Meet Your Instructors - Kelly

1. My full name is Kelly (Ann) McGrew Connors. I don't dislike my name but always wish that my name was less common - I was one of many Kellys growing up.

2. I tried to give my daughter a more unique name because of this. She is almost a year and a half and her name is Adeline (Add-a-linn) although many people mispronounce it because of the spelling.

3. I grew up in CT and all of my family, including my brother, is still up there with the exception of my parents. I am SO thankful that they are here and I know they love seeing their granddaughter grow.

4. I came down to VA for college at JMU, where I met my husband, the love of my life and my best friend. We actually disliked each other when we first met and did not start dating until two years later, right before we graduated. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. We have been married for seven years this June and I really enjoyed the time we had just the two of us before kids.

5. Every year for our anniversary my husband and I stay at a bed and breakfast near JMU.

6. I have two dogs and two cats and they are wonderful even though they have never annoyed me so much as when I had a baby. The hair everywhere! The barking! But I love them. It makes me sad when people say that they "hate cats" or "hate dogs" if they never had one. Animals love you no mater what and I am happy that my daughter will grow up with them.

7. I like to drive fast. It is part of growing up in the North, I think. And I am always late, my least favorite quality about myself, so I have to drive fast, right?

8. I love to run and it is truly my passion. I prefer to do it by myself, sometimes with no music. It is my escape and makes me feel so good afterward. I was not always like this - it took many years and I love to run races - I am super competitive with myself. So those of you who want to run but do not think you like it, give it a try!

9. I ran the marathon in 2004 and hope to do one again, maybe before I turn 40. I highly recommend it - one of the best things I have ever done.

10. I danced all my life from a little girl through college. I miss it but do not think I will ever go back. I also almost have my black belt in kickboxing.

11. Have you noticed that the three activities that I have done - running, dancing and kickboxing - are all individual? I have never played a team sport. I am too much of a perfectionist and don't like the idea of relying on other people or letting others down. My husband played a lot of sports and I hope my daughter will be like him and not like me!

12. I was very close to my grandmother. She was like a second mother to me and Adeline's middle name is Ruth after her. We used to bake together and that is something that I still enjoy doing and I am pretty good at it.

13. I took a year off to be at home with Adeline and went back to teaching part-time this year. (I teach high school Spanish.) I wish I did not have to and it breaks my heart to leave her but I am luck to have my mom keep her.

14. I did Weight Watchers in 2002 and have been a Lifetime member ever since. It taught me how to eat right and I highly recommend it to anyone. I love anything to do with diet and exercise. The Biggest Loser, although unrealistic, is my favorite show.

15. I have been in a couple of commercials and the newspaper and I think that makes me famous.

16. My daughter never took a bottle. I tried every kind. I did not have much of a social life this past year but I loved nursing and cherished every second and was very sad to stop.

17. We live in Mechanicsville in the Atlee area and I can get most places in 15-20 minutes. I doubt we will ever live in the West End. After teaching high school there for the last nine years, I know a lot of kids. My husband hates going to Short Pump with me and I don't blame him.

18. My favorite foods are pizza, peanut butter and ice cream. Healthy. Everything in moderation though, right? I also love coffee but use entirely too much Splenda.

19. I love to work out in the morning. I think it is the best way to start the day and you feel so good after and don't need to make excuses.

20. I really enjoy wine, especially red, and have been to Napa Valley twice. I have also visited most of the wineries in Virginia.

21. I had an easy pregnancy until two months before my due date, when I passed out twice - once at school into the edge of a filing cabinet and once behind the wheel. I carried Adeline very low and she was sitting on one of my major nerves when I sat upright, so luckily I was off work for the summer and Mom was around to drive me everywhere like I was back in high school. Let's cross our fingers that this does not happen again!

22. Baseball is one of the few sports I like to watch and I love the Red Sox! My husband and I have been to Fenway Park several times and I hope to start this tradition again.

23. I can function on less sleep than most people. I can also fall asleep anywhere!

24. I Love Lucy is one of my favorite shows of all time and I named my cat Lucy after her. I have also dressed up as her several times for Halloween.

25. I really love to speak Spanish and enjoy seeing the loos of surprise on people's faces when I do! I have been to Spain twice (once to study abroad, once for vacation) and think it is incredible.