A Week of Celebrations

Monday’s celebration,

dinner out

for my parents’

47th wedding anniversary.

celebrate!

Tuesday’s celebration,

a field trip for me

to visit

our middle school

1:World initiative.

celebrate!

Wednesday’s celebration,

the warm weather

finally arrived!

celebrate!

Thursday’s celebration,

three workouts complete

running, strength training, and yoga.

celebrate!

Friday’s celebration,

date night,

sushi night!

celebrate!

Saturday’s celebration,

a day at the SPCA

advocating for

animal adoption.

celebrate!

Sunday’s celebration,

ran 18 miles,

completed week #11

of marathon training!

celebrate! celebrate! celebrate!

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Friday Fun Facts

Did you know…

I attended college as a non-traditional student.  My teaching career began in 2001 and when I began teaching I taught 3rd grade.  I thought it was the best grade in the world!  Today I am a reading specialist for students in grades 4-6 and I love grades 4-6 too.

Now you know!

Did you know…

My favorite authors for professional development are Kylene Beers, Maureen McLaughlin, and Aimee Buckner.  Currently, Jennifer Sarravallo is on the top of the list.  For my students, some of my favorite books are Storm Runners, Love that Dog, and Firegirl.  My kiddos are in love with the I Survived series. I Survived the Shark Attacks is an all-time winner!

Now you know!

Did you know…

Our district is embarking on a 1:World initiative and next year all students in our building will have their own iPad mini device.  This transition has made for major changes in the way I deliver my instruction.  Since I have already made the 1:World transition, I began using the Learning Management System (LMS) Schoology and I truly think it is fantastic!

Now you know!

Did you know…

I love my students and my colleagues.  It really is true that I teach in the greatest school in all the land!

Now you know!

My Classroom

~~~~~

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Just a Bit Anxious

The warmer days of spring and summer are right around the corner!  For me, one of the perks of the warmer days ahead is being able to break out my Vitamix and make a delicious smoothie.  They are perfect for breakfast or as a post-recovery treat after a long run. Actually, they are perfect just about anytime!

Now, the kitchen certainly is not where I enjoy spending my time (due to the fact that Matt is the chef of the house), but I can successfully whip up a smoothie.  So, today I would like to share this delicious and nutritious treat with you!

Without further adieu, here is what you need to do to create this warm weather treat.

• a blender-I have a Vitamix 🙂
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups

Materials

• vanilla almond milk – 1 to 2 cups
• chocolate cocoa powder – 1 tbsp.
• Wyman’s frozen blueberries – 1 cup
• Bob’s Red Mill flaxseed meal (or chia seeds) – 2 tbsp.
• honey – 1 tbsp.
• ripe avocado – 1/4 of the avocado
• vanilla – 1 tsp. (optional)

Ingredients

Pour ingredients right into the blender

Blend until a nice consistency. Add more liquid if necessary.

Enjoy!

Voila!

There you have it, my favorite blueberry smoothie.

Now you can see why I’m just a bit anxious.

~~~~~

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Tick Tock Tuesday

tick tock

it’s five thirty o’clock

time to rise

time to shine

~~~~~~

tick tock

it’s nine o’clock

students are here

time to teach

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s twelve o’clock

lunch-time

a sandwich, fruit, & veggies

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s twelve thirty o’clock

time to read

time to write

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s three forty-five o’clock

buses are here

the school day is done

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s six o’clock

five miles on the treadmill

the marathon is near

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s seven o’clock

dinner-time

a glass of wine

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s eight o’clock

reflect on the day

plan, plan, plan for another

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s nine o’clock

blogging time

comment here

comment there

~~~~~

tick tock

it’s ten o’clock

out of time

tuesday is done

~~~~~

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I Almost…but I Didn’t.

I almost wrote about the signs of spring,

but I didn’t.

I almost shared about my classroom,

but I didn’t.

I almost posted about my daughter,

but I didn’t.

I almost scribbled about standardized testing,

but I didn’t.

I almost dropped a line about our family pets,

but I didn’t.

I almost didn’t publish a slice of life,

but I didn’t.

~~~~~

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Sunday Runday

I am at the pinnacle of marathon training (week #10) and today’s run gives a whole new meaning to the word exhaustion! 

{why, why would I want to run a marathon?}

You see, the long run on the training plan for week #10 was 17 miles.  I spent yesterday trying to wrap my mind around those 17 miles and, well, I told myself that I would run 15 and be happy with that.  Basically, because I bonked on my last long run that was outside!  (You can read about it here.) I am happy to report that I did not have a repeat of that outside run from several weeks ago.

