Why...

When I typed in the title for this post, Why..., it gave me a suggestion from a previous post titled, Why am I doing this, so evidently I have been down this road before. 

Work is not great, not even good on most days.  Broken record here.

So what is this purpose?  Why do I do this?

Let's start with the first one.  What is the purpose of all this? 
1. If you don't know pain, you can never fully understand the joy. 
2. Learning to say No.
3. Truly understanding that a workout is not something you do to get skinny.  You do it so your sweat glands cry instead of your eyes.  You do it so your brain stops over analyzing and goes numb.  You do it so you feel the strength surge through your body.  You do it for you.
4. Someone needs me, I just don't know it yet.
5. A coworker saying- "There is a special place in heaven for Krystal."


Second, Why do I do this?
1. Money- Thank God I have a job.
2. I am to strong willed to give up.
3. The hope/ belief it will get better and I want to be around when it does.
4. The people who have been brought into my life because of this job.
5.  The student that needs me. 

In conclusion I have learned that maybe I was put in the job to value my running for the purpose of my health and well being.  Not to run for the purpose of being able to eat more desserts.  ;)

No worries, the body blast is still in full BLAST!  However, my blogging abilities have been cut because welp...time keeps moving faster and faster.  Today, 45 min of running finished off with Zumba in the dark.  I love those classes. We turn off the lights and have black lights and such and dance our hearts out.  I dance harder and with less thought when I dance in the dark.  Sort of like singing in the shower. :)

"Learn to Dance in the Rain."...or dark.

Time

Time is flying by.  The teachers and students have discovered that there are 16 school days until Christmas break, which means 20 days til the second semester starts and I am halfway done with the school year. 

How will I ever get things done?!?!?!

With lists. :) Starting with the grocery list.  Not sure what lunch will be tomorrow since I am out of hummus and apples, my go to lunch.  So I guess it means cereal...oh wait I'm out of that too.  So how about bread with cheese sandwich...gonna be dry no butter in the house.  You get the picture looks like animal crackers and yogurt for tomorrow.  Groceries after school. 

Speaking of lists and time.  I am definitely back in the swing of the body blast.  The HIT routine on Monday, with a 100 workout on Tuesday: 100 Jumping Jacks, 90 bicycle crunches, 80 squats with a 12lb. weight, 70 scissor leg lifts, 60 jumping jacks, 50 bicycles crunches, 40 squats with 12 lb. weight, 20 jacks and a 10 min run to finish it off.  Today, Wednesday, was a 60 min. run which was a total of 6 mi.  This is in preparation for the next challenge.  More information to come.  Lets just say Milwaukee to Chicago relay...killer.  Training starts NOW!

The one time in my life when time stands still, when on the revolving wheel of doom aka. treadmill for 60 min.  Yup passes pretty slow, good thing Friends was on TBS. 

Zumba tomorrow with a Booty Blast- from a fellow blogger, on Friday. 

That's all for now!

For the Record

I have the best family ever.  I may be a bit biased but either way I am right.  That being said, it was brought to my attention that I may have been a bit mistaken in a previous post.  As I have stated before, I am not stubborn but rather determined.  This trait has to come from somewhere, right it's genetic.  Therefore, my dad is not stubborn either, but instead a very determined man.  :)  I was not paid to say that I was just strongly encouraged and when you have the best dad in the world how can you not.  For example, he changed oil in my car, put new tires on, allowed me to steal my mom for another round of black Friday fun, and spent Thanksgiving in the truck because he is always working his tail off to provide for his family!  Now in my profession I was taught to never have favorites and I think in this instance it would be best to stick to that.  With that being said, my mom is awesome!  Who else makes six loaves of bread on a Saturday morning, helps you put together some Christmas garland, strategize and indulge in black Friday shopping, and makes nearly three Thanksgiving meals!  I'm telling you, have kids and you become super woman.  My brother, he will never read this but if is wasn't for him I would go home to visit my family and sit on the sofa the whole time.  He is my entertainment factor.  Get this he allows his little sister to hang out with him and his friends!  So there you have it, reasons why I have the best family in the world. 

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, "Identity Crisis," M*A*S*H

Don't worry I haven't fallen off the Body Blast wagon yet.  I may be hanging on by one finger and dragging mercilessly behind with dust flying in my face but there is still hope.  This week there will be more to come.  Until then enjoy some holiday photos of the new place and decorations!

