"When are you going to realize I am NOT a runner?"

This was my exact response to Mike last night when he said something to me about taking Sage for a run. Whenever he brings up running, my immediate response is "I don't run!". It is one of those things that I am not good at. It is uncomfortable (sometimes painful), and I just really do not enjoy it. Even with my involvement with sports in high school I always dreaded the long distance running days or the mile run for PE. Mike on the other hand, ran cross country and would often go for runs through college. As a result, I would never even dream of going running together - much too intimidating and not my idea of fun!

That is why I thought it was very ironic that I started a training program for beginning runners today. I just had open my mouth and give that response last night! The story is that I wanted to participate in the Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge, but when I looked over the training it seemed too easy. As I mentioned before I have been walking on the treadmill, which is more of a workout than the "challenge" WW offered. So, I decided to look at the beginning runner program instead. I thought, why not give it a try and see what happens. Today's workout was not too bad, but the problem is that it involved very minimal running (7 minutes out of 31) and I was still in a lot of pain. I just never feel comfortable and relaxed while running. But, I am not ready to give up yet, and we'll see how things go. Maybe Mike's wishes will come true, and I will have to take back last nights statement (I have my doubts).

That's What I Said.

I decided to wordle my past blog entries just to see what words I tend to use most frequently when blogging. Apparently I use the word REALLY a lot. I guess now I will be more aware of that when writing future posts.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Had No Hair.

BEFORE

Well, Sage had her first hair cut experience today... and I cried! She had not been really groomed in a while because of the incision from getting fixed. Therefore they could not really do anything else, but cut it REALLY short, because her fur was really matted. The weird part is they still left it really long on her tail. I was really upset to see her looking so scary, so I just started crying. But, the good news is that it will grow back. I just hope it grows back FAST! I want my cute, cuddly, furry Sage back.

AFTER

Clean Sweep

I decided to take the day off from school today to lounge around with Sage. She was fixed yesterday, and we thought it would be best if someone was home to keep an eye on her during her recovery. She spent most of the day sleeping and resting. She walked around a little bit. I even snuggled with her and we both took a little nap on the floor.

At one point during the day while she was resting I decided to tackle the spare bedroom. The main goal was to organize all of the wedding stuff, especially because we have started to buy the many mirrors and vases needed for centerpieces.

To begin with I could not even get into the room because the doorway was blocked. Here are some of the before shots...

It of course reminded me of the show Clean Sweep on TLC (which I don't think is on anymore). I was very pleased with the end result. Hopefully it will stay this way while I am back in Kittery (right Michael?)! Here are the after shots...

Who knew there was actually bed underneath that mess?

Student Work

This weekend has not been very much fun for me, because I am stuck with a TON of grading to do. Part of my problem is that I assigned a project that was due on Monday, and I haven't touched any of them since then. Then my students had to respond to my math blog problem on Friday - so that added to my "to grade" pile. Oh well, it is my own fault. I had a little break today, so that Mike and I could head to Portland and look at our cake options. So, now I have decided to take another little break, which is the perfect opportunity to share some of the papers I have been grading.

In my pre-algebra classes we have been working on learning slope (rise/run). The project required the students to create a piece of artwork using straight lines and then they had to give me the slope, y-intercept, and the equation for each line. They all had very creative ideas!

Mountain Climber

Basketball Player

Odd Tree

Goalie

Christmas Tree

Robot

Field Hockey Player (Had to include this one!)

Cake Shoppe

In the Sea

My Baseball Field

My House

DIY Centerpieces

Well, we finally got around to buying everything we needed for the test run on the centerpieces. I am really excited to report that it was successful! I was starting to worry that it would not work and I did not have a back up plan. Here are a few pictures of the process while we tried different layout options for the table linens. I also included a picture of the table name displays that I worked on last Sunday. After working on the invitations everyday last weekend it was a nice change of pace to get a few of these done. Slowly but surely everything is coming together!

Legacy Lodge

Last weekend Mike and I left Sage with his parents and enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend with my family in Harrison, ME. We stayed at my second cousins summer home, which is on Sebago lake. It was my mom, grandmother, my siblings, Mike and I and then my Aunt Sherry and her children with their spouses and children. We had a lot of fun! The house was AMAZING! We were each split up into different bedrooms, which had their own bathrooms. Each family provided meals, so there was plenty of delicious food. Then there were, of course, plenty of board games, video games, pool, fooseball, movies in the theatre, and other entertainment to keep us occupied. There was especially, a lot of singing going on between Singstar karaoke and Rock Band. The weather was really nice and quite warm for March, which did was not so good for ice fishing, skating, cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Five of us ventured out onto the lake on Saturday. Ingrid, Sherry, Mom, Jon and I had the snowshoes and Mike had his cross country skiis. We went on the lake, but we soon decided to turn around, because the snow was melting. As soon as we sunk our foot into the snow a little bit of water would creep up. It certainly did not make us feel very safe. We figured that it was the snow melting on top of the frozen lake, but we did not want to take any chances. Unfortunately, we did not make it all the way back to the lodge without an incident. I of course ended up being the lucky one to end up in the water. It was my own fault, because I decided to take a look at Jason's ice fishing hole. After I snuck a peek I then started to head to more solid ground, but the snow underneath me broke away and I fell (and screamed)! Fortunately, I landed on my butt, on top of the snow that did not break away. But, I was soaked up to my knees. Luckily, it was not the lake water, because that would have been MUCH COLDER! My mom made her way over and helped by lifting me up. Here are a few photos from that adventure (none of me in the water of course, because my mom was more worried about getting me out than snapping a photo - thanks mom!).

With the help of my family I was also able to finish a major part of the wedding invitations this weekend. Here are a few more pictures of us working on the invitations, playing games and enjoying the food.