What's new this week?

Well...Michelle killed us today in boot camp. We were breathing heavy, ready for our final week. We are looking forward to our fitness assessment Thursday and our 5 K on Friday!!!! Yay.....zzzzzz. I am so tired!

I've finished 3 of my 5 technology classes, and learned a LOT. I've got 2 more in late July, plus a field trip pre-visit!

This is not our picture (obviously)
 because I am too tired to get up and
download the pictures to this computer ...

We are about to start "fun" season. We have family from California coming, and a camping trip coming up! Andy and I went on a hike with MB's group up the Narrows. This time, I made it all the way up Orderville Canyon to the waterfall - beautiful!

Been reading...mostly listening as I exercise and drive back and forth.
#9  The Circle Opens: Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce. I still love her writing....so amazing! Fantasy, 264 pages.

#10  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Now I'm going to have to read all his stuff. I love the short, almost brusque voice in this book. I'm about 2/3 through this now - 318 pages, realistic fiction, good main character. There is a movie filming...should be interesting.

Updates for the week: Reading and Bootcamp

Here's the scoop on my latest reading...I'm not counting the books I listen to. They are on my Goodreads, but I won't count them here.

#4 The Gray Wolf Throne, Seven Realms series #3 by Cinda Williams Chima - Again, one of my favorite authors. I love her characters! The strong dual main characters are great... Hardback from the library, 517 pages, fantasy.

#5 Reached, Matched trilogy final book by Ally Condie - The hold feature from the library is awesome! I had requested this book before, but was too busy to pick it up. So, someone (hopefully many) got to read this before it came back to me. Dystopian science fiction, 512 pages, hardback. As a final, it wrapped up most of my questions...good, but not great.

#6 Stork by Wendy Delsol - Okay, so first I checked out an audio (CDs) book from the library called Frost. I couldn't tell from the cover that it was part 2 in a trilogy/series. So, about 15 minutes into listening, I realized I needed the first book. I went to the library that day and found the book. It was a quick read. Those of you who know me know that I LOVE things with Norse mythology (Vikings). This series is based on those ideas...fun! Makes you cold just reading some of it, perfect for the summer! Mythological fantasy (think Percy Jackson style), 355 pages, hardcover.

#7 Uncommon Criminals, Heist Society #2 by Ally Carter - Her books are so much fun! Lots of travel to exotic places and art in museums...you know me! I like that in this series, the main character is clearly REALLY good at what she does, and yet, she is insecure and confused. 298 pages, mystery, hardcover.

#8 A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly - I mentioned this in my Goodreads review, but I like the voice this author writes with, but I think I liked her book Revolution better. Historical fiction/mystery, 396 pages, paperback.

This makes is 12 "books" according to our page # count...it does put me a little slow, but I should do some good reading this weekend.

In other news...we are 2 weeks through bootcamp. I am officially exhausted, although still weirdly considering riding with Andy in the canyon tonight. Tonight is my "cheat meal" for the week. Dinner in Springdale...YUM!!!!  Also, after Pinteresting several banana and peanut butter recipes, I made a yummy smoothie this morning. 1 banana, 2 tblsp Smart Balance PB, spinach, protein powder, skim milk and a few ice cubes - SOOO good! And I was wrong, you totally can't taste the spinach!

Have a great weekend!

Bootcamp Week 2 2013

I missed yoga last night. As I was soaking in my sore muscle relief salts, I got a text from Nikki - "Coming?" and my heart sank. I haven't seen Nik in a couple of weeks...I miss her! But the mandate for sleep overrides the need for yoga and giggles.
Here are my new acquisitions this bootcamp season:
1) a couple of new workout clothing items...don't have to do laundry every couple of days!
2) Wintercrest - it's awesome, except that it gets everywhere unless you've wrapped up tight over the area...
3) a foam roller - this is also pretty darn awesome! It works out the soreness as you roll over it...ahhhh.
I've learned that I have to run just over 1700 yards before the pain center and whining shut off in my brain. After that, I just put my head up and go....why would anyone want to do that? I will run for bootcamp, and I will bike for me.
Feeling pretty accomplished today:
Bootcamp
Dog walk
Breakfast - plain oatmeal with 1 tbsp honey and 1/2 cup blueberries!
Got laundry started (washing dog bed covers...Sarah's getting groomed today for the 1st time!)
Washed & chopped veggies and distributed fruit into cups for the rest of the week - see my "selfie" to the right!
Swept house
Vacuumed rug
Did dishes
Turned on self-clean on oven (it's smelly, but we're running the circulating fan)
Officed...this includes mail, shredding, computer biz - this is my last computer task.
I will now shower, take Sarah down to Grammie's for her appointment, come home, and SLEEP!
Tomorrow - speedwork...

