Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

I decided to document yesterday so let’s see how it went! This could be the most boring thing on the internet today. I haven’t done one of these in a long time.

I am so sleepy lately. I am going to bed a little too late, probably. I fall asleep on the couch around 8:30-9 and finally make myself go to bed around 9:45 or 10.

Therefore, I hit snooze and got up 10 minutes late. It’s ok. I really only have to manage myself in the mornings and play defense with Eddie Otis. He loves to pull my robe belt out.

If all goes to plan, Tom has Eddie Otis outside for his lap around the playground so I can unload the dishwasher while my coffee brews. It’s impossible to load or unload if EO is in the house or not contained because he likes to “help” especially with the Tupperware lids.

Coffee set up ready:

It really is a race against the clock to get it unloaded! I did it!

Then, EO comes in and eats and I get a little blog and devotional time.

Dog hair on the devotional – lol!

The devotional spoke to me yesterday:

“Imagine carrying a heavy suitcase filled with useless things everywhere you went…That is what we do when we carry the burdens of worry and anxiety.”

Little boy stays by my side and plays with toys and we get lots of petting time in, too.

7:30 – Tom emerges from his hour of getting ready. What on Earth takes men so long? We chat about the day and I help him not forget things. He debates which of his 100 jackets to wear. It’s never easy for him to decide.

7:45 – I finally decide it’s time to get ready. I am getting ready later and later and walking out the door later and later as we approach Spring Break!

8:10- Walk out the door after crating EO. He knows when I pack my backpack it’s time. Mason gets up at either 8:00 or a little after so he doesn’t get crated for long if at all. Yesterday he didn’t get crated but got in the crate anyway.

It’s a good day because the person behind me isn’t there and I get to pull through! Spoiler: it is not really a good day and I will tell you why later…

8:20 – Arrive at school, sign in, and head to my room. I have first period planning so I get to ease into my day, eat my breakfast in my room, and check my email to see what fresh new survey, video training, or task awaits me that I didn’t know I would have to do on top of my actual job.

The fire alarm starts going off. There is no easing into the day. Students start leaving the building. Announcements tell them to go to first period and then they will leave again. I have planning but the fire alarm is so loud I am rattled.

I manage to settle down and eat my…

homemade egg mcmuffin.

My planning period is taken up by my post observation conference. I had a good observation but I was too loose lipped and told my assistant principal some of my opinions.

Oops. She didn’t like some of my opinions.

I hurried to the restroom before my first class started.

9:35 – My first class started – Spanish 3. It was good.

I am really glad I had everything ready for this class before I left on Friday. They leave and AP comes in.

I taught AP from 10:30-11:19. It was fine.

I taught another Spanish 3, but only half of it because our lunch is in the middle from 11:45-12:09. I teach 4 sections of level 3.

It was my turn for lunch so I had packed up some of the Irish crock meal for Erica and I for lunch. Neither Erica nor I had a great Monday because we both had parent requests for conferences. Hers was because a kid was unprepared for an assignment and mine was because I told a girl to start her work before going to the restroom and she asks me everyday to go to the restroom. Yes, this is what parents are like today. My girl is not getting homework done and I want her to improve her homework grade.

The lunch:

I taught the second half of of that class.

Ahhhh study hall. I get a chance to do some work in almost total silence from 12:43-1:31. Have you noticed how weird our bell schedule is?

Chug the water when I can. I try to fill this twice a day. That isn’t that much so I try to do about two more at home.

I teach another Spanish 3 from 1:35-2:26. I feel like I have gotten a second wind and this class is fun and they laugh at everything I say so you know I love that.

They leave and I teach another Spanish 3 from 2:30-3:20. This class is great, too. They are my smallest class of the day.

This class lines up at 3:19 and I would like to do that, too.

I talked to Erica and used the bathroom and then it was 3:44 when I got in my car.

Yay! I love when I get a package! I have been getting them less recently so this was a treat.

This is one of the things I ordered.

Eddie Otis and I went outside.

Then, we went inside to make Irish soda bread. EO and I were both so happy that dinner had been cooked all day Sunday in the crockpot.

Mason got home from work and we were happy!

Dinner time! Tom has arrived home and done a lap with EO.

Amy time. I finally feel like my work is done. Ahhhhhhh.

Now it is time for Captain Jason and I.

