jgalvinwhite

Not Just a Mom

Share Our Lives: September 2025

Posted on September 8, 2025September 7, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend.

It’s the second Monday of the month, so I’m co-hosting the Share Our Lives link up with some of my favorite bloggers.

So far this year, we’ve discussed…

Saving time on chores in January
Tips for falling asleep in February
Day in the life, an average day in March
Creative outlets/free time in April
How do you spend your birthday in May
Unique things about where you live in June
Best vacation memory in July
How do you take a break in August

This month’s topic is…5 things we like to do winter/spring/summer/fall.

To start, I’ve always lived somewhere that has four seasons, and I don’t know that I could live somewhere that doesn’t. I’m an oddball who likes the winter, so even seeing snow is important to me. That being said, I’m sure living somewhere that’s sunny and 75 year round can’t be bad either. haha!

Here’s some things I like to do per season:

Winter:

1. Enjoy all the holiday fun in December

December is quite the month, but it’s filled with traditions and holiday fun!

2. Fresh start in January

January is one of my favorite months. It’s the start of a new year and January is always far less hectic than December. I feel like I breathe a big sigh of relief once the calendar turns to January. Plus…

3. Celebrate my birthday

January is my birthday month! I don’t need all the attention, but I appreciate a card, cake, and dinner.

4. Snow days!

Also, in January, we really start having a chance of snow…which means snow days! Remember last January when we didn’t go back to school until mid-January?! …and then we still had some snow days after that!

5. Read by the fire!

I feel like I have more time to read in January, and I’m ready to start a new year with a reading goal thanks to Good Reads. Even better is when I can read my Kindle with the fire keeping me warm.

Spring:

1. Walk outside

Once February hits, I’m ready for spring and spending time outside. When the weather allows in March, I love a spring time walk where every day gets lighter!

2. Spring break

I always look forward to spring break. By that time, we all need a break from school. We typically don’t go too far from home or for two long, but four days away is typically perfect. We have taken some “bigger” spring break trips the past couple of years, going to Washington, D.C. and Isle of Palms.

3. Go to Keeneland/Oaks

Keeneland in April and the Oaks/Derby in May both are special times in the Bluegrass State.

4. Freshen up the front porch

It’s always nice to freshen up the front porch in the spring. For Mother’s Day, my present is always two hanging ferns, and then we also plant flowers in the front porch planters. I also change out the door mat and door hanger. I’m ready for more color in the spring time months!

5. Wrap up the school year

Of course, the end of spring means wrapping up the school year. Honestly, the years seem to go faster and faster…especially now that the kids are in high school too.

Summer:

1. Unwind/sleep in

The best part about summer is not having a schedule which means I can stay up a bit later and also sleep in a bit too. Honestly, most summers are still busier than I think they will be, but at least there’s downtime in between the busy.

2. Pool time

I always appreciate pool time in the summer.

3. Vacation

It’s always nice when we can go on a longer vacation in the summer. This past summer, Trav and I went to the Lake Michigan area which was perfect.

Summer 2024, we took the epic trip to the Pacific Northwest for the Olympic Track Trials and to check out Washington and Oregon.

4. Time for exercise classes

In the summer, I appreciate having a bit more time for fitness…and having a few more choices. During the year, I usually go for a walk or go down to my basement to complete a Bodi workout. In the summer, I can go to the gym to use the elliptical or take a Pilates class.

5. To do lists

I also appreciate having time in the summer to cross things off my to do list. In the summer months, I typically purge closets, clean out kitchen cabinets, complete tasks that I put off during the school months like getting the rugs cleaned or finishing a project.

Fall:

My favorite season of all:

1. Decorate

I always love decorating in the fall. I feel like it doesn’t take too long, and we can appreciate the decor for a couple of months. Plus, I love making the front porch festive in the fall.

2. Watch the leaves change color

We have a neighborhood filled with wonderful trees, and it’s so fun to see the leaves change.

3. Keeneland, Pumpkin patch

Just like in the spring, Keeneland is one of my favorite places to be in the fall.

The pumpkin patch is one of my favorite traditions. I love the apple cider donuts, seeing all the pumpkins, letting the kids get their carving pumpkins, and just spending a bit of time outside.

