Dadgum it, exercise....

To start with, this post is more for me than anyone else.  I am admitting that exercise really does make a difference.  I am also admitting that to make true LASTING changes for yourself you have to make LIFE changes.

The proof....buying smaller size jeans!  Yay!

As most of you know I set a goal of running 500 miles this year.  So far I have run 520 miles.  My average was 10.6 miles a week.  Plus, I continued my other exercise routines.  And....it made a difference.

Now, number wise on the scale.....well, I wish it was a smaller number and at times the fact that it hasn't been a smaller number has been discouraging.  I didn't lose lots of weight all at once....but, over time the changes have occurred and that makes me super happy!

I will also say exercise has become a part of my life.  I am happier when I exercise regularly.  I feel better about myself after I have exercised.  I have more patience after I have exercised.

Now, I didn't write this to tell people what to do and running isn't for everyone, but running isn't all I have done.  But, what I did was change my lifestyle for a goal I wanted.....I didn't do anything for anyone else...this was all for me.  In turn, I am happy!  :)

I still have plenty of work to do, many miles to run, and many planks to hold....but I am happy about the changes I have made and will continue to set new goals.

Now, if I can just make it through the holidays!!!!  :)

Have a GREAT week and Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!!

Teaching.......What's my job?

Okay, before I really get going I want to preface this with I LOVE my job!  Love, love, love.  I think it is interesting to really look at what my job is though.  There is ALWAYS more to people's jobs than what we think or realize, so I definitely know that everyone is in the same boat.....lots to do, lots of expectations, and then we hope to make a difference as well.

I CHOSE to teach high school.  I write it like that because it was truly a choice.  I always knew I wanted to teach....it was just hard to decide what I wanted to teach....what grade, age, subject.....

Confession time....I love history, but I don't eat, sleep, and dream it....I LOVE teaching.  I love being in front of the class, I love trying to make my subject fun and meaningful for the students.  In fact, that is one reason I chose to teach history....my goal was to make it interesting and fun for my students.

So, we know that my job is to explain my subject matter to my students.  All teachers are work to teach reading, writing, and I even teach math at times.  :)

I also believe it is my job to teach life lessons.  My kids should learn responsibility, manners, and respect.  Some people make the comments that teachers should teach morals and character and to be honest with you....I am okay with that.  I really don't have a big problem with it.  The issue becomes if we teach it different from how a parent would want it taught.  :)  I have expectations....I expect for my students respect me, I expect my students to try hard, and I expect my students to be kind to others.  That is part of my job...to teach these things as well.  I find it funny when people think all the negative things kids learn come from school.  I have small kids and though they have picked up on some negative things at school, most of the negative things my kids have learned haven't been "at school."  My kids have seen things on TV, at  Wal-Mart, on the radio and in the neighborhood that I  wish they had never learned, so I would never just blame the school.

My job is to teach, to inspire, to create, to counsel, to make sure my kids have someone to talk to, someone on their side, someone to help.....but I also have to make sure they understand that respect towards adults should be given, that when others speak.....they should listen, and that we should respect  others even when we don't agree with them.

I love my job and am so appreciative of all the people who are doing all they can to provide these gifts and school to my girls.

I am lucky enough to have a job that I love and though there are days that don't go as planned, there is nothing I would rather do.  :)

I want cozy....but how?

My living room......I want it to be cozy....but how do you make it that way?  I've been in so many houses that are so warm and inviting, decorated so nicely, and look like they are well taken care of.  Unfortunately, that's not my living room.

So, my question is....how do you make your living room cozy...warm....inviting?  I have a few ideas and have talked to a few people.  But, I don't want to spend bunches of money and not have it how I want it.  

A few things about my living room....1st, it is rectangle.  Second, TV really only has one spot...at one end of the room.  My fireplace is down by the TV.  We had a picture above the mantle, but have moved it over the couch and that makes a WORLD of difference.  But, now I need something for my mantle....a mirror?  A large clock?  Hmmmm......

Now, it is getting close to Christmas and to be honest, I love my living room at Christmas....I feel it is warm, inviting, cozy....I just don't want to leave my decorations up all year.  :(  

So.......any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated......oh....and any ideas on what to do with all the clutter?  :)