And, I also have time for all my other Bravo friends.

I make myself go to bed between 9:30 and 10:00.

And, then I get up and do it all again.

I know it’s a luxury to not have obligations after work right now. But, the routine gets old and I feel like I do nothing besides my work work and my home work. So, that is why I plan a happy hour or take myself out for Wednesday errands some weeks.

Anyway… that was my Monday!

Amy

Monday, March 17, 2025

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Are you wearing green? Also, it’s my sister Kate’s 50th! Happy birthday, Kate!

I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend…

By Thursday, it was feeling like Groundhog Day. Go to school, come home, go to school, come home. I guess that is a luxury that some would covet? But, I was happy to have plans immediately after school on Thursday with my friend Beth. The weather was gorgeous and we went to what is probably my current happy hour fave Osteria. It was the first time I have sat outside this season!

Beth spoils me with little gifts and I love this card she gave me.

After we left Osteria, we went in Tunie’s Boutique outlet. I had bought orange gauzy shorts and they worked out great so I wanted to see if they had other colors. I came home with this turquoise – only $15!

Friday was another green blouse – lol. I have realized that I have a lot of green.

I have kind of gotten into a Friday Starbuck’s routine.

When I got home from school my oven reminded me that it was Pi Day.

Mason was the only one who wanted to go out Friday night so we went to my former student’s new restaurant Adelita’s. Mason hadn’t been yet and he loved it! Mason prides himself in picking out good dishes on a menu and he did it again!

Saturday morning it was mild enough to sit outside. Oh, have I missed this. I guess November or December was the last time I could drink my coffee outside?

I am so grateful for reading this winter. I have really read a lot and it’s so much better for me than scrolling or tv. I still scroll and I still watch tv, but I have cut back on both.

I finished these in time to take them back to my library Saturday morning:

I kept this to read over the weekend:

And, I added these three. Tin-Tin, my Swedish reader and friend, told me about The One Thing. I love to have a non-fiction at all times.

I had a great Saturday morning! I hadn’t been to Trader Joe’s since the Christmas holidays if I remember correctly. I went to TJ’s, the library, and I used my Sun Tan City spray membership. I am doing medium clear about once a week if you are interested in trying it.

I had my best kind of Saturday – I read on the patio for quite awhile and then I moved into the living room with Tom and he watched tv while I kept reading.

Is She Really Going Out with Him by Sophie Cousens is so cute and I am almost done!

We spend a lot of time talking about how cute our Eddie Otis is.

I did a shamrock mani:

It rained all day long so I got dressed for dinner in my short rain boots:

Our friends picked us up for the British pub Pints & Union – these are not our friends – was just trying to get a photo of the cute atmosphere:

I mean – no offense – they look like really nice people.

We split some scotch eggs…

Sunday morning was rainy again but colder and I thought my boy looked so big standing guard.

I set my alarm for 8:00 to start Jen’s Irish meal!

You add the cabbage at the end but I chopped it while my cutting board was out.

A little more patio time…

A little meal prep – my week was rough last week with lack of meal prep!

I only left the house once yesterday to do a donation drop off. I did the first pass over my spring and summer closet! I packed up 4 bags.

All day Saturday I was so excited because my sister’s boyfriend surprised her with a little getaway to Cincinnati and I couldn’t wait to hear how it went down! She loves art so I suggested 21 C art hotel and the art museum there. I hope she felt special and had so much fun. I will hear today after school, I hope! I wanted to leave her alone yesterday to enjoy the rest of her getaway.

It was a good weekend. I needed it. What about you?

We have a 5 day week and then a 4 day week and then it will be spring break. I have a half day one day this week so that will help. I’m pretty happy at school with my students when we are on normal routine. I just struggle with not having a little more time at home and to myself if that makes sense.

Also, when my Dad passed away it was right before winter break so I had that time to grieve or start grieving. This has been different. I felt like I needed to get back and it’s been hard to not really have that time. Especially since I am retiring, I felt it was right to get back. Maybe it’s even better for your mental health to be amongst people?

