Instead of coffee….

I swapped to tea…. 

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Coffee and I are best buddies. (I think it’s a teacher thing.) It was suggested that I let it go, not mandated, so I decided I should cut back. The moment I decided to cut back, I started getting sick on 1/4 of a cup. So, I have been getting my daily warmth from a cup of tea for a few months now. I’m surprised I am still alive- and I’m proud to report—- so are all of my students!!!! I really miss the jolt I got from coffee but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Instead of running:

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I swapped to walking.

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This one was not suggested, it was mandated. I was told I could run- as long as I kept my heart rate under 140- I CAN NOT DO THAT! My heart rate jumps super  high even when I jog or power walk. I am HATING this change. I can’t even jog 100 and walk 200. It is killing me- I’ve never been a so called runner but I’ve always used it as a tool to stay active. I don’t like that the tool is gone. I will have to do a full post on this sometime soon because I’m needing feedback and ideas….. I will get over it- again, it is well worth it!

Instead of a 10:00′ish bedtime.

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I am swapping to an 8:15 or sunset bedtime.

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This swap has been mandated by my body. I seriously have no control over this. I start fighting bed at about 7:30 and by 8:15 or 8:30 I am passed out on the couch. I only wish this were an exaggeration, it is not. I had to start waking up later too because my body was requiring sleep like it was it’s primary job. I’m just going to go with it. The husband does a good job of picking my bum off the couch and taking it to bed about 10:00. Bless him.

Also, sorry for being such a grump yesterday- I’m all better today The sun came up and I am blessed! I know this- yesterday was just an off day. Thanks for not judging and just letting me be grumpy pants.

Question: Have you had to make any changes as of late?

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I seriously can’t help it, it is beyond my control. I just am grumpy and for once, I’m owning it. I always pull myself out of it and saying “The sun came up and it is a blessed day and I will be happy today.”

Nope, not today; I choose to embrace my grumpyness in all of its glory. I feel that I sometimes get used, primarily at work, because I always roll with the punches and just go with the flow- it has led me to be the dumping ground for a lot of crap- because everyone just assumes I’ll smile and just go with it.  I had to be at school all day and everything under the sun rubbed me the wrong way.

Okay, that’s all. I feel better now.  :)  I did do a little of this today to make the day better….

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Question: Did you have to work today too?! -OR- What do you do on Negative Nelly days?

Just like all of you, my life can get a little crazy busy at times. Lately, I have been feeling like I have no idea what direction is up. Work has gotten the best of me. I literally feel like I have nothing left to give and I am feeling very drug down. Teaching a new grade every year (with the same kids) is really killing me. I am trying to be positive but gosh darn it- my situation is hard and I’m not sure how much longer I can carry on this way. The work situation coupled with my complete lack of energy and 8:15 bedtime is just making things a tad difficult. (the 8:15 bedtime is new for me, I just CAN’T stay awake!) I believe it will get better. Till then, I’ll be thankful for the itty bitty blessings in  my life. 

An itty bitty blessing: I got to take off Friday and go to the doctor. Woooo! (true excitment- really it is!) Look who came to see me while I was at the doctor….

See the kiddos?! ....The nephew was NOT into looking at the camera. Also, my momma not knowing how to run the iPhone. What a wonderful picture this turned out to be! It makes me smile, that's all that counts!

The doctor is usually not all that fun but it has recently taken a huge turn around! Partly due to my parents coming down to accompany me to the doctor. They came to be with me since the husband has missed boat tons of work because of me…. With my parents, came the nephew and niece! SCORE! Talk about heaven. The only things missing were the sister, her hubby, and my other half. I was loving the day! We did the whole doctor thing and then I got to go out to lunch with my family! <3

Aunt Julie with her angel of a niece!

My lovely niece

Even if the nephew was not into pictures I got to take advantage of the growing cutie who was just loving talking to me and my iPhone camera!

