Snowy Weather and Comfort Foods

Hi. It's February. February makes me think about groundhogs day, Valentine's day, and snowy, cold weather. I love groundhogs day. I even have a friend from Punxsutawney, Pa. When we went to visit her, she took us to the library to see Phil and where he lives. You can see him from outside as well as inside. So I saw the groundhog with Gobbler's Knob behind me. I was more excited than my daughter who was under 10 at that point.


Valentine's Day was this past weekend. That makes me think of $$$$ - expensive flowers, gifts and meals. This year we went to visit a friend and took her to lunch. She had just lost her husband earlier in the week. It was so nice to visit with her. We haven't seen her in a while. My husband, daughter and I had Chinese (which is her favorite) for dinner. Next year, our daughter will be away at college on Valentine's Day so I was glad to have dinner with her.

My house February 2015

February always brings lots of snow to Northeast Ohio. We had a mild November and December. Mid January winter decided to appear. Snow makes me think of cozy fires but I don't have a fireplace. Do you? It also makes me think of comfort food. I like to make my comfort food in my crockpot. I have 3. I know some of my friends like to use their crockpots (Carey, Christina, Mandy). Who else like to cook with a crockpot?

My favorite crockpot meals:

1. Italian Wedding Soup
2. Pasta Fagioli
3. Italian Beef
4. Beef Stew
5. Chili (I use a weight watcher recipe - 2 points a cup)

There are many others I make. The last thing I made in my crockpot was sausage and peppers (Italian style). What's the last thing you make in your crockpot? What are your favorite comfort meals to make in a crockpot? Let me know if you want the recipes I use!

Goals: Write my book

Hi. As I wrote in my post about growing my blog, I love to write. I also started this blog to get me writing more.  I wrote my first book in 4th grade as part of a young authors program. It was a children's book with pictures. My brother, Jimmy, was in Kindergarten and was my illustrator. He still draws very well. I will share pictures at a later time. Then we went to a conference. So began my love of writing.

Fairport Harbor in July (My picture)

I have a book started called Temporary Home. It is a mystery. I started writing it the summer my daughter participated in Spirit of America, a boating class. It was at the Fairport Harbor beach. I sat there while she took her class and wrote in a notebook. I remember that is was still cool and I wrapped myself in a my beach towel. When that was over, I set it aside.


Then I took a class at Lakeland Community College taught by a local author, Deanna Adams, called how to write a book. That was a great class. For that class, I typed up the first chapter and an outline for my book. She gave input on both. When the class was over, I put it aside again because I was busy at work writing IEP's (Individual Intervention Plans).


Then I went to the Spring Writer's Conference at Lakeland Community College that is run by Deana Adams. I learned a lot from area writers. Also I met to authors who's books I read. I was so excited to meet them. I took their class on character development. I found out about a writer's group that meets in the area 1 Saturday a month at a library. I went a few times but then I wasn't writing again due to my job and stopped going.


Now that I am no longer teaching, I have plenty of time to write. I started this blog in November/December. I am writing this but not enough. I have not started working on my book again.
In order to help me start writing again, I will

1. Keep working on this blog.
2. Make a writing schedule.
3. Start going to my writer's group again.
4. Start going to the other writer's group I found that meets on Wednesday nights. 
5. WRITE!!!!!
6. Go to the Fall Writer's Conference at Lakeland.

I am writing my blog. The next thing I need to do is create a writing schedule for my blog and my book (as well as other writing). Does anyone else have a writing schedule or a schedule for something they love to do to make it more than a hobby? If you write, what do you like to write? If you don't write, what's your passion?

Goal - Grow My Blog

This is my blog that I started because I love to write. I started writing several fiction books but I haven't finished one yet. I write lists, notes, journals, texts, lesson plans (not anymore), and  my books. This blog is suppose to help me write more so I can finish my books. The one I want to finish first is called Temporary Home. Then I have many more ideas and some outlines already started. I write mysteries. (I also read mysteries and watch them on tv.) It has always been my dream to be an author.

I know a lot about writing but not much about blogging. I have been writing but I need to do more to my blog page. There are somethings that are missing - about page, links to my social media pages, and I don't know what else. I also need to work on the design - I'm missing a logo. I know what I want but I don't draw very well or know how to make it on the computer. So I need to learn more about blogging in order to grow my blog.

Cedar Point  - taken by my daughter

Before I started my blog, I sat down with a list of questions about blogging and my friend Christina who writes a blog called Juggling Real Food and Real Life. It is a great blog so check it out. She gave me a lot of information. She helped a lot. I didn't do everything she said. I haven't watched youtube videos about blogs or listened to podcasts. I was so anxious to get started that I rushed through setting up my blog as fast as possible. I am going to have to meet up with her again soon to see if she has anymore advice for me.

