whoooaaaa, we're halfway there...

Sometimes, I do think I'm livin' on a prayer. 

But hey, all Jon Bon aside, today is the halfway point of the Whole30! I've made it fifteen whole days on this! Wahoo!! The rest has to be a cakewalk, right? Right. Let's recap the last few days.

Yesterday I was knocked on my ass by this sickness that I got last week...it. was. terrible. I knew I had been tired lately, and I just couldn't get motivated to work out or really get up in the mornings no matter how much I slept. After a couple weeks of this, combined with the beginning of Whole30, I put my body in some sort of shock that made it impossible to attack this sickness. After spending Sunday in bed, I feel a ton better. I ended up going to work today and by the end of the day I felt pretty good. Definitely the most bright eyed and bushy tailed that I've felt in a very long time. I'm excited to see what I feel like tomorrow morning.

Today I had an interesting day. I wasn't hungry for the majority of the day - breakfast (sweet potatoes and eggs) held me over until lunch (lettuce wraps + red pepper + apple + larabar) and I was sated until dinner (chicken asparagus stirfry + bacon wrapped dates + blueberries). But I just couldn't stop thinking about food. I wanted to eat all day. I can't figure out if its because I'm actually missing nutrients here or if I'm just replacing my energies in eating crap into eating the crappiest whole food I can find. I'm not sure what to do about it, but I know that this is a problem I'm trying to solve anyway. 

Tomorrow will be a better day. I just have to focus myself in the last 15 days to make great choices, continue on the path, and see where I'm at in 15 days. 

On a kind of related note, I made bacon wrapped dates today. OMG. so good. I can't get enough of these and I'm pretty sure I'm going to put myself into a coma eating all this goodness. All I did was cut bacon strips into thirds, pit my dates, and wrap them up! In the oven, 375 for 20 minutes (flip after ten) and the goodness comes out. If you haven't made them yet, please stop reading immediately and make these now. If you have, and you don't like them, I'm sorry, we can't be friends. They are in my fridge, calling my name, saying "eat me, eat me" and it's getting really hard to say no. Argh. Whole30 is really killing me. Who would have thought I wanted to eat bacondates 15 days ago? Not I. Not I. 

ONE THIRD!!

You guys, as I sit here, in the throes of day 10, my mind is blown. 

Not only have I actually made it 10 days without cheating, stopping, or getting bored of the foods I'm eating, I've (dare I say?) enjoyed the mental challenge this has made me face. Yesterday was TOUGH. Actually, the last 2 days were tough. I left you at the end of day 8 with a blog about how I couldn't sleep enough. 

Two hours later, I was wondering if I would ever sleep again. I guess my nap was so hardcore that my body decided that it would wait until about 2 am to fall back asleep. Although I was exhausted yesterday, I held out on napping after work, and instead started getting my life in order: cleaning my kitchen, sorting my laundry, etc. Ah, it felt good to be productive! I went to bed last night, read a little in Harry Potter, then passed out. I slept, without waking up, until 5:58 this morning and felt like a brand. new. person. 

I'm too pessimistic to say that the exhaustion is over, but dang, did it feel good to wake up without any aches and pains or tired eyes. The next step is (according to the timeline) the hardest to get over. For the next three days the timeline assumes that I will want to quit. Can I just say, right now, that last night I passed the time by googling Whole30 Failure? Yes, it was helpful in keeping my mind off the no-no cupboard I have, but at the same time, I felt the urge to have a glass of wine, or juice, or anything that wasn't water. Unfortunately for my taste buds, and fortunately for me, I refrained and went to bed instead. I woke up feeling great today, so I'm going to take it as a win! 

Today I'm meeting some out-of-town friends that I haven't seen since their wedding last summer. I am hoping to stay strong and not do anything that kills my hard work - because trust me, this is hard work - but I know in the end it is just up to me to say no.  

Brownies, Wine, and Candy, oh my.

 20 days to go! 

the last four days...

Last time we were together, dear reader, I was on day 3. Dreaming of food, thinking about food, cooking food, eating food. FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD. 

I just finished my last meal of the day (so I've officially completed day 7) and I want to recap my experiences thus far. I had a challenging weekend, but we will talk about that here in a nanosecond. So far, there have been a lot of interesting things happening inside my body. Don't worry, I'll explain in the most demure way. 