After lunch we got to do a little shopping. I pushed around the niece in the cart and she would look up at me and laugh. I loved walking around with her laughing and giggling and me acting like a fool in love with those children!  The connection I have with my sister’s kiddos is such a blessing from above. I love how they are seriously bonded to my heart. I love them to my very core……Yes sister, even when the nephew says “I neeeed it” to the suckers I said NO to. (I can win ‘The Meanest Aunt in the World’ award next year )  I love them to my very core! Watching the itty bitties grow is a HUGE blessing in my life! 

When life gets crazy busy I think it is very important to remember our blessings; the itty bitty blessings and the huge blessings alike. Both kinds of blessings are extremely important and I thank God for them every day.

Question: What are your itty bitty blessings? Your huge blessings?

Maybe something like this?

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I have to know- do any of you have any suggestions?

What I need in a camera:

• Around $400-$600
• Takes beautiful pictures of:
  • babies
  • kiddos
  • nature
  • food
  • sports
• Extremely crisp photos with a high
• Quick shutter speed –I need to capture exact moments!
• Easy’ish to use and understand

QUESTION: Do any of you have a camera that you are in love with that you can recommend? Where should I buy it?  Please help me! I’m so confused! -OR- Do any of you teach photography lessons?

This is what a typical day in the classroom of Mrs. H will look like. Dress pants, colorful shirt, and a sweater or jacket of some sort— with some cute shoes!

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I love my pretty clothes that I wear to work. However, five days a week from 6:00 to about 6:00 is just too long in dress clothes that are restrictive and heels. I don’t get to sit much during the day, I spend most of the day weaving my way in and out of desks, walking the halls, and walking during recess; which have been *freezing*  if you were wondering. I also bend over and squat about 100 times a day- these work clothes are VERY restrictive. Lately, they have been feeling even more restrictive and I found myself saying about a million times today, “I swear, if these pants get any tighter….”

I love my job, truly I do but I have a secret dream. A secret wish if you will. (okay, sometimes, it’s not so secret)  I wish that I could wear clothes that would let me move. I want to go to work and wear things like this…

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LOVE these pants! So comfortable!

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These shoes make a day on your feet a good thing!

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Heck, I would even take getting to wear even one of these to work! Not alone, but with the rest of my work clothes. I think the whole work environment would be a much more pleasant place if people were allowed to wear clothes that fit them and moved with them.  I have to say though, I am not the boss and I will be in the dress clothes for two more days this week being Mrs. H in heels.

I have a feeling that I will be saying again tomorrow:

“I swear, if these pants get any tighter……..

I swear, if these pants get any tighter……

I swear, if these pants get any tighter…………….I’m going to buy new pants!”

HA- the joke is on those tight pants, I already ordered new pants So long tight pants, I’m going to use you another day.

QUESTION: What is your work dress code?

Heavenly Healthy Cake for One

This little recipe seriously just changed my life. I’d like to tell you that this is the first one I made but the truth is that I made it a few times before I had the self restraint to photograph it before eating 3/4 of the cake. Oops! Something is just coming over me! Food like this needs to be in my mouth! Wait, food like this needs to be in your mouth! Especially since it’s ONLY about 150 calories! SCORE!

Heavenly Healthy Cake for One

(adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie, she does amazing work!)

• 1 tablespoon plus 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut flour (you can use any flour you wish)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 stevia packet or one dropper full of Stevia drops (5′ish drops)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tablespoons milk of choice
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix away. Then, pop it in a ramekin sprayed with cooking spray if you don’t want to eat it in your mixing dish and want eat it on a plate like I did. (or you can eat it in the mug, I don’t judge) Pop it in the microwave for about 1:30-2:00 minutes. Take out and let cool. You can pop it out after it has cooled and top it with ‘frosting’ & SPRINKLES like I did!

‘Chocolate Frosting’

• 1 ugly way overripe banana
• 2 tbsp of cocoa powder
• 3-5 tbsp of skim milk (enough to let it really groove in the blender)
• 1 dropper full of stevia drops
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp of Xanthan gum to thicken it up!

