Where I've Been

It's been a busy year.  I didn't forget about this journey or my friends and supporters here, but I was sidetracked.  It wasn't all bad - I must admit.  The scale...my health...how I was feeling about myself...that all needed a facelift.

Last year I started a new position in a new school.  Everything about it was new.  And fabulous.  Stressful at times, but such a good change. 

Somewhere at the beginning of that, I met a lot of wonderful new friends - and my future husband. 

Yep, that's where my weight loss train fell of the track.  Derailed.  Completely.

Over the course of the year, I've made a few attempts to get back on track and have tried a new thing or two, but nothing stuck and I felt like I was playing a guessing game.

Last week, I started back. 

Oh, and two months ago, I got engaged.  Sure, the prospect of buying a beautiful white dress had me thinking it's time to DO THIS!  But more than anything, wanting to be healthy and happy in this beautiful life I'm building with the Mr. has me wanting to get this done.

I was scouring Pinterest earlier for some Lean & Green recipes to add to my repertoire and saw a picture that caught my attention...and looked mildly familiar.  It was a picture from the blog I was keeping on Blogger while doing this journey before.  I got back to that blog (shared that one here, too - as I had been doing all along - and will continue to do) and it brought me back here to share this with all of you...whoever the all of you is, these days. 

Whoever you are, wherever you are...I'm happy to be on this journey with you.  I'm happy to share my adventures with this plan and to learn from you.

Have a fabulous Monday!

Go get 'em, tigers!

Back in the Saddle...Again!

Today marks day #8 of being back on the Medifast 5 & 1 plan.  Five Medifast meals and one lean and green meal each day.  That and plenty of water.  LOTS of water.  I'm floating in water, I tell ya!

It feels good.  I am feeling that I have control over how I feel, again.  It feels very good!

I'm not waking up in the middle of the night to take something for heartburn.  Just to go to the bathroom.  Did I mention lots of water?

Some things are different for me this time around.  I'm not living the single life of only having to plan meals for me.  

While the Mr. can handle feeding himself, I want to at least provide him a meal every few days - if not everyday.  Last night I made a huge crockpot of baked oatmeal for him for this week.  That felt good.  It smelled even better.  I'm leaving it at that.  If I want oatmeal, I've got some Medifast oatmeal to get me through.  

We also have established quite the routine with our weekends and grabbing breakfasts and brunch on our journeys out with the cameras.  I did just fine this weekend.  I overindulged a little at brunch yesterday, but it was on veggies and lean protein.  Not bad. 

After seven days back at it, I'm down 10.4 pounds.  This is normal for the first week, and will go down dramatically from that for future weekly weigh-ins - and that is okay.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

I spent part of my day enjoying the smoothie creations made wonderful and tasty and healthy by the great bounty I picked up over the weekend.  And there’s the hour of the school day that we spent out on the football field because of a gas leak across the street that was sharing the odorous joy with our building and brought some headaches and nausea before the evacuation.  Fresh air and fresh produce…not too bad if we forget about the headache that was brewing earlier.

Did I mention that there is a lot of new produce in my kitchen?  Between three productive stops (Pete’s Fruit Market, Trader Joe’s in Brookfield – my first visit to the newer store in the area, and Woodman’s) we picked up quite the haul of produce for this week’s smoothie-palooza creations.  I’ve already included a few new greens in the mix and am finding that I really like collard greens in a smoothie.  The dandelion greens are good too, with enough sweet fruit. 

I also cooked up a fresh batch of chickpeas and threw those into the food processor with toasted sesame seeds, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a pile of roasted red peppers.  Yep, there’s homemade hummus in the house!!!  For now!

At Woodman’s, I got my hands on a few different varieties of DoctorKrackers Crispbreads.  I’m excited to give them a taste with the hummus.  Trader Joe’s had a really yummy Vegetable and Flax Seed tortilla chip – good with the hummus! – and seeded bread twists. 

I’ve been improvising with the smoothies the past few days, going with what’s catching my fancy or some of Dave’s ideas.  After Saturday night’s shopping and fruit and veggie cleaning, I started experimenting with the new greens and the mangoes.  Everything’s been really good so far!

Today, a student asked if I’d bring him one.  I had an extra in my office.  I don’t think he was very fond of it, but his friends offered him a few bucks to chug it.  Ha!!!  He then told me he needed more fruit and less greens.  Hmm…business deal???