4. Fall break

Fall break is always a great time! We used to have a couple of days off, and we’d typically go to Asheville, NC. Then, the calendar shifted, and we have gotten a week off the past few years. While, to me, fall break isn’t as “needed” as spring break is, I still appreciate it. We’ve had lots of fun with friends the past few years.

5. Celebrate kids’ birthday and Thanksgiving:

November is a marathon of a month, but two of my favorite days take place: the kids’ birthday and Thanksgiving. What’s not to love?

I’m very ready for fall; we had awesome temps last week, but we’re back in the upper 80’s soon.

Next month’s topic is go to snacks. We’d love to have you link up with us.

Have a great Monday.

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#273}

Posted on September 5, 2025September 4, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

How was your week? I started the week sick, but I am feeling better now. The short weeks always throw me off, and I was only at school three days this week…and I’ve constantly had to remind myself what day it is.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week…

Honestly, I’m finishing up this post pretty late, so I will just get to it…and it’s mostly kid related favorites since we’re back in the thick of all the sports.

Hadley and friends went to the first UK tailgate of the season, and they had so much fun. Travis and Hayden went to the game as well.

Hadley’s volleyball pics came in, and they are so cute…

I love this one too!

I stayed home from school on Tuesday, and this is what Hadley sent me from Spanish class. lol

One of the dads takes pics during the games, and it’s been fun to have a few action shots of Hadley on the court.

This is another fun one too…

Hayden had his second race of the season last weekend, and he ran well overall. He was bummed to miss a PR by two seconds, but it was a beautiful morning and a great course. He’s just getting started.

Yesterday, Hadley had small group early in the morning, so I decided to drop her off and then head to school. I don’t know that I’ve ever been to school at 7:15…but it was nice.

My room was so peaceful, and it was nice to have an hour before school started! Maybe I can try doing this a bit more often. I’m having a really great start to the year, but I truly feel like I can’t get caught up. So, this extra hour was nice.

Earlier this week, I shared my September book trackers on Instagram. I love when others use them and tag me in them!

They are saved in a “August” book highlight. Feel free to use them and tag me. I enjoy seeing what others are reading.

Favorite Food:

On Tuesday, I placed a Kroger delivery and threw the ingredients in the slow cooker for a new recipe…This is a version of the Tomato Feta Pasta that was going around on Tik Tok. It was easy and delish! I will definitely keep it in the rotation. It would also be delish with chicken or shrimp added in it.

Favorite Mom Meme:

This! LOL!

Share Our Lives:

We have our monthly Share Our Lives link up on Monday. This month’s topic is 5 things we like to do in the fall/winter/spring/summer. We’d love it if you link up with us!

Weekly Recap:

I had a random week of posting, but they were all fun ones to write:

Monthly Moments

Prime PUrchases

Fashion Files

Well, thankfully, we don’t have too much going on this weekend…at least nothing that entails an early wake up call….and, for that, I’m appreciative! I might pull my fall decorations out. I usually don’t do that for another couple of weeks, but we’ll see!

See you back here on Monday! Thanks so much for reading.

Amazon, Clothes

Fashion Files

Posted on September 4, 2025September 3, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Well, this might have been my least fashionable summer. That being said, I don’t know if any summer is really fashionable as I’m typically in PJs, a swimsuit and cover up or athleisure! Since I’m back to school, I’ve been a bit more mindful of my outfit choices, and I’m trying to make the most of some of my favorite dresses before the temps cool off.

It’s been a bit since I’ve shared a few outfits, and today I’m linking Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files.

This post is a random assortment of outfits over the past few weeks when I’ve remembered to take a pic. Forgive the poor lighting in some as a few pics were taken at 7am!

I’m starting off strong with a very casual outfit. I’d come home from school and changed into something comfy for Hadley’s volleyball game. One of my favorite SSYS t-shirts and leggings, Amazon sandals, and my favorite Amazon cardigan in case the gym was drafty.

Comfy but together for school in my SSYS Reese flutter sleeve dress (I purchased last summer, but there are new colors from this summer) and Target sandals. They are so comfy!

Another day, another SSYS dress…the Gemma. I wore this on the second day of school. I have it in two colors from the spring, and it’s my fave…again, my new Amazon sandals are a fave too.

Speaking of Gemma, I also have the shirt version as well. I’m a sucker for a Peter Pan collar. I did wear a cardigan to school because the mornings are cool, but this is another favorite top of mine. I wore it with my flowy cropped Amazon pants and Target sandals that I’ve had for a couple of years.

