2023 is over in just a few hours. It was a year that had many, many highs, but recently has had many, many lows. To have a year that saw me happier and out of my comfort zone end with sadness does give 2023 a bitter taste. I know creating a collage of memories here will put a bow on a very great year of my life!
Here's a year's worth of memories!
What would be a foreshadowing of a year of Disney, my dad and I ran in the 2023 Disney World Half Marathon. It wasn't on our bucket lists, but I LOVED this half marathon. Lots of music, plenty of walkers, and you run through the parks (for free lol). There's no pressure participating in this half marathon, except trying to get in it. Also...it was 42 degrees of all days in Florida! Great race!
Fantasmic came to back to Disney World Hollywood Studios and the show was so good!
A day of Disney fun with friends in Toy-Story Mania!
10 years ago my dad and I did a half marathon a Colorado trail that proved to be challenging ... so I did it again in Florida, but ran further than I ever had. Word to wise... don't wear white clothes in the woods. I ate dirt, tree roots, and inches twice, leaving a bloody knee, but I still got 2nd place!
Some new costumes I debuted...were one time wears. Hahaha!
Some new costumes I debuted...look cuter than the picture shows. I had orange webbed feet!
The baby chicks are always a huge hit! We made a good patch hatch this year!
Training for the marathon got much more serious, when I put these brand new Saucony Endorphin Elites on. I've never had better running shoes. I started running times I hadn't ran since college, nearly 10 years ago.
4th Graders finally got to go back St. Augustine! Such a great place to go back in time.
Baseball, sharks, and bubble go together like...winning on a balk! What a great game!
First time kayaking! It was an easy experience, with great views all around me. Side note... I'm not what had more water in it, the lake...or our kayak! Haha!
When at Buc-ees...you must take a picture with Buc-ee! I'm just following the rules.
Smiling before all the pies get pushed into my face. Another Potrzeba classic!
26.2 miles, my first marathon! It was a PR in mileage by 6 miles. Read the June blog! This was my favorite blog post to type.
The guy will likely never know the gratitude I had for him pacing us 3 hour marathoners. Lots joined the chase for 3 hours, but only I remained after 20 miles. He saved me mentally in the later stages. I'm so lucky I can forever say my first marathon ran will always be under 3 hours thanks to him.
Zion National Park after my marathon. I was hurting so badly, but had to. It's an iconic park!
Bryce Canyon has so many easy walking trails and the sights fill the air as the oxygen dwindles.
Capitol Reef had layers of colors!
Arches National Park! Between Bryce and Arches, I love hiking more and more! I climbed that and much more at Arches! Utah has always held a special place in heart. I love it even more now!
Selfies with my nephew. He was even holding my hand! He's growing up so fast!
I knew time was precious with my grandma the last two years. Distance has kept us apart, but thankfully she was active on social media. This was the last photo we took together.
I love going to the College World Series! The opening weekend is the best! This game TCU took the W!
It's a yearly tradition watching the Royals lose to the Rays while eating chicken strips. But the Rays' ballpark atmosphere is always so fun ...and an air conditioned stadium helps.
No that's NOT my dirty laundry. It's was actually gently used clothes that I was donating. It was a massive pile and I'm hoping others could wear. I even donated shoes, toys, books, and other household items. I had a big summer clean.
I didn't go the beach as much this year, but I still made sure to go since I'm surrounded by beaches!
I became a Disney Pass holder. Yes me! So far, it's been a fun experience! Disney has grown so much on me! Can I say I'm officially "Floridian" yet?
Starting year 8! It's going great! Okay, I'll be honest...it's been fun, but challenging with groups we have. It is my first year only teaching math and science and that's been so FUN!!!!
Texas A&M loves traditions, football, and giving Jimbo Fisher free money! But in all seriousness, this experience was one of one! The fans, the pregame festivities outside the stadium, the chants, and the stadium were just some of the many things I'll always remember.
The Royals happened to be in town so we had to attend right after the game! Turns out our seats were right next to more Royals fans! Finally I witnessed a Royals VICTORY! (The next day they swept the Astros.) Minute Maid Park is a beautiful park!
Peter Brown finally released the 3rd Wild Robot book! It's such a good book. I think its deeper connection to global warming is what I really enjoyed about it.
It had been 5-6 years so I did a basketball room transformation and this one turned out great!
I debuted a new mini room transformation with a cafe feel to it! I wore a chef outfit.
Our district bought tons of Lego Spike kits for schools. I attended a training so I could be knowledgeable. We had so much fun building with these. I even get to keep one!
I've seen Steve Spangler in person a few times, but this fall he came to our district so I had to attend. It was during Halloween, Steve's favorite holiday. I had a front row seat. He is why I teach science the way I do. My education story is similar to his. Always remember your audience: your students.
A friend asked me to pace him in a half marathon 15 days before it was going to be run. Having not trained, been nursing a little injury, I said YES! Well...the Raceday temperatures got warm in a hurrier and my friend needed to drop of his designated pace 3 miles in so the race was a disaster, but not totally. Some races you just got to finish and this was one of those.
Side note: In October I completed my 24 straight month of racing. A feat I never saw coming. So to date, I'm on a 26 month race streak that I'm continuing for now.
Nebraska finally came to Florida! What I mean is... Nebraska VOLLEYBALL came to Florida! They had a record setting season! One that saw 93,003 fans set a women's sporting event world record in Memorial Stadium. This was the championship game...that I will never recall who won...?
I love hanging up lights, putting on fun outfits, and turning on the smart board "fireplace" during December in classroom. It's a peaceful and magical time. I love seeing the faces when students open gifts.
2023 was a great year!
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One more photo of grandma. I was blessed to have her in my life for 30 years, but more importantly during my childhood. Some of my favorite childhood memories I'll have for the rest of my life were Fridays with grandma and my mom at Burger King, plus the many weekends spent with her and grandpa on their farm. I lost my other grandparents early during my childhood, so having her in my life was special. She loved to go garage sale shopping ...then resale those items for even more money. She had a strong catholic faith, a green thumb, at least one cat, plenty of patience, and so much love for family.
RIP Grandma Hoarty. I love and miss you!
