Mr. Speaks: Things I Think About When My Mind Wanders

Hi Everyone. I know I'm supposed to post here more often, and I know it's been a looooooong time since I've written anything, so I'll be humoring and enlightening you with this new recurring series of things that cross my mind when it has nothing else to do.

I think most of us assume that people with white collar jobs have some kind of secondary education in which they were required to write papers and essays. So why is it that so many people I come across in professional settings do not know the difference between words like "there" and "their," or "your" and "you're," or my all-time favorite "then" and "than?"

Nothing makes me feel more like my time is being wasted than (See the proper usage? Nice, huh?) when I get e-mails from co-workers, clients, or colleagues that include one of - and sometimes all of - these blunders.

For example, earlier this week at work, I received an e-mail from a client that began thus: "I am would like research." I could have handed over the best darn report ever, but when your opening sentence contains more grammatical errors than LOLcats, I can't help but think my company would be better off hiring muppets.

Christmas (x2)

Mr. R's mom mailed our Christmas packages a bit late this year so we received them today!

She knows my LOVE of Ms. Ray so I was super excited when I opened a box filled with Rachel Ray pots & pans AND a new RR knife set.

Can't wait to put them to use!

Lesson of the day: Call if you are going to be late.

I didn't.
I disappointed lots of people.
I missed a meeting.
My husband was stranded.
I got home too late to get changed & be on time for spin class.
I burned dinner.
I could have avoided all of this if I had just called.

Mr. R is annoyed with me.
He can't understand why I have a cellphone if I don't use it.

I don't have an answer to that question.

I decide to take his picture to distract him for being annoyed.

He refuses to look at me.

Ah, finally got him to smile.Or maybe he is just blinded by the flash?

I promise this isn't going to turn into a food blog...

(nothing against food blogs! I love you girls, you make sure I count my points & have an amazing arsenal of recipes to choose from)

but I do have to share tonight's dinner with you. It was so good! Mr. R says I only feel this way because I was starving, but seriously I highly recommend giving a pressed Cuban sandwich a try.

Mr. R and I had leftover pork (made in the crock) from before Christmas that I froze for a rainy day or very busy night. I didn't feel like plain pulled pork or sliders again so I decided to give Sweet Tea's recipe a try.

I bought fresh Cuban bread from Publix, thin sliced deli ham, and swiss cheese. I layered my ingredients added fancy mustard, (that's code for grey poupon), and bread & butter pickles.

Then I shoved each sandwich into the George Foreman and pushed the lid down. I also may or may not have used a couple of casserole dishes as weights to keep the lid down. (I think it would be much easier if we had a sandwich press).

We also had frozen sweet potato fries (I bought the giant bag from Costco a few months back), so they subbed in as our vegetable.

I could only finish 1/2 my sandwich, so I will have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. SWEET!

Day 5: Perseverance Baby!

Sophie is determined to bust out of her puppy park one of these days!

Pursue more than just the things you are good at.

Today I asked my students to share some of their goals for the New Year. You would not believe how creative and daring these 12 & 13 year olds are. I was shocked.

I have a brainy girl (who doesn't look athletic at all ) announce she wants to take up skateboarding. One of my shyest students said she wants to sing at our school's talent show. And my football star (who has been playing since he could walk) said he wants to get all A's so he can go to college to be a doctor. (Lofty goal, but awesome nonetheless.)

I think its easy to listen to others tell you about your strengths and talents and accept your fate at face value. I know that since middle school I was labeled the nerdy kid and was expected to study the sciences and go on to work as a lab rat for some University.

I think I shocked everyone when I announced the environment was my passion and went off backpacking with plans to save the earth's natural resources. I think I shocked them all again when I left Env. Eng. and settled happily into a middle school science classroom.

If I could tell my students or my future offspring anything it would be that you shouldn't pigeon hole yourself. Don't choose the easy path that gets you compliments and praise (although I do love them), but rather keep growing, keep challenging, and enjoy being uncomfortable in your own shoes.

Ok, I am stepping off of my soapbox now. And on that note, I am off to the gym to be uncomfortable as I try a new workout and challenge myself to beat my mile time on the treadmill.

What are you trying to pursue in this New Year?

Day 4: The night I beat Olive Garden.

Mr. R is I-talian. Off the boat I-talian. His mom has an arsenal of recipes that she can make from scratch. Her sauce takes hours to make and tastes like heaven on a spoon.

I am not Italian. In my house sauce comes from a jar with a Classico or Newman's Own label. My recipe box contains mostly Rachael Ray and I make very little from scratch. Also, my kind of Italian food comes from Olive Garden with a basket of unlimited bread sticks. (Yum!)

But tonight, I made a dinner that could beat the pants off of Olive Garden and make my mother-in-law proud. (And yes, I did make this in the crock. The recipe belongs to Stephanie and yes, it is that easy!) I beefed up my dinner with a roasted veggie mix of asparagus, broccoli, and zucchini. (I also cut the recipe in half to feed just the two of us).

On another note, today was my first day back to work since winter break. It was nice to be back in my element with my routine. Although I was not saying these same things with the alarm went off at 5:30 AM. I also had my first post work spin class today. It was great! I can't believe how much energy I have after class. I think this might just become my new Monday routine.

And a little glimpse of Simon.
Who would not leave the kitchen until he got a taste of dinner too.

Day 3: In this house we are cowboys fans.

Actually Mr. R is a cowboys fan and I am indifferent.

I did get a cute cowboys t-shirt for Christmas so I may be swaying to the silver & navy side.
Is it bad that my allegiance changes with my wardrobe?