Pleasant Surprise!

It's another snow day! I did not think this was going to happen. Yesterday during dismissal at school, it was pouring rain. By the time I left, it had turned to a slippery sleet. I headed to the library and by the time I got home, the snow was starting to come down hard. I woke up around 3 am to let Laila outside and the snow had stopped. I was pretty bummed and got mentally prepared to be at school today.

But alas, school was called off and I am one happy girl! Yesterday when I prayed for a snow day (haha true story), I promised that I would work on school things all day if we got a snow day. So now I feel I should keep that promise and get some school things done from home. Mostly my math block has been driving me crazy, so I'm going to try to think of some ways to improve it. I also agreed to teach morning school 3 mornings a week, starting next week, which I should probably get prepared for.


Other than that, I will be running...the Riverbank Run training schedule has officially begun! I'm going to run the 10k in May.

Here are a few instagram pictures from the weekend and Monday:

Laila got groomed 

Veggie enchiladas for dinner this week

New chair pockets from Donors Choose!

Have a great week everyone!

From 80 to 20...

I am currently enjoying the last day of my week long mid-winter break from school right now. I went to Florida with a couple of friends for a few days and let's just say the adjustment back to Michigan weather has not been easy.

We did not have great weather for the first couple of days in Fort Myers. As Gil likes to point out, it was 50 there and it was 50 here at the same time. But here's the difference between Michigan and Florida, after a couple of 50 degree days there, it then became 82. Florida win.

The weather turned nice just in time to make it very hard to want to return home. We got a perfect beach day and half a pool day in before flying back to the arctic tundra.

If it was not mid-winter break, I think we would've had a snow day today. I was planning to drop Laila off to get groomed and then go into school for a couple of hours to get some things done. But the roads were not great, so I ended up coming back home. I just shoveled the sidewalk and it was almost covered again by the time I was done. On Michigan's behalf, I do have to say it would be hard to live somewhere like Florida without the possibility of snow days. They really are the best unexpected surprises.

Since I'm snowed in today, I guess I will tackle my suitcase, which has been sitting untouched since I got home on Wednesday. I will think fondly of palm trees and sunshine while I get some major laundry and house cleaning done.

My Favorite Chili Recipe

Check out my favorite Sweet Potato Chili Recipe here. I have made it multiple times. It's so good. It's pretty spicy, so if you don't like hot, use less of the cayenne pepper.

A few tweaks: I usually use Muir Glen Fire Roasted Diced tomatoes, which I think is delish. I've never added the vegetable broth and I'm not sure I would notice it. I've also made it without the sweet potato when I don't have two hours to let it simmer and it was good without too. I usually use two cans of black beans instead of one can kidney, one can black. I don't love the texture of kidney beans for some reason.

Anyways, this recipe has become a staple in my house this winter!

Try it, you'll like it!

Put a White Crayon on Your Windowsill...

That was the announcement that was made over the speakers on Thursday as the kids went home from school. Teachers are very superstitious about their snow days haha. I have also heard of people wearing their pajamas inside out, flushing ice cubes down the toilet and doing the snow dance. I'm the opposite, I do NOTHING because I feel like it will jinx our chances. But anyways, we got our snow day yesterday and it was magnificent!

The snow kept falling for a couple of hours after I got up on Friday and it was so pretty. Laila had a great time getting snow covered outside.

 I wasn't super productive yesterday, to be honest, but that's the nice thing about snow days, there's no expectation of productivity! I did force myself onto the treadmill for a quick 20 minute run. Now I just have to keep that going!

Now I'm off to enjoy my weekend...love extra long weekends! Thank you, snow!!!

Sidenote: On Thursday, one of my first graders told me she thinks I'm really young for my age...it just kinda cracked me up & I didn't want to forget. :)

Ups & Downs

I feel like the minute I post about being enthusiastic about working out, the next minute I hit a bad streak! I have only done physical activity once in February so far and it was a one mile walk with the dog. Lame! I have just not felt into it though. I think the fact that it is dark when I leave work is starting get to me. I left today and it was so sunny outside and my mood lifted right away! Anyways, I need to get back on the workout wagon!

On another note, my friend Tina and I went downtown to MGM casino this weekend for a girl's night out. It ended up being a bit of a flop, but we had fun anyway, in a this-night-was-a-bit-of-a-disaster-but-we're-going-to-try-to-have-fun-anyways kind of way! Haha. On the upside, it was fun to get dressed up for a night out. I got this new shirt from Express and it was on clearance for $19. Score!

Tonight I was watching a movie and heard some bumps and thuds coming from somewhere in the house. I went exploring and found Laila in the bathtub. She does this from time to time. Kinda cracks me up.

Also, I guess there is a snow storm coming Thursday night? I will not get my hopes up. But it would be welcomed by me. Just sayin'!