Friday Favorites: Plants that clean the air and more!

Hello there!  Thanks for popping over to visit the blog!  Today I am linking up with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals my favorites include snake plants which are natural air purifiers; 

Snake plants clean the air!

Growing up, my mother always had a plant called "mother-in-law's tongue."  Recently, I found these plants while food shopping:

The tag said they were snake plants!  Upon further research, I learned their nickname is "mother-in-law's tongue."  I bought the plants because I loved the pots they were in.  

Even better, these plants are super air purifiers so I keep them in my bedroom.  Snake plants remove toxins from the air during the night.  In addition, they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.  They are basically living air filter powerhouses!  

Click here to check out a small business that sells these plants on Amazon or check out your local supermarket/greenhouse.  Most importantly, snake plants are really easy to take care of, and the return will improve the air quality in your home!

Two Books to Check Out:

I recently finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman.  

This books takes place on a one week family vacation on Cape Cod.  The main character, Rocky, is in her 50's, and she is "sandwiched" between her adult children and elderly parents.  I felt like Rocky was talking to me during the book.  She feels alternatively happy and heart-broken on the same page.  Rocky feels like a friend.  I especially liked her interactions with her daughter, Willa.   

This next book is delightful and enchanting:

I really loved and enjoyed this book.  The story takes place mostly in Dublin.  The three main characters:  Opaline, Martha and Henry love books and reading.  The characters are lovely and lovable.  I highly recommend this book.  If you want to read more, click on the cover to go to Amazon.

I always wanted a pair of Tretorn sneakers!

I picked up a pair of new sneakers, and I really love them:

I've always wanted a pair of Tretorn sneakers since high school when I played tennis.  Well, I finally got a pair, and they are really comfortable.  I get a lot of compliments on these sneakers for their color and retro looks.

I wish summer could be endless!

Here is one of my favorite pillows that keep on my bed all summer.  

Summer is definitely the season that goes by the quickest!

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What's Up Wednesday? Check it out!

Hello there!  Today I am linking up with Shea and Sheaffer for their link-up:

What we are eating

In June, my husband had an esophagectomy.  The procedure is called Ivor Lewis  surgery in which the surgeon removes the tumor from the esophagus but needs to relocate the stomach between the lungs (the esophagus is not elastic, but the small intestine is long enough to reach the stomach's new location).  After the feeding tube which he had for three weeks, my husband advanced from clear liquids, to more substantial liquids like smoothies to bland, small meals.  We eat a lot of rice and mashed potatoes with small pieces of meat.  

What I'm working on

I am currently working on profound cleaning.  This is my term for deep cleaning such as washing windows, curtains, the areas underneath and behind furniture.  

What we've been up to

We have a new granddaughter who was born on July 21, 2024.  Her name is Cecilia Reese (Reese was my maiden name).  She is quite adorable and beautiful:

Cecilia's middle name is Reese which is my maiden name!  

What I'm reminiscing about

Now that I am newly retired, I am actually reminiscing about Back to School and getting my classroom ready.  I always got excited about decorating and cleaning my room; meeting my new students; picking out a new outfit for the first day.  

  

What I'm excited about

I started a new cross stitch for the baby.  I haven't cross stitched for over 30 years due to kids and work.  Now I have time to take up a hobby.

I bought this kit online at Love Crafts.  I really loved the variety and quality of their products. If you want to get 30% off your first purchase, type in my name:  Susan Krevat, when checking out.

What I'm watching

We are watching Lady in the Lake on AppleTV.  

The series is based on a book by Laura Lippman.  Natalie Portman plays Maddie, one of the main characters who is undergoing a huge life transition.  The show takes place in 1960's Baltimore is full of racial and religious tension.

What I'm wearing/shopping for

and

What are my recent Amazon purchases?

I just bought my daughter 3 new pairs of Little Blue House by Hatley sleep shorts and a sleep shirt.  

As always, thank you for checking in and reading the blog!  

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A Little Bit of Everything with BIG News!

Hello there!  Thanks for popping by!  Today I'm excited to link up with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals for:

I decided to retire!

On March 1, 2024, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric/esophageal cancer.  Since then, life has been a whirlwind with scans, chemotherapy, surgery, feeding tube, medication...  The surgery was June 5th so I took the last 2 weeks of school off.  His surgery was at Mass. General in Boston.  The surgeons are very happy with the surgery (click here to read about this complex procedure).  

Matt in December in Puerto Rico. He self-diagnosed with acid reflux.

These past months have been extremely stressful and hopeful.  While in school, I found that my patience dwindled, and my focus was on my husband. Needless to say, when my district offered a $20,000 early retirement incentive, I decided this was the time to retire.  I was planning on retiring in October 2025 when I turn 65.  

Of course, the district reneged their $20,000 incentive which is now $6,750.  However, I am still retiring either way because my husband will continue to need chemotherapy, and other care.

Now that I'm retired, I can focus on my training to become a nurse!

Any day my daughter is having a baby!

My daughter's due date is July 16th which is just about here.  She's having a girl but the name is the big secret and surprise.  She's feeling BIG and ready to have a baby!  

Have you ever seen a lady slipper?

Neither had I until last month when my friend and I spotted this beauty:

Speaking of plants...

