Just this thought....

Today is the first day of school for Spokane Public Schools. I didn't have a teaching job today so I volunteered in the office (my old job, actually!) and in the workroom to help teachers get things accomplished before the first bell rang! I LOVE public schools just because of this verse.....I love letting my light shine to the kids and staff! Looking forward to the school year, not just with Spokane School classrooms, but anywhere where I get to be with kids and teaching! Let my lifesong sing to you~

Half Marathon Results

Today's half marathon was a great race! Following the beautiful Spokane River, it was a fairly flat course. I finished in 2:51. I am very happy with the time since I'd finished my last half marathon in 3:30. I'm learning that I really need to have Gatorade or something similar in my system very early in the race so my right leg doesn't go weird on me at Mile 5. Those electolytes are definitely important! I tend to start out slow and then pick up speed towards the end, too. We'll see how the next race goes as I change a few things around.

My afternoon nap of 3 hours was longer than my race! I enjoyed every minute of it and woke up feeling quite refreshed & not so sore. Some people say I wasted a gorgeous afternoon here by sleeping but the nap was a great recharger for me. Tomorrow I'll do a short run for recovery! Then it's back to training for the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon in June.

Being a positive part of little lives...

....is something I LOVE to be a part of! The last few days I've had a different type of assignment for guest teaching. I'm at one school, but only in a classroom for 30 minutes at a time. The teachers are meeting with the principal one on one so I've got the kids while they're meeting. It might not work for some guest teachers to be this type of "sub" but I've loved it! On Tuesday, I was a part of at least 200 students' lives! (9 classes, I think!) Today it's 7 classes, including PE. WOOHOO! It is fun to go in to see what the students are doing, teach a quick mini-lesson or just keep everyone on track. (sometimes easier said than done but always accomplished with my big bag of many tricks.)

If I can't get a full time teaching job here in Spokane, at least I have schools where I am loved as a guest teacher and that in itself speaks a multitude of love and respect for my profession as an educator!

Views from a bench

This afternoon the Beagle Boys and I took a 5 mile walk on the Centennial Trail in Spokane. It follows the Spokane River, which is really high right now because of the spring run off. As we meandered our way along the trail, we found benches every so often and the views were mesmerizing. There's just something relaxing sitting on a bench out in the middle of nowhere and watching the world go by. In this case, it was the river! I thought I'd share a little bit of the Spokane world with you. The last picture is of the Deep Creek Bridge. This area to the right (looking east!) is usually quite shallow and not a lot of water running under the bridge. This spring it's very full!

For more pictures of Spokane and the surrounding area, check out "7 Wonders of Spokane!"

looking east upriver

I was enjoying the scenery with the boys happily sniffing everything on the ground!

looking east upriver to the bridge

looking west at the Spokane River

It's a long hike back up this part of the trail. The creek is on the right, river is on the left!

New Personal Best For Me!

Today's 5K race was amazing!! I finished the race in 35:30, giving me an 11:26 min pace. I ran/walked the entire thing, feeling good right up til the very end. Because I pushed myself to give it my all, I wanted to throw up after the finish line!! (but I didn't...thank goodness!) I still feel great nine hours later -- nothing hurts!

I raised over $200 to help find a cure for breast cancer, too! Thanks for your encouragement for today.

Race for the Cure -- April 19th!

Tomorrow is the day!!! At 9 AM Pacific Time, I am racing to help find a cure for breast cancer! I'm hoping to make a 12 minute mile in the 5K race...we'll see how that works out. I've been training with walking/running so I should be able to do better than my usual 15 minute mile of walking.

There's still time if you would like to sponsor me in "Race for the Cure". Click on the logo above and it will take you directly to my personal webpage for the race.

Thanks for sending prayers and great thoughts my way tomorrow! I'm so glad the sun will be shining for the race, too.

Gratitude Friday

This week has been a different type of week. It was the 8th year of my multiple sclerosis diagnosis and I really felt the blunt of it this week. It was sad and I guess I had to have this time to mourn what I have lost. But I know have things to be grateful for because I am truly blessed! I've just had to really look for it because I don't think I felt like it. Grab a cup of coffee (new today -- Survivor Coffee by Cravens!) and tell me how you show you're grateful even when you don't feel like being grateful. I need help in this department!

Here's my list --

1. meeting a Spokane Company Girl for coffee and yummy banana bread! We talked and shared for a few hours. What a treat!!! And we both agree, we can't wait til there's a Company Girl get together -- we are SO there! Thanks, Melissa!!

