They said we'd have an African-American President when pigs fly.
Three months later?
Swine flu.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Down the Road
I am obsessed with music lately. Ever since I took my first Zumba class, I find myself listening for the beat in the songs I hear, and trying to figure out how to move to it.
I find that I still have ZERO rhythm.
But I'm having so much fun doing it!! When I am home alone, I might even bust out a few moves for the cats.
They're not all that interested.
Here are the songs on my playlist this week:
1. Down the Road, Kenny Chesney
2. Best Days of Your Life, Kellie Pickler
3. It Happens, Sugarland
4. One in Every Crowd, Montgomery Gentry
5. Sissy's Song, Alan Jackson
6. I Run to You, Lady Antebellum
7. River of Love, George Strait
8. Whatever it is, Zac Brown Band
9. Feel that Fire, Dierks Bentley
10. Lucky, Jason Mraz
11. Live Your Life, T.I. (featuring Rihanna)
12. Just Dance, Lady GaGa and Colby O'Donis
13. The Show, Lenka
14. Gotta Be Somebody, Nickelback
15. Just Go Started Lovin' You, James Otto
16. Don't You Know You're Beautiful, Kellie Pickler
17. Do You Believe Me Now?, Jimmy Wayne
18. She Wouldn't Be Gone, Blake Shelton
19. Love Story, Taylor Swift
20. Sweet and Wild, Dierks Bentley
...and on and on and on...
Man, the list could go on forever. Between J and I we have 8.89 GB of music on our iPods. It's easier for us to just use the one account and plug both iPods into it. I can't figure out how to separate out "his" and "hers" music, so we have same iTunes library and just create our own playlists.
That's 269.7 days of music, according to the dealy at the bottom of iTunes. (**We did NOT purchase most of that...much of it came from cd's we already owned!**)
What songs are you listening to / loving right now?
I find that I still have ZERO rhythm.
But I'm having so much fun doing it!! When I am home alone, I might even bust out a few moves for the cats.
They're not all that interested.
Here are the songs on my playlist this week:
1. Down the Road, Kenny Chesney
2. Best Days of Your Life, Kellie Pickler
3. It Happens, Sugarland
4. One in Every Crowd, Montgomery Gentry
5. Sissy's Song, Alan Jackson
6. I Run to You, Lady Antebellum
7. River of Love, George Strait
8. Whatever it is, Zac Brown Band
9. Feel that Fire, Dierks Bentley
10. Lucky, Jason Mraz
11. Live Your Life, T.I. (featuring Rihanna)
12. Just Dance, Lady GaGa and Colby O'Donis
13. The Show, Lenka
14. Gotta Be Somebody, Nickelback
15. Just Go Started Lovin' You, James Otto
16. Don't You Know You're Beautiful, Kellie Pickler
17. Do You Believe Me Now?, Jimmy Wayne
18. She Wouldn't Be Gone, Blake Shelton
19. Love Story, Taylor Swift
20. Sweet and Wild, Dierks Bentley
...and on and on and on...
Man, the list could go on forever. Between J and I we have 8.89 GB of music on our iPods. It's easier for us to just use the one account and plug both iPods into it. I can't figure out how to separate out "his" and "hers" music, so we have same iTunes library and just create our own playlists.
That's 269.7 days of music, according to the dealy at the bottom of iTunes. (**We did NOT purchase most of that...much of it came from cd's we already owned!**)
What songs are you listening to / loving right now?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hallmark cards rock, pt. 14
Okay, the jury is still out on these cards. I can't decide if I think they are hysterical or just plain dumb. But I'm leaning towards funny.
What do you think?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
I've Never
This week my Ignite mentors had classroom visits. The theme of the month was "Diversity" and they played a few games and led some great discussions with freshmen centered around that theme.
The mentors that visit my sixth hour class are amazing. They did an absolutely fantastic job this month. I was very impressed. They finished the lesson plan with about eight minutes left, so they organized an impromptu game of "I've Never."
Have you ever played this game? Basically, you put chairs in a circle. Enough chairs for every person except one. The person without a chair stands in the middle of the circle and says, "I've never...." and names something they've never done. The people sitting in the chairs listen to what's been said, and then, if it is something they HAVE done, they get up and run around the circle looking for an empty chair. The person in the middle tries to grab an empty chair, too. The person who is left standing when all the chairs are taken is the one who gives the next "I've Never" phrase. For example, if J were in the middle of the circle, he might say, "I've never been to Mexico." I have been to Mexico (twice - it was amazing and I'm dying to go back, by the way!), so I would stand up and look for a new chair.
Most of the time the statements make several people get up and move, but sometimes nobody does. It is always interesting to see what gets a response and what doesn't. Sometimes kids get very "personal" and will name something so specific that only their best friend qualifies. For example, two of my mentors are step-brothers. I had no idea they were when I assigned them to both come to my class. Fortunately, not only are they brothers, but they're great friends. But C was up in the middle and he tried once or twice to name things, but nobody moved. So then he looked at his brother and said, "I've never played SHS football and worn #22." B had no choice but to get up and take his brother's place in the center of the circle.
When B ended up in the middle again, he thought he'd be funny and say something he never thought anyone would have done.
B: "I've never set myself on fire."
He got the expected giggles, but they turned into hysterics when one of my freshmen stood up and moved to the center of the circle leaving his chair open for B.
D: "It was my arm and it was an accident."
Well, I never.
The mentors that visit my sixth hour class are amazing. They did an absolutely fantastic job this month. I was very impressed. They finished the lesson plan with about eight minutes left, so they organized an impromptu game of "I've Never."
Have you ever played this game? Basically, you put chairs in a circle. Enough chairs for every person except one. The person without a chair stands in the middle of the circle and says, "I've never...." and names something they've never done. The people sitting in the chairs listen to what's been said, and then, if it is something they HAVE done, they get up and run around the circle looking for an empty chair. The person in the middle tries to grab an empty chair, too. The person who is left standing when all the chairs are taken is the one who gives the next "I've Never" phrase. For example, if J were in the middle of the circle, he might say, "I've never been to Mexico." I have been to Mexico (twice - it was amazing and I'm dying to go back, by the way!), so I would stand up and look for a new chair.
Most of the time the statements make several people get up and move, but sometimes nobody does. It is always interesting to see what gets a response and what doesn't. Sometimes kids get very "personal" and will name something so specific that only their best friend qualifies. For example, two of my mentors are step-brothers. I had no idea they were when I assigned them to both come to my class. Fortunately, not only are they brothers, but they're great friends. But C was up in the middle and he tried once or twice to name things, but nobody moved. So then he looked at his brother and said, "I've never played SHS football and worn #22." B had no choice but to get up and take his brother's place in the center of the circle.
When B ended up in the middle again, he thought he'd be funny and say something he never thought anyone would have done.
B: "I've never set myself on fire."
He got the expected giggles, but they turned into hysterics when one of my freshmen stood up and moved to the center of the circle leaving his chair open for B.
D: "It was my arm and it was an accident."
Well, I never.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Handbook for 2009, pt. 4
We talked last week about the things we should be doing this year to improve society in general. This is the fourth and final week of the Handbook for 2009. This week it's all about how to improve our lives (though it could be argued that everything we've talked about for the last three weeks improves our lives).
Life
31. Do the right thing!
I try to always do the right thing. Though as we know, the right thing is not always the easy thing. I'm an honest person and can't intentionally do anything to hurt anyone else.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
This is good, too. Periodically throughout the year I feel the urge to purge our house of stuff we have accumulated and do not need. J and I both tend to keep stuff "just in case" and then we have way too much stuff. We take several big loads of things to the Goodwill each year. If I were more internet savvy I would figure out how to sell some of it on e-Bay, but I'm not so I don't. Plus, I don't know if I would have time for that. But, after I have purged, I do feel much better. I feel lighter, and happier. Things shouldn't weigh us down so much, right?
33. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
This is simultaneously pessimistic and optimistic. J would say it's neither pessimistic or optimistic, but realistic. I think that there is always hope. If it's a bad situation, you always hope for the best and do what you can to make it that way. If it's a good situation, you hope it stays that way, and do what you can to make it. So as long as you are hopeful, every situation is manageable. (Side note: YAY!!!! I can feel some of my Pollyanna attitude coming back!!!)
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Sometimes this is harder than it seems. Especially because I am intensely awkward in social settings. I often let me talk myself out of doing things because they intimidate me. I need to get over that.
35. The best is yet to come.
Is there anything else to say?
Life
31. Do the right thing!
I try to always do the right thing. Though as we know, the right thing is not always the easy thing. I'm an honest person and can't intentionally do anything to hurt anyone else.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
This is good, too. Periodically throughout the year I feel the urge to purge our house of stuff we have accumulated and do not need. J and I both tend to keep stuff "just in case" and then we have way too much stuff. We take several big loads of things to the Goodwill each year. If I were more internet savvy I would figure out how to sell some of it on e-Bay, but I'm not so I don't. Plus, I don't know if I would have time for that. But, after I have purged, I do feel much better. I feel lighter, and happier. Things shouldn't weigh us down so much, right?
33. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
This is simultaneously pessimistic and optimistic. J would say it's neither pessimistic or optimistic, but realistic. I think that there is always hope. If it's a bad situation, you always hope for the best and do what you can to make it that way. If it's a good situation, you hope it stays that way, and do what you can to make it. So as long as you are hopeful, every situation is manageable. (Side note: YAY!!!! I can feel some of my Pollyanna attitude coming back!!!)
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Sometimes this is harder than it seems. Especially because I am intensely awkward in social settings. I often let me talk myself out of doing things because they intimidate me. I need to get over that.
35. The best is yet to come.
Is there anything else to say?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Personal training session? Or free therapy?
I told you the other day that J and I joined a local athletic club. Then I told you about all the working out I've been doing since the day we joined. That trend has continued this week, and it's only Wednesday! On Monday I went back to Zumba class, and yesterday I went to the Group Kick class again.
I also told you that J and I each received a free session with a personal trainer when we signed up. I made our appointments for the same time on the same day. Last night was the first available time slot with two trainers. J was signed up to work with Jose, and I got hosed.
Well, actually, I was working with Dewey. An unfortunate name for a cool guy. He was pretty cute and really nice - at first.
After school yesterday, I went home and changed and then went to the gym for the Group Kick class. Then I had just enough time to go home, shower (I was GROSS) and change into some dry workout clothes. As soon as J got home, he changed, and then we headed out for our personal training sessions. When J and I arrived, we were about ten minutes early for our appointments. (For those of you who know us, this is HUGE!!!) Jose was finishing up with a client, but Dewey was ready for me. So off we went to the consultation office to go over the eight page survey I had to fill in before I got there.
Let me say that again. Eight. Page. Survey.
