Run to Rapid City #9

At the start of this year, I was having trouble getting out the door for runs as I just didn’t have a goal. I had already done a speed goal and a distance goal and I didn’t know what to do now. As a goal person, I don’t work very well without a goal.

Then the lovely Kathy gave me the idea of running virtually to visit her in South Dakota. Well that did the trick!

Last month I had made it to Whitehall, Montana and now I am in Big Timber, Montana. This is another small town as it only has 1,701 people. The town is named after the Big Timber Creek and has been around since 1880. It started as a wool shipping depot.

I am hoping that I have made stopped here on a day when the Chinook winds raise the temperature. This city has only about 30 days in the year where it doesn’t get above freezing, which is pretty few for Montana. As long as it’s not one of its record breaking cold days at -43 Celsius, I’ll be fine!

Ooo Michael Keaton is from this town! I loved him as Batman!

I am hoping to run more kilometers in December when I don’t have report cards. I’ll get there one day Kathy!

Have fun!

AJ

Weekend Wrap Up

It was a nice, relaxing weekend:)

Exercise:

I ran both mornings. On Saturday, Dennis and I did an 8km run out on the dukes. It was a tough run for me as I was sore from my workout on Thursday. My legs were incredibly stiff and sore! The highlight of the run was seeing three eagles- two were fighting in the air and one was eating on shore. It was awesome to see!

This morning I did another 8km with Sarah along a different dyke. This run felt much better, but that may be due to the slower pace.

We got lucky both days with gorgeous weather!

This afternoon I re-did the workout I did Thursday- NourishMoveLove’s 30 minute full body circuit workout. I figure I had better redo it until it no longer hurts.

Knitting:

I spent a lot of the weekend knitting. It was lovely and relaxing and quite productive. I finished the toque for my secretary’s daughter.

This is the Antler Toque from TinCanKnits. I love their patterns- easy to follow and I like how the pattern includes all the sizes. I used the Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn in black so that it is teenager friendly and washable.

Today, I finished a toque for Lyndsay. I used the Mother-Daughter toque pattern from Zanete Knits. I have made this pattern before with Regia sock yarn and Lyndsay liked it. I couldn’t find Regia sock yarn, so I used Patons Kroy sock yarn. I did the pattern exactly the same, but unfortunately it came out much thicker and smaller. This is definitely more of a beanie. I will take both the original and the new one to school tomorrow and Lyndsay can choose.

Reading:

I love the Heartbreak Bay series from Jill Shalvis and have been reading Wrapped Up In You. I usually gobble up Jill Shalvis, but I’m having a tougher time with this. It’s not the writing- it’s the fact that there is tension and a bad guy. I just find I can’t read anything right now that isn’t super fluffy and happy.

Socializing:

I met up with Lyndsay this morning at the farmer’s market. This is definitely a good social event for right now- outside, not too crowded and mask friendly. We looked around and I tried a pork bun and a cranberry cookie that were both wonderful!

Lyndsay had said a few weeks ago that I had plans for next weekend, and she finally explained today. She had planned that her, another friend and I would go downtown to the spa, go out for dinner, spend the night at a hotel and then go for a run on the seawall in the morning, followed by brunch and shopping. Unfortunately our latest restrictions put this plan out of order, so she has simplified it.

Lyndsay will go for a run with me next Saturday, followed by brunch and then later in the day, I will be picked up for a local adventure.

I can’t believe what sweet friends I have! It means so much that they made plans for us! Now I have to come up with where to run!!!

Well, other than that I have put up lights in my bedroom, and did laundry. Lol not very exciting.

Have fun!

AJ

Friday Eve Again

Wow these Friday Eve’s come quickly!

Teaching:

We got through printing a this morning. I keep telling the kids that they are the only ones who can beat their bad habits! During printing they were all doing a’s right, but we’ll see how they do in normal printing activities.

I got some prep done during music class and then we tackled counting by tens after recess. We played Around the World and amazingly the kids were doing great, even on the first round!

This afternoon we created cards for seniors. The public library is giving care packages for seniors and our cards will be included. I was super excited with how much care the kids took.

After school, I tackled more report cards and am now done 13. I won’t finish tomorrow, but hopefully I’ll be close!

Exercise:

I was late getting home so there was no run for me tonight. Thankfully I got 4.8km in yesterday with Dennis and today I did the NourishMoveLove 30 minute dumbbell full body circuit. I think I’m going to feel it tomorrow. Today I realized I’m missing workout classes where I get my hour of exercise without having to do any thinking.

Well it’s time for some knitting and a Hallmark movie!

Have fun!

AJ

Trivia Tuesday

It was a long day as it was once again an indoor day, all day:(

Teaching:

My students did really well for not being able to get outside and run around. We learned about the short i this morning. They had library while I wrote a report card and then this afternoon I took a reading group and then we did STEM. This month we concentrated on creative thinking and read the book, Not a Stick. We then went out in the pouring rain to each find a stick and played charades until someone guessed what our stick really was. We then recorded our idea with writing and a picture and made a class book. The kids really seemed to love it!

