525,600 Somethings

Hello, New World!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

This Monday marked the first week of FLYING PIG TRAINING!!!!!!! I have had a few crystallizing milliseconds of the imnotoutofbreathsoicanthinkaboutotherthings running groove lately, mostly about the transition into a new year. 2014 has been the hardest, but BEST year of my life, and even though I know 2015 will be even better, I cannot transition into the new year without acknowledging at least part of why 2014 was so beautiful.

The song, "Seasons of Love" keeps creeping into my mind as I continue to write, edit, and revise this post. How should I measure the year 2014? 

In daylights- 365. Easy. Funny how the only daylight that I really remember was on July 12, 2014. :) (Yup! That's our wedding day:) New World, did you know I got MARRIED this year to the LOVE OF MY LIFE???? :))

In sunsets- Heffe and I are in the process of collecting pictures of our most memorable sunsets to put up in our master bedroom

In midnights- How many nights did we stay up watching dvr-ed "Survivor" on Wednesday nights after Heffe came home late from class:) Doesn't matter- best night of the work week:)

In cups of coffee- This may actually be THE way to measure the year. Okay... 365 x 2 ... or 3.... or 4.... Don't judge me, New World!

In inches- Oooooh the measuring and re-measuring of rooms for new furniture

In miles- Well, I have run through 2 pair of running shoes (300 miles x 2) and my car reached the 100,000 mark :)

In laughter- The sound of my 4 nephews laughing is the BEST sound in the world! How many times I completely lost it laughing with friends? How amazing it is to hear the people around you laugh without reservation!!

In strife- As I sat back and reread my posts from the year, it was easy to see that this has been a trying year- dealing with family health and all its implications, my own health issues, the stress and anxiety of wedding planning, professional/personal life balance... it's been a tough year. However, I'm proud that even though parts have really been difficult and have shaken me to my core, I still try to have a positive outlook, and try to give 100% to all I do. Half-ass is NOT in my vocabulary!

Journeys to plan- OUR HONEYMOON WAS THIS YEAR!!!!! Most absolutely amazing journey to date :) Whenever I think of those precious 10 days Jeff and I spent together, it just makes me smile. :)

Truths that she learned- Wow. I think the biggest truths were truths about myself. What I'm willing to do, give, sacrifice, fight for. Truth about myself. It's big stuff, New World!

Times that [s]he cried- insert Kourtney Kardashian, "Why are you crying? What are your tears for?" It's no secret that I cry more than the average human new born. If it's not brought on by stress or booze, it's brought on by compassion or empathy. Or a really good Hallmark movie.

Bridges she burned- I sincerely hope I have not burned bridges in 2014. One of the hardest parts about moving to Columbus was leaving my great friends and amazing J23 family. I hope you all know that even if I have not done a great job of keeping in touch, I think of you ALL so often!

The way that she died- Jeff is definitely an "all things happen for a reason" kind of man. He helps me to realize that there is something for us to learn from every tragedy, and those that have been called to Heaven in 2014 will certainly be held in our hearts forever.

Well, as the song goes, "the story never ends," and even though 2014 was the most incredible year to date, the best IS yet to come.

Bring it on, 2015! You've got some big shoes to fill. :) 

Until next time, New World

This is me. Bein me. :)

Cheers. 

Word up!

Hello, New World! 

I've been pretty bad about blogging lately. So. For your convenience:) here is a Pinterest story to catch you up on the last month or so...

Sciato has been trying REAL hard to do this lately!!...

...So I've started taking this approach!!...

... But some people don't get it, and then my sarcastic pants come back on...

... And the ones that didn't get the last one are also probably the ones love to put raisins in evvvvverything. You know who I'm talking about! But why!!!...

... Than be surrounded by downers and negativity... Or eat anything that tastes like raisins...

... SQUIRREL/shiny things/wine/funny memes... Whatever!...

... I had to ask 2 people via text message which color of brown boots to buy this weekend... 

... Or anyone with an attention deficit and inability to make decisions lol...

... But at least I can appreciate a good citation....

... And a children's book at that... This quote and lots of quality time spent remind me constantly that I really have the best husband, family,

and friends... 