In order to grow my blog, I need to:
1. Watch youtube videos suggested by my friend
2. Listen to podcasts suggested by my friend
3. Learn how to make an editorial calendar
4. Post on the 2 days I have planned
5. Read the articles/blog posts I have saved on pintrest
6. Read more blogs in my niche - Lifestyle
7. Connect with bloggers

I have already signed up to go to Bloggy Conference which is September at Cedar Point (on my goal list for 2016). I hope it is fun and that I learn a lot. I have been working on social media. I have a Facebook page, twitter, pinterest and instagram. What other sites do I need? What else should I include? What topics do you want to hear about?

My Favorite Things at Disney

I was just at Disney in January for the Disney Marathon Weekend with my husband and daughter. I love Disney! It the happiest place on Earth. I know that I was sick but we still had a great time. We love Epcot especially the world showcase. The worst part of our trip was our delayed flight home and the cold weather that was waiting for us in Northeast Ohio. 

Every time I go to Disney, I find new favorite things that give me inklings of joy. Let me tell you about this trips favorites.

Disney Favorites January 2016

1. Contemporary Resort - That was the first time I have stayed at the Contemporary. I loved having access to the monorail. We had a great room with a great view of the Electric Parade on the water. I would love to stay there again. We had a great group rate for the room otherwise we wouldn't have stayed at a Deluxe resort. 

2. Mary Poppins - I met and had my picture taken with Mary Poppins and my daughter. I have never seen her at Disney before. We also saw Alice in Wonderland but there was a very long wait to meet her.

3. Raglan Road - This is a favorite of mine from the last trip so we had to go again. It is an Irish Pub with Irish Dancers and music as well as pub food. They have great beef stew. We didn't have dessert this time but last time we had wonderful bread pudding!

4. Rock and Roll Roller Coaster - This is in Hollywood Studios. I never rode this roller coaster before so my daughter said I should go on it. I went alone. My husband can't go on roller coasters due to his MS and my daughter said she wasn't going on it again. I went in the single rider lane and waited a long time. It was fast and fun. The biggest roller coaster I have been on. In September, I plan to ride the record breaking ones at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

5. Desserts - In France, we had to get our favorite dessert - Chocolate mousse. All three of us had it and we loved it and the break from walking around Epcot. We also had cappuccino cupcakes at a quick service restaurant. Our daughter had her own. My husband and I shared one. At the quick service restaurant at The Contemporary, there was a peanut butter tart. I love peanut butter. That was one I just had.

6. Japan - We were at Epcot on Saturday night and had dinner at the Japanese restaurant. The food there was only ok. When we left it was pouring rain, we hid out in the large store in Japan. They had fun things and candy from Japan. Our daughter brought some home.

7. France - We  had lunch at the restaurant in France. It was lovely. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. I will definitely want to try dinner there in the future. We also saw a movie that was an aerial view of France. It was beautiful. I never saw that before and was glad we found it.

8. Fireworks - We only saw the fireworks one night at Magic Kingdom. They were perfect as usual. Next time we want to see them from the California Grill at the Contemporary. 

 

We had a great time but there were a few things I wished we had done. We missed the fireworks at Epcot because I wasn't feeling well and wanted to go back to our room. We forgot to get the dole whip in Magic Kingdom. We didn't go on the Haunted Mansion ride because our daughter didn't want to go on it. We didn't get to go swimming. It wasn't warm enough except one day but we didn't have time that day. Well, I guess those are reasons to go back - as if I needed any reasons!

Goals: Running

Hi Everyone! Last post I wrote about my goals for the year. I want to focus more on some of the goals starting with running. I started running in the spring of 2015 using the couch to 5K app. I really liked the app and my goal was the 5k at the Disney Marathon Weekend. My cousins have been going to that for several years and supporting Muscular Dystrophy with Run for our Sons on Team Danny. Danny is the son of my college suite mate from William Paterson in NJ. I didn't complete that goal but I was able to run a 5k in December in Mentor, Ohio. (run, Santa, run). For that run I had 2 goals - to finish and not be the last one. I did accomplish both of those goals.

Run Santa Run 12-13-15 with my new running buddies!

 I have been sick and still have the cough so I haven't even run yet this year. It is also cold here in Northeast Ohio. My main running buddy, Mandy, also lives in Mentor and we have a plan for the winter and early spring. We joined Planet Fitness that opened recently at the mall in Mentor. Mandy has already started running on the treadmill there and I will join her next week. I will walk until I can run. We were also planning on upping our game to run a 10K in May. I don't know if I will make it. I downloaded a new app Zen labs fitness 10K. One of the other running buddies have this app too.  In the meantime, I have signed up to a a 5K Kiss Me I'm Irish on March 13. I also may have another 5K with my running buddies in the picture that weekend. We also have a list of other 5Ks this year that we would like to take part in.