Boot Camp has begun...

Yup...my month when I actually get more than 7 hours of sleep! And hurt...so yesterday was the first day - fitness assessment and paperwork. I should weigh myself...I'm not sure about pictures...
I have my buddy, Monica, that I met last summer in boot camp. She is great, really got me through the running last year. One thing that I was really proud of was my 5K time at the end last year. We didn't do a "before" 5K last year...but we ran one today! My time was 42:26...about 5 minutes slower than my 5K time last year. Considering how much I HATE running, that's not bad...I think I went numb about 2 1/2 miles. Didn't really hurt after that...I'm proud that I have changed my way of running - no more toes - so that I don't have such shin-splints. But my Achilles are sore this year...I feel guilty about the dogs when I get home, so we go for a walk right away. They love a guaranteed walk each day! Except for class days...

Summer Reading - Post 1

Okay... I will admit that I am a bookaholic. Actually, as my kids learned this year, the correct term is either bibliophiliac, or bibliomaniac, depending on how YOU are disposed toward the items in question.

One of my favorite reading/teaching places is the Nerdy Book Club, where lots of my fellows come together to blog about how books can be life-changing. Donnalyn sent out the Book a Day challenge. I didn't get my picture of my 2+ crates of books that I brought home in on time, but never mind. I have embraced the challenge, and offered a prize to any of my students who completes it as well. (There are requirements here...I shouldn't be suckered!) Another place I L.O.V.E. is Goodreads - where was this when I was a child? It helps me keep track, and is as close as I will get to being a social medi-ite in the immediate future.

So...to begin the beguine...
# 1 Beyonders, Book 2: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull. I started this book before the end of school, but because of all the end of year crazy, was unable to read the last 200 pages until school was out. 528 pages (paperback edition), and lots of fun. Fantasy - can't wait to read the final installment later this summer!

#2 The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen. LOVED the first book, The False Prince, and so I requested it from the public library (love the request feature...and email notification) 331 pages, fantasy...but I am enjoying the twist of a female author writing a male character in this series - not something I can always get into!

#3 Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. Can't. Say. Enough. about anything she writes! I love her voice, the characters, the detail of the description...don't know what else to say. Of course, it's fantasy...and there is a movie coming out from one of her other series in August. I OWN EVERYTHING SHE'S WRITTEN. Much like Philippa Gregory and Diana Gabaldon...I devour every word! 568 pages...just over 6 hours.

Summer Plans 2013

School ended for Andy on May 3... and he started back at Zion National Park on May 13! School ended for me on Thursday, and by Friday noon - VOILA! Summer hair...

I have to read 2 library books by Tuesday morning, so I will make this brief... I am taking up the Nerdy Book Club summer "Book a Day" challenge. I also have an account on GoodReads where I track my reading...it's awesome if you're a reader! Go on, and let's be Book Buddies!

Speaking of summer entertainment: Ironman 3 - ok. Star Trek Into Darkness - TOTALLY rocked. Great Gatsby - just as depressing as last time, but it does have Leo, and Toby still reminds me of Dad. Next up? Fast & Furious 6...


I am starting bootcamp through Phazes again on June 3. I need it...gotta get going in the "right" direction again.  And riding my bike... and eating more veggies...

Technology endorsement classes (officially, not just for fun like the last 15 years) begin on June 3 as well. I'm registered for 3 in June, 1 in July. Then we'll do 9 credits through the school year, and next summer I'll need to do another 4-5 credits. After that, secondary certification? Who knows. I am proud that my student teacher from this year (go Jenny!) will be teaching at our school next year! She totally earned it!

I did move classrooms...2 walls of windows and 3 bookshelves!

Oh, and Thursday night, just as I was about to refill my water glass and take a relaxing bath, we had a visitor - check out my friend the kingsnake! UGH!! In. My. House. and Andy was gone. Yup - totally NOT relaxing. I managed to remove it to the front yard, but still shiver when I think of it...

Christmas Memories