Happy February!  Having a wee bit of trouble keeping up with your new year’s resolutions?  No worries – here are some ideas for embracing the sheer joy of exercise!

1.  Invest in a spray tan and stroll into the gym with your newly applied color.  It’ll accentuate your muscles and make you feel fabulous flexing them.  My A+ recommendation = Get Your Tan On

2.  Equipment everyone should have at home when you can’t get to the gym:

a.  10 & 15 pound dumbbells

b.  a jump rope (fun, inexpensive, easy cardio!)

c.  an exercise ball – there are so many exercises you can do with this from performing crunches while sitting on the ball to lying on the ground with the ball squeezed between your calves and performing leg raises.

d.  your able-bodied self! (push ups, sit ups, lunges, squats, kicks, etc . . . none of these powerhouse moves absolutely require a piece of equipment)

Honestly, that is all you truly need to get in a solid workout at home.  Check out my Workout for the Weary for more info.

3.  Treat yourself to a new exercise outfit.  My A+ recommendation for the ladies = the Best Yoga Pants Ever!  Trust me!!

4.  Schedule hot yoga, massage, and a mani & pedi all in the same day.  I did this once and can’t wait to do it again.  Heaven on Earth!  My A+ place for hot yoga =  The Only Guaranteed Moment is This One

5.  Break out of your mold and try a new exercise or use a piece of equipment that you’ve never used before at the gym.

6.  Try a new type of cardio.  I just played racquetball for the first time – very fun!!!  Additionally, here’s a review of a class that holds benefits for all gym goers:  Improve Posture and Poise with Pam’s Pilates and Progression in Pam’s Pilates

7.  Can’t commit to one gym?  I just learned about this thanks to TimeOut Chicago!  It’s a Yoga Fitness Passbook that allows you to try one class at many yoga studios.  Genius!!

8.  One goal on my list for this year – and it should be yours too:  schedule a photo shoot with a physique photographer!!  It’ll motivate you to get into tip-top shape.

9.  Double your repetitions on all exercises for a month, then check out your cuts in the mirror!

10.  Check out my favorite resources for fitness facts:  Muscle & Fitness Hers and Oxygen.  Both of these magazines are packed with step-by-step exercise instruction, nutrition nuggets and inspiring fitness facts.  Gentlemen, Muscle & Fitness is highly recommended!

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I’m sitting here watching the news getting more than a little anxious about our pending potential blizzard.  I know my East Coast colleagues can’t say the same but my school district has yet to declare a snow day this year; in fact, we didn’t partake in the snow dance last year either.  While the amount of snow the wise weathermen are declaring is daunting, I’d really like just one measly snow day . . . just one.  After all, there’s so much we teachers can do to remain our productive selves.  Here are the top ideas.  What would you add to this to-do list?

1.  Always wanted to create a blog?!  Snow days are perfect days to begin one.  If you’re creating a blog for your classroom, I highly recommend edublogs.org.  Edublogs is free (or $40 for the ad-free Pro version) and student-friendly with helpful hints every step of the way.  Check out my latest, newest classroom blog for my senior expository writing class:  Writing Well

2.  Check out the archives of #engchat for all the great convos you’ve missed.  You’ll pick up insightful ideas from a resourceful network.

3.  Read, read, read!!!!  Curl up with one or more of the books piled up on your nightstand.  I’ve got Before I Fall and Sisters Red waiting for me.

4.  Make ahead a scrumptious lunch to bring to school tomorrow.  My recommendation:  Baby spinach leaves + dried cranberries + grilled chicken + cinnamon roasted pecans + pomegranate vinaigrette = one amazing lunch! (Thanks @MichelleLMyers!)

5.  Bake a batch of cookies, brownies or cupcakes to bring to your students.  They will always remember you for it!  OR bake a batch for your colleagues to share in the office.  A favorite in my office:  Mint Chocolate Brownies

6.  Plan ahead!!  Vow to plan at least two week’s worth of lessons for at least one class.  If you’re so inclined, do this for all your classes and/or increase it to one month’s worth.

7.  Organize that inbox!!!  Create folders for your work emails and organize them!!!  Make a folder for each class, a folder for technology tips, a folder for student information, etc.

8.  Exercise.  A healthy teacher is a happy teacher.  Try my Workout for the Weary that will take you about 15 minutes to complete.

