisters. I think it would be cathartic and we could all use it. I would like to visit a winery.

3. What’s the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

I don’t think there is really anything unique right now. Maybe red pepper jelly? It’s so good on cream cheese with Wheat Thins. We also have fig spread and that is great on a gourmet grilled cheese!

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging? 

Cleaning the house! Finding the perfect time when I have the energy and EO is out of the house is next to impossible. I scurry to use Saturday mornings right now. Plus, this pup sheds more than our other labs.

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

These Starbucks mugs as my regular readers know! My England and Spain are special because those are the last two I received and my mom got them for me for Christmas. It’s something I use each day and I think about who gave it to me or where I got it and it makes me feel happy. I think you should use what you have and have what you use and it is very me to collect something practical. I am not really into non-practical dust catchers.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Next week is our senior walk where the seniors walk through the halls one last time. I am thinking of how I will mark and celebrate my “last walk”. Should I even mark it? One thought is a get together at a Mexican restaurant for students and former students and then for my friends.

Amy

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Do you have unwanted clutter in your life? Are you good about decluttering from time to time? I think I am but I also know I could be better.

I started working on 25 years of accumulated clutter in my classroom last week as I am retiring at the end of the school year. I have a colleague moving into my room and I want him to be able to start bringing stuff down during the last 5 teacher days. He is a Japanese teacher so he probably doesn’t want my Spanish stuff! Kon’nichiwa!

I think that I know that cleaning out my mom’s house has helped me to start this process in a thoughtful way. I was careful about what I took from my mom’s house and really put thought into it. I tried not to let guilt drive my decisions and I took things that are truly special to me. My mom’s love language was gifts and I already had so much in my house from her!

Back to my classroom…

I am saving most photos and every single letter or card ever written to me by a student. I took pictures of a few funny posters and things I made early in my career so that I could toss them.

Some of the things in my closet I haven’t touched in years so those are easy decisions. I will make a donation box after the students pick what they want.

These cassette tapes are special to me because one was the first gift Tom bought me and the other two were purchased in Spain.

I started a table of giveaways and the kids have really enjoyed perusing and taking some things. I had one girl come in (I taught her last year and she was hoping to have me again next year) and tell me that my giveaway table made her too sad.

I haven’t tackled books yet. I have lots of old travel books and some old children’s books in Spanish. I guess I need to ask my own two kids if they want anything before I get too crazy.

I have started tackling papers and I did my first pass through. I think I will do one more to see if I still think I need to save certain things. I bought some pretty pink file folders to organize those.

Again, the question I ask myself is – how would I feel if this item got destroyed. I guess it would be hard to get dog poop on something in my classroom so maybe I will ask the question what if red Gatorade was spit on this? Would I be upset?

Maybe work stuff is easier to deal with than personal stuff?

What are your thoughts?

Amy

Monday, May 12, 2025

It’s Monday and that means it’s link up day with Sarah and Holly to share our weekends. How was yours? We have had a string of gorgeous weather days! I could just bottle it up!

Let’s go back to Friday because I honestly can’t remember anything that I did on Thursday other than work and then come home!

Friday we had a school sponsored happy hour at a nearby establishment after school for teacher appreciation week. They paid for a nacho bar and we bought our own drinks. The turn out was pretty good and I got to talk to some people I rarely see at school. I feel like you should go to stuff like this. I always go to Tom’s stuff when spouses are included because if his company is nice enough to have it you should go. Spouses are never included at my school stuff!

Here’s a blurry photo of my bourbon slushie.

I guess I got home around 5:15 and then I popped some frozen pizza in the oven and we had that with some leftovers. I wasn’t too hungry since I had some nachos.

I read on the patio for a bit and watched tv for a bit and went to bed at 8:48! I went to bed at 9:00 on Saturday night, too! Yup, it’s that time of year.

Saturday morning I was up at 6:00 with EO.

I purchased this instant coffee product and had it hot with my tea kettle water and with my protein shake. Yum! It’s really good! I feel like a senior citizen. Don’t they love instant coffee?

I did laundry, cleaned, got a pedicure, got a spray tan, went to World Market and Trader Joe’s, and the library all before noon.

