Ready...Set...Go

One of my recent goals has been to run my first 5k.  I've heard the Couch to 5k program is a great way to get started, since I've never EVER been a runner, unless you count being chased in the dark by a super scary chainsaw man...but that is a story for a different time.  :)  Everyone tells me to get fitted with fantastic running shoes, which can make a huge difference.  I have a list of great things I need/want to do to prepare, my problem has been finding a time to start running.  In the morning before work?  Umm...no thanks.  The thought of waking up before 6:30am is so not an option.  After I get home from work?  I'm usually so emotionally and mentally drained at the end of my day it's hard for me to have any motivation.  The thought of taking 2 showers a day is not sounding that appealing...and I can't skip the shower in the morning or I'll never wake up.  What about during winter months and bad weather?  I'm pretty sure I have a pathetic excuse for everything.  I think the only solution is to find a running partner, possibly someone willing to kick my butt when I wimp out and don't want to go.  Any other suggestions or tips?

I Am a Teacher

One of my teacher friends had this on her Facebook, so I thought I'd share.  I have had the chance of teaching 3 different grades, and I've loved each one for different reasons.  I'm currently in 2nd grade and have loved getting to know these cute kiddos.  I enjoy spending my day with kids, teaching them, laughing with them, and learning from them.  When people ask if I have children of my own I answer....yes, I have a class full of them.  I not only teach them math, reading, spelling, writing, science, and grammar, but also teach them about manners, being respectful, and how to make friends, among other things.  I might never make millions, but I know I've made a difference in their lives.

Still Surviving

It's been a while since I've posted anything.  Things have been busy and it seems like I just never get around to writing down the things I think of.  I've been in school for about a month and a half, and I'm getting ready to go off track this Friday. Hooray!  2nd grade has been quite the adjustment for me.  I love it, don't get me wrong.  I'm still trying to get used to how young they are....how they can't do anything, and they seem so clueless at times.  We have quite the group this year, so I'm very thankful for the cute kiddos that I do have to get me through the difficult times.  Did I mention I'm also getting a student teacher this year?  I had quite the meltdown when I found this out.  It was just one more thing to stress me out and I couldn't deal with anything else.

I'm looking forward to going off track, and heading to San Diego with my parents.  It'll be nice to catch up on some much needed sleep, cleaning my house, and doing lots of lots of quilting.  Last night I signed up for a class I've been wanting to take since July, but thought I had missed out, since I couldn't take it the night it was offered.  Yesterday I received an email and YAY they were having another class next week...I'll be off track and everything!  I went to the store last night, signed up for the class with my sister-in-law, and bought all of the cute daisy fabric.  I'm SO excited!! The picture below is what it's going to look like...with just a few differences with some of the fabrics.

Hello Charley!

I have severe, excruciating charley horses.  I'm not talking about the kind where you walk it out and you're better.  I mean the kind where I wake up in the middle of the night to extreme pain in my calf or arch of my foot.  I will usually writhe in pain while I rip the sheets off of my bed, possibly shedding a few tears in the process.  I never knew that this wasn't the norm.  I've never had a "normal" charley horse.  Do I dread these moments?  Ummm....yes!  It's total Hell!

I've learned lately that my type of charley horse is rare or abnormal.  I figured I must be deficient in something so I've been trying all sorts of things to help alleviate my pain.  If I am able to crawl or pull myself to the bathroom, I have strategically placed my heating pad on the bottom shelf in the linen closet, for easy access.  I've started taking Calcium supplements every morning, and Magnesium about twice a week.  I've noticed a huge difference in the frequency and severity of my muscle cramps.  Sometimes when I do still get them in the middle of the night, or even during the day I tense up expecting the worst, and I'm usually pleasantly surprised to find it's a fraction of or minuscule pain compared to how it used to be.  I do still occasionally get sever ones, but considering it's a heck of a lot less frequent I can't complain.  I've heard some about the doTerra essential oils and I'm wondering if the peppermint or Deep Blue would somewhat help when I do have pain.  Anyone know more about oils or any other suggestions?

Tick Tock

Disclaimer- I'm climbing atop my soap box and if you don't want to hear my complaints and whining, then stop here, don't read any further.

 I'm 34 and I'm nearing the end of my child bearing years.  How do I know this?  Because I am reminded of it almost daily, by strangers, by friends (meaning well), and by not so friendly friends.  I've had many wonderful people in my life have children, or will be having children in the very near future.  I love them, I adore them, I'm so happy and excited that they get to have this special time in their life.  I on the other hand don't have a husband, a boyfriend, or even a somewhat boyfriend.  I don't have any prospects in the making either.  I've never been one of those annoying single people who NEED a man in my life.  Most of what makes up being single is pretty great.  I get to sleep in as long as I want on the weekend and stay awake as late as I want, I get to eat whatever and whenever I want, I get to go on spontaneous vacations, I get to go to midnight showings of movies without worrying about who's going to watch the kids, and I get to be selfish and spend money on myself.

I enjoy being single (most of the time), and I hate people that assume my life isn't complete without a husband and/or children.  Do I need a man in my life?  No.  Would I like one?  Yes please.   I hate that I'm at the point in my life where it's highly possible I won't be able to bare children.  I've had doctor's tell me, "If you want children, you might want to be thinking about it before you turn 35."  Well, thank you very much, considering I don't think people would think highly of me getting "knocked up" right now.  I have many friends who are finishing up their families by the time they're my age.  Cause heaven forbid they're 35 and still chasing around children!  I've had people so thoughtfully remind me that pregnancy risks increase the closer you get to 40.  I say people, because yes, multiple people have told me this. Friends that are 30 are having doctor's want to check their babies for problems, since they're so old and all.  Did you know if you're over 35 and pregnant you are offered genetic counseling?  Oh yes, I've heard all sorts of information I would care not to know.  I think I'm going to become one of those crazy cat ladies....without the cats. Thank you Utah for making people who aren't married and pregnant by the time they're 22 a minority.

If You Wish Upon a Star

Have you ever wished that you could go back and redo a part of your life?  Sometimes there are moments that you wish you could relive over and over again because you see it as the happiest time in your life.  Others you wish you could push "delete" and erase it from your mind forever.  How great would it be if you could decide which memories you could "delete" and which you could "record" and save to look back on.  It would save us from a lot of pain, heartache, regret, guilt, and sadness, but would life be as sweet if we didn't have the good to compare to the bad?

I used to think that after a certain amount of time most of your pain and wounds would heal, isn't that what the saying is after all?  "Time heals all wounds".  I've come to realize that yes, time does help you heal, along with many other things to get you from one day to the next, but it won't just disappear completely.  Eventually your hurt will become a scar, one you can be proud of.....maybe with lots of stitches. :) Other experiences may cause that scar to break open again, but in the end it will always heal enough that you won't feel the constant pain.  We all have our scars, our experiences good and bad, that shape who we are and who we can become.  I love this quote from the movie, Return to Me, "It's the character that's the strongest that God gives the most challenges to."

Enough Said...