Happy Friday!!!

Soooo  I have to get my boasting out of the way first.  I managed to haul my butt out of bed early this morning for my run.  So the 2014 (minus 19) run streak continues.  I usually run in the afternoon, but Rich is meeting me for a date night tonight so I won't be home until really late.  We are celebrating an anniversary of sorts...(Love you honey)  We are going to eat sushi at our favorite place and then coming back to my school for our annual Coffee House.  It is sort of an open mic night of skits, songs, poems and the like.  Andrew was always a big participant of this event playing in some songs and being a member of the house band.  I will miss seeing him play, but I have lots of students performing so it should be a great evening.

My favorite musical group Pentatonix have posted a new video of a favorite of mine.  Now they are not my favorite group just because I met them on a flight into LAX and became BFF's.  I actually LOVE their stuff.   So I thought I'd share this new one with you.   It is an absolutely beautiful A Capella song.  All five of the members of the group are singing even the beat boxer.  Such a musically talented group of kids and they ALL grew up singing in their high school choir.  Love that!!



They published the sheet music to this song and my choir is working on it.  I'll have to post a video when we get it learned.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Happy Hodgepodge

 

 

I am linking up with Joyce today for the weekly hodgepodge.  Click on the button above and join in on the fun.  You'll do the happy dance for sure!!

 





1. It's  been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself today? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?

I TOTALLY agree!!  I have even stopped using that blasted alarm and am waking up to a new favorite song.  Pharrell's Happy.  It is from Despicable Me 2.  You really can't go wrong with hearing this song first thing in the morning.  I'll try to attach video:


I do like to exercise in the morning...gets the blood moving!!

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?

Totally in...uh, have we met??

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling recently?

Math in general and why people can't just be nice?  I mean seriously situations arise and you can either make it a party or a tragedy either way the situation is going to happen.  Do you get where I am coming from?

4.  Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite kind of puzzle, and when did you last work one?

I LOVE the LA Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle.  Try to do it every Sunday, cancelled the paper so it is harder than usual to get it.

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things, she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying house work and real work are equally important. You can read the whole piece by clicking here.

What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?

I say to each her own.  We are not equal  I can nurse an infant and they can pee standing up.  Just because we are not equal in all areas doesn't mean we both aren't important.  I am a working woman who brings home a significant chunk of our household income, but I am telling you I also know how to keep a house running too, and I KNOW my family would be significantly worse off if I didn't have both of those skills.  I also have a husband who appreciates me and pulls his own weight in both of those areas too.  There are many MANY people who get paid a lot of money and don't do "real work" and then there are teachers :) (and mothers)

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?

hmmmmm the Chocolate covered Peanut Butter filled pretzels from Trader Joes.  I believe the reason I haven't tried them yet is very obvious!!

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week in 1832 (January 27th).  Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a linkto a character list if you need help on this one. 

The Cheshire Cat...a clear headed cat he must have a lot of good advice.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

As long as I have Chocolate and Peanut Butter, an important role in my household, karaoke, the Sunday Times Crossword Puzzle, nice people and Pharrell waking me up in the morning all is good.  I am sure the Cheshire Cat would agree!!

More Later

- A Ro

Two-fer Tuesday

OK so it is Tuesday which usually means that nothing exciting is going on around these parts.  Just the usual school, work, dinner, lunches, homework, you know the drill.

But...

Today is no exception.

Yeah, I sat here trying to think of something exciting to write about but it really is just a normal day.

But.

If I call this post Two-fer Tuesday I only have to think of two exciting things going on and call it good.  I really am still trying to live in the moment and enjoy the everyday life so I am not bummed it is just a normal day, just stating the facts.

1.  Tonight's dinner will be Black Bean Burgers with Sriracha Aioli from Cooking Light.

It is a vegetarian type burger and I love this meal...one of my favorites.  I have fallen in love with Sriracha sauce.  It is a spicy Asian sauce that is really good.  I am not a fan of spicy but I love a little of this.  It is what they use in Spicy Tuna Rolls.  The other reason I love this meal is because Sarah, my picky eater in the house, LOVES this meal.  I have a menu board inside my pantry cupboard and she always looks on it to see if this meal is on the menu for the week.  Super easy and really good.