Put all of the ingredients (except the xanthan gum) in the blender and go to town!  After it is blended really well, add the xanthan gum to thicken it up! It makes a good amount of ‘frosting’ use some of it on your cake. Use some of it on the cake you’ll make tomorrow! Don’t forget the SPRINKLES! Enjoy!

Heavenly Healthy Chocolate Cake

QUESTION: Why are you still sitting here? Go make the cake!!! Kidding- only kind of! For real though: How was your Monday? 

I have been getting some questions recently about what is now going on with my health. In the beginning I shared with you while I took a deep breath (…twice) to tell you what was going on concerning my health and my struggles with adding on to our family.  It has been a while  I have shared so much with all of you about my struggles to figure out what is going on inside this body of mine.

I have been on a roller coster for the past year and a half  during this year and a half- it has been full of learning experiences. I am thankful for all that I have learned, I know my journey is far from over but here is what I’ve learned so far:

God is my foundation. I can be mad, frusterated, or not understand His will; but I truly am a thankful that I live by His will and not my own. He is a good God.

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Driving hours to the doctor can be a great time to memorize the Adele CD and sing your heart out– And feel like a rock star! 

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Eating fro-yo makes a 7 hour trip better! 

There are doctors and nurses that care. They do exist and they become a little bit like family.

Needles are not fun. But, you get used to them after a while. You learn where it hurts less and they aren’t *so* bad. Still though, needles are not fun.  

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I have more strength than I ever imagined. My support system has provided me constant strength. 

One of many parts of the support system! ....I sure do love this one!

I truly feel that all things considered, I have been doing a pretty good job of staying on the positive side of things. My wonderful support system has been the lifeline that keeps a smile on my face. I am so stinking blessed!

I am relieved to say that I think we are getting somewhere! I will be going to the doctor again in mid February and should be given A LOT of answers. I cannot wait…. Till I get to chit-chat with my doctor and get a complete rundown of what’s going on inside of my body- I thank you all for caring, for asking, and for praying.

But for now, the update is- THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!

QUESTION: What have you learned from tough situations?

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Today’s book for their group was EXTREMELY hard. Full of words that even educated adults rarely come across unless they are into nonfiction literature about the deep ocean. We were using context clues to figure out a few of the words and one of the tools to find an unknown word that they are to use is to take off the suffix if possible. The word had a prefix of ‘sub’ so we found other words that are more familiar that have ‘sub in them: subpar, submerge,  submarine, subway, ect. We got to subway and I asked the kids if they knew what a subway was. (keep in mind these are children who can tell you the difference between the growing season of milo and wheat or when to till a field but have never seen a subway…)  

The conversation goes like this. 

Teacher: What does subpar mean?

Student: Not as good as it should be.

Teacher: Great! You are all so smart! How did I get lucky enough to have kids that are this smart?! What about submarine?

Student: A ship that goes under water. (complete with hand movement showing waves and a ship going under the water)

Teacher: Okay, one more- What about subway. What is a subway?

Student: A place to eat fresh. (with an ornery gleam in his eye)

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The back story: They have been extremely full of energy or like complete bumps on a log. I can’t find the happy medium for them.  Oh goodness have the children been ornery these past few days! The child DID KNOW what subway was and was just trying to be funny. It worked  What a kid! Mr. FunnyMan he is! …….I love these children but I love 3:40 dismissal too. HA!

QUESTION: Were you ornery in school?! -OR- Were you a goody  two shoes?!

#1- Make Pumpkin Butter

I love pumpkin butter and I have been meaning to make some more for weeks! I will be using THIS RECIPE! It has been far too long since I have gotten to dig my spoon into a beautiful parfait that looks a little something like this!

Pumpkin Butter Parfait

Only hours till I can dig my spoon into this baby! Seriously, make pumpkin butter. It rocks my world ever time I eat it!

#2- Go through closet to donate clothes

The deal of the year!

