Sixteen = One

This evening I walked Austin down to the pool at the YMCA for his swim lesson, then headed back into the locker room to change into my workout clothes and ventured upstairs to the indoor track. I stretched out my muscles and ran....in circles. Sixteen laps. One mile. I didn't think I'd be able to make all 16 nonstop, seeing that I haven't run since school started back in August, but I did. It felt so good - it was exhilirating! Loved every lap. Not bad.....8 minutes for a mile in my current physical state. I cooled down and walked 3 laps, and then went to see Austin for the last 10 minutes of his lesson before he came up for air and traded his sea legs for his land legs. Wednesday will be Boot Camp again....! :)

Loving...

A few things I simply am loving:

Miel and Muscadet Seda France Candle. Light, fresh scent. Perfect, not too overbearing. I love all Seda France candles....and received their Holiday scented candle from Nicole for Christmas. Love that one too!

Burt's Bees lip balm - with pomegranate oil. I like the Honey one too...but ooohh...anything with pomegranate. Love. I own a few ton of these...between my purse and desk drawer at school, uhm, yeah...











Caramels. These I made the other week, and I'm going to toot my own horn. They are that good! 

Cuties. They are cute - Clementine oranges. Can't get enough of 'em...and neither can the boys! Simply addicting.









Stilla Convertible Color ....in POPPY! The color gives off a look like like someone just pinched my cheeks. Creamy. Delectable. Gorgeous.







Sage and Citrus scented car fresheners (and a candle I received for Christmas, and reed diffusers) by Yankee Candle. Handsdown my favorite. I can't live without this scent! I fall in love with it every time I'm in my car, or walk by the diffusers and smell it's scent lingering....ahhhhh....










New mittens from Kyber Outerwear. I love their Social Commitment-and these mittens. Wool. But oh-so-soft and warm on the inside.






Clinique's High Impact Curling Mascara. It's a non-goopy-never-gonna-need-an-eyelash-curler mascara. 'Nuf said.












OPI's nail lacquer in "Oh, To Be 25 Again". On the toes. Love, love, love! (I don't think they make this color anymore...)











Blitz and Glitz Fluidline eyeliner by MAC Cosmetics. Nice fluid lines (haha) and a bit of sparkle...but not too much. For the extra sparkle I just love their Liquidlast liner in Enbronze. Too bad they don't make that color anymore...but Ebay has it! :) 

I Am...

...caught up with grading at school. I take that back. I just have today's exams to grade....but I have no "backstock" of papers to grade. That feels good.

...frustrated, that despite getting Austin excited about cooking with me, he refuses to eat what we make. Except for the strawberry shortcake. And the meatloaf. Those are his favorites. But he refuses to eat the homemade pizza (last night!), creamy chicken casserole, actually - chicken of any kind, beef stroganoff....the list goes on.

...excited for Boot Camp again tomorrow night. I loved it last week, and am looking forward to another grueling workout!

...upset that my students have sticky fingers and I have to hide things from them. They steal. And that doesn't just make me mad, it infuriates me.

...amazed at Austin's ability to trust a stranger supporting him on his back in the water while he calmed his nerves so she could let go for him to float on his back all by himself. Way to go kiddo!

...perplexed that soon after I 'clean house' and declutter, it's only a matter of time before, well, you know. I have to declutter again. I just want to live simply and without so much stuff! Is it possible?

...pumped to meet with a personal fitness trainer Thursday for an hour. Yesterday I signed up for a 12 week personal fitness program, and my first appointment is Thursday at 4pm.

...desiring more time in the day. I could use a few more hours!

...temporarily stuck with a snowed-in view out my classroom windows.  I'm on the second floor, and the first floor below me juts out so I have a roof-view...and the snow drifted up (as it always does) and it goes up more than half-way up the windows. I get a little claustrophobic just thinking about being stuck in there.

...longing for some Starbuck's coffee right now. I am in desperate need of a pick-me-up.

...looking forward to lounging around tonight & listening to some tunes.

...obsessing about photography. Still. I don't think that will ever diminish. I hope it stays an obsession forever.

No Pain, No Gain...

...or so it goes.


Hmpf!


Boot Camp on Wednesday was a blast! I could tell throughout the hour-long class that I was going to feel it the next day, and I did. I interpret that as a good sign - my body needs and wants to get into shape. Not to loose weight, mind you, but to just get limber, build some muscle, and just plain feel better about myself. And yes I did feel the rewards of the class the next morning. I felt it in my upper arms/shoulders. It was as if I had gotten flu shots in both arms. I felt it in my upper abs/ribs. Every time I would laugh or bend to pick something up, a little "youch" would escape. Then I'd smile and mutter "I wish that class met more than just once a week for 7 weeks".  However, now that I am a YMCA member it is imperative I get a schedule going of when I can workout on my own to keep it up and exceed the class expectations.


And mine.


It will be so worth it.


I could use a hot tub right about now....