... And back to the beginning... I'm really trying to act out of intention rather than habit...

... Yes, I intentionally signed up for 2 major races this spring... Eeeeeeeeek!!!!...

... Which will make training a bit difficult...

... So I'm ESPECIALLY thankful for a husband who understands the entirety of training for a marathon, and will hug me when I cry because I have to run instead of eating pizza and nugs...

:)... To eat pizza and nugs with me...

... But training does mean I get to eat like a kid at a carnival for 18 weeks...

... The anxiety of starting training over Christmas, and Clark Griswoldisms of the holiday season are REAL... Which is why Scary Sciato has put on positive pants and will be the jolliest ------- this side of the nut house... ;)

... Gotta remember this. I'm only one person...

... And this is all that REALLY matters...

... So I can suck it up for 10 more days until I can sleep for 2 weeks straight. :)

Until Christmas break, New World...

This is me. Bein me. 

Cheers. :)

The Good

Hello, New World!

So I have had some extra minutes to dive deep into my curriculum this week. It couldn't have come at a better time. 

We are currently studying government. 

WHOA THIS TEACHER IS ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS. 

hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Psych. I promise this will NOT be a specific rant on current politics. (As my loving husband has assured me, this is a rant on behavior, NOT politics.) 

Anywho, I love teaching this unit. It really makes me see the simpler side of politics and how cut and dry it all seems for children. It's unbelievable. Their ideals are so raw and their hearts are so unselfish and they really really want to help others. They giggle when I tell them that sometimes working for the common good is difficult for adults. Their world is so simple. Even though it makes me feel jaded and very cautious about choosing unbiased ways of explaining... It's such a refreshing unit.

Two instances today made me CRAVE that safe and protected environment of my classroom discussions.

1. Reading Facebook today has really upset me. It makes me feel so embarrassed for others and their decisions. True, I have posted some stupid things on Facebook, and some immature pictures on Instagram in the past, but I'm talking about people who are older than me and don't even know each other, but are arguing over whether the other person's political "news" post from Buzzfeed was accurate. These arguments always ended in cursing and personal slams, which we all know is the only way we find out the winner of pissing contests.

2. I overheard some gossip today that I shouldn't have. This  made me think. Well, it made me anxious at first, to be honest. I suck at secrets and I hate hurting others and even though I'm guilty of it, too... gossip only brings trouble. 

As I've mentioned in previous blogs lately, I've been doing lots of thinking of assumptions. In the end... my Mom is right. (Yes, Mom... you don't have to read it again. I actually said that you are right!!!!) When we assume things, whether that is the outcome of a situation, someone else's feelings or motives, have our own agenda or expectation, or even when we have an emotional knee-jerk reaction... we make an ASS out of U and ME. 

To get back to it...

None of us are perfect. We are going to do and say things that don't reflect our true intentions. We are going to make bad choices. It doesn't mean we are bad people. We will learn that there is a consequence for our behavior, and there will always be an equal and opposite reaction for every action we take.

Which actions are we willing to take? 

My hope is that we are all willing to take action to defend the good. 

Not the common-for-my-group good. Not the common-for-my-generation good. Not the common-to-let-everyone-know-I'm-right-because-I-can-yell-really-loud-and-walk-all-over-those-around-me-until-they-are-nothing-but-a-doormat-and-I-judge-the-crap-out-of-them-for-assuming-they-judge-me-so-I'm-going-to-react-out-of-fear-and-false-sense-of-power-to-try-and-make-everyone-feel-stupid-to-make-myself-feel-better good.

I mean the common-good-that-will-nurture-this-next-generation-into-a-cycle-of-respect-for-all-and-won't-make-my-tiny-lessons-of-civility-and-compassion-and-compromise-be-for-nothing. 

We all have something to learn from these incredibly GOOD children. 

Until next time... let's all try to find common ground and defend the good in this world.

*Cheers*

Counting My B's

Hi, New World! It's been awhile. Here's a quick glimpse of the past couple months of my existence. In no particular order...

