Thursday Catch Up!

This week is total chaos!  I've been teaching all week in a 7th grade math class so the teacher could take care of family business.  They are kids I see all the time.  You'd think maybe they might know the rules of the room and act right for me by now.  Nope!  Monday I kicked a kid out and made another cry because her behavior was so bad it meant a call home and she didn't want to get in trouble.  By the end of the 1st class Monday I decided I needed to bribe the rest of my classes.  I couldn't deal with 4 1/2 more days of that.  I'd have been crying for that!

Since then my classes have actually been ok.  And the class I gave the biggest bribe-treat managed to make it through the week and get rewarded today!  Cookies and brownies for all!  Well, all but one.  And that one is mad at me because I called him a "big word."  Because of his behavior in class I told him he was exempt from treats.  He didn't know what that meant.  I'm so glad the rest of the week has gone well.  I have one more day in here and am a little worried since it's the same kids I had Monday that made me so stressed but it's ok.  I can survive. 

On top of teaching I've also been working the restaurant.  I had an event for them last night, I have to close tonight, and I have to pretty much stay until close tomorrow.  When I get up at 6am to squeeze in a workout before teaching all day and then have to run to the restaurant where I'll be til 10pm or later it's a LONG freaking day!

Thank goodness for coffee!  I swear I'll be running on this stuff today!  By the time I got home from the event last night it was 9:30 and I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to do anything that resembled a workout.  Seeing as how I couldn't crash at 10pm tonight I knew it would be a coffee fueled day today and made that my first stop.  Besides, I needed cookies!

Oh and in case coffee wasn't enough to make today a good day, at 7am it was 70degrees already!  That called for some color!  Yes, I really own a hot pink dress.  Actually 2!  I can't think of a better way to kick on March (and nearly finish this uber long week) can you?

Lent Recap: Week 1

Last week I said for lent I'm not giving anything up.  Instead I'm going to do something physical every day to get back in the habit.  I figured for week one I'll explain and name the workouts I've found from Pinterest so that from here on out I can just say "I did workout x" and it makes sense.  Here is what I've done in the past week....

WEDNESDAY:
Batting practice

THURSDAY:
6 miles walk/run

FRIDAY:
10min arc trainer cardio (I don't know how my friend Ms K does an hour on that thing!)
Barbell curls- 2 sets* @ 10 lbs, 2 sets @ 12.5 lbs
Straight bar curls- 2 sets @ 20 lbs, 2 sets @ 30 lbs
Triceps extensions- 2 sets @ 45 lbs, 2 sets @ 60 lbs
Kickbacks- 2 sets @ 7.5 lbs, 2 sets @ 10lbs

SATURDAY:
2.5 mile walk/run

SUNDAY:
Softball practice

MONDAY:
1 round each of song work-outs found on Pinterest

Song 1-
30 jumping jacks
10 squats
50 Russian twists
20 crunches
10 side lunges
5 jumping squats
15 seconds Superman!
30 jumping jacks

Song 3-
30 jumping jacks
50 bicycles
10 incline push-ups (I subbed regular push ups)
5 sit ups
10 calf raises
10 squats
15 crunches
30 jumping jacks

TUESDAY:
 1 round each of song work-outs found on Pinterest

Song 3 (see Monday)

Song 4-
20 jumping jacks
20 butt kickers
10 triceps dips
15 vertical leg crunches
5 jumping squats
30 Russian twists
10 jack knife situps
10 lunges (did side lunges)
30 jumping jacks

1 round jumping/crunch found on Pinterest

10jumping jack
10 crunch
9 jumping jack
9 crunch
8 jumping jack
8 crunch
7 jumping jack
7 crunch
6 jumping jack
6 crunch
5 jumping jack
5 crunch
4 jumping jack
4 crunch
3 jumping jack
3 crunch
2 jumping jack
2 crunch
1 jumping jack
1 crunch


Not bad for week one!  7 days down, 33 to go!


*sets are 10 each

Yo Yo Yo! Wazzup!

There are some definite perks to being a youth group leader at church.....

Being able to dress like a complete fool is one of them.......

Seeing our kids get into extreme game night Rockstars VS Rapperz didn't hurt either.....

Thought ending up with welts in the KIDS vs LEADERS game of super dodgeball wasn't so fun.....

Don't you wish you went to my church?  How many other churches clear out the sanctuary for game night?

