March Recommendations. 2025 ("Struggle" is the theme)

Kid thing. Being able to kick them both outside. No secrets here: Sutton is 3 now so she and Wells (and Mav) can go out by themselves and chase each other around. All three of them are working on digging a hole. Praise the Lord for independence while I make dinner. 

Food thing. Speaking of dinner, I am struggling here. I keep skipping Dinnerly orders because I'm not going to do it anymore (too expensive) and I look at the recipes but I don't have the desire to make new things. (You know how some people fall into ruts in the late fall or in January? I'm like that in the spring.) I haven't actually done a Dinnerly order since fall so I need to cancel it for good. I really just rotate the same 5-7 dinners and mostly it's Mexican food. Though, last night it was a sheet pan and Monday it was pancakes because at least both kids will eat pancakes. 

Health thing. I've been completely 110% red-pilled when it comes to health in the last few months, even going down the rabbit hole of trying to find a holistic vet for when we move. 

But I started taking schisandra maybe two months ago. I don't know that it helps but it's not hurting, that's for sure. I am pretty much anti-SSRI at this point (and I also don't think that people who haven't tried an SSRI get a weighted opinion on them :), but I think finding some natural remedies for stress and anxiety is good for everyone. 

Listening. Totally in a listening rut, which is unusual for me. I'd say what I've spent the most time listening to in the last month is Alex Clark's podcast Cultural Apothecary (I hate that word). I even tried some Crime Junkie again over the weekend because I want to get lost in storytelling but that didn't do it. Any recommendations?  

Watching. Finished Reacher. There's 3 seasons out there if you need something to binge on Prime. Still watching The Pitt and still dragging on with The White Lotus. We're also finishing up season 2 of American Rust. It's a great show and very moody and kind of depressing. That's what I like I guess. 

But, I'm rewatching Better Call Saul, as I tend to do each spring. It's so brilliant. I'll probably watch Breaking Bad next. I don't know what your comfort TV is, but this is mine. 

Reading. Ugh. I can't do it. I'm in SUCH a rut. I've gotten 5 library books in the past 2 weeks and I've not gotten past the second chapter in any of them. 

I did listen to Blind Spots by Marty Makary and it's worth your time, for sure. The chapter on peanut allergies explains a lot. 

Recommend a book or a podcast or a show! 

While there are some super jaw-dropping and endearing moments to this season of TWL, I recommend seasons 1 and 2. 

Memes for Monday.

I was so busy doing allthethings last week that I didn't even think to blog because when I get overwhelmed, time seems to speed up and drag on at the same time.

But I did put this on Substack but I want to start building up the professional side of my online life. For so long, I've compartmentalized teaching but now I want to start documenting that side of it all because I'm moving on from the classroom next year. I don't know what I'll be doing next (not working full-time anyway) but I want all of this out there for someone else to use as a resource. 

Monday again?

Not to be confused with "Monday already?".

Here's the thing: I spent most of last week in a Sunday Scaries mentality, knowing I have 44 days of school left. Plus I had a lot I wanted to accomplish with my spring break and I did...very little of it? I think I froze up. 

Monday, we had a vet appointment. Scout had an infection a month and a half ago, and they wanted to do one more recheck. Then we went to the chiropractor. Tuesday was Sutton's birthday. We went out for lunch, stopped at Aldi, and then had cake and presents at home. Wednesday, I woke up feeling awful...a cold? dizzy? ugh. But Sutton had her 3 year appointment so off we went. I don't remember the rest of the day. Thursday, *I* had my regular annual doctor's appointment. I do like my PA so it was just one more thing to check off the list (before I grab those medical records and run from Missouri). I was supposed to have an eye appointment too, to renew my contacts prescription but they had to reschedule. Friday, I finally made it to the library and then I went to get my hair highlighted. It was only my second time having it done professionally and it's such a nice treat. 

Anyway, the funny thing about Thursday and Friday is that Scott had taken off work to take care of some house projects and the kids wanted to stay home with him. All I needed him for when it came to watching them was for the hair appointment; I could, and have in the past, wrangled kids at all kinds of appointments and situations. They legitimately just wanted to stay home with him. I feel like I'm entering a whole new era of parenting with Sutton getting older now. 

Saturday was Sutton's birthday party and then Sunday was my day to catch up and prep for...another week. 

before:

                                                                            after:

I made a hard commit to that center part.

When she comes to the store, she gets a treat at the check-out. 

Post-doctor's appointment treat. for real though, I need to do something with my nails. 