I can't wait!


In order to keep myself motivated, I am following running related things on Facebook and Twitter. I also have pinned many things about running that I am reading. I am trying to plan a better before running stretching plan. I will keep you updated on my/our running plans. How do you stay motivated to exercise especially in the winter? What is your favorite type of workout?

New Year Changes

Hi Everyone! Sorry I have been away so long. I was away for Christmas. Then we went to the Disney Marathon weekend. I need to plan my blogging better. I will be posting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monday posts were not happening with my life. I will be starting a monthly newsletter at the end of each month in the spring. That's all the business I needed to cover.

In the beginning of a new year, there are always changes and resolutions. The changes for me always start with a new planner. I have 2 this year. I am behind in setting them up because I caught a cold with a bad cough, which I still have and too much traveling. This cold cost me my first goal of the year. Another change (that I am still adjusting to), Lily, my pug, died on December 30, 2015. This year my daughter is graduating from high school and going to college. She is going to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This year will be very different for my family.


Like everyone else, I always forget my New Year's resolutions quickly. I stopped about 3 years ago making New Year' resolutions. I make goals each year instead. This was a suggestion from my husband. It is something I can work toward all year. I feel better about having goals than resolutions. They are more reachable.

My Goals for 2016

1. Run and finish the 5k at the Disney Marathon Weekend.

Santa Run 5K  Mentor OH 2015

2. Grow my blog
3. Finish writing my book that I started
4. Reach my weight loss goal
5. Continue running and entering more races
6. Reorganize and redecorate my guest room/office
7. Clean out all closets and donate old clothes
8. Go to Bloggycon at Cedar Point (in the fall)
9. More camping
10. Throw a graduation party for my daughter





Goal should be measurable. I didn't include the measurement parts for my goals here. I still need to develop them further. I will update them when I decide what they are. I was not able to complete my first goal. I caught a cold during Christmas and due to the cold and horrible cough, I was unable to run. I was very upset about it most of the time at Disney especially since all the runners were wearing their completion medals. My husband said something that made me feel better about it. He said "You have unfinished business." So we will see what happens with that goal in the future.

Do you make goals or resolution? What is your #1 goal or resolution? I can't wait to hear what they are!

Running for less stress

Several years ago I went to a weekend long retreat called Walk to Emmaus. I didn't want to go because I was sick (bronchitis) and on a bunch of meds. Also I didn't want to leave my husband for the weekend because I worry about him because of the MS. I was worried something would happen to him and I wouldn't be there with him and our daughter. She was still in elementary school at the time. I was upset and not feeling well but I went anyway. I had a note in my room, probably from my roommate that said "I run to keep the stress down." So I thought about that for a while.

source on the bottom of pic

Last winter, I had been on Weight Watchers for about 5 months and decided that I wanted to run a 5k. I had one in mind. I wanted to go to the January 2016 Disney Marathon with my cousins who have been going to this for years in support of our friend Jen. She was my suite mate in college and worked with my cousin in a hospital.  They have supported Run for Our Sons on Team Danny. My cousins run a half marathon but I was looking at a the 5k. I shared this goal with my husband and then my cousins at Christmas last year.

The weather in Northeast Ohio wasn't cooperative until later in March. So I read articles about running, pinned running stuff on pintrest, and bought running shoes. Then I bought the couch to 5k book and app for my iPhone. I was running and using the app. I was doing well until my left knee started hurting. My doctor called it runner's knee and said I needed different running shoes. Then I found a great store called Second Sole and bought expensive sneakers. Great store and they were very helpful. I continued running until July. Then I had to go and find myself a part time job in a grocery store. I couldn't run after standing for my shift except for my 15 minute break. 

I was able to start running again in October but it wasn't going well and end up walking more than running. I skipped lots of days. I was worrying about the Disney 5k. I had also signed with my friends to do a Santa Run in my town. I figured this would help me get ready for the Disney one.

The Santa Run is Sunday. I have been running regularly and walking some of the days I don't run for the last 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes next week.

My house in the winter

As far a the stress, running does seem to help a lot. It has helped me lose weight. I enjoy being outside when I am running. I have learned to stretch and I like that as well.  I'm not sure what I am going to do when the snow comes and doesn't leave for months. Where should I run in the snow? What type of exercise do you like? Does it relieve stress? Is it fun? Keep searching for Inklings of Joy!