Deep Thinking

Driving allows me to think. Today I had to slow down because there was an oncoming bus and a semi a few cars ahead of me. As the bus finally went by, we were slow moving for a bit. The guy behind me was not happy. I could tell by his constant weaving in and out to see if he could pass. Finally, at the upcoming intersection, there was a car that was turning left and a car turning right. I couldn't pass. I just slowed down and waited. The guy behind me was not happy. He zipped past me and began passing cars.

I began to see the similarities between this speed demon and myself. In life, there are going to be times that I have to slow down. There are times where I can keep going, but may have to stop for a bit to allow others to go where they need to. There are times where I am the speed demon - impatient, frustrated and trying to get around others to get where I think I should be. There are times when I take matters into my own hands and speed through rather than taking the route and time that was predetermined.

God, I'm listening. I won't try and pass You again. I'll drive along, on my cruise control, and enjoy the drive.

New Adventures

I created a compost bin...out of a trash can, bungee cord, and window screen. And I didn't forget the duct tape.

I am planning on creating pretzel coated chicken nuggets with honey mustard sauce tomorrow night. Yum! Anyone want to come for dinner?

Oh, the sarcasm...

Today was rough...but the class did provide a few funnies.

I didn't pay attention to one of my student's shirts and paid for it later. While I was reading Tale of Despereaux to the class, one of my boys began giggling. I was irritated. I already had talked with four other boys about their behavior and was frustrated with their lack of poetry creation in writing workshop. I had had it. I asked him what was so funny and then waited. He was the only students who had been laughing. The boys had been discussing soap while I had talked with another teacher in the doorway. What's the connection? Here goes...

The boy squirmed in his seat on the bench and finally coughed up the reason for his giggles. He said, "I was farting." Oh...

The soap connection? One of the boys was wearing a shirt with a duck on it who had eaten soap and was emitting bubbles. That's why the boys had been talking about soap. The conversation had turned to flatulence.

One of my girls then told me that their parents should buy their children soap for Christmas. My sarcastic comment that I always make when they play around with things that normally aren't toys...overhead projectors, pencils, paper, etc. Oh dear class, you all made me laugh today!

10 for 10 Update

This year, I am trying something new. I have 10 goals. And some of you will get to help me with them (my running friends)! This will also help me become intentional, I believe.

1. Read three professional books

• Daily Five by The Sisters (as they are known)
• CAFE book (by same authors as above)
• Boy Writers by Ralph Fletcher

2. Run 5 5K's

• Due to tendonitis, I am in a boot and will be walking one this morning (I think it still counts, right?) - Did it in about 45 minutes

3. Run a sub 30 5K
4. Pay off debt to dad (and thus, be debt free except my mortgage)

• uh, yeah, I'm debt free!!!!!!!!!!

5. Go to Honduras on a mission trip (scared of flying)

• Have my passport now and will pay my first installment tomorrow
• Have paid half of the trip

6. Clean off all of the clothes off my floor and have them put away
7. See a movie by myself

• Saw Date Night...parts were definitely funny, others a little uncomfortable. I do enjoy Steve Carell though.

8. Give blood 4 times (one down and three to go)

• Signed up for my second one - it's sponsored by CW25 for The Vampire Diaries - I'll let you know how that turns out :)
• Have given twice and will only be able to give one more due to traveling to Honduras in July.
• Have A+ blood...maybe that's why I am so smart! :)

9. Write my compassion children three times each this year

• wrote each one once so far

10. Finish reading whole Bible (on track to finish mid-July)

• About two more weeks and then the OT is finished! On to the NT...excited!
• Reading the NT right now - in the gospels

Info galore

After writing for 31 days straight, I took a break. I'm back...kind of.

Things on my mind tonight:

• I am officially finished with the Old Testament. I finished it this morning and will begin the New Testament tomorrow morning. I think this will go slower than the old, only because sometimes I feel like I identify more with it.
• I am fighting for my little guy tonight. I am praising God that I am single tonight because I had the time to stay and work with him. We take a math test in four days and I'm excited to see if this helps...
• I changed my light bulbs over and did the whatever swirly lights. I went with the sales guy's advice and chose the daylight bulbs...not sure what I think of them yet. I like it in the dining room and especially the kitchen, but I'm not so sure yet about them...they're really bright and on the harsh side. Maybe I just need time.
• I'm stressed about something and a friend told me I can't worry about it. So, I'm going to try not to - easier said than done. It'll be a daily battle and surrender, but if you consider yourself someone who prays, please just pray that I would surrender and be willing if needed. I'll fill you in in a few weeks or months, depending on when I find out.

Spouting Off

I'm irritated. Mostly, I'm irritated with myself. And before I go any further, if you are a male and happen to read this, I apologize now for TMI.

I'm irritated with my body. I know I haven't honored it with my food and while my exercise hasn't been what I would have wanted, I tried to do what I could. I tried on some capris today and I'm frustrated with my body because everything seems so tight and it shouldn't be. I'm also probably a little bloated (thanks to being a woman) and probably a little over-emotional right now. I ended up buying only one pair of capris that are a size bigger than some of the jeans that I bought a few months ago.

So, what shall I do??? Well, remember that I have to take one day at a time. I know I need to eat to live and not live to eat. I know that I need to exercise and not be obsessive about it. I know that I need to eat more slowly and show some self-control, which I am not sure how to get again. And while my close friends may question me, I think I am going to start writing down my food again for a month or so and see how I do.

My ultimate goal is to be fit and happy with my body and right now I don't like what I see for the most part. Chalk it up to hormones or lack of eating right or lack of working out the way I like to...but something needs to change.

I always said this was a blog that showed my journey - every part of my life, the good, the bad, and the irritating. Thanks for going on it with me.

Weird

It seems weird to not post a slice of life today. I looked throughout the day today and found many, but I have to say, the thing that I was most excited about today was walking out to my car after our after-school club that I chair and drove home.

It's Spring Break...and I'm excited to sleep in tomorrow!!!