In yesterday’s post, I talked about these Amazon pants. They are the same as above but longer. This was my church outfit, and the pants we fine for that, but since they are longer, I don’t tend to wear them as much to school. I just don’t want to trip over the length. I purchased this sweater towards the end of last school year, and I love it. I think I will even wear it in the winter with a light weight turtle neck underneath.

I also purchased these wide leg sailor jeans from Target at the end of the school year. There are so many colors, and they are sometimes on sale, so I have them in a few colors. They are high rise, so I sized up one. This blouse, that I have in two colors, continues to be one of my faves too! On this day, I wore another favorite pair of strappy Target sandals that I’ve had for a couple of years.

This pink dress was a SSYS “Saturday Steal,” and I’ve worn it quite a few times. Again, if I wear a sleeveless dress, I usually wear a cardigan…because my classroom runs hot and cold. Also, it’s perfect because it has two pockets…so when I leave my classroom, I put my phone in one and my keys in the other!

Here are the cropped Amazon pants again with a Universal Thread chambray top from Target that I’ve had for years.

Then, we had a three day weekend, and I didn’t go to school on Tuesday. Being sick most of the weekend, I didn’t take any outfit photos. I was lucky to have washed my hair! haha

Anyway, back to school yesterday and feeling cute in another SSYS dress (The “Jules” that I purchased on sale this summer) and…you guessed it…my favorite cardigan!

I’m trying to make the most of the temps (and being tan!) and wear dresses as much as possible. Before we know it, it will be sweater weather!

Amazon

Prime Purchases

Posted on September 3, 2025September 2, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Well, the three day weekend and being down for the count had me all kinds of confused. I meant to share this post yesterday since I took a “blogging break” on Monday, but time escaped me, and I lost track of what day it was!

I love sharing my Prime Purchases every month, so here we go…

This month’s purchases had a little something for everyone:

When I saw that my favorite flowy cropped pants were on sale, I snagged another pair. I now have these in three colors.

Here’s how I styled them last week.

About a year ago, I actually purchased the longer pair and loved them…until I tried the cropped style and preferred that length. Both are great pants, but the cropped hit just right and allow for lots of shoe options…and I’m less likely to trip over them! (I did size up one on these compared to the regular length where I didn’t have to do that.)

I’ve had my eye on these metallic big buckle sandals for quite some time, and I decided they were a good back to school gift for myself. My name is Jen, and I love a metallic sandal!! These rose gold ones are still my go to, and now I can add the big buckle ones into the rotation. (FYI – I found that the big buckle ones are true to size, and I had to size up one on the rose gold ones when I purchased them)

Once I got back to school, I needed a few more items for my classroom. I like to have really sturdy (and cute) folders for my important documents like seating charts. I keep these in a file holder on my desk, so why not look pretty?!

All my classroom lamps are a vibe!…but a pain to turn off and on. So, I ordered this set of wireless outlets with a remote! My students ohhh and ahhh when I click them on every morning. Not really, but teens are impressed! I have a set of three that I use at home for my Christmas trees, so I knew these were just what I needed for my classroom. 10/10 recommend for whatever your lighting needs are!

This is the year that Hadley swears she’s going to be organized. Now, to her credit, she’s always been pretty on top of dates and deadlines, but I’ve suggested with block scheduling, her activities and what not that maybe a planner would come in handy. She chose this one, and she’s been filling it out week to week.

I needed more Vitamin C serum, so I ordered this again. I add it into my skincare routine, morning and night, before applying my other serums. Amazon says I’ve purchased this five times, so it’s definitely a part of my routine.

Trav ordered his favorite protein powder this month. Just call him the Smoothie King! He makes the kids a smoothie most mornings. They don’t know how good they’ve got it!

Hadley and I both use In Common 4-in-1 myst on our hair. I always use it on my wet hair as a leave in conditioner, and then I sometime use it as a heat protectant. Hadley uses it often, and needed more. I typically order from the In Common website, but Amazon apparently has it…for the same price. We each have a bottle that lasts us at least a year. I also have a travel size one that I keep with my travel toiletries.

This is one of those products that influencers typically have a code to share with their followers, so when I’ve bought it through the years from the In Common website, I’ve always used a code to get a discount. That being said, since Hadley needed more and Amazon could fulfill the request, I went that route this time.

