New Things

I was interviewed for a long-term substitute teaching job a few weeks ago. Early in the week, I got a rejection email. I was pretty sad. My confidence sank. I wondered what had gone wrong. Then, after a series of events, I got a different long-term job. This one is at my daughter's school, in a grade where I know the kids, the staff and building policies. I like the staff, the kids, and am so happy to have the job. It is a situation where only God could have made it so perfect. :) My confidence feels better. :)
Today, after almost a year of talking about it, we went and got a new van. Our old van had hit the 105,000 miles mark and it was time for expensive service/repairs on it. So, we decided to dive in, and got another van. I like the room it has for hauling people, things and pop-up campers on pending camping trips. :) I like that it gives the girls space to have their own area without bothering each other, as well. :) We didn't get dvd player/tv/gps, etc. That isn't us, but it does have a few bells and whistles. I love its color. Our last van was white, and my husband's car is black, so it was fun to get a vehicle with color. :)
The sun was out today. It was still a bit windy, but sunny. I haven' t gotten the long run in, yet, but am hoping for tomorrow.
I will write more then! Hope your weekend is going well!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Hope your day is going well! This holiday means only, here in our house, that I make corned beef and cabbage every year. Its smell is wafting through the house as I type. (ahhh) I do not wear green or pinch those who don't and need to brush up on my "St. Patty's Day" facts, as I don't know where the holiday came from.
The weather is absolutely delightful, a sunny 69 degrees. (Great grilling weather, if it wasn't for the "holiday".) This morning, when it was 43 degrees, I went running, and got five wonderful miles in. I was scheduled to have jury duty, went at the appointed time and two hours later the cases were taken care of, without the need of jurors, so I got to come home.
Reading the Lost Memoirs of Jane Austin, currently. It's good so far. Finished Coraline and yikes, it was scary. I was not sure if I mentioned that I was reading it with my daughter for her book club. The last 6 chapters were what nightmares are made of.
We tried a new recipe this weekend, while watching college basketball: honey garlic chicken wings. They were good, but not so delicious that I would want to eat them every night.
It is March and that means "March Madness", my favorite time in sports. My husband and I would order pizza late in the night while watching the first weeks of the tournaments in college. We have a tentative plan for him to come home for lunch on Thurs or Fri to see the games over subs. It is a fun time of year.
I'm still running and working on watching what I eat, especially during the day. When I'm home and not subbing, I catch myself snacking, if there are goodies available. It's helped that I've given up wine and chips for Lent-it has been hard, though! I haven't been to the gym since last Thursday, but am hoping to go for yoga this evening, as I enjoy the class and teacher so much.
My bluebirds are still around, but I caught sparrows going in the birdhouse twice today... I've gone out and emptied their nests. I feel guilty doing so, ruining their hard work, but am still hoping the bluebirds will be able to move in... My pictures from last week didn't turn out too well, I'm afraid, but here's the best one.














Speaking of outdoors, the sounds of children playing kickball in our front yard is coming in through the windows; a great spring/summer sound.
Well, I'm off to do my daily devotional/Bible reading. I hope you've had a wonderful start to your week!

Signs of Spring

I have been running again, regularly, and the last few weekends I have gotten a six mile run in. Today the signs of pending spring were all around me. Cardinals, and wood thrush flitting about, no more juncos or titmouse-which are signs of winter, our winter birds. Yesterday I saw the most wonderful sight: a bluebird sitting on my bluebird house! I've had it up for three years or so, but the sparrows move in so quickly that the house is occupied before the bluebirds look for real estate. Last night, one flew in and one sat on top. I have photos but I cannot access my camera, more on that, later. I will be posting pictures! The singing of the birds as I ran was so delightful!
Another sign of spring: windows are all open in our house and it smells like spring, the sun is shining (although the weather report declares "not for long"! I hope they're wrong!) Kids are playing outside, and their sounds of enjoyment float in through the open windows.
My houseplants are showing signs of spring, as well. They lean towards the windows where there was once only gray murkiness, and now sun shines in! They all are leaning towards the nearest window and are a funny sight to see. I will take pictures when my camera returns.
My camera is at a local school building with my husband and youngest daughter. They are taking part in a Pinewood Derby (wooden cars made by the participants race to see who is the fastest.) We're hoping that their day goes well.
I have finished more books: I finished Garden Spells, O Little Town, and an in the midst of The Hemingses (still; it's a struggle for me), and The Big House. Reading anything good lately?
I hope you are all enjoying your own signs of spring, and hopefully pleasantness this weekend!

Brr

It's cold, here in the midwest, and has been for the last few days. Brr. The cold that chills you deeply the moment you step outside, and no amount of warm coats or coffee can warm the inside of you. :)
The break between posts has been longer this time, but nothing fantastic has happened. Well, I shouldn't say that. Each day with my family is fantastic, the sermon on the last two Sundays really were fantastic, my youngest daughter sang at a school function on Saturday and she was fantastic...
But the schedule just keeps plugging along. I subbed in kindergarten two days last week and fourth grade Friday and yesterday. A big jump from kindergarten to fourth grade. It challenges me to reset my mind and expectations. Both classes were good while I was there.
I've been working out the gym a few days per week to help me get stronger. Not like huge bulky body builder muscles, just stronger to help me with that fall marathon in under four hours! :) I am running, but less than I was. I have enjoyed my time at the gym, especially the yoga class. I thought yoga was slow, boring and didn't challenge my body. Boy, was I wrong! I've gone the last two weeks, and am attending tonight, and the instructor had us sweating! I felt the soreness that comes from a good workout the next few days, as well. And I really enjoyed the instructor! :)
I'm still juggling my way through my book club book, the Hemingses. I have yet to get into a rhythm that has me chugging along and not wanting to put my book down.
I have started a book with my youngest daughter and her friend. The book is Coraline. It's what the newly released movie is based on. I had heard the book was better than the movie, so we thought we'd read it first. It's a bit spooky, but good thus far. We read about two chapters per week and then discuss it on Fridays. Last week's discussion introduced them to the idea of foreshadowing and they are enjoying thinking about the concept. :)
That's really all from here. My youngest is about done with basketball, and my oldest is about to begin track conditioning. So, another busy spring schedule is sneaking up on us! :)
Hope your week is going well!

New Quote

Saw this quote a while back-so long ago, I don't remember where, and wrote it down. Then I stuck it in my purse. I cleaned out my purse today and found the paper I'd written it on. Again, I thought "I really like this"... So, wonderful readers, I thought I'd share. :))

"Don't just live the length of your life, live the width of it as well." Daniel S. Goldin