Time Flies

Hi there everyone,
I know, I know, you thought that I walked my way right off the planet, but the truth is, I found out in July that I was pregnant, and I was afraid to blog since I was having a hard time not sharing the info with everyone. I was not ready to tell my employer, or students until I was a little farther along, and so it seemed easier to seem MIA than try not to spill the beans, or the peanut as we call the little one.
T-man knew and it has been funny to watch how excited he is...everywhere we go he tells anyone who talks to him that he is going to be a big brother. He is thrilled although his Aunt MiMi assures him that he will not be so excited when peanut is here trying to take his toys and play with his things, we will see. He does love babies.
Thank you again, everyone who supported our 3-day Breast Cancer walk this year. Because of the pregnancy I was only able to walk half of the mileage each day, and some "medical complications" (nothing too serious) kept me from walking Sunday and some blood draw complications kept me from walking on Friday. But the important thing is that The Rack Pack was well represented, and we earned over $9000.00 for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer fund, and we were very proud of ourselves. We will be crewing in 2009, then walking again in 2010. This was the most amazing event of my life. To be part of such a fantastic group of men and women doing somthing so incredible will stay with me for a lifetime, and be part of my life's work always.
I will be "converting" this blog from a training blog, although, I admit, I dropped the ball there, to a family/new baby blog in the next few weeks. Thanks to anyone who has been patient, and kept up. Have a great end of summer.
Laura

July already !!!!

I can't believe how this summer is flying by, now my summer just shortened by 3 weeks. But, since I got the job that I had been interviewing for, I am very excited. I interviewed for both an SFA administrator, and an Asst. Principal. I will now be the SFA administrator at Lowell elementary school in Lorain. My first time working in a K-6 building. I think that I will have to change my approach. After 10 years of working with high school students, I don't think "suck it up" is going to be very successful with the elementary crowd. :)

T and I ar going to be heading out on another vacation. DH is very understanding about us taking off for a week here and there and A and her girls are heading out with us. He probably figures, how much trouble can two women get into with 3 kids under the age of 6. We are headed up to the lake Monday afternoon until Friday morning. 5 days at the beach will be just what the doctor ordered for both A and I. I hope that we can find a way to keep walking if we are gone from Mon-Fri we will need to get in 11 miles. I would be a quick few walks if we could find someone to watch the kids. Any volunteers?

I am very close to my three day goal now, only another $200 to go to make my $2200. But I have team mates who still need to raise a good portion of their funds, so if you are reading and are interested in donating to an exceptionally worthy cause, go to www.the3day.org and search for my name Laura Manning in Cleveland, then click on The Rack Pack in order to donate to one of my team mates. Please consider helping us to put an end to Breast Cancer.

Have a great week.
L

Catching Up

I know, I know, it's been a long time again...but I have been busy. But it's not just the blog that has suffered, for instance, my house is a MESS !!!!! T-man and I went on vacation without DH and everything was a mess before we left, and low and behold, it was a mess when we got back, and our luggage added to the mess.

I know that school is out, but it still doesn't feel like summer. Right now, the weather isn't cooperating, and I don't feel like we have had a "down" day yet. Before we went on vacation, everything was all about getting ready for the pig roast, then we left. We had a great time. My friend A and I had a conference for school at Kahlahari resort here in Sandusky, and we got to take our kids, we took a few babysitters to keep the kids busy in the water park during the day, and had a great time. Everyone came home water logged, and tired but full of memories that will last a life time. T-man loves the arcade, he is truly a gamer...God help us when he is a teenager. (It's already a fight to make equal time for books) but he loved playing in the arcade and cashing in those tickets. The last night he was playing for the King Cobra rubber snake that was in the display case, and he was hitting all the games that would give him the most bang for his tokens, he was 19 tickets short when a very angelic woman came up to cash in her tickets...she heard me explaining to T that he was just a little short and apparently deciding that she didn't need a whoopi cushion, or a set of parachuting army men, she told the attendant to give all of her points to T. He was soooooo excited. He got the cobra (which gives me a heart attack everytime I stumble across it hiding in the toy box) plus !!!!!!!!! She made his day.