To Buy Or Not To Buy

Despite Sunday being my crazy running around like a chicken with it's head cut off day, yesterday I had a spare moment to do a little window shopping between church and lunch.  I had no intentions of falling in love with anything or walking out of Ross with an adorable black/white crochet back sundress.  And I certainly didn't think I'd still be lusting over a dress I didn't buy.

Excuse the crappy phone pic.  It's the best I could do.

I pulled this dress just as a laugh.  I figured I'd never like some magenta one-shoulder body hugging dress.  It was on a hanger marked L.  When I went to try it on I almost laughed seeing the tag.  It was labeled a 4!  I can promise you that even on my skinniest day in high school I've never been a size 4!  But God bless the designer!  They must love some curvy girls to mis-lable a dress so badly. 

Now here I am 24 hours later and I can't stop thinking about this dress.  I have no idea where I'd ever wear it.  Don't know why I need a dress like this in my closet.  But I can't help but want to go back and pick it up today.  What do you think?  $30 too much for a dress I don't have an event to wear it to?

Paradise

I wish I could accurately put into words what it is like to live with this in my backyard.  What it means to be a beach girl. 

Yesterday it was 80 degrees here at the beach.  We are always lucky enough to have those rare Jan/Feb days that make us feel like summer is on it's way.  Anyone from this area will tell you that those days just draw you to the beach.  It's like it's in our DNA.  I swear as soon as my feet hit the sand I started to relax.  I haven't had my feet in the sand in months! 

There is something about the sound of the waves, the smell of the air, that grittyness of the sand that will be stuck with me for months.  All it took for an hour out there to make me feel rejuvenated and like myself again.  I know it could be a while until we have another amazing day like this so there was no way I couldn't take advantage of it.  Wish you were here with me!

You Can Do It!

When I started running (jogging, walking really fast, whatever!) no one believed in me.  I didn't start slow.  I signed up for a half marathon when I had a hard time going a mile and a half around the neighborhood just walking without wanting to die.  And run?  HA!  I wasn't running unless someone was chasing me with a gun.  The idea that anyone ran for fun made me laugh.  Only crazy people did that! 

I signed up for the half marathon through Team in Training.  It's the main fund raising group for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  So not only was I going to have to finish 13.1 miles without keeling over, I also had to raise $1,500 to do it!  What kind of nut was I?!

My 1st day at team training I was expected to go 4 miles.  4 MILES!  It seemed like an impossible task.  It took me nearly an hour. I felt like a running loser!  It was some time that next week that it hit me.  I was NOT a loser.  I was doing something that most peopler never would.  I was taking the steps to complete a half marathon.  It didn't matter how slow I went, I was still going!

After that I was able to keep going.  One extra mile every Saturday.  In the snow and 12 degree weather I was still out there.  I was turning into one of those crazy people who could call themselves a runner.  I didn't care how many people were passing me, I was out there trying.

On March 20th I strapped on my sneakers, stretched out my legs, and took off as part of the 39th Annual Yuenglish Shamrock 1/2 Marathon.  I wish I could put into words how I felt that morning.  Excited, nervous, ready, so unprepared.  All of that at once and more. 

By the end of the race my legs were aching.  My body was so hot and cold all at once I didn't know if I wanted coffee or a cold shower.  On the last stretch of the race I could see my dad and hear my mom cheering me on.  I was crying as I crossed the finish line.  I did it.  The girl who didn't excersize finished a 1/2 marathon. 

Now I'm 22 days away from doing the same race and I can't believe how nervous I am again.  This year Sister is participating with me.  Maybe it's just that I'm nervous for her.  Or maybe it's that I know I should be doing more miles at a time than I have been.  Whatever it is these butterflies need to go away.  I'm a runner now.  I can do this.  I will finish it.

Ash Wednesday

As an infant I was baptized catholic.  We went to church on Easter and Christmas Eve as a family.  I went to long Saturday night mass with my Nana any time I would visit her.  As I struggled to find a church that I liked I'd hit catholic masses only out of habit.  In my teens our parents explained Lent to us in a less than accurate way and Sister and I always gave something up.  Candy, soda, just chocolate on a year I felt like being specific. 

Now as an adult I've decided while I appreciate what the catholic faith has to offer that's not where I feel at home.  I consider myself just Christian.  I go to a non-denominational church where we have service on the beach (in fact, I got re-baptized there last summer but that explanation will come later).  It's a very laid back, go at your own pace type of church and I love it.  I've finally found my church home. 

