The Work Is Cut Out

I have decided that I need a farm. I need to grow stuff. I'd like to raise animals. I keep dreaming of green places. Is the Utah winter getting to me? Perhaps, yet I'd like to think of this thought process as a clue phone to finding a balance between work and play. 

R-r-r-r-i-ing! R-r-r-r-i-ing! (says the clue phone)

"Hello?" I answer.

"Yes, this is your life calling. Stop running in circles and do something. Find a patch of earth and grow stuff. Bring your family to green pastures."

"Uhm, ok. Let me figure this out. Give me a little time."

"Yah. Don't take too long! Your children are growing and they need this." (clue phone rings off)

 

Can this bring sustenance and fulfillment in a worldy sense, yet in a spiritual sense as well? I'm looking into it...wish me luck. I've got a lot to do. 

Well, now.

I must say, I am a lame blogger. It has been several months since I posted, even though I thought for sure I would get to this more often. Let's just say a few things have changed since July. Then again, a few have not...

1. I do not teach first grade anymore. In November, I was moved to the middle school when another teacher had to move because her husband got transferred. So, now I teach 6th, 7th, & 8th grade literature, composition, and grammar. I also teach 8th grade economics and US history. I teach a combined speech/debate class for these grades as well. It has been a good move for me and I am really enjoying my classes. I don't know if Noah is as happy, as I am now his teacher for a few subjects! 

2. I am an avid CrossFitter and have allowed running to take a back seat in my overall fitness goals. I am still running 3 times a week, and I admit that my priority is my CrossFit workout each day. I am soooo much stronger, both physically and mentally, and have leaned out a bunch without really changing my eating. Plus, I can do pull ups! 

3. I am a grandma. Yes, it is true. Little Lily Ann Goodwin was born in September and is a lovely addition to our family. It is so much fun to spoil her with loves and new dresses! hee hee! When she grows up a bit, I will ply her with sugar and send her home with annoying electronic toys!

Things that are the same: I am still planning on doing the Ironman in May, we still live in American Fork, my children are all healthy & happy and doing well in their areas, and I am still at Challenger School.  

My challenges for the next few months are to get enough sleep to be a decent (even good!) wife & mom, to stay on top of things at work (it sure takes longer to grade compositions for 8th grade than it did for 1st grade!), and to get training time in for that Ironman.  Can I do it? Yah, sure! Why not??

What I've Learned Recently...

I have to say that this won't be a comprehensive list, but I do have a few things I'd like to share. Here goes:

1. If your socks get eaten by your shoes, but you don't want to stop to fix them because you are running quite smoothly and nicely and things just seem so right (other than the socks, of course), stop and fix them anyway. Blisters are terrible things when you've still got 4 miles to go!

2. When something is bothering you, say so. If you can't make yourself say so, don't let it bother you. Easier said than done, I assure you, but it is soooo worth the effort!

3. A time may come, perhaps, when you need something. I believe there are two options on this one.  You can (a) figure it out, or (b) ask for help directly.  So, if you cannot bring yourself to ask for help, you have the other option. If you cannot figure it out, really and truly, then by all means, ask. The worst thing that can happen is that the person you ask will say no.  Not the end of the world. Bonus: both options are better than just staring at said person until they guess what it is that you need.

4. Just because a person can run marathons does not necessarily mean one is in shape. Things like pull-ups (even jumping ones), burpees, and deadlifts can bring tears to the eyes!

5. Root beer kombucha is gross.

Well, that is about the size of it.  This may not mean anything to anyone else but me, but I am so okay with that!

P.S. Classic picture: Dave & I on our honeymoon, 13 1/2 years ago! Go us!!!!

I'm Sore!

Oh my! I know that people work out all the time, and people do lots of hard things that make them tired. But I gotta tell you, I did a new kind of workout on Monday and I am STILL sore. The bummer is that the parts that are sore are the ones I use all the time! Yah, it's true: my arms and shoulders are dead. Still.

Writing on the whiteboard at school. Ack. Pulling staples out of the bulletin board. Wince! Putting on sunscreen. Yikes...and all I did were a few push-ups, dips and fake muscle-ups! And now, I am a doddering old lady! That means I am out of shape in more ways than I care to admit! 

Today, we did front squats. Dave called my workout "an old, fat man's workout." So, I guess my new persona is an old, fat man. 'Cause it kicked my bum. Literally!  So, now, besides my arms, shoulders, triceps, biceps, and RIBS being sore, add to that my bum, quads, and hamstrings! I stumbled around today, running into things and moving ever so slowly.  But here's the weird part: I want to go back for more!!  

YAH!

BRING IT ON, GRANDMA!! (that's me, by the way. In just a few months now!!)

Oh, wait! I am an old, fat MAN, remember???? So, 

BRING IT ON, GRANDPA!!

(tee hee!)

ps. that is me, on my wedding day, in 1995. How does one go from that to an old, fat man? I ask you...

I've Returned....

Well, well, well.  After over a year of silence, I have finally decided that I shall once again post! I know you all may have lost faith in me, but this year has been a constant stream of upheavals and transitions. I'm not done with all of that, believe me, but the time has come to stop putting off the inevitable, suck it up, and tell my news.

It is funny, now that I have started in again and people have long since asking me if/when I am going to update my blog, I don't feel like I have much to say.  Yet, when I start thinking of the year that I have had, I realized that I have accumulated all sorts of new random facts and ideas.  Here are a few:

1. 99% of preschoolers pick their noses openly.  While staring straight into your eyes.

2. The picking of said noses does NOT indicate boredom or spite. It simply means that the picker simply wants his/her nose free of obstructions.

3. Throwing up on one's preschool teacher does not lead to embarrassment of the vomiter. It leads to endearment and trust of the vomitee.  This I know from personal experience.

4. Going back to work after 12 years of at-home mommy-ing makes one slightly grouchy and tired.  But we all get used to it! It is kind of like when we send our children to all-day school for the first time, and for a couple of weeks, they need naps again.

5. Children say hilarious things all the time, if you're listening.

6. First grade children can do lots more things that 3-year-olds, and, for the most part, with the same amount of innocence.  Bonus:  they still like picture books and to be read to in silly voices.

7. It is somewhat funny (to me) when your own (usually older) children start making their own life choices, and then HAVE TO LIVE WITH THOSE CHOICES.  My favorite:  "I think our rent is too much! We still have to pay it, right?" 

8. Weddings are fun when you get there, but not as much fun to do the legwork to get ready for one!  (PS: the "perfect" orange colour is ever so elusive!!!)

I realize I am starting to ramble, but there is so much to say now that I have gotten going!  Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming grandma-hood that I am about to embark upon, and the Ironman that I, in a state of temporary insanity, have signed up for (luckily, I have a year to lament/train).  Love to you all!!!!!

Anj