40 by 40

Well.  I did it.  And I did it 5 weeks earlier that I expected.  I feel pretty good about that, truth be told.  Chris Powell is still in my head.  Thank goodness for that because if I have to keep walking out of the pool in the morning in 27 degrees or colder, I might just stay in bed!  Its been a good thing for me, as I think it would be for anyone.  There's been so much going on my world lately that I was worried that I'd lose my motivation to get up or just get sidetracked and too busy to exercise.  But I've stayed strong with my 4:30 in the morning workout.  It has been a good stress reliever. 
I have a friend at the pool in the morning named Ruby.  She's a doll of a thing, and its usually just the two of us in the morning for about a half hour before the other ladies start coming. We've both commented on how nice it is that we don't know each other outside the pool because we feel like we're able to come and talk to each other without the biases or prejudices or other factors that cloud our judgements with others.  We've shared tough things about our lives and its just been nice to have a confidant in the mornings to look forward to! lol silly, I know. I'm having mixed emotions for her right now, as she might be moving far away.  They desperately need for husband to get a job, but dang, I'd miss her! haha
Its the end of the goal.  I've set another one (20 by Spring Break), but I feel its also a good time to bring an end to my blog for awhile.  I'll leave it live, but won't be posting.  I'm toying with an idea that a friends of mine has done so maybe you'll see me again.  But for now, its been lovely :)

Its December

I know I'm stating the obvious by saying that, but "Its December" has more or less become the excuse I'm using for my life, as of late.  "Its December", as though that should explain everything. "Its December" in order to excuse my forgetfulness.  "Its December," to explain my bowing out of social events in favor of going to bed at 10 p.m. when I get the chance.  "Its December", in my world,  has just become a sign I should hang around my neck, a new license plate frame people can look at as I'm driving away from their house before the party is done, a decal I should have ironed onto my pajamas when I answer the door at 8:00 p.m.in them. 

Since "Its December," my life has consisted of hosting parties, both at work and at church.  So far they've all been relatively successful, and I hope, enjoyed by all!  I have one more today and another one on Saturday.  Cross your fingers for the best.  I've also been doing welfare for RS and Sub for Santa at school.  Doesn't sound like it would take that much time, but the needs this year are so many and just keep coming.  Every night seems filled with phone calls, texts, visits and meetings.  Its kept me on my toes most nights.  Since "Its December", I've also tried to do my Christmas shopping, wrapping and delivering.  I also tried my hand at cards for friends and family and wanted to tear my hair out by the time I was done with those.  (if you didn't get one this year... so sorry.  I'm thinking about you.) Since "Its December," I'm also fighting that pesky cold that likes to spend time with me during this time of year.  I'm praying I don't get laryngitis for the fourth year running.  True story!  Since "Its December", I'm also into my second month of being RS president.  That, in turn, has meant that I've been trying to get a grip on visiting teaching.  Wow.  There are no words, but  I think for the moment I can let the dust settle on that and see where we end up in a couple weeks.

Don't get me wrong.  I know I'm whining and complaining and acting like I'm so busy and no one else is.  Everyone has their stuff to do since "Its December".  There really are some highlights I look forward to.  Here's what else I get to do since "Its December."  I get to stay at the Hotel Familia Spa and Resort for Christmas Eve.  Since "Its December." I get to deliver presents to deserving families who cry and make me cry.  Since "Its December," I can sit in my living room with a cup of hot peppermint cocoa while staring at my little tree and listening to some favorite holiday tunes quietly playing in the background as I try to unwind from my long day.  Since "Its December" I pull out my favorite black and white Herringbone seat belt bag and enjoy carrying it around.  I also get to compliment it with my white, down filled, coat that is so warm and snuggly.  Since "Its December," I can watch cheesy holiday movies on Lifetime and the Hallmark channel and no one says a word about it.  I can watch White Christmas all I want.  Since "Its December", I get to go to sleep every night with my warm beenie bag on my tummy.