{do a happy dance!}

First off, the weather was ab·so·lute·ly beautiful!  It was like a runner’s gift compared to the weather just two days ago.

Snowday!

Runday!

And then, I was fortunate enough to break my run up into three smaller runs.  I ran the first 7 miles on my own.  Then, for the second segment I ran 6 miles with my soul(run)mate and my BRF-best running friend. And finally I wrapped up the last 4 miles with my soul(run)mate. Running buddies are the best!

{BAM! Just like that 17 miles were history!}

Those stats!

That weather!

Finally, time to relax and recover.  A post-run snack and a spa treatment for those feet.

protein, sugar, and salt

LAX ball massage and some essential oil

{Gotta keep those feet happy!}

So now that week #10 is history I have an entire week to wrap my mind around the long run for week #11.  And, in order to do that I’ll leave you with a little saying that is going to help me prepare.

What the mind can conceive, the body will achieve.

~~~~~

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ex-haus-tion

it’s been a week of rushing:

rushing to school,

rushing off to the gym,

rushing to complete my blog post,

rushing to accomplish errands,

rushing home to do what I do…

~~so, exhaustion go away~~

just for today,

i’m going to enjoy the snowy weather

just for today,

i’m going to rest my body

just for today,

i’m going to be entertained by the blogs of others

just for today,

i’m going to push my to-do list aside

just for today,

i’m going to take pleasure in the peace & comfort of my home

just for today,

i’m going to push exhaustion away and enjoy the gift of life 

What do you do to push exhaustion away?

~~~~~

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de-ter-mi-na-tion

~Got Determination?~

is it that crawl to the finish?

or, perhaps it is the climb to the top.

regardless, may you be determined enough to reach your destination!

~~~~~~

…………………….at mile 20 I thought I was dead

………………………………….at mile 22 I wished I was dead

……………………………………………….at mile 24 I knew I was I dead

………………………………………………………………at mile 26.2 I realized I had become too tough to kill!

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.~Steve Prefontaine

~Got Determination?~

~~~~~

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in-spi-ra-tion

there may be days

when you’re feeling down

and the light is dim

Breathe in life and light…exhale confidence and positivity to the world. ~David Rutherford

reach deep inside

so you can find

a little inspiration

to move your mind

The first person you have to inspire everyday is yourself. ~Coach Mumford

if you stumble

get back up

smile, stand tall

face the bad

and don’t be sad

Make your mess your message. ~Robin Roberts

be brave

be bold

the future has much to hold

Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up. ~Brene Brown

push fear to the side

worry no more

free your mind, body, and soul

When fear comes knocking, let faith answer the door. ~Robin Roberts

celebrate

and don’t give up

share with others

be fearless, brave and strong

Success is not final and failure is not fatal.  It is the courage to continue that counts. ~Winston Churchill

rest, relax, and believe

you’ve achieved

and you’re enough

At the end of the day it’s not what you achieved, it’s what you overcame. ~Robin Roberts

last but not least,

always remember…

All will be well. ~Jo Knowles (See You at Harry’s)

Inspiration

Who or what inspires you?

Who have you inspired?

~~~~~

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ded-i-ca-tion

READY!

Once again, the races are scheduled and two more marathons–26.2 miles–will be crossed off the bucket list.

what.was.i.thinking?

The training plan is on the calendar–eighteen long weeks– running 4 times a week and cross-training in between. A little stretching here, a little stretching there.

runners and their plans!

Healthy dinners on the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  A banana a day to keep the cramping away.

calories in, calories out!

Preparing mentally for the challenge–monsters in the midst or angels in the air–visualizing the crossing of the finish line.  Maybe with tears in my eyes. Maybe with happiness in my heart. Maybe with both.

~ded-i-ca-tion~

SET!

The big day will arrive. Training runs will be complete, sneakers will be laced, and the running outfit will be chosen. Bib attached and chip in place.

looking good, feeling good!

A few other accessories that are a must–iPod, Garmin, SPIbelt, shot bloks, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

~ded-i-ca-tion~

GO!

The big-bang of the gun will fire and off the runners will go.  Mile marker 5, done! Stop at a water station. Mile marker 10, done! The cheering crowd. Mile marker 20, done! The finish line in sight. Mile marker 26.2, done!

done, but not finished

~ded-i-ca-tion~

How dedicated are you?

Who do you know who demonstrates dedication?

~~~~~

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