Books, Food and more!

I love books! most people know this about me. I am so excited for Preschool this next week because we'll be talking about Dr. Seuss all week! He's one of the best authors ever!!!!!

Anyway. Just finished reading a great book. 'Kiss' by Tedd Dekker & Erin Healy. So good. Really recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great read. (let me know if you want to borrow it. As long as you promise to return it i'll bring it/send it to you!)

It's a really good book full of Suspense, Action, Intrigue, a touch of Romance (but not sexy, mushy kind. Though i often appreciate those types of books too), and has the underlying message of God's faithfulness and hope in every situation. Totally LOVED IT!

So, now that I've finished that, I'll be moving on to finish 'Committed' by Elizabeth Gilbert, then will probably start 'Remarkable Creatures' by Tracey Chevalier. Am very excited about the later book. I love Tracey Chevalier and have been anxiously anticipating a new book from her for quite some time. Plan to really savor and appreciate her amazing storytelling gift and enjoy this new book. It looks great!

Also today, I tried a new food product. For anyone who has not yet had a 'Quorn' product, i highly recommend them. It is a vegetarian company, but so much more. Every item that i have tried of thier's i absolutely love. And today was no exception. I tried the Quorn Turk'y Roast. It is meatless and soy-free. Quorn products are made with 'the ideal protein source...mycoprotein. Myco is the Greek word for fungi' (Quorn box) So it is made with a type of fermented fungus! How cool is taht. It is vey low in calories, easy to make and absolutely yummy. So, the next time you're at the Grocery Store, be sure to look for some amazing Quorn Products. they have made my new vegetarian lifestyle so easy and worth it!

Well, I'll sign off now. Hope anyone is actually reading this! If you are let me know. I'm desperate for approval, disapproval, anything really! Attention, that's the name of the game. We all want attention!

Quote of the Day: "So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!" Dr. Seuss, 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!'

Day Care Director

So, sometimes it's very stressfull running a Day Care Center. Okay most of the time. Now, every day is worthwhile, because the children need us and I love each and every one of them. Even the ones who make me angry and drive me nuts! Anyway, there are some days though, that i love running a Day Care Center because the children can turn a day that is absolutely crappy, busy and just awful into hillarious in an instant. I had two of those times this week and just had to share them. I LOVE MY KIDS!

First, on Wednesday i was called down to deal with a problem situation. The week was dragging, I was busy and now i had a child to deal with. I 'dealt' with him in my own firm, unflinching way and was ready to leave. As i went to go, one of the other children in that group, (these are my oldest kids 10-12) said her mom saw me working out recently and how i was really looking good. some of the other girls chimmed in that i was looking good and working hard. We started talking about working out, they asked what i do, blah, blah, blah. Suddenly, one of the girls has a revelation. Wait for it... this is the good part... she says, Miss April if you keep working out and looking good, you can wear a bikini for Summer Camp. OMG! I laughed out loud and had to catch my breath. I tried to explain that this would never happen but, they were adamant. i could wear a bikini. Then, the staff member that was with the group chimes in, yeah April you could. I told her that would be a terrible thing to do in front of the children (How Obscene) and that it would never happen, but it really made me feel good taht my kids think i'm doing that well and that there is some possiblity that i could ever look good enough to wear a bikini. Still chuckle today just thinking about it.

The second instance, happened today. After a 2 hour delay with the older children and a late start for preschool things were going along, but were crazy because i needed to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. With only about 20 minutes left at the end of Preschool we sat at the Circle and sang some songs. As we were singing one of our favorites i had an idea. The song has you move a "spider" to different parts of your body. I thought, how about we do body parts that rhyme. So, we did toes then nose; lips then hips; then i was out of rhymes. So, as i was singing the last part of hips it hit me, ear and .... So, i tried it. (I have to admit this is not my style as i usually don't do things that could be percieved as even remotely inapproriate but, it seemed funny.) So we had the spider on our ear and then on our rear. The kids started laughing. They laughed so hard! And all the while they have thier little butts stuck up in the air with thier 'spiders' on them. I started laughing, they laughed harder. We all were losing it! Finally we finished the verse and had to stop for a moment and take deep breathes to calm ourselves down. It was so funny. I don't know if this reads funny at all but, seriously it was freakin' hillarious! I felt so much better and the rest of the day was just fine!

Okay, that's it. Just had to share those stories and try to give others a little bit of the joy that my delightfuly children occassionally give me.

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Tuesday

today has been an odd day. Can't say bad, but would definatley not say good. Odd. Sometimes that is the best word. Didn't work out today. After my dr. apt., just came home and have been doing very little all evening. Feeling like i could have accomplished things, but not really motivated to care. What appathy April!