9.  Of course, catch up on that pile of papers or set of blogs to grade!!  You know I had to include this one.  Maybe the least fun of ideas but perhaps the one that will make you feel most refreshed when you return.

10.  Take time for fun.  Snow days are as exciting for teachers as they are for students.  When was the last time you made a snow angel, built a snowman, sled down a hill, had a snowball fight?

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What People are Searching For

1.  grading a girl . . . I get this a lot and I’m slightly perturbed.  Since when do we grade the girls differently from the boys?!

2.  how to get a girl to love you forever . . . . awwwwww, now that’s adorable.

3.  raw things to write to a girl . . . . I’m just going to question mark this one.  ???

4.  fitness exercise girl to make me lose 20 pounds today. . . I don’t know about 20 pounds in a day, but my recommended exercises do work.

5.  fastest disappearing dessert . . . . well, this is definitely the right place for that!

6.  summarize and infer me . . . only teachers may find the humor in this one.

6.  rock girl playlist . . . all kinds of search terms for playlists appear every single day.

I’ll come back to this list and add more as I spot them!

Fellow bloggers, what crazy search terms land on your sites?! 

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I ♡ lists!  Making lists provides a provocative, probing expedition into your mind, heart and soul.  I invite everyone who reads this to complete one of these lists!!   In the classroom, this provides a fabulous writing warm-up or a lesson in itself.  Students can choose one item on their lists to elaborate on further.  Let’s list!!

A Lovely List of Lists

~ List all the names you’ve been called, endearing and not so

~ List what’s consistently in your garbage

~ List the things you think you can’t live without

~ List the transitions in your life that taught you the most

~ List what you learned from each of your ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends

~ List the times you said yes when you wish you said no OR  vice versa

~ List the foods you’d eat if you’d never ever gain calories or fat

~ List the toys, clothes and other items from your childhood you wished you’d saved

~ List all the magazines you subscribe to

~ List words that touch your soul

Some of these prompt disclosure of very personal pieces of information; nevertheless, I can’t wait to complete mine in future posts.  I promise I will.  And I have ideas for more lists when these are complete!  In the meantime, see a smattering of GG’s Listing Through Life previous lists:

~ Things You Can Never Do Too Many Times

~ What I’ve Learned In Life So Far

~ First Lines In Literature

~ Reasons The Newspaper Won’t Die

Care to share your list?!

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You Can Never . . .

It looks like this flower is smiling

~ give too many hugs.

~ sneak too many kisses.

~ smile too much (even when you don’t feel like it, it’s one of the best ways to boost your mood!)

~ bake too many homemade goodies for people you care about.

~ spend too much time with your kids.

~ tell your spouse or significant other too many times how much you love him or her.

~ tell your parents too many times how much you appreciate them.

~ tell your siblings too many times how happy you are to be related.

~ dance too many dances (whether it’s at your cousin’s wedding, at your co-worker’s bachelorette party, in your new salsa dance class, or in your basement).

~ sing too many songs (even if it is only in the shower!).

~ read too many books.

~ watch too many movies.

~ laugh too much.

~ clap too much.

~ celebrate too many holidays.

~ go for too many walks on beautiful days.

What else?? . . .

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I’m Thankful For . . .

(updated November 23, 2011)

~ my intelligent, dedicated, beautiful daughter . . . she continues to amaze me every single day.   To say I’m proud of the young woman she’s become is an understatement.

~ my selfless mother . . . her optimism is my anchor and I take her for granted way too much.

~ my resourceful brother . . . I’ve been so proud of him since literally day one of his life – that will never change.  

~ my infinitely super smart, adorably cute niece.  I love her like my own – I ache for her when I encounter other little ones her age. We are so blessed to have her as an addition to our family.

~ my savvy sister-in-law . . . a treasured friend of mine for always and a continued inspiration for my daughter.  Her press-on perseverance is unbelievable and rare.

~ my loyal friends – who I’ve known for 1, 4, 20, or 30 years . . . I love them more than any of them are aware.

~ the memories of the almost 15 years I shared with my father . . . his charisma, fierce love, and endearing humor lives on in my heart forever.

~ blue skies, clear aqua oceans, hot sand, bright orange leaves, and all other beautiful nature God blesses us with.  I try to stop all thinking for a moment when I encounter something beautiful outside.

