It's a Wrap

Last night I had ten friends over for a Wrap party. We all had our stomachs wrapped except one who had her thighs wrapped. Before and after pictures and everything. I don't just jump into things like this. I had seen people posting on FB about these drastic results they were getting after being wrapped. I didn't even know what that was. I finally found out and then two friends started selling them. I contacted one and she said that had she not seen the results with her own eyes she wouldn't have believed it. Out the door went the modesty. The girls came one by one into the bedroom to be measured, have before pics, and get wrapped. After an hour we unwrapped, remeasured, took the after pic, and rewrapped. I slept in my wrap. After the first hour I had lost an inch. This morning I woke up with three more inches gone and two pounds down. During the process you have to drink a ton and I mean a ton of water. I'm a little tired today because I was up multiple times going to the bathroom. :) I'm at 21 miles right now in my 100 miles in May challenge. I'm four miles behind where I need to be. I will catch up. I have a plan. It will happen. I am totally loving this challenge. Thanks again, Stephanie. We have a group on FB where we check in and it's so inspiring. Tonight I did some walking and in an effort to increase my mileage I started running. Tonight was a ten minute sprint followed by some five minute sprints. Where did this girl come from? Who is she? I'm hoping to get up in the morning for a four mile walk before work and then I'll do another 3-4 after work. This should get me back on track! I fell behind because being the chair of a 5k in 90 degree humid weather zapped my exercise effort for the day. The picture below describes how I feel about my effort in this challenge!

Saturday was the school district education foundation 5k. We have started from nothing and this is our fifth year. It was so inspiring to see so many people out there walking. My mom walked by herself. She was jamming to her tunes and booking it. She walked it in 52 minutes. I'm so proud of her. The participant that stole my heart was one of my fourth graders. She came with her mom who was running the event for the third year in a row. This mom runs marathons and her daughter decided she was going to do it too. I have to check her time again, but that little thing ran the whole thing. I ran across the finish line with her as I had tears in my eyes. Very inspiring. And on the job search... No interviews for next year yet....HOWEVER...I had a long talk with God on Sunday night. I told him I know he has a plan for me and I do trust him, but after being at the job search since January I was feeling a little frustrated and impatient. I told him I needed some encouragement. Less than 24 hours later I had a phone call asking me to be principal at one of our elementary schools for summer school. I heard you loud and clear God. I'm so excited. The school in which I taught for five years is where I get to go. WOOT WOOT! I kinda see that as a double sign. I've always had a dream of working as a principal there. Even though it's only for four weeks it counts on my list.

100 Miles in May

My dear dear friend, Stephanie, posted a challenge on Facebook last night. She is going to run 100 miles in May. I don't have to run all 100 miles. I can bike, step, use the elliptical or walk. No brainer. I'm in. What a great way to motivate some more cardio. It's the third and I'm already at 5.65. All I have to do is average 3.6 miles a day. I figure on the weekends or evenings when I have extra time I'll so some extra. I've been averaging about 2 miles maybe a little over a day. Increasing to 3.6 will be a great boost for the metabolism. I'm always up for a challenge and I'm quite excited about this one. When I say Stephanie is a dear dear friend...I mean it. I've known her since Kindergarten. She always makes me smile. It is rare you find someone as humorous, caring, and loving as Stephanie. Friend, thank you for the 100 Miles in May. I really appreciate it. Great idea! I haven't the time nor energy to go back through this blog and figure out how many times I have said I'm going to be a runner, but I've been running a bit. No distance. I do 2-5 minute sprints. Those of you who have been reading since the start know that running triggers anxiety for me. I haven't put any pressure on myself. On days when I go to the gym and feel like it, I hop on the treadmill and go for it. It relieves a lot of stress for me. And there is still that challenge word. Jeez I'm motivated by a challenge. Grandpa Update: Grandpa was diagnosed with prostate cancer close to ten years ago. The cancer was maintained by oral meds and shots for a long period of time. Shortly after my uncle passed away from cancer in 2010 the doctors found the cancer had spread to Grandpa's bones. Again the numbers didn't grow a lot with the oral meds and shots. Recently, the cancer has started growing. A few weeks ago Grandpa underwent his first chemo treatment. The treatment almost killed him. He ended up in the hospital for a week and then rehab for another week. Last Saturday I went and had a wonderful visit with him. I really wish I could bottle Grandpa up. He is one of the finest people I have ever known. When he has had every right to complain, he doesn't. When others question God or their faith, he turns deeper to prayer and the Bible. On Saturday we had an hour long discussion about faith. I spent my childhood years raised in a Quaker church. Since then I've attended baptist and a variety of non denominational churches. I told Grandpa that I still struggle with finding the right church. He explained things to me about the foundation of the Quakers of which I had not been aware. These fundamental beliefs are what have been at the heart of my unsatisfaction with other churches. I've felt more at peace about this aspect of my life since our conversation. If I could bottle some of Grandpa's spirit I would. We need more of it in this world. My prayer is that Grandpa will not suffer with the nastiness of cancer. I love that man. Dissertation Update: I'm now waiting on my district to let me know if the study is a go or not. IRB is at a standstill until I get approval from the district. I'm trying everything I know to keep my mind off of the fact that we are ticking away at the days in May when I am supposed to be interviewing. Job Search Update: One interview. I felt it went well. The district is much smaller and pays way less. I haven't heard anything yet. More applications are out. I'm trying to keep my mind off of this as well. Ha! After writing this, I realize it's no wonder I've been compelled to run. Want a little stress with your life? Alright...I need to wind down. Tomorrow is 5k Friday. The day before the 5k I chair. Lots of prep to be done. Lots of packets to be handed out. I can't wait. This is year number 5. It started as a small dream of mine and now it's grown into an annual tradition!