It asked about everything you could think of and then some. It took me about 40 minutes to fill it out Monday evening. But I filled in every blank, and I was honest. Brutally honest. I probably wrote more on those tiny little blanks than anyone in the history of personal training. And Dewey read it all. But before he even read a word, he asked me a few questions: "Why are you here? How can I best help you? What do you want out of this session?"
My response? I cried.
Oh. My. Gosh. I cried, apologized, and then cried some more.
I decided to be honest, though, and tell him the truth. I apologized for being emotional, but told him that it was "beyond time I got into shape." It was about this time that J and Jose walked into the consultation office and sat down at the next cubicle. Thank God J couldn't see me and I couldn't see him, or I would have started crying all over again.
On the other hand, I was able to hear bits and pieces of their conversation and I noticed it was going an entirely different direction than mine. Jose asked J a few questions and then took him out onto "the floor" to show him different machines that could help him achieve his goals and give him some pointers. I found out later (in the truck on the way home) that Jose not only showed J the machines, he had him try several of them out AND did some free weights work.
Dewey and I, though, sat in the consultation office the entire time.
I liked him and felt pretty comfortable with him despite the fact he told me about a dozen times that he only has 4% body fat. Yeah, you heard me. You add his 4% body fat to my approximately 95% and we have about 100%!! (And, by the way, I KNOW I don't have 95% body fat...it's an exaggeration by about 60% or more. I know that muscles, bones, internal organs, etc. make up a large percentage of our weight. I don't know what my body fat percentage is, though, and am not sure I want to know right now.)
Though I liked him, I did NOT enjoy the training session. While J and Jose were out on the floor actually doing things, Dewey was in the consultation office trying to sell me nutritional supplements. He works for a company "on the side" and he sells this stuff to all of his clients. It's really helped a lot of them, and "it breaks (his) heart to see (me) crying like this."
After I got over the crying, I got a little annoyed. We never once left the consultation office. As far as a personal training session goes, that one sucked. It was decent therapy, though.
I'm just glad I didn't pay for it.
I also told you that J and I each received a free session with a personal trainer when we signed up. I made our appointments for the same time on the same day. Last night was the first available time slot with two trainers. J was signed up to work with Jose, and I got hosed.
Well, actually, I was working with Dewey. An unfortunate name for a cool guy. He was pretty cute and really nice - at first.
After school yesterday, I went home and changed and then went to the gym for the Group Kick class. Then I had just enough time to go home, shower (I was GROSS) and change into some dry workout clothes. As soon as J got home, he changed, and then we headed out for our personal training sessions. When J and I arrived, we were about ten minutes early for our appointments. (For those of you who know us, this is HUGE!!!) Jose was finishing up with a client, but Dewey was ready for me. So off we went to the consultation office to go over the eight page survey I had to fill in before I got there.
Let me say that again. Eight. Page. Survey.
It asked about everything you could think of and then some. It took me about 40 minutes to fill it out Monday evening. But I filled in every blank, and I was honest. Brutally honest. I probably wrote more on those tiny little blanks than anyone in the history of personal training. And Dewey read it all. But before he even read a word, he asked me a few questions: "Why are you here? How can I best help you? What do you want out of this session?"
My response? I cried.
Oh. My. Gosh. I cried, apologized, and then cried some more.
I decided to be honest, though, and tell him the truth. I apologized for being emotional, but told him that it was "beyond time I got into shape." It was about this time that J and Jose walked into the consultation office and sat down at the next cubicle. Thank God J couldn't see me and I couldn't see him, or I would have started crying all over again.
On the other hand, I was able to hear bits and pieces of their conversation and I noticed it was going an entirely different direction than mine. Jose asked J a few questions and then took him out onto "the floor" to show him different machines that could help him achieve his goals and give him some pointers. I found out later (in the truck on the way home) that Jose not only showed J the machines, he had him try several of them out AND did some free weights work.
Dewey and I, though, sat in the consultation office the entire time.
I liked him and felt pretty comfortable with him despite the fact he told me about a dozen times that he only has 4% body fat. Yeah, you heard me. You add his 4% body fat to my approximately 95% and we have about 100%!! (And, by the way, I KNOW I don't have 95% body fat...it's an exaggeration by about 60% or more. I know that muscles, bones, internal organs, etc. make up a large percentage of our weight. I don't know what my body fat percentage is, though, and am not sure I want to know right now.)
Though I liked him, I did NOT enjoy the training session. While J and Jose were out on the floor actually doing things, Dewey was in the consultation office trying to sell me nutritional supplements. He works for a company "on the side" and he sells this stuff to all of his clients. It's really helped a lot of them, and "it breaks (his) heart to see (me) crying like this."
After I got over the crying, I got a little annoyed. We never once left the consultation office. As far as a personal training session goes, that one sucked. It was decent therapy, though.
I'm just glad I didn't pay for it.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Facing my fears
Okay, so I missed a few posts this last week. But it was for a good reason: I was working out at the gym J and I just joined!
We went on Monday evening for a tour. The sales manager we were talking to was trying to "sell" the athletic club to us, but I told her she didn't have to work so hard: we were a sure thing. We did some research on the different gyms available in Kennewick, and knew we wanted to be members of this one. It has everything we want and more. Two swimming pools, a gym, tons of different exercise classes, weights, a circuit training room, racquetball courts, tennis courts, a hot tub, treadmills, ellipticals, personal trainers, rowing machines, bikes. You name it, they've got it. There are only two things I don't like about this club. One is the cost - it's spendy. But it's comparable to the other clubs with a pool, and I really wanted to take some water aerobics classes. And this one is in Kennewick, and fairly close to our house. The other thing I don't like about it is that every kid I know that works out does it at this gym. I'm fat, old, and out of shape. And when I exercise, my face turns purple and my head sweats excessively. I don't need any of my kids seeing that.
But this is something that J and I both want and need to do. So I faced my fears and signed up.
While we were getting the tour, we saw two former students who stopped to say hi. A third student was working the front desk. Boy, oh boy. I'm sure not going to escape knowing people there, am I? Then we walked by a studio that had an exercise class going on. The class was HUGE. There must have been 60 people in the studio, and it was loud!! It looked like a blast, though. Have you ever heard of Zumba? It's salsa inspired aerobics set to Latin music. I can't dance worth a lick, but thought I would like to give it a try anyway.
So I did. The class is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. J and I went back on Tuesday and did 35 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the stationary bikes. Then J did a little bit of weights while I cheered him on. (My friend's husband is a strength coach, and he has us on a weights routine already - I didn't want to mess that up!)
Wednesday afternoon, my friend and I went to work out, and found out that there was a Zumba class later that evening. So we did 35 minutes on the treadmill and went back later for Zumba.
Let me just tell you this: I sucked. It was SO fast, and I have no rhythm...but it was a blast! You know you suck when the twelve-year-old next to you is showing you how to do the steps! She had pity on my poor pathetic soul and slowed it down to show me.
It didn't help.
But I had fun anyway! And I made it the ENTIRE hour without quitting! Even if I couldn't do all the steps, I was moving and grooving, and that's the whole point, isn't it? I don't believe I have EVER been that sweaty in my life! But I loved it and I'm going back next week.
Then, on Thursday after school we went back for more punishment. There was a class called "Group Kick" that sounded like fun, and we thought we'd check it out. While we were walking towards the studio, we passed a SHS student in the hall. She wasn't just any SHS kid, though, she's one I know. She's one of the mentors in the mentoring program I advise. She said hi, and as soon as we passed her, I turned to my friend and said, "Thank goodness she was going the other way! That's the last thing I need is a fit young teenager that I know in a class with me, seeing how uncoordinated and sweaty I am!"
We laughed and continued on.
We were standing outside the studio, waiting to go in, when a different SHS kid walked up. This one is in my first hour class. I hoped she was going to say hi and then move on, but my luck is not that good. She was waiting with two special needs young ladies for the kick class to start. Nice.
A minute or so later, the first girl we had seen came back and joined us. Great. Now I'm not laughing anymore.
A minute or so after that, a third SHS student, another one of my mentors, came and joined us. Super.
Then we moved into the studio and the instructor got set up. My friend and I were looking around the room in disbelief. The night before, there had probably been 50 or 60 people in that same studio for Zumba. That day, there were 9 of us for the group kick class. (And two of them were special needs.) Then, right before the class started, one more person came running in.
If you guessed she was a SHS student, you guessed right. N, from my third hour class, was now here. Fantastic.
I told all the girls that I was swearing them to secrecy: they could tell people we took a class together, but they were NOT allowed to tell anyone how sweaty and uncoordinated I was. They laughed at me, but I was serious.
Then the music came on and we got started.
Another fun class! Another class I made it through without quitting! But I got even sweatier than I had the night before. We're totally going back again next week! The best part about the class is that I faced my greatest fear about the gym x 4 and survived intact.
We had a "day of rest" on Friday (mostly because we were both invited to the same bbq / party and we wanted to go), and then Saturday met again to take a water aerobics class.
That was a great way to start a Saturday! I felt like I got a good workout, but wasn't wiped out like I had been after Zumba and Group Kick.
I think this club is going to be worth the money. I went four days this week, did four different workouts, and had a blast each time.
Plus, as a "signing bonus" J and I each get a free session with a personal trainer (we go on Tuesday) and a free session with someone in the circuit training room who will do a health analysis dealy. It includes a body fat percentage test. I'm pretty sure they're going to tell me I'm 95% fat...but I'm going to do it anyway.
This week has been all about facing my fears, and I've conquered them so far.
I'll talk to you again on Tuesday after a trainer kicks my butt and let you know how I feel then. But for now, I'm feeling good.
We went on Monday evening for a tour. The sales manager we were talking to was trying to "sell" the athletic club to us, but I told her she didn't have to work so hard: we were a sure thing. We did some research on the different gyms available in Kennewick, and knew we wanted to be members of this one. It has everything we want and more. Two swimming pools, a gym, tons of different exercise classes, weights, a circuit training room, racquetball courts, tennis courts, a hot tub, treadmills, ellipticals, personal trainers, rowing machines, bikes. You name it, they've got it. There are only two things I don't like about this club. One is the cost - it's spendy. But it's comparable to the other clubs with a pool, and I really wanted to take some water aerobics classes. And this one is in Kennewick, and fairly close to our house. The other thing I don't like about it is that every kid I know that works out does it at this gym. I'm fat, old, and out of shape. And when I exercise, my face turns purple and my head sweats excessively. I don't need any of my kids seeing that.
But this is something that J and I both want and need to do. So I faced my fears and signed up.
While we were getting the tour, we saw two former students who stopped to say hi. A third student was working the front desk. Boy, oh boy. I'm sure not going to escape knowing people there, am I? Then we walked by a studio that had an exercise class going on. The class was HUGE. There must have been 60 people in the studio, and it was loud!! It looked like a blast, though. Have you ever heard of Zumba? It's salsa inspired aerobics set to Latin music. I can't dance worth a lick, but thought I would like to give it a try anyway.