I’m still drinking less caffeine…this has been my journey for almost two months. I typically drink decaf now, but Trav found the Green Mountain half caff pods at Kroger. That being said, Kroger doesn’t have the bag of ground coffee, so Amazon has saved the day. Once school started back, I started making the full pot again since Trav and I are drinking our coffee at the same time. I typically have a decaf pod and then top it off with half caff when I fill up my school coffee.

Lastly, with my new car, I bought new charging cables for the front and back seats. The kids and I have different phones, so I picked up a two pack of the charging cables for Iphone 15/16 and a two pack for the Iphone 14.

So, those were my purchases this month! I’m finally feeling better and headed back to school. That sinus infection tried to do me in, but I think I’m finally over the hump!

{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}

Everyday Life, Monthly Moments

Monthly Moments: August 2025

Posted on August 31, 2025September 30, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Sunday!

It’s not often that I write a Sunday post, but since it’s the last day of August, I’m sharing a quick recap of the month.

This month seemed to be mostly about back to school and sports while clinging to summer!

Volleyball started for Hadley in early August at the Bluegrass State games.

I finished up moving into a new classroom, and I’m really liking it. I see the kids and their friends a bit more which is a pleasant surprise.

For our back to school dinner, we went to IHOP for the second year in a row. I always get French toast or pancakes (with a side of bacon) when we go there.

Then, it was back to school! The kids have had a great start back to school. They seem to be adjusting to block scheduling just fine and are keeping up with their school work…so far!

I’m adjusting to block scheduling too. I actually really like it…the only thing is I’ve felt like it’s taken me a bit longer to learn student names seeing them every other day.

The kids have continued to get in some driving time. Hadley continues to have more of an interest than Hayden, but Hayden’s been driving too. As expected, there’s less driving time now that we’re back to school.

We did get a new (to us) car after my car was hit a few weeks ago. It’s a good size for both kids to drive too.

I did go to the pool the few chances that I had in August. I will miss reading poolside.

Hayden and I have been watching Royals baseball when we have the chance. They aren’t too far out of the last Wild Card spot, but they’ll have to have a solid September to make the playoffs. We’ll see.

Hayden has has two cross country meets, and he is off to a solid start. He was two seconds off a PR in yesterday’s race. I know he wanted to run faster, but at least he was close to where he left off last season.

Football is back in the Bluegrass State….Trav and Hayden went to the game yesterday, and Hadley tailgated with friends. The weather was perfection, and the CATS pulled out the win.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join in on the fun…I have a raging sinus infection that’s kept me pretty miserable since Friday. Thankfully, I do think the meds are finally kicking in, and maybe I can salvage the rest of this three day weekend by actually getting out of the house tomorrow! I’m thankful for the time to rest, but I’d hoped to have had a bit more fun this weekend!

I hope you have a great Labor Day, and I will have more posts later in the week.

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#272}

Posted on August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!!

How was your week?! Ours was good…but the busy Thursday nights are catching up with me…I’m hitting “publish” a bit late on this Friday morning!

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.

My favorites are short and sweet this week.

I spent Saturday afternoon at the pool which was nice. Admittedly, I’m not the best at going to the pool once school starts, but I’ve been making an effort to go on the weekends. I’ve reminded myself it’s ok to take a little time to relax even if I have a to do list. The pool closes soon.

Sunday, we had more pool time to celebrate my nephew’s birthday.

Shay shared these Trader Joe’s crepes on her blog a couple of weeks ago, and when I went to TJ last week, I picked some up. They are good! Hadley loves a crepe, so I bought them for her, but I’ve had a couple too.

{Screenshot from Shay’s blog, so I would remember to buy these!}

Hayden’s cross country meets have started, and my mom was in town to go to his first meet last Saturday. He ran well, and I was happy for him to start the season off strong.

Hadley’s regular season games have also started, and we’re hoping for a great season.

{Shes’s near the net passing the ball}

Favorite Mom Meme:

LOL –why do I feel this at home and at school?

Actually, I must say that I’ve had a really great start back to school…and my classes seem really good. I have two Adv. English 1, two co-teach English 1 classes, and two English 2 classes. We’re all still getting the hang of block scheduling, but my students seem great!

