Well, it happened today. I pulled a pair of pants out of my closet today that "didn't fit". I could put them on and zip them up, but they were umm...tight. My mom would have yelled at me if she saw them on me.
I've been trying to run lately. I downloaded the Couch to 5K app and am successfully on week 2. For someone who is not a runner, I consider this a huge success, that means I have run 4 times in the past 2 weeks. I'm certainly not fast, I'm not even gonna post how long it takes me to run a mile, but I'm doing it! Not sure if I will actually sign up for a 5K, but we'll see.
Part of the inspiration comes from (and I feel a little weird saying this) pinterest. All those workouts that people keep posting. I knew I didn't have time for the gym yesterday, and it was too windy to run in for me (let's be honest, I struggle when it's not windy), so I did the 100s workout. Yep, 100s workout. It consists of 100 jumping jacks, 90 crunches, 80 squats, 70 leg lifts, 60 jumping jacks, 50 crunches, 40 squats, 30 leg lifts, 20 jumping jacks and 10 minute run. I didn't do the run, but I did everything else. Surprisingly, my legs felt strong today (well, until about 15 minutes into my run), even after all those squats!
I've also been trying to be more conscience about what I eat. Not really depriving myself of anything, but portioning better. I recently bought some new tupperware, and the smaller containers really help me not over pack for lunch.
So, here goes my quest to lose 10 (or 15 or 20) pounds. I can't believe I'm doing this with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner. I'm gonna have to learn to love running really quickly to keep those pounds off! Maybe if I buy cute running clothes I will feel more inspired...hmmm...a trip to Academy or Luke's Locker maybe necessary!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Coaching
I'm getting into my groove in my new job and really enjoying what I do. I get to see kids for awhile, then, if they get on my nerves, send them back to their teacher to annoy them. Win-win! I'm getting my footing and not having to ask quetions every 5 seconds.
I do miss teaching...well, parts of it. I don't miss the lesson plans or the grading. I don't miss calling parents to tell them their child was written up or is failing (I was never good at those phone calls anyway). I miss the kids, I miss the comments, I miss the meetings with other teachers laughing about something that happened in class. I miss seeing the "lightbulb" moments, I miss telling a kid who was "on the bubble" they passed TAKS, I miss hearing all the "Good Things" they share with me at the beginning of each class. I miss the, "Coach Winck, can I talk to you?" moments.
While I miss teaching, I am HEARTBROKEN that I am not coaching this year! I absoutely adored my Fossil Ridge swimmers. We weren't the biggest team, we weren't the fastest team, but we were the best TEAM.
Most people thought I was crazy for waking up at 4:30 am each morning and beginning swim practice at 6am each and every morning. My swimmers made it worth it. They came in each morning ready to push themselves further than they had the day before. They did their workouts without question and they trusted me entirely, even though sometimes I'm sure I didn't deserve it. They inspired each other and they inspired me each and every day. They cheered for each other, they encouraged each other, they looked out for each other, they cheered for athletes on other Keller teams, they set goals for themselves and the team- then surpassed them. They made me smile every morning! They celebrated together and more importantly, they included me in their celebration! They kept me on my toes and pushed me to be a better coach. They asked to be pushed harder and wanted to work more.
I hated giving my team over to another's hands. I put so much of myself into that team, I almost didn't apply for my new position because I couldn't imagine someone else coaching the Fossil Ridge Swim Team.
What I love most is that they still contact me! The ones that graduated come back to swim with the team over holiday breaks. They text and ask how the team is doing. And the kids that are still on the team text me and tell me how they did in their races. I missed the first meet of the season, but I fully intend on being at the next meet and cheering on my former swimmers and watching them continue to grow as adults.
I hope they know how much I loved being their coach and that I still think of them every day!