Here is our current struggle…the students have been forgiven 5 school days for the snow and don’t have to make them up, but teachers have not because they are not going to pay us for not working. So, currently, teachers are going to have to work 5 days at the end of the school year without students until June 2. The work will be done, grades will be turned in, etc. I really can’t think what they would have us do for 5 days and with me retiring I am not into creating for next year – lol. I wrote up a proposal about letting teachers work the time or some of the time in a flexible manner from now until May 23 when we need the time. Erica is a union big wig so she presented it and the president is meeting with district officials.

You thought I was just a complainer, but I am trying to be the change. Ha! While going through the change. I think my students are tired of me saying, “do you all think it’s hot in here?”

Ok, thank you for reading and for your comments! I read them all!

Amy

Friday, March 14, 2025

This is what has happened this week…

Unfortunately, I was stuck inside at school all week, but you better believe I was outside from 4:00 on!

Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika, but the sun was definitely a favorite this week.

Other favorites…

Daylight Savings Time hit me hard on Monday and required an afternoon coffee with Erica’s classroom Keurig.

Tuesday I felt so much better but was in a treat yo’self mood and got a 2 shot espresso in a large cup with ice and added Premier to it. Yum! I also got a breakfast sandwich. This is what lack of meal prepping does, no? I have not really had my life together in 2025 as much as I have in the past.

Do you all follow Tidy Dad on IG? He is a NYC teacher originally from Kentucky. He spent some time as a school administrator but went back to teaching because he was so unhappy. I respect that and all of his systems he has put in place. I really like his book!

I sometimes take on too much and don’t like to ask for help. This Enneagram Type 2 description fit me to a T.

I told my sisters I would take on the phone calls, paper work, and thank you’s for my mom’s stuff. They told me to let them know if I couldn’t handle it all. So, the last time we were together we divided up the remaining thank you’s and I asked them to help make a couple of the phone calls that had been hard to make. Maybe I’m getting better?

Right? I miss Eddie Otis when I am gone. He is becoming such a loverboy.

Tom and I took a Target trip this weekend and we bought these:

OMG! We both love them. Have you heard of bamboo sheets?

I have really been into my spring fashions lately and showed them yesterday and I also did a post Tuesday on Spring Shopping.

Here is the other boutique dress I purchased recently. It was $39 and is by the brand Entro. Entro and Umgee are my two favorite boutique brands.

I placed an Old Navy order about 3 or 4 weeks ago and got this fun skort:

this fisherman core aesthetic tee:

Mason said it’s not really fisherman core because it’s just about eating fishy things, but whatever.

And, lastly, I got this off white blouse:

I just love white and off white.

These are just such a classic shoe and I wore them this week. They must run a bit wide because I have no discomfort in them.

They are the Adidas Stan Smith and mine have a gold heel. You can get them in green, gold, or navy. Maybe they come in more colors, too, now.

Apparently Tom ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant one day this week because he sent me his fortune: “Stop searching forever, happiness is just next to you” and his first love Ale 8 soda is just next to him.

He has a red sweater for his soda bottle, too.

If you are in education, you know it was a full moon. Remember the Stanley Cup fight? I found out the cups were full, too. They are all ok, by the way.

I did get to see the gorgeous full moon one morning!

I turned on the porch lights.

We still have two weeks before spring break. Well, 9 school days because we are out on the Friday before spring break.

We almost need the weather to be cold and dreary again to keep the kids focused!

What were your favorites this week?

Amy

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Thank you to Joyce for the thought provoking questions!

1. March 15th is known as The Ides of March, the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C….have you ever been to Rome? If so what did you love most about the city? If not, is this a place you’d like to visit? 

I have not, but I would like to. I have only been to Venice in Italy, sadly. I think I would like to see the small towns in Italy more than Rome, but Rome is still on my list.

2. ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ What project/activity/improvement (of any kind) do you have going on right now to which this saying might be applied? 

Our house for sure! We live in a 1960s ranch and we have made improvements very, very slowly. When we get one done, the first one we did needs to be re-done. We are hoping to get to the kitchen very soon. We are replacing all the floors on the main level, pulling up the little carpet we have in the living room, and painting the whole main level. We are adding cabinetry to our mudroom. Our reclaimed wood (might have been too reclaimed if you know what I mean) porch is deteriorating so we are re-doing that. I hate the disarray of house projects but it’s just a part of doing business. Tom is a perfectionist. He is slow. He has great design ideas. We have two beautiful new bathrooms and a beautiful new bedroom with two big closets so my patience has paid off. He had the idea to put a porch on the side of our free standing garage. I love it so much and thank him for it all the time. It feels like an extra room from March-ish to November-ish.

