Soooo, most of you know that my Honda got into a little accident Thanksgiving weekend. But I'm happy to report that my baby is back home and looking better than ever! Thanks to Steve's willing and skilled hands - and not to mention God's provision in every detail - my Civic went from this...

...to this!

The month of January is coming to a close and so is 30-miles-a-week January. I am not quite ready to post my miles yet because I am hoping to put it one more quick run tonight. You can go ahead and post your results, though. Next week, take it a little slower, but don't stop training completely. Check back at the end of the week for a February challenge... We'd love to welcome new athletes!

Week 3...

Okay, athletes, this is the end of week 3. I ran 40 miles and did 1 1/2 hours on the elliptical. Next week is your LAST CHANCE WORKOUT!!! Make it count...

Week 2

As a faithful Biggest Loser fan, I know that week 2 is usually a bad week for weight loss on the show. Based on conversations I've had with some of you this week, I know that it has been a tough one. I myself didn't run as far as last week, but I did get in my minimum of 30 miles. My totals this week are 30 miles run and 1h 45min on the elliptical. We're half way there. It's time to either finish strong or redeem yourself. =)

1st Grade Project

One day last week, I did a little project with my first-graders. Our objective was to improve poems by adding sounds to them. The students decided in their groups which words they wanted to highlight, assigned the words to the members of their group, and then each student chose an instrument for their word. (Some put more thought into their choice than others.) They had some time to practice and then I videoed each group. Was a fun project and, to my delight, didn't spiral out of control! Check out some of the best groups.

Week 1 Completed

Week one of 30-miles-a-week January is coming to a close. The challenge was to either run 30 miles or do 5 hours of another cardio workout before Sunday at midnight. Once you have completed your last workout for the week, you can total your miles/hours and post them in the comments section. Hope you had a good week! If you didn't quite make it - don't give up! You'll do it next week!!!

As the week began, I had no intention of running much over 30 miles. However, a friendly competition with one of our challenge participants motivated me to go a little running crazy. Don't expect these numbers every week. My total miles run are 52.4 (the equivalent of 2 full marathons).

30-Miles-A-Week January

The challenge to a healthier you begins TODAY! It's not too late to join. So far we have competing:

Daniel
Elizabeth
Mommy
Gina
Erika

Let the games begin! Remember, log all your workouts and then post the total miles/hours before midnight on Sunday for a chance to be athlete of the week. To review the rules, click here.

Happy running/working out everyone!!!



There will be a similar challenge in February that you can participate in, Daddy. I think we'll up the mileage a little... More to come on that at the end of the month.

Run Into The New Year With Me

As I was at the Varners this week indulging in all kinds of goodies, I decided that I needed a January challenge to start the new year right in terms of physical fitness. Instead of a candy-free or snack-free month, I am planning a 30-miles-a-week January. The goal is to run at least 30 miles each full week of the month. The first week will begin on Monday, January 2nd. That leaves Sunday as the last day of the week to either rest or make up for laziness during the week... =)



Here are the rules for participating:

1) Run 30 miles each week in January or do 5 hours of other types of exercises, such as elliptical trainer, biking, swimming, etc. (If you combine running with cross training, 6 miles of running equal one hour of cross training.)
2) Post your total miles run and/or total hours of cross training each Sunday before midnight.
3) Stick it out and don't give up - even if you don't meet your quota one week!

The prize: You will feel GREAT, you earn bragging rights if you are the athlete of the week, and your year will be off to a running start!

WHO'S IN???

Christmas Eve

Nikolaus didn't find me this year but I knew I could count on Santa! He even brought a GIANT Christmas card from Greensboro!

Baking Marathon

As most of you know, I do not bake very often. Being off from school and Christmas right around the corner awakened the the baker in me yesterday and I baked for 12 hours! I was just going to make fudge and one type of cookie, but then I was having too much fun and made 6 different things. Check out domestic Erika!


Grandma's peanut butter fudge again


Grammy's no-bake cookies


Grammy's everything cookies ~ cooling on my sweet new cooling rack. Thank you, Rudys!


Grammy's Hershey bars (thought about Grammy a lot yesterday!)


I also made Vanillekipferl and buckeyes.

The kitchen looked like it had exploded, but...


...it was worth it. How awesome does this look!?!


And on a side note ~ a new addition to my bedroom wall.

Student Notes

Each class has been watching the video of their holiday program and filling out performance evaluations. The students take notes for each song and then I also provide a place for them to write additional comments at the end of their evaluation. I told them they could write something they liked the most, something their parents said about the program, or a nice note to their music teacher. =) These are some of the responses I got. Most of them were written by 3rd-graders and 4th-graders. Made me smile and remember who I go to work for every day.

Grandma's Peanut Butter Fudge

Grandma gave me her peanut butter fudge recipe because I liked it so much at Thanksgiving. So, when I asked the lady at church who organizes the Wednesday night kids' meals each week what I could bring for tonight's Christmas party and she said peanut butter fudge - well, I knew just what recipe to use. This was my first attempt at making fudge and it turned out great! It was so yummy, the adults couldn't get enough of it and all the left-overs went home with them. =) Thanks, Grandma, for sharing the recipe. I'll definitely be making it again!!

Holiday Programs - Round 2

So, yesterday I had my holiday programs at my other school. Each grade level sang really well, and everything I was in charge of was well received. The feedback from parents was very positive. Some of the organizational aspects surrounding the programs that others were responsible for left a lot to be desired. My eyes have been opened wide to the world of school politics. Discouraging and sickening. But I am trying my best to cope. It's been a rough couple of months, to say the least...

Here is a view of the tiny gym from the top of the bleachers. Notice the "decorations" on the walls that PTO helped with.




close ups






Denise, the gym teacher, helping me with some final preparations in the gym.

Facing the Indiana Winter

Today was a sunny, 20 degree day and I decided it was time to see if I have what it takes to run long runs in cold weather. I run a 4-mile square route. Today, mile 2 led head-on into the cold Indiana wind. But mile 4 was my tailwind mile and helped me recover enough to start a new lap. I lasted 3 laps today! I think I can make it through the winter without losing all my marathon training. I still have a few layers of clothing I can add, when winter really hits...

Holiday Programs - Round 1

Today, I had holiday programs at one of my schools - Allen. There were three programs. One for 3rd & 4th grade, one for Kindergarten, and one for 1st & 2nd grade. I have very few pictures and they're not great, but here's what I have.

my concert look...


Cute gift bag decorations. I place these on the ends of the risers to keep kids from jumping off the ends. Festive AND practical - my favorite kids of decorations!


The other side of the stage - complete with tacky tree topper.


the entire stage area


gym


Kindergarten students getting situated


This teacher let her students make their own matching shirts.


All 90 (!) Kindergarten students waiting patiently for the program to begin.


I have video footage of all three programs on a school camera. Not sure yet when or how I will get my hands on it, but if I can, I'll post some videos at a later time. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! I felt nauseated all day, but the kids all did a great job! They really took to heart what we had discussed and practiced in music for the past few months. Musically, they have improved a lot since last year, which was very rewarding for me. Round 2 will be next Thursday...