A colleague asked me to bring in a sample, I’m hoping to remember that when I’m in smoothie mode tonight.  OR, I could wait until tomorrow when I will be making Wednesday’s smoothies in my new VITAMIX!!!!  Yes, I bit the bullet.  Or kicked the Ninja, I suppose.  Amazon made me an offer I couldn’t say no to and I jumped at it.

Alrighty, time to grab my bottles from the dish rack in the office, pack my bags and head out for a few errands.  I’m hoping the sunshine stays for the night, as I’d like to take in some more fresh air and get a walk in tonight.

Have a fabulous Monday!

Sunshine Friday

Day #11 and thinking about next week’s smoothie menu…oh, the possibilities!

I’m starting the day with the Green Benevolence Smoothie from Victoria Boutenko’s Green for Life is today’s Spa Skin Cleanse.  It's a tasty blend of romaine, red grapes, banana, orange, and I did 1/2 coconut water and 1/2 Door County Cherry Tea for the liquid.

The Spa Skin Cleanse from Simple Green Smoothies is my lunch, though I hear Dave is doing it in the reverse order.  Really, I just liked the combination of flavors.  If it makes me glow a little more than I already am, I’ll take it – we could use some sunshine around here.  I had a taste last night after filling our bottles and it is delicious!!!  This one may be a regular for us – especially since I know how much we both love pineapple and avocado.

Dinner is going to be leftovers from Wednesday’s Lentil Soup and Indian appetizers dinner.  There’s a good amount of soup and naan left.  I think we’ll get cozy on the couch and pop in a dvd!

As I looked into the fridge and freezer and eyed up the fruit bowl, I’m thinking that there will be some what’s-left-in-the-fridge smoothie making this weekend before we stock up for the next week.

Looking back on this week, I'm really noticing that I'm sleeping very well.  For a while, I couldn't say this.  Now, I fall asleep easily, stay asleep, and find myself waking before my alarm.  I also feel energized throughout the day, am not craving junk food and am seeking out more cleaner foods for my smoothies, daily snack and dinner.  It helps that there's some sun shining right now - and that my pants are looser - thank goodness.

Foggy Outside, Clarity Inside

Welcome Day #10…and more rain!

It’s still raining and foggy outside.  I am just a few short blocks from Allen Bradley, yet can’t spot the clock or temperature from my office this morning.  In my classroom, my usually amazing view of the lake and Hoan Bridge is intermittently disturbed by the rolling fog.   Word on Weather Bug is that it’s going to get into the 60s today.  I may have to get out and run around the block with my rain coat on, hood cinched tightly just to feel it.

The one thing that is bright today is my morning smoothie.  I wasn’t feeling it when I made it last night – must have been the frozen grapes.  Now that it’s liquid happiness, I’m loving it!  Breakfast today is a Peach Coconut Dream.  It is really tasty.  Maybe I was just bitter about washing a big pile of spinach, or handling all of those frozen grapes.  Whatever the case, I’m enjoying my breakfast.

Lunch is Berry Cherry Jubilee and I snuck a taste last night after filling our smoothie bottles (we’re using 32 oz. Nalgene bottles that we picked up at GanderMountain this weekend for 20% off!).  I had this one during my first few days of smoothie-palooza and it’s sweet and tasty and mmm…mmm…good!

I’d like to report that last night’s soup was a success!  We matched it up with some tasty Indian appetizers from the little Indian place a few blocks from school.  I ordered online and picked it up when we left school.  Great plan that turned out splendidly on a cool, rainy day – go team!!!

It’s been great to share this new adventure with the people around me.  My students are curious about the “mud” in my bottle, colleagues are asking about the smoothies,  facebook friends are sharing their own smoothie journeys, and we’re all learning a little more each day.  I’m more than happy to share resources (check out the links within each blog post!) and talk about how I got to this place with my food preparation and consumption.

Each day I feel clearer, lighter, cleaner, less bloated, better rested, and more energized for the day. 

Cheers!

Rainy Day #9

Happy Smoothie Day #9!

I’m pretty sure that it was just yesterday that I talked about the sun shining in my classroom windows.  Now I’m looking out at grey and rainy. 