1. Fruit. Fruit seems to be the magical (new) demon. Can't have too much, for fear of replacing cravings with cravings, but unfortunately, as I learned in my traveling weekend, it is readily accessible at places like QT, and most the time, my only option. I ate a ton of fruit - or so it felt. It probably wasn't enough to take up a whole paragraph, but so be it. 

Whole Foods, however, really saved my life. Not only with their fruit selection (but also, amazing how you can buy fruit with coconut pieces in it. AMAZING)! 

2. Peer Support is SO HUGE. Listen, I've told people at work about it (some like to tease me about carbs and cheese!) but it's been a pretty positive experience there. When I went to OKC this weekend, I figured it would be difficult as M and I usually eat out, drink wine, have dessert, the usual. I told him I was going to do this Whole30 thing and didn't really go into detail, but when I was telling him what I could and couldn't have I had to laugh. "You can't have CHEESE? But why?!" "No cream in your coffee?!" "Just meat and vegetables?!" By the end of the weekend, he was on my level. Of course, when he ordered a cookie I gave him the death stare, but he was really great about making sure we went somewhere we could get something to eat that we could both enjoy or just eating at home (again, Whole Foods for the win). 

3. Sleep is..interesting. I'm back to talking in my sleep. Maybe I never stopped but it's one of those things: if a bear poops in the woods, does it count? No one is here with me during the week to see if I talk or not!  I fall asleep quickly, stay asleep longer, but my body is more tired than usual. I can't figure out what that's about, so hopefully it just stops soon. I'm pretty much over it. 

4. Speaking of sleeping, DREAMS are gettin' all sorts of funky. I had a dream last night I was eating everything. I started by telling myself no (real world situation right there) and then I tried talking myself into it (also real world). As the dream progressed, I had told myself it was okay to eat _____ and that since I already gave in and quit my Whole30 I should just keep eating. In my dream, I did. I was so sad and disappointed, until I woke up and the fact that I was asleep was confirmed! Dreams get funky, and you know the cravings are still there. 

5. I can't get enough sweet potatoes. 

6. Bloating and other ailments. So, when I read the timeline, it said I would get bloated. Sure, why not? It said maybe I'd have some issues passing my food through my intestines. Sure, why not? But when Thursday and Friday rolled around,  I was rounder than a beach ball and no chance of anything escaping. It was irritating, not to mention uncomfortable. Three days later I can look back and be grateful for restrooms and a boyfriend that thinks farts are funny, but it took a minute, and I wasn't sure if I would make it out alive. Best part about that was that I wasn't hungry, LOL! 

7. Looking forward to... a glass of wine when this is over with.....alongside my sweet potatoes! 

mayday, mayday..

Thursday, May 1

Today's Happy Day: kiddie yoga

Days Left: 80

Today was a DAY. I'm talking, one of those days where you just look at kids and think, "what on EARTH has gotten into you?"nIt seemed like no matter what happened, I couldn't redirect my students, get their full attention or make sure they were doing their best. It is incredibly frustrating, and it leaves me exhausted by 3:15 when they get on the bus. Combine this with our state testing this week, and no one is thrilled. 

Alas, this challenge was meant to find happiness in all states of being, so my happy moment today was the last fifteen minutes of school. My students read a book on this little girl that does yoga for literacy today. In an effort to be a more balanced teacher, I wanted to let the kids experience what yoga was and how it challenged mind and bodies. 

Thank goodness for youtube, that's all I have to say. Some girl dressed in a onesie took my kids through 15 minutes of yoga today, and it was so fun to watch them. They got really into it, made funny faces and noises, and I was able to take all my stress from the day and remind myself why I teach. The days where kids throw fits, and crumple up papers, kick garbage cans, yell at you because you won't let them color....all of that goes away when you see them smile, laugh, and experience something new. Happy mayday, friends!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday!

Wednesday through Sunday, here we go! I will be all caught up, and ready for another week of happiness! 

Wednesday, April 23

Today's Happy Day: Panda on Vacation

Days Left: 88

 

Panda got to have a mini-vacation when he stayed behind with my sister in Washington - he begged me to stay with her and have a vacation. I told him fine, on one condition: that he does his chores and he follows all of Lindsay's directions. 