So I did. The class is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. J and I went back on Tuesday and did 35 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the stationary bikes. Then J did a little bit of weights while I cheered him on. (My friend's husband is a strength coach, and he has us on a weights routine already - I didn't want to mess that up!)
Wednesday afternoon, my friend and I went to work out, and found out that there was a Zumba class later that evening. So we did 35 minutes on the treadmill and went back later for Zumba.
Let me just tell you this: I sucked. It was SO fast, and I have no rhythm...but it was a blast! You know you suck when the twelve-year-old next to you is showing you how to do the steps! She had pity on my poor pathetic soul and slowed it down to show me.
It didn't help.
But I had fun anyway! And I made it the ENTIRE hour without quitting! Even if I couldn't do all the steps, I was moving and grooving, and that's the whole point, isn't it? I don't believe I have EVER been that sweaty in my life! But I loved it and I'm going back next week.
Then, on Thursday after school we went back for more punishment. There was a class called "Group Kick" that sounded like fun, and we thought we'd check it out. While we were walking towards the studio, we passed a SHS student in the hall. She wasn't just any SHS kid, though, she's one I know. She's one of the mentors in the mentoring program I advise. She said hi, and as soon as we passed her, I turned to my friend and said, "Thank goodness she was going the other way! That's the last thing I need is a fit young teenager that I know in a class with me, seeing how uncoordinated and sweaty I am!"
We laughed and continued on.
We were standing outside the studio, waiting to go in, when a different SHS kid walked up. This one is in my first hour class. I hoped she was going to say hi and then move on, but my luck is not that good. She was waiting with two special needs young ladies for the kick class to start. Nice.
A minute or so later, the first girl we had seen came back and joined us. Great. Now I'm not laughing anymore.
A minute or so after that, a third SHS student, another one of my mentors, came and joined us. Super.
Then we moved into the studio and the instructor got set up. My friend and I were looking around the room in disbelief. The night before, there had probably been 50 or 60 people in that same studio for Zumba. That day, there were 9 of us for the group kick class. (And two of them were special needs.) Then, right before the class started, one more person came running in.
If you guessed she was a SHS student, you guessed right. N, from my third hour class, was now here. Fantastic.
I told all the girls that I was swearing them to secrecy: they could tell people we took a class together, but they were NOT allowed to tell anyone how sweaty and uncoordinated I was. They laughed at me, but I was serious.
Then the music came on and we got started.
Another fun class! Another class I made it through without quitting! But I got even sweatier than I had the night before. We're totally going back again next week! The best part about the class is that I faced my greatest fear about the gym x 4 and survived intact.
We had a "day of rest" on Friday (mostly because we were both invited to the same bbq / party and we wanted to go), and then Saturday met again to take a water aerobics class.
That was a great way to start a Saturday! I felt like I got a good workout, but wasn't wiped out like I had been after Zumba and Group Kick.
I think this club is going to be worth the money. I went four days this week, did four different workouts, and had a blast each time.
Plus, as a "signing bonus" J and I each get a free session with a personal trainer (we go on Tuesday) and a free session with someone in the circuit training room who will do a health analysis dealy. It includes a body fat percentage test. I'm pretty sure they're going to tell me I'm 95% fat...but I'm going to do it anyway.
This week has been all about facing my fears, and I've conquered them so far.
I'll talk to you again on Tuesday after a trainer kicks my butt and let you know how I feel then. But for now, I'm feeling good.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Happy Birthday, J!
As if the title of this post didn't give it away already, today is J's birthday! He turns 33 this year.
Damn, that's old.
When we first got together, I was 19 and he was 21. We've been together for a very long time, even though it feels like just yesterday that we met.
As is quickly becoming a birthday tradition on this blog, I thought I would tell you the 33 things I like most about J.
33. He's sweet.
32. He's funny.
31. He's my workout partner.
30. He reads my blog every day. I didn't know for a long time that he was. Now, it's a part of his daily routine. (Even though blogging is not always a daily part of mine!)
29. He thinks I'm funny. I can be off the wall crazy sometimes, and he just shakes his head and smiles. I love that I can make him laugh.
28. Along the same lines as #29, he's patient when I tease him about his age. He is almost two years older than me, so I am forever calling him "Gramps" and asking if he needs me to speak up. Whenever age comes up, I always tell him he is a different age than he really is. I think I've gotten his age "right" twice in our entire relationship, counting today. I tell him that since he is 45/68/72/51/35/87/etc. years-old he should know whatever we are talking about. At this point he doesn't even notice, and he doesn't correct me. He just continues making his point.
27. He's tall. I've always had a thing for tall guys, and he definitely fits the bill. Plus, I often need things from high places and he can reach them!
26. He cooks for me. I don't like to cook, so I don't. He picks up my slack big time.
25. He tolerates me putting a camera in his face nearly every time he turns around. He doesn't so much like his picture being taken, but I find him so photogenic, I can't help myself. I even take videos of him just because I can.
24. He's generous.
23. He's good to the cats. When we first got Zoe, she was scared to death of him because he was so tall. So he crawled around the house on hands and knees to give her the grand tour. Now, paws down, he's her favorite. He gives them treats every day just because he thinks they deserve them for being so cute.
22. He makes funny faces to make me smile.
21. He talks to the television.
20. He puts up with my blog without too much complaining. He tells me that he doesn't like to be the butt of all my jokes, but I don't think he is. I post all kinds of embarrassing stuff about myself, and I leave the truly embarrassing stuff about him out.
19. He's awesome with our cats.
18. I can tell him anything.
17. He's predictable. I can tell you what he's going to say or how he's going to react, and almost without fail I am right.
16. He has an amazing work ethic. If he starts something, he's going to finish it, come hell or high water. (Well, everything EXCEPT housework. That he could care less about finishing...)
15. He likes the orange and yellow Starburst, and I like the pink and red.
14. He'll go to the store and buy me personal items in an emergency. (Most guys I know wouldn't do it. J doesn't like to do it, but he will.)
13. He kills bugs for me. Even if I wake him out of a dead sleep to do it. Even if he is complaining the entire time. Even if he is cussing the entire time. He'll still kill them so I don't have to.
12. He goes to high school sporting events with me and cheers for my kids.
11. He loves me just the way I am. He tells me all the time that I'm cute.
10. On long trips he does the driving so I can sleep.
9. He's fun to hang out with.
8. He's cute.
7. He doesn't complain when I buy tons of books.
6. Every once in awhile he'll see "chick flicks" with me.
5. He talks a big game, but he's one of the more generous people I know. He doesn't like people to think he's nice, but he can't really hide it that well.
4. He takes the trash out at night. I'm too chicken to go out to the trash cans after dark, so he'll do it for me.
3. He once bought me a birthday card that said on the outside, "I can be paid not to do my birthday dance." When I opened, a song started playing, and it said, "Too late." When I looked up laughing, J was dancing...and he dances about as well as I do.
2. He loves to have a good time.
and the number one thing I like most about J?
1. He's my best friend.
Happy Birthday, J! I love you!!
Damn, that's old.
When we first got together, I was 19 and he was 21. We've been together for a very long time, even though it feels like just yesterday that we met.
As is quickly becoming a birthday tradition on this blog, I thought I would tell you the 33 things I like most about J.
33. He's sweet.
32. He's funny.
31. He's my workout partner.
30. He reads my blog every day. I didn't know for a long time that he was. Now, it's a part of his daily routine. (Even though blogging is not always a daily part of mine!)
29. He thinks I'm funny. I can be off the wall crazy sometimes, and he just shakes his head and smiles. I love that I can make him laugh.
28. Along the same lines as #29, he's patient when I tease him about his age. He is almost two years older than me, so I am forever calling him "Gramps" and asking if he needs me to speak up. Whenever age comes up, I always tell him he is a different age than he really is. I think I've gotten his age "right" twice in our entire relationship, counting today. I tell him that since he is 45/68/72/51/35/87/etc. years-old he should know whatever we are talking about. At this point he doesn't even notice, and he doesn't correct me. He just continues making his point.
27. He's tall. I've always had a thing for tall guys, and he definitely fits the bill. Plus, I often need things from high places and he can reach them!
26. He cooks for me. I don't like to cook, so I don't. He picks up my slack big time.
25. He tolerates me putting a camera in his face nearly every time he turns around. He doesn't so much like his picture being taken, but I find him so photogenic, I can't help myself. I even take videos of him just because I can.
24. He's generous.
23. He's good to the cats. When we first got Zoe, she was scared to death of him because he was so tall. So he crawled around the house on hands and knees to give her the grand tour. Now, paws down, he's her favorite. He gives them treats every day just because he thinks they deserve them for being so cute.
22. He makes funny faces to make me smile.
21. He talks to the television.
20. He puts up with my blog without too much complaining. He tells me that he doesn't like to be the butt of all my jokes, but I don't think he is. I post all kinds of embarrassing stuff about myself, and I leave the truly embarrassing stuff about him out.
19. He's awesome with our cats.
18. I can tell him anything.
17. He's predictable. I can tell you what he's going to say or how he's going to react, and almost without fail I am right.
16. He has an amazing work ethic. If he starts something, he's going to finish it, come hell or high water. (Well, everything EXCEPT housework. That he could care less about finishing...)
15. He likes the orange and yellow Starburst, and I like the pink and red.
14. He'll go to the store and buy me personal items in an emergency. (Most guys I know wouldn't do it. J doesn't like to do it, but he will.)
13. He kills bugs for me. Even if I wake him out of a dead sleep to do it. Even if he is complaining the entire time. Even if he is cussing the entire time. He'll still kill them so I don't have to.
12. He goes to high school sporting events with me and cheers for my kids.
11. He loves me just the way I am. He tells me all the time that I'm cute.
10. On long trips he does the driving so I can sleep.
9. He's fun to hang out with.
8. He's cute.
7. He doesn't complain when I buy tons of books.
6. Every once in awhile he'll see "chick flicks" with me.
5. He talks a big game, but he's one of the more generous people I know. He doesn't like people to think he's nice, but he can't really hide it that well.
4. He takes the trash out at night. I'm too chicken to go out to the trash cans after dark, so he'll do it for me.
3. He once bought me a birthday card that said on the outside, "I can be paid not to do my birthday dance." When I opened, a song started playing, and it said, "Too late." When I looked up laughing, J was dancing...and he dances about as well as I do.
2. He loves to have a good time.
and the number one thing I like most about J?
1. He's my best friend.
Happy Birthday, J! I love you!!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Hallmark cards rock, pt. 13
Just one more after this!! For now, anyway...
This is NOT supposed to be a dig at housewives...staying home and cooking for your family (and doing everything else a housewife or stay at home mom does - which I know is a LOT) is a noble thing. I find this card funny because I do as little cooking as humanly possible. I don't mind making sandwiches or cereal, but using the oven?? Forget it.
There's nothing like pointing out the obvious, right?
