The Day after Valentine's!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's! I made homemade valentines for my students with wax paper and crayon shavings. I even made a few heart crayons from melted crayons put into heart molds for my husband! It was so much fun. (I much prefer handmade cards than store bought ones.) It was quite a surprise to get a heart-shaped waffle maker from my husband. I love how he always knows what to get. I love pancakes and waffles!

We had plans to eat out last night at La Piazza, a fancy Italian restaurant nearby, but the reservations were full. We went out tonight instead. The food was delicious. I ordered Chicken Mozzarella with pomodoro sauce. Yum, Yum! My husband's looked really good too. It was Smoked Chicken Ravioli.

It was a wonderful night, just to get away for the evening and treat ourselves to something great!

Little Black Dresses

I have always been fascinated by those who wear little black dresses. Especially, my three younger sisters. They all have one and look just divine in them. I do not have a little black dress. I never really felt as though I could pull it off, so I never bothered. However, until I found this beautiful poem written by another young woman on her blog, (http://wearelosingitblog.blogspot.com/), did I find myself thinking that maybe I should invest in a little black dress. It is as follows:

My Little Black Dress

The closet is a very personal place. Some like to keep it cleaned out while others choose to save a few pieces from every size they have ever been or hope to be.

Mine is of the "keep it clean" variety. Seeing sizes that do not fit only serve as a bitter reminder of what I am not. I get rid of them. Needless to say, the face of my closet has changed quite a bit over the years--an eerie reflection of the body whose clothes it contains.

However, through all the times I have pulled, donated and trashed, one article has remained. My little black dress. I have not worn my little black dress in 10 years, but I can never bear to part with it. It hangs quietly and humbly in the very back of my closet. It has never mocked me in the way the other garments did.

You see, the little black dress represents a hope. A small but promising hope that resides deep within my heart of hearts. A hope that has never given up on ME.

The little black dress is waiting on me, cheering me on--it always has been. Today it has moved from the deep, dark recesses of my closet and mind to the very front and center of the same. I will wear this old and faithful friend again--soon. And when I do, I may never take it off.

I hope that you have a little black dress. They say everyone should.

 I will have to save for this little black dress, but I am most definately sure it will be worth it!

New Widget: Daily Mile

I thought that I would upgrade myself by adding a widget to my blog - the daily mile. I was told that it is amazing and sure enough, I agree!  It is such an excellent way to record miles so I can share with you my progress. I wish I knew about this sooner. Oh well, now I will use it! (I have ran more than 4 miles just so you know :) This is just since Monday. I will have to include now Tues and today)

Spirit of the Marathon - Marathon Movie Trailer

I want to share with you this amazing trailer and website. It was inspiring to me. (I want to get a copy!) In fact, if you have not noticed, a lot of things are inspiring to me. I love to hear, view, and share stories that have strengthened and given me hope -acknowledging that all things are for our experience and good. I marvel at other's abilities to overcome trials, beat the odds, and accomplish tasks that were at first undefeatable. I think to myself if they can do it, why not me too?  I encourage you to take a look at it. You might realize that you can run a marathon too! (It is my goal for next year!)
Spirit of the Marathon - Marathon Movie Trailer

Cabin Fever!

Three consecutive snow days, at first seems so exciting, but I have a terrible case of cabin fever! I am sure that the students are loving it. However, I am aching to go back to school. I have a long list of things to accomplish but just have not been able to do them. I am not very good at completing tasks sometimes. I start three and get overwhelmed then do not finish any of them in the time I want. Then of course, I get upset at myself and the cycle unfortunately happens again. Ridiculous, I know. Any advice to organizing, please let me know!

It has been nice though to walk outside and try to run without killing myself on the icy and snowy roads. It has been difficult. My journey to the Cleveland 1/2 marathon has not been as successful as I would have hoped. I hope that I can keep going and not get too discouraged at my progress. Wish me luck!

Book Review

I just finished a book entitled Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. I cannot speak highly enough of it. It was an amazing story of his journey to find out why his foot hurt and the people he met along the way. It was very insightful and inspiring to me. I encourage you to read it! I am looking for other inspirational running books, so if you know of any, let me know. I run in the Cleveland 1/2 marathon in 103 days!

A New Year!

A new beginning, a fresh start, and a clean slate are just a few adjectives to describe the New Year. I feel it is truly all of them. I have written my goals down, because if I do not, they are only wishes! Of course, the list is a mile long of all the things I want to try, accomplish, overcome and change in my life; but one day at a time :)

Talking about trying new things, yesterday I attended my first cycling class ever. I have never been quite found of cycling, for I would rather run; but to my amazement, it was an incredible workout. I love it!

School is back in session until May. The school year is flying by so quickly. I am learning so much about myself. While in college, I was taught how to teach, but through teaching my students, I have taught myself.
I hope that this year, you and I can continue to teach ouselves many new things and learn from others as well.

Best Wishes for the New Year!