March Madness

Last week was a week off school for most kids in Ontario. Usually I take the week off as well but wasn't able to this year. I decided way back in the summer that I wouldn't because I am part of an organizing committee for a small conference happening in a couple of weeks. I didn't know how busy things would be at this point and didn't think it appropriate to take time off so close to the event. I did however take Friday off to spend with the kids. We had the big kids for the week too. For months we have been trying to plan a day with our close friends and their little guy so we made Friday that day. We all headed out to see a small aquarium and then did some shopping. We met back at the friends house for dinner and catch up time. It was great to see them and to spend the day chatting with them. I miss my friend when we can't get together . She is a friend that I have known for many years and through many changes. It's always nice to just chat with her and know that I can totally be myself.

I have also done a lot if thinking about my health and my stress level this weekend. Work is out of control busy to the point that last week I didn't even eat a proper lunch most days. That was completely my lack of planning and preparation. I know this and know that I need to work on that. Work itself is not going to slow down anytime soon. My caseload is not going to get much smaller and with graduating students it could well get bigger. Once this conference is over it will free up time that I can then use to catch up on things I have let slide. I don't like feeling that things are being left undone because of time issues. I don't like leaving things for weeks without doing them and I don't like feeling like the people I support are not getting the absolute best service possible. In the end it will all go back to normal and in a few months I'll be complaining that I don't have enough to do because it's summer and everyone is away. For now though I will have to keep on going and make sure that I do the best I can. I need to make sure I am planning lunches that I do not have to heat and things that I can eat while driving from one meeting to the next. I will also stop making excuses for why I can't run or exercise after work. I know if I do it I will not be so tired and will be overall healthier and happier. My health depends on me getting things in order and my family depends on my health!

I'll leave you with this little guy! He is penguin who lives at the Aquarium of Niagara. He was caught in the wild and was born in 1978 which is the same year I was born. He was a rescue and they have taken very good care if him. I felt quite the connection with him, perhaps because of our mutual age. His name is William:)

Something new:)

Tonight was our first Thursday at the gym in a long time. The programs for the girls are better on Tuesday and Thursday so those will be our nights now. Tonight I decided to give Zumba a try for the first time. It was very hard but very fun! I am not the most coordinated person around so it took even more effort than I expected it too. However this will now be my new Thursday night workout. Today I ran 20 minutes before Zumba but from now on I will do my runs outside on Monday and Wednesday nights.

It's starting to get a little warmer and is staying light later. This will be good for my running which has been terrible lately. Between the cold air and the cold virus I've been fighting I haven't been able to run outside so much. It aggravates my asthma and makes it very hard to keep running. This weekend it is supposed to get quite warm so I will take advantage of that to get a good long run in. We'll have to wait and see how long that long run actually is when I try to do it.

Next week is March Break for the kids here. Unfortunately I have to work most of the week. I will enjoy the break in routine though!