This isn’t the pink I wanted but it’s ok. They had a really bad color selection and I may need to go to a different salon next time.

The library had this for me. I have quite a backlog now.

Tom and I did World Market together to get his mom some German goodies.

And, I finally got the glasses I have wanted!

Trader Joe’s had this pink and green hydrangea that I couldn’t pass up!

Tom made some major progress on the deck and worked for about over 6 hours each day.

It was prom night for another niece!

This is how we get EO in the morning. Mason takes him from our bed to his bed around midnight and he sleeps with him. We open the door and wait for EO to get a stuffed animal of choice and jump off the bed only when we invite him to around 6 am. He is a funny boy.

A find that I really like from TJ’s:

No photos but I went to the Japanese head spa in my city called Revive. It’s basically someone rented a tiny space in a salon rental building. I only paid for the 30 minute express for $59 so it may have been better with a full hour, so take this with a grain of salt.

The technician shows you your scalp on an i pad to show you the build up. I didn’t really have any she said. Then you put on a robe and lay down totally flat on a table with your head dipping lower than your body! I told her that might not work for me so she rolled a towel and put it behind my neck.

The service involved lots of hair washing and head massaging and a little bit of shoulder massaging and some metal tools on your head. She put an eye mask on me so she could have been running matchbox cars over my head.

It was relaxing but I wish the bed/chair was a different design because of the laying totally flat head thing. A sprinkler thing comes up over your head and that felt nice, too. It was nice. At the end she shows you your scalp again and mine looked the same. You leave with wet hair. The products smelled really nice. I don’t know if I would pay for it myself again. I think I would rather put the money toward a normal massage.

Was that clear as mud? I did it and I liked it fine but I probably won’t do it again.

I came home and read a bit and then we ordered a food Tom really likes because he had been working so hard! Waldo’s Chicken and Beer!

The kids and I started The Lady’s Companion on Netflix. It’s in Spanish!

I slept in until 7:00! Eddie Otis didn’t stir until then so that was really nice.

Tom went to the gym and surprised me with…

So sweet!

I did a little self care with my coffee…

I popped an egg casserole and a french toast casserole in the oven as a treat for myself.

Sorry I forgot to take photos before we served. I overcooked both of them a little.

Tom getting a “hug” from Eddie Otis during one of his breaks.

Mason wanted to take me to a coffee shop so we tried Witches Brew for the first time.

It was fun to try a new place. We came home and I supervised Tom’s work and Tom’s assistant.

Another break:

Haha! This dog is like velcro to Tom.

It was a nice normal weekend at home and it was just what I needed after some busy ones. It was nice to hear from so many friends yesterday – that they were thinking about me on Mother’s Day.

Ok, we have only 5 more school days with seniors in class. Thursday is my big AP Spanish exam. Eek! I have all the emotions right now.

Are you winding down the school year if you are a teacher or have kids in school? I am also starting to see all the graduation photos of my former students graduating from college. Love!

Amy

Friday, May 9, 2025

Happy Friday! How was your week? I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share about mine.

My regular readers know I am retiring after 31 years as a high school Spanish teacher. It’s starting to feel more real now. I guess I should start my countdown on my whiteboard. I now have 12 days left of being a teacher and then 5 days left of teacher days after that.

Here are some random favorites from the week; it wouldn’t be my blog if it weren’t totally random!

I have started cleaning out my room and a sweet girl made this for me about 5 years ago. I am going to start posting it as my header or along with my header!

I finished this on Sunday. It was super cute. It was like Eleanor Oliphant as an air traffic controller in South Africa. Sounds weird but the observations she had made me chuckle.

I love that the library is open for very limited hours on Sunday afternoons and was able to pick up this request because my Saturday was too busy. Yes, I am trying my hand with another Scottish book; this time no one is a lochness monster who changes back and forth into a man. Yes, I do judge my books by their covers. The kilt! The yellow boots like mine!

I also had requested this:

I can’t remember why I requested it so I will have to look into it and see if it is my cup of tea.

I have a few other books I renewed. I just haven’t had much reading time lately. That makes me sad.

Cute boy! He is so in love with Tom and it makes me happy to see them “cuddling”.

