Weekend Update

Yesterday was a good day at school which was a nice lead in to the weekend.

On Friday night I met Sarah and Dennis for a run. Sarah doesn’t usually come out on Fridays but it was nice to have the company. My heart rate is still higher than it should be but I know I’m not pushing too hard when I’m running with Sarah so it was probably good she came out.

After a coffee with Dennis, I hit the grocery store and then came home and knit 66 rows on my first sleeve of the Bentley cardigan.

Saturday was a slow start in my amazing housecoat which is the perfect weekend I think.

My friend and esthetician wanted to practice doing a lash lift so I went over there late morning and then in the afternoon I walked over to a running store. It turns out I’m probably dealing with a mild case of plantar fasciitis. I got a mini massager, some arch supports and a reminder that I really need to spend time stretching out my calves as they are the problem. I may need to set an alarm.

I came home and did my FitOn workout right away as it was a HIIT workout and then followed it up with a rolling video so at least I did something good for my body.

I spent the rest of the day knitting 66 rows on the second sleeve of Bentley and creating a giant knot in my yarn.

I will now switch back and forth every two rows until I use up the rest of the first two skeins of yarn.

I am thinking I might use the third skein for a shawl.

Late Saturday night Sarah was texting to say she may not be at the run, but both Dennis and I guilted her into coming. It was great to have company on my 6.5km run on Sunday morning, but I felt horrible when I found out later that it was her birthday:(

I had a short coffee with Brenda and Dennis and then a long talk about knitting in the parking lot with Brenda. We are thinking that next year we’re going to do a Harry Potter sock each month and a self striping yarn sock each month that suits the holiday or season of the month. Area 51 and Turtle Purl Yarns seem to have great Yarns for these plans cause of course, you need to plan your knitting a year in advance.🙄🤣

I got my laundry done and my sheets changed, but that’s it for housework. My plan is to do the floors tomorrow to get back on my housecleaning schedule.

I did my FitOn app class which seemed to be two of the classes I’ve already taken put together. it was actually kind of nice as I had an inkling of what was supposed to be done. I have done a class for 34 days in a row now. Probably if I could kick the sugar habit again, you’d be able to see some improvement 🙄. I know that I need to go back to eating more protein as a lack of protein is supposedly the reason behind a sweets craving.

I then spent most of the day knitting. I have both sleeves of the Bentley finished down to the sleeve ribbing and am 1/3 of the way through the ribbing on one sleeve. Let’s hope I can finish it tomorrow as I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything in my knitting forever!

Well that’s it for me, have fun!

AJ

A Busy Friday Eve

It was another buy day for me- this time with fun.

Teaching:

We got through the day. I realized today that I only have 11 days to go and I’ll have managed to go through a whole term with no days off. I was tempted yesterday though!

This morning we printed the letter d (very quickly), had music (the kids went outside so they could actually sing and I got my classroom for my prep for the first time this year), and we did more work on counting by the kids 10s. The kids know this well and the only problems were because of short comings of the worksheet.

This afternoon we had silent reading, did a directed drawing of Santa that didn’t turn out great😥 and went outside to play.

Not an exciting day, but the kids were still crazy- they are already in full Christmas excitement mode!

The funniest thing today was that pretty well every person in the school commented on my hair. It made me start to wonder how bad I usually look.

I did a bit of puttering around my room.

Shopping:

A friend gifted me with a quick shopping trip after school. She had inquired about when the quietest time was and they were right- it was very quiet. It was an awesome half hour spent together and the first time I have been shopping, for anything other than groceries, since last December! I found a couple of shirts, running capris and a dress:)

Eating:

My friend Emily and I had done a sushi car dinner at the start of November for her birthday and tonight we repeated the experience. It was awesome to catch up and a lot of fun, at least until my brother had to come jumpstart my truck because the battery died during dinner. I have no idea why, but I’m guessing my battery is getting old and I don’t drive enough for it to stay charged.

Crafting:

I m busy trying to get a stocking name done for a friend for tomorrow. My grandma always said that if you had a job to do, get it done right away. I guess that has stuck with me. I am feeling the pressure though as this stocking is homemade and absolutely gorgeous!

I’d better go work on it.

Have fun!

AJ

Tuesday Trials

Today was a tough day. I am definitely not as productive or efficient at work as I am at home.

