Mels Box of Chocolates

Will He? or Won't He?

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

That is the question.

I for one am hoping that we have lots more winter ahead because I'm not ready to put away the gloves, hats, scarfs, and that fancy new sled that Santa brought without even getting to enjoy them in one good snowstorm.

Come on winter.
Hit us with your best shot!

Bye Bye January

2012-01-31T21:15:00.000-05:00

Good Riddance.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

That pretty much sums up how I feel about bidding January good bye and moving on to February. January just has not been that kind to me and I'm ready for bigger and better things, like being one month closer to spring break!

With the funky weather we have been having it's been hard to get into the winter mood. Who has ever heard of 65 degree weather in January. I'm not a fan. Where's my snow? Where's my blizzard? While I'm not so crazy about really cold weather, I do like my snow day or two or three. I'm still crossing my fingers we will at least get one nice snowstorm before we call it spring.

What about you?
Ready for February?

Blog210K Week 3...or 4.

2012-01-30T22:03:00.000-05:00

So I missed a week already. Go figure. Good intentions count for something though, right?

Week 3 recap should have been up last week, but I didn't quite get there. I finished strong on the Week 2 of my Bridge210K program and was ready to jump into week 3, when I felt like my head exploded. Literally.

I had an awesome run on that Sunday and then Tuesday, when I was scheduled to run again, I came home from school with a migraine that put me straight into bed. Wednesday I was still fighting the headache, but thanks to more Excederin Migraine and Ibuprofen was feeling much better by that night. Thursday I decided to give the Day 2 run a shot only to make it half way before I admitted defeat. I guess my body was just so tired and stressed from fighting that headache that it just couldn't do it. Believe me I tried. Then I woke up in the middle of the night to what was the most excruciating headache I've ever had...and as I said, I get migraines so I know headaches. This was beyond anything I've ever experienced. My head felt like it was going to explode and frankly I was beginning to wish it would, it hurt so bad. I ended up staying home from work and didn't get out of my bed till about 4pm that day. After a few, probably too many ibuprofens the headache finally got under control and I actually was able to sleep that night.

Which brings me back to the beginning.
I missed Week 3.
So while technically this is Week 4, I'll be running like it's Week 3 which means 5, 5min runs with a minute of walking in between each one. Sunday was my first run and I rocked it. It felt good! This week I'm determined to finish strong. My plan is to run Wednesday and Thursday and do Jillian's Kettlebell routine on my off days.

I'm a bit nervous about next week. Yes, I'm that kind of person that needs to know what's coming next so I've peeked and that plan calls for 5, 8min runs with a minute of walking in between. That's a big jump going from 5 to 8 minutes of constant running. It's kind of intimidating. I know I can do it. But, that doesn't mean it doesn't scare me.

I'll prevail though.
One week at a time.
10K or BUST!

Bullies Aren't Just In School

2012-01-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Every time I turn around there is another article, tweet, post, or status update about anti-bullying.

Yes, bullies suck.
Yes, bullying shouldn't be accepted.
Yes, schools need to vigilant about bullying and do something about it.

But, let's face it.
Bullying is nothing new.
Just look at Cain and Able for goodness sakes. If that wasn't bullying, then I don't know what was!

Every.single.person has met a bully at one point or another in their life. Actually, I'm sure you have met way more than just one bully. Many probably could even name a bully, currently, in their life.

Bullies are everywhere.
Not just in schools.
They're at work.
They're on Twitter.
They're on Facebook.
They're at the beach.
They're at the park.
Bullies are part of life.

Instead of giving that bully all the attention that they so blatantly are trying to attain, why not focus on those who are being bullied. Why not teach our children how to handle the bully? And no, removing them from the school, sport, activity, etc, is not handling the situation. It is totally telling that bully...YOU WIN.

It is horrific to think that some people who are being bullied care so little for themselves that they think there is no other way to escape, but to end their own lives. Beyond sad.

As parents, teachers, friends, we need to help build confidence in our children...in each other. Nobody...NOBODY... should be given the right to tell you your self worth.

While bullies need to suffer consequences those being affected by bullying need even more attention. They need to be taught confidence, self-worth, self-respect. We must focus our attention on building them up. Find something that they excel in and get them involved. Teach them about friendship, how to choose "good" friends and be a "good" friend. Help them find these friends. Listen to them. Don't allow them to shut themselves off. Pull them out the room, unplug the ipod, computer, video games. Show that you care. Let them know they are not alone. Show them they matter. They are loved!

Give them power.
Power to stand up to the bully.
Power to believe they are worth it.
Power to say, "Forget you, bully"
Power to survive!