Zumba: Day 3

My life has drove me to Zumba.  I did two hours (classes) of Zumba today.  The day was not great, I ate two peices of chocolate and went out for drink with a friend.  But hey!  I still have my sanity...for one more day.  Tomorrow is a new day, the sun will come up!

Day 2: Body Blast

Today's workout was a circuit workout with some running.  I maganged to pull some strings at snap fitness (my gym) and use the back room to complete the curcuit.  Thank goodness because as usual..I was sweating my butt off!

5 min. Warm-up run 6.0

Stretch

35 jumping jacks

7 push-ups

30 High Knees

10 Burpee

15 sit-ups

10 squats

7 push-ups

15 sit-ups

7 push-ups

10 squats

1.5 min. wall sit

7 push-ups

30 High Knees

Repeat 3-5 times- circuit took about 10 min. to complete

After 1st – walking lunges w 15 lb weight- 2 down and back

After 2nd- grapevine 4 down and back

After 3rd- 5 min. run @ 6.5

Assisted Dips (10) Assisted pull-up (10)

Bent over row (15) w/ 15 lbs

5 min. run @ 6.0

3 min. walk cool down 4.3-3.4 for last 30 sec.

stretch

Tonight's meal was an at home chicken quesadilla fajita.  I cooked up some chicken-seasoned with cumin and Cajun powder, for the week of course, and also made some caramelized onions to add mega flavor! 
While that was cooking, I set up my tortilla shell.  Covered with shredded cheddar cheese, added some black beans-getting some extra protein- some red peppers, and green chili sauce- from New Mexico!  Add the chicken on top and place a little bit more cheese.  Put it in a skillet on a medium heat flipping when golden brown on one side. 
There you have it!  The protein, sugar, iron, and water was nearly the same as yesterday.  However, while trying to sleep last night I remembered...I have protein powder.  Yay!  Added that to my oatmeal in the morning gave me a bit more protein for the day, plus chicken, plus cheese, plus black beans...yeah the number is looking a lot better...however calories were a bit up as well.  That will all be worked out in the end. 

Day 1: Body Blast

Holy Moly!

First of all let me introduce you to a method of training I used today.  It is a great way to burn calories and keep them burning, even while resting.  HIT (High Intensity Training) is when you do a medium workout with bursts of, omg I want to die, intervals.  When I first started I would do a 5.5 on the treadmill for 1 1/2 min. then do a burst of 7.0 for 30 seconds and repeat for five min.  Then do a regular run at 6.0 for 5 min and then do HIT for five more min.  This killed me!  Not up for running but want to try HIT?  That is fine the best thing about HIT is it can work for anyone.  All you have to do is activity to strain yourself, increase your heart rate for specific intervals.  You could walk and then increase your slope and maybe speed a bit.  Whatever you do at the end, you should feel like you have just raced a train.  That's what one source told me. 

Now for today's work out!

<><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <>  <><>  <> <>   <><>  <> <>  <>   <><>  <> <>  <> <>

5 min.	Easy run warm-up
	Light stretch
7-8 min.	1 mi. HIT run-  2 min @ 6.0- 30 sec. @ 9.0 – 1.5 min. @ 6.0- repeat 1.5/30 sec. interval
2min.	Arms- lateral raise (10), side raise (10) w/ 15 lbs.
7-8 min.	1 mi. HIT run - 2 min @ 6.0- 30 sec. @ 9.0 – 1.5 min. @ 6.0- repeat 1.5/30 sec. interval
3 min.	Arms- repeat above + Overhead press
5 min.	Abs- medicine ball sit-up with twist (40x), medicine ball between feet leg raise to hands(10x)
8-9 min.	1 mi. HIT run-  2 min @ 6.0- 30 sec. @ 9.0 – 1.5 min. @ 6.0- repeat 1.5/30 sec. interval
3 min.	Arms- repeat above w/ 20 lbs.
10 min.	Abs- repeat above + sit-ups on bench (40x)
3 min.	Squats- Sumo Squats (10x), regular squat (20x)
10 min.	Walking- incline 5 @ 4.3 speed
5 min.	Walking- incline 0 @ 4.0 speed
	Stretch

Also with a HIT workout the recovery time is always a little bit more.  So do this kind of workout when you have time to just chill.  I would not recommend doing it before going to work or something.  You might drag a bit. 

