Blog challenge

Everyday Images Challenge

Posted on June 11, 2026June 10, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

I’m trying to find my summer blogging groove, and I didn’t finish yesterday’s 10 on the 10th post until the afternoon.

Over the weekend, I was reading Jenn’s blog, and she shared her everyday images that go with Kym’s challenge…and I thought I’d join in.

Here are the prompts:

Flag:

I just put out my Hello summer! flag this weekend.

I did have out my apple flag which is what I have out on the first and last days of school.

Simple / complicated:

I made a new but simple recipe for a neighbor’s meal train. Joanna Gaines’ Chicken Enchiladas couldn’t have been easier to make. My family wished I’d made double, so we could have had it too. We were having Tuesday night’s leftovers, so I will make it again next week.

Not that it’s really complicated, but I did hesitate before sprinkling cilantro on the finished product or adding it to the rice I made…I know people either love or hate cilantro, but I did add some in.

At home:

One of my first errands to kick off summer break was to go to Lowe’s for a bird bath. With all the landscaping we’re doing, we had a little room by the porch, and my dad suggested a bird bath. I liked that idea, so I went and picked one up from Lowe’s. Now, I just need the birds to come take a bath!

Also, Travis is moving and grooving on the new landscaping. He wasn’t going to pull out the boxwoods, but he decided to, and then planted all of these pretty flowers and bushes. In high school and college, he did landscaping, and he really enjoys doing these types of things.

Wednesday weather:

Wednesday was my first pool day of the year for me. I went to the pool around 11:00 and stayed until about 1:30. I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay if it was super hot, but the mid-80’s weren’t too bad, and there was some cloud coverage off and on.

Doorway:

Do you follow @stoopandthecity on Instagram? This husband and wife change up their New York City stoop for holidays, seasons, and apparently for the Knicks being in the NBA finals! The stoop and the doorway are covered in flowers and basketballs!

Movement:

With a little wind yesterday and lots of kids playing in the pool, the water was moving a bit yesterday.

Branched:

You might remember that we had two trees in our front yard that were my absolute favorite in the fall.

In October of 2024, we had horrible storms while we were at school, and quite a few neighbors texted us to tell us one of our trees had fallen down.

The one tree remaining is a little “stunted” on the the side where the other tree was, but there’s this one branch that’s sticking out. I told Travis I notice it every time I come out the front door, and it’s starting to get on my nerves. ha!

Unfortunately, we don’t have a way to trim this branch at the moment, but hopefully we can get that taken care of this summer.

And, another form of branched, this was my view when I walked in the pool yesterday. I always love the tree coverage and the glimpse of the pool!

This was a fun way to capture some of the daily things that we see but don’t necessarily share. I hope to link up with Kym again in the future!

10 on the 10th

Posted on June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday! Why do the days seem to fly by in the summer? I know it’s only my first week of break, but time already needs to slow down a bit.

Today I’m linking up with Marsha for…

This month’s topic is…

Well, it’s summertime, and I’m here for it! I will say that I hate being hot, so I love pool days, a beach day with a breeze, or being inside! That being said, here are some favorites…

1. More reading time:

I always look forward to a summer reading list in the summer as I love a theme, and I have more time to read. I don’t tend to read all the books on the list, and I will read other ones, but I still like going into June and July with a plan. Of course, August is still summer, and I usually get a couple books read, but by early August, I’m having to unfortunately think about school. I even have a “summer reading” shelf on Goodreads where I keep book ideas for summer reading.

One of my favorite places to read is on the front porch. Just this weekend, I sat out there for an hour and read; I typically find thirty minutes a day to read outside if possible.

2. Not setting an alarm and 3. Slow mornings

There’s nothing better than just waking up on my own. I will say I don’t go to bed too much later in the summer, but during the school year, I try to go to bed by 10, and that tends to be 11:00 in the summer. I don’t sleep in a ton, but even just sleeping until 7-8 is so nice!

Then, I like to have at least an hour to sip coffee, start laundry, read, watch TV, read blogs, etc.