It’s a good thing we looked at the weather yesterday and decided to take advantage of the sunshine and grabbed some Subway, went down to the lake and enjoyed the view from a picnic table in the park.  What a great impromptu dinner date.  Our original plan was soup and sandwiches.

This was followed by what was intended to be a quick stop at the grocery for more smoothie supplies and some flax crackers…oh, I’m in love!  I cleared them out of their supply of Mary’s Gone Crackers and will be enjoying these with a tasty little spread later this morning.  There was lots of fruit and greens in the cart, including some rhubarb, more spinach to round out the chard and kale that’s in the fridge and a pack of kiwi.  Yummy!

Today’s smoothies are both creations inspired by what I had on hand when I got down to business.   Breakfast includes spinach, Italian parsley, rhubarb, strawberries, cranberries, dark cherries, and orange with a helping of Navitas Naturals Superfruit Blend.  Lunch will be Swiss chard, romaine, kiwi, strawberries, mango, orange with a dose of Navitas Naturals Superfood Blend.

Dinner will pick up where yesterday’s impromptu date sent us on a fresh air detour.  I’ve already prepared a very fragrant Arabic Lentil Soup that I found in a Pinterest search.  I’m pretty sure my mouth watered as I read through the recipe.  That I was able to go to bed last night without sneaking a taste is amazing.  Now, I’m ready to get home and cuddle up on the couch with my sweetheart and enjoy the soup.

Stay dry and cozy, friends.

What's This About Smoothies?

Oh, green smoothie happiness…

How did I land here in green smoothie land?

Netflix.  I firmly and completely point my finger to the dvd spouting & streaming mavens at Netflix. 

A few weeks ago, “Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead” was recommended so I added it to my queue and moved it to #1.  It arrived.  I watched.  I was fascinated.

So, I thought I’d be jumping on the juicing bandwagon.  I read up on it, wish listed a few titles on Amazon.com, sought juicer recommendations.

Then a friend recommended I read Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko.  Well, there went juicing and I was onto smoothies.  Truly, this made sense immediately.  I wouldn’t need to buy a new appliance (boo!), it fits my food sensibilities, and is something I could start immediately with what is in my refrigerator and fruit and veggie basket.  Good idea!  I spent quite a bit of time reading through Boutenko’s Raw Family site and that led me to Simple Green Smoothies.

Enter the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.  I started on Tuesday, April  9^th.  Today is Day #8.

Last Friday while getting ready to head out for date night dinner and concert with Dave, he asked what the delicious concoction in the cup in the fridge.  Oh my…could he possibly have been talking about the leftover smoothie?  YES!  He was.  He declared, “I can do this!”

If he can do this, I can happily blend away and prepare FOUR QUARTS of happy green smoothie each day.  So, Sunday was the big shopping trip for a week’s – okay, maybe 4-5 days – worth of green smoothie makings.  Oh, that cart was overflowing with greens and fruits and herbs and healthy happiness.  And, after just two days of eating…blending…through all of that, I’m seeing that I will need to head to the store again a little sooner than I had planned. 

This morning’s smoothie was the Berry Protein Blast.  Oh, was that good!  This afternoon we enjoyed the Fat Burning Green Smoothie.  Both were great.  The ginger kick of the Fat Burning Green Smoothie is still with me and I’m looking forward to other smoothies with ginger – one of my favorite produce department secrets.

While the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge is to have one green smoothie a day, I’m having two quarts of green smoothie each day – breakfast and lunch – and a nice healthy dinner.  Depending on how I feel, I may add in a light snack during the day.  Today, I enjoyed flax crackers with a homemade spread of ricotta, tomatoes, basil and black pepper.  That was a treat.  And on top of all of this, I’m continuing to enjoy lots and lots of water.  LOTS of water. 

After just eight days, I feel great – clear-minded, light, energized.  I don’t crave junk food.  I crave healthy, clean food.  Right now, I’m daydreaming of an avocado.

On another happy and healthy note, it’s been TWENTY MONTHS since I last consumed fast food.  WOW!!!

Back From Hibernation

After a long winter’s hibernation, I’ve dusted myself off, shaken away the sticky cobwebs, taking a good hard look at where I am TODAY and am on the road to moving forward.

Spring break was a few weeks ago for this happily busy high school English teacher and the realization that the weather for biking and running is just around the corner – even if it’s just for five minutes of this crazy Wisconsin spring – and I am not ready.  I have let myself and the habits I worked so hard on fall to the wayside as I transitioned into this new teaching position and the romance that quickly followed.

