Changing the Challenge

So this blogging thing is really hard!
I thought that doing this every day would be a breeze compared to running on the treadmill each day. Wrong!
So I have made the executive decision to change my challenge and go back to running (and the scale wil be happier too). I want to love doing this blog thing and I am afraid that isn't happening because I am annoyed with myself for not getting to it everyday.
I promise to be back here to share good things. See you soon!

Dieting

Isn't that the hardest thing ever?  Right?  Ugh!  Up down up down...can't the scale only move down?   Sounds like I'm frustrated right?  Sorry :)   I am making progress - just not as fast as I would like.  10 to 12 pounds in the last two months.  Not bad.  Must figure out a way to change it up a little.  30 day treadmill challenge was good.  Took a few days off to let the ankle recoup.  Thinking maybe another 30 days will help.  And how about a little addition?  Little more lifting maybe.  Tone those arms before summer :)  And no sweets :/

Today's Favorite Website

Somedays I am not sure what to write about. So I am thinking that maybe my blog can have some theme days.  Wednesday Websites...hmmm.   I was browsing around today and stopped on one of my bookmarked websites.  I found a cool idea to try with all those shopping bags I have. . .  recycle them into envelopes!

Visit  justbecausekatie.blogspot.com

Oops!

I got so busy yesterday that I forgot to do my post - oops! My excuse is lesson plans. That's a good one, right? Hope so! :)

It is almost my excuse tonight too. 90 minutes of Zumba and now to complete this weeks plans. The beginning of our Poetry Safari. Couplets...desert habitats...reptiles...choosing animals for our reports...it's going to be a busy but fun week!

Happy Easter!

Enjoyed a wonderful service with Pastor Sarah today, a very yummy lunch with the fam, did a little resume  updating with both Greg and Brianna, ironing - yep interview clothes, wrote some lesson plans, and sat back to enjoy a little Pinterest.  I'd say, a pretty awesome Easter :)

Happy Easter everyone!

Visiting Alfred :)

Britt and Anthony had too much work to do (they only have about five weeks til graduation!) to come home for Easter weekend so we went to them. A nice, but alas short, visit today. We had a great lunch at Paddy's, a stop at a very busy Wegman's, and a little tour of the senior show spaces. Britt has great pieces almost ready for May 5th. Can't wait!

Here are some pieces for the show & a pic of her working at the gallery tonight :)

        

Here is her new website - yay!         www.brittanysayers.com

Best Sugar Cookies Ever

Just finished making the best sugar cookies ever! With the best cream cheese icing. From one of my favorite websites. So yummy!

Check out www.ladywiththeredrocker.com

No pics yet - if I cut them, they will be half gone before we make it to Easter dinner :)

Peeps

Third graders look forward to 4 days a year.  The Halloween party, the Christmas party, the Easter party, and of course the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL.  We had the third of those special days today.  (And it was a great one - thanks Mrs. Swope!)  Trying to give my kids something clever, I decided to make peep pops - along with that ever popular Free Homework Coupon.

Let's just say they were adorable and a hit - especially with the boys.  They were bummed I didn't have enough pink peeps - who knew?!  My cell phone pic is a little blurry but it will have to do for now.  Aren't they cute?  :)

Four days off school now so I hope to find some good things to blog about!    

30 Day Challenge

So when I started this on New Year's I thought that I would be a good little blogger...Ok, so that didn't exactly go as planned. But, I have a new focus :)

I just completed a 30 Day Challenge.  Woohoo!  What is that, you ask?  (Check out this TED Talk video for all the details.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfBXjWm7hc )

My first 30 days was hitting the treadmill.  I did it!  Every. Single. Day.  Lost a few pounds and gained a little stamina.  I actually can run - not just walk - now for 10 or 15 minutes straight.  Proud of myself :)  I am starting a new challenge, but really hope my treadmill habits continue.

So the new challenge?  You're reading it. Yep.  Gonna blog for 30 days in a row.  (not exactly original - stole this ideas from my daughter who just completed her first 30 days of blogging) I even have tomorrow's post idea already forming in my little brain.   Night!

Let It Snow!

I am determined to get crafty! The first snow of the season inspired me to make a snowman wreath for the front door. I have been making these for awhile, but never end up with one for myself. Woohoo - finally! Someday soon I might even make a tutorial to show you how I did it :)

The Journey Begins

I have followed many blogs over the past year and have decided it is high time I started my own.  Are there blog rules?  Blog police?  I hope not!  So here goes...

Happy New Year!  Come and get us, 2012!  January 1st went perfectly.  Good friends here - check.  Yummy food - check.  Family over - check.  Relaxing day - check.  Football on tv (Steelers pulled it out!) - check.  Zumba class to work off too many holiday calories - check.  Sounds like a pretty darn good day!

Do you expect to keep reading and see some New Year's resolutions?  Not gonna happen!  You see, this really isn't the beginning of the year for me.  After years of schooling, both personally and professionally, my New Year falls at the end of August.  Right?  That's probably forty years of new beginnings always falling at the end of glorious summertime.  New Year to me is bulletin boards, sharpened pencils, lesson plans, and smiling new children.  That's my fresh beginning; a resolution to see the potential in every child and be the best teacher I can be.  I strive to do both, knowing I am far from perfect, but doing the best I can :)

So my first of January usually signals the last day of Christmas vacation; the day I often write lesson plans and head to bed on time.  Not this year though!  Someone had the great plan to not have school on January 2nd...and I actually have all my plans and activities ready for the next two weeks.  What?!  Yep, it's true.  My friend and co-teacher has taught me well.  Thanks, Kim!  That means I can stay up late with my sweetie watching movies and indulge in that leftover but oh-so-delicious chocolate chip cheesecake (Thanks Kathy!).  Tomorrow is guaranteed to be stress free!  That's the best way to start out - oops!  - continue my New Year.

I can't resist in making at least a few resolutions goals though.
1.  Continue this blog.  Not going to say how often I will be here, but I am hoping this becomes addicting (just like Zumba!).
2.  Continue exercising.  So thankful for my instructor Sandy and my Zumba friends who keep me going back session after session.
3.  Continue crafting.  I have strayed from my paint brush for awhile but I recently have had the time to pick it back up.
4.  Continue relaxing.  Be organized so that my time is creative.

I have no idea where this blog is going...could be crafty, could be educational, could be just my stress reliever.  Come along for the ride (and eventually I will let you in on the secret that inspired my blog's name)!


Don't resolve to do something that is out of your reach.  Continue the awesome things that you are already doing and make your New Year an awesome one - no matter when it starts!

*Allison