Tears and goosebumps

I don't claim to be a runner. I don't run for competition. Truly, I run for me (well and my family). Most of the time, I run to clear my head. It really started this past summer while I was laid off (and still am) when a gal I worked with had the audacity to complain to me about the new job she got and how little it paid. Ummm, hello-you're bringing home a pay check right?! Then STOP  complaining. I digress...that day, I put on my shoe and went for a run to clear my head. I took my phone and ran to some music. There were a few tears shed during that run, mainly tears of frustration and when I got home, I felt so much better.

Lately, I've been training for a 10K run that I am running with two of my best girlfriends. (Love you gals!!) I've been setting goals each week-run 3 times, with a long run on the weekends. Back in May, I could barely run a mile without stopping. I run with my phone and the Nike+ app. I set a goal for my run and then off I go. My "trainer" comes on during my run and tells me my time and pace at each mile. Last week, I ran for the first time ever in the rain-and I went out purposely. I ran a short run and at mile 1, I was above my average pace, but not by much. I made a goal to push it a little harder and see if I could beat my mile pace. At the end, I knew I was going to be close, so I pushed even harder. I reached my goal and she came on with my new mile pace-almost 10 seconds faster than my usual! I got goose bumps all over. I even did a little jump/fist pump on the sidewalk (I am sure people driving past thought I was INSANE, but I didn't care).

Last weekend, I had a goal to run 4 miles. I had downloaded a new 10K training app and had chosen my workout goal (run 10 minutes, walk 1-repeat 4 times) and set my distance goal to 4 miles. Off I went-running and running and running and running....I thought 10 minutes should've been up, so I looked which I usually don't do. I had 6 minutes to go....WTF, that's a long 10 minutes. So during my walk, I checked again and realized I'd set my program to a 15 min run/1 min walk. WHOOPS!! But, rather than start over, I went with it. Those 15 minute runs were a little brutal. I was tired at the end of each one and my pace was getting slower and slower. But I didn't care....I was going to do this. Mile 1 chimed in. Mile 2 chimed in. Mile 3 chimed in! Sonya Richards Ross piped in and told me to keep pushing and I was almost at my goal. I got goose bumps all over. I was going to meet my goal and exceed it. Finally, my training app told me to begin my cool down. I checked my Nike app and had run 4.4 miles. It was my farthest run EVER!! I cried a little. 

Tonight, I ran after being down for 2 days with a cold. I hadn't run since Saturday and I needed a good run. Heck, I didn't even need a good run, I just needed a run. So I ran-a short run (I didn't want to over do it) and it felt good. I had the wind at my back for my first mile or so. It was a beautiful fall day with the sun beginning to set against the clouds with a great breeze (well really 20-30 mile an hour wind gusts). It was amazing. At my first mile, my trainer pops in with my time and pace. I'm a little over. Oh well. I run my second mile into the wind and at times I feel like I am running in place-literally RUNNING IN PLACE. I neared the end of my run and knew I wanted to push it at the end. I passed my distance goal of 2.25 miles and made it to 2.3. At the end of my run, Lance Armstrong came on and congratulated me on my fasted mile ever. SAY WHAT?!?! Looking my my app, I'd run a 9:30 mile! I cried a little, did a jumping fist pump and grinned like the Cheshire Cat for the rest of my cool down. 

Like I said before, I don't call myself a runner. I don't run for competition, I run for me. Sometimes I run when I'm angry and sad. I always feel better when I do. I've actually started to crave a run. When I was down with my cold Monday and Tuesday, Jason had to force me to not run. I'm glad he did-it would have been a BAD idea to run with how terrible I felt. But, I missed it. I had to run tonight. Thankfully, I felt much better and could breathe again. I'm glad I ran-and ran my fastest mile yet! 9:30. Now I've got another goal to beat. This weekends goal is 5 miles. I won't run all of it, I'll stop and walk a while during my run. I'm good with that. As long as I can make that 5 mile mark, I'm good! I've got my route all mapped out and am ready for the weekend. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm excited to run 5 miles.

Being a mom...

Being a mom changes you. Life no longer is all about you. It's about the little people who love you unconditionally at all times. Things have been tough lately, being laid off sucks. I've been trying my best to be happy and put on a brave face, but sometimes that all just breaks down. Thanks to my hubby, I've been living vicariously though him and his classroom. (I spent Tuesday ripping down his 9 year old bulletin boards and today replacing them with much nicer, new ones.)

I'm already digressing...

Today we had open house, it was a tough day for me to not be in my classroom and getting ready, greeting my new students and meeting parents. It just doesn't seem right to not be with students. So, after open house, we met the hubby for dinner and debriefed about our days. Nothing too amazing, just typical open houses, I just had mine completely as a parent instead of as a teacher.