So what do I get? A photo of him having a lie-in! He did not fold his laundry, did not unload the dishwasher, and DID NOT follow directions. See that frown? He's sad because I told him he couldn't go to the NASCAR race if the debauchery continues. Someone thinks he's entitled. 

Anyway, Panda is kind of a big deal in my family. He goes everywhere, and we pretend he's real. He takes great selfies!

Thursday, April 24

Today's Happy Day: Cat in a Box

Days Left: 87

I flew back from Dallas on United, with a big old box of prescription drugs. I had a note from a doctor on a prescription pad that told me not to check this box. I had to carry it on. Unfortunately, the box didn't really fit under the seat. The flight attendant was nice and said that she would let it slide, but I was determined for it to fit under the seat. 

After a 2 hour flight and a bumpy landing, the older gentleman I was sitting next to turned to me with a quizzical look on his face. I waited, and had to fight the urge to laugh when he asked me an interesting question: "Is your cat okay in there?" 

...I said yes. What else what I was supposed to say? This box was beat up, taped together with no air holes. If he thought a cat lived there, then so be it. 

Friday, April 25

Today's Happy Day: A Hint of Yellow

Days Left: 86

I'm breaking in these shoes for my friend Madeline's wedding, and with that comes the planning of outfits that involve yellow! 

We went outside for the first time in a long time on Friday, and my students were very excited to see that the flowers matched my shoes. They laughed and shouted, "Miss Newell! Miss Newell! Your shoes match the flowers!" 

Indeed. A bright spot in my dull, dull, Friday. After exhaustion, tireless students and one thing after another, it was nice to sit and watch my kiddos at recess. 

Saturday, April 26

Today's Happy Day: FaceTime.

Days Left: 85 

Dating a guy 5 hours away is hard enough, but when we get to see each other every weekend when we are super lucky, and every two weeks on a regular basis, there is a definite lack of, well, facetime. When we both work long hours, we have to rely on texts and the knowledge that we are both thinking about each other. 

Nights like last night, we got to FaceTime and watch the Thunder game together. I love watching basketball with M. He is so analytical where I'm over there like "oh wow, his ears are so small!" I'm sure he gets fed up with all my questions, or lack of knowledge I have on the sport already, but he is patient, kind and is willing to answer even my silliest question. 

Dear iPhone, you make long-distance relationships so much easier. Love, Sadie.

Sunday, FINALLY! April 27

Today's Happy Day: Dutch Babies

Days Left: 84

Not too long ago, my sister and my dad went down to my hometown to clean out my grandmother's house. It was time to put her in a home, and it was up to them to clean out her house before they could put it on the market. Both Lindsay and my dad asked if there was anything I wanted out of the house. I can honestly say that I hadn't been in there for so long I couldn't begin to request something. I told them that there wasn't anything in particular but I did want a small keepsake, like a china cup. 

Not only did my sister surprise me with three difference china bowls and cups, but she also handed over my grandmother's cast iron pan! For those of you that don't know, cast iron pans are like GOLD and best handed down - that way, they are seasoned and have a lot of history. Of course, my first thing to make was a Dutch Baby - a breakfast staple growing up, and something I have been missing dearly! 

Stay tuned this week for my next 7 posts - can't wait to see you on the happier side of life! 

Catchin' Up...

Seriously, this may be the busiest I've been in a while. A week ago today, I was flying home from Washington, where M and I spent time with my family. We got some really good quality time in from Friday to Sunday, and flew back late in the evening. The following morning I was up and at 'em, ready to teach. Wednesday night I flew out to Dallas and back on Thursday afternoon, where I then taught Friday. Pair this with long hours, poor nutrition and all other female things you can think of; by the time Friday night rolled around, I was ready for bed. 

Imagine my delight when the complex next to me decided to bust out their R&B mash-ups until 2 am. I was so angry! I had been looking forward to snuggling down in my duvet for the longest time, and by the time I had finally gotten there, it had been spoiled with the noise from next door. Needless to say, I spent all of yesterday sleeping. I'm still tired from last week, and it's a question of ever being able to catch up! 