My eyes are wide open, the sun is shining, and I’ve taken back the control that I let slip away when things got hectic.  I took a good hard look at myself, looked at the bikes anxiously waiting in the garage, thought long and hard about how I was feeling (like shit! – physically, that is) and how I WANT to feel and I’ve made a change.

After much reflection on my attempts at health and happiness in the past, I’ve decided that I just can’t live with the space food that I’ve used to get me there before.  I NEED REAL FOOD.  I CRAVE REAL FOOD.  I LOVE REAL FOOD.

I’ve done lots of reading, watching, talking, question asking, and then a lot more reading.  Now, I’m experimenting with my produce section finds (soon to be farmers’ market finds) and my mad kitchen skills.

Today is Day #8 of what is starting as a 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge and I am starting to feel lighter and brighter.  There have now been two hauls of produce from grocery to kitchen counter and it’s an adventure.  As with all culinary adventures I embark on, sometimes I follow the recipe, sometimes I improvise.  Today’s lunch is a Fat Burning Green Smoothie from The 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge from Simple Green Smoothies.  Ooh…this is tasty!

So, that’s just a QUICK catch up on where I am, what I’m doing and what I’m eating.  I’ll surely be back very soon to continue sharing this new adventure with you.

Doc's Report

I had my annual appointment with my primary care physician yesterday.  I had gone in two weeks ago for my fasting blood draw and was anxious to hear what she had to say.  And, you know me, I had her write down last year's numbers and this year's numbers before we started that part of our fabulous conversation.

The blood work report:

Total cholesterol (which was fine) is down 56.

Triglcerides (which were scary high and I promised they would go down because she wanted to put me on meds) went down 142!

HDL (good cholesterol) is up 8 (needs to go up a little more, still...hello, salmon! and I'll keep on with the flax and chia - which I already love!).

LDL (bad cholesterol - which was fine) went down 26.

Gotta ♥ this!

I really was a little worried that I'd be the one person that could lose 80 pounds in a year and go to the doc and be told it was time for medication.  Nope.  Not a chance!

Thank you, Take Shape For Life & Medifast!!!

  The "I'm a Rockstar" was waiting for me at the staff breakfast this morning with the "Amazing!" card.  What a great reflection of how AMAZING I feel!

An A-Ha! Moment

I posted this earlier tonight in an online forum on the Medifast site. 

For about 5 seconds I felt I was about to be in a situation that moved me backwards - but I've got to learn - just like on this journey - that I can't always have what I want NOW. I have to work through the process, learn some lessons, put in the hard work.

Holy crap...there was an epiphany! I just wrote my way right through this.   

Can't even delete it because I will need to come back to this.

That's right I need to come back to this.  It is true for every avenue of life.  I want things and I want them NOW.  Anyone else feel the same about things?

And, as much as I may try to get everything I want at the exact time I want it, sometimes it just is not possible.  Maybe it is impossible.  Maybe it's not a good idea.  Maybe it is one of those things that you just should not rush.

Some things take time.  Many things require hard work.  Many things include lessons to be learned.  Life is a process.

Well, I'll be!

I've spent the past year working on getting myself healthy - inside and out.  Mentally, physically and emotionally.  It's been hard work.  I've fallen a few times.  And I've picked myself up, dusted myself off and continued on my journey one more time than I've fallen.  And, if I fall again, I'll pick myself up again.  So it has been going on this journey to a healthier life.

And, so it goes for many other things.

Sure, when I decided that I was going to finish my Reading Teacher license, I wished it could have already been done.  But, I'm going through the process and now, it's almost done.  Just my practicum left and it's over.  

This is so true for many things in our lives.  Maybe it's school, learning something new, picking up a new activity, losing weight, changing careers, moving, a relationship...  Whatever it is, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.  And if it's worth doing well, there are going to be things that need to be done along the way to keep the train rolling towards the finish line.

So, I'm in.  Taking the journey.  Enjoying the ride.  Putting in the work.  Learning the lessons.

Go get 'em, tigers!

 

So, It Was Just About a year Ago...