Anyway, Important Note: Today was my Mom's Birthday! I am a terrible daughter as i did not get her card mailed and have not finished her gift. Am planning on giving to my brother when he and his family come to visit this weekend to take to her. That's bad! Should have finished it and mailed it to her or gone home last weekend. Need to improve on this. Communication is not my strongest asset.

Okay, need to finish up some stuff for work tomorrow, get the dishes done and go to bed. Am lazy, lazy person and am generally un-motivated. Need optimism and enthusiasm. Please God, inspire me! I really need something right now to give me a kick in the pants!

Quote for the day: "Here vigour failed the lofty fantasy; But now was turning my desire & will, Even as a wheel that is equally moved, The Love which moves the sun & other stars." Dante Alighieri, Canto XXXIII

End of the day

So, i totally did not accomplish all of my goals. Was over 1500 calories (1675 to be exact), have not finished Mom's B-day gift, whinned about my health and worked slightly over 8 hours. I am a failure. I did do a 2 hour cardio work out, and after my shower (here in a moment) i plan to do my 25 minutes of yoga before bed. i have heard this is good as it may relax me and let's be honest if you know me, you know i generally don't relax. Especially since i have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

(I know, what a shock, i have a doctor's appointment. Who would believe it.) There was a time, back in late January/early February that i actually went 3 weeks without seeing a doctor. But, i won't be repeating that anytime soon. (See i'm whinning again!!!!)

Anyway, will log off in a few minutes after i obsess over webmd for a bit and then shower, do yoga and read for a bit before bed. Generally sounds like a good plan. We'll see if i keep it.

I am currently reading 'Kiss' by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy. Very good book. A lot of suspense and intruige. Am also reading 'Committed' by Elizabeth Gilbert & 'Sea Glass' by Maria V. Snyder. Yes, i am reading three books at once. i have a tendancy to do that. i love them all and just had to read them all and now have a lot to read. I have a stack of 7 other books waiting to be read as well and there are several coming out in the next few weeks that I MUST buy too! I really do have a problem with books. But, at least it's not too unhealthy.

Well, signing off. Don't know if anyone will actually read this tripe, but I'm enjoying writing it. So, who gives a crap.

end of the day quote: "You travel with us as we wander, O God. Lead us to that place where you would have us bear fruit." Susan Cherwien, Luther Seminary Lent Devotional 2010.

Monday

So, the day has started out okay. Have decided to start writing out lists of things i hope to accomplish the next day on my mirror in the bathroom the night before. My list for today was as follows:

*1500 Calories
*Mom's Birthday (Card, etc.)
*Work only 8 hours
*2 hour work out followed by PM Yoga from DVD when i get home.
*Finally, DO NOT WHINE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!

So far i have not completed any of the tasks but am trying. These are all really lofty goals for me. The work out thing is probably the easiest but, i have to feel well to do it. (Not that i'm whining about being ill, mind you.)

We'll see how i do. Wish me luck with my goals.

Quote for the day/hour: "There's a peace I've come to know, though my heart and flesh may fail. There's an anchor for my soul, i can say it is well. Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed. Victory is won, he is risen from the dead." Chris Tomlin "I will rise" (Totally love this song and play it over and over again in my car. Feel the first line is particularly appropriate for me at this time in my life.

PEACE TO ALL

Way too long...

Well friends, I'm back. i can not believe it has been so long. I am so glad that i have my computer back working and am now going to try to be diligent about updating my blogs. I will admit that i never feel like i have anything interesting to say but, i'll say it anyway.

Things are ok here in Athens. Have had a battery of tests done lately and am feeling genereally crappy health wise, but my weight loss is going great. Am so glad i made the decision to become a Vegetarian (and I am not a part time Vegetarian, this is the real deal. No meat, no meat products.) Anyway, have been working out since May and am having a great time doing it. Wish it would lead to better health, but we can't have all we want. Have lost almost 90 lbs. and feel like a different person. Think i look like a different person too. I will have to take some photos and get them uploaded so you can see the changes. It really is amazing. (Sorry that was a little vain.)

Well, i should be getting to bed. need to be at work early tomorrow. have had a nice weekend. Worked out Saturday, then went to the Art Museum at OU (very nice) and home for a quiet evening. Today, i taught sunday school, went to church, worked 3.5 hrs., worked out at the rec., then Yoga at home and have spent the rest of the evening doing very little. (Other than the amazing feat of fixing my computer. yeah again!)

Okay, i'll be sure to write more later and actually put something of substance in next time. Love to everyone around the world.

New fav. verse: " Arise my love, my fair one, and come away; for now winter is past, the rain is over and gone." Song of Solomon 2: 10-11

God Bless

April :)