3. Let’s do a little this or that with some Italian foods…

• Caprese salad or Prosciutto with melon?  Caprese for sure! I don’t like melon.
• Bruschetta or Antipasto?  Bruschetta!
• lasagne or ravioli? Lasagne!
• bolognese or Carbonara? Carbonara if made in a restaurant – don’t trust myself!
• Risotto or gnocchi?  Gnocchi!
• tiramisu~gelato~cannoli?  Gelato!

Now I want Italian food. My Dad always said it “eye-talian”.

4. Of the colors red, white, and green which would I find most prevalent in your home? Which one do you think is most flattering to you in terms of your wardrobe? Have you ever had your colors done? Is that something you’d be interested in doing? 

I love natural wood and white. I also like green. You really won’t find red. I always get complimented when I wear green, but it’s probably the clothes and not how they look on me.

Funny enough, there isn’t much red in my wardrobe except at Christmas. I have a surprising amount of green clothing and I’m wearing it for March! I love white. I am not afraid of white clothing.

I had my colors done in 6th grade and they said I’m a summer. I wonder if that is still true? They also told me that both pink and yellow undertones work with my skin. I would like to do it again but I won’t pay a lot for it. I probably will still wear what I like.

5. Life would be boring without____________________?

Tom and Eddie Otis. Tom keeps me laughing. Eddie Otis brings so much energy. My kids are great, too. They are living here but doing their own thing and it goes in spurts how much we see them between their work and social lives. I was telling Tom a school story yesterday and he said that I wouldn’t have anything to talk about when I retire. I really don’t think that’s true! I think he is afraid of change and it’s coming out in comments like this.

Ok, I will tell you the story…

3 girls got in a fight at school with their Stanley cups. Like, they weren’t drinking out of them – they were using them as weapons. The ambulance had to come.

Today there will be one with Owallas. Just kidding!

I really hope everyone is ok and I have often thought the water bottles that are allowed is getting out of control/gonna cause a problem/gonna have something other than water in them.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I feel myself losing patience with dumb stuff at school now. I don’t want to say it’s not my problem anymore but I can see my tolerance waning. Everyday there is a dumb decision made. I would do things differently. I’m becoming the “get off my lawn!” old veteran teacher I’m afraid.

So, what say you about any of these topics?

Amy

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

I can’t decide if I get more excited about spring or fall clothing shopping, but I think it’s spring. We’ve just come out of all the dark colors of winter clothing and everything seems so fresh and so bright, you know?

And, this is the perfect week for this post – we are looking at highs from 64-71! It’s gonna be hard to keep the kids focused, but I will take it over the cold we have had this year.

I feel like my whole life has been a lesson in how to shop well. My mom said that from day one I was obsessed with my shoes. She dressed me really cute but she said I always favored my shoes and wanted to wear new shoes out of the store. My mom taught me to bargain shop and sometimes that can be my curse. I’ve had to learn that quality is often the best bargain because the cost per wear goes down.

Now, I want to have a smaller wardrobe of stuff I really love and feel good in.

Shoes:

I am going to be wearing sneakers to school for the most part for the rest of the year. My feet and legs are no longer willing to take the abuse I have dished out for 31 years. I recently got properly fitted and I am in a wide! I guess the old Flintstone feet spread out. With my wide leg jeans, you really can’t see much of them, so no problem. These are shorter jeans and they just look weird to me now.

These are New Balance 860s. They aren’t that ugly and I went with what felt the best. My feet are so happy!

I recently picked up this nice neutral flip flop from Target and have been wearing them non-stop at home and on weekends.

And, I still love these even though they start hurting a little bit after 5 hours. They feel fine most of the day but then hurt by the end of the day. I guess it’s because they aren’t wide.

Other than that, I will need to inventory my summer sandals and see what I still want to wear and what still fits. This new wide foot measurement may be just the ticket to helping me feel more comfortable in my shoes.

I was ruthless with spring and summer tops. I have 3 bags ready to be donated. I decided they are too old (and some are fast fashion) so my consignment shop wouldn’t take much.

I think I will still wear all my fun printed palazzo pants.