After counting calories, water, sugar, iron and protein, this is what I have found.

<><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><> <><><><>

Protein-50g./day	28g.
Sugar- minimal is best	53 g.
Iron- 18 mg/day	39% not sure how that converts to mg??
Water- 9 cups/ day	14 cups
Calories-1200/ day	1166

#1 frozen fruit has soooooo much sugar and is not worth it- I will find a substitute.
#2 Iron is measured in a percentage, not sure how that can be applied to a daily intake.  More research will be done.
#3 Sugar and Protein numbers, need to magically switch places.
#4 drinking more water in a day, needs to be aligned with my schedule...bathroom breaks are needed.
#5 It feels soooo good to stick to this. 

I wanted to give up on the 15 min walking part.  I didn't think my legs would go or that the incline would be manageable.  I worked my way up to it, by min. 3 I was full blown incline 5 @4.3.  Very accomplished. 

Also a side note...I will buy a heart monitor but did you know a WalMart/ Target brand is still $60.  I need to do some more research before I buy one.

Also, not sure what the characters are before my tables.  This is to be helpful for a workout not on how to blog.  I will try to fix it for next time!

Body Blast

Back in the saddle again. 

This weekend I started my three weekends of coaching classes.  I have been WAITING for the time when my schedule finally worked to take them.  It has given me new motivation for a future as well.  However, the new learning and new motivation did come at a cost.  Yes, the people that I usually go riding with, went on Saturday while I was in class.  I have missed the past two times of riding, I really hope that my schedule gets figured out so I can go again soon. 

Onto this new motivation. 
Did you know the human body is AMAZING!  Look at the muscle that we have, and this is a very, very simplified diagram. 

Why do we sit and waste away, not engage all these muscles.  Did you know that more than 60% of adults do not engage in physical activity and that 25% of adults lead sedentary lives (no physical activity).  What a shame!  People look to diets to change themselves, become healthier when a major answer to problems could be...get up and MOVE people! 

Now that I am on my way to being able to coach the next step is to become a group fitness instructor.  Zumba, spin, yoga, boot camps and the list could go on.  However, in order to teach those classes, sometimes back to back the instructor needs to be in great shape.  Also I will do another 1/2 marathon next year and I will beat my time.  Therefore...a body blast is needed. 

Body Blast is what I am calling this.  For the next 6 weeks I will be upping my physical activity.  Wearing a heart monitor during workouts to get my maximum heart rate.  Shedding all the unwanted, unnecessary layers that are hiding these fabulous, amazing muscles.  I will be monitoring my protein, iron, sugar, caloric, and water intake.  Sugar isn't all that necessary but I am just curious as to how much sugar I have in a day.  I will be posting my daily workouts on here.  I tend to get in a rut with my workouts which is why I will be calling on all my fitness experts, aka friends that engage in regular physical activity.  I will be writing down everything that goes into my mouth.  I don't plan on having that posted but I will share some recipes.  For the past few years I have had success in changing my lump of a body to a healthy vessel, however, we all hit the plateau and I have hit it for almost a year now.  You can't get off the plateau by passively sitting around, you need to muster up the energy and leap.  Join me in my leap!

*The activities that I will be engaging might not be suitable for all individuals.  Please consult a doctor with any health concerns.  If you choose to use any workout programs please modify to fit your skill level.  

Why am I donig this???

Last week was exhausting and aside from all the things I learned from it, I pretty much want to forget it.  I considered quitting...every single day and cried...a lot. 

I like to wake up, do a "check up from the neck up" and remind myself that today is a new day.  However, I could go through the motions but the second I walked through the doors my head would pound, my heart was beating in my throat and my stomach was stirring.  My stubbornness, not giving up mindset (pretty sure from my dad) is the only thing that kept me getting out of bed in my nearly freezing apartment since I also have a personal goal of not turning on my heat until Thanksgiving. (once again, stubborn or motivated depending how you look at it). 

This weekend I spent getting every other part of my life in order.  Cleaning, organizing, taking time for myself, which included taking full advantage of the extra hour! 

This morning (Monday AHH)  made the week appear to be on up and up.  After working all day to put out fires, which appears to be a daily occurrence, my heart is filled with the reason I became a teacher, to be the one person in a kids life who stops to listen and care. 