I do miss teaching...well, parts of it. I don't miss the lesson plans or the grading. I don't miss calling parents to tell them their child was written up or is failing (I was never good at those phone calls anyway). I miss the kids, I miss the comments, I miss the meetings with other teachers laughing about something that happened in class. I miss seeing the "lightbulb" moments, I miss telling a kid who was "on the bubble" they passed TAKS, I miss hearing all the "Good Things" they share with me at the beginning of each class. I miss the, "Coach Winck, can I talk to you?" moments.
While I miss teaching, I am HEARTBROKEN that I am not coaching this year! I absoutely adored my Fossil Ridge swimmers. We weren't the biggest team, we weren't the fastest team, but we were the best TEAM.
Most people thought I was crazy for waking up at 4:30 am each morning and beginning swim practice at 6am each and every morning. My swimmers made it worth it. They came in each morning ready to push themselves further than they had the day before. They did their workouts without question and they trusted me entirely, even though sometimes I'm sure I didn't deserve it. They inspired each other and they inspired me each and every day. They cheered for each other, they encouraged each other, they looked out for each other, they cheered for athletes on other Keller teams, they set goals for themselves and the team- then surpassed them. They made me smile every morning! They celebrated together and more importantly, they included me in their celebration! They kept me on my toes and pushed me to be a better coach. They asked to be pushed harder and wanted to work more.
I hated giving my team over to another's hands. I put so much of myself into that team, I almost didn't apply for my new position because I couldn't imagine someone else coaching the Fossil Ridge Swim Team.
What I love most is that they still contact me! The ones that graduated come back to swim with the team over holiday breaks. They text and ask how the team is doing. And the kids that are still on the team text me and tell me how they did in their races. I missed the first meet of the season, but I fully intend on being at the next meet and cheering on my former swimmers and watching them continue to grow as adults.
I hope they know how much I loved being their coach and that I still think of them every day!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Rules
So Will thinks I have too many "rules". I call them "words to live by." Some of them I don't really think of as "rules" because in my world (aka Lauren-land) these are things that should be unspoken.
Here are the "rules" so far:
1. If you wear a t-shirt to sleep in, you may not wear that same t-shirt when you leave the house. Back me up here ladies...
2. If something is not in use, turn it off/unplug it. No need to be wasteful of energy.
3. Anything below 72 degrees is cold to me...I will need a sweatshirt, long pants, closed toe shoes and a blanket readily available if there is a chance of this happening.
4. Things work in Lauren-land...and we welcome new comers.
5. The world will stop when Auburn football is on. Period.
6. The clock in the car is set about 15 minutes fast. This is so I "trick" myself into thinking I don't have time to stop at Starbucks or Sonic...I don't need the calories or to spend the money.
7. Some shoes are only meant to be worn around the house/yard. They should not leave the perimeter of your property. Everyone has THAT pair of shoes...admit it.
There are more rules, I just can't think of them. Will has decided to write a book of all the rules, so he has a complete list...see him if you need further clarification.
Here are the "rules" so far:
1. If you wear a t-shirt to sleep in, you may not wear that same t-shirt when you leave the house. Back me up here ladies...
2. If something is not in use, turn it off/unplug it. No need to be wasteful of energy.
3. Anything below 72 degrees is cold to me...I will need a sweatshirt, long pants, closed toe shoes and a blanket readily available if there is a chance of this happening.
4. Things work in Lauren-land...and we welcome new comers.
5. The world will stop when Auburn football is on. Period.
6. The clock in the car is set about 15 minutes fast. This is so I "trick" myself into thinking I don't have time to stop at Starbucks or Sonic...I don't need the calories or to spend the money.
7. Some shoes are only meant to be worn around the house/yard. They should not leave the perimeter of your property. Everyone has THAT pair of shoes...admit it.
There are more rules, I just can't think of them. Will has decided to write a book of all the rules, so he has a complete list...see him if you need further clarification.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
When you finish playing with something...
Remember those rules you used to have when you were little? The ones your parents said that you had to always follow? Like the one about when you are finished with a toy, put it away before you pull out another one...yeah, I need a reminder.
I have all these projects I want to do. I even have a list to keep me organized!