I even love the occasional rainy day. I always say rainy days are “permission to be lazy.” While I would have loved to have some pool time to start the week, both Monday and Tuesday were really rainy. I spent a lot of time inside, doing some things around the house, reading, and watching shows that I’ve fallen behind in watching.

4. Pool time!

Pool time is certainly different as a mom with older kids. We used to start our mornings early with swim team practice and then stay a couple of hours most days. I’d pack snacks and lunches, make sure we had goggles and swim toys, wrestle them with sunscreen, and then mostly have to bribe them out of the pool when it was time to go.

Now, we all kind of come and go as we please to the pool. Just today, I was there for a couple of hours, and Hadley was arriving as I was leaving. I enjoyed a couple of hours of reading, and thankfully it wasn’t too hot. (This new swimsuit is a 10/10 on price, cuteness and quality)

Sometimes, we go to my sister-in-law’s mom’s house, and that’s an extra special treat because it’s easier to float in the pool to beat the heat!

5. Being tan

I know this sounds superficial, but I’m happier when I’m tan! haha!

Don’t fret…I do wear sunscreen, I always have a hat on, and many times I have a swim cover up on unless it’s really hot. It’s just nice to have some color on my legs which makes wearing shorts easier for me. I go to the dermatologist once a year for a skin check, and so far, so good. The only issue I’ve had removed was from my college tanning bed years. Never again!

6. Fresh fruit

I love all the fresh fruit options summer brings from Cuties to cantaloupe to watermelon and more. It’s just nice to have so many options. Plus, fruit becomes an automatic side dish for dinner. I just bought my first watermelon of the season yesterday.

7. Vacation!

We usually take some type of vacation every summer. In recent years, we’ve been to Mexico, the Pacific northwest, Florida, and Michigan. It’s nice to take some time as a family and go somewhere for a few days.

8. Sandals (and pedicures!)

I love sandal season. Usually from spring break until fall break, you’ll find my feet in sandals unless I’m working out or going for a walk. Even when we do road trips in the colder months, I tend to wear sandals. I hate having hot feet! These Cushionaire sandals are my absolute fave. I’ve shared them time and time again. (I size up one full size from a 9 to a 10). I try and get monthly pedicures April to October…it’s such a treat!

9. Variety of time/more time for workouts

Just like not setting an alarm, slow mornings, and having more time to read, it’s nice having a bit more time and variety for working out. Obviously, I do some of these things throughout the year, but just going to walks in the evening, going to the gym to use the elliptical or taking a Pilates class when I can. I still love my Bodi workouts in the basement, but in the summer, having some variety is nice too.

10. 4th of July and fireworks

The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday. I really truly enjoyed dressing the kids in their red, white, and blue when they were little. Like most things, this holiday looks a bit different since sometimes Hadley is at camp or the kids have their own plans, but I do still tend to make the red, white and blue waffles and we go watch fireworks to end our day.

What about you? What’s something you love about summer?

10 on the 10th, Blog challenge, Seasonal

10 on the 10th

Posted on March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Tuesday!

Y’all, how is it already the 10th of March?! This month is already flying by! I’m linking up with Marsha for the 10 on the the 10th link up..

This month’s prompt is…

I love this prompt because I’m so happy that spring seems to have sprung!

1. More Daylight!

Yay! for longer days and more sunshine, even though this is currently how I feel:

2. Warmer temps

I appreciate the sunshine on a 70 degree day, but I actually don’t mind a sunny cooler day either. The sun seems to shine brighter in the spring which I appreciate!

3. Walks

I definitely tend to go on more walks in the spring. The temps are perfect and I guess after the winter months, I want to get outside.

4. Fresh air/open windows

I love the fresh air in the spring. It feels like a big sigh of relief for surviving winter. We had our windows open over the weekend which was lovely. Honestly though, once things start blooming we won’t be able to do that much thanks to allergies!

5. Green grass and flowers

I love seeing the green grass in the spring. It’s a wonderful sign of hope from Mother Nature after the snow in the winter. Of course, that means we have to start mowing the grass, but that’s Hayden’s job. haha

I usually wait until Mother’s Day to put flowers on the front porch, but I also love seeing what blooms before then.