I have wrote and wrote and wrote to try and be clever.  Not give to much information to breach some sort of Internet privacy about students and issues and this is all I've got so here it is.  Today I don't feel like I taught a thing from a textbook or included in the Iowa Core.  However when a student tells you repeatedly "I really appreciate all you're doing for me." and tells another teacher "It's a good thing after I got mad I went to Ms. Rozeboom's room.  She has a way to talk to me and clam me down." I know it is all worth it.  These moments are the reason I teach. 

"Bad day? Put your hand over your chest. Feel that beat? That's called purpose. You're here for a reason. Don't leave without one."

Upside down...different

For the first time I was looked at like I was crazy.  For the record it might not have been the first time but it was the first time I really noticed it. 

Let's retrace my steps. 

This weekend...wooohooo can you say amazing.  Saturday, the only day that I really consider to be the weekend anymore, or my day, was superb.  The morning started at 5:45 am with getting ready to head to Des Moines for my third time participating in the Susan G. Komen Race For a Cure.  This is the only race that I have been able to do for the past three years that I have been running 5K races.  I had a good feeling about the day.  It is my favorite race with tons of people there.  Dressed up in all sorts of pink, with signs and shirts to show thier support for a loved one.  I find myself to be very blessed to not have any family members that are effected by breast cancer, however, as many shirts say...Cancer doesn't discriminate so I run for a future. 

and so do these people.  However, these people, just like me, also run for themselves.  In this race you have the option to wear a timing chip or to just participate.  These people are part of the timed runners!  Along with the adrenaline rush of being part of such a large run and having streets filled with cheerleaders, bikers, friends, and family, I have been training pretty regularly.  Getting a solid run in at least 4 times a week.  So I was shooting for a new Personal Record.  My goal was 27:10, a friend encouraged me for a flat 26:00.  I met in the middle with an overall time of 26:34.  I am perfectly fine with this time especially since my first mile was completed in 7:22.  Were my legs attached?!?!  No idea because they have never moved that fast before. 

So in conclusion.  My favorite 5K is still the Susan G. Komen. 

After the race I headed to the farmers market for the last one, for me, of the season.  I didn't need to go for any produce but just to treat myself with...

PUPUSAS!



Spinach and Cheese with slaw and hot sauce.  An addition this time, spicy vegetables!  The kind little girl gave me a little bit of instructions with my meal...don't eat the leaves.  Thank goodness for her kindness.  I would have been clueless!  Also for people who want to attempt to eat a whole Pupusa on your own...don't always bring a friend to share.  They are huge, delicious, and soooo filling!  So long Pupusas until next summer, you will be missed. 


Back to my first statement of being seen as crazy.  I went to Beauty Brands, my favorite beauty store in West Des Moines, for a much needed eyebrow wax.  I was wearing my Race for a Cure shirt and the lady was making small talk.  She asked about me participating, found out I had to drive to participate and then asked if I did it with someone...nope.  I prefer to run alone.  I like to shop by myself too.  I don't mind spending a few Friday or Saturday nights in to watch  movies.  I love to go for drives by myself.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy company as well.  However, when I want to be alone...watch out.  I plan it in my planner and rarely does anyone get in the way of that. 

I realized something.  I love to have my alone time, but we all need someone.  For now I find the answers to my questions are hidden in the far edges of my mind and are usually found in the solitude of my own thoughts.  The answer is always the same.  "I will never leave you, if I bring you to it, I will bring you through it."  "Hard work will pay off in the end."  "You need rest, come to me I will give you rest."  The hope that helps to get through the each day. 

So I stand to say Ms. Beauty Brands employee, I am not crazy.  (Different, yes)  I just try to keep my head on straight in my world, our world, that often gets turned all sorts of upside down.

Speaking of upside down...check out this youtube video.  David Garibaldi who formed Rhythm and Hue paints, then turns this painting right side up to reveal his painting.  It's pretty cool. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuzOigAL7Rs
  

Tastfully Simple

I think this new door decoration takes the traditional meaning of tastefully simple- the independent sales woman who sells for the specific company, to a whole new level. 

I thought the old wreath yarn and yellow and white felt flowers was to springy.  However, it is to soon to put up Christmas and I do not want a bare door.  So thankfully my fellow blog ladies helped me out.  A random blogger had this posted, it was originally from some women's magazine.  All you need is a foam wreath, black duct tape to wrap around the foam, candy corn, hot glue gun, black ribbon and modge podge.  After assembling the wreath cover it all with modge podge to "seal" it and hopefully help it to last for more than one year. 

