I'm Baaaack!

I haven't blogged in forever.  I know.  The good news is I got a new job as a teacher at a charter school nearby.  I teach 7th grade writing, 8th grade writing, Composition I (9th &10th), and Creative Writing (High School girls).  It has been a blast but also keeps me over the top busy.  I joined the YMCA in November with the hopes that I would be able to make it to the gym.  I DID make it to the gym.  For about a month.  Then, the end of the semester coincided with the grading of a major paper for 4 classes, and my 2nd observation.  I literally only had time to work and sleep.  And barely enough time for sleep.  Then it was hard to get back into the groove of going to the gym because I would keep thinking "Well, I'll just get caught up tonight."  That happened every single night.

Then came Minnesota Weird March 2012.  Our weather has been like spring break to Florida without packing in the bags.  Mid 70's today and 70's all week.  I finally got somewhat caught up at work and I've been running outside.  I will be canceling my membership at the YMCA soon because I just don't need it when I have the beautiful outdoors.  Maybe next winter I will join a less pricey gym.  But right now, I don't need it.  I ran 3 miles this morning with Andy and Duke.  We had a beautiful walk this evening.  I would be lying if I said it was all peaches and cream though.  I put on a lot of weight this year.  More weight=more stuff to carry around on my runs.  More stuff to carry=turtle's pace.  I actually don't even know how fast I am running at but at this point, I don't care.  I just want to build up my runs and get back to my former skinnier self!

Other good news....I got ENGAGED!  Andy proposed the day after Thanksgiving in font of the Christmas tree after we finished decorating it.  He was so nervous that he put the ring on the wrong hand and I didn't have the heart to tell him until we went to sit down.  He then proposed another time with the ring on the correct hand.  We are planning an April 2013 wedding as we have to wait for my little brother, Joe, to return from Afghanistan. Joe will be leaving next month for Afghanistan.

So along with the motivation to feel healthy, I also have the motivation to look great in my wedding dress!  I am hoping lose about 40 pounds before our wedding and I am positive it can happen.  I lost 70 in high school in less time than I have now.  I can do it again.  Here we go: Operation Losing It.

Andy and I also signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon 2012!  It will be his first marathon.  :-)

If any of you are still out there in Blogland, let me know!