After school I got to work with my teaching buddy and now have eight report card drafts done. I do feel like I need to go back and rewrite the first ones though. It’s always like that as it takes a few for me to get into the swing of things.

Trivia:

Trivia tonight is themed around the show The Office. I’ve never seen the show but studied the character Angela a bit and brought my best printing.

My tea really knew their stuff!

I knew that the character Angela had the same name unreal life and on the show

We came in first for the first and second rounds, did horribly the third round and then came first again the fourth round to win the night overall🎉🎊🎉🎊

On that news, have fun!

AJ

Finally

It seemed like a bit of a crazy day!

Teaching:

It was picture day and I forgot so now I will need to get retakes:(.

We got through a book and a journal about feelings.

We started to practice relay races in gym.

We studied and drew pine cones and pine seeds.

We had a discussion about asking people to play at recess and lunch and how to answer.

We played outside on the swings.

I wrote two report cards. The first ones are always the most difficult and it was even more so as I wasn’t sitting with my teaching buddy:(

My prep got changed again and it’s the end of November!

Medical:

I happily left school and went for a massage!

I soaked my foot and poured some peroxide on it and then masked up and went to visit my running buddy who used a needle and got the last piece out of my foot. Hopefully I’ll now be able to walk normally.

House:

I talked to my mom and she made me think I had better get my fireplace vacuumed since the pilot light refused to go on. Well it was more cobwebby than dusty and it started right up after I vacuumed it.

Knitting:

I’m at a cross roads and thinking I’ll do the toque for my secretary’s daughter next. She has picked the Antler toque by TinCanKnits and I love their patterns so I’m not upset about that.

Reading:

I finished Tremaine’s True Love by Grace Burrowes and usually I rave about her books. This one had a good premise, but the story seemed longer than it needed to be.

Right now I am reading Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis, though I should really be reading a kids Bookclub book.

Have fun!

AJ

Weekend Wrap Up

It was a quiet weekend, but everyone is supposed to be having those right now with these restrictions, so it didn’t bother me.

Saturday:

I started the day with trying to get my Garmin connected to my phone and was almost in tears, before it connected up. I’ve been a happy camper since though:)

I decided that since my watch would record now, I’d go for a long run since I didn’t know what was happening for my usual Sunday run- it looked like it would just be a walk. I did 10km out on the dyke in gorgeous sunshine. I had a great time going out, but took too many walk breaks coming back:(. Of course, I got back to a message that Sarah wanted to run on Sunday.

I decided to do my errands so I wouldn’t have to go out on Sunday. I tried to go buy ribbing, but the line up to get into the store was just too long. I checked out the dollar store for indoor Christmas lights but they didn’t have any. I did manage to pick up a few groceries so that at least got done.

I spent the rest of the day having a nap, watching Christmas movies and reading Pippi Longstocking for work.

Sunday:

I got my butt out of bed and hit a different dyke with Sarah this morning. We managed 6km and that was enough for me! Since last week, I’ve intermittently had a sharp pain in the bottom of my foot. It bugged me twice yesterday and was again this morning. It is definitely worse when I’m on concrete. It turned out I had a sliver and Brenda tried to dig it out for me while Dennis held my foot still. We must have made quite the picture outside Starbucks this morning.

I came home to a very cold condo as my gas fireplace had gone out. I texted my cousin, but he couldn’t come so he gave me instructions on how to relight it and I actually managed to do it. I felt quite proud of myself as I am seriously unhandy!

I had a lovely long nap and then finished Pippi Longstocking. Now I know why I never read this book as a kid- it is seriously weird! It is safe for the kids to read though. I have one more book I have to read this week for Bookclub.

I have also spent some time knitting, but have just torn the toque out again. I could get so much more knitted if I didn’t tear everything out so many times!

Well I guess I’ll go try to start the toque again, maybe sixth time is the charm.

Have fun!

AJ

Triumphs and Tribulations

It has been quite the day!

Teaching:

The kids were fine today. We got through another reading lesson on pre-reading strategies and a math lesson on even and odd. I also managed to squeeze in assessment of rights and responsibilities, McCracken spelling and gym.

I spent the morning moments trying to get my phone to back up and then spent the afternoon free moments trying to get my new phone set up. Ugh

The most exciting moment came at lunch when I won a Starbucks gift card for the staff wellness challenge. I really wasn’t expecting to win and it was a lovely surprise! From this challenge I learned that I’m really good at getting physical activity into my day and really bad at getting anything social incorporated.

Exercise:

After having four other teachers try to help with my phone, I left school and got home five minutes before I was set to meet Dennis for a run. Needless to say, I didn’t get to take my hydration pack today. We got 5.71km done and it felt pretty good. I was worried my foot would still be sore from yesterday, so I wore brand new shoes, but I had no problems.

Technology:

After a tea with Dennis, I ventured to the mall to get someone to set up my new phone. It turned out it wasn’t my fault, it was the fault of the WiFi I was trying to use at school. I think I’ve gotten everything set up, except my Garmin watch won’t pair, and of course this is the most important thing to me!😥😖. I am hoping that tomorrow it will just magically work because I’m not sure what I’m going to do if it doesn’t.

