Miscellaneous Missives

My bum was sore to quite sore after yesterday's ride.  Although I didn't wear bike shorts, I figure I should be make a short ride without wearing padded shorts.  Today I went back to the bike store to purchase a new bike seat (saddle).  Why am I posting about this?  Did you watch the video?  Who knew one could actually be measured for a bike saddle?  The bike guy had more advanced equipment than the guy in the video.  I sat on this padded piece.  He checked and measured the indentations.  Viola!  We knew which size seat I needed.  I took my new saddle/seat for a ride.  My sit bones were still painful to quite painful, but I think the pain is from yesterday.  Tomorrow will be my rest day before I bike 30 days in April (#30daysofbiking). PS I don't like wearing bike shorts. PSS  Bike shorts are supes expensive. Today I am thankful for... 1) I let PK "sell" my seat at church since I played hooky and went to the ...

Last night Iowa State fought the good fight and lost.  Earlier this week students viewed a picture of the KHS girls during a basketball game.  It was the game before they made it to state.  Most of our students will attend this high school.  One of our eighth graders plays on the team.  They lost the game at state.  When the seventh graders looked at the picture, they couldn't help but mention the lost.  I explained that even though it was a tough loss, it was a great season.  "Only one team doesn't lose the last game of their season,"  I explained.  "Of all the 64 teams in the NCAA tourney, only one team will win its last game, but that doesn't mean that all of the teams didn't have a great season."  As I watched the end of the game last night, I tried to remember the words I had shared with my students.  Both the ISU men and women had great seasons this year.  I'm proud of their efforts. Today I met with some pals fo...

Dear Winter, You suck!  Please leave and come back when you will be more appreciated like perhaps next December.  A white Christmas is delightful.  Snow at the end of March is not. Much hate, MM I haven't blogged, taken pictures, been grateful, or followed my Lenten practices all week.  This means I have not forgiven someone, had an internet diet, changed one light to a compact florescent (most of mine are!), or checked out morning and evening prayer.  Tomorrow I will probably not ask for help.  It is also doubtful that I will tell someone what I am grateful for on Saturday... well by Saturday the weather might be better, and I might be a better person. The weather is horrible, and I have been sick this week.  The last two nights I went read then went to bed without even going or thinking about going to the gym.  Do you notice my negativity?  It's snowing outside (or it was... I shut the blinds, so I didn't have to watch).   ...

Yep, it's true; I haven't had a mix since October.  Part of the reason is I've been doing a lot of classes like RIPPED, BodyPump, and BodyFlow at the gym.  Plus, I listened to a couple of audio books.  Most importantly, my October Mix rocked.  In fact, I transferred two songs to the May mix (Work Bitch and Girl on Fire).  In fact since I'm going to do some twenty mile rides in April, I'll probably listen to both October and April. Here's the list: Basket Case by Green Day Best Day of My Life by American Authors Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Dance Mix) by D.J Disco Dance Get Back by Ludacris Girl on Fire by Alecia Keys Happy by Pharrell Williams Hella Good by No Doubt Hey Brother by Avicii It's Tricky by Run-DMC Juke Box Hero by Foreigner Jumpin', Jumpin' by Destiny's Child Let There Be Love by Christina Aguilera Love Don't Die by The Fray Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar The Middle by Jimmy Eat World Neon Lights by Demi Lovato (...

I'm sure most have already seen this video, but it only makes me love Jimmy Fallon more! As I mentioned, instead of going on the weekend retreat, I'm staying home, watching basketball, and doing schoolwork.  It's 1:45, and I've had a fairly productive day, so I think I'm going to take a nap before the Iowa State Women's game at 3:00. Today I am thankful for... 1) sunshine (even though the high will only be 20º) 2) the birds chirping loudly as I left the gym 3) youtube videos and time to relax

After searching through my channels, I have found TNT, and I am ready to watch the Cyclones first game.  I hope they fare better than Duke and Oklahoma State although I'm supes excited to see Duke out of the tournament.  My plan is to watch the game and work on lesson plans for the multi-paragraph essay.  During a team meeting today, a colleague showed me the best bracket site for checking and watching games.  Let the games begin. Today I followed the Lenten practice which was bringing my own mug.  Actually, I do this 95% of the time, so it wasn't anything new.  Bring your own mug people.  We don't need all of those coffee cups with plastic lids out there in our waste sites. Today I give thanks for... 1) Deciding to skip the retreat and stay home watching basketball. 2) an afternoon nap 3) helpful colleagues 4) Iowa State men and women in the "Big Dance"

This is it.  The first day of spring, and tomorrow the forecast is for snow in the morning.  Stop it!  Winter, you are no longer welcome.  It's spring's turn... step aside.  We'll see you next year.  Bye.  Don't let the door, well you know...   Today I used Prayers in a Song for my journal listening activity and supplied the students with the lyrics.  First, I talked about the word assimilation.  The first line talks about latent assimilation.  Most of the students didn't know either word, so we talked about how many people feel America is a melting pot.  I explained how a melting pot is assimilation.  Everyone blends together.  Then I mentioned that some would prefer to call America a tossed salad everyone keeps their culture, religion, language...  The lettuce stays lettuce.  The tomatoes stay tomatoes.  The cucumbers stay cucumbers...  Eyes were wide as I asked if they would rather be a mel...