I mentioned all that because today is Ash Wednesday.  The kick-off to Lent.  And the inner-former Catholic girl in me still feels the need to somehow honor that.  After reading through a few of my favorite blogs and seeing what even the non-Catholics are doing I've decided this year I'm not giving anything up.  Instead I'm going to commit to do something instead.  I keep saying I need to get back into the weight-loss mode and I have a 1/2 marathon in less than a month so I really need to get back into race training.  So for the next 40 days I'm committing to really give it my all.  Once a day (softball practice will have to count on Sundays) I'll run, swim, or do some sort of workout.  Every Wednesday I'll try and post what I did to keep myself accountable. 

I loved all the gym time I had last year when I lost the initial weight.  Now if I could only get myself in that headspace again I'd be good.  They say it take 21 days to make a habit, well, I've got 40!

Inner Martha Stewart

I may have mentioned I've become a tiny bit of a Pinterest addict lately.  From recipes I'm trying to crafts that look interesting enough I'm pinning it all.  This week I decided to actually channel my inner Martha Stewart and try out one of the ideas I saw. 

To start I needed just three things.  A pair of flats (got these at WalMart last summer and it was either re-do them or toss them), modge podge and glitter (I got 3 containers of glitter thinking I'd need at least 2, I was wrong!  I needed one!  Now I have tons extra glitter)

I cut the bows off the shoes because I wasn't a big fan of that look. 

I started at the back of each shoes.  I would modge podge 2-3inch sections at a time and cover with the glitter.  Make sure that you're completely covering the sections.  That way there is lots of shimmer going on.

It took me maybe 30mins to do both shoes.  After they dried I covered them with another coat of modge podge so a little less glitter falls off as I step.  But I love them.  And before you ask, yes I will wear glitter flats everywhere!  I'm already trying to figure out how to wear them to work tomorrow! 

Dating Who?

So I've been bringing a married friend of mine with me to church.  He's decided this year he wants to get more involved in a church again and which how much I love mine he thought it couldn't hurt to try it out.  I've known C for 6 years now.  His wife is who takes me horseback riding.  She doesn't get his need to go back to church but she's not fighting him on it.  He thought about helping with youth group so last week he came with me just to observe and see how it goes.

Well last night Pastor Bs wife came up to me laughing.  She told me that Pastor B had been asking about my relationship with C.  Were we dating?  Did I know he was married?  I couldn't date a married man.  I just bust up laughing!  After C came to church for the 2nd time people had already started to ask about my "new friend" so I'd been answering questions about him for a while.  Pastor Bs wife and I had already talked about him.  Both C and I got a good laugh out of the whole situation.

Then last night after youth I was telling High School Boy this story and he got his panties in such a bunch!  He doesn't understand how I'm not offended.  He thinks Pastor B was being nosy and if he was so curious he should have gone to me and C and not asked his wife. 

Am I under-reacting or is he over-reacting?  How many times have you seen a couple and gone "hey are they together?" to a friend you're out with?  I know I do it all the time.  It just seemed normal to me.  What do you think?

What Is Wrong With People?!

Please tell me I'm not the only person who read the article (or in my case heard it on the radio) of the Arkansas mother who was arrested for making her 10 year old son walk to school after he'd be suspended from riding the bus 5 times! 

Now the length of the walk was a little excessive at 4.5 miles, but I believe the punishment fit the crime.  Even the kid told the police he knew his mom was right to punish him.  And now this woman faces $100,000 in fines or up to a year in jail for child endangerment. 

Excuse me?  Did I miss something?  Since when is making a kid walk to school so horrible it causes a woman to be arrested?

This is what is wrong with kids today.  They can't be punished.  He lost the privilege to ride the bus to school with his behavior.  The options were teach him a lesson and make him walk OR teaching him that acting up means his mom will take time out of her schedule and chauffeur him around.  Hate to tell you but if I were in that moms shoes I'd be in cuffs too because I would have done the exact same thing. 

How are we supposed to teach kids any lessons or that their actions have consequences when the parents get punished for punishing the kids?  It's the same way in schools.  Teachers can't punish kids because parents pull the "it wasn't my kid" defense and there is no one to stand up for the teachers.  It's a sad thing to watch happening.  I was punished growing up.  I knew if I screwed up there would most certainly be consequences.  I still turned out just fine.  It makes me scared of how the next generation is going to turn out.  And to think that those kids someday will be leading our country.  Save me!

Please Let It Happen!

Ok.  If you believe in prayer, positive thoughts, or good juju please send some my way.  I know I shouldn't get my hopes up about every interview but I'm a girl full of hope for the future. 