2.  I have been really on this fitness kick.  I have my fitbit one, myfitnesspal ap, my heart rate monitor, and my digifit ap.  They all link up together and it makes this information junkie happy.  I have been on a running streak known as 2014 (minus 19 days) running streak.  Now, I have found this website it is called Greatist.  They have a workout of the day, recipe of the day, challenge of the day, and all sorts of articles about well being.  Today they have a really great recipe for bread that I am going to check out.  The thing I really love is it doesn't push perfection.  Here is what they promote on the website:

We don't tell you what healthy means. Instead, we celebrate choosing whatever healthy means to you!

We believe you deserve better than what's out there. That's why we're obsessed with writing the highest-quality articles on the Internet. And why we're as obsessed with making them friendly and actionable. Because that’s how health should be.  We know healthy is happy. And that healthy can be fun!  You don't have to be the greatest all the time, just a greatist one healthy choice at a time. So here’s to healthy.

I follow the Twitter feed and it links up to all sorts of good articles.  

So there...two healthy topics of discussion and no mention of that darn CBEST test that is looming.

sigh...

More Later

- A Ro

Monday, Monday (la la la la la)

I really hope that all 6.5 of you that read my blog are getting my reference to the Mama and Papa's song in my Monday title.  It is really the best I can do.

Yeah...OK

So the big weekend news is that I am desperately trying to master all of math before my CBEST test on Thursday afternoon.  Let me tell you this is a very difficult task.  I mean c'mon I did all of this stuff at least 100 years ago.  Here is a sample question:

Now really all I can think of after reading the first two words is man I really need to workout and continuing on I think about juice.

Yeah, I am not a math person...I know this because it says it right in the elementary school section of my baby book.

I wish more questions were like this one:

I mean, seriously.

This weekend I continued on my scrap booking catch up project and we are now up to the summer of 2004. This new focus has only caused me much sorrow as now I have to look at pictures of Andrew at the age of 9 and Bella at the age of 4.  Truly heartbreaking.

Rich and I took our usual Saturday morning walk to Panera Bread for a power sandwich and about a 3 mile round trip walk.  I LOVE our walks. We have known each other a VERY long time and we still find a lot of stuff to talk about.  Love that guy.  And not just because he has TOTALLY picked up the slack while I have been trying to figure out what time the train would get into the station if it had to travel up hill both ways and it was a leap year.

We went to see some student directed One Acts at my school on Saturday night.  I have some very talented students.  Again Rich came along and it was so cute when the director of the program thanked him for coming and he said "Well she is here (pointing to me) where else would I be".  He did get dinner at Chuy's which included an amazing amount of chips and salsa and a Pacifico so...

Sunday was the usual cleaning (studying) baking cookies (studying) grilling (studying) grocery shopping (studying)...no biggie.

I have managed to keep my 2014 (minus 19 days) run streak going.  I actually love it and am getting faster.

I can't believe I actually said that

my brain is mush

I also got a text from my sister-in-law Michelle and she told me that the book I got Joesph for Christmas is a hit so I thought I'd share it here in case you are looking for a good book for a First Grader.  

-

Now mind you they read it together at night, so I am pretty sure he isn't reading it on his own.  I am also pretty sure that he is probably reading a lot of the words, as he is my nephew.

Just don't make him do Math.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 4

Once more I am posting this on the go. But nonetheless this is my week.

Sunday January 19 2014


We had a fire tonight. It was the perfect night. I love sitting out by our fire pit.

Monday January 20 2014

I made a Cooking Light recipe tonight Chicken and Leek Pot Pie.

Tuesday January 21 2014



Another new recipe. Beef Noodle Soup. It resembles Pho.

