Welcome to the May edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am already making plans to spectate the Boston Marathon in 2025.  My niece goes to school in Boston and has offered me a place to stay.  The date is April 21.  It is perfect because I am off on Friday for Good Friday and can leave Thursday after work or Friday morning.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am planning to go to Minnesota in July.  My nephew got married in March in Mexico but I wasn’t able to go.  His wife is from Minnesota and her family is planning a wedding celebration.  I feel terrible that I missed the wedding in Mexico but now plan to make it to this celebration.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I submitted an application for Team TCS Teachers.  If I get picked, I get an entry to run the Chicago Marathon (1st choice) or the NYC Marathon (2nd choice).  Cross your fingers and toes so that I get picked!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am physically and emotionally exhausted.  I come home tired with no desire to do anything.  I only want to read and cuddle with my cats.  I know this is the usual around this time but this year hit me hard.  I like my job but there are days that I hate being a dual language teacher.  It is more work than a regular teacher and I don’t get paid more for doing that job.  

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that today we receive our assignment letter.  This letter states our job for the following school year.  However, there is no guarantee that that is the job I will have next year.  The District is known for moving teachers to a different job during the Summer, a few days before the start of the school year, and halfway through the school year.  

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 ways to celebrate the mother runner in your life.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the April edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d ask you if you remember how last month I mentioned that I made an offer on a house but it wasn’t accepted.  I offered $30k over the asking price.  Well, I found out that the selling price was $35k over the asking price.  I was outbid by $5k!  Can you believe it?

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you I tried the Lavender Oatmilk Latte from Starbucks and I LOVED it.  My coworker wasn’t too crazy about the lavender taste.  I though it was mild but just enough for me to like it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that today is my last day of Spring Break.  It went by fast.  I actually enjoyed it.  I watched TV and read my book.  I didn’t leave my house for two days.  The weather wasn’t too friendly either so I had no desire to go outside.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am all caught up on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.  I started watching it from the beginning sometime last year on Hulu.  Wow!  WHAT A SHOW!!  Now I want to see the original Law and Order, but on Peacock I can watch beginning with Season 13.  The episodes are also available on Hulu but with Live TV and that is an extra cost.  It is about  $60 per month.  Umm, no thank you.  There are other shows to watch.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I signed up for a 10 mile race for this Sunday.  I asked to change it to the 5k.  I am not sure if I want to do it anymore because of the weather.  I know, I know.  I am being a wimp.  I am over this cold and gloomy weather.  I hate that I paid for a race and will not show up again.  Last year I paid for the NYC Half Marathon and didn’t make it to NY.  Let’s see how I feel Sunday morning.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 things in your race kit.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the March edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am no longer going to NYC to run the half marathon.  The training hasn’t been there.  I thought about running it without training but feel like I will end up injured.  And that is the last thing I want.  I am happy I ran it last year and maybe will plan to go again another year.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that last month I told you that I paid over $600 for night guards.  Imagine my surprise when I got a message from the receptionist telling me that apparently my insurance did cover it and I was getting a check back.  That money went straight to my savings account.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you about my fun experience when I went to get a mammogram.  Last week on Thursday I got a reminder for my appointment the next day at 8:40am.  The next day I left a little early so I could get something to eat for breakfast and to hopefully be seen before my appointment time.  I knew it wouldn’t take long and the plan was to go back to work.  I arrived at the hospital but the receptionist told me that she didn’t see my name on the calendar.  I was confused thinking that maybe I had the wrong date and time.  But how could I when I got a reminder the day before.  Suddenly, I realized that I was in the wrong hospital.  I had gone to the one I used to go.  Luckily, it was still early and the correct hospital was about 15 minutes away.  I arrived on time and was done in about 10 minutes. 

I got my results yesterday.  Everything is normal.  

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that a few weeks ago I made an offer on a house and it was not accepted.  My offer was $30k OVER the asking price!  My agent told me the owners received 32 offers.  The house was “cheap” and it needed some work to be done.  I was ready to do it and was actually excited about it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you I am now a fan of shopping at Aldi’s.  I remember the store as a kid.  I also remember it (years later) the store being closed on Sundays and they would only take cash or debit cards only (not the case now).  I have found some great options there and for a lower price.  I like to buy chips, fruit, and vegetables.   I also like the balsamic vinaigrette for my salad.  Can you believe that these past two weeks I have eaten a salad for lunch?  Yep, my salad has spinach, strawberry, chickpeas, feta cheese, and walnuts or sunflower seeds.  It is delicious and looks so pretty. 