This one is perfect. There is nothing else to say about it.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Handbook for 2009, pt. 3
We talked last week about the things we should be doing this year to improve our personalities (though none of us really need it, right?). This week it's all about how to improve society in general.
Society
25. Call your family often.
This is something both J and I suck at. We tend to wait for them to call us. We need to make a point of calling at least once a week, if not more. It's hard to be so far away from family and not really know what's going on in their lives. We tend to find out about stuff last...and it's because we don't call.
26. Each day give something good to others.
I try. This is a good reminder for me. Lately I've been feeling like I'm not very nice anymore. So this is something I need to keep remembering. I used to be really good at it, but now I'm not so sure. I'm good to my students every day, but there are days I could be better.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
Oh, boy, is this one hard, too. I can forgive most things, but somethings I just can't forgive that easily. I think if you forgive everyone for everything, you become a doormat. I think that you shouldn't hold things against people, everyone deserves a second chance. But you need to be cautious that you don't start enabling people. Everyone needs to be held accountable for their own choices.
28. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Laughter is the best medicine, right? I find that smiling a lot makes you feel better. I smile all the time. If nothing else, it helps me try to remain positive.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
Well, I don't necessarily agree that it's none of my business. I do agree, however, that I shouldn't worry about it too much. I am who I am, and if you don't like me it's your loss.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Boy, isn't this the truth. And friends can be pretty great. Last year I got strep throat for the first time since middle school. I was miserable. But my friend took care of everything for me. J went to the store and got me the foods I like when I'm sick (Jell-O, 7-Up, and Saltine crackers), and he went to the pharmacy for my drugs.
Society
25. Call your family often.
This is something both J and I suck at. We tend to wait for them to call us. We need to make a point of calling at least once a week, if not more. It's hard to be so far away from family and not really know what's going on in their lives. We tend to find out about stuff last...and it's because we don't call.
26. Each day give something good to others.
I try. This is a good reminder for me. Lately I've been feeling like I'm not very nice anymore. So this is something I need to keep remembering. I used to be really good at it, but now I'm not so sure. I'm good to my students every day, but there are days I could be better.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
Oh, boy, is this one hard, too. I can forgive most things, but somethings I just can't forgive that easily. I think if you forgive everyone for everything, you become a doormat. I think that you shouldn't hold things against people, everyone deserves a second chance. But you need to be cautious that you don't start enabling people. Everyone needs to be held accountable for their own choices.
28. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Laughter is the best medicine, right? I find that smiling a lot makes you feel better. I smile all the time. If nothing else, it helps me try to remain positive.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
Well, I don't necessarily agree that it's none of my business. I do agree, however, that I shouldn't worry about it too much. I am who I am, and if you don't like me it's your loss.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Boy, isn't this the truth. And friends can be pretty great. Last year I got strep throat for the first time since middle school. I was miserable. But my friend took care of everything for me. J went to the store and got me the foods I like when I'm sick (Jell-O, 7-Up, and Saltine crackers), and he went to the pharmacy for my drugs.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
How to paint your fingernails...Amen
My student teacher is working with my freshmen on public speaking skills. The topic we assigned them was "How To" speeches. They could choose any topic they wanted (as long as it's school appropriate, of course) and write their speech. No props. We're more concerned about the speaking skills than the content of the speech.
Yesterday speeches began. One of my lovely freshmen boys, M, is giving a speech on…how to paint your nails.
You heard me, a boy is giving a speech on how to paint your fingernails.
And before you start wondering if he's, you know, gay? Or Goth? Or weird at all? The answer is no. He's a great student. Super polite. Very good natured. In fact, he's the one I wrote about in this blog entry about a story we read in class. A football player, wrestler, and baseball player. Cute. Has a girlfriend. Normal as can be. Well, he's 6'5" as a freshman, and kind of goofy, but other than that, he's perfectly normal.
He spoke way too fast for me to catch all of his speech (which, if I were to be totally honest, wasn't that good anyway), so here are some of my favorite excerpts.
The ... indicates where he talked too fast for me and I missed it.
“Okay, so you know it’s Spirit Week, and you want to get dressed up so that when people see you they’ll be like, ‘Hey, that guy likes Southridge!’…you’ve got your outfit, you’ve got the face paint. All you need now is to paint your nails. But you don’t know how. So you go looking for your mom, but she’s at work. You ask your sister, but she is going to hang out at the mall with her friends. So it’s up to you to figure it out…the most important thing is to find a bathroom – ‘cause it’s private and you can lock it. Because otherwise your little brother might walk in and say ‘what are you doing? That’s retarded!’…you need to do a clear base coat (I’m still not sure why but all the girls I talked to said it was REALLY important)…after you get your nails painted, you’re ready to go to the game and cheer for your team…In sum, you need to get your supplies, find a location, and enjoy the game. Amen.”
The student teacher told him in the future to be careful of the words he chooses (ie retarded), and M knew exactly what he was talking about.
M said, “I was going to say ‘gay’ but knew I shouldn’t.”
His neighbor pipes up with “Yesterday he said ‘homosexual’ when he was practicing with me!”
Man, I love my job.
Yesterday speeches began. One of my lovely freshmen boys, M, is giving a speech on…how to paint your nails.
You heard me, a boy is giving a speech on how to paint your fingernails.
And before you start wondering if he's, you know, gay? Or Goth? Or weird at all? The answer is no. He's a great student. Super polite. Very good natured. In fact, he's the one I wrote about in this blog entry about a story we read in class. A football player, wrestler, and baseball player. Cute. Has a girlfriend. Normal as can be. Well, he's 6'5" as a freshman, and kind of goofy, but other than that, he's perfectly normal.
He spoke way too fast for me to catch all of his speech (which, if I were to be totally honest, wasn't that good anyway), so here are some of my favorite excerpts.
The ... indicates where he talked too fast for me and I missed it.
“Okay, so you know it’s Spirit Week, and you want to get dressed up so that when people see you they’ll be like, ‘Hey, that guy likes Southridge!’…you’ve got your outfit, you’ve got the face paint. All you need now is to paint your nails. But you don’t know how. So you go looking for your mom, but she’s at work. You ask your sister, but she is going to hang out at the mall with her friends. So it’s up to you to figure it out…the most important thing is to find a bathroom – ‘cause it’s private and you can lock it. Because otherwise your little brother might walk in and say ‘what are you doing? That’s retarded!’…you need to do a clear base coat (I’m still not sure why but all the girls I talked to said it was REALLY important)…after you get your nails painted, you’re ready to go to the game and cheer for your team…In sum, you need to get your supplies, find a location, and enjoy the game. Amen.”
The student teacher told him in the future to be careful of the words he chooses (ie retarded), and M knew exactly what he was talking about.
M said, “I was going to say ‘gay’ but knew I shouldn’t.”
His neighbor pipes up with “Yesterday he said ‘homosexual’ when he was practicing with me!”
Man, I love my job.
Monday, April 13, 2009
TGI...M?
Whew! What a busy weekend! I was sick all week last week, and I pushed myself to go in to work every day. But by the time Friday rolled around, I just could not face one more day at school feeling the way I felt. So I called in.
I'm so glad I did. I didn't sleep that much on Friday, but I definitely took it easy all day.
On Saturday morning, I went with one of my friends to a free event at the Convention Center called Responding to Autism. Her son was recently diagnosed with Autism, and this event was to connect parents of special needs children with various resources around the Tri-Cities. I wouldn't say I had fun, but I was very impressed with what's out there. I learned a TON of information, too! Probably the most interesting thing I learned was that even in our small town, we have a pediatric dentist who works with special needs children! There was even a dad's support group there with a booth. The amount of resources available were both amazing and overwhelming. The second most enjoyable booth was the health food store. My friend is going to start her son on a gluten / casein free diet, and was pretty overwhelmed by the thought. However, there were some great cookbooks and awesome samples at the health food booth! I sampled gluten free brownies and waffles, and couldn't tell a difference in taste. The texture was a bit different, but the taste was amazing! (The brownie was not dense...it was a little more crumbly than I expected and a LOT lighter.)
After I was done there, I met J at the mall. He needed a few new knit polo shirts. His other shirts have gotten short over the last few years. So, we set out to get a few shirts and ended up on an all day shopping expedition. I thought I might like a polo shirt, too, so after we finished with J's stuff, we went to look for a polo shirt for me. We had exactly zero luck with a shirt for me, but instead found all kinds of other things! Two great t-shirts, a few camis with lace at the top and bottom, and super cute coral colored jacket, and...a dress.
Yep. I bought a dress.
For those of you who don't know me, you may wonder why this is a big deal. Girls wear dresses, right? Well, let me share a secret with you: I don't. In fact, I had a jumper when I was in high school that I wore with t-shirts. I wore a dress to my high school prom, homecoming, and graduation. So I think I wore a dress a total of five or six times in high school. Then, in college, I wore skirts every so often, but it was rare. No dresses. I got married in a dress five years ago. I haven't even tried one on since then.
Till Saturday. There were tons of adorable dresses out, so I thought I would try one on. I've taken to "humoring" J and trying on a few of the things he picks out, but most of the time I don't like it. However, when we went school shopping at the beginning of the year, he found a few things for me that I loved.
The dresses that I picked out were super cute, but just didn't look right on me. I ended up with the polka dot dress I thought looked dorky on the hanger. It looks AWESOME on.
And J picked it out.
I can't figure that guy out, sometimes, but I'm glad he was there! I did tell him, though, that if I were to buy a dress, he would have to take me out for a fancy date so I would have someplace to wear it! He agreed, and we purchased the dress.
Then, after all of that shopping, we were driving home. As we passed the golf shop, he commented AGAIN that he was interested in getting fit for custom clubs. I told him to turn around, and that now was as good a time as any to just go get some information.
We ended up buying a set. More on that soon.
When all was said and done, we didn't get home until after 8pm. Then I had to give J a haircut because we had plans to meet my dad and step-mom at their friends' house in Yakima for Easter brunch.
Yesterday we drove to Yakima (about an hour and a half away) for brunch with a bunch of people we didn't know. Turned out to be a rather enjoyable day. Then we drove home. It was a lot of driving and a lot of sitting around. I ended up sleeping almost the whole way home.
I'm almost glad it's the week so I can get some rest!
I'm so glad I did. I didn't sleep that much on Friday, but I definitely took it easy all day.
On Saturday morning, I went with one of my friends to a free event at the Convention Center called Responding to Autism. Her son was recently diagnosed with Autism, and this event was to connect parents of special needs children with various resources around the Tri-Cities. I wouldn't say I had fun, but I was very impressed with what's out there. I learned a TON of information, too! Probably the most interesting thing I learned was that even in our small town, we have a pediatric dentist who works with special needs children! There was even a dad's support group there with a booth. The amount of resources available were both amazing and overwhelming. The second most enjoyable booth was the health food store. My friend is going to start her son on a gluten / casein free diet, and was pretty overwhelmed by the thought. However, there were some great cookbooks and awesome samples at the health food booth! I sampled gluten free brownies and waffles, and couldn't tell a difference in taste. The texture was a bit different, but the taste was amazing! (The brownie was not dense...it was a little more crumbly than I expected and a LOT lighter.)
