Sore Feet

Boy do my feet ever hurt from those shoes yesterday and boy can sore feet impact your day!

Teaching:

It was tough going to work today because I was tired and my teaching buddy is off on Wednesday’s.

We got through an All About Me sheet and another worksheet on rules. One little boy figured out that sharing toys was both good and bad because “normally we share, but during COVID it’s bad to share”. We ended up putting both a happy and sad face on that one. We also learned how to put papers into our duo-tangs and we read lots of books.

I bet the kids would say the best part of today was that they got to go outside for ten minutes between recess and lunch and ten minutes after lunch, but not actually for recess and lunch. Unfortunately they were trying to play hide and seek but there is nowhere to hide in our current playground zone:(. Standing still didn’t work so well🤣

The two bad parts were that they are refusing to refill my portable soap dispenser now and are insisting students use the wall dispenser. There’s just one problem- my students can’t reach it and if I put a stool there, I would have a stool in the middle of a walkway 🙄. Secondly, I went to put salt on my brussel sprout salad at lunch and the entire kid came off and dumped all of the salt on my salad. I wasn’t a happy camper!

Exercise:

I rushed home to clean my bathroom so I wouldn’t have to after my run.

Dennis and I did the first workout of the season- one minute hard and one minute recovery, repeat ten times. I hadn’t noticed the smoke in the air so much, until I started trying to run hard. Safe to say it wasn’t my best workout.

I also got a short weights routine in. My heart just wasn’t in it as it was already late evening and I hadn’t even sat down yet. Sometimes being committed to exercise makes it feel like I do nothing else after work.

Shopping:

Once again I have had a farmers market across the street from me since the summer and I finally made it there today, on the last day. It was very small as they were trying out a midweek Fall day, but I had wanted to try a new gluten free, dairy free bakery. I picked up some treats to try, but they will have to wait until tomorrow.

Well, I think that’s the sum total of my day.

Have fun!

AJ

Still Murky

There is no more clarity at work today than there was yesterday:(

Teaching:

I had another very unproductive day;(. I managed to change where my calendar was, sort out some books on kindness, calmness and safety as that is the catch phrase here right now and start to cut out math manipulatives. Nothing all that interesting and I really wish I knew more. The two days I was to get to prepare for students is pretty useless when I have no clue what grade or how many students I will have. I will end up looking bad in front of the parents when I am unprepared on Monday:(

The most interesting thing was that I listened to music on my walk to and from school today as I am responsible for studying country songs that feature other artists for trivia. If anyone knows any, please let me know.

House:

I got out of school at my scheduled time of 3:45 and came home to get my bathroom cleaned as that was my job for today. So far I have been able to stick to the schedule, which is good as I’ve decided that anything I don’t get done, I have to do on Saturdays.

Cooking:

I have been having broccoli salad for lunches this week. This is my second salad of this List at Love and Lemons that I am making my way through. Her recipe does not call for bacon, but I did put some in. The recipe cost me about $19 to make and has given me 5 one cup servings for the week. It still seems expensive to me. I do like the addition of the Smokey nuts to it though.

Exercise:

I did just straight weights tonight and followed Dennis’ plan- three sets of ten with increasing weight. I did: shoulder press, crunches, squats, front raises, reverse crunches, overhead tricep extension, plié squats, heel drops, lateral raises, side to side heel touches, curtsy lunges, bent over rows, bicycle crunches, deadlifts, upright rows, scissor legs, hip raises, bicep curls, dead bugs, side shuffle, pullovers, toe touches, hamstring curls, chest press, plank and traveling plié squats.

I also stretched and rolled. My hip bugged me a bit all day, but after rolling it seems to feel better. I am thinking I had better roll daily for a bit.

Well that is my non-exciting day.

Have fun!

AJ

The Last Friday

I can’t believe it’s the last weekend of Summer!

Exercise:

I got out for a run with Dennis this morning. I was nervous to take those first steps. We went out to try the dyke we had attempted a few months ago, but it was still too mucky and uneven. We were walking back to the car when Dennis decided we should look around since we were there. We ended up running the opposite direction and it was a really pretty run. We ran out this road to the conservation centre and then turned into a dyke. We weren’t sure how far the dyke went so we turned around and came back the same way. My watch said we did 7.26km, but it seems as though the third kilometer didn’t register right, so I’m not really sure.