Today the family is heading to Serbian Fest.  This is an annual family tradition and it completely centers around food and catching up with family.  And there is an abundance of food to be had.  Chicken and lamb, salads, sausages, tortes, pastries, and many other tasty Serbian dishes.  It's the very same festival I was at last year when I had a life-changing conversation with my dad's cousin about Medifast.

It was one of those moments where everything snapped into place like finding the last piece of the puzzle.  I was in the midst of a major life change and was ready to make things happen.  My cousin had been on the plan for a while and was at or close to her goal.  I'd never asked about the program she was doing, but knew the name and saw what could happen.  Finally, I was in the mental place where I could HEAR what would be said - so I ASKED the question.

I went straight home and placed my first order. My life has not been the same since that day.

Friday night I completed The Color Run, my 8th 5k run event of the past year (started those in November).   Last weekend I completed a 5k mud run - The Dirty Girl...yeah, you know it!  Yesterday I registered for The Glo Run that's in town in 4 weeks.  I also registered for next year's Dirty Girl!  I've got both of my bikes up and running and they are making daily trips out and about.  I was up early this morning, so hopped on the bike at 5:30 am for a little 90 minute spin to the lake, along the lake, and back through town.

A year ago, I was barely walking.  I was bloated and puffy and heavy.  I didn't just look it - I felt it.  A year ago today I was out with friends for a night of movie and dinner and came home to incredibly swollen feet and ankles.  I was scared.  I didn't know what was happening to my body.  I didn't know if I'd re-injured my foot or if something serious was happening.  Two days later I placed my first order.  I haven't looked back since.

Yesterday morning, my cousin Hunter (he's 8) looked at me and said, "You used to be a puffy balloon. Now you're skinny!" Oh, children! I love that boy!!!

No More Stay-Puff Marshmallow Girl

Just under a year ago I began a journey.  I was freshly separated and on a path to take back my life and my body.

Some time in October, I got my running groove back.  I ran a series of five 5k races over the cold, snowy winter months us Wisconsinites love so dearly.  I jumped into Lake Michigan on New Year's Day with all of the other Polar Bear Plungers.  I took a "Freedom Trip" to Austin, TX and ran and biked to my heart's content the week after my divorce was final.  I've returned to road biking recently.  I'm off to another change with a new teaching assignment this fall.  I returned to grad school and will be finishing my masters degree in May.  I have made countless friends through this program - friends that have supported me through my personal evolution and continue to cheer me on, while I do the same.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet three of them live and in the flesh - what a great Friday and Saturday we had.  I am in a relationship where I feel valued, appreciated, treasured, and respected.

Life is good.

This morning, I ran the Dirty Girl Mud Run with a team of my former colleagues and other friends.  Many of these ladies I haven't seen in at least a year.  They have seen pictures and posts on facebook, but no face-to-face contact.  It was an amazing experience on so many levels.  Just awesome!
The before picture is from my cousin's wedding last May.  I thought I looked fabulous.  My mom received this picture from my cousin's wife a few months ago.  My mom pulled me aside, with tears in her eyes, to show it to me...to "show me how far I've come."  Of course, my mom is a mom and tells everyone she can how amazing I am and how great I have done over the past year.  Moms...they're the best!

The after picture is from before this morning's Dirty Girl Mud Run.  We were Team Tutu Dirty.  The Tutu is in a trash dumpster somewhere, the shoes were donated to a worthy cause, but the feeling in my heart - and the pain in my body from climbing, crawling, jumping, running, slithering - is with me.  The pain will go away in a day or two.  The feeling of accomplishment - that's one of those things that sticks with you for a good long while.

I have a bit to go before I reach my weight goal.  However, the goal I told my health coach when I started was to be able to run and bike and take part in the events that I love to participate in.  Friends, I'm there!

To all of you just starting out - you CAN do this!

To my friends that I have gathered into my arms along the way - I LOVE each and every one of you.  Thank you for your unconditional love and support.

Go get 'em, tigers!!!

Gratitude, Day 9

I can go on for a good long while about how I’m looking forward to this school year.  I get to work in a school with a focused and enthusiastic staff – I just can’t wait!  I am going to spend the year working with a first grade student every day after school on reading – that is going to be fabulous!  My journey to health and wellness is ongoing and on track!

Today, I’ll be spending the afternoon with my grad school colleagues as we spend the week training for our reading practicum.  I’m so excited for this!  The practicum is our final course(s) requirement in our program and we are on our way to doing better by our students.  How lucky we are.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9: 1. Education  2. Books  3. Music

Go get’em, tigers!