Last Saturday I bumped into a couple I know from church.  We started talking about me looking for work and he asked for my info to pass it onto his office since he knew they were looking for admin help.  He said he loved my energy and that I'd fit in well.  I gave him my email and whatnot but to be honest I didn't expect squat to come from it. 

I was wrong!

I got an email asking for my resume within 48 hours!

Then yesterday they called to pre-screen me.  Just make sure I'd be worth interviewing.  The woman said I'd know Fri or Mon about if I got an in person interview.  So much for that!  She called me this morning to set up an interview next Tuesday! 

So now please send every good vibration you've got my way!  Please?

I Love Love

So I kinda ignored yesterday.  Pretended like every blog I read didn't deal with the dreaded holiday.  Actually ignored quite a few to be honest.  I am one of those people.  The ones who detest Valentines day. 

But here's the thing.  It's not a new development.  I have hated Vday since I was a kid.  Back in elementary school I couldn't stand having to address all those cards to the kids in my class.  When middle school rolled around my girl friends and I always sent candy-grams to each other but I didn't date so it was never a big deal.  By high school I realized that Valentines was that commercial holiday where candy and flowers cost more than the rest of the year.  Even when I was dating Mr. Canada who sent me on a shopping spree for a dress and lingerie and told me to set reservations at a nice restaurant so we could celebrate when he got back from his mini-deployment it didn't mean squat to me.  He knew I hated the holiday so we said we'd call it our 6 months anniversary celebration instead of a make-up Vday dinner. 

Since I've started working I have had to deliver flowers for a florist friend of the family almost every year and now I am a waitress who has to serve the couples who go out to celebrate.  It makes for a rough day even when I'm in love with someone because I always am so crabby.  I can't ever seem to shake it. 

All that being said, I don't hate love.  I don't hate the happy couples (well, not always).  I believe in love and romance and happy endings.  I just don't believe in being forced to prove it on one day out of the year.  You either love me all year long or you don't love me at all.  Buy me flowers and chocolate covered fruit on a random Wednesday in May.  Leave cards in my purse because it's a rainy grey day and you think I need to know you still adore my pajamas.  Love me all year round. 

That Time Of Year

It's that time of year again. Time to break out all the pink accents, put on my cute new shoes, and get as adorable as possible...... To play softball!

Sunday my team an hour away had our first practice. It was 31 degrees out. I was standing in ice behind homeplate. Our hands were stinging every time we hit a good pitch. No one wanted to run because it was just too cold to move. But we were there. We were laughing. And it was a fantastic way to remember why I love playing. I have great teammates and sure it takes an hour just to get to practice or games but it's so worth it to do something I love. Now as soon as it warms up I'll be really happy! I hate having to hide the hot pink socks!

What I Needed To Hear

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope."

I will not give up hope.  Ever. 

Frantic Friday

I feel like I haven't blogged anything of real substance in a while and today really isn't going to be different.  Just a brain dump of all the stuff that happened this week.

* I subbed at a high school today.  I normally stick to middle school.  They may be weird but at least they have respect.  My first class today was so out of control I was ready to cry.  And when a student called me a bitch (excuse the language, I rarely curse myself) I had it.  I was ready to walk out and make them find a replacement sub.  What is wrong with kids!?

* I've been slacking on running this week.  I screwed up my ankle and had to take off last week running and somehow getting back into it this week has been hard.  I've only done 5.5 miles all week and am supposed to have a 7mile one tomorrow.  Better start eating my Wheaties!

* On a positive I have been getting into my gym routine again.  I'm back to doing the weight lifting and even made sure to squeeze in the dreaded leg workout day this morning before teaching.  Who knew that 5 little moves with no weights would make me unable to get up my own stairs!

* Softball season starts Sunday!  Well, at least practice starts Sunday.  I've decided to play 2 teams this season.  My normal one that is an hour away and the co-ed team my church plays.  That means Fri games in my town, Sun practice an hour away, Mon games an hour away.  Welcome to spring craziness!  I can't wait.  And the excitement might have something to do with the new cleats I got.  Now if I could only find my glove.

* Wedding season starts soon too.  I've got a meeting tomorrow with a bride about a May wedding and it will be the 2nd wedding I do without my boss.  We have 2 events on the same day so I'm heading up this one while she takes on the other.  I can't wait.  I love being surrounded by love!

* I have got to find meals to cook that can be re-heated easy.  I'm tired of reaching for fast food or weird combos (like a bagel and pringles for dinner last night) because I'm working so much I don't have time to cook.  Any suggestions?