May 15, 2013: One last hurrah.

Starting tomorrow we fast media.  Which means I give up:

1.  facebook

2.  television (including hulu)

3. my blog (like I've been updating it anyway...)  

4.  internet use (unless work related)

5.  iphone apps (unless work related)

6.  unnecessary texting

7.  did I mention hulu???

As a last hurrah, we took a picture with Dugal's mustache coasters to post of facebook, because, that's the kind of stuff we do.

May 14, 2013: Mrs. Brooks would not be proud

I am really trying not to waste food and to eat what is in my house before going and buying new food.  I am sick of looking in my cupboards and complaining that I have nothing to eat when I know that others would be overjoyed if they walked into my kitchen and had the opportunity to eat from my fridge (again, Jen and Jesus working a number on me).  So...This is what I get:  pasta and cheesy potatoes.  I added the Pepsi for a splash of color.  

May 13, 2013: Pound it, Thor.

In case you haven't heard, my students are weird.  Super weird.  A coworker once told me that I was the perfect teacher for them.  I have no idea what she is talking about.

May 12, 2013: Long(ish) run

Last week I downloaded the Nike running app for my phone.  It is AWESOME.  It has a little voice that announces how far you have run, your time, and your average pace.  It has turned me into a somewhat competitive person.  I have run three times since getting it, and I am DYING at the end of each run, sprinting to my house in hopes of crushing my last run time.  

Today, I decided to go for a longer run, but was hoping to stay close to my same pace.   Meg and Artie face timed me in the middle of the run, and I forgot to pause my running lap while I stood still and talked with them.  Once I got going again, the little voice on the app announced to me that my average pace was a 16:30.  I was so far off, I decided it was no use trying to make the time up, so I stopped multiple times during the rest of the run and took pictures of my city.  This one was my favorite.

May 11, 2013: Fasting possessions

Jen Hatmaker and Jesus are really doing a number on me this month.  I am still reading 7 with my small group.  This week we were encouraged to look at our possessions and give 7 items away.  Each day.  49 items by the end of the week.  Sounded nearly impossible.

My closet alone yielded 54 clothing items I didn't even wear anymore.  Scrounging around the rest of my house, I came up with another 49 things.  What really got to me was that I could easily find 103 different things in my house that I had no use for but wouldn't have gotten rid of if not for this challenge.  Getting rid of this pile was easy.  What would it look like if I gave until it hurt?  If I had to find another 49 things?  What else am I holding on to that I don't actually need?  How much have I wasted by spending money on things I use a few times and forget about?   Why am I misplacing my security in my stuff and not my Savior?  

By the way, about 20 minutes after I took this picture I added two mini Christmas trees and an end table to the pile.  The nicer clothes are going to New Moms, a shelter for teen moms.  I am not sure what I am going to do with the other stuff.  Maybe hold on to it until I come across someone with a need?

May 10, 2013: Nuthin

First of all, I would like to say that I know I was MIA for a while.  I don't really have a good excuse other than I stopped caring about the pictures this month.  Maybe it was school bogging me down, maybe it was too many good episodes of Law and Order SVU (I made it to season 4).  Maybe I just got lazy.  I had plenty of fun moments, and commentary that was probably more cool in my head than it ever would be if I had actually written it out, but I was not eager to log on and share for some reason.  As a result, I missed a lot of days this month.  I am going to try my best to sort through my pictures and remember why on earth I took some of them.  This formal apology covers all missed days in the upcoming 20.  No further explanation needed.

May 9, 2013:

And things like this make it ALL worth it.  

May 8, 2013: Artistic Spelling tests

I love grading spelling tests.  We have 3 different levels of words for the class, so the kids have a little down time in between their words while they are waiting for their other classmates.  Most of them doodle in this time, which I allow.  I love seeing what they come up with.  Today, instead of choosing one photo, I am going to honor all of my little artists.  You can pick your favorite.

Mmmm...pancakes and syrup 

"I a super star"... humble.

If you can't tell, the inside of her hat says "I love Ms. Kistler"

the next Picasso?

