It’s been a couple of days, but I’m continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
I have Friday and Saturday to cover, so here we go:
Day 8 is 3 things about yourself that you love…
I’m a very loyal person. If you’re my family or friends, I have your back. Also, I can’t remember what I wore yesterday, but I will remember who wronged you (or me!), and I won’t forget.
I have a good sense of humor which I think it is a good combo of my parents. To be honest, it’s probably the biggest blessing that I’m sarcastic, or how else would I have made it with high schoolers this long?
I’m a very hard worker. People who don’t have work ethic drive me crazy. I wish I could be a slacker sometimes.
Day 9 is 3 people you are grateful for…
Well, that’s hard to do…I really could say Trav and kids…that’s three people, and of course I’m grateful for them. But… family (mine and Trav’s) and my friends….I don’t take them for granted either. I couldn’t raise these kids without my “mom gang.” Raising teens isn’t easy, so I appreciate the funny texts, advice, and carpool help.
What a week…TGIF! Not having school on Tuesday was great, but somehow it sure did make the week feel longer.
Anyway, as always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
First of all, Happy November! November is always a very hectic month for us, especially since Travis is usually working most of the month at the horse sale. That being said, it’s the kids’ birthday month, the weather cools off, and I love Thanksgiving, so November has quite a few good things going on.
Last Saturday, was the state cross country meet. I was nervous for Hayden as it was his first varsity state meet…and he didn’t run well the week before…(by his standards!)
Trav’s brother was there and got some great pics, including this one of Trav giving him a bit of a pep talk before the race.
He ran an amazing race. He had a goal to be in the top 80, and he was 66th…and was the fourth freshman.
He was really happy with his performance, and I could tell it seemed like a “weight” was lifted off his shoulders after the race….he even took a few pics with fam!
And, of course, on Sunday he made a 9:00 tee time…heaven forbid any of us relax!
Last night was the cross country banquet. It was our first high school banquet, so I didn’t know what to expect. It was such a nice way to celebrate the runners.
Hayden was rookie of the year.
Tuesday, was a big day in America…
…and I did exercise my right to vote.
…America, while waiting for the results…
This pic popped up on my school’s social media from last Friday. Dunkin Donuts was handing out free samples, so of course Hadley and her lunch buddies had to have a taste test.
On Tuesday, while Hayden was at PT, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few ornaments for Hadley’s Christmas tree. (We haven’t decorated for Christmas…yet!)
The Nutcracker was too cute to resist. I have a couple, so I will add him to my collection.
I popped into Trader Joe’s and wasn’t expecting to see our favorite gingerbread cookies yet. We all love these.
Fave Food:
When we go to Mexican restaurants, I usually find whatever version of chicken, rice and queso they have. I saw this recipe on Pinterest and made it for dinner this week. It was really good!
Share Our Lives:
On Monday, it’s our monthly Share Our Lives link up.
This month’s topic is…where do you shop?
If you have a blog, we’d love to have you join us.
What are your weekend plans? As of now, we still really don’t have anything going on. Travis will still be busy at work, but I hope to hang out at home, run a few errands, and rest up a bit.
I will be sharing more gratitude posts this weekend, so you’ll still be hearing from me.
Today, I’m reflecting on two days to get caught up.
Day 6 is…a failure or rejection you are grateful for…
Gosh – It’s probably been at least ten years ago, I applied for a job where I would be an instructional specialist and work with teachers in various buildings. I was familiar with the organization as I’d worked with them while my school was a part of a grant. At that point in my career, I just wanted to do something different. I would have been able to service schools not too far from Lexington, but I’d have to go to Louisville a couple of times a week.
It’s no fun “putting yourself out there” only to be rejected, but in retrospect, I don’t know that it would have been a good fit for me in the long run.
Only a couple of years later, I moved to my current district which provided me with a good change that I needed.
Day 7’s topic is…something in nature you are grateful for.
Definitely the ocean. As soon as my feet hit the sand and I see the water, I feel at peace.
Even this summer in Oregon, Travis tacked on a couple of Oregon coast days because we needed some days to relax and rest, but also just because he knows how much I love the beach.
Obviously, you know I also love a beach sunset. It just amazes me that we’re all watching the same sun set, but at the beach, it’s even more stunning.
Also, I love fresh few inches of snow….along with a snow day!
Sweet story from the other day…I picked Hayden up from PT, and he was talking about how they really stretched him out. Then, we went on about how he loves natural daylight, especially when the sun trickles in the window. I guess his PT room had lots of natural light, so he was relaxed during his session. He just gave me so many details which is very unlike him. haha
How’s it going? Yesterday, was the perfect day off due to Election Day. I slept in a bit, voted, got my car washed, ran a few errands, and had some time at home.
