Soil

One of the things I miss about my childhood on the East Coast is the smell of soil.  Soil does not decompose in Alaska to the same extent that it does in warmer climates.

My hubby shoveled off our garden beds while the little guy jumped from bed to bed last weekend.  Just seeing the soil has been helpful, but I can't wait to feel its warmth and smell it working.   As you can see we still have a lot of snow.  My body is telling me it is ready for it to melt.  Feeling a bit lethargic and ready for the sun to shine.

1 Month

It has been 1 month since I last posted on this blog.  That was a quick month.  It snowed just a bit today, which was just plain wrong.  Little hail like snowballs.  That in addition to our many feet of snow left still on our yard is pretty amazing considering it is May 3.  We have been busy shoveling off our garden beds, picking up all the branches that came down this winter, and playing, playing, playing.

My husband gave my son a haircut and it is pretty close to a mullet.  I think he is rocking it.

We have 16 more days of school left and then the important things in life become more of a priority like gardening, playing with the little guy, eating good food, family adventures, fun and more fun.

The Biggest Loser

I challenged the gals at work to join me in the biggest loser competition.  It started with 3 joining in and has turned into 10 ladies, some of who we work with and some who live in the small town in which I teach.  I realized that I will be 60 years old when the little guy graduates high school which means I need to stay healthy.  I am looking to drop 10 lbs which is still a bit heavier than my ultimate goal weight, but it is a mentally healthy goal.

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

I just downloaded the free IPhone app. My Fitness Pal where I can track my exercise and calories.  It comes with this really fun lb. lost tracker that you can customize.  I am very realistic when it comes to getting back into shape and maintaining my weight.   I have a sweet tooth, and just can't pass up ice cream, or chocolate for that matter.  I want to get into the habit of exercising enough that when I want to eat my sweets it won't just be adding onto what I ate last week.  O.K. maybe I should not eat a chocolate bar every day.  I could also use some schooling in portion control.  My husband is blessed with amazing metabolism.  He eats a lot, and is very active and healthy.   He can not be my portion role model.  Nope!

In other "healthy" happenings.  The little guy asked to go skiing, and I can't say no to that especially when the slopes are a few blocks from our house.

Skiing followed by watching trucks is the best day ever don't you think.

"Spring" Break

(This moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. An idea from Soulmama.

Record Breaking

We are having an almost record breaking year of snow.  We are up to over 600 inches and it does not appear to be anywhere close to stopping.  We are about out of space to put the snow from our driveway, and I am worried that our usual Memorial Day planting of our veggies will be postponed this year.

It has allowed for some extreme sledding with the little guy and his friends.  I think we might be wearing a helmet for the next run.

Aside from digging out the woodpile, shoveling the driveway, and dusting off the car life continues to be busy.

This Moment

(This moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. An idea from Soulmama.

Busy Bees

Life is so very busy right now.  Just popping up for some fresh air.  It has been snowing, raining, snaining, and I have been in a crazy period of meetings galore.  This is just a quick post.

We have been working with collage with the 4-8th graders.  This was a really fun project involving magazines and parts of bodies.  Nothing makes a middle schooler giggle more than  creating strange bodies and faces.

 Umm.... that is Sarah Palin's body.  He, he....

And just to show you how challenging getting to and from my car has been in the town where I teach.  This is the little guy ready to leave and get in the car. Mind you it is only about 100 feet from my car to the door, but the wind can blow up to 80mph with ice sandblasting your face.  So crazy.

Goggles... check√