After I was done there, I met J at the mall. He needed a few new knit polo shirts. His other shirts have gotten short over the last few years. So, we set out to get a few shirts and ended up on an all day shopping expedition. I thought I might like a polo shirt, too, so after we finished with J's stuff, we went to look for a polo shirt for me. We had exactly zero luck with a shirt for me, but instead found all kinds of other things! Two great t-shirts, a few camis with lace at the top and bottom, and super cute coral colored jacket, and...a dress.
Yep. I bought a dress.
For those of you who don't know me, you may wonder why this is a big deal. Girls wear dresses, right? Well, let me share a secret with you: I don't. In fact, I had a jumper when I was in high school that I wore with t-shirts. I wore a dress to my high school prom, homecoming, and graduation. So I think I wore a dress a total of five or six times in high school. Then, in college, I wore skirts every so often, but it was rare. No dresses. I got married in a dress five years ago. I haven't even tried one on since then.
Till Saturday. There were tons of adorable dresses out, so I thought I would try one on. I've taken to "humoring" J and trying on a few of the things he picks out, but most of the time I don't like it. However, when we went school shopping at the beginning of the year, he found a few things for me that I loved.
The dresses that I picked out were super cute, but just didn't look right on me. I ended up with the polka dot dress I thought looked dorky on the hanger. It looks AWESOME on.
And J picked it out.
I can't figure that guy out, sometimes, but I'm glad he was there! I did tell him, though, that if I were to buy a dress, he would have to take me out for a fancy date so I would have someplace to wear it! He agreed, and we purchased the dress.
Then, after all of that shopping, we were driving home. As we passed the golf shop, he commented AGAIN that he was interested in getting fit for custom clubs. I told him to turn around, and that now was as good a time as any to just go get some information.
We ended up buying a set. More on that soon.
When all was said and done, we didn't get home until after 8pm. Then I had to give J a haircut because we had plans to meet my dad and step-mom at their friends' house in Yakima for Easter brunch.
Yesterday we drove to Yakima (about an hour and a half away) for brunch with a bunch of people we didn't know. Turned out to be a rather enjoyable day. Then we drove home. It was a lot of driving and a lot of sitting around. I ended up sleeping almost the whole way home.
I'm almost glad it's the week so I can get some rest!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Windygate, pt. 1
About a month and a half ago, we had a crazy windstorm that blew down part of our fence, including the gate on the side of the house. J and his dad took down the rotted out sections and we decided to make the replacement gate much wider so we could pull our truck into the backyard.
They poured cement and set the posts, and then we just had to wait for nice weather to put the gate up.
It's been a long wait, I tell you.
J got so tired of waiting, in fact, that he put the gate frames up in the middle of a hailstorm.
You heard me, in the middle of a hailstorm. Here's video proof.
He's crazy, right?
The fact that he was doing construction in the middle of a hailstorm was strange for two reasons. First, who does that? Other than J, of course? Who else is crazy enough to be outside in the cold and wet putting up a gate? Especially because we don't have pets we are trying to keep in. The gate is purely for cosmetic / privacy purposes. And second, it was the end of March, for crying out loud!! What is up with this crazy weather this year? Hail in March? Really?
Fortunately, once he got the frames up, J decided that enough was enough and he called it quits. He came inside to thaw and warm up. He informed me that he would be waiting for sun before he attempted to face the frames.
Three weeks later, we finally had some sun the first weekend in April. Seriously, for about three weeks now it's been beautiful for a day or two during the week, and then the rest of the week and the entire weekend has been cold and rainy / windy. Finally on April 5 we got some good sun so J and I got to work facing the frames that had been swinging naked in the wind for too long.
To be continued...
They poured cement and set the posts, and then we just had to wait for nice weather to put the gate up.
It's been a long wait, I tell you.
J got so tired of waiting, in fact, that he put the gate frames up in the middle of a hailstorm.
You heard me, in the middle of a hailstorm. Here's video proof.
He's crazy, right?
The fact that he was doing construction in the middle of a hailstorm was strange for two reasons. First, who does that? Other than J, of course? Who else is crazy enough to be outside in the cold and wet putting up a gate? Especially because we don't have pets we are trying to keep in. The gate is purely for cosmetic / privacy purposes. And second, it was the end of March, for crying out loud!! What is up with this crazy weather this year? Hail in March? Really?
Fortunately, once he got the frames up, J decided that enough was enough and he called it quits. He came inside to thaw and warm up. He informed me that he would be waiting for sun before he attempted to face the frames.
Three weeks later, we finally had some sun the first weekend in April. Seriously, for about three weeks now it's been beautiful for a day or two during the week, and then the rest of the week and the entire weekend has been cold and rainy / windy. Finally on April 5 we got some good sun so J and I got to work facing the frames that had been swinging naked in the wind for too long.
To be continued...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Hallmark cards rock, pt. 12
This is getting out of control! I still have two more installments to come with just the cards I purchased last month.
I vow here and now not to purchase another card until I use what I have. Too bad I have no self-control.
Plus, J has seen all of these cards (and helped me pick out many of them) and his birthday is coming up soon. But I will only buy a birthday card for him.
I think.
Enjoy!
This is the third and final design in the set of notecards I got. I like this as well, but really haven't had much of an opportunity to send these to anyone. I still have several.
This is definitely for a Hocking. Not sure it really matters which one as they all like beer.
I LOVE The Antiques Roadshow!! My sister-in-law C and I are so going next time it's in the Seattle or Portland area!
This was too cute I couldn't resist it. I don't know if I'll even be sending it to anyone. It may be destined to live in my card box for years and years and years.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Handbook for 2009, pt. 2
We talked last week about the things we should be doing this year for health. This week it's all about how to improve your personality.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
I don't know that I could say this any better. It's sometimes hard not to compare myself to others,though. But what does it say about my personality when I find myself coming up short rather than the other person? It's better not to compare.
12. Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
If I don't have control over it, it's not worth worrying. A wise person once told me that "Worry is a false sense of control." How true is that? If it's beyond your control, don't waste time on it.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Can someone teach me how to say no? I am forever overextending myself for the benefit of others. While I like to be helpful, it's hard when I agree to too much. If I can't do everything then I feel bad.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
I am almost always the first person to laugh at myself. If I do something embarrassing, I always tell the people around me not to share it with others because I'm embarrassed. Then I turn around and share it myself 99% of the time. I've shared lots of my dumb moments on this blog, and I love to tell stories in person, too.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
I waste a lot of energy on gossip. I wish I didn't, but sometimes it's just too much fun. For the most part, I think the gossip I engage in is nice - it's not mean-spirited. But gossip is gossip is gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
I need to do this, too. I set goals for myself, but they are usually work related. I need to be dreaming more about personal stuff, too. And I miss daydreaming. I have this compulsive need to be doing something all the time now. I need to be productive. In fact, on Monday morning I was complaining about everything I needed to get done during break and J stopped me. He told me that it was okay to do nothing because I was on vacation. It was odd, but I needed to hear that. I needed "permission" to do whatever I wanted to do rather than do what I thought I needed to do. Though I'm beginning to feel a bit guilty that I haven't done much around the house this week, I've needed this time off.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
I agree for the most part. However, envy often drives us to work harder to get something else we want. I would never go into debt over envy, but sometimes, it gives us that little push. For example, I wanted a swimming pool in my back yard. The summers are outrageously hot over here, and I was so envious of my co-workers who spent time in the pools in their back yards. I took on extra responsibilities at work and did a lot of subbing during my prep hour, and at the end of the year, J and I took the extra money I had earned and bought a pool! I don't waste my time worrying about other things, though. Like cell phones or electronics, or clothes. What I've got works just fine.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
This is so hard to do in practice! Especially when you feel like you've been having the same fight for the last twelve years! I don't dwell on these things by any means, but in the middle of a fight, it's hard to forget the past...
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
I totally agree with this one! It has been my theory for my entire life. There are very few people in this world that I hate. It's simply a waste of energy. And, if you are filled with negative energy it's hard to be happy. Life's more fun when you're happy.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
I think I have done this. I have very few regrets in this life. For the most part, I am a pretty darn happy person. I suppose it helps that I have some pretty serious memory issues, too. I can't hardly remember what I had for breakfast, let alone what happened a few months or years ago.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Amen. I wish more people understood this. If more people knew this the world would literally be a happier place.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Hmmm....I don't know if I totally agree with this one. I think that there are a lot of lessons to learn in life, but I think that sometimes you just need to enjoy yourself. Also, I don't know that problems simply appear and disappear. I think we not only bring a lot of problems on ourselves, but we can fix those problems, too. Ignoring them is probably not a good idea.
23. Smile and laugh more.
I love this advice. I try to find the humor in every situation. When you work with kids, if you don't have a sense of humor you're sunk. The more you smile and laugh, the more you enjoy life. I'm all about enjoying life.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Man, I wish I could do this, but I have a hard time with it. I like to win. I like to be right. If I am truly wrong I can admit it, but it happens so rarely that I don't have to admit it very often. Too bad J suffers from the same affliction.
How are you working on your personality this year?
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
I don't know that I could say this any better. It's sometimes hard not to compare myself to others,though. But what does it say about my personality when I find myself coming up short rather than the other person? It's better not to compare.
12. Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
If I don't have control over it, it's not worth worrying. A wise person once told me that "Worry is a false sense of control." How true is that? If it's beyond your control, don't waste time on it.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Can someone teach me how to say no? I am forever overextending myself for the benefit of others. While I like to be helpful, it's hard when I agree to too much. If I can't do everything then I feel bad.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
I am almost always the first person to laugh at myself. If I do something embarrassing, I always tell the people around me not to share it with others because I'm embarrassed. Then I turn around and share it myself 99% of the time. I've shared lots of my dumb moments on this blog, and I love to tell stories in person, too.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
I waste a lot of energy on gossip. I wish I didn't, but sometimes it's just too much fun. For the most part, I think the gossip I engage in is nice - it's not mean-spirited. But gossip is gossip is gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
I need to do this, too. I set goals for myself, but they are usually work related. I need to be dreaming more about personal stuff, too. And I miss daydreaming. I have this compulsive need to be doing something all the time now. I need to be productive. In fact, on Monday morning I was complaining about everything I needed to get done during break and J stopped me. He told me that it was okay to do nothing because I was on vacation. It was odd, but I needed to hear that. I needed "permission" to do whatever I wanted to do rather than do what I thought I needed to do. Though I'm beginning to feel a bit guilty that I haven't done much around the house this week, I've needed this time off.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
I agree for the most part. However, envy often drives us to work harder to get something else we want. I would never go into debt over envy, but sometimes, it gives us that little push. For example, I wanted a swimming pool in my back yard. The summers are outrageously hot over here, and I was so envious of my co-workers who spent time in the pools in their back yards. I took on extra responsibilities at work and did a lot of subbing during my prep hour, and at the end of the year, J and I took the extra money I had earned and bought a pool! I don't waste my time worrying about other things, though. Like cell phones or electronics, or clothes. What I've got works just fine.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
This is so hard to do in practice! Especially when you feel like you've been having the same fight for the last twelve years! I don't dwell on these things by any means, but in the middle of a fight, it's hard to forget the past...