All of us last night…
I know election results can be contentious, so… moving right along…
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve shared a currently post, so that’s what I’m doing today.
I’m currently…
Watching: The Diplomat Season 2. I watched an episode on Sunday, and then I watched two yesterday. It’s such a good show!
{This pic is from Season 1}
Baking: I bought the ingredients to make a pumpkin pie, and I hope to bake one this weekend.
Buying: Well, I need to start thinking about what I want to buy the kids for their birthday. Hadley’s made a list on Google slides and shared it with me. Then, she decided to add them to the “Giftful” app and shared them with me that way. She’s always way easier to buy for compared to Hayden.
Yesterday, I boughtsome Christmas ornaments for Hadley’s tree. For years, both kids had a little tree in their rooms. Last year, Hadley asked for one of my skinny trees that’s usually in the sun room to go in her room. I’m assuming that’s the plan for this year too.
I just thought she could use some ornaments that were a little more “teen” than some of the ones she uses for her tree.
Hayden had a PT appointment yesterday, so with an hour to kill, I headed to Hobby Lobby. They had so many cute ornaments, and of course they were 50% off.
Coloring: Yesterday, I had some time to color a couple of pages in my Cozy Girlbook that I got from Amazon last month.
Adjusting: To the time change. It sure is dark earlier, but I do like that it’s lighter in the morning.
Drinking: I’m still loving this Crystal Light grape flavor to add to my water. Truly, it’s about all I drink when using my tumbler.
Loving: I’m still loving my “Lucy” top for SSYS. They had a few new items drop yesterday, and I ordered the Sloan top.
Scheduling: The kids and I get a flu shot every year. I usually get mine when the nurses schedule the day at our school. I missed it whenever that day was. Then, I was waiting for the kids to get finished with all their sports before I schedule appointments for all of us. Hopefully, we can get that done at Kroger this week or next.
Teaching: In my classes, we started a new unit this week. It might sound odd, but I don’t love starting a new unit. At first, I feel like a “salesman” sharing what the unit is about and trying to get the kids excited.
Unit 2 is “Promise and Progress,” and we are reading “I Have a Dream” today.
Anticipating: I’m anticipating a weekend with nothing on the books! Seriously, nothing. I don’t even know the last time we had a free weekend. You know these kids are going to schedule something that I have to take them to. haha
This was a fun post to share with a little bit of everything. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve written a Currently post.
Today’s post is continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
Day 5 is…a fear you are tackling or have overcome.
Choking has been my biggest fear since I choked a couple of years ago. I swear, I didn’t think this much about choking when they kids were little and I had to cut their food up into little bites.
On fall break two years ago, I choked on a huge bite of lobster (bougie, I know!), and I tried to swallow a few times, and it just wasn’t going down. I immediately stood up and looked at Travis and then my friend immediately knew I needed help. One Heimlich Maneuver later, and the lobster flew right out…almost comical. haha…but not the choking part.
Any time I hear someone coughing while eating, I worry that they are choking. Of course, Hayden likes to “fake me out” which I certainly don’t appreciate.
So, my fear of choking is definitely a fear that I’m trying to overcome.
What’s a fear that you have or have previously had?
Did you catch my posts on Saturday and Sunday? Friday, on a whim, I decided that I was going to try blog using the topics from…
So, I’m picking up where I left off, and sharing about someone from your past you are grateful for…
The first thing that popped in my mind are the teachers I had in elementary, middle and high school. I can remember most of them, and every year, I had at least one teacher who made an impact on me.
Who doesn’t love their kindergarten teacher? I went to PM kindergarten, and I really liked school. My first grade teacher was so kind, and I remember loving my 4th grade teacher because she volunteered at a wildlife rescue and would share her animals in class.
I had some great teachers in junior high/middle school, but those were my least favorite years of school. I do remember loving home ec and learning to cook and sew.
In high school, I had great English teachers who obviously impacted my love of English/Language Arts. I had a wonderful social studies teacher my sophomore year, and I took his zero hour class…one hour before the traditional school day started.
Shockingly, one of my teachers I connected with the most was my Spanish teacher. I think I only took Spanish two years, but then I was her teacher’s aide when I was a senior. Hey! Even all these years later, I’ve remembered enough to help Hayden conjugate some verbs for his Spanish homework.
College was a different story…while I did have great professors, I just didn’t connect with them the same as my teachers from elementary, middle and high school years.
