Winterwonder

So this week has gone by very fast and was full of fun things. Jon and I had monday off, which was super nice! We decided to spend part of the day doing some projects that we had wanted to do and spend some time just the two of us. Jon started building a coffee table for our house. Its going to be so sweet! Log table legs and everything. This old man makes beautiful log furniture at a little ranch right off hwy 97 on the way to redmond (about 15 minutes northeast). So we went and visited him because a friend told us that he sells logs as well. We got a 3.5 inch diameter, 6 feet long log for $4.80! Pretty good deal considering how awesome it looks! Jon got some free wood from our roomates job site for the surface. I think its cedar siding. For me, we picked up a cheap lamp at a thrift store for our room and I spray painted it this cool stone texture. It makes our room even more homey. (oh mom janet- heres a picture of the curtains I made too)

Tuesday our work week started. I've been working at a middle school near by, working with the special education kids. I do it just part time, but with watching my favorite twin 4 year old girls on wednesday I work between 20 and 30 hours a week. Which seems perfect for now, I still get to go on my runs in the morning which I'm beginning not to be able to live without. Working with the kids at school can be extremely challenging at times. If any one has any tips of working with an emotionally disturbed kid with major behavioral issues, let me know! I want to love this kid, but its really difficult when your out at PE with him and he wont listen at all or follow directions, but runs all across the track rolling in the snow and making snow balls to through at trees to watch the snow fall off. Now I know he's only 11, and any 11year would have a tough time resisting the temptation, but I know he can do better than that. Hes smarter than he acts and can function at a much higher level than he does. I'm just not so sure how much change can be made when parents aren't involved at all. Sounds like he takes care of himself 24 hours a day, which consists of watching TV in his room constantly, and probably eating potato chips or something. I dont know all this for sure, but the parents dont seem to care or dont want to help. The kids is 4 foot 6, so he either has very small parents, or hes been somewhat malnourished of some needed growth nutrients. I dont know, but its been a bit trying. I want to reward him and tell him hes doing great- but he rarely does what we ask him to. Any tips?

Yesterday I met with the marketing director from Wild Oats Health food store (which just got bought by Whole Foods Market this week!). Anyway, I met her at winterfest in town, and she wants me to be their "nutrition expert." Pretty sweet huh! Its super part time, but I think it could lead to meeting lots of people in the community that may want to meet with me for counseling- people who shop at expensive health food stores, would have enough cash to pay for a visit with me. So to start, once a month I'll go into the store and set up a table, have some handouts, business cards, and answer customers questions about nutrition. So, pretty much my dream job! I just get to talk to people about nutrition! It might sound weird but I've really been wanting to use my mind in a way that can benefit others, and although I am constantly thinking of new ways to reach this kids at school, talking to people about nutrition issues with be a nice change of pace. I'll start in March, and we're hoping for the best. (Which reminds me- Aunt Denise, can you help me make some business cards?)

Yesterday it snowed all day long! It was beautiful. At one point I was swimming with the jr highers at a community indoor pool (which they go to every thursday) watching snow fall outside- amazingly beautiful to be in my bathing suit in a warm indoor pool, playing with kids, and watching snow fall! Crazy! I wanted you all to see our winter wonderland, so this morning on my river run, I took some pictures. Take a look. As you can see, the sun was getting higher as I ranheres my morning running buddy!