Mostly, since "Its December", I get to have an excuse to spoil those I love with dinners and presents and Christmas cheer.  It takes a boat load of time and effort, but hey "Its December."

True Story!

Weighing me down

This past week in the pool, I've been using these two devices.

The first, as you can see, are ankle weights.  They are made of some kind of styrofoam and strap tightly around your ankle.  There is a foot strap that goes across the bottom of your foot so you don't have the weights bouncing up and down on your leg during your workout.  The second is a water belt.  It helps keep you in better postures while you are swimming.  I wasn't ever planning on use the ankle weights, but the class instructor, Becky, knows I've been coming for quite some time and she called me out! I had used the belt before and didn't really like it, however, if I'm gonna be using the ankle weights, its fairly necessary.  The weights completely throw off your center of gravity in the water!  haha its the strangest thing, but makes sense.  You have a whole new core workout when wearing the ankle weights because you have to engage your muscles to control your legs.  Who knew?!  I was sore before class was even over last Saturday lol  So for today, I'm grateful for Becky, the water aerobics guru, who called me out to take it up a notch :)

Best Email of the Year

My "boss" just sent out this email.  It should give you a look into teacher world:

"In professional development we discussed that we were running 1^st quarter grades for 2 weeks.  I have had a lot of questions about it.  Some teachers must not have listened.   I realize my mistake so at the end of this email I will do a little formative assessment.  If you score a 0, 1, or 2 you will need to report to my office after school for some reteaching. 

I ran 2^nd term grades yesterday, and "Bob" and I decided that 2 weeks was too long, and that starting Monday we would run 2^nd quarter grades.  I was going to put it in the weekly bulletin, but some of you are very impatient so I sent out this email.

Formative assessment

1.        Where was the info given out for plus time schedules.   A. faculty meeting  B.  posted on the faculty restrooms. C. web site  D. Prof Devel

2.       Where should you meet if you don’t pass this quiz           A. my office        B. "Bob’s" office   C.  "Toommer’s" office   D.  the middle of 7^th West

3.       Teachers listen ______ than students.  A. better  B.  worse  C.  the same  D.  huh

4.       What does the term there is a storm approaching mean.  A.  I should have raked my leafs.  B.  I should have brought a jacket  C.  Oh I get it.

By the way there is a storm approaching.  Have a good weekend."

 

I've changed some names to protect the "not so innocent."  Best email ever... I'm still laughing.

Thoughtful!

Today I am grateful for the cute thoughtfulness of some of my students.  Last night my soccer team went down in flames.  My kids know I'm a big fan and that I was there last night.  They were also at the game, apparently, as they came in this morning bearing a gift to cheer me up from the loss.

What they don't know is that I don't set my life my the wins and losses of my team haha however, they were so cute about it and the excitement they had was adorable.  "We saw this and KNEW you had to have it!  Do you like it?!  Do you love it?!  We do!"  haha  I will use it with RSL pride and keep it forever because it was just that thoughtful :)

Grateful for...

Good students :)  Good subs :)

The Snacks of Life

Today I am grateful for Special K... LOL I can still have my sweet and salty fix without killing my calorie count.  And they're actually really tasty!

Jumping on the bandwagon

So... its November, month of gratitude.  Between facebook, instagram and blogs, I've been bombarded with ways to express my gratitude.  I never really like to just jump on the bandwagon with the latest and greatest way to get more attention on those sites, but I kinda like the idea of doing some pictures throughout the month of things I'm grateful for.  It more than likely won't be a daily thing, as I'll forget and get busy and simply won't have the time.  But I'll add what I can and remember to be mindful of the blessings in my life.  Here's today's:

That guy in the white shirt is my old boss, Marsh.  I went to work for him when I was 17. I actually wanted to work at the grocery part of the store, but they didn't have any openings, so they referred me to him.  Marsh ran the deli and meat department, with catering on the side.  I just didn't want to work on Sunday, so I took the job even though it wasn't what I wanted.  Today I am grateful that I did. I'm grateful for Marsh and Tory, Carrie and Dixie, Jack and Jud and sometimes, even Karl.  I'm grateful for Lisa and Matt and Marie.  These are all originals of "the deli."  I ended up working for Marsh until I got my teaching job almost 8 years later.  I worked mornings, nights, middle of the nights- shifts of all sorts.  I met famous people while we catered movies.  I traveled to places no one should ever try to drive a 55 foot kitchen truck.  I have so many recipes in my head that sometimes I'm amazed it can hold them all.  I learned all about food and meats and catering and life.  Marsh is more like a dad than a boss.  I blame him for my back aches, my foot problems, my college degree, my inability to go to a party and not critique the way the food is set up, my need to question the type of potato salad an establishment sells: "Gourmet or regular?"  I say "blame" but mostly I mean "grateful." There are some days I just want to crawl back into bed with the deli and work Christmas hours while that stupid "Feliz Navidad" plays every 2 hours in the background. 

I am especially grateful for the skills I learned while working for Marsh.  I can whip a family party into shape in no time.  I can call him as my "connection" and have him cater for me for conferences, ward parties and just because I'm too lazy to do it myself.  As I mentioned, I was called as RS president this past week.  We've already had a death in the ward so I've been on funeral planning duty for the week.  I'm so grateful for my catering skills that have helped me get the food in order.  Atleast that part hasn't stressed me out.

Yes, I'm grateful for the deli.  Its grown into much more than when I first started.  But I'm grateful that I can still call Marsh and "go home" for a minute and rub his feet and talk about life and have a brownie and some potatoes.  :)

My life, as of late.

As I was telling my friend, Sunny, sometimes its just easier to catch people up when I do a bulleted list.  October has been a really long month for me.. or it just seems like it has been.  Its been filled with many fun things that have changed my life in good ways. With that in mind, here's some highlights:

• Started the month off strong with really great parent conferences.  That always makes me feel better about how my classes are going.
• General Conference was great.  Always fun to spend time with my family and get my "shot in the arm" of conference.   Plus, with the new missionary ages, my oldest niece announced her choice to serve a mission.  So proud of her.  It fits perfectly :)
• Took a trip to Steamboat Springs with some friends.  Laughed and laughed and laughed some more.  I had not traveled with these women before but can't wait until we can hit the road again. They're members of my ward and neighbors and friends.  Best road trip in awhile.
• Was called as the Relief Society President for my family ward.  That happened the night before I left for Steamboat Springs so that made the trip just a bit more interesting haha but I was able to get my counselors called and was set apart on Sunday... and then immediately had to start planning my first funeral. :( *sigh*  That's been the focus this week.
• Got my yard and home winterized... that included getting rid of my old table and umbrella and chairs on my patio set.  I'm aiming to try some box gardening this spring and needed the space.
• Chris Powell is still in my head and I'm about 1.8 lbs away from a grand total of 30 lbs gone.  I'm hoping this next week will be the week.  40 by 40!  Going to be great!
• Tried a new class called power yoga.  A local store worked with some local gyms and studios to sponsor some free classes through October.  I've done yoga before and its one of my favorite ways to exercise.  The first night we went, we walked into the studio and my friend says "WOW!  Its so HOT in here!" She's never done yoga so she didn't know what that meant... but I DID! LOL Not only was it power yoga (not stopping inbetween moments to hold a pose, but keep moving fluidly- more aerobic), it was BIKRAM power yoga.  Bikram is a style that starts the room at 94 degrees and heats it up during your workout to about 104 degrees. LOL we were DYING!  and there came a point where we were literally just dripping from head to toe.  We couldn't grip anything and we just had to giggle haha  however, we've gone back every Monday for more punishment!  Its a fantastic workout and awesome way to detoxify your system.  Just make sure you drink, drink and drink until you think you can't anymore.  Love it!
• I guess that's about it.  Happy Halloween! 