Teaching:

Today was a day I had to go into the school. I find myself torn in a zillion directions and don’t really seem to get much done. In addition, everyone is upset about different things and it eventually gets to me.

It definitely doesn’t help that plans changed twice today. As it stands now I will have five students on Monday and Tuesday. Two of those students will go to a different class on Friday and then I will have two students on Thursday and one student on Friday. Overall I will spend four days working with five students and then will have half a day for the other seventeen.

My class as it stands now. The white papers will be the islands the children will get to decorate. It will be their early finishers project for this first week.

I am really not impressed with this plan right now!😩😖😥☹️

Exercise:

I definitely had some emotion to run off so was glad I had a run with Dennis right after school. His allergies are killing him so we just did five kilometers. It was definitely a fast five k though! It was also the first hot day which always gets to me. It’s time to break out the shorts and tanks I guess.

I decided that I should get my workout done too right away. I did another BeFitDavis workout which led to 60 weighted squats, 100 swings, 60 reverse lunges, 40 heel slides, 60 hip raises, and 30 seconds each for both side planks and a reverse plank. Amazingly the heel slides bugged me the most. We’ll see if I can move tomorrow.

Eating:

The one good thing of going into the school was that I can’t eat anything but I have planned. I’ve had a rice cake with Pb and jam and cheese, a mini kind bar, an apple and peanut butter and a turkey club lettuce wrap (my new favourite meal!)

Movie:

I rewarded myself with another Hallmark movie tonight. I watched Love in Store and really liked it.

Well that’s it for me.

Have fun!

AJ

Fun But Re-Ordered

It was a nice day!

Exercise:

I got up later than normal, but didn’t let myself do anything until I had done the yoga I had planned today. Normally I do my bike ride first and yoga later, but today it got switched. It felt good to know I had done something kind for my muscles.

This afternoon I went on a 9km bike ride with my teaching buddy. I like biking with her because she doesn’t expect me to be amazing at it and she’s very patient. We actually went from her place to a rec centre the town over. I had to deal with a ton of people on the trail but managed to not run anyone down or fall off. I also managed to ride on a bike route road. It was an amazing ride and I’d like to do it again, but go even further. Maybe next weekend.

Knitting:

Getting the roller skate booties done is a big priority for me this weekend. Today I got both booties made and the two soles made. I tried out a wheel, but my mom and I both think they’re too big so that will be tomorrow’s job- figuring out and completing the wheels for both booties and then assembling them.

Eating:

After eating so much yesterday, I really haven’t been hungry today. I’ve had an omelette, chicken breast, and the last of my cod filets.

Reading:

I’m reading a book and am almost done so I think I’ll go back to it.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Friday Eve

It would be nice if this state of emergency could be lifted so I had more interesting things to share with you. Ha who am I kidding🤣🤪

Teaching:

I reviewed work, finished assembling the activities for next week and then had my first two video conferences with kids. The first one was great. It was nice to see H and make sure he was okay. I also got after him to do some work!🤣. The second one was with my autistic child who is low functioning. I saw exactly why the vulnerable team had him come into the school for work- he was all over the place! It almost made me feel sick to my stomach he moved so much. It was still nice to see him though!

I finished the afternoon off by planning report cards with my co teacher. I think we have a pretty good idea of what we need to do so that we can have these reports ready in 24 days.

There was of course drama over the teaching assignments, but I’m trying not to worry as I know my principal likes to throw her weight around and make big changes but it usually all changes in September anyways. Especially this year! Who knows what’s going to happen!

We also had one of our teachers announce his retirement today. He will be sorely missed as he’s a great guy and a great teacher who gives a lot to the school!

Exercise:

Today it was just yoga day. I was going to do a Yoga with Adrienne video, but decided to just run through my list of poses instead. I hope one day that I will actually feel flexible. I used to be super flexible, but that was before I started running.

Knitting:

Oh I am so close and I really want to wear it tomorrow!! I may be knitting a lot tomorrow!

Eating:

A good day with lots of veggies. I’ve had:

1/2 apple with Pb

Celery with cream cheese and hummus

Carrot with guacamole

Haddock bites

Baked potato with sour cream and salsa mixed

Well there’s my life.

Have fun!