I also did a workout this afternoon. I did a minute of walking between squats, plié squats, deadlifts, hip raises, lateral shuffle, crunches, reverse crunches, bicycles, heel tap downs, plank, bicep curls, front raise, lateral raises, tricep extensions, bent over rows, pullovers, shoulder press and chest press.

Dennis talked me into trying a new way to do my weights- 3 sets of 10 reps with increasing weight. I did that today and we’ll see how it goes after a few sessions.

House:

I was enjoying my brother’s pool when I got a call that my appt was changed to today so I hurried to it, but then had two hours before my next appt. This gave me enough time to do my daily chore- laundry. I had given myself permission to put it off until Sunday, but this was too good a time to pass up.

Knitting:

I am just coming up to the cuff on my first sleeve and while it may not be done before the weekend, I think it will be done by Monday night.

Well, I think that’s my entire day.

Have fun!

AJ

Stretching My Skills with Sally

Well it was a busy day that unfortunately included a dud.

Exercise:

I had my day planned out and knew I had to get my run in early if it was going to get done, especially with the heat. I got a lovely 5.5km to the mill and back.

This afternoon I did some weights. 36 each of: bent over rows, banded front raises, bicep curls, overhead tricep extension, pullovers, chest press, shoulder press, plank, crunches, bicycle crunches, reverse crunch with a toe tap, Russian twists, scissor legs, heel touches, squats, curtsy lunge, plié squat, adductors, calf raises, banded side shuffle, and hip bridges.

I’m sure there’s muscle under the heat wave bloat!

Baking:

Last Saturday I was supposed to share my July baking challenge, but I was waiting until I had somewhere to take the cake so that I didn’t eat it all.

Today I grabbed ingredients at the grocery store and got to work early before it got even hotter. I had decided to do lemon cupcakes with cream and blueberries. I decided on the cupcakes so that it would make it easier to divide up, during this time of Covid when no one is supposed to share food.

The cupcakes were quick and easy. I only had to change the butter to vegan butter spread and the milk to oat milk for these. They didn’t rise much, but they had a great lemon taste.

I had decided to use coco whip as my cream because dairy free whipping cream uses full fat coconut milk which is often too rich for me and the light doesn’t turn into whipping cream.

I got the cupcakes, the whip and the blueberries out to start the process, only to learn that coco whip doesn’t like 33 degree weather.

It was a disaster!! The coco whip slid right off the cupcake and took the blueberries with it.

I ended up not taking these anywhere and scraped the remaining coco whip off and froze the cupcakes.

Make sure you check out Abbey (Three Cats and a Girl) and Kathy (Sewing etc) to see how their baking challenge went. I’m sure better than mine!

Socializing:

I met up with my friend Anna and her two sons at a local park and were lucky enough to have it pretty much to ourselves. The distancing was a little tough but we did our best and avoided direct contact. It was awesome to see them as I haven’t since February!

I then grabbed Gus and we went to have ice cream. It was a quick trip as he had plans to go fishing with a fiend so I dropped him off on my way home. I’m happy with even a short Gus fix:)

Knitting:

After a 2.5 hour nap, I spent some time getting a few pattern repeats on the shawl done and a couple of rows towards the 3″ of knitting stockinette in the round I have to do for the sweater.

That isn’t day!

Have fun!

AJ

Two For Two

Well I got two things done that I should have gotten done.

Exercise:

As I was laying in bed this morning, my running buddy texted to say run without her. I decided that I had better just get it done right away as it would get less and less likely as the day went on. At least today’s 5km run was better than yesterday’s. My hip flexor (I think) is still bugging me, but definitely not as bad as yesterday.

I also got a weights workout in this afternoon. I changed up what I did and took the cardio out of it. I did three sets of ten reps with decreasing weight for: military press, overhead tricep extension, bicep curl, crunches, reverse crunches with a heel tap, bent over rows, pullovers, Russian twists, side to side heel touches, and hip raises. It didn’t burn a lot of calories, but at some point I’d really like to see some muscle tone!