Nine.

I saw this post on my friend's blog and thought it was good to think about.  So I'm passing it along. :)

The nine hardest things that we all have to do, and will continue to go through in this thing called life....

1- Being questioned when you yourself don't quite understand.

2- Pretending to be innocent of what you know you are guilty.

3- Trying to forget something you know you never will.

4- Admitting you're wrong when you've been so insistent that you were right.

5- Debating with yourself.

6- Accepting the fact that somethings aren't meant to be.

7- Trying to understand when you just can't.

8- Realizing that you've been fooled after you have been given the whole truth.

9- Parting and letting go of someone who made you believe in love again.

Happy Fall, Love Blossom

The New Man in My Life

I have a secret.  I've got a new man in my life.  I haven't told a lot of people about him simply because... its complicated.  Aren't most relationships? *sigh*  Anyway, we met about two years ago.  I first saw him helping someone, which endeared him to me immediately.  I started seeing him every week on Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. on ABC.  His name is Chris Powell :)

Isn't he adorable?  You'd think, right?  He isn't so adorable when he's hollering about how many more reps someone can do with weights, or to keep biking up a hill, or to NOT GIVE UP!  Chris is the trainer on ABC's Extreme Makeover Weight Loss show.  He takes clients who are "super obese" (that's the legit term) and stays with them for a year.  These are individuals who need to lose more than half their body weight.  The first week, he checks them into a health clinic where they undergo medical testing, dietary evaluations and serious adjustments in their thinking.  After the first week, they are allowed to return home where they find a part of their home transformed into a personal gym.  Chris moves in with them for 3 months, literally moves into their home.  He works with them for an entire year and then there's a reveal at the end.  He is one tough cookie!  But he's also incredibly likeable and truly cares about the people he's working with.  I've never heard a trainer like him before.  I have a little bit of a crush on him. ;)

I'm turning 40 at my next birthday.  If I'm being honest, I was more than a little irritated about that fact.  However, over the past two months, I've come to terms with it and I give credit for that to two people and one decision I made.  The two people are my sister, Emi, and Chris Powell.  Emi sent an email detailing how she had lost 60 something pounds the past year and challenged my siblings and I to get moving. It was about the same time that I watched Chris help a girl who was 28 and weighed only 80 pounds more than I did.  Granted, 80 pounds are a lot of love handles!  But for some reason, that bugged me that I felt that close to someone on a show for "super obese" people. 

So I decided to get moving again.  My foot was no longer a concern so I thought I'd start running once more and think about a 1/2 marathon again next spring.  That's when my BIG decision came about.  I had to face the fact that I HATE to run.  I find no enjoyment in it whatsoever.  I had to tell my friend, Sunshine, that I hate to run.  She kind of lives for it and was the encouragement behind me to begin in the first place.  But I figured if I was going to be exercising and trying to make a change to a more active lifestyle, I needed to do things I really enjoyed.  What do I really enjoy, you ask?  Being in the water.  I love the pool.  My gym doesn't open the pool until 5:30, so I've had to make some sacrifices when it comes to doing my hair and making it to school on time.  I also really enjoying riding my bike.  I'm out there every night cruising around my neighborhood, ringing my little bell and waving to my neighbors haha It'll have to be soggy and sloppy to get me to stop.  I'll admit- some days its really hard.  However, as soon as I find an excuse, I hear Chris Powell creeping in my head telling me I really can do this; I really deserve to be healthy; I really can do 5 extra minutes of cardio in the deep; I can beat my time from last week and go an extra half mile.  WHEW! He's brutal!