I’m really into butter yellow! I love Aerie’s quality. I purchased this and have worn it every chance I get. It’s like a feminine sweatshirt with boho ties. It runs big. They also just recently recommended it on The Big Boo Cast but I had it first! Ha!

I also purchased this fresh yellow stripe from Aerie.

Underneath is a fisherman core aesthetic inspired graphic tee from Old Navy. I also purchased a green with white trim athletic skort from Old Navy. I find skorts great to walk in or just to look a little bit elevated when you are casual. They have bike shorts underneath and there is a pocket for your phone!

See..the shorter jeans just look weird to me right now.

I’m into graphic tees with cardigans over them.

I’m into gauzy fabric still.

I’m into blouses with jeans and jean shorts, too. I might buy a new longer pair of jean shorts but shorter is more flattering on my leg. The longer length looks more modern to me.

For jeans, I am at the point where I am only wearing my Halaras. They just look the best. I have them in medium denim, light denim, and light black. I am wondering if I will wear the light black in the spring, but I think I will with some blouses that have darker colors.

I have found and loved things from TJ Maxx, Walmart, and Target, but I can get swept up with the price and quantity over quality rather than it being the perfect item for me. So, I do try to limit how much I look at those stores or websites.

I like to check a couple of boutiques from time to time and my favorite brands are Umgee and Entro. I can usually find dresses for $39. I will pay up to $50 if I really, really love the print. I think some people think boutiques are out of their price range, but have you seen Target’s prices lately? They ain’t cheap anymore.

Here is a recent Umgee purchase:

I loved the print and the colors and have a hot pink cardigan that will work with it. I paid $39. I also found a really pretty salmon colored dress last week and paid $39 for it. Dresses are hard to fit me sometimes so I like to buy them when I find one that works.

Shopping for:

White linen drawstring wide leg pants

New swim cover up

More lounge/casual clothes for home – my selection is really old and horrible

New summer sandals that are both comfortable and cute – not sure what I want yet

That’s all I can think of now!

I am trying to do more in person shopping. I feel like I make less shopping mistakes that way. If I can touch the fabric (big deal for me!), try it on, and avoid returns I am happy to shop that way.

I do not believe in waiting until your body is perfect to try to wear what you like and what feels good. I believe we are always worthy of things that make us our most confident selves. And, it helps you so much to look and feel good on your journey to a more healthy self. Can I get an Amen?

What are you into right now? Shopping for? Any brand or store recommendations for me?

Amy

Monday, March 10, 2025

Well, can you tell by my post that I’m not really ready for the week? I have a 5 day week staring down at me (yes, 5 days seems like a lot these days) and we have super nice temperatures this week! Fiebre de primavera, alguien? Spring fever, anyone? I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share what I did this weekend.

One of my goals is to entertain more. I invited Erica over after school Friday very spontaneously. I had wine, new taper candles, new retro candle holders, and a bag of potato chips, some salami, and some cheese. What else do you need?

Dare I say it was better than what we would have gotten in some establishments? And, it was $ Zero – well it was for Erica! Ha!

Somebody was very very happy to show our guest his big lambie.

After Erica left my fam decided to order Thai. Mason has been getting this beef dish at our nearby Thai place. He loves it. Tom and I always split chicken pad thai and it is enough for four people so it is a huge portion.

I went to bed pretty early and got up pretty late for me around 7:00. I am so tired right now. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. I know many of you can relate to the tired you feel when you are grieving.

I had some Amazon returns Saturday morning and I went and did my spray tan since I have a membership again this month. My goal is to go once a week and just get a little color.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade has become a bit of a tradition for Erica, our old teaching buddy Elizabeth, and I. Some years we have had others join us.

We weren’t sure what the weather would do so our plan was to go to lunch and then see if it was warm enough to stand outside.

We found a newish British pub! It’s called Pints and Union and I can’t wait to take Tom and our friends Eric and Heather.

We decided to split a Scotch egg, fish and chips, and bangers and mash and it was perfect.

It was fun but it was a lot for me. I find my social battery depleting much quicker lately. Well, I haven’t done much, but what I have done is two hours or less. I was out from noon until five. It was too much and I was feeling like I was low energy and didn’t want to affect my friends.

It was great to be out in the sun, though, and I got to wear my green!

Speaking of green, Eddie Otis has had my phone in his mouth several times – don’t ask – and it was time for a new phone case. I liked it so much I ordered a more springy color instead of the emerald green I had.