So, let's catch up here, so this week can run smoothly. 

Friday, April 18

Today's Happy Day: Hunkalicious M

Days Left: 93 

M was gracious enough to come out to Washington to meet my mom before she passes. It was incredibly humbling, gratifying and special having him by my side on this trip. It meant so much to me that they met each other, and neither one questioned the prospect once. You know, I am incredibly lucky, and FEEL incredibly lucky, to have someone in my life that really wants what is best for me. He is articulate, pensive, intelligent and all the right things. He makes me feel like a million bucks, and I love that! 

Please keep in mind that this will be one of the only times you see a photo of us and our life on any sort of social platform. Due to his requests to keep our relationship off social media, our story is not one I plan on telling, not on here. Live it up while you can! 

Saturday, April 19

Today's Happy Day: Panda Goes Out

Days Left: 92

On Saturday, when we were hanging out in Spokane, Washington (the Italy of the PNW?) we had a wonderful dinner with Panda and Lindsay. We went to the Italian Kitchen and ate family style. We were stuffed and Panda was all about the leftovers. 

He also was into photobombing. Silly Panda. 

Anyway, despite the cold weather it was nice to break bread with Lindsay and M, have time to relax, laugh and reconnect. There is something about family that just soothes the soul and repairs all things in the world. Seeing my big sister was just what I needed to really finish out the year. BONUS: I get to see her again for a NASCAR race in just a few weeks! Actually, in a matter of days at this point! 

Sunday, April 20

Today's Happy Day: Sisterly Love

Days Left: 91

Meet my sister, Lindsay! 

She's my best friend, my confidante, and the most selfless person in the world. She has been the world's most wonderful sister, and someone that definitely keeps me sane. 

Like I said, family soothes my soul. I am so glad that we made this trip happen and that we got to see each other. This year was the first year we have seen one another more than once and it has been such a treat! I miss her so much and was very thankful for the time we got to spend together! 

This has been the best few days of my life. I just really like finding the happiness inside the mundane, or the silver lining in any cloud. 

hoggin' up the road with my p-p-p-p-plower...

Today's Happy Moment truly made me laugh. It, again, was hard to choose. I had a wonderful day with my students, and we talked a lot about expectations in third grade. For some reason, they just love running down the hallway. It is INCREDIBLY frustrating. Regardless, we deal with it and move on.

Now, this afternoon I was really trying to get myself to the grocery store to make sure I was ready for the week and have a healthy plan in place (seriously, bikini season is coming and I am NOT READY). On my way there, I notice this guy just driving along the road on his LAWNMOWER. People, come on, this isn't something you see every day, not even in Kansas, but seriously, you could use the sidewalk and stop holding up the general public. What do I know, I don't own one!

Anyway, here's today's Happy Moment - feel free to check back for the weekend update!

Today's Happy Day: Man on a Mower

Days Left: 90! 

let me take a selfieeeee

Well, the time has come where I've displayed my love of the selfie. Embarrassed? Nahhh, it's all in a days work. 

Today's 100 Happy Days moment is brought to you by Starbucks, the most influential establishment when it comes to my teaching career. I need caffeine.. I NEED CAFFEINE. With Pajama Day being tomorrow...I may need DOUBLE caffeine to function. 

Either way, who doesn't love an americano before 7 am? I definitely do. 

Today's Happy Day: The Starbucks Selfie

Days Left: 95

View Instagram here, or add me @sadienewell!

baby beluga and the deep blue sea

Well, hello, and welcome to my newest installment of the #100HappyDays Challenge. 

Mini Update (after four days, I know, how pretentious):

I like this because every day I look forward to choosing my happy  moment. I think a lot about which moments I like the best and which I want to share - this one today, was an ending to a pretty happy day. 
My students just made me laugh today. Usually, I'm so concerned with unnecessary noises and weird things happening to my students or whispers that I don't take a step back just to watch them be kids. Today was one of those days where every time I looked up there was SOMETHING happening. 

I couldn't decide between this moment, a moment where I looked up during independent free play and watched a kid legitimately fall over (tried to catch himself and everything), or the moment of fun water bottle games in the hallway. I couldn't decide if mastery of quotation marks was happy enough, or if grading themselves on a writing rubric counted. 