I have a small garden that gets direct sun all day all summer.  In addition, we have a large rabbit population.  Consequently, I need drought and rabbit resistant flowers.  Enter the Veronica Speedwell:

Click on the picture to read more about these plants in the Farmers' Almanac

Most importantly, the pollinators LOVE these plants, and they can remain alive with me as their caretaker.  

Last summer, we started a garden as an experiment.  We only planted rabbit resistant plants such as lavender and coreopsis.  Those plants did not come back, but the Veronicas did!  I have even bought a white and a pink Veronica.  I highly recommend these plants if you want plants that are perennials and require little attention.

It is the height of summer here in Massachusetts:  heat and humidity every day which means LOTS of air conditioning time.  That means you can catch up on reading more blogs at:

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Friday Favorites: Springtime Edition!

Happy days are here again!  Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erica from A Little Bit of Everything for:

Solar Eclipse Excitement

In Massachusetts, the eclipse peaked at 3:30 pm.  We get out of school at 2:50 pm so we had some time outside before going home.  As you can see, the kids LOVED watching:

My daughter is having a baby!

In July, my daughter is having a baby girl:  the first grandchild!  Here is Bethany with my new dog, Truffles:

A Perfect Message from Power of Positivity!

Every day I check out Instagram, and this message really resonated with me:

Reconnecting with a Childhood Friend

A friend and I went to Rockport, Massachusetts last week to check out Halibut Point State Park.  This location was prominently featured in the movie, CODA.  On the way home, I saw the street where my childhood friend, Kathy, lived.  The door was opened so I rang the bell, and amazingly, she still lives there:

That's Kathy on the left!

Last, but not least...

Here is a picture of my husband from December when we went to Puerto Rico:

During February vacation week on Thursday, we went to the gastroenterologist because my husband had acid reflux and was getting sick pretty much every time he ate.  I insisted on accompanying him so he would not downplay his symptoms.  Luckily, he got an endoscopy the following Tuesday because he has esophageal cancer, stage 3.  Everything went quickly after that, and he is undergoing intense chemotherapy and hoping to have surgery in May.

My mother always said, "Your life turns on a dime."  That is for sure!  Our lives have been turned upside down, but my husband is amazingly being a real trooper through it all.  We have learned a lot, including that the ribbon color of esophageal cancer is periwinkle, which explains the font color of this post!

Much health and happiness to you all!  Happy spring!

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Sharing Our Lives 2024: A New Link-Up!

Hello!  I'm always excited to try something new!  This time, I am linking up with Toronto Sam and other for:

This month's question:  How did your meet your husband?

In the fall of 1978, I started my freshman year at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  I was homesick, academically underprepared and overwhelmed.  In November, the next door neighbor (who was an RA) in the dorm was hosting a wine and cheese party, and she invited me because I was so lonely.  

When I got to the party, I recognized one person, Dale.  He worked at the field house.  My friend, Debbie, and I often played tennis on Saturday nights.  Dale was forced to stay there because we were the only ones playing tennis until 9:00 pm.  We were probably the only ones at the field house!  At the party, Dale was there with his friend, Matt.  For me, it was love at first sight!  Matt invited me to a semi-formal in December, and we have been together ever since.  In March, we will be married for 40 years!

Here is a picture from my birthday last October:

l to r:  Kaylee, daughter-in-law; Gregory, son-in-law; Derek, son; Bethany, daughter (today is her 35th birthday); Nancy, my younger and taller sister; my husband, Matt; Angelika, daughter-in-law; Andrew, son; Teddy and Zofia, Andrew's in-laws.

That's me in front with our newly adopted dog, Truffles.

The other big family news is that my daughter is having a baby girl in July!

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Friday Favorites: Favorite Books; Favorite Ornament; Puerto Rico & More!

Happy New Year!  I wish you much health and happiness in 2024!  I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything for:

Books to Check Out:

Right now I am reading:

Click on cover to read more at Amazon!

This book details the lives of people who are experiencing change.  The books takes place in England and Scotland.  If you are looking for a comforting and easy book to read, this book is perfect for you!

In school, I am reading The One and Only Ruby by Christina Applegate to my class:

Click here or on the cover to read more at Amazon!

This is a heart-warming book that your students will love!  It is the 3rd book in a series, but I am starting with this book so I don't think it is necessary to read all the books to enjoy this delightful story.  Also, while I am reading the book, I record myself and post it to my You Tube channel if you'd like to listen there!

Favorite Ornament/Keepsake

My friend Carole gave me the perfect holiday gift:

It's from Ornament Shop.Com.  I was just checking out the site, and there are personalized items for every event.

Trip to Puerto Rico

My husband and I finally made it to Puerto Rico for Christmas vacation.  It is a vibrant place with plenty to do.  

The top two pictures are from Old San Juan which is full of history and old buildings and streets.  I definitely loved this part of the city the best (there is even a Marshall's!).  The third pictures is an office building decorated for Christmas.  Christmas is a long season in Puerto Rico:  People start decorating after Thanksgiving, and the holiday doesn't end until Three King's Day on January 6th.  In addition to Old San Juan, we went to the El Yunque rain forest and took a trip into the countryside.

Overall, it was an amazing adventure with great weather.  The downside:  I got my first case of Covid which I thought was a bad cold.  Consequently, I needed to stay home an additional three days from school.  I went back Friday so it's back to reality.

Happy New Year!  Thank you for visiting the blog today!

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