Weekly Recap:

I had a few posts this week:

Monday Memes

What I’ve Been Reading

Monthly Musings

I hope you have a wonderful three day weekend. Unfortunately, this is me today:

I feel like I’m fighting off a back to school cold! Ugh.

I’m hoping to feel better soon and share my Monthly Moments post on Sunday to wrap up August.

Monthly Musings

Posted on August 28, 2025August 27, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday! My attendance question for my students this week was “What’s your favorite day of the week?” Mine is Thursday…and it has been for as long as I can remember!

Where did August go?! It’s already the last Thursday of the month, so I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is…early fall and back to school.

This post is perfect timing because the temps this week were “giving” fall, and I’m here for it.

1. Any back to school traditions?

I’ve always loved school supplies, and when the kids were little, we’d take a day to go get school supplies, back to school haircuts, and lunch. I always tried to make it a fun but productive day.

And, as I’ve shared time and time again, I’m a big fan of a back to school breakfast. During the elementary years, I always decorated, made breakfast, bought them a book, and started the year off right.

During the middle school years, we did back to school “brinner” the Sunday before back to school. Since the kids left for school after I did at that point, I thought it would be something different for us to do, and it gave me a bit more time in the evening rather than rush to do something in the morning.

Now, we go to IHOP whenever we can squeeze in a dinner together! I still love the tradition…even if it’s changed a bit through the years.

2. How do you celebrate the first day of school?

I’m not sure that there’s much celebrating going on these days, but like I said above, I always tried to make the start of the school year fun for the kids…and I was trying to get myself pumped for another year of teaching too!

I guess this could have gone with my answer to #1, but I also love first day of school pictures!

The chalkboard remains the same, but the kids sure have gotten older.

I’m not trying to think about the fact that I have two first days of school left with the chalkboard photo.

3. Favorite early fall/back to school meals? Share a recipe.

I start using the slow cooker more and more once we get back to school. A “go to” recipe that I make once or twice a month is my “Fiesta Chicken.” It’s easy and makes a ton…plus, everyone will eat it!

4. What are your go to outfits for early fall?

Oh, I’m definitely a cardigan girl in the fall and spring. I’ve shared my favorite cardigan many times, but it’s still a favorite…that I have in FOUR colors…

I wore the pink one over a black sleeveless dress just this week and then I took the “apricot” one to wear in the drafty gym at Hadley’s volleyball game the other night too. The cardigan is a 10/10 for me, and comes in so many colors.

I also love light weight pants paired with a short sleeve blouse. This week, I wore a pair of my Target “sailor” jeans with my favorite Amazon blouse that I have in two colors.

Also, in the fall, I will wear sandals for as long as possible….which means I can often wear them into mid-October. I’m a sandals girl, for sure.

5. Do kids go back to school before or after Labor Day in your area?

Don’t even get me started about when we go back to school! We go back the second Wednesday in August, and truly, I just wish we’d go back even a week later. It’s just still so hot, and there’s plenty of pool and travel time left in August if we could get another week or two. Also, we never get out before Memorial Day…usually a few days after, so it just feels like, at best, we get eight weeks off…and of course I wish it was more!

When I was a kid, we basically went Labor Day to Memorial Day, and I wish that’s how it would be now too. Of course, back then, we didn’t get all the breaks we get now either.

6. When do you start to decorate for fall?

I usually decorate for fall whenever I get the chance in September. It’s usually mid-September when I pull out my fall bin and decorate. I do love to decorate in the fall because we get a few months out of the effort!

7. How do you get into the back to school routine?

We just rip the Band Aid off around here! Those alarms go off early and we just get moving after a couple of months of staying up late and sleeping in.

I do like getting back in the routine of meal planning and prep. And, as much as we drag our feet about going to school, the routine is good for us!

8. What are you most looking forward to this fall?

I just always love fall…candles, apple cider donuts, football, pretty leaves and more. Fall is truly my favorite season.

9. Do you decorate for fall?

I do! See #6 🙂

10. What feels like fall to you?

The cooler temps, pumpkin spice, and sweater weather!

I can’t wait for fall, y’all!

Books and Shows

What I’ve Been Reading: August 2025

Posted on August 27, 2025August 26, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Another month of reading is in the books for me. I was afraid with heading back to school that I might not have as much time to read, but I still was able to read my average of three books this month too.