I keep remembering Tom saying he doesn’t like who he is without a dog in the house after Ernie died. Tom has always been a dog person.

This may ruffle some feathers. I do not have a sourdough starter. I am not a sourdough queen. I bought this 3 pack of loaves at Costco and you bake them for 12-15 minutes and they are pretty darn good! I did see on a blog that I can buy an ancient sourdough starter off of Etsy for $12!

I have a student who just started calling me “queen” and I think I like it. I have two classes who wouldn’t stop saying “Sra. Scott” and I asked them to call me “Juanita” for the rest of the year and it has stuck. So silly.

I am loving my salmon lately with this seasoning. It makes a super easy sheet pan dinner.

I ordered some fun summery colors. I use Impress brand and they take a sweet forever to come in the mail. But, I almost always have some sort of discount. You can get two manis out of one box.

I can’t remember the last time I had the same color on my toes and my fingers. I plan to do a neutral pinky white next time I get a pedicure which is soon. That way it will work with any of the colors.

I did the colar red color first! I love it!

I took my AP class to our art show and basked in the sun on the way back.

My special girl dedicated this piece to me. I love this girl and have taught her for two years.

Do I have favorites? No – but some kids are open to letting you get to know them more and others are very closed off. When a kid volunteers and shares more of their life, I can get to know them better.

We had our last food day on Cinco de Mayo Monday. I let each class vote on the day they wanted. My very last food day of being a teacher was spectacular! One kid brought pupusas with a delicious slaw and sauce.

All of my food days this year were really great! They went to a lot of effort to make authentic dishes.

Eddie Otis never gets on the outdoor sectional with me but he will for Mason. His profile looked so handsome one day after school.

My weekday outing this week was a lovely early dinner with my high school friend Beth. I have two Beths and two Heathers, by the way. I have one Elizabeth. Lol.

We went to Captain’s Quarters which just reopened after the flooding. We both ordered a pineapple rum cocktail and it was delish. Beth is the Host It Notes friend and we talked about some of her recent charcuterie and grazing table projects. Her side business is taking off!

I love the drive to the river, too.

I wore this:

I couldn’t get this in time for Fashion Files yesterday, but I ordered some new pants from Amazon and my theory of spending around $30 to get a good quality on Amazon held true. I had white linen pants from Old Navy that were really old. I have been looking for some that aren’t too long and maybe had more of a modern wide leg silhouette without being too voluminous. Cue the ones I tried from Target and Old Navy this year – too wide. The only weird thing about these is they have built in white liner shorts just at the top of the pants. The line kind of looks like the pocket lining. Yes, they have pockets. The fabric is divine. It’s way softer than a scratchy linen. I really love them. I maybe should have gone down a size because they did stretch out a bit. I wore them to school all day and then changed shoes for my dinner out. I wrote lots of words but I wanted to share if anyone is around 5’4 like me and looking for the same.

Advice for Mother’s Day that I am taking, too:

My crew sometimes isn’t great about Hallmark holidays. I don’t want to do any chores on Sunday so I am going to work hard on Saturday to make that a reality, if that makes sense.

This year could be hard for me. I have gotten a sweet inquiry from Mason about what I want to do and an invite from a friend to hang out.

I am going to make a breakfast casserole Saturday that I can pop in the oven on Sunday am. My crew is better at dinner than breakfast so we might have a nice dinner that I don’t make – not sure what that will be yet; I would even be happy with a prepared meal from Fresh Market and their chocolate cake. Basically I am going to plan my own day. You can’t get mad when you don’t ask for what you need, either. So, I will ask for what I need this year.

I am doing some self-care but that is probably Saturday. I have my Japanese head spa appointment Saturday and I am getting a pedicure – probably Saturday, too.

I just wanted to share if anyone needs encouragement or if this year will be hard for you, too. And again, why do Fathers get the relaxed June holiday and Mothers get the crazy Maycember one? Not fair!

Happy Friday!

Amy

Thursday, May 8, 2025

I don’t feel like I have been super fashionable for school lately, y’all. My classroom is no longer cold, but now it’s muggy and my hair is flat after about an hour and I can’t seem to be dressed for the right temperature. Lol. Oh well. I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill to share my real life outfits – that’s for sure!