Pretty color, right?

The aforementioned candles and holders:

I am enjoying these unscented old school candles. I think I got the inspiration from my student in Spain – she has them in wine bottles! They look so cute!

I received a funeral basket of five plants. I ordered these to separate them to try not to kill them.

The candles burn quickly but I love how they look with all the drippings. Am I weird?

Plants that have now been separated:

They will be moved eventually. We are sprucing up some spaces in our home right now.

Saturday night Tom did our taxes and was in a very bad mood. Lol.

Sunday morning Tom and I went out for bagels. Yum!

Then, Tom went to Target with me.

The sun was bright on Sunday and you can see how light the spray tan is here:

I had to change into shorts! I spend most of Sunday reading in the sun! Yay! I also did laundry, picked up groceries, put them away, vacuumed and made dinner so you don’t think I’m sooo lazy.

Tom’s gym friend had just been to Vermont and always brings Tom some cheese. This time he brought him blue cheese and it inspired a dinner of a Cobb salad:

I made potato skins but in the round to go with the salad.

It was a pretty nice Sunday dinner. Yesterday seemed so long! Ha!

Eddie Otis was a bit confused about the time change, too.

“So, like, when do I eat?”

Tell me a highlight from your weekend?

Amy

Friday, March 7, 2025

It’s Friday! It’s link up with Andrea and Erika day.

The week has gone by pretty quickly for me. Of course, it’s only Thursday morning as I write this post – lol.

Tom and I had talked about this and he surprised me by going ahead and getting it while I was out of town last weekend. It’s amazing! Eddie Otis sheds more than our other labs did. I mean – it costs almost as much as my first car, but what doesn’t these days?

Yes, I am at the age where I am excited about a vacuum. Once you go cordless, you can never go back to a corded version!

Monday was nice and sunny and Eddie Otis somehow knows it’s time to go get his margarita toy around 4:00. #advancedpuppy #likemotherlikeson

Eddie Otis loves to grab a kitchen towel. He kind of sneaks up and very gently pulls it off of the counter.

After school with the dogs out – wearing my new Target flip flops. They are great quality! The white version is tempting me, too. They also have them in black.

The mystery of the photos on the piano is solved. Niece Mia found them in a desk drawer and placed them side by side and didn’t tell anyone.

I don’t think I have ever worn out/used up a tube of lipstick until now. Revlon’s Goldpearl Plum is a great color.

I am almost finished with this memoir and I am really enjoying it.

And, I am about halfway through this and I’m really enjoy it, too.

During the week I only have tiny pockets of reading time, but it’s still better than nothing! I am hoping to have some good reading time this weekend.

I was finally able to plan dinners again and cooked the following this week…

Sunday – spaghetti and Texas Toast

Monday – salmon, frozen green beans, sauteed Yukon gold potatoes

Tuesday – jambalaya and spoon bread for Mardi Gras

Wednesday – fish sticks, mac and cheese, peas

Thursday – hot dogs and baked beans and a bagged salad

Nothing too fancy or too homemade, but it’s been over a month since I’ve been able to do this. People have been feeding us or we have been relying too heavily on take out, Door Dash, and I knew it had to stop.

My kids and I found a show that I think is pretty funny! A former Harvard professor gets stuck teaching an AP Biology class and doesn’t want to be there. It’s been awhile since we have had a show we enjoy together.

I started the Meghan Markle series on Netflix. I don’t know if I can do it. Even if I didn’t already have an opinion of her, she just comes off so pretentious. And, I love Ain’t Too Proud to Meg on IG and apparently Meghan is getting a lot of haters that say she is copying off of Meg.

Meg is very gracious and says that she doesn’t have a trademark on the rainbow fruit platter and isn’t the first to do it!

Anyway, I will probably watch more of the series.

I did something crazy this week. I have been having foot trouble/shoe trouble. I took two pairs of sneakers to Spain and was not very comfortable. I chose fashion over comfort in my choices of Adidas Sambas and Vejas. I have been struggling with my shoe size – am I an 8 or an 8.5. Something has been feeling off and I don’t realize it until after it’s too late to return the shoe.