Sonic on a bicycle

hmm.  Not quite sure about this one.

Or this one...

May 7, 2013: crazy building

I was walking to class tonight and saw this cool building.  Sometimes it blows my mind that walking near a place like this is a common occasion for me, living in the city.  I don't know if that makes me happy that I experience stuff like this often, or sad that it doesn't have much of a wow factor for me anymore.

May 6, 2013: Sunbathing

Took a break from geocaching to sunbath au-natural on the rocks.  I love Ludington.

May 5, 2013: Weirdos

Maybe we stuck them on our faces because we had been waiting in the buffet line for over 20 minutes and we were bored.  Maybe we were guarding ourselves from another kissonthelips from 90 year old Willie VanNortwick.   Maybe we're just strange.

May 4, 2013: EMERY!

Today I met little Emery!  I love him already.  He is such a chill nugget of a baby.  Casey and Matt are definitely blessed with this little man.  I was holding him for a bit and he kept farting, which of course we all thought was adorable.  Between coos and giggles, I began to feel something wet against my skin.  He had liqui-pooed all over me.  I immediately shrieked, "Emery!  I have to wear this shirt for the next 3 days!"  No worries, folks.  I borrowed a shirt from Jess while I washed this one( it's rude to turn down the generosity of a friend, right?), then got back on track with my 7 again.  

May 3, 2013: Sprouts

We have some sprouts!  Makes me hungry just looking at it.

May 2, 2013: 7

My small group is currently reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker.  If you have not read it, I highly encourage you to.  It is about a woman who wanted to simplify her life after she realized that she was living "richer" than 90% of the world's population and taking most of it for granted.  Each month she chooses a different area of her life that she puts too much stock in, and she then fasts from that area so she can focus more on the one thing that actually has the power to satisfy:  God.  

Our small group has decided to take each area and fast for a week rather than a month.  This week we focus on clothing and choose 7 items we will wear and rewear the entire week.  My seven are:  

1 pair of dress pants

1 pair of sweat pants

1 striped t-shirt

1 white dress shirt

1 black dress

1 work out shirt

1 pair of workout pants

Underwear or shoes don't count and I am allowed a jacket or sweatshirt if the weather gets cold.  No jewelry or accessories.  We will see if any of my students notice I am repeating outfits over and over again :)

After making my decision, I realized tonight that I didn't really give myself anything to wear at night unless I want to wear my tshirt over and over during the day to bed.  I think that's a little gross, so I decided today to wrap myself in my snuggie to preserve my t-shirt longer between washes.  If I belt my snuggie, it works pretty well!

May 1, 2013: inappropriate

Today we got our class pictures back at school.  I almost died when I looked at them because one of my students is making the most hysterical face in his picture.  I swear a ghost must have been behind the camera.  I took a picture of it for today but then realized it might not be appropriate to show his school picture on my blog.  I don't want to be arrested for sharing photos of children or whatever weird thing you can be sued/arrested for these days.  

If you want to see it, just ask and I will show it to you on my phone :)

April 30, 2013: Spring has sprung... finally!!

BUDS!!!!!!

April 29, 2013: Sunset

After a wonderfully delicious burger (eaten outside in the WARM weather) I decided to walk home rather than drive.  I am so glad I did!

April 28, 2013: crazy fog

Hauuuh (that is my heavenly angel sound).  The way the light was bouncing off the fog this afternoon was awesome!  

April 27, 2013: Happy Graduation, Jesse!

I am so proud of my sister, though I don't have a picture to prove it.  You'll have to take my word for it.  My phone broke last night, and I have not had a chance to take it in and get a replacement phone since I woke up this morning at 4AM and drove to GR to see my baby sister graduate college.  I am really proud of her.  She has overcome so much and has taught me a lot about loving, giving yourself grace, and finding joy in small moments.  I yuv you, Jesse!

April 26, 2013: Mall Madness

I was making copies in the school office this morning and noticed Mall Madness on the shelf.  Weird and awesome.