2009, Resolved: to Redeem Time

Resolved. 1. Separated into its component parts; analyzed. 2. Determined in purpose
Determined. Ended; concluded; decided; fixed; settled; directed.

(Above are as defined in Webster's 1828 dictionary.)

By definition, 2009 has no sooner begun, than my resolutions have both ended and decided the entire year.

So many people talk about New Year's Resolutions being broken by the week's end. Perhaps what people fail to embrace is the fact that a resolution is not a daydream or a hope or a lofty ideal. To resolve is an action verb, requiring one to take action on the resolution.

This year, I took a more organized approach to my resolutions. Thinking about how in teaching, we post objectives for the day, and how each objective needs to be specific, observable, and measurable, I created resolutions that followed this formula. If I create resolutions I can see and measure, then I will know if I am working towards that particular resolve.

The theme of the year is "Redeeming the Time" - like the 5 cents on a soda bottle return - our year has latent value. God gives us 24 hours a day - all with potential energy; potential value. It's up to me to cash in on the time I'm given, to make it purposeful and productive. Most of the resolutions, such as my study/reading time, focus on this idea of using time more wisely, setting boundaries for how much time I can afford to "waste" in activities that don't progress me forward.

2009 has been decided. Directed. Purposed.
Resolved.

2008 Hartford Half Marathon

It was a glorious day! After a night of getting up about 4 times due to nerves, a headache, and a head cold, and then nearly panicking (okay, I DID panic!) 10 minutes before the start b/c all 100 portapotties had about 300 people in front of EACH ONE, I found my place on Elm Street. My nerves were calmed by a veteran runner telling me that I would "have a great time running the half marathon - they're so much fun!" After the "Runners Ready" Signal and the horn, we bolted down Elm and Trinity and over the Founders Bridge into East Hartford!
I couldn't ask for better running weather - cool, sunny, dry. I ran the whole way and came well within my goal range of 2:10-2:30 with a time of 2:13:47. The run through RiverFront park was by far the most beautiful scene - sun mirroring off the smooth waters of the Connecticut River. Bands played enroute and spectators cheered everyone onward. I felt great the whole run with just a little pain in my knees around mile 11. After mile 10, I felt awesome, as each step I ran was longer than I'd ever run in my entire life (in one running!). I found Matthew taking pictures at mile 10.5 and sprinted over to give him a kiss, then got back into my pace! :) By the time I hit the 12 mile marker, I felt no pressure, because I knew I was close to my 10 min/mile pace goal, and I only had about 20 minutes left.
Inspirations abounded all along the way - like the guy missing a leg, but running on his arm crutches! Or the VERY elderly man I ran by who had run a marathon in ALL 50 states TWO TIMES!!! (He said the "first time" took him 2.5 years to complete! Can you imagine a marathon in Alaska!?)
Afterwards, Matthew & I walked around the festivities in Bushnell Park and enjoyed the freebies and sights. I would definitely do it again, and would encourage anyone to try it - if you train, it's VERY do-able, and even if you don't, you can always walk/run the course with a buddy. It was honestly, the most fun race I've been in to date (and I do love the Manchester Road Race, but it's a bit too crowded, and no water breaks!).
Here's my inspirational verse I kept repeating whenever I was tired:
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall RUN AND NOT BE WEARY, and they shall walk and not faint."

Life Lessons

Have you ever wondered why life's little instruction books don't tell you what you really need to know?
Like how brushing your teeth is similar to swimming - you need to wait 20 minutes after eating! I forgot this and last night I felt like I was brushing my teeth with a chocolate graham cracker! It was delicious, but I'm not sure how healthy it was for the pearly whites.

Just a quick update on summer...
1. House Projects are coming along nicely - we have the upstairs floors refinished and stained a nice cherry finish, all the walls painted a cocoa brown (like our downstairs toasted sesame and toasted chestnut painted rooms, everything has to be food-related!). Now we're working on trim and new doors, and waiting on the last few pieces of the bathroom to come in.
2. Reading - I have been reading several books from my classroom library to keep up with the kids - nothing has struck my real interest yet, but I'm glad to know a few more of the titles I keep. Also continue reading Everest books and a very interesting book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Kingsolver about eating locally.
3. You can visit my garden blog (View Complete Profile) to get updates on our home-grown food and the woodchuck wars.
4. Writing - has been slow, but I scribble a few notes now and then in my purse-notebook, and try to keep up posts on my blogs and facebook.
5. Running - I'm training for the Hartford Marathon (so I tell myself) by running the Wickham Park Grand Prix series (2.6 mi) - also good for cross country coaching this fall. Oh, and it's helping keep me in shape!

Well - that's about it for now - we're trying to wrap things up and relax before heading off to a few weddings and Chincoteague, VA later this summer. Can't believe how fast the time flies when you're NOT working! heh heh!

Vermont - New Hampshire Vacation Slide Show

And a good time was had by all... our first time camping, 2nd time up Mt. Washington, first lengthy road trip!

Memoir Memories

"Everyone has a story to tell" - a great article recently in AARP (not that I'm old enough! HA!) - led me to teach memoir writing to my 7th graders.
I am touched by the "life lessons" they are trying to embed into their stories. I can't wait to read the final products next Tuesday at our Writer's Celebration - we're having a "beach towel" celebration to end the year. Should be fun! :)

I think everyone should attempt this kind of writing at some point in their life. As the author said, without our "5 minutes ago," who are we? I discovered the value of recording my own stories, humble as they are (which is my greatest writer's block-my simple, boring life stories!) However, I have been so inspired by some of the materials I found for this unit (But was unable to touch the tip of, b/c the year is ending so quickly!), that I plan to try out all the suggested activities in my own writing notebook this summer. Especially the ideas from the article.

To read the article, click here: http://www.aarpmagazine.org/people/everyone_has_a_story_to_tell.html