Me, 20 Years Later

I survived the reunion weekend, had a fabulous time with old classmates, rocked the dance floor for a little longer than my hair could handle and am looking forward to staying in touch with many of these friends.

Saturday morning the challenge was thrown out to change our facebook profile pictures to a picture from high school.  We ended up using our senior pictures.  This was a lot of fun – scrolling through the fb feed and seeing everyone as they were twenty years ago.

Before heading out on Saturday night, I snapped a picture of myself.  It wasn’t until this morning that I looked at the picture.  It is far too similar to my senior picture.  My hair even looks the same!  Incredible!

Having spent a few minutes playing with the pictures to create a side-by-side comparison shot, I had some time to reflect on the me of 1992 and the me of today.

In 1992, I didn’t know where I was going or who I was.  I was 17.  I knew where I was going to college and what I would major in – but that was just about it.  I was passionate about a lot of things, but was just learning how to express that and take a stand.

Today, I know who I am.  I know what I value.  I know where I am going – or at least have a plan…I’m always open to new options.  I am confident in who I am, what I believe, what I do.  I can express myself clearly and am not afraid to stand up for myself.  I go after what I want.  I take care of the people I love and stand up for them.  I try to make each day better than the one before – and to make myself better than I was the day before.  I focus on gratitude and being positive and don’t let other people’s choices pull me off track.  I work hard to be great at what I do and help others do the same.  I am evolving and am enjoying the journey.

The journey is an amazing thing.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 8

Last night was the second event of reunion weekend and it did not disappoint.  Class of ’92, we are one fabulous and good looking pack of Tigers!

We talked, enjoyed a great dinner, danced, indulged in conversations catching ourselves up, danced some more, and lingered around for more conversation.  Those hours flew by with promises to keep in touch and see each other more often.  Surely, this is what happens at reunions – but I hope it’s more than just the typical reunion chat.  It was so great to reconnect with many of my friends.  It would be a shame to go back to our passive facebook friendships. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 8: 1.  Spontaneous lunch & beach adventure dates.  2.  Catching up with all of the girls.  3.  Partying like it’s 1992 with the c/o ‘92.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

Gratitude, Day 7 - Reunion Weekend

Last night was event number one of the reunion weekend.  We had a meet & greet reception at a fabulous brewery/bar on the river and a great time was had by all.  I quickly slipped in with my girls that I spent my high school career going to pavilion dances and school events with and the time flew right on by.  It is amazing how 20 years can seem like the blink of an eye.

We’ve all moved on with our lives, gone to school, moved around, been married, started our own families, worked a job or two or ten, and have created our adult network – and still spending time together made it feel like little time has passed.  With the age of facebook, email (something we didn’t have in high school), and the ease of communication with all of our “new” technology it has been easy to keep up with some – or many – aspects of each others’ lives.  Even if we haven’t seen someone for 20 years, being their facebook friend has given us some insight into where they are now and what they’ve been up to.  Wow, how the world is changing and whisking us right along with it!

Tonight is a dinner/dance event at a local hotel.  It’s a very cool spot and I’m looking forward to it being filled with Tiger Pride.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 7: 1. Bridging the gap between old friends.  2. A fabulous gathering of ’92 Tigers.  3. The chance to do it all again tonight.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6

Well, it’s here.  Tonight begins my 20 year high school reunion.  I do not like social events with a lot of people.  I like things small and familiar and comfortable.  And sure, these are all people I know…who I haven’t seen most of for 20 years.  I’m not going to lie, there’s been some anxiety.  I just don’t like events. 

It’s funny, I can stand in front of a classroom of judgmental, smart-mouthed, distracted by technology adolescents all day and have the time of my life – but the idea of spending two nights with my former classmates makes my tummy twist.

As with everything else in the past year, I’m bursting through this self-built wall and dealing with it.  It would be easy to stay home and work on my homework, clean the closets or even spend the evening with the man.  That would be staying in the same place I am.  I’m stretching and growing and continuing to spread my wings every day.

So, tonight I will reunite with my fellow Tigers.  It will be fine.  And I’ll end up feeling better about tomorrow and enjoying the time with old friends.