AJ

Happy Hump Day

So glad I’ve made it through half the week now!

Exercise:

Dennis and I got an early start on a 6.28km run this morning. I rolled before I went as I have super tight hamstrings right now. I think it helped a bit as this wasn’t my best run, but not my worst either.

I also got a workout in this evening. Yes another BeFitDavis one. This was a lower body full of one legged lunges, squats, deadlifts and split jumps. All done with ten pound weights in each hand and three sets separated by jogging. It was a great, quick workout that I will probably feel tomorrow.

I am making myself sit on the floor with my legs straight out hoping it will help stretch out my hamstrings!

Teaching:

I felt rushed most of the morning because I was late coming back from my run. I was too busy arguing over hydration packs with Dennis.

Thankfully I had put the work up before I went. I got all the work checked, learned how to use Microsoft Teams, had a practice call with a colleague and then another with a willing student, got 3/4 of the work ready for next week and then checked all the submitted work again. I’ll call that a productive day:)

Reading:

I’ve started two books, but you’ll have to wait to hear about them until I’m done.

Knitting:

I finished the arm bands today and am making steady progress on the body. I can now just knit until it’s the length I like or until I’m going to run out of yarn. I am really hoping to be done by Sunday night!

I have also been making myself do a colour in my cross stitch each day after work before I start knitting. It probably won’t show, but I know I’m making slow progress- lots more than in the past eleven years!

Eating:

I decided not to have a treat on Wednesday weigh in day as it seems like I usually have a treat on Fridays at the teacher meet up. That makes two treats a week which doesn’t seem like a good idea for me when I’m trying to actively lose weight. I am down this week and heading in the right direction, so it’s a happy day! Today I’ve had:

Mini kind bar, European wiener, veggies with hummus and guacamole, fish filets, half an apple with peanut butter.

Can you tell I didn’t have the chance to make my food plan this morning?🤣

Well I’m going back to knitting and listening to my audiobook.

Have fun!

AJ

Talking Tuesday

Life was pretty typical here today.

Exercise:

I went out for my run this morning but really didn’t want to. I just can’t figure out my days off as this is the third run day in a row so my legs are getting tired! I am running with Dennis tomorrow so hopefully they are better then! I got five kilometers in, but it wasn’t pretty or fast. I don’t want to take every other day off, but I need fresh legs for Friday and Sunday for sure!

This evening I did another BeFitDavis workout. This was her upper body workout and had me doing pike pushups, row to tricep extension, circle raises and military press with a shoulder rotation. I think I’m definitely going to feel this tomorrow!

Teaching:

It was a pretty typical day of checking work, planning for next week and then having a boring staff meeting. Everyone was celebrating how great the report samples online were, but they sure didn’t seem great to me yesterday when I looked at them! I finished the day by checking more student work and creating my Microsoft Teams classroom. I guess I have to try this out at some time!

Knitting:

I have been knitting on the body of my sweater, when suddenly today I got the idea that I should go do the collar and the arm cuffs so that I could then use up all possible yarn for the length. I am almost done the neckline right now and plan to finish before I go to bed. Knitting during the staff meeting really helped in getting the sweater done and keeping me calm.

Reading:

I finished a book last night called Ayesha at Last. It is a spin off of Pride and Prejudice set in a Muslim Canadian community. It was excellent! I really liked how there were enough similarities to P&P that you could tell who people were supposed to be and a couple of the best lines were included, but it was still different enough to hold my attention. The Muslim community seemed a great fit for this book.

Socializing:

I have been listening to an audio book from the library and I had gone to the kitchen when I realized that my book had stopped. My friend Cori was calling me and I had an awesome end to my night visiting with her:)

Eating:

I’ve had another good day and hopefully it will be enough to give me a good weigh in number tomorrow! I’ve had:

Runner’s waffle

Strawberries

Kiwi and almonds

Hamburger patty with guacamole

European wiener

I’m sure there’s something else, but once again, my mind is blanking.

Well I have to get back and finish my last two rows of the neckline so that I will have a sweater to show you soon!

Have fun!

AJ

Monday again

How does Monday always arrive so quickly???

Exercise:

Sarah has cancelled our run today so I got myself out first thing this morning. It was a gorgeous day for a run, but even at 7:40 in the morning, it was already busy. I just did a loop to the mill and back.