In the end, I chose the quick photo of me holding a ton of programs for our school concert, featuring Baby Beluga. It was one of those moments where I looked around, realized that we all had been at school for over 12 hours, managed behaviors and taught first and second graders for the majority of that time, and all had smiles on our faces. We all sang along with the kiddos, watched them run up and down the hallways, dressed down and laughing. Sometimes it is so hard to get lost in our jobs - how hard they are, stressful, how much time our job gets vs the rest of our lives, but moments like today really do show me that even though one of my students dropped the F-bomb a few times, or a little girl was so sick she was crying...there's happiness everywhere, as long as we look for it. Until tomorrow, readers! 

Today's Happy Day: Program Queen of UA

Days Left: 96

View Instagram here, or add me @sadienewell!

Because I'm Happyyyyyy...

Hello again!

You know, what I really like about this "challenge" is that I get to pick and choose which moment to share. Today was really difficult - there were so many moments I wanted to share. A kiddo losing his tooth, my students all working diligently during guided reading time, the best lunch ever, wherever I went today, I saw so many opportunities to share my happiness. Today though, was one of my favorites.

One of my students, S, went home sick today. After mildly complaining all morning (and this girl, although a complainer, is more of the stomp-around-and-roll-my-eyes type) and looking MISERABLE, I finally sent her to the nurse. Although she felt cool, homegirl had a temp and was on her way back to bed at home.

We were out of our classroom when she left so she came to find me - but she left me a present that was the most ADORABLE thing ever. There are times where I just love my job and marvel in my students. She really makes me appreciate my work and what I'm trying to do with my students every day. Also, I love presents on my desk!

Today's Happy Day: University Academy Charter
Days Left: 97

Washington Weather

It's no secret I miss my hometown, and today was a day unlike any other. I tried to go to a play today, but there was a shooting at the Jewish Community Center. Tried to get brunch today, but there was an hour wait...you know, usual things that would make me at least a little put out (okay, okay, the shooting actually just SCARED me, not put me out) were put from my mind because of the weather today.

Today's Happy Day: The View from my Couch
Days Left: 98
View Post Here! With snow on the forecast for tomorrow, I reveled in the storm today. FaceTime with my favorites, dozing in and out of sleep...there's something so relaxing about having an excuse NOT to get off the couch! Although I'm sure, in the end, I'll look back and say to myself, "Sadie, you should have worked out today," I am perfectly content with the fact that I did not, and that I got to watch the lightning streak the sky instead. Happy Sunday, everyone!

Breathe In, Breathe Out....

Ahhhhhh.

As I take a deep breath and find myself, once again, writing within a screen-sized text box, I realize that it has been so long since I shared where I am, what I'm doing, and what makes me happy. Now, I understand that none of you missed me PER SAY, but that was just because you forgot how entertaining I can be.

This week, I decided to start the 100 Happy Days challenge. 100 days of posts about what makes me happy - whether it happens to be a beautiful sunrise, a trip to the dog park, what have you.

I've been incredibly apathetic lately when it comes to writing. I have things to say, all jumbled in my head, but couldn't figure out my platform or really inspiration for it to come to fruition. I've decided to jump the gun, and make a blog. My students may be featured but this isn't solely about them, I may from time to time find something to vent about but for the most part, this is just for my 100 happy days. After that, I am hoping to have the inspiration to continue with something here.

Anyway, I am rambling. Let's start at the beginning. What is this challenge, you ask? It's simple enough. For 100 Days, I am committed to Instagramming something that makes me happy. I am an instagram fanatic (@sadienewell) so I don't find this incredibly daunting.

Read more about the project here.

Today's Happy Day: The Dog Park
Days Left: 99
View image HERE! or there ----->

Ava and Mya are the product of a breakup. When their fur dad and I broke up, I lost the custody battle. To be honest, I didn't put up much of a fight. It had already been discussed that I wouldn't get the dogs in the event we separated and although it does make me sad I don't get to watch them grow up into mature fur persons, it is for the best.

Today, I got to see them! It was so nice to watch them run around the dog park, sit at my feet, and play with other dogs. My heart was full and happy, which is exactly what I wanted. There's something so innocent, so pure about dogs.