Bath and Body Works My Nerves

I went to Bath & Body Works this afternoon armed with a coupon good for a free item when I spend $10 or more. Since I was fresh out of Wallflowers, I went in knowing exactly what I wanted.

The moment I walked in I was greeted by a very friendly sales associate who asked me if I was looking for anything in particular. I told her what I was there for and she directed me to the right place. About 30 seconds later, as I was looking for my Wallflower scent of choice another sales gal asked me if I was looking for anything in particular. I told her I found it, thanks. I had to do this routine the entire 45 minutes I was in the store. I was offered help SIX TIMES by the same 2 sales associates.

Everyone who helped me were all very friendly and nice. I know they are just doing their jobs but I think that offering someone assistance once or twice is plenty! At one point, a sales rep actually interrupted me from something I was looking to buy to show me another item, which I had no intention of buying. I ended up not buying either item and I just left as soon as I could get away from the over zealous sales people.

My quest to get into shape

Last September I made a pact with myself: if it all turned out well with my surgery, I would do more to stay in shape. My tumor had nothing to do with being in or out of shape but it made me aware of the fact that staying in good shape will prevent --or at least reduce ---hospital visits that can be avoided by being healthy.

In November my hemovac drain was removed and since then I have been left with a loss of feeling in parts of my thigh. Now that some of that feeling is returning, it is time to make good on the promise I made to myself.

I saw at 10tv.com that Heather’s Team is being formed in honor of Heather Pick , who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008, at this year’s Race for the Cure. Heather was Brian’s co-worker and friend. I decided that this would be a nice way to contribute to a good cause, honor a special person, and get myself into shape. Given that this 5K race is in May, it is time to start working.

My first step was to buy running shoes. I went to Front Runner and a sale’s person helped me tremendously. He looked at the tread of my old tennis shoes and watched me walk to figure out the best shoe for me. Not only have I been wearing the wrong size but I wasn’t even wearing the proper arch support.

The sales person brought a selection of four shoes. I walked and ran in the parking lot, no doubt looking like a nut with two different shoes on my feet! I decided on the Asics Fortitude. Just running in the parking lot, I could tell a difference. I had more stamina and less pain. Best of all, the discomfort I’ve been experiencing at my surgical site when I run was greatly reduced.

This week I will begin my running schedule. I’m excited to wear my new shoes! I hope some of you reading this will join me at Race for the Cure.

School Dream

On my myspace page I often post the dreams I have, especially if they involve people I know in real life. Here is a dream I had on 3/4 that involved a few friends. Look for my crazy dream blogs here now and then.

Begin dream: I was in a high school algebra class. My principal (my boss) was teaching it. A bunch of people from high school were in this class but I specifically remember Aaron and Matt being there. Everyone in the class were adults. We were all taking notes. I was panicking because I could not remember some of this math and I did not want my principal to know. Then Aaron's older brother walked past the window and pointed and laughed at us.

Livin' Like Larry

Over the weekend I happened to catch an episode of Spongebob Squarepants called “A Life in a Day.” In this show, Spongebob and Patrick decide to try to live like Larry the Lobster. They decide that living like Larry means living in the moment and ignoring all reason. Spongebob and Patrick end up pulling a bunch of crazy stunts and getting hurt. Larry realizes that Spongebob and Patrick are hurting themselves to be like him so he better explains the concept of "livin' like Larry" as living life to the fullest and not maiming yourselves.

Oddly enough, this episode made me think about how I live. I am not interested in maiming myself but I think I could live like Larry more often. I tend to over think and worry about everything. I don't think I'm ready to totally throw caution to the wind but I think that each day I can do something small to live in the moment. Today livin' like Larry meant taking my class outside for a quick afternoon recess and playing a game of chase with them. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow to live like Larry but I will make sure I do something.

A Lesson Never Learned

I have only been a teacher for a little over a year now and while I feel pretty successful there are things I still struggle with. My classroom has experienced a total schedule overhaul and now I feel like my time management strategies have been lost. This is one area where my teacher's prep program did not prepare me.

While I was in school working on my teaching degree, we had several placements in classrooms throughout the city every semester. Our professors always encouraged us to jump in and be helpful right away. Good advice. As a future teacher I was anxious to get to know the students and to find out what it was really like to be the teacher. However, now that I am flying solo in my own classroom I wish I could have seen how a teacher dealt with the students when there wasn't an extra set of hands. I think more teaching programs need to allow student teachers to spend at least a week just watching. Simply watching how a teacher manages behavior issues without any help or how she gets three kids off to gym and two kids off to art at the same time would have been helpful to see.