In adulthood, I had a mentor for a few years when my school was a part of a grant. During those years, I was an instructional coach in my building and had a couple of classes for reading intervention. She encouraged me to get my second Master’s degree, and because of that degree, it opened a lot of doors for me and is how I’ve had the schedule I’ve had the past few years so I can work with struggling students.
She’s now a principal at an elementary school, and we keep in touch on Facebook.
My mom recently had a couple of former students be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the district/town she retired from, and in the programs that were passed out, both students acknowledge what a great teacher she was and how she impacted their lives.
I hope I’ve made a difference in my students’ lives through the years as well.
I guess I really covered this topic and talked about more than just one person who has impacted my life…but I guess that makes me pretty lucky to have so many to write about.
Today, was a double post day…feel free to check out my Prime Purchasespost today too.
How was your weekend? Ours was really good. As how the last few weekends have been…Saturday was busy and Sunday had a little more downtime to prepare for the week ahead.
It’s the first Monday of the month, so I’m linking up with Tanya to share my Amazon purchases this month.
This month, I had a few new things, but more than half of my purchases were repeat purchases.
Repeat purchases:
Hadley and I both still love the “Magic Wand” for fluffy and shaping our eyebrows.
A couple of weeks ago, I thought I lost my favorite sunglasses, so I ordered them again. Then, later in the week, I found my original pair. For less that $10, I think it’s good to have a couple of pairs of these.
Here I am wearing them at Keeneland a couple of weeks ago:
I’ve been using this same meal planner for a few years, and I only have to order it once a year. It sticks to our fridge, and it’s where I write what we have going on the for the week, what we’re having for dinner, and my grocery shopping list. I can’t recommend it enough!
I guess I probably share these under eye patches every month because there’s thirty sets of patches! I keep them in the fridge, and they are a part of my morning routine while I drink my coffee.
This is the third time I’ve ordered this retinol stick, and I use it morning and night. (It has a $3 coupon right now)
I shared that I ordered this blouse in blue last month and sized up just not knowing how it would fit.
Well, there was a “flash sale” on the blouse, and I ordered it in my regular size. Honestly, since it’s a flowy top, there’s not much difference in the fit. Once the weather cooled off a bit and I’m back to wearing pants a bit more often (bummer!), I realized I could use a few more work basics in my closet. This blouse comes in so many colors, and I know I will wear with them with jeans too.
New purchases:
Shay “influenced” me with one of her Saturday fall posts, and I ordered the “Cozy Girl” coloring book. Don’t be surprised if next month, I’m sharing that I purchased the Christmas themed one.
Of course, that meant I needed a set of markers, and these have been perfect for coloring pages when I can. Coloring is so therapeutic for me. I really think the coloring book and markers would be fun stocking stuffers or small gifts for tweens and teens.
Fun fact about Hadley…she knows how to order from Amazon. haha
She needed another charging cable, and ordered this “fast charging 10 ft” two pack.
I got a new phone last spring, and I’m rough on my phone…so I was in need a of new screen protector. I grabbed this three pack because I’m sure it won’t be the last time I need a new protector.
What have you primed lately?
Well, this Monday kind of feels like a weird one knowing we don’t have school tomorrow because of Election day.
I’m happy to have an extra day off, but I’m even happier to hopefully not receive any more calls and texts in regards to candidates and voting!
Also, hop over to my other post for the day as I’m continuing with the “gratitude challenge” for November!
{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}
Day 3’s topic is remember the time you laughed so hard that you cried.
I’m really not sure the last time I laughed until I cried, but teaching freshmen keep me laughing daily. One of my classes always keeps me laughing…as do my kids.
Hadley is kind of the more quick witted kid where as Hayden is quietly funny.
One day last week, Hayden said he needed more deodorant, and I was frustrated and ask him why he didn’t put it on the grocery list. (I tell the kids, when I place a grocery order, I only know the things to buy that we routinely do…and if they have anything out of the ordinary, they need to write it on the list)
Anyway…the following weekend, I was making the grocery list and said I’d put deodorant on it. He said, “Dad already bought me some.”” I kiddingly said, “Dad spoils you!”
Without missing a beat, he said, “Uh…it’s a basic necessity!” And I just laughed because I wasn’t expecting that “comeback.”
I know it’s a surprise to hear from me on the weekend, but…I was scrolling Instagram yesterday and stumbled upon @mirabellecreationsand this graphic for a November Gratitude Challenge.
I always encourage the kids to be grateful and to even look at the little things for gratitude as well. Anyway, I’m going to try to blog every day in November and kind of use my blog as a journal, of sorts, for November.