The blog said it would cure me of my candy corn cravings...nope.  It just gave me an excuse to buy a value bag. :)  Enjoy the fall season.  Iowa weather is telling us it's here to stay!

Looking forward, while walking forward.

This morning my favorite "famous person" was on tv. Yes, Iowa Girl Eats from the blog iowagirleats.com was on channel 8 news this morning cooking up some sandwiches. Ahhhh you realize that you can read about someone for a year and never hear her voice. It's pretty much how I imagined it but still you get the sort of weird feeling like when someone wears a skirt all their life and then wear pants...omg they have legs!!! Ha. However not even a min. after I switched from the news to CMT videos did I get text message. A para was going to be absent, thus causing a shift in my day. Oh well I will deal with it because...tomorrow is Saturday! Then after getting to school I got soooo many compliments on my new TOMS shoes which are super comfy and every time I wear them I feel like I am making a difference. In addition to the new shoes feeling, a fellow teacher knows my love of this season and the flavors of the season...aka anything pumpkin and went to Wal-Mart, which she boycots, because a friend had told her about some pumpkin PopTarts. I don't think I have had a PopTart since middle school. However, I was not about to reject this lovely, sugar filled treat simply because it has absolutely no nutritional value, oh no I had to test these babies out! The verdict, they are good but could use a bit more pumpkin flavoring, but for the general public who isn't pumpkin crazy, they are Pumpkin Perfect!

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. However, this week was a killer, two of my para's were spent and I took a two hour nap after my workout. Glad to see that this job isn't just exhausting for me...I was starting  to feel like the only one! Off for a Saturday adventure!

Falling for Fall.

Fall is in the air, everywhere I look around.

The weekend started out with a relaxing, slow starting Saturday.  However, once I stepped outside I knew that this weekend was going to be focused around the beautiful fall, falling leaves.  A bike adventure was the Saturday workout.  The season gives you the perfect motivation to keep a steady pace.  (don't stop or the little black, pinchy, bugs will get you!)

Briggs Woods

I love the leaves that are turning bright red. 

I decided it had been a while since I made an apperance on my own blog. 

After Church I decided that today I would drink my calories for lunch.  A quick trip to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte set the mood for the Sunday afternoon drive. 

My plan was to hit the country roads.  No definate destination just turn around if I hit hwy. 30 and head back home.  My plans changed when I came to a "T" in the road and decided to head east.  This caused me to run directly into Dolliver Memorial State Park and today was some sort of car show in the park!  They had classics cars to tricked out new cars to a really dirty, not so shinny 2006 Saturn Vue (really wished I had washed her like I had planned to last week!).  HA I decided to pull over for a bit and enjoy the sights. 

The general even showed up!

After the cars started to slow I decided it was time to try and find my way back home.  I took in a few more amazing fall sights and found some familiar roads.  

It was pretty tough to go from the great sights of an Iowa fall to the dungeon of a classroom but I did it!  A few hours later and a lot of work accomplished I headed home to tune into some baseball and clean.  Nothing too exciting for the week.  Just taking some time to stop and smell the harvest.  Off to start the week!



 

Through the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Paperwork, meetings, prep, teach, grade, care for, love. 
This is the list that my teaching career has taken shape to.  I will shamefully admit that is also the order that I place them in.  Until now...


I leave school spent everyday.  I am the 23 year old who goes to be at 9:00 on the dot every night, unless some unavoidable obligation is keeping me out at which time I buckle down, do the duty and get straight to bed when I get home.  Why is that?  Harry Wong, a motivational teacher speaker, might say it is because I am working harder than the kids.  It is their education and they need to be working harder than me.  That may be true, but being a "first year teacher" requires some extras.  I think the main reason is because most mornings along with deciding what to wear, I always put on a 20 pound weight around my neck that pulls me down.  I have been looking at this job as much more of a burden than a blessing.  I am wishing for May to come rather than savoring every moment of everyday that I have.  I look at what can I do in the next chapter of my life, rather than what am I meant to do here in this page of my life. 


People ask me how are things, how is the year going?  This week when I was asked that question by a friend I said, "I'm sick of being a Debbie downer or lying, how am I suppose to answer that question, you already know the answer."  The response to my plea for help, "Change the answer."  Of course my mind started going in circles, squares, and had flares of anger when that was mentioned as the solution.  But then I realized, that is the only solution.  Change the answer, Change your mind.  Everyday can give you a thousand reasons to be mad, sad, bitter, or anything else negative.  What makes you different is being the person that searches desperately for the one joy that everyone else seems to overlook. 


So I want to be different.  This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me.  But I don't just want to be different to be different anymore.  I want to be different so people see the difference and want to be just like me.  The person who doesn't have anything bad to say, who lites up a room, who loves first rather than last in the list of to-do's.  Who is not selfish but rather selfless. 


They will know we are Christians by our love.  Public schools say that I am a teacher first and foremost when I am there.  I say I am a Christian everyday of my life first and foremost, I will preach often but only use words when necessary.
 
Love, Care For, be a Teacher.  I've removed the weight and the fog is lifted.  Next time you ask me how my school year is going be prepared, there will be a new answer.

Laughing is some good for the soul...and career.

Sorry for the hiatus.

There is more to come such as wedding fun, harvest and more ramblings from the life of a teacher.  To start you off here are two funny situations from this week. 

#1. Quote
" Mom said I should tell you we ran out of one of my meds, said it was important." Those are not the first words you want to come out of a student's mouth at 8 am. Ha No worries the day turned out fine the student just had a bit more energy than usual.

#2 Trying to reteach how to balancing checking accounts.  Ha It was so frustrating it was funny.  :)

I labored today, in a good way.

Happy Holiday!  This holiday, Labor Day, usually signifies the sad endings to summer.  This year I have a different outlook.  Instead of saying goodbye to a dear friend summer who has had a good run, I am welcoming with open arms, and windows, a the return of a best friend...FALL!  Wherever you may be in the world let me paint a picture of the beautiful central Iowa weather we are having.  The evenings drop down to the 40's with the daytime high of 70's.  The sun is shinning and a cool breeze floats in through the windows.  Ahhh...perfect.  This is my favorite time of year.  What other way to welcome this season in than baking!  There were some tentative plans made for today that seemed to fall through the cracks, so I made my own.  On the list for today.  Monster Munch (this new, souped up version of a common Autumn mixture, Brach's candy Autumn mix with roasted salted peanuts.) and a Pecan Pie Brownie.  These two dishes spell out FALL to me!  Let's begin.

In the Monster Munch you need:
1 bag of popcorn puff popcorn
1/2 c. recess pieces
1 c. roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1 c. candy corn
1 bag/ whole brick of white almond bark

Get the biggest bowl you own and pile in the ingredients. 

Next melt the almond bark according to the back of the package direction.  When it is melted pour into the bowl with the other ingredients and stir!  When the mixture is evenly coated spread out onto wax paper to cool. 

After it is cooled you will need to break it up a bit more.  Enjoy!  **Warning this stuff is good!  It gives you a stomach ache if you eat to much...you have been warned!

Next on the menu was Pecan Pie Brownies.  For some reason Pecan Pie and anything pumpkin screams fall to me.  However, who likes to slave over making a pie?  Not me, so this was a great recipe to find.

What you need:
1 box of fudge brownie mix made according to the back of the box.

Topping:
1/4 cup. butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. of flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped pecans

In a sauce pan melt the butter.  After it is melted add the brown sugar, flour, and eggs.  Keep this on a medium heat and stir constantly for 5 min.  After 5 min. remove from heat and add the vanilla and chopped pecan. 

First make the topping and set it aside.  Make the brownie mix according to the package and pour into a 9 x !3 greased pan.  Pour the topping on top of the brownie mix and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 min. 

It's that simple!  I cut back a lot on the chopped pecans and it is still very good!

After all was said and done I didn't even have all that many dishes to do.

Big bowl, little bowl, big pan, little pan and some measuring cups and spoon.  Clean up was a breeze.

 

Then came time to assemble. 

Yes, care packages.  You didn't think I was going to keep this stuff around the apartment did you?!?!  Please people, I have a wedding to attend in two weeks.  This would be the death of my beautiful dress! 

There you have it the recipe for a perfect Labor Day includes a few other simple recipes! 

By the way this 70 degree weather is much needed in a job that does not have AC.  The kids got out early on Thursday due to the heat.  Off to enjoy the last few hours of the long weekend then back to reality, but when reality is Fall it makes it a bit easier to handle.

Happy Fall!





Mountain to a Mole Hill

I can't believe it is over.  The weekend here and gone in the blink of an eye!  I don't remember being this tired last year!  I slept for nearly the whole day on Saturday and slept fine all night as well.  Got myself up for the early church service.  Yes, mom and dad I was ready and leaving for church at 8am, I don't think that is possible in Sioux Center so please never ask.  After praise and worship ended the pastor recited the verse "With God ALL things are possible."  Well thanks for that good lesson let's continue with the day.  I was ready to go that was my sermon for the day.  My negative attitude of how can I get all this done, this job is going to be awful, I wish I was doing something else, blah, blah, blah...suddenly had hope because of those six words that I had forgotten about.  Pity party over, to-do list started!  So without further procrastination I must be off to plan and prep! 

Here is a little look at my new classroom.  No completely finished I have more of a vision but for now, it will do. 

 Name plate, notice spelled correct!

It's a long classroom.  I'm standing in the door.  Actually it was previously used as the welding store room.  Yes, I am in the industrial tech wing of the school and behind the brown is a window that is shared with the welding room. 

First day of school outfit and picture.  

Piano lessons then and now.

When I was younger I took piano lessons.  I loved music and thought it would be a good idea.  I begged and begged my parents.  Then a few weeks, maybe months, into it I got really frustrated and wanted to quit.  I remember sitting at the piano crying because NO ONE in my immediate family knew how to play or help me with my frustrations.  I sat and struggled and struggled.  However as time went on it got a little better...until I quit.  Where is this going you  might ask?!?  Well I think that was put in my life to help me realize that eventually after a good, long, hard struggle it might get better...or you can quit.  Ha!  This week= struggle.  I can't wait for the weekend to park  myself in my classroom for days on end to get it all figured out.  Don't worry there won't be any quitting in the near future. 

It feels like home

The days of summer have finally dwindled down to nothingness. As the weekend comes to an end I find myself doing everything to set-up for a successful week.

What does that exactly mean? Well it means starting off with some Saturday morning pancakes. A tradition I started last school year, pancakes every Saturday. This was followed by some cleaning and baking. Then I was interrupted by a rude very welcomed phone call to go riding some ponies.

Yes, you read correctly I went with three of my friends on a horseback riding adventure on a perfect weekend afternoon.



Our host even decided to give us a little show!  I was to slow for a picture when he rode backwards.



This last picture is for my family. When we went on our motorcycle ride earlier in the summer this dam was rushing with water. It just goes to show how low the water level is.

After a day on the horses, yes I nearly fell when I got off. It was a long day on them and my body is not used to it, nor is it used to the feeling the day after either. Church sittin is tough when you have saddle butt. We had a friend’s birthday party to attend Saturday evening. Not only was it a monumental birthday, 25! She will also be leaving to go back to school, summer was ending, and it was a great night (perfect weather) for grilling out and sitting around a bon fire. Along with several other shenanigans that happened too.

Let me tell you why the transition to "grown up life" was so easy for me. This town and the people that live in it are so similar to good old Sioux Center that it is ridiculous.

Saturday while driving around town to get the goods for riding, doughnut holes, beverages, and just killing time, they were shouting out the car windows and saying hello to everyone we passed. Not to be obnoxious but because they knew everyone! Followed by some mellow, one with nature adventures, which was followed by food, friends, fun, and fire. Sounds like home, feels like home. I'm going to elaborate on the fun part for a second. Picture with me a cooler that has wheels and a handle, pretty much a Radio Flyer Wagon. Now imagine a driveway tucked away with an incline. Yes, we were riding the cooler down the driveway into the ditch. If any of you know my family, brother and cousins, you know that this would be something they would do as well. So it should not come to a surprise to you that when I was told it was my turn, get on the cooler. I kindly declined saying, I have a brother and cousins, and I am the baby. I am not stupid and not riding. :) They all survived with some minor scratches and some more memories to tuck away to reminisce about in years to come.   

As the school year has started, the kids come on Tuesday, and I start this new position I am worried, stressed, an still a little bit in denial that it is all a change.  However, I have the reassurance that it will all be alright.  I have a great support system back home and I have am surrounded by great people in this new home.  I’m gonna be alright!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" Romans 8:28