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
I totally agree with this one! It has been my theory for my entire life. There are very few people in this world that I hate. It's simply a waste of energy. And, if you are filled with negative energy it's hard to be happy. Life's more fun when you're happy.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
I think I have done this. I have very few regrets in this life. For the most part, I am a pretty darn happy person. I suppose it helps that I have some pretty serious memory issues, too. I can't hardly remember what I had for breakfast, let alone what happened a few months or years ago.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Amen. I wish more people understood this. If more people knew this the world would literally be a happier place.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Hmmm....I don't know if I totally agree with this one. I think that there are a lot of lessons to learn in life, but I think that sometimes you just need to enjoy yourself. Also, I don't know that problems simply appear and disappear. I think we not only bring a lot of problems on ourselves, but we can fix those problems, too. Ignoring them is probably not a good idea.
23. Smile and laugh more.
I love this advice. I try to find the humor in every situation. When you work with kids, if you don't have a sense of humor you're sunk. The more you smile and laugh, the more you enjoy life. I'm all about enjoying life.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Man, I wish I could do this, but I have a hard time with it. I like to win. I like to be right. If I am truly wrong I can admit it, but it happens so rarely that I don't have to admit it very often. Too bad J suffers from the same affliction.
How are you working on your personality this year?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
To Whom it May Concern
Way back in February I gave my high school seniors an assignment. They were to find a senior citizen to partner with and interview them. My kids are going to create a portfolio with a variety of written and visual pieces that showcases the life of their senior partner. They are only able to do it if they have information, hence the interview assignment. This is the "culminating" project for the English department, so it's a really big deal. If they don't pass this project, they don't pass fourth quarter. If they don't pass fourth quarter, they don't pass second semester. If they don't pass second semester of English, they don't graduate.
Pretty important, right?
That's why I introduced the project right after we got back from Winter Break. Way back in January. It's not due until May. Plus, we are spending most of fourth quarter on it. I have incredibly high expectations on this project, and I don't let kids slide. I make them work their tails off for the entire quarter. I help them through it, for sure, but I make them work hard.
Periodically between January and the last week of March, I reminded kids about the interview assignment. They knew the interview was due on Monday, April 6, when we came back from Spring Break. Every day at the beginning of the hour for the entire two weeks before break I reminded kids their interviews would be due. Every day at the end of the hour for the entire two weeks before break I asked kids when their interviews were due, and they answered in chorus, "Monday, April 6. The day we come back from Spring Break!"
So, since we've talked about it for a million years, and they knew when it was due, wouldn't you think they would have had it ready to turn in?
Yeah, I thought so, too. Unfortunately, though, a rather high number of them didn't.
But life continues on and I don't wait for slackers. So I gave the kids the following assignment.
Assignment: Work on your first planning sheet for Senior to Senior. If you were a senior *slacker and did not do your interview, you are behind and need to get caught up, like yesterday. Today, instead of the planning sheet, you need to write me a note explaining why you didn’t complete your interview and what your plan for completing it is. Be specific, *slackers.
*I start off on the first day of school telling my kids that they can't be slackers. Then I tease them all year long. In my room, "slacker" is a term of endearment. It's a way to remind them their choices are important without lecturing them. One word says it all. Don't think it's mean, though. They know I love them. If I am calling them slacker I am still amused by them. It's when the joking stops and I get quiet and serious and tell them I am disappointed in them that they know it's beyond the time to get serious.*
I got some actual notes with some viable excuses. Then one was hand delivered to me by a charming young man on behalf of his good friend. It was folded in thirds and addressed "To Whom it May Concern." The boys pretended to work while surreptitiously looking at me to see if I read it yet. Curiosity got the best of me and I opened the handwritten letter.
Dear Mrs. Hocking,
Unfortunately last Friday after school my hand got caught in a wood chipper. It just so happened to be my right hand, the one I use to write. Due to some legal issues the reconstructive surgery couldn’t take place until this morning. I’m recovering quickly, though. Nothing should be due the first day back after break!
Sincerely,
K
P.S. I'll interview my grandmother tonight.
After I finished laughing, I told K that if he would just spend a fraction of the time on his work that he spends coming up with excuses for not completing the assignments, he would be acing my class hands down.
I love my kids.
I love my job.
Pretty important, right?
That's why I introduced the project right after we got back from Winter Break. Way back in January. It's not due until May. Plus, we are spending most of fourth quarter on it. I have incredibly high expectations on this project, and I don't let kids slide. I make them work their tails off for the entire quarter. I help them through it, for sure, but I make them work hard.
Periodically between January and the last week of March, I reminded kids about the interview assignment. They knew the interview was due on Monday, April 6, when we came back from Spring Break. Every day at the beginning of the hour for the entire two weeks before break I reminded kids their interviews would be due. Every day at the end of the hour for the entire two weeks before break I asked kids when their interviews were due, and they answered in chorus, "Monday, April 6. The day we come back from Spring Break!"
So, since we've talked about it for a million years, and they knew when it was due, wouldn't you think they would have had it ready to turn in?
Yeah, I thought so, too. Unfortunately, though, a rather high number of them didn't.
But life continues on and I don't wait for slackers. So I gave the kids the following assignment.
Assignment: Work on your first planning sheet for Senior to Senior. If you were a senior *slacker and did not do your interview, you are behind and need to get caught up, like yesterday. Today, instead of the planning sheet, you need to write me a note explaining why you didn’t complete your interview and what your plan for completing it is. Be specific, *slackers.
*I start off on the first day of school telling my kids that they can't be slackers. Then I tease them all year long. In my room, "slacker" is a term of endearment. It's a way to remind them their choices are important without lecturing them. One word says it all. Don't think it's mean, though. They know I love them. If I am calling them slacker I am still amused by them. It's when the joking stops and I get quiet and serious and tell them I am disappointed in them that they know it's beyond the time to get serious.*
I got some actual notes with some viable excuses. Then one was hand delivered to me by a charming young man on behalf of his good friend. It was folded in thirds and addressed "To Whom it May Concern." The boys pretended to work while surreptitiously looking at me to see if I read it yet. Curiosity got the best of me and I opened the handwritten letter.
Dear Mrs. Hocking,
Unfortunately last Friday after school my hand got caught in a wood chipper. It just so happened to be my right hand, the one I use to write. Due to some legal issues the reconstructive surgery couldn’t take place until this morning. I’m recovering quickly, though. Nothing should be due the first day back after break!
Sincerely,
K
P.S. I'll interview my grandmother tonight.
After I finished laughing, I told K that if he would just spend a fraction of the time on his work that he spends coming up with excuses for not completing the assignments, he would be acing my class hands down.
I love my kids.
I love my job.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Where do you think best?
Where do you think best? This may seem odd, but over the past few years I have come to realize that I do my best thinking in the shower.
Seems strange, yes?
I think it's because it is the only place I am not distracted by a million other things. I am forced into quiet reflection because there is nothing else to do. I can't watch television, listen to the radio, read a book, or play with electronic gadgets. J is typically sleeping still, so I can't talk to him. I've tried talking to myself, but that just seems so strange. The cats will hang out in the bathroom, but talking to them is basically like talking to myself.
I have no choice but to think. And, it's amazing the thinking I do while washing my hair! I do my best lesson planning in the shower. I get my thoughts organized and finalized. I make plans and set goals.
And all of this in the ten-fifteen minutes it takes me to shower.
If Obama wants to spring for a bigger hot water heater, I just may be willing to tackle a few problems for him!
Seems strange, yes?
I think it's because it is the only place I am not distracted by a million other things. I am forced into quiet reflection because there is nothing else to do. I can't watch television, listen to the radio, read a book, or play with electronic gadgets. J is typically sleeping still, so I can't talk to him. I've tried talking to myself, but that just seems so strange. The cats will hang out in the bathroom, but talking to them is basically like talking to myself.
I have no choice but to think. And, it's amazing the thinking I do while washing my hair! I do my best lesson planning in the shower. I get my thoughts organized and finalized. I make plans and set goals.
And all of this in the ten-fifteen minutes it takes me to shower.
If Obama wants to spring for a bigger hot water heater, I just may be willing to tackle a few problems for him!
Monday, April 6, 2009
1983 - The Missing Year
Awhile back I did a post all about Hallmark Christmas ornaments. I shared that while I love all ornaments, I particularly love Hallmark ornaments. It's tradition in my house. Every year since I was born, I've received at least one Hallmark ornament and some years as many as four or five.
In that same post, I shared that I had spent a day organizing and cataloging all of my ornaments. During that day of organizing, I realized that I was missing my ornament from 1983. I wasn't too worried, because I knew it would be at my mom's house buried with all her Christmas stuff. I just planned to go through her ornaments next time I visited.
When I was working out with my friend L, I happened to mention that it was the only year I was missing from my entire time on this planet. We had talked about my ornaments before, and she mentioned that she had purchased Hallmark ornaments in the past for her kids, so I brought my Collector's Guide over for her to look through. After that day, though, we didn't talk about it anymore.
Fast forward to my birthday. J and I were meeting friends to dinner out (L and her husband, and my friend LS and her husband). J was meeting us after work. Since L and her husband just live up the street from us, she picked me up so that J and I would only have one car at the restaurant.
In the car on the way there, L handed me a present. When I opened it, it was all I could do to not cry. You see, after our conversation about ornaments, L got online and found me not one, but two 1983 Hallmark ornaments.
Amazing.
The first one she picked out for me didn't arrive in a box. She knew from our conversation that the boxes are an important part of the collection, so she got back online and ordered a second one. For the first one, she used her fancy embroidery machine to make an envelope for me to store it in. (I was too lazy to go find my camera to take a picture of this one, and since it is clear, it just didn't scan well. So I got online and stole a picture from "Hooked on Ornaments" - ignore the red writing going through the ornament.)
This is the envelope she made for me. It's homemade lace. How cool is that? (I put a piece of paper in it so that it would scan better.)
This is the front of the other ornament.
This is the back of the other ornament.
So, now, even if I don't find my original ornaments from 1983, my collection is complete. Thanks, L!
In that same post, I shared that I had spent a day organizing and cataloging all of my ornaments. During that day of organizing, I realized that I was missing my ornament from 1983. I wasn't too worried, because I knew it would be at my mom's house buried with all her Christmas stuff. I just planned to go through her ornaments next time I visited.