Normally at work, I finish one task before I start a new one. I am one of those crazy people who likes crossing things OFF my To-Do list, so when I finish, I can cross off. At home though, recently, I've been a little ADD. I think it's because I WANT to do all of these things, not have to do them.
Anyway, I have a couple of projects that were started, but haven't yet finished.
The first one is my shadowbox from the National Championship game. I'm actually quite proud of it. I haven't quite figured out where I will hang it yet, but it will be hanging in my house soon. I started ita few several months ago, but thankfully I finished today!
My amateur photog skills were failing me and I had to go with the automatic shot, which meant I had to shoot from an angle to reduce glare. Oh well...you get the idea!
My second project is another one from Pinterest! To make those decorative spheres, I'm using foam spheres, thumb tacks and paint. I've finished a couple of them, but it's tedious and I get restless. I'm making myself finish this before I start anything else!
I have all these projects I want to do. I even have a list to keep me organized!
Normally at work, I finish one task before I start a new one. I am one of those crazy people who likes crossing things OFF my To-Do list, so when I finish, I can cross off. At home though, recently, I've been a little ADD. I think it's because I WANT to do all of these things, not have to do them.
Anyway, I have a couple of projects that were started, but haven't yet finished.
The first one is my shadowbox from the National Championship game. I'm actually quite proud of it. I haven't quite figured out where I will hang it yet, but it will be hanging in my house soon. I started it
Sunday, September 25, 2011
A Date to the Water Gardens
I've been wanting to visit the Water Gardens in Fort Worth for some time now. We tried to go a few weeks ago, but we got there around 9:30 and it was already shut off (even though the sign says they are open until 11:00 pm...liars).
Anyway, we had no plans on Saturday morning, the A&M game wasn't until 2:30 and the Auburn game wasn't televised. Will and I decided to venture out to the Water Gardens late in the morning. It was a beautiful day, there was a breeze that was actually cool, the sky was a brilliant blue and you could be outside without being miserable...this hasn't happened in several months! I hadn't taken my camera out for a good photo session since I took my first photography class, so I was anxious to try it out. I had fun playing with the ISO, the aperture and the shutter speed (sounds so official). I'm actually understanding what it means to take a good picture.
The pics are award winning, but I'm pretty proud of them...here are just a few of my favorites!
Anyway, we had no plans on Saturday morning, the A&M game wasn't until 2:30 and the Auburn game wasn't televised. Will and I decided to venture out to the Water Gardens late in the morning. It was a beautiful day, there was a breeze that was actually cool, the sky was a brilliant blue and you could be outside without being miserable...this hasn't happened in several months! I hadn't taken my camera out for a good photo session since I took my first photography class, so I was anxious to try it out. I had fun playing with the ISO, the aperture and the shutter speed (sounds so official). I'm actually understanding what it means to take a good picture.
The pics are award winning, but I'm pretty proud of them...here are just a few of my favorites!
The Aerated Pool
The Active Pool...by far my favorite. You can actually walk down into it!
It was SO loud!
Steps going down
Will on top of the mountain
The quiet pool...so calm
Water quietly coming down the rocks
We finished the morning off with lunch at Mellow Mushroom! I may regret introducing Will to their pizza, it's all he wants now! It was a GREAT date!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Angels Among Us
Every now and then, things need to be put into perspective. I've had quite a busy week, I feel like I haven't slowed down at work at all, I come home completely wiped out. I haven't been complaining (I really don't have anything to complain about anyway), but I haven't been thankful either. I haven't been thankful for all the blessings I have and all the wonderful people in my life. I have an amazing family (both birth family and family that I have chosen to be a part of). I have a great job that I love, I have a church I love and a church family to share my faith with, I have a wonderful home and everything that I could ever need. Today something happened that made me put things into perspective and be more thankful for what I have.
This morning I got the news that our Camp family sent another little angel to Heaven this morning. He was only 10 and he fought hard in his battle with cancer. He is truly a HERO in every sense of the word, his spirit was strong throughout his battle and he went through treatments like a champ! He loved Auburn and several current team members and Aubie visited him in the past few weeks. Lutzenkirchen even told him that the touchdown he scored during the Miss State game was for him.