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 things in your gym bag.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the February edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you I wish I were in Orlando for the Olympic Marathon Trials.  In 2020 I went to Atlanta to spectate and had a lot of fun.  I also ran the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon so it was a busy weekend.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I am excited for Kara Goucher’s partnership with Brooks.  I will admit that at first I didn’t know too much about her but remember watching her compete in various races.  It wasn’t until I read her book that I learned more about her and began to like her more.  I briefly saw her in Atlanta but have never met her.  

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I just spent $675 on a night guard.  I’ve been wearing one for years but I think I spent $100 or so for it.  It was time for a new one but didn’t realize it would cost that much money.  I couldn’t get the same one as before because my previous dentist retired and now I have a new dentist. Unfortunately, my insurance company doesn’t cover it – and I have good insurance!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that today is the 100th day of school.  Wow!  Times does fly by.  It was a busy week with too many assessments, etc., so we celebrated with a movie and popcorn party.  We are watching the Toy Story movies and currently are on the third movie.  Of all of them, that is my favorite one.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that sometimes I get annoyed when people are vague on social media.  Someone I know posted an Instagram story and mentioned 29 weeks.  I then sent her a message asking 29 weeks for what.  She then responded “Training”.  And then I asked her “Training for what?”  She then said she was planning to do a marathon in August.  I should have stopped at this moment, but I didn’t.  I then asked her which one which she then proceed to leave me a voice mail message.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 things you love about working out.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

Welcome to the January edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah.  It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday hosted by My First 5K and More, Running with Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and me!  

Now, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, and let’s chat briefly!

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I got a new domain for my blog.  I do like zenaida.net but wanted something different (the former still works and if you type that, it will direct you to the new one).  I really wanted a .com domain but it wasn’t available – it was over $2,000 to get it.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I was not picked to run the Chicago Marathon this year.  I read that 120,000 people entered the lottery.  I had mixed feelings about it.  I was relieved but at the same time upset.  I was hoping to run it this year but now am wondering if deep down I really, really wanted to run it or was it that I was inspired when I went to spectate in October.  I won’t pick another marathon nor will I apply through a charity, but if I get a bib then that will make me happy.  I plan to spectate again and that is ALWAYS fun.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that on Monday I went to an Amazon Fresh store.  Wow!  I felt like a kid in a candy store.  Not sure why since it is like a regular store.  I liked that I used a code on the Amazon app to get in and exit/pay.  I found a few things on sale and ended up buying all of the Starbucks Holiday Blend K-cups for me and my nieces.  Each box was $5.

I went to another one the next day and the experience was different.  I didn’t need a code to go in.  I had to use the self-checkout or the cashier to pay and exit.  There was a miscommunication with the price of iced coffee and the worker would not give it to for the price that was posted on the wall.  She told me that it was for another type of coffee (same brand) that was sold out but the sign said “All Varieties”.  I went to check again and took a picture of the sign to show her.  Then I showed it to her.  She had to go check again.  I was waiting for her to come back when another worker came by to ask if everything was OK.  I told her what was happening.  She then told me that any price discounts could not be done at the self-checkout and I had to go with a cashier (which the line was LONG).  She knew I was frustrated and proceeded to take care of me at Customer Service.

I know stores like Target would give me any discounts whether I pay with the cashier or a self-checkout.  I don’t understand why the same cannot be done at the Amazon Fresh store.  Overall, I like the stores.  They’re not close to my house but can see myself going again whenever I am in the area.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that today is my last day of Winter Break.  Two weeks off is just what I needed.  Another week would have been nice but oh well.  I created a few draft blog posts and wrote a few posts to be ready to be published.  I also read, watched TV, cuddled with my cats, and took it easy.  Next week I have a Teacher Institute Day on Monday so I won’t see my students until Tuesday.  I did miss them and can’t wait to see them again.

My next long break will be in April for Spring Break and then the last day of school is Thursday, May 30th.

If we were having coffee…
I’d tell you that I have unfriended a few people on Facebook.  They weren’t really “friends” but more like acquaintances.  I became friends for a reason but a few of them I’ve never met (I am sure you are asking why I became friends with them in the first place) and others I haven’t seen or talked to in years.  I have a friend that passed away a few years ago and her page is still there.  I want to unfriend her but at the same time I don’t.  There is one person that noticed I unfriended her and she sent me another friend request.  I rarely see her and don’t talk to her so I was very surprised to see another request from her.  I deleted the request.

The topic for next week’s Fit Fit Friday – 5 things you want to accomplish this year.  Feel free to write about this or any fitness topic you’d like.  We hope you’ll link up with us!