1. First quarter just ended at school. WHOA. 

2. Heffe and I went to see The Lion King! 

3. I have been babysitting twice a week. I absolutely love losing myself in kid land after NEEDING to be an adult in kid land... Plus, these kids are super cute. :):):)

4. I ran a 5k in October, and came in 30th place out of like a thousand. :)

5. I have rediscovered my love of the TV show, "Scrubs" on Netflix. Not that we don't have the DVDs... But Netflix is so much more convenient. ;)

6. Fall is birthday season for my family. Any excuse to eat cake and lots of food is good enough for me!!!!!

7. We finally got all our bedroom furniture delivered! And it's glorious!

8. We found out Matt the Miller has happy hour on Sunday nights. SUNDAY. NIGHTS. PEOPLE. 

9. I got some new Homage tshirts!

10. We finally transferred all 1,500+ wedding photos to our computers and external hard drive! 

11. I've been working at least one day (usually physically AT school) on the weekend. Pfffffft. 

12. I made a new running playlist, including new tunes! 

13. I made a wreath for our front door!

14. Heffe and I finally were able to spend some QT with our newest nephew/godson, Camden!  What a love!!!!

15. My PSR class had an All Saints Day parade this week- all my students dressed up like saints! Too cute!

16. I've decided to take time for ME and JUST ME and have been getting my nails done just about every week since school started. Whatever, it makes me happy!

17. I completely changed banks. Think about it and how much you have tied to your primary checking account. 'Nuff said. 

18. My class at school went on a field trip last week! Delaware City was so good to us!

19. Amanda and I threw a baby shower for our sister-in-law Chris!! She is due in a few short weeks!!! aahhhh!!!!:)

20. I painted one of our bathrooms all by myself!

21.  Janissa was honored to host our sister Aileen for an entire weekend!! 

22. We bought Twix for trick or treaters. They obviously had no chance at survival, and we needed to buy a second... and then third bag of chocolatey candy. 

23. I'm going to sign up for the Flying Pig Marathon. Eeeeeeeeeeee!

24. Online shopping is still just too much fun!

25. I have been to the dentist, doctor (twice), lens crafters, and have another appointment scheduled next week... In the past 2 months. I feel geriatric!

26. I have taught all 25 of my students how to appropriately use school-associated social media. 

27. Most Thursdays evenings are reserved for happy hours and/or catch ups. Most have been a combination of both with great friends. I am blessed. 

28. I'm channeling my inner-suppressed-collegiate Sciato and putting off the tedious work for a professional development class on new progress monitoring/report card methods. 

29. Despite it all, we have been to mass more than not since we've been married. 

30. Cheesy ending- I turned 30. Wwwwwhhhhhhat????

New World, how do you measure your life? These are some of the little moments that mean a lot... Not even close to everything that's impacted my life... But it's where I am. 

Until more elaboration of some said events, I challenge you to measure and fill your time, and count your b's... As a wonderful God-sent song reminded me this morning (I paraphrase), at all times, especially times of crisis... "I hold tight to what I know"... And Count your Blessings more than your Burdens. :)

Cheers:)

Ten on a Tuesday

Hello, New World!

Just a few scattered thoughts for you on this rainy and chilly fall evening... Yes, I'm holding onto autumn even though Ohio is violently throwing it out the window like burnt cookies. 

aaaaaaaaaand that's number 1. aaaaah, Xavier. I miss you! I miss seeing my friends so often!!! Autumn always reminds me of how beautiful XU's campus looks in the fall. Even though we all did stupid things at one time or another (hence my burnt flaming cookies out the window)... we all had the best freaking time. xoxavier

2. Jason's Deli makes amazing chicken salad. It's very light, and it has pineapples and aaaalmonds in it. Refreshing and doesn't make me feel badly for eating fast food after a quick trip to the gym!

3. Today was a new shoe day. Thanks, DSW! Well, I should be thanking myself- my rewards for shopping there too much bought me my new kicks, that did NOT make my feet hurt! win-win!

4. I'm wearing my Christmas fleece with snowflakes on it. Yes, I'm still hanging on to fall, but I'm a realist- it's Ohio, and the 10 day forecast is completely unreliable.