6. Keeneland

I love Keeneland in the fall, but nothing beat Keeneland in the spring!

7. Seasonal eating

I love chili and soup and anything that goes in the slow cooker, but it is nice to start having other dinner options. Just last night, Travis picked up steaks to grill, and it was nice to have some variety for our dinner. Also, we tend to start eating more vegetables and I appreciate that the fruit options tend to be better and more abundant.

Plus, we will eat on our back patio in the spring more than any other time of the year which is literally a breath of fresh air!

8. Sandals

Oh…I love being able to wear sandals as soon as possible. I usually get a pedicure around spring break, and then there is no turning back! I actually hate wearing shoes, so I wear sandals April to October. It’s almost time!

These continue to be my faves and most worn. I have had two pairs through the years, and I love them more than my Birks!

9. Baseball

I love baseball, and I’m so happy it’s baseball season. Growing up, the KC Royals were always on the TV at home, even during the many lean years. Hayden is as big of a KC Royals fan as I am, and I often have the games on at home too.

Also, this spring, I’m a baseball mom again! Hayden has decided to take a break from running/track, and he made the school’s baseball team! This has been a fun change for him, so we’ll spend lots of time at baseball games this spring.

10. Spring break

Oh! Once spring break arrives, it’s the downhill slide to summer! I always appreciate this break and feel like I need it so much more than fall break. We tend to usually go somewhere for spring break which is fun, but we’re always last minute planners.

This year, our spring break is a week later, so it does still feel like it’s forever far away. I guess I’m going to depend on warmer spring days to get me through.

Have a great day!

Blog challenge, Inspiration

Monday Memo

Posted on February 16, 2026February 14, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

The Monday of a three day weekend definitely “hits different,” and while I know we had some time off recently, I always appreciate a Monday off from school.

I think I do a pretty good job not being on my phone too much. Of course, I’m on my phone for a variety of reasons like checking emails, answering texts, etc., but I try not to “doom scroll” too much!

Speaking of scrolling (ha!), I was on Pinterest, and saw this graphic and thought it was a good reminder of other ways to use our time in both creative and useful ways.

Creative:

Here are a few ways that I use time time in a creative way:

Journaling – This blog is my journal!
Drawing/painting – I don’t draw or paint, but I still like to color when I have the time.
Cross-stitch– I had so much fun cross-stitching a few ornaments over Christmas break. I hope to continue with that hobby!
DIY home decor – I’ve completed quite a few projects through the years, but not many lately. That being said, I do like updating spaces in our house with little touches like new candles and pillows.
Flower arranging: I buy more flowers in the spring and summer months, but I always love putting them around the house. Also, our limelight hydrangeas are always so pretty in the summer, and it’s fun to pick some and put them in vases.

Useful:

Here are a few ways that I use time time in a useful way:

Reading physical books: Ok…well, as you know, I love to read. That being said, I don’t read as many physical books as I used to. My Kindle is just more convenient for me to read (as well as audiobooks). But, I think reading on my Kindle shouldn’t count against me since reading is a good habit 🙂
Cooking new recipes: Well, if I don’t cook, how will we eat dinner? haha But, really, I do enjoy cooking…I just don’t love meal planning. Anyway, I like to try new recipes, and I actually probably make one new dinner a week.
Organizing and decluttering: Well, I do this all the time! I will say I do bigger “purges” after Christmas and during the summer when I have more time to do so.
Hiking/walking: I don’t get to go on nature walks or hike very often, but I do a good job getting my steps in outside…especially in the spring and fall.
Practicing mediation: I know it’s not exactly the same, but my quiet morning time is similar to meditation to me.
Self-care routine: I try!
Listening to audiobooks and podcasts: I’ve been listening to podcasts for quite some time, but audiobooks are still somewhat new to me. Audiobooks have been a way for me to read at least one more book a month.
Meal prepping: I do this in phases, but it’s always worth it when I do it. Meal planning/prepping just isn’t one of my favorite things to do.
Planning: Are you even a mom if you aren’t always planning something?!

What is something from this list that you do that’s a screen free hobby?

Have a great Monday!