Company Girls!

2. a daytime trip with David to warm & sunny Ellensburg and Yakima. It also included lunch with Jen at Olive Garden.

3. two very long walks with the Beagle Boys at Spokane's Riverside State Park and Ellensburg's Riverfront Park. The snifferdoodle noses were working overtime at both of these places.

snifferdoodles and the Spokane River

Yakima River

Ubu sitting so nicely!

4. an amazing lunch with Lisa V. at Riverpark Square today. Salad, fries and Pink Martinis -- "pink-tini!" It was a delightful afternoon of shopping at Godiva Chocolates, Nordstrom coffee bar and the cosmetic counter, lots of window shopping, laughter and great conversation. I need more days like this!

Pink-tinis in support of the Susan Komen Foundation!

5. Spring break and no responsibility of kiddos! It was time to rest and re-charge. Armed with my laptop, cell phone and good books, I was the Princess in bed for most of the weekend. 10 hours of sleep almost every day. It's just what I needed!

6. the sunshine when it came out. We had snow here a few times (did I mention that it was supposed to be SPRING BREAK?!) and when the sun came out, I was cheering big time.

Mr. York getting the car ready for us on Thursday morning!

7. I had two dr appts today and am thankful for having such caring drs! I'm headed on Sunday to participate in the MS Walk with the staff of the MS Center at Holy Family. I love these ladies!!

Signs of Spring in my yard

Spring has finally arrived in my yard. This is my little weeping willow tree that I've photograhed with lots of snow on it. Check it out now, so handsomely dressed in its glory! Then there's the little flowers that I love. The daffodils should be popping open any day and the other little guys are just as sweet as can be as I spied them this morning. My tulips are still underground because the snow was on top of them until recently. I'll definitely have lots of color in a few weeks! Thank goodness for spring and all its beauty!

Miniature Weeping Willow Tree

Bulbs of all types show their heads!

Home in the Pacific Snowwest!

Good morning, everyone! In reality, I'm back in Spokane with the snow and the 9 degree weather. But in my heart, I'm still in Orlando, wearing my two piece swimsuit, laying next to the pool & enjoying the beautiful warm sunshine! :)

I finished the Princess 1/2 Marathon in 3 hours and 37 minutes. Not my fastest time but I didn't run at all. It was a wonderful race and I can't wait to do the Disneyland 1/2 marathon in September.

More later. Just wanted to say GOOD MORNING!!

Gratitude Friday

I'm in Goldendale, WA with my daughter Jen for the weekend. (Goldendale is 2 hours east of Portland, OR.) Starbucks' Christmas Blend will be brewed in the morning and then it's your choice of a Starbucks' drink in Portland. You can shop with us at IKEA and Craft Warehouse!!! Fun girlfriend stuff!! Here's my gratitude list for the week:

1. A day off on Thursday, even though I didn't want a day off! I was able to relax and get some things done that really needed to be completed, including a dr appt.

2. Another wonderful doctor who listens and show compassion. (We think I have a stress fracture in my foot and I needed help getting back on all my meds in order to stay healthy!)

3. Worship Night at Life Center North on Thursday and friends that prayed for my foot! A song from last night is Lincoln Brewster's All To You -- "I've searched and came up empty, This world has nothing for me, You are my One and Only. I'm living my life for You and I'm giving everything to you. Not holding back, from every part, I'm giving it all to you!"

4. My car behaved all the way down to Goldendale. The transmission sounds like it's going out! ARGH! But on a very positive note: It was a beautiful night to drive down here, following the Columbia River and coming over Satus Pass. The stars were super bright and the crescent moon reminded me of the pillar of fire that the Israelites followed in the desert.

5. Friends from all over the world who lift my heart and spirits by their emails! (and for friends in Spokane who continually show me love!!)

Looking forward to hearing your gratitude items, too~

Frog Prince

Today's Project 365 photo is of my frog prince! We bought this heavy guy in Texel (a tiny island off of the coast of the Netherlands) and he was able to find a nice little wagon pond on my front porch. However, it's very frozen at the moment. You can see the ice formation that's under the surface...it's rather amazing to see the crystals. Poor frog prince...some day his pond will thaw! (The sun is shining brightly here in Spokane and I am ecstatic to see it. I hope it stays around for awhile.) Happy Sunday, everyone!