5. My "new" laptop is great... but the keyboard BLOWS. I have had it for almost a year now, and still can't seem to hit the space bar hard enough or at the right angle. And then I have to go back every few seconds and try harder. Irritating! Next laptop- I'll definitely try some typing out to be sure it fits my keyboarding style. #thingsithoughtidneversay #thisunusablespacebarmakesforeasyhashtags

6. Tomorrow is health screenings for my students. I'm SO relieved it's not for me. Like I need one more thing to induce panic attacks about my health- at work, no less!

7. This happened.

8. My students and I finished our read aloud today. We have been reading Rump by Liesl Shurtliff. I really thought some of my students were going to cry when it was over. It has truly been a magical journey, and I cannot say enough times how much I have loved reading this book. If you have students in grades 3-5, or are a teacher... please do yourself a favor and look into it.

9. I actually got up this morning when I should have, and ya  know what? I was less tired throughout the day than when I snooze for an hour or so. Even if I did do an abominable parking job in the dark when I got to school. Turns out- all those articles I've read on sleep studies actually might be true!

10. We opened our Halloween candy. Yikes. Bad Janissa!!!!

Callin it a day, New World! What random happenings have plagued your thoughts today? :) 

Until next time...

Cheers :) 

A Spoon Full of Sugar... helps the reality go down!

Hello, New World. (notice the no exclamation point. #elainebenes)

On Sunday, I tried to post an update to my blog. I usually give Heffe a sneak peak and do a read aloud of my updates before I publish. This particular update was all over the place, to the point where Heffe said, "I don't understand what you're trying to say."
At first, I was crushed. How could HE of all people not get me?! So, I decided to just save the post, to maybe revisit later, and not actually publish the update.

Well, I just re-read it... and, guess what. Heffe was right. I didn't even understand what I was trying to say. 

So I deleted that one, and I'm starting from scratch. Well, almost scratch. I kept the title. I can be so witty sometimes. ;) 

So here's my reality. 

I HATE the month of September. End of summer. Beginning of 70+ hour work weeks where I still don't feel prepared. End of free calendars. Beginning of school for Heffe. End of sleep. Beginning of big black baggy wrinkles under my eyes.

I'm especially depressed this September because wedding and honeymoon stuff are REALLY over. My and Heffe's combined calendars and to-do lists are completely overwhelming, and "making time" for anything other than those things on our calendars or to-do lists is just not going to happen. Not just highly unlikely. It is just about impossible without dropping the ball from one of the other plates we're spinning. It absolutely SUCKS that we're back to the place where we are crossing really big events off our lists and anxiously watching the clock until we need to leave and get back to our calendars and to-do lists.

I have really been feeling emotional lately. Not to sound completely cliche, but I am really feeling like no one is understanding what I'm saying or how I'm feeling...which is probably why Heffe saying he didn't understand my unpublished update (even though he was RIGHT) made me upset. 

About a month ago, I posted the five things I am striving to do throughout the duration of this school year. It was really the five things I am striving to do in order to balance all aspects of my life. It seems that I've offended everyone in some way by trying to make sure I have my ducks in a row and I am taking care of myself. I hate feeling like I've let people down. I hate feeling like what I'm saying isn't being heard. It's like it my good intentions (mainly of taking care of myself first, so I can take care of others) have completely backfired right in my face, shouting, "Nice Try! You Failed!" and everything sucks. I'm a little tired of taking the high road continually, and I don't know what to do.

Enter #theoatmeal's The Blerch.



You suck, Blerch.

The Blerch is the personified running wall you hit around the second to last mile before the euphoric mile that pushes you into the Runner's High. However, since I can't manage to find the time or energy to create a workout routine substantial enough to find a running wall... The Blerch is standing in my freaking way all the freaking time.

So what am I going to do to get past The Blerch? 

I'm going to rip its wings off, steal its stylin headband, and kick it out of my face.

We all have our demons and our saving graces. 

My saving grace for now... watching this video, and remembering that sometimes, even Mary Poppins gets "cheeky." ;) 

Until next time, Blerchful or Blerchless New World,

Cheers. :) 

Musical Schizophrenia

Hello, New World!

Thought for my daily dose of GOOD this week, I'd tap out by taking a page out of Heffe's Blog and do a little musical count down for you!