As I was putting mini me to bed tonight, I was putting some lavender essential oil on some irritation in his armpit. As the oil dripped onto his skin, he giggled. Everything just melted away. All my anguish, my sadness...it disappeared with that laugh. He laughed and nothing else mattered. That's powerful.

I thought about how my life has changed since the boys came along. Pregnancy was wonderful (most of the time) and the moment those two little people entered the world, my whole life changed for the better. Now, when I have a tough day, all I need is a laugh or some love from those little men in my life. Being a mom changes you.

A first time for everything...

For the first time in my short 9 year teaching career, I will not report to work tomorrow. I guess part of me hoped that I'd get a small miracle and get called back. However, that just didn't happen.  I can't think of a fall that I didn't go to school, either as a student or as a teacher and this just sucks. (I'm done mincing words-it SUCKS!!!) My students would probably cheer to hear me use language like that, or they are going "Mrs. SHIKE!! I didn't allow them to use language like that in our classroom. I went and helped the hubby get his room ready today-I ripped down all his old bulletin boards and we got new ones up. It felt good-like it should. But then I came home and realized it wasn't mine and it just made me sad.

I put on a brave face and try and get through my day, but I struggle inside. It doesn't make it easier-knowing that there are games being played all over the place. I've applied for over 100 jobs (87 different postings in many different districts) and have had 2 interviews-one of which I was a token interview. It's disheartening to know that I am a good teacher, I work hard and I can't work this year. Not that I physically can't, but that I am unable to find a job where I can showcase my talents.

I've actually considered leaving educating all together, but I just can't. It's my passion, my love and my life (second to my family of course).  So those of you headed to your jobs tomorrow-if you aren't doing what you love, why do it? Find your passion and work it! Those of you who love your jobs, congrats-I envy you. I want to go to work-I really do. I'm tired of games and being treated like a number. I want to do what I love and love what I do.

Sometimes I wonder how completely selfish people really are.  The oldest boy is turning 6 this week. We’ve been planning his birthday party for about 3 weeks. He picked Lego’s and we got a great birthday kit with invites, thank you’s name tags and Lego men as a party gift. He’s been so excited. He picked ten of his friends from school to invite to his party.

We had it at home. That was probably our first mistake; not having it at some commercial place like Chuck E Cheese or something similar. We’ve been planning and planning. We’ve been prepping and prepping. We drew Lego faces on 30 yellow dinner plates and 30 yellow dessert plates. We drew Lego faces on 14 yellow bags. We made Lego waters. We made a Lego pull string pinata. We cleaned the house. We ordered 12 Lego cupcakes. We got fruit and veggies for snacks. I made popcorn-per his request. We reserved the coolest balloon artist ever (www.BigBalloonTycoon.com). We’ve been working so hard to get this all ready.

Wednesday I started to worry. We’d sent out the invitations almost 3 weeks ago, and I still hadn’t heard one RSVP from anyone. I put my cell number and my e-mail. No one called to RSVP. Not one. Hubby and I talked Thursday about my fear. We were both worried. I had taken my personal day and got all out running around done. We worked hard to get all the stuff ready. Friday comes and goes-we’ve still heard from no one. We got most of our final prep done and the birthday boy went to bed--VERY excited.

This morning-it’s party day. He’s up early and UBER excited. We spent the morning making out final preparations, running around and cleaning up the house. Hubby called the neighbors to invite them over as well. He explained our fears about the day. They’re already coming to our family party next week. Now they are coming twice. They are awesome people!

1:00 comes, the neighbors arrive. The kids start playing. They’re having fun. It’s 1:15-they are still the only ones here. !:30, 1:45, 2:00. The ballon guys arrives. He’s carrying at 3 foot tall Optimus Prime. Birthday boy is elated!!! He starts making balloons for the kids. They are thrilled because he makes the coolest stuff. Birthday boy is still in the shade talking to his Dad. “I wish my friends were here.” Just writing it breaks my heart. He was sad. We made the best of it. They talked about how lucky he was to have the girls there, how he was getting some seriously awesome balloons, how his friends were missing all the fun. He was still sad. (Thankfully Dad handled this one-I would have been a mess.)

3:00 comes and the Balloon Tycoon heads out. We’re so amazed at the balloons the kids have. He was AWESOME! The girls hung out for a while longer to play. They played the Lego game we’d planned and prepped and had fun. They played together with the Legos.

Our worst fears were realized today. Not one parent RSVP’ed to his birthday. Not one kid showed up that we invited. We did our damnedest to make the best of it for him. We put on our happy faces and complained about it away from him. Overall, we made sure he had a great day.