Photo Hunt: #144 Aftermath

Aftermath: It's been very sad in Spokane to see the different businesses and homes that have had roofs collapse because of the heavy snow. Here is just one example of the ruined buildings in the northside area of Spokane:


For more of this week's photo hunt, go to tnchick's website!

Snoozing Snifferdoodles

As I was doing computer work at the kitchen table this morning, the puppies were napping on the big dog bed. I'll have to agree with them; napping is probably one of the best Spokane activity available today!

"Spokane Under Snow Seige"

WA State and Spokane!

Where is Spokane? It's in Eastern WA, very close to the Idaho border. We're 300 miles east of Seattle!

The title is taken from NWC.com's post and you can read all about Spokane's battle with the snow/ice/slush/short tempers on their website.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_010709WXN_spokane_snow_LJ.164d38f.html

A few excerpts:

• Spokane has received more than 78 inches of snow -- about the height of Michael Jordan -- since mid-December. That's far above its average of less than 50 inches for an entire winter. Normally about 16 inches would have fallen at this point.


• Treacherous roads are a major complaint. Many are covered with ice, heavily rutted and reduced to one lane by piles of plowed snow.


• One man was arrested by Spokane police after gunshots were fired Monday morning at a private snow plow operator who was clearing a parking lot. Police said the motorist apparently got upset when the plow operator honked his horn.


• But two women who work at the Chocolate Apothecary in downtown Spokane have found a coping mechanism. "We are surrounded by chocolate," said owner Susan Davis. "It's all good in here."

Wonder if I can get there from my house today? I think I'll stay in my safe home and work on my stash of chocolates here, plus enjoy my Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee. A perfect time to get caught up on rubberstamping, too!

Snow Falling on Pines

Spokane has lots of Ponderosa Pine trees. Riverside State Park is one of my all-time favorite places to explore and today left me breathless! It was sooooooo pretty down at the river. Very quiet and white with a bit of green. See for yourself...two pictures for today's Project 365!

Photo Hunt: Squeaky

The theme for this week's PhotoHunt is squeaky! This door is a perfect example -- I know exactly when the door is opened and closed to send the dogs outside!

Visit tnchick to see more PhotoHunt masterpieces!! I love all of the different photos~

The Sun and Blue Skies~

After today's snow storm, it was GREAT to see the sun and blue sky!

STUCK in the snowglobe again -- who keeps shaking it?!

We have had major snow falling for the past few hours. It's coming down so fast with HUGE flakes...it's like someone is shaking the snowglobe non stop!! Look for yourself.... and then dream with me about yesterday's post!

view off of the front porch

my car's out there!

the backyard swing

bird bath and dogs' piddle path maze

Scenes from the Beautiful Pacific Northwest!

~Happy First Day of Winter~

Spokane: Kerri's bird bath!

Olympia: Laura's birdhouse

Portland: Wendy's Love Seat

Hansville: my mom's windmill

Yummy snowed-in Blueberry French Toast

Good morning! Another snowy day in Spokane and I'm not going anywhere today. I looked in my cookbooks and my cupboards to see which things would match to make a yummy breakfast for the three of us. This is what I came up, courtesy of Gooseberry Patch "Farmhouse Christmas", and it was wonderful! Two pieces of blueberry french toast, bacon and orange juice made for a great snowy Sunday morning breakfast. (see the end of this post to get the review from the boys!)

Blueberry French Toast

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

2 Tblsp cornstarch

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup plus 3 Tblsp water, divided

3 eggs, beaten

6 slices bread**

2 Tblsp butter, melted

cinnamon sugar

Place blueberries in a 13 x 9 pan. Blend cornstarch, orange juice, sugar and 1/2 cup of water together and place over blueberries. In shallow dish or pie pan, beat eggs and 3 Tblsp of water together. Dip slices of bread in egg mixture, allowing bread to absorb eggs and then place on top of blueberries. Brush bread with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake in 350 oven for 15-20 minutes or until bread is lightly toasted and blueberries are bubbly and thickened.

** I used Poulsbo Bread (I grew up in the Poulsbo area!) I also needed more than 3 eggs because of the bigger bread. I will cook it a little bit longer than 20 minutes next time I make this recipe, but I am thinking it's one of my new breakfast favorites!! We'll see what the boys say...if it gets a thumbs up, it's a keeper.

WOW -- they both came in and said it's more than a five thumbs up recipe! Ian didn't like the nuts that are in the Poulsbo bread but that's easily fixed for next time if he's here! That's all the bread I have at the moment, though, and I can eat Poulsbo bread anytime, anywhere.