This month, I listened to two books and read one.

{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}

Seven Summers:

Summary:

Six summers to fall in love. One summer to change everything.

Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single they will spend the summer together.

This summer Liv crosses paths with Tom—a mysterious new arrival in her hometown. As the wildflowers and heather come into bloom, they find themselves falling for one another. For the first time Liv can imagine a world where her heart isn’t broken every autumn. Now Liv must make an impossible choice. And when she discovers the shocking reason that Tom has left home, she’ll need to trust her heart even more.

Quick thoughts:

I really loved this book although it’s not a light-hearted read. The chapters alternated in flashback of the seven summers and then present day. Then, it continued with some summers after the initial seven. Liv was a character you cheer for…for her happiness and her heart. I actually didn’t really see the ending coming, and I thought it was perfect.

Rating:

I’d say 4.5 stars

Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones

Summary:

A beautiful celebration of Dolly Parton’s iconic sense of style through entertaining personal stories and 450 full-color photographs, including exclusive images from her private costume archive.

In Behind the My Life in Rhinestones, global superstar Dolly Parton shares, for the first time, the full story behind her lifelong passion for fashion, including how she developed her own, distinctly Dolly style, which has defied convention and endeared her to fans around the world.

Featuring behind-the-scenes stories from Dolly Parton’s life and career, and the largest reveal of her private costume archive, this gorgeously photographed book spotlights her most unforgettable looks from the 1960s to now. The sky-high heels, famous wigs, bold makeup, eye-catching stage clothes—she shares them all. Along the way, Parton discusses memorable outfits from her past, from the clothes her mother would sew out of feed sacks (including her “Coat of Many Colors”) and the bold dresses and hairdos that shook up Nashville, to the bunny suit on the cover of Playboy, evening wear at Studio 54, costumes from her most famous film and TV roles, and the daring styles that continue to entertain and inspire today.

Filled with candor, humor, and lots and lots of rhinestones, Behind the My Life in Rhinestones is a shining tribute to one of the most beloved musicians in history, a treasured keepsake for anyone who loves Dolly Parton, and an indispensable guide to forging your own path to beauty and confidence.

Quick Thoughts:

Sarah recommended this book, and I love a memoir…and I love Dolly!

I think listening to it is the way to go. Hearing Dolly’s voice during the interviews as well as snippets of songs of hers through the years was icing on the cake. By not reading the book, I missed seeing pictures of the dresses, but Dolly is such an amazing story teller. Her upbringing and childhood are so interesting and she has a great sense of humor. There’s no one like Dolly!

Rating:

Dolly is of course…five stars! I do wish the book was longer, so I’d rate this 4.5 stars…but closer to five than four!

Parents Weekend:

Summary:

In the glow of their children’s exciting first year of college at a small private school in Northern California, five families plan on a night of dinner and cocktails for the opening festivities of Parents Weekend. As the parents stay out way past their bedtimes, their kids—five residents of Campisi Hall—never show up at dinner.

At first, everyone thinks that they’re just being college students, irresponsibly forgetting about the gathering or skipping out to go to a party. But as the hours click by and another night falls with not so much as a text from the students, panic ensues. Soon, the campus police call in reinforcements. Search parties are formed. Reporters swarm the small enclave. Rumors swirl and questions arise.

Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—The Five, as the podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths call them—come from five very different families. What led them out on that fateful night? Could it be the sins of their mothers and fathers come to cause them peril or a threat to the friend group from within?

Quick Thoughts:

You’d think college kids would be the issue, but these parents are a hot mess! There was all kinds of family dysfunction, but that did make the characters interesting. The chapters were really short and the plot was somewhat suspenseful, so this was a quick listen for me. I like the ending in that the readers gets an update on each individual family.

Rating:

Summer Reading Update:

Reading in the summer is one of my favorite things to do, and I love having a list to guide my book choices. .

I didn’t get to read two books…The Summer Book Club and Summer Light on Nantucket, but maybe next summer?! I’d say my favorite book of the summer was All the Summers In Between.

My summer reading list was a good one, but I’m ready to move on to other books I have on my Goodreads list.

I’m ready for cooler temps, my Kindle and a cozy blanket.

Memes

Monday Memes

Posted on August 25, 2025August 24, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday! How was your weekend? Overall, ours was good. We didn’t have too much on tap, and we had time for hanging out at home, running errands, going to church, time at the pool, and hanging with family.