~ God’s sense of humor when he created zebras’ stripes, giraffes’ long necks,  donkeys’ cross-tattooed backs, and pink flamingos’ color.

~ my rewarding teaching career . . . it’s never the same day twice, and I have the best clients in the world!  You know you have the best job in the world when it never feels like work.

~ my students . . . they always give me something to smile about no matter what.

~ my colleagues . . . I learn and laugh with them every day.

~ laughing spells when I can’t stop!!!

~ my good health and ability to workout freely.

~ the resources to fill my refrigerator with nutritious food every week.

~ all things cherry.

~ all things mini.

~ dance.  I’m a lifelong dancer – whether I’m dancing in the dark or with the one I love.

~ books and more books . . . and the infinite gifts given to us when we read.

~ music . . . this world would be a very sad place without it.  I get goosebumps very easily when I hear touching music.

~ the ability to get goosebumps!

~ sharing a smile

~ the skill to express myself through writing.

~ forgiveness, redemption and TRUST.

~ mini-marshmallows and blueberries . . . fat free treats that glide so easily down my throat.

~ gushy movies like Serendipity and roll-off-the couch funny sitcoms like Modern Family.

~ Grading Girl! . . . GG is over two years-old and I’m still having a blast!!!

~ the help I was blessed with in regards to this site:  Brian Gardner for getting this uber user-friendly WordPress site off the ground and Darryl Markette of Darryl Markette Music (without whom GG would not exist!) for giving his exciting ideas, creative design, and endearing encouragement he offered when he helped get GG out of our heads and on to the screen!  

Most of all ›

~ the gift to be able to afford the opportunity to sit and write this blog about this blessed life God gives . . .

I could go on and on . . . I’m thankful for that abundance in itself!!!

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 Many newspapers faced their demise this year but I’m hopeful that we can still count on tucking the folded black and white newsprint under our arm as we scurry off, on catching a glimpse of the cover stories as we wait in the dentist’s office, and on spreading out the paper on a leisure Sunday morning.  It would be a great loss if we lost this important form of media. 

Top 10 Reasons for Reading a Newspaper*

1. My newspaper has never crashed, gone down, or flashed animated ads at me.

2. Anywhere I travel, my newspaper goes with me. I don’t need a laptop or a wireless connection or a PDA.

3. I can read my newspaper while standing, while eating, while riding a train, but not while driving my car . . . which is just as well since I should be paying attention to the road.

4. If I read a story I like, I can tear it out and save it, and not have to pay to read it 30 days later.

5. I don’t have to sign in or customize or register or remember passwords to read my newspaper. And I often enjoy articles in my newspaper on topics I wouldn’t normally think I’d be interested in.

6. My newspaper has high-resolution pictures and type on large pages that load almost instantly, making it easy to browse and enjoy.

7. My newspaper is cheap, recycable and easy to replace. If it’s lost or stolen, it’s no big deal.

8. My newspaper is not made of unrecyclable toxic materials.

9. If my newspaper makes a mistake, the correction is posted with an explanation. It’s not sneakily applied to the original story after I’ve read it.

10. I can read my newspaper sitting outside on a nice day in the sun, even if a breeze is blowing, because I know how to fold a newspaper.

11.  My newspaper is never late.  I can always count on it in the early morning hours.

12.  My newspaper has something for everyone:  cover stories, editorials, sports, entertainment, health, etc. 

*Adapted from Kelly Gallagher’s Reading Reasons

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There’s a line in the song by Michael Franti and Spearhead, Say Hey (I Love You), that originally inspired me to write this list:  “Seems like everywhere I go, the more I see the less I know.”

We’re learning every day whether it’s a lesson in the classroom or a hard-to-swallow life lesson.  There are so many uncertain things in life and circumstances surrounding us constantly change that I thought I’d take inventory of those things of which I’m certain:

What I’ve Learned in Life So Far

~ Timing is everything.  Think about it – this applies to all aspects of life.  It all comes down to this.

~ You can never have too many friends.  Moreover, having friends of different interests, age groups, and circles keeps you well-rounded.

~ You can never love your family too much.  I also happen to believe you can never say I love you too much but I think this has may have caused me trouble in the past.

~ It’s only spoiling your children when you give something you don’t want to give them but do anyway.

~ A key to satisfaction is to find a career that doesn’t feel like work.  It is then that you can be certain you are in the right field.  I am!  Teaching has NEVER felt like work to me.  I can confidentally say this because I worked in the business sector prior to teaching – it absolutely felt like work then.