Next year at Camp, his name will be the first, an hopefully only name read, when we have our candle lighting ceremony. When we have the ceremony, we always play the same song, "Angels Among Us" while we light our candles and leave them on the beach to burn out. Today, this special little boy became one of those "Angels Among Us" and he will be remembered. Today, I wear my heart charm for you...
Angels Among Us
Alabama
I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
To guide us with the light of love.
This morning I got the news that our Camp family sent another little angel to Heaven this morning. He was only 10 and he fought hard in his battle with cancer. He is truly a HERO in every sense of the word, his spirit was strong throughout his battle and he went through treatments like a champ! He loved Auburn and several current team members and Aubie visited him in the past few weeks. Lutzenkirchen even told him that the touchdown he scored during the Miss State game was for him.
Next year at Camp, his name will be the first, an hopefully only name read, when we have our candle lighting ceremony. When we have the ceremony, we always play the same song, "Angels Among Us" while we light our candles and leave them on the beach to burn out. Today, this special little boy became one of those "Angels Among Us" and he will be remembered. Today, I wear my heart charm for you...
Angels Among Us
Alabama
I was walking home from school on a cold winter's day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
To guide us with the light of love.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Gettin Crafty
So I'm sure by now, everyone's heard of Pintrest...well it's my newest addiction. Some of the stuff I know I will never have, but it's nice to dream! I'm the girl that cuts things out of magazines and keeps them in proctive sleeves in binders. Most of these things I will never do because I don't think I am artsy enough to do them, but if I ever got that itch, I have the instructions.
Pintrest let's me organize without the hassle of cutting/tearing out of magazines...GENIUS!
Anyway...today, I got the itch...On Pintrest, I saw a cute idea for a dry erase board. I pinned it to my wall and kept it in the back of my little head. This morning (after recovering from a major sinus headache that kept me in bed until about 10:30- so not like me) I decided to run to Ulta to get some makeup and realized that Michael's is right next to Ulta. I decided to wander in and see what they had. After looking around for a bit, I grabbed a basket and started buying. When I got home, I began to attempt the project. Ignore CC...she doesn't understand why I would take a picture without her in it.
Step 2- While frames are drying, cut scrapbook paper to the size you need. I just traced the silly picure paper from the frame and used my handy-dandy paper cutter. If you don't have a paper cutter, I highly suggest you get one...scissors are so overrated. 
Step 3- Find some ribbon that compliments your paper choice. I think I chose nicely. Cut some ribbon and tie into a bow with the strings hanging down.
Step 4- Hot glue those beautifully tied ribbons to the back of the picture frames. I removed the stuff on the back that allows you to hang or stand the picture up.
Pintrest let's me organize without the hassle of cutting/tearing out of magazines...GENIUS!
Anyway...today, I got the itch...On Pintrest, I saw a cute idea for a dry erase board. I pinned it to my wall and kept it in the back of my little head. This morning (after recovering from a major sinus headache that kept me in bed until about 10:30- so not like me) I decided to run to Ulta to get some makeup and realized that Michael's is right next to Ulta. I decided to wander in and see what they had. After looking around for a bit, I grabbed a basket and started buying. When I got home, I began to attempt the project. Ignore CC...she doesn't understand why I would take a picture without her in it.
Step 1- Find picture frames and spray paint them whatever color you want. I choose white because it would go with anything and if I decide to change out the paper on the inside, it wouldn't clash. (I'm still trying to completely figure out my camera settings, sorry some pictures aren't the best color quality.) The flower pot is for a different project, focus on the frames.
Step 5- Hang and enjoy! Use dry erase markers to leave little notes!
I plan on putting them outside my office doors so when I am on one campus, I can leave notes for the other campus, or if I'm at a meeting and not on either campus. LOVE this idea and I'm quite impressed at how they turned out!
Stay tuned to see if I decide to try more!
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