Blog challenge, Inspiration, Me

Sunday Reflection

Posted on February 15, 2026February 14, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Happy Sunday!

Last month, I shared a “Sunday Reflection” looking back on the week, and I think that’s something I’m going to try to share at least once a month. It’s good to look back on the week and to look forward to the next in regards to seeing what I’ve accomplished and what goals I have for the upcoming week.

What made you the happiest this week? Thursday, we found the time for a family Valentine’s day dinner. I’ve kept it simple the past few years with heart shaped chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, fruit, and rolls. It was easy, and everyone loved (and appreciated) it.
What are your three biggest wins from the week? Well, to start, getting up at 5:50 again after a two plus week reprieve is definitely a win. Also, just getting back in school routine was also an accomplishment. I had to spend time getting with my students reviewing their NTI work and then getting in the swing of a new unit. Lastly, I was able to cross some things off my “to do” list like ordering Hadley’s volleyball pictures, making a few returns, and running a few errands. (You know, little things that you just put off and wonder what took you so long to do them?)
How did you spend most of your time this week? Well, besides being at school, I spent a lot of time watching the Olympics. So fun!
What drained your energy this week? I think the answers might always be teenagers. haha! But really – I had to do an online SAT training outside of school hours and it’s frustrating how long it took to complete. Apparently, the only thing harder than then SAT is completing the training to be a proctor for the SAT!
What did you do for yourself this week? I was overdue for a nail appointment, so I did that Tuesday after school. I didn’t go too far out of my wheelhouse, but I did try a new color…Let’s Be Friends….and it’s kind of a combo of my two faves…Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath.
What’s the greatest lesson you learned this week? I already knew this, but for some students, being at school is their safe place. There are so many students who struggled being out of school for two weeks because of their home life, food insecurity, or just being out of a school routine.
What do you want to do better next week? I need to get back to planning lunches. My new “go to” is to buy a bag of Caesar salad and take it to school and then bring some chicken and low-carb tortillas and just leave those things in my classroom fridge. I can usually get two to three wraps out of the bag of salad.
What would you like to accomplish next week? Probably just what I typically want to accomplish –getting workouts in, focusing on eating better…and I need to get better about eating more protein again, and just continuing to get into a school groove.
What can you do next week to take a step towards long-term goals? I need to plan all of unit 3 for my classes, so I can see when the unit will wrap up. We have district common unit assessments we have to give at the end of each unit, and I need to make that deadline.

Happy Sunday!

Blog challenge, Me

Finish the Sentence

Posted on February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Valentine’s Day!

Wow…Friday the 13th was no joke. Overall, it was a good day, but you know…kids are crazy. haha! Plus, we’ve had really nice and warm weather, and I swear the students are acting like it’s spring!

Anyway, I love these fun graphics, and I stumbled upon this one…

…here are my answers:

Every morning, I ….drink coffee! Well, I do a lot of things every morning, but drinking coffee seems like the most important! The second most important thing I do is make our bed.
I can’t leave the house without my …tumbler! Of course, I “can’t” leave the house without many things like my wallet, phone, or car keys, but I do take my tumbler with me wherever I go.
My usual breakfast is…either nothing or cream of wheat. I’m not a big breakfast person, especially on weekdays, but if I’m hungry and have time, I will make some cream of wheat. I keep some cereal bars at school if I make it until mid-morning before I need something to eat. Other days, I do eat anything until 12:30.
I study/work at…high school! (As I’m sure you know!). It’s hard to believe that I’m on the downhill slide to wrap up year 24.
When I get home, I…put on comfy or workout clothes. Once I get home, it always goes one of two ways…I either put on comfy clothes, or I change into leggings and a t-shirt and head to the basement for a workout. Even if I put on workout clothes, I still take a few minutes to unwind after a long day.

I hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Blog challenge, Inspiration, Me

Bloganuary: 1.25.26 – Sunday Prompts

Posted on January 25, 2026January 25, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Happy Sunday!

How are you faring with the winter weather? It is wild how expansive this storm has been. We were supposed to get more snow than anything else, but the freezing rain moved more our way. So, we’re waking up to snow that has fallen overnight and some freezing rain too. Bitterly cold temps follow, so we’ll see how many days of school we have this week?

