Inspirational Posts

Every now and then I see posts, photos, etc. that prove to be reminders I need. This morning I saw one that made me smile & I decided I wanted to post here. It reads, 'Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do.' I believe this is very true. How many times do we hope and wish and dream for something to happen, come our way, etc. yet we feel it's out of reach or never going to happen? Sometimes we have to make a move & do our part to help our dreams come true.

The other is about Love, and I came across it last week. It spoke to me ... Sometimes the smallest actions mean more than we realize; particularly so when done with genuine love.

It's Not a Diet ... It's a Way of Life

Clean - Eating ... It's my newest thing! Lol! Anyone who knows me (well), knows that I am a FOODIE. If you don't know me, you'd say, 'You eat?!?' which makes me WILD. Yep, I eat, I love food & I work out hard! So, it all balances out, right? Well, yes and no. You can't work out, eat crap, nor over eat, and expect it to balance out. Like everything else, you have to eat the right amount of healthy foods. Yes, indulge every now & then, but less than that would be better! (I need to remind myself of this!)

Back in August, I was 5 lbs. lighter than I am now & that doesn't necessarily make me happy. I also know what the cause of these extra pounds is. Food. I love, love, love to eat & more often than I'd like to admit, the food I take in isn't the healthiest. Three weeks ago today, I decided to make a change & joined a '6-Week Clean Eating Challenge.' Someone I follow on Instagram posted that she was holding a 6 week challenge, and anyone who wanted to join in should contact her. She would later choose a certain amount of people & begin to guide us along with clean eating guidelines, working out, rest days, group chats, etc. I was thrilled to be one of the chosen to join in this challenge & goodness, it certainly is JUST THAT. The exercise isn't the challenging part for me, thankfully. She gave us three workouts to do, but with the gym classes I take, it's hard for me to do both. I've tried, them, though, on my 'off' days & these workouts sure are intense. I do enjoy them.

For me, the challenge is not eating the junk that I truly love. Cakes, cookies, desserts. I love & enjoy regular healthy food such as your basics :: chicken, fish, eggs, etc. Giving up the desserts and other things I love (adobo on my chicken, for instance, pretzels, etc.) has been the most difficult part for me. I have searched high and low for 'clean' alternatives to my beloved sweets, and have been successful! It's amazing how many recipes have been made for clean eating. Protein pancakes are my new favorite breakfast!

Oh, so what IS clean eating, right? Well, basically, it's not eating anything that is processed ... For the most part, whole foods in their most natural states (until they are cooked), whole grains, fruits & veggies -- fresh or frozen- no added anything, proteins, healthy fats, no oils, etc. Google 'clean eating' and a plethora of information will be found. It CAN be overwhelming, mostly when I'm out, but planning ahead is KEY! Most foods that I love are on the clean eating list, but many things are not, and that's okay. If it's junk that I am considering eating, why do I want it in my body? The momentary taste & satisfaction really aren't worth the long time results. It's really about healthy eating & living. If you care about your body, you should care about what you put into it.

All this began because I saw a way to possibly lose the 5 lbs. I gained, but instead, I'm more focused on pre-planning, eating well, becoming healthier & possibly more fit. That in itself is a project, but if I'm not eating correctly/healthily, why am I bothering working out? I have to be real with myself. These next three weeks are going to fly, and I hope in the end I'm stronger :: mentally & physically, and that I'm onto a new life & eating regiment. It's not a diet; it's a way of life.

Gymboree / Family Day!

So, my busy schedule doesn't allow for much else than it already contains. Work is exhausting and simply does not end at 3:00 p.m., training for various races, yes, is a choice, but it's what makes me happy and it, too, is exhausting as well as time consuming. My gym schedule is another part of my day that I enjoy on various levels, and of course there's my social calendar. Simply put, there seems to always be something 'going on.' Franky, I'm exhausted, but I enjoy most of what I do have going on. We can't enjoy eVeRyThInG ... Some things, we HaVe to do because ... We do.

With such a busy schedule it's become harder and harder to see many of the people I love; that includes my sisters. Both of them have schedules just like mine, but with different demands, obviously. There's not much time to get together outside of pre-planned family events. I'm missing special things in their lives and it makes me sad. Since my sister and I are SO SCHEDULED, once I knew my Spring Break schedule, we made plans to get together so I could attend Ayden's Gymboree class & we could spend the afternoon together. Natalie even stopped by after school to bring me some books and say hello! That was sweet. She's such a great, beautiful, witty young lady! I love spending time with her.