This evening I did another BeFitDavis workout. It was a no excuses total body workout. I really liked this one as it felt like it hit everything. Four rounds of: bicep curls, single leg deadlift with a row, double pulse plié squats, front lunges with a twist, lateral raises, front raises, Russian twists and swings.

I really should look into a heavier kettlebell!

Teaching:

I checked all the work and was happy to see everyone seemed to do something. I then walked up to school to get some more supplies as we’ve just been informed we have to write report cards. 🙄. Can’t they just cite a pandemic as there is no way these reports are going to be authentic! On the way home from school i saw this and I ran into 8 kids. It was nice to see them all! It seems like parents are starting to let some play dates occur, but they were shocked to hear that school won’t be like it was before if we go back before September.

Knitting:

I have done another pattern repeat on my sweater. My goal is one pattern repeat each day as that is only fourteen rows! Hopefully o can maintain that!

Eating:

I think I’ve had a good day. Chia seed pudding with pineapple, two hamburger patties, and there must be other stuff, but I can’t think of it right now. I’m not starving and not stuffed so we’ll call it a good day!

Reading:

I’m reading Ayesha At Last right now and really liking it. So I’m going back to reading.

Have fun!

AJ

Kind To Myself

I didn’t start out with this plan, but I mostly spent the day being kind to myself.

Exercise:

My running buddy texted early this morning to cancel my run. I considered getting up and going for a run by myself but instead rolled over and slept for another three hours. I’m not sure I’ve ever slept in that late!

I did go for a nice long walk, 7.5km after breakfast. I started out toward the park, but there were just too many people, so I looped around and walked down to my old house and back. It was a lovely day and I listened to a MTA podcast, but boy does walking take a long time!

This evening I did a yoga with Adrienne video on YouTube. I’m not sure I like her as much as the other one I did as she spent a lot of time talking, but I’m hoping that was just because it was the first class in a series.

Eating:

I have been craving an oatmeal raisin cookie for a couple of weeks now so today I made myself one- well actually the recipe made two. I had those, a hamburger patty, veggies and hummus, and cheese on toast. Not great, but not too horrible. I’m dreaming of baking all the yummy things and thinking that if my mom gives me warning of when she is coming, I’ll make us a high tea. I was going to take her for one downtown, but it might be a long time still before that opens up.

Socializing:

After a lovely two hour nap, I spent an hour on Zoom with two of my closest friends. It was so great to see them! Even better to hear their voices and catch up. My friend downtown is pretty well just stuck inside because it’s so busy everywhere there:(. My other friend has a husband and two very young sons and says other than not seeing other family and friends, her life doesn’t seem that different. It made my day visiting with them.

Knitting:

I spent some time knitting in the cool shade of my bedroom and going in circles. I am doing stockinette in the round right now, so I mean circles literally. I’m hoping that maybe this sweater will be done this week:)

I ended the night with a Epsom salts bath and am going to crawl into bed with a book. A pretty nice day overall!

Have fun!

AJ

Bike, Eat, Knit, Repeat

This is not really what I had planned for my day, but it still made for a nice day.

Exercise:

I woke up early this morning, of course🙄. I thought about going out to the dykes for a bike ride but realized it would be a better idea to stay close to home in case my bike wasn’t fixed. I did a quick tour to the park and back in a loop with no problems.

It was awesome later in the day when my friend Lyndsay texted to find out if I wanted to go for a bike ride with her and her son. We tried to go to the closest dyke but it was crazy busy so we went to the further one and it was quite lovely. We did about ten kilometers in the relatively quiet sunshine. I do wish I had bike shorts though. I’m going to need to order some!

I finished the night with a five minute booty burner workout from BeFitDavis. My butt already hurt so I only did one round of squats, hip raises, reverse lunges, single leg deadlifts and side lunges.

I will be lucky if I can move for my long run tomorrow!

Eating:

Not a bad day, but not really a great day either. I’ve had:

Avocado on toast

Mandarin orange and almonds

Green salad and a cheeseburger patty

Coleslaw and a European wiener

Knitting:

I must finally be motivated as I have spent a lot of today knitting. I have joined, done all the decreases and now just knit in circles forever. Hopefully it will be done soon, though it has allowed me to catch up on my podcasts.

Have fun!

AJ