Now, what will I wear?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6: 1. The opportunity to catch up with old friends.  2. Many packages at the door this morning.  3.  Stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day #5

It’s official.  I’m addicted to the mini donuts.  I love them.  They are easy to make.  They are cute.  They taste fabulous.  Why wouldn’t I love them?

For much of this weight loss journey, I was a fan of meals I could drink.  If I could put it in a cup and add a straw, it was good.  If I could throw it in the ninja with some ice, even better.  Now that I’ve had some time with meals with texture, that require chewing, I’m happy to have them back in my life. 

As I think ahead to what will be portable and easy for life back in the classroom, I’m thinking these little donut gems will be perfect.  I’m already guzzling a ton of water every day, why not give my tummy a little something more to work with.

I’ve also been experimenting with splitting my Lean & Green meal into two meals.  That’s been working out pretty well.  I may be doing that more often.

On the school front, there were lots of little victories yesterday.  I paid off my summer tuition.  I read the first part of the reading assignment for the class that starts Monday.  I found out that instead of teaching three different English classes, it may be only two.  That’s fantastic.  One less class to plan for.  Thank goodness!!!

I also had a little change in my schedule for today, which opens up time to get my reading done without racing through it.  My goal: to have it done before Friday night.  I’ve got a reunion to go to this weekend!

30 Days of Grateful, Day #5: 1. Cooler weather for a few days!  2. Last minute schedule changes that give me the time I was desperately looking for.  3. The coffee is already made!

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 4

Fall is in the air.  Back-to-school sales are on.  The children are starting to get on their parents’ last nerve.  Teachers are busy planning for another school year.

My back-to-school mail has been rolling in since the middle of July.  It started with the Welcome to the Reading Practicum email.  That one included a lengthy and costly book list and some reading assignments to be completed before we meet for our training next week.  Today, it was the Welcome Back to the Classroom letter with a schedule of regular meetings and the revised bell schedule.

Yes, with these things comes a certain amount of stress and anxiety.  I also get a sense of relief.  Everything is falling into place.  Ah…a schedule.  I need a schedule.  I need to know where I’m supposed to be and when.  Of course, I’m overwhelmed by it all.  It’s going to be a crazy year. 

So, before the school year starts, I’m continuing my preparations – buckling my seatbelt for the wild and crazy ride. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #4

1. Cool breezes
2. Mini donuts
3. Sleeping in

Gratitude, Day 3

Last night I had one of those moments where I felt I needed to add hours to my day.  I had just looked up the reading assignment that needs to be done before my class meets next Monday.  Then I pulled out the books, opened them up, and got a good look at exactly what I was facing. 

Here I’d been, thinking that I can slowly meander my way through these readings sometime this week.  Ha!  Was I wrong!  One of the two is actually to read an entire book.  The other, is about 50-something pages.  But a book!  Sure, I read a book a day sometimes, but that’s fluffy fiction stuff that I select.  Not a book on the intricacies of primary reading instruction and assessment.  Oh my!

So, I’ve spent part of my morning reading and highlighting.  I’ve treated myself to some iced coffee and donuts.  It’s not going so bad.

Oh…it’s decaf coffee and donuts made out of my Medifast food, NOT Dunkin Donuts.  Wanted to make that clear.

As I stressed about this last night, I realized how lucky I am.  I’m stressing about a grad school reading assignment.  Really, this is small potatoes.  I’ve got a job that I love.  My family and friends are amazing people.  My home is a place I enjoy being and feel safe in.  My neighborhood is bike, walk, and run friendly.  I can afford to go to grad school.  Seriously, having to read a book – not a problem.

Now, what may be a problem…my newly discovered donut addiction.  This is serious business, kids.  I had four meals of donuts yesterday and two already today.  I woke up this morning feeling like I’d eaten some forbidden foods yesterday.  Today, when I ate my second meal of Chocolate Brownie mini donuts, I was channeling some sugar-glazed demons from that dreaded DD place.  Oh my, what’s a girl to do except…make more donuts!!!

Yes, it’s time for lunch and to get back to the reading and highlighting portion of my afternoon.  I’m going to reward myself with a ride to the lake later.  Yes, that’s a great plan if I do say so myself.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #3

1.         A job I love 
2.         A most fantastic and inspiring grad school experience…ALVERNO, people!
3.         Being back on my road bike, Blaze.  It’s been a mighty fine reunion.

Go get ‘em, tigers!