Chores:

I got my bathroom wiped down which was my daily job today and I got my house insurance renewed. It’s a good thing I got these two things done as nothing else got done.

Socializing:

I met up with a fellow teacher friend for a walk (six feet apart) over to the ice cream store. She had never been to Vashti Rose, so I of course had to introduce her, and she of course, loved it! I had the blood orange with a little taster of lemon pineapple and they were great! On our way over there we saw:

I’m embarrassed to say that I have walked by this cuteness several times and never noticed it. I think my story is going to be that it is new and wasn’t there the last several times I was in the area. I now also know my friend is way more observant than me.🤣

Reading:

I have spent all day reading in any little time I had. I finished Get a Life Chloe Brown by Thalia Hibbert. I have to admit this was a slow start for me as it seemed odd and I didn’t love how they talked to each other, but once I hit their email exchange, I was hooked. I would recommend the book as a good, fluffy summer read and I will definitely be reading the next in the series.

Crafts:

I actually got both stitching and knitting done this evening:)🎊🎉. I just needed to get going on the podcasts and it all fell into place. You will see the stitching on Sunday and hopefully the knitting soon.

Well that’s my day folks!

Have fun!

AJ

Moaning Monday

There was definitely lots of moaning this morning when I realized I had to get up for work:(

Teaching:

The day went fine and was pretty productive. This week my students are creating castles that they are in when they are at their desks. It was cool to see how excited they were!

We got through a journal, an activity on adding ‘ed’, an introduction to graphing, and some prodigy and RAZ Kids.

Not a bad day all in all, though the twenty minute staff meeting about nothing at the end was not a great ending:(

Exercise:

I got home just in time to go for a run with Sarah around the local river. I’ve really started enjoying these slower runs now that I’ve seen that they seem to help my running on the other days. I just wish they were at least 5km long so it would keep my mileage up!

I came home and did a BeFitDavis workout too. I had to change a couple of moves, but really liked that I got to use my Bosu ball. I did four sets of: upright rows on the bosu, lay pulldowns with a band, leg raises, squats on the bosu, pushups on the bosu, Russian twists and full weighted sit-ups.

I am trying to pay more attention to see if I’m gaining definition anywhere. I haven’t seen any yet, but I keep hoping!

Movie:

Since I went to work today, I got to watch a hallmark movie. Tonight’s movie was Matching Hearts. It was really cute, but that might be because I’m a sucker for animals.

Well I’m off to bed.

Have fun!

AJ

Working Wednesday

I was back at work in the school again today.

Teaching:

I actually got through my priority of getting all the assignments for next week up online and getting my classroom tidied up. The coatroom is off limits to kids so I have stashed a lot of stuff in there.

I sat through another one hour boring staff meeting where nothing of consequence or of a helpful nature was said. I hate how it feels like a wasted hour of my life!

Exercise:

On the walk home from school I kept thinking that I would take today as my day off as my running buddy canceled this morning. I was almost home but realized I had to run, clean my bathroom and then I could collapse on the couch.

I did get my butt out the door for my usual run to the mill and back. The park was insanely busy! The skate park was packed with kids and there was a line up of about thirty for the ice cream store. I don’t think I was slow enough today and I will probably pay the price tomorrow.

I got home and got the bathroom cleaned and then did another BeFitDavis workout. This one was three sets of 15 bent over rows, 20 squat thrusters, 10 deadlifts, 40 mountain climbers and 20 reverse lunges with bicep curls. Another day and hopefully another muscle:)

Movie:

I treated myself to another Hallmark movie called The One and Only. It was another good watch, though just the typical hallmark.

Well I’m off to bed as I have a crazy, early run tomorrow.

Have fun!

AJ

Finally Finished

I made one thing a priority this weekend and I got it done:)

Exercise:

I met up with Dennis for a dyke run. I had chosen for today this certain route because it goes by a cat hotel.

This is in a gorgeous two story wood barn and I’d live in it, never mind the log mansion behind it. Obviously cat hotels are lucrative.