The best part of the week for me was when I got to watch T ride the Flow Rider. Here is a child that is usually very cautious, but he had no fear boogey boarding his way around the surf...over, and over, and over. He didn't know that I was watching at first, and when he saw me he lit up. The woman sitting next to me, didn't know that he was mine, and she kept saying "look at that little guy in line, are they really going to let him ride?!" When he did it, the whole crowd was cheering and yelling for him. I was so PROUD !!!!!!!!!! He is amazing. When I told him how proud I was he said "I'm just good at it mom, that's all" So humble !!!!1

Well, everyone keep your fingers crossed for me, I have had two interview for administrative positions lately, and I am hoping to hear this week if I got the job.

Now I need to finish up my swap box and get all of these goodies off to Kelly !!!!!! I am very excited to see what she sent me.

Pig Roast Update

Anyone in the area who would be interested in attending our Breast Cancer 3-day team's Pig Roast leave a comment in the comment section and I will be in touch to send you some tickets.

The event is on June 21st. from Noon-5pm. Tickets are $20.oo for adults, and will include Pork, side dishes,Beer, Pop, a DJ, We will also have a special "Cure" shot and a raffle for some fantastic prizes from area businesses and restaurants.

Let me know if you are within driving distance of Elyria,Ohio and can't wait to help out a great cause.

I know that many of you were worried about Anna and I walking 48 laps (12 miles) in the heat of the day on Saturday for the Relay for Life. What an amazing event. There were all sorts of teams there from big businesses, High School clubs, small "mom and pop" type businesses, non-profit organizations...it was incredible. And, so was the heat. I have learned my lesson about black asphalt. I'm sure that Anna has too, she was covered in a heat rash by the end of the day, and was still feeling the pain this morning. What a trooper.

I am hoping in a break from the heat this week. I never thought I would say that, but it is almost too hot to walk.

Have a great day!
Laura

Summer, Day 2

What a wonderful start to the summer, while it is miserably hot, the sun is shining and fun things are happening. I have been able to walk everyday, I did 10 miles yesterday, and 5 this morning. I really like walking in the early morning. It gives me so much time to think about what is going on, and what I want to get accomplished.
I joined a blog swap the other day, and now I am anxiously awaiting to find out who my partner is, and I have started to make a mental list of some of my favorite things that I want to swap. June is a busy month, but I will make the time to put this together.
I watched a really beautiful, sappy movie tonight with M working, Friday nights give me the chance to watch all of the girl movies he barely tolerates. "P.S. I love you" it was really good, a 5 kleenex movie if ever there was one, if you don't cry watching it, you are made of stone. But, through the tears, I was able to listen to the really great soundtrack. Now, many of you know that I have been a country music fan for years, but one of the songs featured in the movie was from James Blunt. I had only heard of him just recently on a friends blog, but I hadn't heard his music, I am hooked. It was really good, so I just added "Same Mistake" and "You're Beautiful" to my ipod. Not really upbeat walking music, but good, so worth listening to, if you aren't already a fan, I recommend you have a listen.
Last thing for the night. Tomorrow I am walking in the Relay for Life at Avon Lake High School. What a great cause, the American Cancer Society, there can't be a person alive who's life has not been touched by some sort of Cancer anymore. I am very excited to be walking 4 hours for the TNG team, if you are in the area, come and cheer us on. My friend and Breast Cancer 3-day team mate Anna is also going to be walking. I am so happy to have the time to meet and talk with her. Love you, friend!
Have a great night everyone.
Laura

Summer is Here !!!!!

It's official, the kids are done, and the teachers have only a half day left. I love this time of year, the school year is done, the whole summer is spread out before you full of possibilities and TIME. We are going to be going to Kahlahari for a week, and are planning several week long girls and kids get aways. And believe it or not, I think that I will start out my summer vacation by painting and soliciting donations for the Pig Roast.

We got our assignments for next year this week, and I am torn. They don't have me teaching on the teams next year which I will miss It's nice to have that connection with the kids, and have three other teachers to work closely with. The up side of not being on the teams is that I don't have the pressure and accountability of the OGT. I will have the chance to teach all electives next year. The down side is that I will be teaching two classes that I have never taught, one that I haven't taught in years and 1 that I don't really enjoy teaching. That all boils down to an awful lot of summer prep time. The other good thing is that I will have lots of upperclassmen, and I will get to see some of my favorite students again next year. For some of these kids it will be our third year together.