Upon arriving at my sister's apartment, I was put on Ayden duty! Wonderful for me, but he was having none of it! He doesn't know me ... Which caused him to wail, send me away by flailing his hand, refused to eat, ETC.! Needless to say, I was pretty heart broken, but once we got to Gymboree it was all smiles, laughs and fun! He's adorable & just sweet (when he isn't cranky). We laughed and smiled together. He even kissed me a few times. I enjoyed him, and my sisters as well. Haha!
Saying good bye didn't make me happy ... And I hope the next time we are together he doesn't cry for the first hour, but I do hope to develop a relationship with him along his way of life. I pray God blesses him & Justyn, and that Marisel is blessed with the patience to love and guide her boys daily.

Marathon # 8

In the words of my youngest sister, I'm addicted to running marathons, and with good reason. Running helps me regulate my weight (but my mouth usually ruins those efforts!), it makes me have to get to bed early because rest & recovery are important, it gives me the mindset to watch what I eat (again, I say ... Usually a failed attempt.) Running marathons forces me to train. Training is the most challenging part of the game. For some reason, the challenge hasn't knocked me down yet. Interestingly enough, a few life events have. That's something I have to think about. Haha!!

Marathon # 8 took me back to a familiar place :: Washington, D.C. Shannon, Angela and I took a weekend road trip so I could run the Rock and Roll Series Marathon. Sadly, the course wasn't all that great, neither was the crowd, so it was hard to stay motivated. Yuck! I also suffered some kind of injury along the course, and that just broke me mentally, as well as physically. I couldn't run because my ankle, shin and knee hurt more than I've ever experienced. All I know is that it felt like the pain of a stress fracture, and was just unbearable to walk or run. However, me being me shuffled and walked as necessary. By the end, it was a walk to mile 26 followed by a shuffle along the .2. My goal of a four hour marathon was not met due to the pain I endured on the run. I could've made it, though. Instead, I finished in 4:30:35, which isn't terrible, but just wasn't my goal.

I was thrilled to see my friends at the finish line holding the sign Shannon made, which is in one of my photos. We met up, hugged and moved on back to DuPont Circle for some much deserved food. We decided, the night before, that brunch was going to be an order & we found an all you can eat spot to dine at, which was also hosting a St. Patrick's Day bar crawl! It was interesting to say the least, but the food was awesome & the crowd was entertaining.

The rest of the day consisted of shuffling around here and there. We went back to the hotel, chatted some, rested & prepared for the evening. We had plans for Thai food & possibly an outing afterwards. I, however, had no energy or desire to go anywhere except to bed. After dinner, the girls went out & I went back to the hotel. I needed to rest and just be. I tried to, but falling asleep didn't come easily. I know the girls had a great time being out & I was happy for them.

The next morning, I felt rested & was moving a little more easily. Upon waking up, I got dressed and went to Starbucks for coffee. So did everyone else in the area, it seemed. It was packed & the locals didn't seem too pleased about it.

I wasn't too sure how I felt about leaving D.C., but I was ready to come home. I wished I had seen some more of the area, the monuments and sites. Maybe on my next visit I'll do so. This time around, though, I went for one purpose only. I do wish we had seen our friend, Jordan, but she wasn't feeling her best. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit with each other the next time around.

I. Am. Tired.

I'm absolutely exhausted. There is NO other way to put it.

It seems like everything in my life is vying for my attention & I only have so much to give.

Work has been completely draining this week :: between report card conferences & a 12+ hour work day followed up with an observation at 9:15 the next morning, and simply managing my 32 students , I'd say I'm about ready for Spring Break. I need sleep and down time.

I've been finishing up my training for Saturday's Rock & Roll Marathon which will take place in Washington, D.C. with some early morning runs, but tomorrow I will 'sleep in' until 6:30 a.m. I hope.

For now, phone is going away, I'm going to clean up & head to bed. Rest is so important and this week, it's been lacking.

Parent-Teacher Conference Day Lunch

This has been, by far, the longest day ever! Parent-Teacher Conference Afternoon/Evening is completely exhausting. I know the 8-3 work day sounds 'cushy' but we won't talk about the lesson plan that I still have to create for tomorrow ... 8-3 does not exist for teachers, in case anyone really wondered.

I'd say the highlight of today was going out to dinner in between conference times w my friends and colleagues. A group of us braved the rain and wind storm and headed to Patricia's. A nice glass of wine, good food, lovely company and amusing, yet educational conversations were more than enough to get us through the evening conferences.