My closet is overflowing. I’m not  complaining, I just need to organize my pretty clothes and donate some clothes to someone who would wear some of them more than I would. I love to donate my clothes because it is so great for someone to take an outfit I loved and get to love it themselves. I give them to my sister, who works as a high school business teacher. She gives them to girls from my old high school. I love hearing how one of my old favorites is someone’s new favorite! 

I am blaming the overflowing closet on two things. #1-The Limited opened up in the town where I go to the doctor #2- The doctors like me and they have thought that they need to see me ever two-to-four weeks for the past 8 months. Since the doctor isn’t too much fun I treat myself to something pretty to wear to work. Therefore, the closet is getting full. PS- do NOT tell the husband that I am admitting this.

#3- Organize my kitchen table

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Bills, random adds, and magazines find their home on the kitchen table. Along with the things my mom dropped off last week when she came to visit. I am being such a lazy bum with no energy when I get home from work that I haven’t had the drive to completely go through the table and organize it. I have discussed the horrible black hole that is my kitchen table before and a few of you made me feel better inside by telling me that their kitchen table is a black hole as well. Anyone up for making me feel better about it today?

#4 Make pizza crust for later this week

Source ...This is Kath's Pizza crust. I'm thinking of trying it because it is so gosh darn beautiful. Jessica's sounds great too though!

I am thinking of trying Kath’s or Jessica’s recipe for a whole wheat pizza crust this time because the one I normally make isn’t raising the way I would like it to. I think I should give one of their’s a try because they are both AMAZING cooks! I will be making a Spinach and Sprinkles favorite- TACO PIZZA with extra shredded lettuce. Both the husband and I go nuts for taco pizza!

Do any of you have an amazing pizza crust recipe that you would like to share?! 

#5- Go on a date with a handsome fella! ….To see Beauty and the Beast in 3D!

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I know I talked about this eariler this week but I am seriously stoked to see this! I have never been to a 3D movie and I’m excited that this will be my first! I don’t know what to expect but I do want to see one in 3D, hopefully I like it and the it doesn’t make me sick? I’ve heard that it can make you a little nauseous. Now, I’m nervous about that! But not nervous enough to keep me away!

The husband is humoring me and making it a complete date night! We haven’t been on a date in AGES. This is mainly due to the fact that we have to drive 40minutes to the movie or to a place where we can actually eat out. Dinner + Move. It’s going to be great!

Source. .....This is how excited I am! No joke!

QUESTION: Have you seen a movie in 3D? Did it make you nauseous?! (I need to know!)   -AND-     Do you have a go-to whole wheat pizza crust recipe? Feel free to link up! It would be very helpful!

PS- you are all the best! I just wanted to let you know!

These are two basic principles that many people, both big and small people, take for granted. The value of hard work is starting to shift but I feel you can never know the value of anything until you have truly known hard work. I am a farm girl. I have been put through the mill during the summers picking up irrigation pipe in 115* heat while being eaten alive by mosquitoes that are the size of wasps and helped pull a baby calf at 2:00 am in the middle of a huge snowstorm. However, I can’t lie, I wonder if I truly know hard work. My grandmother, she knew hard work.……. I don’t know if anyone from our generation knows that kind of hard work. I’m not trying to be controversial. I just think we owe a lot to the generations that have come before us that know a different kind of hard work. Hard work should not be underestimated. 

The second part of this- be nice to people. I love the simplicity of that statement. BE NICE TO PEOPLE. This is such an amazing statement. Do it. Your life will be better. The world will be better. 

Being a teacher and all, this is perfect. I smiled when I saw this sign because it is so true. Again, we sometimes think that this is purely for children in the classroom but I think we need to look at it on the larger scale. The world is a classroom and all of us are the students of the world. Our job is to learn and even as adults we need to pay attention to the things that tare to be learned. Big and small.

Have a wonderful day! Remember: work hard, be nice, and pay attention. (oh yah, and please eat your vegetables  I had to throw that one in there.)