It’s hard to believe that this time next week is Labor Day! Since it’s the last Monday of the month, I’m sharing a few funny memes with you.

Let’s start with this one…as yesterday, I planned dinners, placed a grocery order, picked up around the house and even made a couple of lunches for the week. It’s all downhill from here!

I’ve definitely been “paying the piper” this month. That being said, I never spend time at school in the summer, but the last couple of weeks of July, I went for a little bit of time for quite a few days, and it really did pay dividends…and I was only up there because I moved rooms. I’m hoping I won’t have to do the same thing next year.

I sent this to two of my school friends and they agreed this meme can be me. lol! They were kidding, of course.

This is also me….

Me every morning after I think I’ve left school the previous day ready to roll:

Like I literally have never used unsalted butter in a recipe. haha

OMG …this was a blast from the past. I used to love those dreamsicles…

This one…the accuracy!

Me every day! haha

Soooo many tabs in my brain open!

Absolutely!

Ohhh…I’ve seen so many college move in photos. What a bittersweet time for many. There are some dang nice dorm rooms out there these days…but still with the tall beds (space savers, I guess!)

I hope these memes started your week off with a laugh. I hope to be back later this week to share the books I read in August, Monthly Musings and more.

Day in the Life

Posted on August 21, 2025August 20, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday! I hope your week is going well. I finally feel like we’re in somewhat of a school routine. I looked back, and I haven’t shared a day in the life post in almost a year! Those are some of my favorite posts to read and share, so that’s what I’m doing today.

I captured snippets of my day yesterday…Wednesday, August 20th.

Y’all…I’m already hitting snooze! My 5:50 alarm went off, and I didn’t get out of bed until 6:00.

Then, it was time for the news, coffee and breakfast. After years of intermittent fasting, I’ve gotten back to eating a little breakfast most mornings. Yesterday, I had a favorite of mine…cream of wheat!

I spent a little time reading blogs and playing my daily Bejeweled Blitz.

Then, around 6:45, it was time to wake the kids. Hadley was up, and Hayden was on the struggle bus!

I washed my face and did my morning skincare routine…

…made the bed…

…and watered my front porch flowers. This isn’t something that’s typically in my morning routine, but since school has started, I’ve found a couple of minutes to take care of that chore.

Then, I packed my lunch. I had a better lunch plan last week, and this week I’ve kind of been scrambling. I brought dinner leftovers and a few odds and ends.

Then, I went and got ready…makeup…

…and dressed for the day. These sandals that I got from Target last spring continue to be some of my faves to wear. They are teaching all day approved.

Then, Hayden and I left for school around 7:35. We were kind of in a rush, so no pic! Hadley has been riding with a friend, and Hayden and one of his friends have been riding with me.

We were at school by 7:55 ready to roll. I put up my agenda for the day.

I also wrote the agenda and learning targets on the board before…

…running to the copier for a few quick copies.

Back in my room, and I turned on my lamps, and clicked on my diffuser.

First block is my Advanced English 1 class, and they were busy with their assignments. We also did my “get to know you” dice game where they roll one…

…and share something about themselves.

Next, was second block which is one of two co-teach English 1 classes that I have this year. Right as class was starting, we had a scheduled fire drill…our first of the year.

Then, back inside to continue the bellringer practices…

…and text walk where they answer the questions and get familiar with their textbook.

On to third block which is my second co-teach English 1 class. This class completed the same assignments as second block before our lunch break.

This year, we have five lunch periods, and English classes have the one right in the middle of third block. So, I ate my lunch while the kids were in the cafeteria.

About my “tall boy” Diet Coke can…I went to the Dollar Store this past weekend, and saw this large DC at the checkout. I’ve been sipping on it for three days. lol!

This class was ahead of my other one, and we still had forty minutes left of class after lunch. So, I introduced another strategy that I like for students to use…alphablocks. I have a few random non-fiction resources, so I gave them one to read and fill in the chart before writing a summary of what they read. It was a good way to fill the time!

I collected their papers before the bell rang.

Then, it was the start of fourth block…the last block of the day! I have 4th block planning on one of our days, but we always have hall duty for fifteen minutes. I’m “lucky” that mine is right at the start of the block, so it’s easy for me to remember to go!