I however, am PISSED!!! It’s not my money or time I am put out about. It’s the fact that my kid was disappointed. He’s hurt that his friends didn’t come. I don’t blame his friends. I blame their parents. Those kids are six. I know they can’t drive or call to RSVP to a party. That’s their parents responsibility. If they couldn’t make it, they should RSVP, if they were going to come, they should RSVP. I punt an RSVP on the invite-I gave two ways to contact me-phone and e-mail. I got nothing. R.S.V.P. stands for a French phrase, "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which means "please reply." The person sending the invitation would like you to tell him or her whether you accept or decline the invitation. That is, will you be coming to the event or not? I don’t feel like I asked for much. I asked for you to tell me if you were coming to my almost 6 year olds birthday party. I didn’t ask for a kidney. I didn’t ask for a pint of blood. I didn’t ask for you to murder anyone for me. I asked for an RSVP.

I ask parents to put themselves in my shoes next time you get an invite for one of your kid’s friend's birthday parties. Will you have the common courtesy to RSVP? Are you man or woman enough to talk to the host?

I feel like too many people in today’s society are too selfish. It’s all about them. No one thinks of other people’s feelings any more. People only think of themselves. Next time, think of the little person who will be disappointed. Think about their fragile little egos. Think about the fact that these little things mean the world to them. Give a few minutes of your time and RSVP to a party. It’s the polite thing to do.

Super simple dinner

As a mom, full time teacher and wife, I am always looking for quick, simple, healthy and budget friendly dinners. I've become a bit of a nut about using canned or jarred ingredients, so if I have to I like to try and use natural or organic when I can. This dinner fits the bill.

Undone Stuffed Pepper Saucepan Casserole

2 large green peppers
1/2 pound ground turkey or chicken
1/2 pound ground beef
1 jar Newman's Own Marinara Sauce
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 Cook rice according to package directions. While the rice is cooking, chop the green peppers in to bite size pieces. Sautee hamburger until cooked through. Add peppers and cook till crisp tender. Into the pan, add the jar of sauce and the cooked rice and cook about 5 minutes. Toss cheese on top and cover until melted. (I am usually to impatient to wait for it to melt and just stir it in.)

 This easily feeds my family of 4 with PLENTY of leftovers.

Enjoy! Andrea

Poo free?! YUP!

I've battled itch, flaky scalp for years--years! I've tried many, many remedies to help with it, but to no avail. I've used just about everything I could think of over the years-from the expensive to the cheap and nothing--I mean nothing--has worked. I love wearing black and dark colors, but hate brushing my shoulders off 100 times a day--and now, since I teach middle school, it's even more important to keep this under control--teenagers can be ruthless you know. So over break, I began doing some research on what causes itchy, dry scalp--lo and behold, what did I find? IT'S MY SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER AND OTHER ASSORTED HAIR PRODUCTS!!! Wait--hold the phones, all the stuff I use in my hair is causing my scalp to be dry and flaky--well, maybe? So I began doing a little more diggin into this topic. I found many people have gone "poo free" in hopes of remedying their hair woes. Poo free-you mean you don't wash your hair?? Yup, that's what it means. In one of the blogs I was reading, she compared shampoo to dish soap-I certainly wouldn't wach my hair with dish soap! So I continued my digging and found that using baking soda and apple cider vinegar is just as, if not more effective than shampoo. I decided to give it a try. So this morning, I mixed up my "shampoo" and "conditioner" and headed to the shower. I "washed" and "conditioned" as part of my normal shower routine, it didn't feel weird at all, but I was skeptical. Would my hair really feel clean? Would it be soft and manageable? Would it smell? So I toweled off and ask the hubby to sniff my head-he didn't notice any weird or offensive odors. Success #1. I dried as normal with my blow drier and my hair was soft and it did feel clean!! Success #2 AND #3!!! This is looking promising. I didn't use any product in my hair today, just teased the back a bit and went about my business. All day, I kept touching it and checking, still soft and still there. Now, I know this is going to take some time, but I am willing to try it and see. I'll keep you posted! Recipe for "shampoo" 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 cup water Combine in container with lid and shake well till soda is dissolved. (I do think a bottle with a squirt top would work best, I used a lunch type storage container and had a hard time getting it on my hair-a bath toy of the boys served well for this purpose!.) Conditioner 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 1 cup water Mix well. **See above note about a container!

FINALLY!!!

After a long (and sometimes difficult) summer, I've finally been called back. I'll be teaching 6, 7, and 8th grade Language Arts and 7th grade social studies at a middle school in Kenosha. It was news I'd been waiting for all summer. We'd been preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Thankfully, we're going to be okay and will continue on with the nice little nest egg we've built over the summer.

The news of my new position bring some trepidation and nerves, but from what I've heard, the school is great. With Carter starting kindergarten this year, we're now busily looking for after school care for him.  We think we've found a spot, but will have a little more research to do on Monday.