I’m not sure the source, but I found this “Sunday Prompts” via Pinterest, and I thought it would be a good look back on the week.

What made you the happiest this week? We finally found a car for the kids. Trav went to Louisville on Friday, and we were able to surprise them Friday evening. They were genuinely surprised and also, even better, genuinely grateful. They’ve only had their licenses for a couple of months, but they never once asked when we were getting them a car. They knew we were looking, but they understood it might take a bit. Of course, they drove it Friday night and a bit yesterday morning, but now none of us are driving anywhere thanks to the weather!
What are your three biggest wins from the week? I left school on Friday pretty caught up on grading and with a decent plan for NTI (online learning) days if we have them this week. A third “win” probably is getting the kids a car. Trav spent lots of time and energy the past few months trying to find them one in our parameters.
How did you spend most of your time this week? At school…but also thinking about/hearing about the upcoming snow. Wednesday and Thursday were actually pretty slick mornings with other districts out or delayed, but we weren’t. So, it just felt like Tuesday was our only “normal” day of school because Monday we didn’t have school, and then Wednesday-Friday, I felt like we were talking about the weather and prepping accordingly.
What drained your energy this week? Worrying about the weather. I wasn’t actually worried, but more than it was on my mind. I just knew we should get a few groceries. We had snack, lunch and breakfast items, but I just figured we should have a couple of dinners on hand. Trav tackled the grocery store for me Thursday evening, and he did get most of what we needed. Also, we were supposed to travel to Indy for Hadley’s volleyball, and even through Thursday, most of the parents felt like it was a good idea to still go. I felt like us and a couple other parents were the only “rational” ones. Thankfully, the club directors met Thursday evening and decided to pull out of the tournament as a club.
What did you do for yourself this week? I had my monthly facial on Wednesday, and it was lovely!
What is the greatest lesson you learned this week? Patience pays off. We stuck with our parameters for type of car and price, and found something good for the kids. Also, I already know this, but with major winter weather on the way, I remind my own kids what a blessing it is that we can just go to the store and get what we need…and that some kids would much rather be at school than at home for an extended amount of time.
What do you want to do better next week? Get back on track with working out. If you are a regular reader, you know I mention getting “back on track” sometimes. haha Anyway, I did great in December working out and even for the start of January, but last week, I only worked out twice, and I just didn’t feel like myself.
What would you like to accomplish next week? This answer is probably the same as what I want to do better next week.
What can I do to work towards a long term goal? I want to spend more time reading this week. Assuming we are home a bit, it will be easy to scroll my phone or watch a show when I could spend a bit more time reading. I read three books in January, and I have started a fourth, so I did read a lot, but I know I could find pockets of time to read more.
I love the reminder: This is your Sunday reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws your way.

I might try adding post, or something similar, into my blogging rotation.

Stay safe and warm!

Blog challenge, Me

Bloganuary 1.24.26 – My Life in GIFS

Posted on January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Saturday!

We’re waking up to a little sunshine, but winter weather is definitely on the way. I might run a couple of errands this morning before travel becomes unlikely for a couple of days.

Today’s post is quick and fun…

I love seeing these graphics and thinking about my answers…

This one is “My Life in GIFS”…but I’m using emojis…

Favorite color: I actually had to think about this one for a second…Overall, I’m a pretty neutral girl, but I didn’t want to say that my favorite color is black. haha

I lean towards navy and gray. I like a pop of blue…especially light blue as an accent for home decor.

Favorite hobby: Reading! I just finished an audiobook yesterday, and I’m going to finish the book on my Kindle after I publish this post. Then, I’m going to make sure I have a couple more downloaded to hopefully read the next couple of days.

Dream career: I’m doing it! I put the money as a joke for two reasons…since I’ve never won the lottery, I’ve continued my teaching career. ha! And, as you know, teachers aren’t in this profession for the money. That being said, sticking with teaching for over twenty years has provided a good income for my family. I always wanted to be a teacher. I always had great English teachers, and my mom was a middle school Language Arts teacher. Being a teacher, has been very rewarding in many ways, and I’m thankful that I’ve stuck with it through some hard years. Of course, I appreciate the time off in the summer (and the occasional snow day!). I’m extremely grateful to be having one of the best years of my career. I also love seeing my own kids and their friends at school.