Stages of annoyance, with me, at the pediatrician's office:

They give kids actual stuffies now, to keep them quiet, at doctor's offices. It's not just a sticker at the end of the visit. And she wanted so little to be there that they kept handing her more stuffies. We ended up with 3 and, when we left, she gleefully waved and yelled "bye!" to everyone. They were shocked because they thought she was mute and violent, I'm sure, based on her reactions to nurses and doctors. 

Cracker Barrel 

Aldi

Presents, cake, and babies:

This was Sutton's bassinet and we used it for about 2 months, give or take. It was definitely indispensable during that time. It's in excellent condition and I've searched high and low for a a new owner for it, hoping to find a good home. No one wants it and that's really annoying to me for some reason. Anyway, I've decided that Sutton can just have it for her baby dolls and this was a good idea. My friend originally suggested that a year ago but it seemed like it would just be clutter. But I really do think she'll use it as a toy. 

Alright: it's going to be a long and packed and busy 44 days, but 44 43 more wake-ups until school is over. 

Monday already?

Spring break started on Saturday, technically, but we have this week off. It's kind of weird because it's not like we didn't have 17 days off in January and February for snow and cold and ice, so spring break was not long-sought after this year. This year, our break began with a tornado warning and 4 days of 80 degree temps (last week). We turned on the a/c on March 13th, which has to be some kind of record. Sutton's birthday is tomorrow and, three years ago, we ended the day before spring break (she was born over spring break) with a snow day because we got several inches of snow on that Friday. 

(Will I be sad to leave Missouri? No. Not really.)

Last week was incredibly stressful just with life and trying to get things done. I had this thought on Thursday that it doesn't matter. it's physically impossible for me to get everything that needs to be done, done. so it is what it is. If you want context for Thursday, I had to get up at 5am, leave for school around 7am (entailing all the prep and getting ready in the morning for myself and two uncooperative humans), go to the post office during my prep, go to the store to get drinks for a potluck, come home, feed us and the dogs, go back to school from 5:30 to 7:30 for family game night, praying that maybe Scott could be home by 5:15 (he did make it home) so I wouldn't have to take Sutton with me. I also needed to somehow pick up the dog's heart medicine from the vet by Friday afternoon (20 minutes away) and finish my report card grades by Thursday morning. And it was 80 degrees and I had a cold all week. 

I personally am functioning this way because I see an end in sight and because I really enjoy my students and love teaching them this year. Also, this is how I'm contributing to the betterment of society. And Wells is doing great in 1st grade. I see the benefit coming out of all of this, even if it's hard in the moment. And obviously, this is my right now. There's been many experiences of right now in the last 15 years...teaching in all different places, deployments, moves/PCSs, remodels, settling into new places, etc. 

Army-imposed timelines are my friend and how I cope, is what I'm saying.

But here's the last few days:

Wells has two birthday parties (+ Sutton's) over spring break so we made a special trip to buy gifts. She wanted a daffodil in her hair. Fancy eggs are the same price as regular so we've been buying fancy. 

I went to get a massage the other day..it'd been scheduled since Valentine's Day..and they had a red light sauna. I've been following the red light trend for awhile but I'm not sure how worth it investing in one would be. 

Daycare picture.

While I think the Laniege lip mask is a rip off, my SIL got me this for Christmas and it's a perfect lip gloss. I'd completely stopped with gloss after kids because babies and toddlers are always smacking you in the face. This is such a good one. 

90 degrees when I turned on the car at 5pm

I bought a case of these teas at Aldi. They had one case. It was sitting with the alcohol. I checked it over multiple times to make sure it wasn't alcohol since it was for a potluck. They are so good. They are a variety pack of flavors and the peach is perfect. 

Packing lunches, always. 

Wells had to decorate a shamrock with things he's "lucky" to have. He wanted to put a picture of Jett on it. :( 

First try at Sutton's birthday cake: failed. (not the best start to Monday morning but I'm trying again). 

Yay or Nay: Product Edition

A few products I wanted to warn you about share. 

First up: 

Covergirl concealer. I bought this because the shade is absolutely perfect for me and I'm over that Maybelline kind I've been using for years. And I admit, it goes on smoothly and the color was great. After a day or two though, I started to break out and I remembered why I Do Not Use Covergirl. It's cheap. The ingredients are awful and it makes me break out. Unless you are good with CG products, don't. Nay. 