My afternoon conferences started early & ended late, so I wasn't sure if I was going to join the crew. I also have an observation tomorrow morning, so part of me felt compelled to stay in & prepare. However, I know me ... The idea of my friends being out & having a great, relaxed time (without me) would've made me sad. So, the heels came off, the rain boots went on & I ran to meet them! I'm certainly glad I did ... I needed to get the afternoon stress off my mind for a bit & be myself.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, even though I don't know what the conversation was like at the other end of the table. I observed a lot of chatter, a good deal of laughter & a could sense that there was a light air to the luncheon. I think we all needed it. I'm definitely glad I decided to join in on the fun. Now, writing must come to an end because a teacher's job truly does not come to an end ... Much work to be done ... Before 11 p.m.

Nat's Concert -WCYO

I am a week overdue with posting about Natalie's concert. Terrible, but I haven't forgotten.

My little Natty is a violinist in WCYO's Symphony Orchestra. There have many concerts, but due to my ever busy schedule, I am unable to attend more than one or two a year. Knowing how big a part orchestra plays (no pun intended) in her life, I wanted to support her & am glad I made it to this concert. Although it was LONG because there were three different ensembles playing, her group did wonderfully. They all did.

Natalie practices and plays with passion, enthusiasm and genuine love. I can appreciate her dedication to the orchestra. She has regular practices with the group, as well as private lessons. I hope she takes this talent to the stars, or at least to a quartet while she's in college.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching her play last week, and she knew I enjoyed when the orchestra 'clapped' with their feet. Lol.
She could not wait to go eat when it was finished. Lol. She's definitely my sister!

Sadly, Nat isn't so little anymore. This post actually reminds me of her first ballet recital when she was 5 years old. I cried when she came on stage ... And I am certain I will cry when she walks across the stage for graduation in 3 months.

I pray The Lord continues to keep & bless her as He has done all these years. She is, indeed, a very special young lady. I love my Nem.

The Run-Down Runner Girl

These last few whirlwind weeks have finally caught up with me and just ran me down. It's day two of being out of work & super ill, and day six of being sick. I developed the worst upper respiratory infection that I have ever had. Can we say miserable? My sinus area felt like it was the size of my head by the time Saturday night, Sunday morning rolled around. Goodness. Saturday's training run was insanely difficult as I fought through nausea, coughing, breathing difficulties, as who knows what else. But, I plugged through, and survived. That isn't new, but I surely thanked God when it was over.

I'm definitely not one to run to the doctor, nor to 'take it easy.' These past two days of doing just that (after a 3 hour wait at the doctor's office) have me feeling 50% better, and I'm so thankful. I don't wish sickness or discomfort on anyone. I probably have to rest more, and maybe take a multivitamin. Definitely rest. With a marathon less than two weeks away, I need to do my best, or at least finish. ;) Finishing would be 'my best' for this race. We shall see ...

Back to work tomorrow ... I hope I get through the day without feeling too awful. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, because these last two days have been a bit lonely. Thankfully, texts and calls have kept me 'company,' but I miss my friends ... And my kids. Ah, I just remembered that I have an 8:15 a.m. appointment. Well, I suppose that's my cue to end this post. Here's to 'feel-better' days ahead.

Birthday Celebrations Continue!

Although February is behind us, some of my February birthday friends are still celebrating -- imagine that?!? Haha!

Birthdays are my favorite and celebrating someone, even for a day, is something they deserve, so why not keep the celebrations going for as long as we can?

This past weekend, my friend, Angela, had some of her dear friends over to celebrate her birthday, which was actually on the same day as my father's, but she had been out of town then.

We all gathered at her home and brought food or dessert and even wine, to share & enjoy. Everything was delicious & I couldn't get enough of the appetizers! I ate so much that come dessert time, (my FAVORITE part of a meal) I couldn't have more than a fork full of cake. Unheard of! Haha!!

It was special to come together with Angela's friends & relax, converse, meet new people and enjoy and celebrate her, and her friend, Camille's birthday, as well. Our friend, Lauren, was able to join in the festivities & it was so great to see her, as I think we haven't seen each other since the summer. She recently got engaged, and we got to catch up on all the excitement and planning for her special day! I can't wait to attend her wedding this September and am thrilled to be invited! She's going to be a beautiful bride, and road trips/destination weddings are always fun!!

I'm very thankful to have been part of Angela's birthday celebration. Being a part of each other's lives has been a blessing to me. I hope this year brings her happiness, many of God's blessings, and all the desires of her heart!