I went into a locally owned athletic shoe store – Swag’s if you are local – and got fitted. The salesperson had me walk with my pant legs pulled up both forward and back again to him, had me place my feet on a mat that makes an imprint of your foot, and then had me try on a few sizes and a few brands. I decided not to pick based on brand or coolness. I tried on Brooks, New Balance, On Cloud, and Hoka. He also had me put on compression socks. I’m in a wide. He said that my left foot was measuring wide but my right wasn’t really – lol. I put more pressure on my left foot when I stand. So true and that’s also how I held my babies – on my left hip while putting more pressure on my left foot, I guess. I have had to go to the chiropractor for that side of my body in the past. One time when my twins were 2, I bent over to pick one up and my back just locked up.

So, here is what felt the best – not necessarily what I liked the best…

I wore them out of the store!

If you haven’t had your foot properly fitted, I highly recommend doing it. They felt so good I wore them the rest of the day.

Eddie Otis hopped up on the ottoman to watch Real Housewives with me.

Tom sent me an email Wednesday from his company congratulating him on 12 years with them. So, I picked up a little Oreo cake from Kroger. Remember that I just said I want to celebrate big and small?

The cake was $6 and it was delicious if you have a Kroger!

And, I had already planned to make one of his favorite meals so that was his celebratory dinner – lol.

It snowed Wednesday evening!

I love this little tradition…

I have each kid write on and decorate a shamrock for my little corner of the school. Each of the four leaves has a statement: “Tengo suerte porque…” which means “I am lucky because…” and they list four things in their life that make them feel lucky. I also talked about having a gratitude practice and how it makes me feel. We went around the room and each shared one statement before hanging them up.

It’s funny because this year’s students really love taking a couple of minutes to color or draw something. Some years the kids have not enjoyed it as much. This year I’m getting a lot of “Oh, do we get to color something today?” when I have the markers out.

Yes, I will miss aspects of teaching and I am now starting to savor the good things even more.

Anyway, I hope you also had some favorites this week!

Amy

Thursday, March 6, 2025

It’s Thursday and it’s fashion day with Kellyann and Jill!

Are you just giddy for spring clothing like I am?

I bagged up two trash bags this weekend of spring stuff that no longer fits my style or looks too worn, pilled, or dated. I thanked the pieces for their service – some had served me for close to a decade – and didn’t give them another thought.

Before you start spring shopping, you should do this, too!

Then, look at Pinterest or Google images for inspo. Look at the mall. See what’s on trend and what’s for sale. Look at catalogs. Look at ads.

What do you like? What do you already have? What fits your lifestyle? Be true to yourself in terms of colors and patterns, too. I am such a pattern person, but I have realized the need for solids in my wardrobe.

I use my job as a testing ground for my outfits. If something doesn’t work when I try it on in the morning or I come to a realization after wearing it for a full day, I put it in the donate pile.

Last week I decided to have “blouse week” due to our wonderful 60s-70s temps.

You saw Monday and Tuesday outfits last week.

Here is Wednesday – this blouse is a fun print from TJ Maxx. I actually saw this print still available on the clearance rack in January. I wore it with pull on black dress pants and my new Target Mary Janes. I look very “teacher-y”.

Here is Thursday – another TJ Maxx top – knit in the middle with sheer floral sleeves. I wore it with my light Halaras and my Stan Smiths. I’ve gotten away from long necklaces, but I liked this Kendra Scott with it.

And, Thursday after school I went to Aerie. I had two things in my online cart and decided to just go in store and try on and feel the material. What a concept! Can we sing praise for in store shopping, try ons, and no returns needed? No waiting for Mr. UPS to show up? It was great. I got this butter yellow dressed up sweatshirt and immediately wore it the next day. I love yellow!

I also got this button up:

I didn’t wear it yet; this was just a try on. I put it over my new Old Navy graphic tee that kind of fits the fisherman core aesthetic. Lol.

Saturday for work day at my parents’ house…

Black short sleeve with black knit cardigan and the leggings that Jenn found from Walmart a couple of years ago. I copied off of her.

Monday for school. Meh. Donating these jeans. They stretched as day wore on. The whole outfit is just meh.

Tuesday I wore my Target blouse that Tanya found a few years ago. I am such a copy cat! I wore my light Halaras and my green Vejas.

I’m not cool enough for these…

So, that’s it. What have you been wearing?

I have been thinking a lot about what my retirement wardrobe will look like!