Well, I am off to enjoy my evening, had a great walk this evening...I just beat the rain, and I was able to finish 4 miles in 1 hour. I am really looking forward to this weekends Relay for Life, a chance to get my 12 miles in, and help TNG raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Have a great week.
Laura

Sometimes these things come back to bite you in the ...

Wednesdays used to be so simple, School, Student Council meeting, pick up T, Weight Watchers meeting, home. I decided to eliminate Student Council, to give myself more time, and now, I have less time. How do these things happen? Yesterday I completely set myself up for success, I took my walking clothes to school, changed during my conference so that I was ready to go when the bell rang, I wanted to get in a 3 mile walk before I picked up T.
I dropped off the van in T's school parking lot and headed out for my walk. Beautiful neighborhood, everyone says "Hi" when you pass them, just the right amount of sun and shade. This is when I was lulled into believing I was in control of my day. When I returned to T's school, I was met at the door by the director. Apparently T had seen me walk by the school and had been melting down for the last hour because he knew I was there, and he wanted to leave. My five year old, who really just goes with the flow, was absolutely hysterical. Guilt. I get him in the car, thinking he will be soooooo happy to see me, I should have no problem getting him to go to the WW meeting with me. WRONG !!!!!! He does not want to go, he does not want to cooperate in any way shape or form. If he can find a way to slow me down, or defy me, he is finding it. Finally, after alot of whining, grumbling, and arguing we are on our way to the WW meeting with a quick stop at the drugstore. When I have put my foot down about buying a toy at the drugstore, my incredibly crabby T stomps his foot, puts his hands on his hips, plants himself in the middle of the (very busy and crowded) pharmacy aisle, and declares, loudly,
"Lady, you are pushing ALL my buttons today, aren't you!!!!"

Not walking related

This was a very busy weekend. On Saturday, darling hubby and I went had the chance to see Eddie Izzard in concert with friends, what a blast !!!!! He is such an intelligent comic that you can't help but learn something while you are laughing your butt off. On Saturday I also got to visit with an extremely youthful "old" friend, I didn't want there to be any confusion there, she is not old, at least not any older than I am, but I have known her since High School (23 years now). We met for breakfast that turned into lunch. Wonderful visit.

Sunday, I walked ten miles with Meg, then we went to UB's house for a BBQ to see his sister who is in town visiting. Great to see you, Rochelle, and THANK YOU !!!!!!, for the amazing contribution to my Breast Cancer 3-day fund.

On Monday, we were supposed to head back over to UB's for the annual Bacon Roast, but the weather and my sore,tired,body kept us home. We did summon up enough energy to go to Lowe's and do some pricing for a few spring/summer home improvement projects. We bought our first window, all of the window's in our house need to be replaced, and we are going to due them as funds permit. We also had to find a way to replace two very odd shaped windows that are on the side of our house. They are original pella windows, and when I say original, I mean probably the year the factory opened. The wonderful window guys at Lowe's get a big Thank you for all of their suggestions and help, especially in keeping the cost down, and our spirits high. We bought a ceiling fan for the guest bedroom to replace the really hideous light fixture, and before too long, that room should be done. Anyone want to visit?

Overall, a great weekend. It feels good to make progress on the house. Next weekend, if you are driving by our house, feel free to stop by and bring a paint brush.

Almost There

The school year is almost over, and, I must say, I am looking forward to this as much as the kids!!!! Don't let teachers fool you, they really do love summer break as much as their students. I am really looking forward to this summer. My darling hubby and I have decided not to send our little guy to "school" this summer, but instead to keep him busy and entertained at home and a variety of other camps, classes and activities.

I won't lie, I will probably be ripping out my hair before too long, but I am really looking forward to spending time with him, and my friends and their kids. We are going to try "letterboxing," and swim lessons, and days at the park, and of course time at the beach and our friends cabin.

The challenge will be to be a full time mom, and still find time to walk 10 miles a day.

The walking challenge has been wonderful. I have lost 30 lbs. and can now walk 6 miles with so much as a sore muscle. The ten plus mile walks are still kicking my tail, but I hold out hope because once upon a time six was difficult.