That one decision has made all the difference in the world.  I find myself doing things more for the enjoyment I get out of them, rather than the obligation I feel to complete something.  I find myself saying NO more than I have before, but not in an unkind way or to be selfish.  I really just find it refreshing and liberating to do things I enjoy! I don't have alot of spare time, so why not spend it doing things I like?  Its been a really great transition and I've decided more of my friends need to be 40.

My original goal was to drop 25 pounds by my birthday.  I've cleared that already and my new goal is 40 by 40.  To celebrate, I'm going to Disneyland with my friends haha I have to thank Emi for the challenge and Chris Powell for being the man in my life.  Without him in my head, I doubt I'd have kept going.  He's making a difference without ever having met me.  You could call me a groupie, but hey, better a health trainer than Lady Gaga Monster.  Perhaps I'll send him a picture from Disneyland to say thanks, ;) 

Aren't they the cutest things ever?!

I told them to say "CHEESE" for a picture LOL

The Randomness of Lately... in pictures



 

While waiting for the big pinata moment at a family birthday party, my nephew and I made some crazy faces.

I woke up one Saturday morning to find a banana in my backyard.  My yard is completely closed off to streets and borders four other yards.  I didn't want to think about it.

My boy, my tennis star, Andy Roddick retired from playing this year.  I'll admit.  I cried when he lost his final match.  You could see him getting choked up on the court and it was HARD!  However, it was also time.  And I'd rather someone go out on their own terms and in their own way.  Proud of him.

Look at these beauties!  I'm naming them "The Queen and her subjects."  My friend works for the IOC broadcasting company and spent almost 2 months in London for the Olympics.  I asked her to bring me home something fun and sassy.  She did.  AAH!  They're every bit of fuschia and beautiful as you think!

The past two summers I've tried to make peach freezer jam.  Rather than setting up, it turns into something like really thick syrup with fruit chunks.  I decided to give it another go and used a different product instead of Sure Jell.  And sure enough, this works fantastically!  Go find Mrs. Wages.  She's a gem.

And finally, this is how Lester is doing.  I've been wearing some form of flip flop for 2 months now.  I tried wearing my Burkinstocks to school the other day, thinking they weren't as restrictive as a normal shoe and would be a good bridge to breaking back into the real shoe world.  As you can see, Lester wasn't having any of it.  The good thing was that it wasn't painful and went away relatively fast once my shoe was off and ice was on.

Command strips are my new friend!

This is why!

Best teaching day EVER!

See?  Now I have you thinking that I did something amazing.  Or my students all got 100% on their minerals test (that thing is HARD!).  But no.  Here's what happened.  Behind my desk, I have this article hanging on the wall with this picture.

It is an article published from an interview with, yes, Julia Roberts.  She goes on and on about how she would do what I do if she weren't an actress.  That's not what this post is about and she didn't specifically refer to me (althought that would have been SO cool.)

As 5th period was starting today, one of my boys who sits in front of my desk comes into class and kind of stands there for a minute.  He then says "Is that you?  That's a nice picture of you."  HA!  I kind of wondered what he was talking about for a minute and he points at the picture and says "Right there- that's you, isn't it."  He was more sure of himself this time.  I grinned and giggled a little bit and said "No, but thank you very much!"

Since my hair is now longer and its been so hot, I've been throwing it in a ponytail and heading to work.  But today was different.  See, its school picture day.  So I thought I could at least do my hair for that so it was down and wavy.  I think that's where the resemblance ends, but it made my day!  And maybe I'll start DOING my hair for school ;)

True story.

This is what greeted me on my way into the chapel today...

I'm around...

This is where I've been since getting clearance from the doctor.  Considering I have to be back to work on Tuesday, I've been spending as much time in the water as I can.  Back to blogging in a bit.

The difference a doctor can make...

