iRan it All

The Hot Chocolate 5K event was an overall success.  It was my first race ever, the goal was to try and not walk at all.  I didn't and finished in 39:39.  This was also Benjamin's first 5K race since middle school cross-country is usually 1.5 - 2.1 miles, however he struggled with a cramp and had been fighting some upper respiratory discomfort all week.  He still came in ahead of me.  Ethan came in 4th in his age group for his second 5K attempt with a time of 27:18 and Fox took first in his age group but had a hard time accepting congratulations since his time was 22:19 and he has been trying to get under 20 minutes.  Since running in the cold is no easy task I'd say everyone did well.  Those putting the race together did a fine job and thankfully the blizzard held off until just after the race ended as we drove home in a near white-out!  Fun times. 

Outside my Window:  A covering of fresh snow has made the world crisply white again and the sun is making an occasional appearance.

What's on my Mind:  Making a tough choice about how to handle after school choir.  I am going to be starting a new job in a couple weeks and may need to cancel choir due to a less flexible schedule.  Very torn.

Thankful for: Grace, Inspiration, and Namaste Yoga.  I recently took the plunge and purchased Season One of Kate Potter's series which I love, unfortunately I lost access to it when we changed television providers.  Now I have it any time I want and practice 4 to 5 days a week depending on my schedule.  It has such an organic flow to it and is very well constructed and instructed.  I highly recommended it, great for all levels.

Creative Endeavors: Started working on a new box collage which is sort of a Zen activity for me and I haven't indulged for some time.  The top photo is one I made years ago and the lower is from a Fair project a short time back.  Perhaps I'll post the new one if it's ever finish....

Latest Project: Saturday Drama class!  Amount of students keep changing and hence so do our script selections.  Hoping to get things finalized this week and pray everything sticks!

My 3 Sons: Fox completed what he needed to for his next year's schedule AP English Prep 11, Pre-Calc, Physics, AP Chemistry, AP US Government, Economics, Drafting and 3D Design are his preferred classes.  Hopefully they won't use any of his alternates.  Track season will begin in a couple weeks.

Benjamin and Ethan are gearing up for their spring sports.  Just got the sign up information for baseball (travel this year) and soccer.  The plan was to return to North Branch Rec Soccer but Ben keeps whining to me he wants to go back to AYSO.  It just not going to be feasible with me working more.  I need to keep everything as local as possible.

The first Born:  Ecstatic over the amount she is getting back in taxes!  I was floored to see her even text the word 'Savings' when I sent her the news.  Use it wisely grasshopper.

Employment News:  Just so as not to jinx it, no official announcement yet but here's a hint.

Hoping to Improve:  General office organization and house declutter.  The declutter has been a work in progress for quite some time and has been greatly improving, so much so my son even made a comment about it recently to the effect, "it's definitely lookin' a lot better around here."  But for some reason I can never keep my office together and end up with piles.  I get caught up moving from one project to another and never close things down properly, mind you I know what is in every pile if I need to retrieve something.  Little by slowly I shall make amends.

Food for Thought: Love is the most powerful resource we have. We were all born with an unlimited supply of unconditional self-love within us. Yet many people spend their entire lives searching for that love somewhere else.  From Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words:

iMade it

Outside my Window:

What's on my Mind: Keeping it all together. Staying on an even keel but being ready to ride out the waves when life brings about rough waters.

Thankful for:  A fine youth production and decent audiences.  It's always a challenge in our Michigan winters to have a performance Jan. to March.  We got a nice write up in the newspaper as well.  Click HERE to view.

Creative Endeavors:  Trying out new healthy recipies.

Avocado/smashed white beans/cucumber/sprouts on multigrain bread.

Payaya/Mango/Banana/fresh Orange Juice smoothies

Kale/Garlic/Mushroom/Wheatberry Soup

Latest Project:  Getting things ready for the first 4H Feeds Families meeting at the end of the month.  Being in the Radio Western Show at the Pix.

My 3 Sons:  Fox is currently working on getting signatures and getting his schedule ready for next year.  He's decided against Ed-Tech and Dual Enrollment, instead concentrating on taking as many AP classes as he can possibly cram in.

Benjamin needs a change of environment and a new activity to get his energies into.

Ethan was part of the Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr. cast and did a wonderful job as 'Bill' for his solo plus a great part of the ensemble pieces as well.  He may do a part in the Radio Westerns also.  Cast list isn't out yet.  Below is a photo that appeared on the front page of our local paper.

The first Born:  Had a rude awakening.  Electric bill - over $300 for a one-bedroom apt.  Investigation showed it to be a meter reader error.  Whew.

Employment News: Pending.

Hoping to Improve:  Yes.  One way is my first 5K this weekend!

Food for Thought: When you step out of the process of dieting and into the process of health, the number of pounds you weigh takes a backseat to making moment-by-moment choices in favor of life.  ~from The Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words:

Peace be with you.