Amy

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Thank you for all of your responses to my big news yesterday!

1. What do you love most about March? 

Spring! The feeling that spring is almost here! I also have always loved St. Patrick’s Day; it’s my middle sister’s birthday! I also love the color green; it just makes me happy. Also, I just started attending our St. Patrick’s Day parade a few years ago. It’s really fun!

I want to make Jen’s Irish meal and I think Sunday, March 16th would be a good day to have that going in the crockpot.

Of course I started out the week wearing my green. I am having a green week or having a green week as much as I can.

2. Hey! Did you know March is National Celery Month? Do you like celery? What’s something you make (or like to order out) that calls for celery? 

I love celery with buffalo sauce and ranch. I love it with Laughing Cow and everything bagel seasoning. I love it with peanut butter. I love it as a sub for bread with egg salad or tuna salad.

But…please do not cook celery or put it in a hot dish. Gross!

3. _______________ is the soundtrack to my life right now. 

I really don’t know, but I do have Pink Pony Club stuck in my head!

4. Share a favorite motivational quote for overcoming challenges. 

“The storm will pass. You are stronger than you think, and you will weather this.” 

My regular readers know what I am going through right now. I lost my mom and now I have no living parents. This feels big to me. No one loves you like your parents do. I feel a responsibility to be the rock for my sisters who are both younger than me. We have to be each others’ safety nets now.

I know I am not the first to go through this. Right now it feels like a storm of emotions. But, I have already seen how we are all stronger than we thought. I hope we can weather this together and create a new family normal.

5. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday this year. Do you participate in Lent in some way? If so tell us more. 

I didn’t really grow up giving up anything for Lent as a Methodist. I always want to be better and do better. I would like to give up negative talk this year.

Louisville is a huge Catholic city with tons of fish options on Fridays and we have lots of Catholic friends. We eat fish with them in solidarity.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

It’s even more important to me now to celebrate all the little things in life. Celebrate the big and small holidays, milestones big and small – anything, really. Let yourself be celebrated, too. You better believe I am going to celebrate my 31 years of teaching. I miss hosting people at my house. We had a lot of people visit Eddie Otis back in the spring but since then I have not done much hosting.

What is on your mind this Wednesday? Any Hodgepodge responses? Random thoughts?

Amy

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Happy Mardi Gras! Happy Fat Tuesday!

My short Tik Tok career…

Some of you may have already figured this out. Some of you I have hinted to and some of you I have outright told…

I am retiring at the end of the year! Well, I will officially retire on July 1st.

I can now tell you because I told my principal last week – last Tuesday to be exact. I was still doubting myself on Monday and honestly, I was a ball of emotions. On Tuesday I woke up with a sense of peace about my decision. I had made an appointment with my principal during my planning period.

I started with, “I have made the difficult decision to retire at the end of the year” and he really did seem surprised and sad. I teared up and got choked up a little. Darn it!

But, we talked for about 20 minutes and I made him laugh about 5 times. So, me getting choked up just says I care, right? Not that I am an emotional perimenopausal woman?

I probably gave him more information than he needed, but then I always do…

I said I kind of thought going in this year it might be my last year, but I’ve loved my students and my new microphone – lol. I said I was ready for more flexibility in my life and now I am dealing with my mom’s estate.

I said I didn’t think I could be effective if I stayed another year, but that I am going out on top of my game just like Michael Jordan. Ha!

I made him laugh and chuckle several times and he said I have done so much for my department, which was nice.

I also told him I wasn’t ready for it to be public. I think it’s too early to tell my students. Also, I would like them to hear it from me.

This is 31 years. Kentucky has a really good pension and I could have retired after 27 years based on when I started teaching. Many teachers do retire after 27 years. I also had some teachers say, “why are you still here?” Weird and rude. Don’t project your feelings onto me and it’s different for everyone. I was told I would know when it was right.

So, I’m sad. I’m relieved to have made the decision. I’m excited. I’m all the things. I have been a teacher for longer than I haven’t been a teacher.

Teacher = 31 years

Not a Teacher/Normal Person = 22 years

I want a new chapter! I think? I am not sure what I would like to do but it would need to have a lot of flexibility – I think? I would like to boss people around. Anyone?

If you are retired or you changed careers, what can you tell me?

Amy