Seinfeld Moment 290,456: Can you spare a square?

Tonight I had to make a pit stop and use the potty at Target. What should have taken under 5 minutes ended up being a 20 minute adventure. First, the stall I selected lacked a functioning lock. Can't have that. So I took myself to the neighboring stall and lo and behold the lock worked. I did my business and despite there being a spot for TWO rolls of toilet paper, this stall was toilet paper free. I texted Brian. I figured he is an expert in all things related to the bathroom. he suggested that I wait until the bathroom cleared out then just (quickly) move to the next stall. The other choice being that I ask someone next to me if they can pass me some toilet paper. I had a problem asking someone for toilet paper. Not only would it be weird to have a faceless voice ask for toilet paper, I didn't want someone touching my toilet paper. Call me a germaphobe. So I went with option #1.

Once I finally got the nerve to attempt to leave the stall with my pants still down, I quickly realized a dilemma: women are quiet. Target has super industrial hand driers that actually blow your skin around. They are LOUD! So once the drier came on I couldn't tell if someone else walked in or if the person drying their hands had left because I could not hear the door open or close. Also, after drying our hands, we ladies often spend time in front of the mirror checking our make-up or teeth for food. We are very quiet as we do this. I eventually peeked out the stall door and made a mad dash to the stall next door. Luckily, no one caught me with my pants down.

25 Things About Me

I was "tagged" on Facebook to fill out a "25 things about me" questionnaire. Here is what I came up with. I'm very boring.

1. I am always reading at least 2 books. I keep a book upstairs and a book downstairs and read any chance I get.

2. I only watch TV Wednesdays and Sundays. Those are the only days that there is anything on that I like to watch.

3. I want to own my own business one day.

4. I am a constant worrier. I will worry about anything!

5. I am an only child and I'm perfectly happy that way. Sometimes I wish I had siblings but having a sibling is no promise that the relationship will be good.

6. I got my first pet, a cat, when I was 4 and she lived until I was nearly 19.

7. I love to bake and try decorating cakes and cupcakes. Recently I've been into making my own candy.

8. I met my husband in high school but I really didn't like him very much! We did not start dating until I was 22. When we got a little older I realized that we had a lot in common. We're now very happy and enjoy hanging out together. We can be content doing things together or just doing our own thing. He is my bestfriend.

9. I have 2 dogs and I never thought I would. I was always kind of scared of dogs and would avoid them as much as possible. Now that I have my own dogs strange dogs seem to like me better.

10. My dog, Colby found our turtle, Winnie, at a dog park. She only has 3 legs and she is missing a toe on one of her feet. Given her missing leg, I figured she should come home with us. We've had her for almost 3 years now.

11. I'm a huge procrastinator. I will avoid doing things I don't want to do until the last minute.

12. When I am stressed out I will clean the house.

13. I have a hard time getting and staying organized.

14. I enjoy my job (teacher) but I think I am getting really burned out with the students I work with. I will be changing schools for next year!

15. I enjoy matchmaking even if I'm not very good at it.

16. I like walking around the art museum and the zoo (when it is warmer). When I was on leave from my surgery I went to both places often.

17. One of my biggest pet peeves are people who hog conversations and can't seem to talk about anything other than themselves. Ironic that this is a post all about me but you guys know what I'm talking about!

18. I hate shopping. I can't stand the time it takes to try clothes on and I never seem to like anything.

19. Even though I'd never do it in public, I love to sing and I always sing along with the stereo in the car. And for the record, I'm drumming in that picture!

20. When I was taking my driving test for the first time I got nervous and turned left on red! Needless to say, I did not pass!

21. I really enjoy going to concerts and I've been to well over 50 shows.

22. My favorite season is fall. I like moderate weather. I hate anything that is too cold or too hot. Right now I am anxious for summer!

23. I haven't eaten port or red meat since I was 13 and I've never really cared for seafood. Recently I quit eating turkey and chicken. I got grossed out by something I watched about farms and decided I was done. I don't really miss it. I find myself eating more vegetables and making better choices at restaurants. All good things since I'd like to lose some weight.

24. I really like following celebrity gossip for some reason.

25. I love old movies. I like newer ones too but the older ones from the 50s and 60s are my favorites.