The next few weeks are going to be busy getting ready for the Pig Roast that we are hosting as a fund raiser at Stubby's Pub and Grub in Elyria, Ohio. It will be a fun, busy, day, and hopefully it will be very profitable for our team.

And, I would like to point out that this summer, I will also be trying very hard to keep my blog updated more frequently...I realize I have been lax, but it has been a very busy spring.
Have a great week.

Alright Already!!!!!

Ok, sorry it has been so long...I mean, both my readers seem to be upset that I have not been keeping up to date. The good news is that since I started training for the 3-Day walk, I have walked 102 miles !!!!!!! And no one has gotten hurt. Well, my house may not be spotless, but I have kept up with feeding my family, school, directing dinner theater and all of the other time suckers I have encountered.
This weekend is my nephew M's first birthday!!! Happy B-day my little bean. So we are headed to his house to help him celebrate, then on Sunday The Rack Pack has their first fundraiser...Crop for the Cure. It will be alot of fun to have 9 hours to scrap and visit with friends. Hopefully it will help us raise alot of money. Jack Scrapbooks, Archivers, and Work in Progress Kits are a few of our "sponsors," THANK YOU LADIES!!!!!!!

Tonight we have a 5 mile training walk, so if you happen to be in Avon Lake and you see us, Honk and Wave.

Good Morning!!!!
The first official day of spring break, we won't count Good Friday, that is sort of a buffer day to the REAL Spring Break...
I want to let everyone know that I have kept up with my walking!!! I am starting my third official week of training, and I am feeling strong. I walked 15 miles the first week, 13 miles last week, (I even walked on Easter) and I am scheduled to walk 15 miles this week. I have had my first blister, well, several at once...but I feel good.
Anna, my team co-captain and I made a decision the other day to change our team name...we are now officially THE RACK PACK, there will soon be six women on our team, and Bosom Buddies 4 didn't work anymore. All the credit for the clever new name goes to my DH Mike!!!!! Way to go honey!
Well, today is my "day off" from training, and I am going to celebrate the first day of break with my good friends Anna, Gina and all of the kids. We are going to IHOP to have Horton Hears a Who Cakes, and then off to see the movie. Fun!!
Happy Monday!

Just after my last post my treadmill broke, would not restart...I thought maybe it just needed some time to cool down, but it would not restart. Now I am back to square one until the weather breaks. Or so I thought.

This week was the beginning of our 24 week training program. I love any training program that starts out with a day of rest. Today we needed to walk three miles and my good friend Brian had a treadmill just collecting dust at his house. Yeah !!!!!!!!! Brian. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for the loan of the treadmill. Sooo, today i was able to walk my three miles without strapping a shovel to my tennies.

Last night was a late school night, so I didn't have a chance to walk when I got home. The good thing is, I felt guilty about it. That is a positive step. I know, guilt is not supposed to be a good motivator, but it is a driving force...mothers everywhere know this is true.
I plan to walk this weekend. I did order some of my "gear" this afternoon, and I am looking forward to being able to look the part. lol.
I want to thank everyone so far who has donated and who is being soooooo supportive. Everyone has been wonderful.
My students are really enthusiastic, and keep reminding me..."You can do it Mrs. M." We have started a collection jar in class so that they can contribute when they can...I told them I was going to "charge" them for being tardy, swearing in class, and turning homework in late. I was joking. HmHm...maybe not.

Wow, This is it, in January, I decided that my "word of the year" would be Commit. My friend Anna and I were at a scrap weekend, talking about my weight loss, and aversion to exercising, and we were discussing the Breast Cancer 3-day. She asked if I wanted to do it this year, and I responded that I wanted to do it next year. She didn't press, but it planted a seed. How could I say that I wanted to focus on committing, if I couldn't commit to the first challenge that presented itself. The more I thought about it the more I decided that I had to do this. My mom is a survivor, my aunt is a survivor, and wanted to do this to show them how much I admire their strength and courage. In the end, I had to convince Anna to walk sign up with me, now, we are the Bosom Buddies 4 and we are looking forward to a great year of training, and the fun of fundraising. If you are interested in donating to our team please, go to www.the3day.org and click on Donate Now. I am Laura Manning, and I will be walking in Cleveland.
Stop back here regularly to check on the fun things we are doing, and follow my training progress...lets see what else I can commit to, or if I will just be committed. Thanks.