BEFORE YOU KEEP SCROLLING, BE WARNED THAT THERE ARE PICTURES OF MY RECENT FOOT SURGERY BELOW.  I'm not posting them to gross anyone out, merely to show you the difference between two very different experiences.  I don't feel they are so graphic they'll make you throw up or freak out, but wanted to warn you they are found below.  So consider yourself warned. :)

Five years ago, I had a bunnion and neuroma removed from my left foot.  I had been seeing my podiatrist for several years and had been dealing with those problems through cortizone injections.  I believe my final count was 13 injections before we decided surgery was finally an option.  I had my surgery on a Friday, went home in a boot, had my follow up on Monday and went back to work on Tuesday.  I was in my walking boot for about 6 weeks.  Here is what my foot looked like from that surgery.

You can see my lovely cankle, the bruising and swelling.  It was not wrapped, other than the tape you see on the top, after my Monday follow up appointment.

Let me tell you about this experience.  My first podiatrist is no longer part of my insurance so I had to find a new one.  I had noticed last fall there was some kind of lump in between my two toes where my neuroma used to be.  I assumed it had grown back.  After some searching and a very reliable recommendation, I found my current podiatrist.  I saw her in December and she promptly knew I did not have a neuroma.  After some x-rays and a couple tests, she determined I had a Ganglion cyst in my foot.  This is highly unusual, as they are normally found in wrists.  I was her third patient with this diagnosis in 25 years.  We drained it and shot it up with more cortizone.  (are you counting?  that's 14 shots in my left foot.)  She told me to stay off it and no more impact exercising for up to 8 weeks.  (remember the "crap, I can't run my 1/2 marathon anymore" moment?  that's because of this).  My friends named my cyst Lester.  Gross name for a gross thing.  Anyway, Lester was back by April.  I went in again and she told me surgery was an option.  However, she also noticed another area of my foot had started to grow and she was curious what it was.  She suggested I take 2-3 weeks off work in order to do this.  Nope- I'm a school teacher and can't do that. So I waited until June.

Fast forward to surgery day:  It was supposed to be a 45 minute deal.  In and out.  She was going to tent my skin to see what the other area was and get out.  Over 2 hours later, not only was Lester out of my foot, but so was CHESTER, his devious golf-ball sized tumor cousin.  No lie.  As a result, I've spent the past 5 weeks sitting and elevating and icing and moving as little as possible in order to heal "quickly."  After my surgery, my doctor told us about a drainage tube that would be in my foot until my followup on Monday.  I asked what that was because I didn't have one with my first surgery.  She seemed a little surprised by that and explained that it helped reduce swelling and bruising and scar tissue.  Hence the following pictures of my foot.  Get ready!

This is Monday after surgery.  Not bad!

This was last Wednesday when I finally got my stitches out.  A little swollen, but I have yet to experience the cankles and bruising I experienced the first time.

I still can't go in pools or lakes, but I CAN shower in my bare feet again.  I CAN go to the grocery store and I CAN walk places.  Whew!  I hope by the 25th I can get back to my summer plans.  This was definitely not it.  However, it has made me incredibly grateful for family and friends, the service and help of neighbors and also being able to have good medical care available.

Dear Blogger and Google Chrome

Dear Blogger and Google Chrome,

I'm fairly dissatisfied with your services.  You are relatively new or upgraded and so far, I'm not impressed.  I've had trouble with my grading program at school.  Some of my programs no longer talk to each other unless I got through the cumbersome process of installing, uninstalling, editing and searching for the language you speak. You say you are easier, faster and better.  All I've seen so far speaks to the opposite.

The final straw came this morning as I followed every one of your instructions to change the HTML on my cute little part of the world and you failed me once again.  My blog will forever have this format, layout and template.  So sorry to my family and friends and yet at least its a cute one to get stuck on, right?  I thought I could pull a fast one on you and go back to using IE but you don't speak IE's language anymore either.

As you will probably tell me, this is simply a "user error."  If you were "user friendly", perhaps we wouldn't keep having "user errors."

Thank you and good day.

Celebrating Freedom, Faith and Family

I miss President Hinckley :)