Wednesday January 22 2014

The 2014 (minus 19 days) run streak continues.

Thursday January 23 2014

This is me studying hard for the math portion of the CBEST test and Bella being cute. Yucky and awsome all in one picture.

Friday January 24 2014

Soccer...again.  She scored the only goal on her team.  She has scored in each of her games so far.  BELLA!!!
 

Saturday January 25 2014

Abby's DeeDee who lives in Arkansas put this picture up on Facebook today. So cute.

Sunday January 26 2014

An accurate picture of my life today. Math. Yuck.

More Later

- A Ro
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Flashback Hodgepodge

A little late with this weeks Hodgepodge, but I am here now!!

Head on over to Joyce's and link up your answers!!

1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's  Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it?  Do you like to bowl? Are you any good?
I remember growing up and going with my dad to his weekly bowling league.  It was a lot of fun to hang out there...probably a very midwestern thing.  Bowling is something that I could take or leave.  Not ever going to own my own shoes or ball or anything like that.

2.   Should sports stars be role models?
OK...yes in theory they should be role models.  Most of them are determined, dedicated, healthy, tenacious, people and those are qualities that I would love to instill in my students and kids.  However, the ones who seem to get all of the attention are overpaid, spoiled, entitled, crybabies that I wouldn't want my students and kids to touch with a ten foot pole (or ten mile pole for that matter).

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats?
Just blogged about my Crockpot oatmeal recipe I got from Skinny Mom.  Put the stuff in on Saturday night and eat it Sunday morning.  I, unfortunately, like my oatmeal on the sweet side which means a lot of added sugar.  I do like oatmeal but it needs to be "just right".

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?
I have been obsessed with Bill Bryson.  He is from Iowa and more specifically Des Moines, where I grew up.  He is so super funny and has a neat take on history.  I am currently reading his The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid and look forward to some of his other ones.  He actually lived in London for a good chunk of time from what I understand...maybe Joyce should take a peek too.  However, I am sure her reading list is very long.

5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?
Thank goodness you figured it all out before it was too late.

 6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?
Anything with Chevy Chase...no seriously.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?
All the things that I hoped wouldn't come back into fashion...high waisted shorts and jeans, bell bottoms, big hair, skinny jeans, etc...already have.  Not sure what is left.  Maybe leg warmers.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Growing up in Iowa in the 80's has made me appreciate bowling, Chevy Chase, Bill Bryson, super sweet things and the fact that  I should never wear big hair, skinny jeans or leg warmers again.  Thank goodness I figured that all out before it was too late.

More Later

- A Ro

Oh to Have a Four Year Old Again

So once again it feels like a Monday but it truly is a Tuesday which just puts me closer to the weekend than I think...yeessss

We were back at it today as it is the first day of the second semester around these parts.  Bella is getting final exams back and that process is not as painful as we anticipated...phew.  I am seeing kids for the first time in weeks and that is a little painful...sigh.  They all have seem to have forgotten how to raise their hands.

I love my job and my students and I am sure by tomorrow we will be back at full steam.

My sister sent me these pictures of what fun she had on her day off yesterday with her daughter Abby.  Abby saw a YouTube video on how to make My Little Pony cupcakes.

probably shot by a woman who has no kids and way too much time on her hands as evidenced by her need to put all of the Ponies "cutie marks" made from fondant on one of the cupcakes

Thankfully Abby was in a compassionate mood and didn't insist on the fondant cutie marks.  I fear that if she did a YouTube ban would be strictly imposed at Kate's house.

Oh...the headache of the prep.

But oh that face, I am fairly certain Kate nailed the color matching.

Yep...nailed it. 

I love how she poses now with her cheek on her shoulder.  I think it is a 4 year old princess fan thing as Bella did the same thing in all of her posed pictures of 2004.

The final product.  A-mazing job Kate and Abby.

Abby sings AND likes to bake.  I think she needs to spend a significant amount of time with Aunt Amy when she grows up (or now)...whatever.

More Later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone