April showers bring....

May April flowers.

Mother Nature has been teasing us lately. However, one of the results of her antics are the gorgeous spring flowers that have started to peek up through the ground. Yesterday, one of my students came bearing a handpicked bouquet of daffodils snuggled into a cellophane blanket. Since I wasn't expecting such a sweet gesture, I had to think fast to create a vase. Thankfully, I had a water bottle waiting for a trip to the recycling bin in the lounge! With a pair of scissors, I crafted a little vase out of that water bottle.

Here are a few pics I snapped this morning. My student was so proud that they were displayed on the windowsill for all to see!

Hopefully we see more flowers budding soon!

Another day, indeed...

Well, the power of positive thinking worked! For real. See, tomorrow is another day and with another day comes another opportunity in life!

Now you are probably wondering what culminated from all that positive thinking I did before slipping into dreamland last night. Well, I can tell you, I didn't wake up 15 pounds lighter like I wished and hoped

BUT...

The mail came today.

Normally, I look forward to my Netflix movies

OR

dreaded bills begging for payment.

Yet, it was a letter day (get it? red letter...)

I got a contract to teach Summer School.

phew!

sigh of relief

So, it's temporary employment...but I'll take it! I am eager to sign and return these contracts to seal the deal. I'll be teaching Essay Writing and Paragraph/Constructed Response Writing.

If anything, it shall be interesting!

Now, off to some more positive thinking. Here's hoping one of my other wishes will be granted.

2-9!

Happy Birthday to my brother Nick today! He's turning 29 this year! Wow. Here's hoping 29 is a great year for him! Love you!

Monday, Monday

Oh, Monday.

I'm crabby. I don't feel well. Thank you, sinuses! Zero motivation for a good workout or will power to keep bad foods out of sight. It's Monday's fault, for sure.

The worst part is that my day overall was fine! I had a great time teaching today. The kids were a bit rowdy towards the end of the day but that only explains why I feel a tad drained.

I guess I am just in one of those moods...I can't seem to muster up the energy to post something witty or visionary lately. So, instead you get one of these posts. I have plenty of posts drafted; it's just difficult to write them up to a publishable level. And the sad part is that they aren't anything deep or profound.

Currently, I am pretty overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I need to get done for Friday's deadline for job opps for next year. I'm not one who enjoys life without a plan. Believe me, I've been trying to become more spontaneous with life but have not been nearly as successful as I'd hoped. I'm a Type A in many respects, so the thought of just trusting that things will fall into place is SCARY!

Many things in the past few weeks have pointed toward perfectly positive. {Alliteration, anyone?} On many fronts. However, nothing is coming to fruition. Frustration is setting in.

::sigh::

If only one of those many things would just fall into place!

I apologize if I've seemed aloof or in less contact with any of you, as of late. I'm just having a period of introspection. And sometimes with that sort of reflection comes a quieter Amanda.
It's not you...it's me. My energy on the communication front is temporarily waning.

I'm sure this mood will pass with a good night's rest (something I didn't get last night) and a little boost from positive thinking.

Breathe. Tomorrow is a new day.

Just plain fun

Who doesn't love a little Sound of Music? This youtube clip is kind of fun. Imagine organizing 200+ people to dance in the middle of the train station with only two days rehearsal...it's not necessarily Tony-worthy...but it's fun.

Enjoy by clicking here.

Spring Break Saturday

Yesterday was another beautiful day in the neighborhood. My friend Laura and I took in a nice long walk with her sweet Nina Bean. We walked up to Panera and grabbed bagels and convo for breakfast. Her mom came to pick up the Bean and we picked up the pace. It's tough when you are pushing a stroller on a bike path ~ but Laura was a trooper!

After we walked and talked (great convo, Laura!), I used this fun new website that Stef suggested. It's a way to track your mileage, regardless of street routes. So, it's handy when walking on paths that aren't on a normal map. I plugged in our route and found that we walked 5.5 miles and it felt incredible!

This week has been full of long walks, unfortunately in new shoes, blisters have been surfacing...more on that later.

Then, after grading math tests (I had to do something to make me feel productive!), I went out to Colgate to attend mass and have dinner with Chris, Liz and the kiddos. We had a great time catching up and eating a delicious dinner! Thanks, guys! In lieu of heading down to the basement or up to play in the kids rooms, I decided I would bargain play time. If they got pjs on, I would give airplane rides. This was one of their favorite things to do this past summer. Let me tell you, it's a great ab workout!!!

Here are some pics of the evening:

MJ striking her model pose. Aren't those pjs ADORABLE?

Sisterly love ~ matching owl pjs

L tells E a little about life

E found the deer!!!

E trying his luck on Webkinz

Let the airplane rides begin...

Wait...now it's Cirque du Soleil

MJ becomes a helicopter...twist, twist

Double airplane

::Hugs::

End of the night! Aren't these children precious?!?!?

A Glimpse...

Yesterday afternoon, I sat out on the deck with a book and soaked up some rays. It was a GORGEOUS day and today seems to be another glorious one! So, to ease back into prime photo season, I snapped a few more pics. These simple and I suppose represent the budding of the real spring season!

Monday, Monday

First of all...BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! What the heezy is Mother Nature doing? Spring Break does not mean that SHE gets to pack up her Warmth Committee and head out of town. I had to settle for a date with my treadmill instead of hitting the pavement due to nasty/gross/ridiculous cold weather. It was alright not as titillating as an outdoor adventure. Yes, I said titillating...I don't know why...I guess because I can.

However, the day started brighter, thankfully. I spent my morning with Lil Man honing my babysitting skills. We had loads of fun...but my camera never made it out of my purse. However, it reminded me that I had taken a bunch of pics the last time I babysat, so you will have to settle for those. It doesn't matter when they were taken ~ he's always adorable. He's so patient and tolerant considering I'm always shoving a camera in his face!

Max enabling Auntie Amanda's Diet Coke problem.

Although it looks like he's punching the cat, he was simply tugging a handful of fur as a sign of love while resting on her. What a good cat...seriously.

Max finds Shiloh's nose

The brushing begins. I'm supervising.

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I know this picture isn't exactly clear but I LOVE it. That little drool bead hanging of his chin...cutie!

A book before bedtime. His look is priceless.

New Goals

March was not one I would consider bragging about when it comes to reaching personal fitness goals! Although I did a lot of walking/hiking throughout the month, I was not nearly as diligent with the actual goals that had been set.

March's Goals:

3100 sit-ups
400 push-ups

Yikes. When the month came to end, I don't think I even hit 50% completion of either goal. Oh, well. This is a new month, right?

So, we've changed the goals to make them a tad more reachable.

1500 sit-ups
450 push-ups

AND we've added on another goal to attain. {Squats}

450 of those fun ones too.

In addition to those goals, I am trying to get out and walk at a quick pace for at least 45 minutes a day.

WISH ME LUCK! If you want, join in the fun. You can watch my progress on the right side of my blog.

One of my Favorite Days...

Me hanging with my godson, Max. This kid brings a smile to my face any time I'm around him. He's hilarious and such a smartie! He's learned the fine art of bribery at a young age...



Thanks for letting me steal and post this video, Stef!