Background story for my musical journey...

 This weekend, I traveled to Cincinnati for my sister-in-law's Baby Shower. Chris and Michael got TONS of amazing gifts, well wishes, and personal time and memories turned gifts. I am so blessed to be an aunt AGAIN!!!! Hurry up, Baby, we want to meet you!!!! Just not so hurried... finish baking first ;)

Heffe and I have coined the I-71 corridor between Cincinnati and Columbus as the "Come to Jesus (CTJ)  Highway." Whether its music, our own thoughts, or every Christian rock station in between, at least one of us ends up leaving the highway with a profound epiphany of some sort. 

Friday night's drive begun my musical inspiration. Here are the highlights...

1. "Hand In My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette. Have you ever even HEARD the lyrics to that song? It has CTJ written all over it. 

2. "That's the Way It Is" by Celine. Again, CTJ central. This song is also on my running play list. I hear, "Yes, those are hills, and you've got to push through, and that's the way it is!"

3. "Put On" by Young Jeezy ft. Kanye West. This song makes me feel pretty freaking righteous. Also on my running playlist. 

Then I put on the "Frozen" cd soundtrack and just lost my mind before I got to my parents' house.

Saturday, as Amanda and I were prepping for Chris's shower, I was playing my NSYNC Pandora station. If you don't have this station, and are a fan of ... perfection ... you need to create it immediately. IMMEDIATELY. Hightlights include...

1. "Tearin Up My Heart" by NSYNC. Duh. I stopped cooking and did the dance. Whatever.

2. "The Call" by the Backstreet Boys. This song was more on the tail end of BSB, and truth be told, I completely forgot about it until I heard it. Good one! Great beat. I've included the video so Amanda can remember what this song is ;) 

3. "Liquid Dreams" by OTown. Yes. I've seen OTown multiple times in concert, and have even done the bungee rip cord thingy at Kings Island in order to see their sound check. Sue me. 

4. "Oops I Did It Again" by Britney Spears. Who DIDN'T just remember her in her red leather jumpsuit?! Please and thank you, TRL.

5. "He Loves You Not" by Dream. I may or may not have this single. 

6. "Lady Marmalade" by Pink, Mya, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, and Christina Aguilera, from the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack. Still a top 10 album of ALL TIME for me. Brought back junior year of high school in 3 hot seconds!

7. "Drive Myself Crazy" by NSYNC. Just like the iconic Britney video... who did NOT picture a dreadlocked Chris Kirkpatrick in a straight jacket looking extra creepy!? 

8. "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC. Again... iconic video. PUPPETS PEOPLE.

Needless to say... this started Chris's Shower Day on a REALLY GOOD note. 

Sunday's drive home really brought it back. I had some repeats from Friday, but my iTunes still delivered...

1. "Christmas Can-Can" by Straight No Chaser. #imoneofthosepeoplewhodreamsofchristmasbeforehalloween

2. "Lose Control" by Missy Elliot. Stuck that cruise control on, and danced my buckled up ass off!

2. "Defying Gravity" Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith from "Wicked." Again, this song has CTJ written ALLLLLLL over it. Righteous Sciato is back. 

3. "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown ft. Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, "If you got eyes look at me now, BITTTTTCH" Righ-teous.

4. "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. This song means about a million things to me. Heffe's sister Carolyn sang this for us on our wedding day... yes. She sang it. By herself. A DUET DONE SOLO. Nothing short of extraordinary. So I was thinking of our wedding day. 

This was a big baby weekend, so I was a little overwhelmed with the, "aren't you next?" questions and love for my current nephews and baby Chrichael on the way (Chris and Michael=Chrichael, much like Jeff and Anissa=Janissa). I couldn't help but pray this song for all the sweet little baaaaaaaaabies who are already in my life. 

Hello. Again. CTJ. 

Maybe I need new tunes. Maybe one of my schizo sides understands that I need a little variety and spice to my life. Maybe it is divine intervention that I have some of these songs in my repertoire. Anyway you slice it, it's all good tunes for me. And that is my happy place today. 

Until next time, 

Jam on, New World!

Cheers :)