The Hardest Part...

I recently took a small trip to visit my dad and family.

What was the hardest part?

Was it hanging out with my step-mom knowing we had had a rough time the last time I was out?
Nah.

Was it staying in a hotel room by myself in a strange city and different state?
 Nah.

Was it saying good-bye to my niece and nephews who I don't see very often?
Nah.

Was it saying good-bye to my dad as I drove ahead of the hurricane?
Nah.

Was it driving through the mountains?  The dark, rainy, foggy, fast driving roads of the mountains?
Almost...

It was seeing the two walls in my dad and step-mom's house where the infamous-stick-out-our-hands wedding pictures of the ladies in the family (except me) were hung.  It was seeing the three out of four happy daughters with their husbands on another wall.  It was driving in a car for 7 hours thinking about it.  And wanting it.  And not having it.  And being sick and tired of where I am.

Sorry, reader, tonight's blog post doesn't have a happy ending.  So, you can either stop reading now and make up your own happy ending or continue on with my unhappy ending.

I recently saw on someone's Facebook status to celebrate the season you are in.

Sorry, God, but I am done with my season.  I tried to be joyous in it.  I was for a while.  Now, I'm not seeing much joy lately and I'd like to give the season back to you now.

Numbers

Even though I teach reading, writing, and math...today my day feels like it is filled with numbers.  (KJM, are you so excited?)

I waited on my mom to get to school.  7:45.

Counted students absent.

Counted my calories (trying to lose five pounds for Biggest Loser competition).

Typed numbers into copy machine.

Counted down time for students so they knew how much longer until it was time for gym (their favorite).

Went to Wal-Mart and saw my favorite number...insert a little background knowledge now.  Baring my soul in the blogging world...

I used to wear a size 18 in pants.  It was getting tight.  And so began my journey.  At my smallest I am able to get into a 12, mostly 14's with a little bit of tailoring around the waist.  My goal is to be in all of my 12's comfortably.  At Wal-Mart, I picked up two different pairs of workout pants.  A medium (8/10) and a large (12/14).

World, be still...the medium size fit!  Granted, they are stretch, but today, when I was Zumba-ing and looking in the mirror, I didn't see a number (size, weight, or age), I saw a body I am beginning to like.  And that is more important than any number!

It's Coming...

The third season of Downton Abbey!!!!  An e-mail popped up and I can pre-order the third season.  Love it!!!  Anyone else a fan?

Fun with Friends

Dinner, wine, food, friends, and a baby!  A wonderful evening!

Our famous chef...butternut squash and sage pizza on honey wheat dough.

It was amazing!

Zucchini and goat cheese with basil...again, yum!

That's almost his whole hand in there!

That's his, "Cathy, why aren't you holding me?" look.

That's his, "I am missing you Cathy" look.

That's his concerned look...about to flip me off!

What I'm Reading...

I know a lot of people who post what is on their reading list.

I am joining the bandwagon!  Plus, I love reading!!!

The first two are in a trilogy (Uglies).  Pretties and Specials by Scott Westerfield.  Kate Morton has a new book coming out so I'm trying out another one of hers before it.  I LOVED The Forgotten Garden by her, so I'm hoping for another great one.  White Cat and Blood Red Road were recommendations from the librarian there who also loved Divergent.  We'll see...

What are you reading?

Hey Megan...

My friend is in Tanzania and while she may not read this...it is dedicated to her!

I kept running!
I ran on Wednesday (just a little) and didn't want to run tonight with my other friends on the trails.
I kept running!
I only ran for seven minutes the first round and we wanted 20 total.
I kept running!
I fell.  A Superman fall, arms out and down to the ground I went.  My body was covered with dirt, but thankfully no blood.
I kept running!
We made twenty minutes...
I kept running!
If Megan had been with me, she would have pushed...I pushed myself because that's what Megan would do!

Some of my favorites so far...

I think I will have some very funny stories from this class!

I was using a baseball analogy, you're up, you're on deck, and you're in the hole.  Well, the kid that I told was in the hole came up with a very serious expression on his face and asked me where the hole was.

I just giggled inside.

***

We played the national anthem on September 11th and after it was over, one of my boys told another in a shocked voice, "That song was from The Dark Knight Rises."  Oh my!