Favorite food: I love Mexican food (have you ever seen anyone mad while eating chips and queso?) and sushi…not together, obviously.

I’d like to travel to: England. You all know I love anything to do with the British Royal Family, and I know how exciting London can be. I did go on a European trip when I was in high school, and I loved London. I’d love to go back.

Current mood: Excited/happy for the impending snow…as long as we don’t lose power!

Makes me happy: Self-care. I look forward to my monthly facials, and I like my quiet time in the morning. I get my nails done every three to four weeks, and while sometimes I feel guilty doing so, it’s my treat to myself. I enjoy working out and going for walks. I used to feel guilty about self-care, but I think it’s important.

Can’t live without: (Obviously besides family, friends, and Homer as an answer)…coffee! …which I’m going to go make myself a cup right now.

How would you answer these prompts?

Stay safe and warm!

Blog challenge

Bloganuary 1.18.26: Keep 3

Posted on January 18, 2026January 16, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Sunday!

I love Sundays, but even more so with no school on Monday. I’m stopping by for a quick Sunday Bloganuary post.

I saw this graphic on social media, and I always like thinking about what I would keep when I see these different graphics…(I think this one was tied to Seint makeup since one of them is the 3D foundation)…

There are a lot of great ideas on here, but for me, I think I’d keep:

Books: You know I love to read!
Coffee: The best way to start my day.
Free Shipping: I appreciate Amazon Prime and all that can be on my door step in a day or two.

What about you? Which three would you keep?

I hope you’re having a great weekend.

Blog challenge

January Bucket List- Bloganuary 1.11.26

Posted on January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Sunday!

I hope the weekend has been treating you well.

Pinterest is kind of like Target to me. When I go to Target, Target tells me what I need to buy. Sometimes, when I get on Pinterest, ideas pop up for things to write. haha!

We’re not quite to the halfway point of January, so I think it’s not too late to share some January bucket list ideas.

I saw this list, and realized that I’ve already done a few of these…

{c/o http://www.mustlovelists.com}

Make a homemade soup, make a batch of chili: I love soup and chili season. We have soup at least once a week November-March.
Try a new hobby: I finished cross-stitching a few ornaments, and I still have one to go…and a couple other little projects too. This is a fun hobby that I’ve picked up again.
Set goals: My main goal for January is to stay consistent with working out…and be mindful of what I’m eating. Starting this week, I’m going to go back to tracking in My Fitness Pal.
Try a new type of workout: I went to Solid Core for the first time after Christmas, and I went to another class yesterday. I felt less like a fish out of water yesterday!
Create a 30 day workout calendar: I haven’t really done this, but I am planning my workouts out every week and will continue with the Bodi program I’ve been doing.
Work on a home improvement project: We aren’t doing anything major right now, but I have “refreshed” a few things…new pillow covers, new picture frames, etc.
Declutter your closet: Well, my closet isn’t in horrible shape, but I should go through it. That being said, I went into the new year having purged almost every other part of the house (kitchen cabinets, island, office cabinet, etc)
Make a reading list: I always have a reading list going. After reading “lighter” holiday reads in December, it’s been nice to read a few “meatier” books to start the new year.
After Christmas shopping sale: I did hit up a few after Christmas sales. I picked up a cute Christmas pillow for 60% off at World Market.
Watch a winter movie: I was able to watch a few favorites over break.
Read a productivity/self-improvement book: I picked up a book at a bookstore on fall break, and I hope to start reading it soon.
Get cozy socks/slippers: We’ve had warm temps, but it will be colder this week…which means I will get out my cozy socks.
Organize a bookshelf: We have lots of shelves in our basement, and I put my books down there. On a whim, I decided to organize them by color, and I love it.

With still a couple weeks left in January, I hope to cross a few more of these off my list.

Have you completed any of these ideas?

Have a great Sunday!