I've also been really into the idea of liquid blush. I don't like the heaviness of cream blush and I saw that powder blush makes you look old or something. So I got this pretty shade that is supposed to be for cheeks, eyes, or lips. ....It's Covergirl. Matched with the concealer, I had breakouts on my cheeks within two days. It's a shame. Nay. 

Next, I found this serum from Arbonne. I'm always into vitamin C products, especially serums, and I saw this as a free gift with a replenishment order. I snatched it up and then they told me it was no longer a free gift and "sorry". I complained and they sent it to me for free anyway. I was thrilled. This is a $110 product and I thoroughly expected it to change my life. 

Well, within a few days of use, I was breaking out (this was pre-Covergirl products). I pushed through because I was assuming there was an adjustment period and I wanted it to work miracles. (Or I wanted an excuse to buy Arbonne...one or the other.) I stopped after a a week and then went back to my regular products and my skin got better. Then I went and used those Covergirl products and doubled down by switching back to the Arbonne serum and...everything got worse. Nay.

And that was end of that. 

So really I'm coming off of 3 weeks of non-smooth skin that had a bunch of random breakouts. I even used tretinoin for a couple of days to clear it up and that dried my face out and, I swear, tretinoin can make things worse if you're not careful (for the love of goodness, stay out of the sun). 

Lessons learned.

What does work?

I bought this last summer, and am just finishing my first bottle. I already bought another one. I cannot recommend it enogh. Yeah, it has some citrus fragrance but I love it and it keeps my skin smooth. Bonus: It's $14. YAY. 

I'm also using La-Roche Posay moisturizer and this moisturizing oil from Adel. 

I think Arbonne is good for supplements but it will be awhile before I attempt their skincare again, if ever. And I think Covergirl is good for mascara but it's back to Maybelline for me if I'm looking for a drugstore brand. 

Failing and Flailing on Sunday.

1. This past week wasn't as insane as last week but here we are. The weather was an issue this week, even if the schedule was not. High winds, snow, trazodone for the dog. You get it. And now:

2. One good thing: I received my professional certificate from the state of Missouri. I've held teaching licenses in various states and age ranges over the years and every state has different rules and regulations. This is the first time I've been somewhere long enough to apply for the "career" license. This means I'll never ever (ever) have to worry about having an outdated license again. A huge relief. Did you know you can't renew in a state where you're not actively employed? This has caused me a lot of scrambling over the years. I couldn't renew my other licenses unless I went back to those states. Luckily, Missouri is the state where I hold the most qualifications because of how my college degree translated into their system. Pennsylvania gives K-8 degrees and then I'm certified in middle school for ELA and Social Studies.

3. Dress update:

I got one final dress in the mail last weekend and it was too big. I mean, it was definitely the most comfortable of the 3 I tried on but it was too loose on the top and, though Scott offered to sew it, he liked the red dress better. Again, I really need to get my colors done, but I think red is one of them. 

4. My order from Old Navy came in (seriously haven't ordered from them in a year). The shorts are the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my body. I got a medium. The swimsuit bottoms are good, and I'm going to size up in the top I think. The kids' suits will probably be fine. I'm putting them into their Easter baskets. 

5. The Iditarod started this week and our story in our reading text is actually about the Iditarod so I, with a dozen plus snow days affecting the schedule this winter, could not have planned that any better. So we've been watching the race updates in class. 

See the log cabin? 

I build a "model" of the "little house" on the prairie to go along with our novel study. 

6. Some TV things: We're watching Reacher and Pitt, still. Both very good. I may need to catch up on The White Lotus tonight but it's boring me. I don't feel the need to watch the Love is Blind weddings but I do want to watch the reunion. Like with The Bachelor, I prefer just an overview and some recap podcasts. We started American Rust on Amazon and I like it a lot. It was from 2021 but is on Prime. 

7. I did post February books this past week but I'm not in the mood to read right now. 

8. I'm in birthday party prep mode for Sutton. I experimented with some cupcakes last night. I like this recipe. I can never get the frosting quite right though. I hate making frosting. 

9. Other than that, I'm just scrambling to get my report cards done today and spring is sneaking up on us this week with highs in the 70s so I might need to dig out sandals. I had this grand plan of "posting on the grid every day in March". That lasted 3 days. All I could think to take a picture of each day was the puppy and 31 days of Mav is too many days of Mav. 

Chewing on a caribou antler from Alaska that he found in the yard. Jett half-buried that in the yard years ago, 100%. Tomorrow is Jett's birthday :/ ...3/10 is also Scott's dad's birthday.