Happy Friday! I started this post on Monday afternoon and the week got away from me. So, I have a three parter for you – Wednesday Hodgepodge, Currently, and Friday Favorites. I am looking forward to not setting an alarm on Saturday or Sunday after regular early wakeups with interrupted sleep most nights this week.

I am joining Joyce for a quick hodgepodge of questions.

1. What do you love most about March? I love the lighter evenings. I love the warmer days, even if they trick me into thinking it is going to be warm all the time. I love March Madness! I love my St. Patrick’s Day Brooks sneakers!

2. Hey! Did you know March is National Celery Month? Do you like celery? What’s something you make (or like to order out) that calls for celery? I had no idea. I like celery every once in a while. I don’t use celery very much but I do like it in chicken salad or with buffalo wings.

3. _______________ is the soundtrack to my life right now. I’ve had Pink Pony Club in my head for a few weeks. Not the whole song or even the chorus, just the title. That’s it. I like the song, but this little bit repeating over and over is making me a little crazy. The other soundtrack might be me taking a deep breath and saying “ok” and then doing the next thing that must be done over and over and over again.

4. Share a favorite motivational quote for overcoming challenges. One of my favorite sayings comes from Eleanor Roosevelt. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” When I am feeling unsure or unqualified, I like to think about this and remind myself that I can do it.

5. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday this year. Do you participate in Lent in some way? If so tell us more. I do participate in Lent. We are Catholic, so we abstain from meat on Ash Wednesdays and Fridays. Some years I give things up and other years I concentrate on doing something to be a better person or bring more good into the world. This year I am going to put my phone down before 10 pm. I’m getting better about not mindlessly scrolling on my phone during the day, but I hop on Instagram when I get in bed and get lost in there.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I stopped eating red meat for years one March. Being the good Irish girl that my mom is, she always made corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. I do not like corned beef and cabbage so one year in high school I decided to proclaim that I didn’t eat red meat anymore to avoid the dinner. It worked, but I ended up giving up red meat for years and years after that. I eat red meat now, but I still do not eat corned beef and cabbage.

I am also linking up with Jenn for her monthly Currently post.

I am loving…

I am loving some extra time at home in the evenings. I know it is only another week and a half before Luke is back to his regular activities and practices (which is wonderful!!) but I am enjoying the time to make dinner and get some things done.

I am craving…

I am craving routine! I am not sad to have been off the week of February 24th to be with Luke as he recovered from surgery. This week, I attended an employee town hall on Tuesday night because our county is in some dire financial territory. I was happy to go to Jack’s meet the coach/parent meeting on Wednesday night. But that meant I was out two afternoons and evenings. I thrive with schedules and routines, and I am craving one. We won’t get back to our full regular routine because Luke is still out of all sports so he doesn’t have any evening commitments.

I am pinning…

I am not really pinning anything, but I have been going back to my Pinterest boards to find old favorites. I used this shrimp recipe for dinner on Sunday. I used two pounds of shrimp, substituted a gluten free Italian dressing mix, and served it over pasta.

I am making these chicken taquitos this weekend. They are a family favorite. Sometimes I use packaged taco seasoning instead of all the spices listed in the recipe.

I am planning…

I am planning (shopping for) a few spring outfits. I have seen a few dresses that look nice for work but also look comfortable. I am thinking about what I want to wear for Easter and the boys’ confirmation in May.

I am planning to start running again. I signed up for a 5K to support the Ronald McDonald House and need to get my booty running. Runner Sarah says “it’s only a 5K” but current Sarah says “you haven’t run in a looooong time”. I am excited to get back to running, especially for such a great cause.

I am also planning birthdays and Easter. Jack and Luke’s birthdays are only 19 days apart and Easter is right after Luke’s birthday. It will be a busy 20 days and I am starting to plan for it.

I am appreciating…

I am appreciating all the well wishes that have come our way. Between our families, in person friends, and my blogger friends I feel so lucky to have such great people in my life. I know Luke appreciates all the messages, too!

I am appreciating the time I took on Sunday to prep dinners and lunches. Packing lunches is my least favorite task of the week and I don’t have to do much this week. Jack likes a hot lunch, so I assembled a few that he can heat up at school. Luke likes a PB&J with some packaged items (applesauce, granola bars). Both kids like fresh fruit so I have that washed, cut, packaged, and ready to grab. I sure hope next Sunday Sarah remembers this and does it again.

I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for my favorites from the week.

Favorite 1: TIME! I’ve gotten some one on one time with Jack and Luke this week and I always love that. My time with Jack was in the car, but car time can be great for conversations and hearing everything he wants to talk about. Luke and I have been going through his makeup work and going on walks. He always shares what’s on his mind when we are walking and I am glad to hear it.

Favorite 2: SCHOOL! It has been a little brain adjustment to get back in the swing of teaching after a week off and little sleep, but I really love my school. On Monday, I came home so grateful for the people I work with. I got to chat with quite a few people and it was so nice to see them. I also love the kids! So many asked where I was and said they missed me. I’ve gotten so many hugs this week and I just love my students.

Favorite 3: DINNER! We had dinner together on Thursday and I just love that. We try to eat together as much as possible, but it doesn’t always happen with the kids’ schedules. As they boys get busier, I appreciate having all four of us around the table more and more.

Favorite 4: VESTS! I have been wearing my vests recently because it is so cold! I am layering a tank or shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt, and a vest on top of them at school. They are comfy and cute and keep me warm. I am still loving my weighted vest! I wear it every time I walk and it still feels significant.

Favorite 5: ELECTRIC BLANKET! As I am typing this, Luke and I are hanging out on the couch watching tv and we are both using an electric blanket. We don’t keep our house super warm (68 degrees) and the electric blanket keeps me warm and cozy!

Hello Monday

That’s about it for the week. It is pretty early on Thursday (8:20 pm) and I am heading to bed to read for a bit. I am looking forward to this weekend. The sun should be shining and it shouldn’t be too chilly. I am hoping to walk or run both days. My goal is to use Sunday to prepare for the week like I did last week because it made a big difference. Have a great weekend full of sunshine and books!