I’ve already missed the first day, so today, I’m reflecting on days 1 and 2.
November 1st:
3 things you are grateful for today (Friday):
I was grateful for extra time with Hadley yesterday morning. The kids actually don’t ride to school with me most days. We car pool with another family, so that gives the kids 20-30 more minutes at home in the morning because I have to be at school earlier. Anyway, yesterday, Hayden was with Travis since he had an early morning PT appointment. Hadley needed a ride since the other family couldn’t take that morning, so I bribed her with Starbucks to get out of bed. We left right on time, and I was grateful for the car ride buddy that morning as well as the extra cup of coffee.
Once I got to school, I was grateful that my co-teacher was back. She’d been out on Wednesday and Thursday, so I was happy to have her back to co-teach for two classes.
On Friday, our admin grilled hot dogs and provided that for our lunch along with a bag of chips. The gesture was nice, and it was so nice not to pack my lunch on a Friday!
November 2nd:
Three Things you love about your favorite place:
Well, I could say that my favorite place is home…and that I love my favorite bed pillow, Homer, and reading on the couch.
Or…I could say my favorite place is KC, and I’d say three things I love are my family, the Plaza lights, and Topsy’s popcorn (and cherry limeade)…)and the Chiefs and Royals…)
Or I could say that I love Keeneland, and three things I love are the excitement of the races, a good bloody Mary, and dressing up for the Clubhouse.
That being said, I’d say my favorite place is the beach because that means it’s time to spend time with family and friends while getting in some relaxation. I have lots of favorite beach cities/towns…like Delmar, California; Charleston, SC; Siesta Key, Florida; and Seaside, Florida.
So, three things I love about the beach are:
Sunshine
My toes in the sand
Sunsets
This was a fun little bonus post. My hope is to be able to write my “gratitude” post every day. That means some days, I will have two posts. For example, on Monday, I will share my Amazon purchases this month, and then write a second post answering the gratitude prompt. I’m sure there will also be days, where, like today, I double up and share couple of days in one post.
Anyway, I hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Feel free to join me, and share what you are grateful for today!
Besides October, November is another favorite month of mine. The weather finally gets cooler, it’s the kids’ birthday month, and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays!
How was your week? Ours was pretty good. We didn’t have a ton going on in the evenings which was nice. I feel like it made the week feeling longer…in a good way.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
Last Saturday, Hayden ran in the regional cross country race. This the last stop before the state meet.
It’s been a long but good season for him. He’s had some frustrating races and ones that he’s really proud of his progress. I do think it’s been a huge adjustment for him running varsity, and he’s close to logging 1,000 miles this year.
He’s been going to PT a few days a week for his hip, so I’m hoping that’s feeling better for him for the state meet.
We’re always proud of his effort and dedication. At the regional race, there are only seven runners per team, so it was nice that the course wasn’t so crowded. His team placed 3rd in the region, so that’s quite the accomplishment as well.
You know we lost the one tree in our yard, but the other one is still so pretty. I snapped this pic of the kids after church on Sunday, and I love it.
Guess what….as of yesterday, all of those leaves are on the ground.
On Sunday, I bought some new mums. My other ones didn’t last very long, and these two color ones from Kroger were a good price and so pretty.
I put my spider webs out and put my little skeletons in the mums. Festive and cute!
When my mom was in town, she helped the kids put together this “spooky” house that my Gma sent with her. I put two flameless tea lights under it, and it’s so cute lit up.
Sunday night, Hadley went to her Young Life group, and they painted this cute pumpkin.
On Monday, Hadley and friends helped at their former elementary school’s trunk or treat. They said they saw some of their former teachers and other friends they knew. Hadley was a Dalmation (she was hot, so not all the way zipped up at this moment) to her friend’s fireman. Hayden went too, but he couldn’t go until later.
Wednesday night, my heart was so happy. We had mummy dogs and macaroni and cheese brains before…
…carving pumpkins.
Hadley’s Chick-fil-A idea turned out so cute, and Hayden carved a skeleton (with a little help from Travis and me!)
Fave Outfit:
I snagged the “Lucy” scalloped pullover from SSYS, and I got so many compliments when I wore it this week. Some colors and sizes are sold out, but there are still a few color/size combos left.
Fave Meme:
‘Tis the season for all the things!
Favorite Mom Meme:
Relatable!
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday
This time of the year, I always reminiscence about all the fun (and cute!) costumes the kids wore though the years…
What are your weekend plans? I’m grateful for a pretty slow weekend…and I’m one of the ones who loves to “fall back.” I know it’s crazy, but I like when it gets darker earlier and lighter out when we wake up.
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