~ This sounds cliche but action truly does speak louder than words (written or spoken).  This brings to mind a quotation I recently read, If a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.  This inspired me to think of a great idea for a friend!!

~ Age is a relative number.

~ Go for it!  Life is too short not to.  We create our own lives.

~ Exercise is as good for the soul as it is for the body.

~ This world would be a bleak, sad place without music.

~ You should try at least one new recipe every week.  If you don’t cook, you should eat at least one new dish every week. Variety is a spice in the kitchen.

~ Sometimes you need to make cookie dough just to eat the dough.

~ It’s okay to change your mind.

~ You can never read too many books or see too many movies.  This keeps you cultured, educated and empathetic.

~ Smile, even when you don’t feel like it.  The act itself will make you happier.

~ Writing things down is a magical trick.  Things are much more likely to happen when we write them down.  Goals, daily to-do lists, messages, lists like this . . . write ‘em down, write ‘em down.

~ Dancing or running in the rain is very liberating.

~ Never speak ill about someone and you’ll never have to whisper. 

~ Cleaning out/paring down closets transfers to ’cleaning out’ your life.  The important things you lost are found and the unimportant things are discarded.

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It’s been over a month since my last list.  This one serves as a short mental break for me before starting the workweek.  On this Sunday evening, here it is. . . .

After reading what I reveal, it’s your turn. What would YOU do if you weren’t afraid?!?

All the Activities I’d Do if I Weren’t So Afraid

~ I’d blog about some of my deepest, most personal thoughts!!!
~ I’d sit down and write a novel.
~ I’d dance whenever and wherever I felt the urge!!!
~ I’d sing on stage.
~ I’d learn how to scuba dive.
~ I’d call in sick when I’m sick.
~ I’d eat dessert twice every single day!!
~ I’d travel leisurely alone once in a while.
~ I’d post more personal pictures.
~ I’d call more people from my past just to tell them thank you for touching my life.
~ I’d be more open toward some special people in my present life.
~ I’d relax, relax, relax.

Hmmm . . . when I see these items on the screen, they seem more concrete and not so difficult to accomplish (well, maybe not eating dessert twice a day . . . I’d be Growing Grading Girl then!)  Perhaps I will change this list to “Activities I Will Accomplish.”  Yes, why not?! My first step . . . I’m buying a new camera this week!

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The first lines of books are profound.  Either they provide a foreshadow of the events to ensue, a poignant statement to digest, a comedic crack to grab attention, or a startling statistic or fact to open with.  Go ahead . . . open to the first pages of some of the books you own and you’ll see.  Even the non-fiction reads seem to offer a fun first line.  Here are just a few examples. . . do you have some?

A Few First Lines in Literature

~ “It was a pleasure to burn.“  Fahrenheit 451

~ “If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.” Catcher in the Rye

~ “The way I see it, being dead is not terribly far off from being on a cruise ship.” Stiff

~ “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.“  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

~ “I felt like I was trapped in one of those terrifying nightmares, the one where you have to run, run till your lungs burst, but you can’t make your body move fast enough.” New Moon

~ “It’s hard to be left behind.” The Time Traveler’s Wife (I can hardly wait until the movie adaptation comes out!!!)

~ “A man’s alter ego is nothing more than his favorite image of himself.” Catch Me if You Can

You get the idea . . . I could go on and on.  Each line is so characteristic of each book’s particular theme.  Each line grabs our attention.  Each line makes us think.

In the book I am currently reading, Jodi Picoult’s Handle with Care, not only is the first line compelling  but the first paragraph carries through the plot’s theme in a poetic way.  Here is GG’s mix of Picoult’s words:

Things break all the time.

Glass and dishes and fingernails.

You can break a record, a contract, a dollar.

You can even break the ice.

There are coffee breaks and lunch breaks.

Day breaks, waves break, voices break.

Silence and fever breaks.

Chains can be broken.

Relationships break.

Promises break.

Hearts break.

Things break all the time.

Yes, things do break but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing at all.  When something breaks, we pick up the pieces and create something new! Period.  Looking back at what I typed, I see an ice cream sundae formed by the layout of the words.  Clever that it turned out that way.  That’s what I see.

Stay tuned for a future post in which GG reviews Handle with Care.

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