Sunday, August 17, 2014

Sunday Inspiration: New Year, New Look, and Rambling Thoughts

No- I know it's not the new year but it is a new school year and I was playing with another blog (a teaching blog that is "private" for now as I figure out if I want to do anything with it) and ended up playing with templates.  After doing that I decided to play here.  It was free but I am just trying to figure out if it is "too much".

I just realized we are halfway through August and have not done my August "new thing".  Any suggestions?  I have no clue!

School has started- it's been crazy busy.  We are on an extended day so the students are there until 3:30 and that means teacher contract time is 4:00.  I haven't been home before 6:30 any evening this week between chiropractor appointments and running errands and staying after school.  I am still feeling a little overwhelmed so show me grace in my lack of posting please. :)


Part of the feeling overwhelmed has been brought about by falling into the comparison trap.  I follow several teaching blogs on BlogLovin', FB and Pinterest.  I see all of the pretty pictures on Pinterest of classrooms.  I see my co-workers' classrooms.  Life has been crazy enough that my classroom is not where I want it but I had to let go of a few things.  Well, looking at these pictures has led me to feeling inadequate as a teacher.  I know (and someone pointed out on FB) that it's not about what the classroom looks like- it's about what goes on inside the classroom but that doesn't change the fact that I feel like my room is blah.  I need to do some cheap (thrifty- or free) fixes that won't take a lot of time.  I need NEED/WANT to have a life outside of school this year and with already leaving later it has been rough already…  Any thoughts?  Any ideas?


The chiropractor- has been my back's saving grace these last few weeks- I had to move a lot of boxes and furniture and in the process I have been dealing with a serious stiff back and possibly one that's out of alignment (based on how it has felt and the noise it has made during adjustments- serious snap, crackle and pop going on).  Unfortunately the stiffness and lack of flexibility/pain I have had has seriously limited any exercise.  I had great intentions on Tuesday for getting a run in but right as I would have changed and left- the rains came down!  Hopefully I can shoot for this Tuesday instead.

So- my question for you- how do you avoid falling into the comparison trap?











Monday, August 4, 2014

Living Life

This post is going to be a mish-mash of "information".  A conglomeration of sorts of all that has gone on this summer!

Let's start with June:
June brought a trip to Ohio and Indiana.  It also led to my new "adventure" for the month- my new thing that I did for June was paddle boarding.  I did not make it to the standing up part but hopefully the next time I'll be a bit more confident and get it.


I got to watch my nephew play baseball and spend some much needed time with my mom and dad.


July brought volunteering for the Pilot Fireball Classic.  It's a race I ran last year but was not prepared for this year.  I still have not been consistent with my running- I am still dealing with some heel pain and issues so probably need to make it to a doctor but have held off at this point (quite honestly, I am sick of doctors).  I also was still working to find out some results of medical tests- the bottom line- my labs came back completely normal so nobody is sure what is going on and I suppose I just need to be more diligent in my choices.  It would help I suppose if I were more motivated to exercise but at this point I am still working on that.

My July adventure was a trip to the Elizabeton/Johnson City area for my friend Crystal's grand opening at her studio.  I traveled with my friend Glenneth.  It was a Monday night and we left around 2 (got back around 11ish).  We did 5 different 30 minute classes including a Piloxing class (which was new to me). There were two dance classes and two strength/cardio classes along with the Piloxing class.  My Heart Rate Monitor isn't working right now so I have no clue how many calories I burned but it was a lot- I had sweat pouring off!  Crystal's studio is called Train Dirty Fitness and she has an amazing line up of classes and instructors!  If you are in the area you should check it out!


July also consisted of moving my classroom from my PreK room to my first grade room, working on setting that up and completing many hours of training- in July alone I did about 33 hours.  I also started back to work on Thursday- kids to come on August 11.

So, there you have it- a synopsis of my summer.  It's been busy- but a good busy.  I had another part of this post that I was going to put in here but it's long enough so that will be another post for another day (which is a good thing).  Hopefully I can make some time to get it posted this week!


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Sunday Inspiration- We were Made to Thrive

I have been in the car and in my classroom a lot the last couple of weeks, traveling to trainings, visiting with family, and working to get set up for this year and this song gets me every time.  Especially this part:

We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Read more: Casting Crowns - Thrive Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


For so long it seems like I have been in survival mode and am not thriving in many areas of life.  I think that's why this song resonates in my heart and has become one of those songs that I have put on repeat.  I don't want to live an ordinary life- I want to grow, I want to be, I want to thrive.  Now that I have determined that- it's time to make it a focus and a goal.