When I was working out with my friend L, I happened to mention that it was the only year I was missing from my entire time on this planet. We had talked about my ornaments before, and she mentioned that she had purchased Hallmark ornaments in the past for her kids, so I brought my Collector's Guide over for her to look through. After that day, though, we didn't talk about it anymore.
Fast forward to my birthday. J and I were meeting friends to dinner out (L and her husband, and my friend LS and her husband). J was meeting us after work. Since L and her husband just live up the street from us, she picked me up so that J and I would only have one car at the restaurant.
In the car on the way there, L handed me a present. When I opened it, it was all I could do to not cry. You see, after our conversation about ornaments, L got online and found me not one, but two 1983 Hallmark ornaments.
Amazing.
The first one she picked out for me didn't arrive in a box. She knew from our conversation that the boxes are an important part of the collection, so she got back online and ordered a second one. For the first one, she used her fancy embroidery machine to make an envelope for me to store it in. (I was too lazy to go find my camera to take a picture of this one, and since it is clear, it just didn't scan well. So I got online and stole a picture from "Hooked on Ornaments" - ignore the red writing going through the ornament.)
This is the envelope she made for me. It's homemade lace. How cool is that? (I put a piece of paper in it so that it would scan better.)
This is the front of the other ornament.
This is the back of the other ornament.
So, now, even if I don't find my original ornaments from 1983, my collection is complete. Thanks, L!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Stereotypes
We all know that stereotypes are generally bad, right? Of course there are always exceptions to every rule, but for the most part, stereotypes are unfair and paint people in a bad light. They are usually not even true.
But here's the thing: every stereotype has a grain of truth, no matter how small, right? They don't just come out of nowhere. Let's look at one and examine it a little closer. Take a second and think of all the stereotypes you know about Italians.
Ready? Here's the list I came up with:
1. Loud
2. Intense
3. Vocal - Not afraid to voice an opinion
4. Mob / Mafia connections
5. Love food
6. Huge families, and huge family gatherings
7. Passionate
I'm sure that we could come up with more, too, if we tried. Okay, now that we have a list, I want you to think of all the Italian people you know. I would be willing to be that at least one or two of these stereotypes applies to them. Am I right? I bet you noticed, too, though, that at least one or more of these stereotypes applies to you. I am Croatian and J is Cajun, and several of these stereotypes fit both of us and our families, too.
But like I said before, not all stereotypes apply to everyone in the group that's being stereotyped. However, because there is just enough truth in a stereotype to make them plausible, it's really hard to combat them.
Take, for example, cheerleaders. There are TONS of stereotypes about cheerleaders. One of the most prevalent is probably the stereotype that they are dumb blondes, right? Now, before you get mad at me and tell me you were a cheerleader, or your best friend was, understand that I know it's not true of all cheerleaders. I know this is especially not true of SHS cheerleaders. In fact, the cheer squad for winter sports didn't have a single blonde on it. Not one. They also have an average g.p.a. above a 3.2. Many of them take multiple AP classes and do very well in them.
So wouldn't you think that smart cheerleaders who know the stereotypes would want to do everything in their power to prove them wrong?
Answer me this then: how can they knowingly and intentionally do the following two cheers:
1. Let's get a little bit rowdy.
R-O-W-D-Y.
Go Suns!
and 2. R-O-W-D-I-E,
that's the way we spell rowdy.
Rowdy. Let's get row-dy.
(Complicated hand clapping routine follows.)
How on earth can they do TWO cheers about the same word and spell it differently each time?
Do you want to tell them they are doing nothing to dispel the myth? That in fact they are perpetuating it? Or should I?
But here's the thing: every stereotype has a grain of truth, no matter how small, right? They don't just come out of nowhere. Let's look at one and examine it a little closer. Take a second and think of all the stereotypes you know about Italians.
Ready? Here's the list I came up with:
1. Loud
2. Intense
3. Vocal - Not afraid to voice an opinion
4. Mob / Mafia connections
5. Love food
6. Huge families, and huge family gatherings
7. Passionate
I'm sure that we could come up with more, too, if we tried. Okay, now that we have a list, I want you to think of all the Italian people you know. I would be willing to be that at least one or two of these stereotypes applies to them. Am I right? I bet you noticed, too, though, that at least one or more of these stereotypes applies to you. I am Croatian and J is Cajun, and several of these stereotypes fit both of us and our families, too.
But like I said before, not all stereotypes apply to everyone in the group that's being stereotyped. However, because there is just enough truth in a stereotype to make them plausible, it's really hard to combat them.
Take, for example, cheerleaders. There are TONS of stereotypes about cheerleaders. One of the most prevalent is probably the stereotype that they are dumb blondes, right? Now, before you get mad at me and tell me you were a cheerleader, or your best friend was, understand that I know it's not true of all cheerleaders. I know this is especially not true of SHS cheerleaders. In fact, the cheer squad for winter sports didn't have a single blonde on it. Not one. They also have an average g.p.a. above a 3.2. Many of them take multiple AP classes and do very well in them.
So wouldn't you think that smart cheerleaders who know the stereotypes would want to do everything in their power to prove them wrong?
Answer me this then: how can they knowingly and intentionally do the following two cheers:
1. Let's get a little bit rowdy.
R-O-W-D-Y.
Go Suns!
and 2. R-O-W-D-I-E,
that's the way we spell rowdy.
Rowdy. Let's get row-dy.
(Complicated hand clapping routine follows.)
How on earth can they do TWO cheers about the same word and spell it differently each time?
Do you want to tell them they are doing nothing to dispel the myth? That in fact they are perpetuating it? Or should I?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Hallmark cards rock, pt. 11
Here are a few more cards I've recently added to my collection.
You can see the rest of my Hallmark card collection by going to the list of labels on the left side of this page and clicking on Hallmark Cards. It should bring up a page with all of the previous posts. (So much easier than trying to put in all of the links like I used to!)
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
This was another card in the box of note cards I bought. It's the last one I have of this design.
This I don't particularly enjoy, because potty humor is not really my thing, but it is perfect for my step-dad.
This one is SO my sense of humor. It may be for J because, as we all know, he's freaky tall...
Not sure who this is for, but I like the definition cards. There's another one in one of my first Hallmark posts.
Friday, April 3, 2009
knowing me, knowing you - April
A few months ago, Shan from Tales from the Fairy Blogmother started a new interview post. She invited everyone to play along each month. So, here it is, the April installment of Knowing Me, Knowing You!
#1 Who does the grocery shopping in your family?
I would like to say that both J and I share this chore, but if I were to be totally honest, J does the vast majority of the grocery shopping in our house. I’ve never really talked to him about it, it’s just sort of naturally happened over the last five years. When we were first married and moved into the house, we used to go together all the time. Then, I started staying home more and he started going alone. I think it’s most likely because we do the grocery shopping on the weekends, and that’s also when I do most of the laundry for the week. Perhaps it started because I couldn’t leave the house one day while the washing machine was running? Truth be told, shopping together is an exercise in patience, and I am not that patient anymore. Awesome as he is, J has a few bad shopping habits that drive me absolutely crazy. For example, even if we have a list, he insists on walking every single aisle, just to make sure we didn’t forget something. I do not have the patience to do that anymore. If we were going to do that, why did we waste time writing out a list? The other thing he does while shopping is conveniently disappear while I am standing in line. Unless he is the only one there and has no choice, the man is apparently allergic to standing in line. After speaking with his mom, though, I know he comes by it honestly. His dad suffers from the same affliction. Mom H and I have talked about how embarrassing it is to be talking to your spouse only to turn around and find he’s disappeared. And you would think that a seven foot tall man would be easy to spot, but he’s chameleon-like. Once he’s gone, I can’t find him until he wants to be found.
I guess the short answer is that J does the majority of the shopping, but I do the majority of the putting away, and I’m typically doing laundry or dishes or some other chore at home while he’s doing that one.
#2 Are you watching American Idol? If so, who are you picking to win it?
I hate this show. I’m really not sure why. I think it’s because the judges are SO mean. I tried watching a few years ago, but I just couldn’t get interested. This is rather odd when you consider my addiction to reality television – you’d think I’d be all over a show like this. But I’m just not. I also hate Dancing with the Stars, but I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance. Don’t ask me why…I really don’t know.
#3 What is your favorite type of fruit?
I pretty much love all fruit. My top favorites are green apples, green grapes, and Satsuma oranges (the little Japanese tangerines). I will eat nearly all fruit, though. Except bananas. Though every once in a long while I will cut up a banana over my cereal. Oh, and I don’t really like blueberries that much. Also at the bottom of my list is cantaloupe. Pretty much hate cantaloupe. Oh, is coconut a fruit? I hate that, too.
#4 Are you a night owl or a morning person?
Definitely a morning person. This is hard because J is the definition of a night owl. (I guess we know who will be responsible for babies in the middle of the night! If and when we ever have them, that is.) I love to be up before everyone else and getting stuff done. It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something cool. The only place I find myself sleeping in, oddly enough, is at my in-law’s house. I usually wake up kind of early, but then I read while I wait for J to get up. Then, I give up waiting on him and get in the shower. That usually wakes him up and we venture upstairs long after the rest of the house has gotten up. Well, except for C. She sleeps in late.
#5 When you’re sleeping, do you have your socks on or do you take them off?
This has changed for me. When I was a kid, I had to have socks on. Now I have to take them off. If my feet are cold, though, and I put socks on, I have to put on a clean pair. It can’t be the ones I wore and stretched out all day. They have to be snug in order for me to be able to sleep. When I am camping, though, and sleeping in a sleeping bag, I typically need to have socks on. Not sure why. I just sleep better when I do.
So there we have this month’s "Knowing Me, Knowing You" installment. Thanks Shan! If you want to play along, visit Shan's blog for directions.
#1 Who does the grocery shopping in your family?
I would like to say that both J and I share this chore, but if I were to be totally honest, J does the vast majority of the grocery shopping in our house. I’ve never really talked to him about it, it’s just sort of naturally happened over the last five years. When we were first married and moved into the house, we used to go together all the time. Then, I started staying home more and he started going alone. I think it’s most likely because we do the grocery shopping on the weekends, and that’s also when I do most of the laundry for the week. Perhaps it started because I couldn’t leave the house one day while the washing machine was running? Truth be told, shopping together is an exercise in patience, and I am not that patient anymore. Awesome as he is, J has a few bad shopping habits that drive me absolutely crazy. For example, even if we have a list, he insists on walking every single aisle, just to make sure we didn’t forget something. I do not have the patience to do that anymore. If we were going to do that, why did we waste time writing out a list? The other thing he does while shopping is conveniently disappear while I am standing in line. Unless he is the only one there and has no choice, the man is apparently allergic to standing in line. After speaking with his mom, though, I know he comes by it honestly. His dad suffers from the same affliction. Mom H and I have talked about how embarrassing it is to be talking to your spouse only to turn around and find he’s disappeared. And you would think that a seven foot tall man would be easy to spot, but he’s chameleon-like. Once he’s gone, I can’t find him until he wants to be found.