I have done nothing tonight except open apps, reset passwords, write passwords down and try to pair my watch.

The prize was exciting, the watch is frustrating and I’m hoping for a better day tomorrow!

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Friday Eve

Well it’s amazingly almost Friday again. I swear these weeks are going faster than ever before!

Teaching:

We tackled the letter e printing today and I made the children changed five e’s before they even came to see me.

They had music and I had a pretty useless prep:(

We finally got math and did a math assessment. I haven’t had a chance to look and see how it went with having all the children do it at once. Normally all assessment is done individually at this age, but we asked the kids to roll a die, and then print the number, day whether it was even or odd, put it into a ten frame, tally it and tell whether it was greater than or less than three. I guess we’ll see how much math they took in this term.

This afternoon we did art, but I’m not telling you about it until I take a picture of it tomorrow.

I was puttering around prepping for next week with my teaching buddy when my phone rang. It was another courier with my new phone, so once again I found myself sprinting down the hall so that my phone wouldn’t be left outside my door for too long. Of course, I haven’t done anything with the new phone yet.🤣

Exercise:

I was supposed to run today, but didn’t end up getting home quite early enough so I did a MetPro workout instead. I did bicep curls, squats, plié squats, wall sit, tricep kickbacks, crunches, and bird dogs. I then followed this up with fifteen minutes of yoga stretching for the hips and low back.

Knitting:

I have spent way too much time tonight playing scrabble on my phone, but I did finally pick up my knitting and got one row done. This knitting five stitches together definitely makes this my least favourite pattern!

Well, I’m already tired so I’m going off to bed.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Hump Day

The day was fine, but another inside day so by the end, the kids were crazy again.

Teaching:

I didn’t have a ton planned for today because my teaching buddy is off on Wednesday’s and her partner does her own thing. I kind of like this though as it slows the pace of the day. We got through some McCracken spelling this morning and a lesson on pre-reading strategies. I have introduced them all now so we will simply practice until Christmas break. We also did some Cosmic Yoga this morning and the kids were awesome during this time.

It was an inside recess so I was super happy I had gym right after snack time. We did a circuit of moves the kids picked so we ended up with scissor jumps, squats, jumping jacks, plank and wall jumps. We ended the time with a round of freeze dance.

The children got to go out for fifteen minutes, but that’s it:(

This afternoon we had silent reading while I assessed three kids. They are almost at grade level, but not quite. Hopefully by December 11th they will be! Fin came to visit and had the kids practice how to say sorry and accept an apology. This was interrupted by an earthquake drill, though of course she didn’t make us go outside because she doesn’t want to go out in the rain. Finally, I had the children try cleaning their table tops. I have noticed that their desks are a wreck- more than just accidentally going off the paper sometimes. It was time to get them to realize how difficult it is to get all that marker and pencil off the desks. Hopefully I made my point and it will improve! I wish o could think of something that would easily take the marks off so they could start tomorrow with spotless desks and see if they can keep them that way!

Exercise:

I didn’t hang around for long as I wanted to get out for a run before dark. I got a five kilometer run to the mill and back. I took it easy, but still got it done:)

Knitting:

After dinner, I have spent the time starting and restarting my next project. My friend Lyndsay loved my toque the other day and asked if I would make her one. It is the mommy- daughter toque I did as a test knit for Zanete Knits. The hat ends up looking really cool, but I had forgotten how tough I found the pattern to start. I’ve been sitting in silence, saying the stitches out loud to get to row 10!

Well I guess I should keep on and try to finish the 15 rows of part one tonight.

Have fun!

AJ

Trivia Tuesday

It was a tough day cause they called another indoor day at lunch.

Teaching:

We did more work for our report cards today. The kids did their perspective and told me about who their friends are, what they like best at school and the most interesting they’ve learned so far this year. It was real interesting!

We did a couple of math games and then I had a prep.

This afternoon we tackled rights and responsibilities again as I didn’t feel like the kids really got it.

Exercise:

I left work early and went for a run with Dennis. We were supposed to be doing an interval workout, but instead we did a tempo run. I hit a 5:57, but was definitely feeling eating at 3pm.

Knitting:

I managed to finish the socks! I had to change the toe of one because I was running out of yarn.

This is the Brookline socks done in Kroy socks in gray. I really do love this yarn for reasonable socks.

Trivia:

There were five of us for trivia tonight. In the first round we knew:

What is Roberto Luongo’s twitter name?

Strombone1

What three countries start with F?

France, Finland and Fiji

Who wrote the Handmaid’s Tale?

Margaret Atwood

What card has to appear if you have a perfect 29 hand in crib?

Jack

How tall is Bad Bad Leroy Brown?

6’4

The music round was 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016.

We did okay in the Kahoot round and came in second?

Which South American country has the largest population?

Guatemala

In which film did High Grant play a book shop owner?

Nothing Hill

What are the names of the two characters in Outlander?

Jamie, Claire

What is the last zodiac sign alphabetically?

Virgo

What is the song contest throughout Europe?

Eurovision

What key is beside the l?

;/:

We actually won the last round!

So that’s it for me!

Have fun!

AJ