The only problem with this plan is that we got to the end of this dyke in 2.8km, so we decided to run the long way around by the road. Well by the time we made it back to the car we had done 11.49km. I’m just happy I managed to do that and my last kilometer was my fastest:)

This evening I made myself do a workout too. I did another one of my movie workouts and ended up doing a minute of jogging between the following:

40 bicep curls, 40 curtsy lunges, 20 crunches, 20 bent over rows, 20 deadlifts, 20 reverse crunches, 40 front raises, 20 squats, 20 Russian twists, 20 shoulder presses, 20 plié squats, and a one minute plank.

Knitting:

After my run this morning and my usual quick shower I made myself sit down and figure out the roller skate wheels. And here is the result….

They are done!!!! I definitely had to step outside my box for these sets of booties, but it was probably a good thing. I will be happy to knit something other than booties though.🤣

Movie:

The only other thing I have done is watched a Hallmark movie and played Scrabble Go.

I can’t believe the weekend is over already!

Have fun!

AJ

I’m going to hide

It seems like every day I just hear more stupid stuff so I’ll be under my covers until further notice!

Exercise:

I got in 5.08 kilometers this morning, slow and steady, during a downpour. I managed to run really slow today, and hopefully it helps me tomorrow.

This evening I did a quick workout. It was another BeFitDavis but I only did three sets instead of five. It was:

20 pushups, 30 squats, 15 hammer curl to military press, 1 minute plank, and 25 walking lunges with bicep curls.

My heart just wasn’t in it tonight:(

Teaching:

I got all the emails answered and all the work assessed. I then had a staff meeting. Ugh:(😖☹️😩

So the playground is closed and will remain closed, we are allowed to have kids run sprints across the field or go for a single file nature walk. How is a six year old supposed to spend all day at school this way? And if that’s not bad enough, Lunch will be shortened! We will get no preps except for Wednesday. Of course Wednesday is the day we’re doing remote teaching, but that isn’t really work and only takes an hour right? I am so angry I could scream. Oh and you may have kids five days a week if your class has emergency responder’s children or you could end up with kids of all grades if someone else has too many. If I hear I have to be flexible one more time, I’m going to get physical!!!

Baking:

I made Rhubarb dream bars from the website, Noshing With the Nolands. They were super easy and so good and I was so upset that I ate two:(. I’ll be taking them to my teacher gathering tomorrow night.

Knitting:

I finally started a roller skate boot, but have to admit I’m not very motivated tonight. I want to have them done by Tuesday though!

I have mostly been reading and playing Go Scrabble. Now I’m going to crawl into bed with my book.

I’m very sorry that you got a rant two days in a row:(

Have fun!

AJ

Another Day

It was just another day.

Exercise:

I met up with Dennis outside my place to run the thoroughfare road. I actually felt pretty good or at least better than I have felt the last few weeks. Maybe it helped to run slow yesterday. After I saw my first two times I was pushing myself to make a 5km PR, but it didn’t happen. I did make a PR for fastest kilometer though so I guess that will do:)

I went for a walk late this afternoon and then did a workout this evening. I had a glass of wine with some of the strata members so I felt like I needed a workout after that! I did a minute of jogging between the following:

Military press, overhead tricep extension, upright rows, front raises, bicep curls, bent over rows

Russian twists, knee ticks, bicycle crunches, leg drops, crunches, reverse crunches

Plié squats, squats, curtsy lunges, deadlifts, reverse lunges, and side shuffles.

I sure hope all this movement helps with the scale tomorrow!

Teaching:

I managed to get all the work checked, respond to all the emails and plan next week with my teaching buddy.

I was a little peeved when my principal changed the ProD day on us today. I didn’t think she was allowed to do that as we have to give a years notice of ProD day dates. 😖😖😖

Knitting:

I just haven’t been feeling up to starting the third set of booties yet, but the goal is to have them done by next Tuesday.

House:

Someone knocked on my door today and I did the usual stay still and silent. It turned out it was the strata president who lives downstairs. He has water stains on his ceiling and asked me to check my washing machine and dryer connections. I took the closet apart and there was no water on the floor, walls or around all the hoses and I did laundry today so I think if it was leaking it would still be wet. I hope it’s nothing! At least my utility closet got cleaned!

Well that’s it for me.

Have fun!

AJ