I guess the short answer is that J does the majority of the shopping, but I do the majority of the putting away, and I’m typically doing laundry or dishes or some other chore at home while he’s doing that one.
#2 Are you watching American Idol? If so, who are you picking to win it?
I hate this show. I’m really not sure why. I think it’s because the judges are SO mean. I tried watching a few years ago, but I just couldn’t get interested. This is rather odd when you consider my addiction to reality television – you’d think I’d be all over a show like this. But I’m just not. I also hate Dancing with the Stars, but I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance. Don’t ask me why…I really don’t know.
#3 What is your favorite type of fruit?
I pretty much love all fruit. My top favorites are green apples, green grapes, and Satsuma oranges (the little Japanese tangerines). I will eat nearly all fruit, though. Except bananas. Though every once in a long while I will cut up a banana over my cereal. Oh, and I don’t really like blueberries that much. Also at the bottom of my list is cantaloupe. Pretty much hate cantaloupe. Oh, is coconut a fruit? I hate that, too.
#4 Are you a night owl or a morning person?
Definitely a morning person. This is hard because J is the definition of a night owl. (I guess we know who will be responsible for babies in the middle of the night! If and when we ever have them, that is.) I love to be up before everyone else and getting stuff done. It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something cool. The only place I find myself sleeping in, oddly enough, is at my in-law’s house. I usually wake up kind of early, but then I read while I wait for J to get up. Then, I give up waiting on him and get in the shower. That usually wakes him up and we venture upstairs long after the rest of the house has gotten up. Well, except for C. She sleeps in late.
#5 When you’re sleeping, do you have your socks on or do you take them off?
This has changed for me. When I was a kid, I had to have socks on. Now I have to take them off. If my feet are cold, though, and I put socks on, I have to put on a clean pair. It can’t be the ones I wore and stretched out all day. They have to be snug in order for me to be able to sleep. When I am camping, though, and sleeping in a sleeping bag, I typically need to have socks on. Not sure why. I just sleep better when I do.
So there we have this month’s "Knowing Me, Knowing You" installment. Thanks Shan! If you want to play along, visit Shan's blog for directions.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Handbook for 2009, pt. 1
I wish I could take credit for the inspiration of this post, but I can't. A few weeks ago one of my colleagues sent me this Handbook for 2009 in an e-mail. I have no idea where it came from, but I'm guessing it's been all over the internet recently.
Health
1. Drink plenty of water.
I've been trying to do this recently, but it sure gets tiring running to the restroom all day long. Though my intentions are good, I'm not always successful. But I'm trying.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Again, good advice. Unfortunately I do this all wrong, too. I usually don't eat breakfast (I know it's terrible...don't yell at me...) and I sometimes don't get a balanced lunch. It all depends on what my day is like at school. J and I suck at regular grocery shopping. Right after we've been, I have lots of healthy choices for lunch and things are good for a week or so. Then we need to go shopping again, and we don't always do it right away. So then I eat lunches consisting of whatever I can get my hands on. Then we are out of food, basically, and I don't eat lunch unless I can get to the cafeteria. Believe it or not, that doesn't happen very regularly, either, so a lot of times I don't eat lunch. Suffice it to say, by the time dinner rolls around I am starving. Once you have a bad habit in place it's really hard to break it...but this is something I'm working on still.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Such good advice, but so hard to do during the school year. During the summer it's easier for me because I can go to the grocery store more regularly.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
I've got the Enthusiasm and Empathy down...the Energy part is slowly coming. It's been helping that I have been working out five days a week with one of my friends. At least twice last week I didn't want to do it, but I forced myself. I was glad I did after the fact, too. I'm trying!
5. Make time to practice meditation and yoga.
Hmm. Not sure this is going to happen. In fact, pretty sure it's not going to. I'm too busy running to the rest room because of all the water! And I'm just not that patient.
6. Play more games.
Totally agree. J and I have an entire closet full of games that we hardly ever use. And just the other day he asked me if I wanted to play Cribbage with him and I turned him down. I should have agreed. Maybe I'll see if he wants to play tonight.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
Always a worthy goal...but I don't keep track of how many books I read. I should do that. It would be interesting to see how many I actually read. In the last week alone I have read seven or eight... Granted none of them were "hard" reading. They were mostly chick lit books and a few young adult novels, but I've been reading like crazy lately.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
This is hard for me. Why is it so hard? If I could do this perhaps I could work on the meditating bit. Although, while this is hard for me, it's nearly impossible for J. Unless we are sitting in public at a restaurant, he talks all the time. When we are in public, though, I practically have to bribe him to talk. Go figure.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
I do manage to do this most days. There are times when I need more than this and other times when I get by just fine on less. But I would say I average seven hours a night.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
I don't always walk, but at least five times a week I have been working out. We ride the stationary bike and use the rowing machine or walk every day. Twice a week we have been lifting weights, too. My friend's husband is a PE teacher and strength coach, and he has worked out a schedule for us. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but I don't really. I'm thankful for the routine, and I'm committed to it, but if I didn't have my friend to talk to during the work out, I would probably not do it so often.
What are you doing for your health this year?
Health
1. Drink plenty of water.
I've been trying to do this recently, but it sure gets tiring running to the restroom all day long. Though my intentions are good, I'm not always successful. But I'm trying.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Again, good advice. Unfortunately I do this all wrong, too. I usually don't eat breakfast (I know it's terrible...don't yell at me...) and I sometimes don't get a balanced lunch. It all depends on what my day is like at school. J and I suck at regular grocery shopping. Right after we've been, I have lots of healthy choices for lunch and things are good for a week or so. Then we need to go shopping again, and we don't always do it right away. So then I eat lunches consisting of whatever I can get my hands on. Then we are out of food, basically, and I don't eat lunch unless I can get to the cafeteria. Believe it or not, that doesn't happen very regularly, either, so a lot of times I don't eat lunch. Suffice it to say, by the time dinner rolls around I am starving. Once you have a bad habit in place it's really hard to break it...but this is something I'm working on still.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Such good advice, but so hard to do during the school year. During the summer it's easier for me because I can go to the grocery store more regularly.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
I've got the Enthusiasm and Empathy down...the Energy part is slowly coming. It's been helping that I have been working out five days a week with one of my friends. At least twice last week I didn't want to do it, but I forced myself. I was glad I did after the fact, too. I'm trying!
5. Make time to practice meditation and yoga.
Hmm. Not sure this is going to happen. In fact, pretty sure it's not going to. I'm too busy running to the rest room because of all the water! And I'm just not that patient.
6. Play more games.
Totally agree. J and I have an entire closet full of games that we hardly ever use. And just the other day he asked me if I wanted to play Cribbage with him and I turned him down. I should have agreed. Maybe I'll see if he wants to play tonight.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
Always a worthy goal...but I don't keep track of how many books I read. I should do that. It would be interesting to see how many I actually read. In the last week alone I have read seven or eight... Granted none of them were "hard" reading. They were mostly chick lit books and a few young adult novels, but I've been reading like crazy lately.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
This is hard for me. Why is it so hard? If I could do this perhaps I could work on the meditating bit. Although, while this is hard for me, it's nearly impossible for J. Unless we are sitting in public at a restaurant, he talks all the time. When we are in public, though, I practically have to bribe him to talk. Go figure.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
I do manage to do this most days. There are times when I need more than this and other times when I get by just fine on less. But I would say I average seven hours a night.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
I don't always walk, but at least five times a week I have been working out. We ride the stationary bike and use the rowing machine or walk every day. Twice a week we have been lifting weights, too. My friend's husband is a PE teacher and strength coach, and he has worked out a schedule for us. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but I don't really. I'm thankful for the routine, and I'm committed to it, but if I didn't have my friend to talk to during the work out, I would probably not do it so often.
What are you doing for your health this year?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Art on the Boulevard, featuring Mom H!
I've talked before about my mother-in-law, and what an amazing artist she is. I thought I would take this opportunity to brag on her just a little bit more. At any given time she has her work hanging in at least two galleries I am aware of (plus she hangs different themed paintings in the local tea house and maybe one other place?). Throughout the year she has many different art shows she goes to as well.
I LOVE looking at her artwork. Several times she has updated her portfolio for different art shows and has brought it with her when she and Dad H have come to visit to show us her new stuff. I don't like to bother her and ask if I can see it, but when she brings it out, I get so excited! If I could, I would probably sneak into her art studio every time I'm at her house to just check out what's new.
J gets a kick out of how much I love his mom's art. He loves her art, too, but he's seen it his whole life. It's just not as thrilling to him as it is to me. I'm such a huge fan of her art, in fact, that J and I have no less than twelve prints of her paintings. I've given my mom a print, my sisters each a print, my dad and step-mom a print, and one of my friends got one, too!
Nobody in my family has that kind of talent. One of my aunts can draw pretty well, but I haven't seen her draw on anything other than lined notebook paper when we were kids. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't think she really does any "serious" art. It's more doodling when she's bored.
Anyway, Mom H. recently shared some exciting news! She (and about 11 other artists) are opening a new art gallery in their town. It's to be called Alcove Art Gallery, and will be a co-op. They will be open for business on April 17, and will have a grand opening on May 8. When their website is up and running, I'll share the address.
She is still a member of Art on the Boulevard in Vancouver, WA. Some of her artwork was featured in the advertising for their new show.
She sounds crazy busy right now. Between art shows, opening a new gallery, and putting new art in the old places, I don't know how she has time to do anything! But I am looking forward to seeing her new stuff.
I LOVE looking at her artwork. Several times she has updated her portfolio for different art shows and has brought it with her when she and Dad H have come to visit to show us her new stuff. I don't like to bother her and ask if I can see it, but when she brings it out, I get so excited! If I could, I would probably sneak into her art studio every time I'm at her house to just check out what's new.
J gets a kick out of how much I love his mom's art. He loves her art, too, but he's seen it his whole life. It's just not as thrilling to him as it is to me. I'm such a huge fan of her art, in fact, that J and I have no less than twelve prints of her paintings. I've given my mom a print, my sisters each a print, my dad and step-mom a print, and one of my friends got one, too!
Nobody in my family has that kind of talent. One of my aunts can draw pretty well, but I haven't seen her draw on anything other than lined notebook paper when we were kids. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't think she really does any "serious" art. It's more doodling when she's bored.
Anyway, Mom H. recently shared some exciting news! She (and about 11 other artists) are opening a new art gallery in their town. It's to be called Alcove Art Gallery, and will be a co-op. They will be open for business on April 17, and will have a grand opening on May 8. When their website is up and running, I'll share the address.
She is still a member of Art on the Boulevard in Vancouver, WA. Some of her artwork was featured in the advertising for their new show.
She sounds crazy busy right now. Between art shows, opening a new gallery, and putting new art in the old places, I don't know how she has time to do anything! But I am looking forward to seeing her new stuff.
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