I really did love this outfit but it wasn’t for school…

This was a happy hour ‘fit! I am wearing my new Dr. Scholl’s buckle heels, my light Halaras and then two consignment items – the magenta blouse and the scarfy kimono are both from consignment stores. A teenager that I don’t know at the shopping center where my happy hour was complimented my outfit, too.

Sunday was rainy and I forgot a cardinal rule – no wide leg flares on rainy days. My hems were soaked! I have on my Aerie button up and my JCPenney Soho baseball cap.

We are having a weird teacher only spirit week this week for teacher appreciation week and Monday was dress for retirement day but it was also Cinco de Mayo. I wore leggings that made me hot and my Mexican inspired kimono. I didn’t know what to do!

Tuesday was decades day but I didn’t get it so I just wore what I wanted. I have on my $5 Chico’s white gauzy skirt, my Old Navy beachy graphic tee, and my Aerie oversized gauzy pink button up. Whatever.

I have on my new Dr. Scholl’s sneakers in the above photo and in the Sunday rainy day photo. They are not real leather and I think that makes them more pliable and more comfortable. I am super happy with them.

I know Derby has come and gone but I want to show you how pretty my friends look. Heather got to go to “Thurby” which is the Thursday before Derby. She is on the left and I got to help her shop last week.

And, then both of my Heathers got to go to the famous Barnstable Brown party and rub elbows with all kinds of famous people.

I was doing very non-Derby things like teaching and cleaning out my mom’s house.

I love this photo of my sisters and I in Europe. We took a month long Europe trip when I was 24, Kate was 21, and Molly was 16 almost 17. My Dad stayed for only 2 weeks of the trip.

It’s so funny because I think some of the styles we wore are back! The year was 1996 I think.

What is your favorite outfit of mine?

What have you been wearing?

Amy

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

1. Let’s compare this May to last May. What’s changed? What remains very much the same? 

Last May, my college kids were graduating! Also, I knew I was going back to school for at least one more year. My mom was still thriving. She had an episode in July that scared us, but in May she was doing great. So I would say a lot has changed.

We still have a pretty wild puppy just like last year, though. He has brought so much fun and entertainment but also so much work!

2. What’s something you may do this month? 

I may pamper myself. I need a pedicure for sure. I made an appointment for a new to me concept called a Japanese Head Spa. I saw it on IG and then looked to see if we had one and we did! It’s like a facial for your scalp. I might hate it, but I might really find it relaxing. I am only doing a 30 minute session. I love having my hair washed and my scalp massaged and I thought I would try it.

3. Mother’s Day is approaching (in the US of A)…in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

I know I got my ability to talk to people from my mom. She was interested in travel and other cultures and so am I. She would talk to anyone and ask to take pictures of people, too.

She got things done and I would like to think I got that from her, too. Boy, was she persistent.

She was a teacher and I’m a teacher. She loved hearing the gossip from the students and many came to spill the tea to her on a regular basis. I think she really liked the high school drama. Sometimes my sisters and I thought she gave her best to her students and not to us.

After people pass, I think you can still learn to understand and accept them. My mom was difficult and made it hard for us to have a good relationship, but I am focusing on the positives now and less on the negatives. Tanya and I had a nice conversation and she said some things that will stick with me.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite. 

I think it was first grade when I discovered them but I could be wrong – I was literally obsessed with The Boxcar Children. I wanted to be them. I did have my own adventures in the woods, but for some reason this series was just so perfect for me. We lived in a new subdivision in the country on a lake and there were houses constantly being built and my friends and I would play in them and there were boys who built forts and we would find them.

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

I am more of a hare, to my detriment sometimes. Sometimes I am in such a hurry to get something done that I don’t take the time I should. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good, but at the same time, don’t just check a box and get something done haphazardly. I remind myself of this all the time.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I started seeing Mother’s Day things in the stores a few weeks ago. This year is going to be hard. I have now had four consecutive busy weekends so I hope that I will be able to rest this Sunday and not be too sad. I guess sadness is good but I have just had so much of it this year. I’m tired of being sad. It takes a toll for sure.

What would you say to any of the hodgepodge questions?

Amy