I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought the trail mix idea was a joke. I understand their point but it does not work at all. The idea came from our counselor. It is such a mess. She was also given the job of discipline this year. A counselor doing discipline ? Does anyone else see a problem here.

Anyway, we have to give our students detention with us instead of a designated area each night. We can only send them to ISS for a partial day. However, if any student gives the counselor attitude she sends them to ISS for the day. She can send them but we can't? This system is a nightmare. Anytime you send a child to her she sends them back.

I asked her to come talk to my class once about their behavior when they go to art and she said no, I asked the principal and he also said no. They told me it was the art teacher's problem and I shouldn't worry about it. Yet, everytime I go to pick them up I have to spend time listening to them complain about how awful the students were for them.

I was so stressed and emotional today that I had chinese food. I feel so guilty now. However, I had only had a small bowl of soup for lunch and did not get a chance to eat breakfast this am. I orderd the biggest loser book and dvd but still have not received it. It was scheduled to be delivered on Monday. I'm starting to get impatient because I want to get started on the dvd. I guess I've done enough complaining for today.

Off to type on another thread.

Oh, I almost forgot Ginny, I am not really using any particular plan. I pretty much pay attention to fiber, calories, and fat grams. I log everything in at fit day.com. It calculates everything for me so I don't need to add anything up. It's awesome. I have a link to it in my signature.

Evening, everybody.

I, also, only allow healthy snacks in the classroom. If you are allowed a small hot water pot, maybe sugar-free hot chocolate or apple cider would go over well? My high school kids were complaining loudly about the school lunches, so our classroom store (Mouse's SuperStore; they get paid every other week for good behavior from Mouse's National Bank... which, get this, is on 150 Doughnut Drive. All the hallways in our school have names. We're next to the cafeteria, so we're doughnut drive) was able to stock the little cans of spaghetti and meatballs, cup of noodles soups, pretzels, oatmeal, and Propel Water. The water is SUPER popular, as is the sugar-free hot chocolate. I've been asked for canned fruit, as well, from some students or nutri-grain bars. I told them that this stuff might have to wait till Spring, because the store can only order so much! I spend my own money on this stuff, so it all comes from the discount grocery near my mom's house. I got the spaghetti 3 for $1.00, and the soup was .10 cents each. How about sugar-free candy? Brach's has some really good hard candy, and Lifesavers has their most popular combos in sugar-free: 5 fruit, the creme savers, and wintergreen. Brach's has cinnamon disks, gummi bears, etc. There are also sugar-free licorice somewhere. I keep the cinnamon candy and wintergreen in my desk for when I'm feeling too sick to eat or drink, and my kids found out... so now I occasionally toss them a piece as a "caught you being good" thing. I just gave one of my kids 2 pieces to take with him to the state tests because he loves the wintergreen. His smile was awesome!
Ginny: I understand, and slowly she is talking to me again. Part of it is timing, because I'm hardly ever at the computer when she is now. She's usually around during the day, and I'm at work. She's typically gone (though logged on) when I am home around 7. She's been one of my closest friends for 15 years, so this has been hard... but I can't help but think that some of my attitude is because it has finally hit home that its REALLY unlikely that I'll ever have children. I mean, assuming I found somebody I wanted to share my life with, I just don't have a monthly cycle. I haven't had one that wasn't medically caused with massive doses of progesterone in more about 15 years. I had one in 2001, but that was my doctor giving me seriously massive doses of progesterone. She had to give me 2 cycles worth of a high dosage to cause anything to happen at all. So, assuming that I somehow manage to find somebody, have a monthly cycle... I'd then have to go off ALL the meds I take for the endocrine disorder, which wouldn't be healthy for me. I'd be at high risk for gestational diabetes and other problems if I weren't medicated for the endocrine disorder. So, yea... I don't want to admit it, I'd rather say that its I don't want things to change, and they have...
Me? Well, my physical therapist has finally figured out that what comes out of my mouth most of the time when he asks me how I feel isn't always 100% truthful. He's learned (and passed this knowledge onto the aide) to watch my face. I'm not very good at hiding when I'm in pain. They've also learn to TIE the ice bag onto my foot because I try to take it off since I hate the cold... It helps a lot, but I can't stand having it there!
And, it looks like my trip to Philadelphia is postponed. We're supposed to get sleet and rain tomorrow night, changing over to snow, and 3-6 inches of snow on Friday into Saturday.
So, instead of heading to my mom's house tomorrow night, since she's supposed to get the sleet earlier than we are, I'll come home first... then call her after rush-hour to see what the weather is like. If its good, I'll head up. If not, I'll get up early Friday morning and check the weather. My train doesn't leave for Philadelphia till 11:39. I can get to my mom's house in time to make my train if I leave at 7:00 or so. This conference is really my vacation every year, and I NEED it this year. I get to see friends that I only see once or twice a year, or only talk to on the phone or via email.
So, as much as I'd like snow, I'd rather it not happen this week! Of course, if it does snow, I will get my personal day back instead of having it charged against me... That'd be a nice bit of luck.

Well, Mouse for once I feel bad about a nice Friday snow day......too bad that it is going to mess up your plans so severely, and it does sure seem as though this storm is emminent. (sp). I will lay off the situation with your friend, and I know how complicated reproductive issues can be emotionally.
I had an awful time when I was plagued by miscarriages....and remember being ready to strangle a friend who is basically a baby factory and has never had one moment of trouble getting or staying pg when she told me just to "get over it". (strangulation at that point was not good enough.....)
I know that you will resolve this and hopefully at some point in the future you can love this baby and restore your relationship. Will be praying for you......
Hey, can I come to the Mouse superstore????!! Sounds like fun. And bravo to the physical therapist for doing his job and really caring. Hard to find, that kind.

Dawn- enlighten me, I guess the biggest loser is a lifestyle/excercise weight loss program? (don't watch much TV). Yes, I see a big problem with a counselor doling out discipline- who would want to confide in someone who could punish you for being honest??? Duh. Hey, chinese food can be very healthy- I just had a conversation with my oldest Dd at college, who asked me how many points (WW speak) the chicken with chinese veggies was that she had (5 per cup). So that was a great choice for her. (BTW, she is not even close to fat, if I was 125# and 5'5" - her weight and height - I would be ecstatic!) Eating to lose weight is all about choices and choosing well.

So, I am insane but keeping that darned travelling tracker. So I do not look like a moron, I am actually making better choices.......hopefully it will show up on the scale. Stupid me, I picked PMS week to do this! But then I do really want to get this weight off and get to lifetime membership. Got 3.6 miles in today (52 minutes on the treadmill), and have been eating well.....Ds has a basketball game tonite, his first- then a quick trip to Walmart (only need 2 or 3 things) then home to wait for my 5 am phone call. I WANT A SNOW DAY. According to my "expert" 4th graders on snow days, you have to flush the toilet 3X before going to bed, put a silver spoon under your pillow and wear your jammies inside out and backwards. That guarantees a snow day.......and now you all know that I have been spending entirely too many hours on a school bus and am completely insane .
So, see ya tomorrow!
Ginny

Evening all.
I might get to Philadelphia afterall. They are talking that the snow will end around noon, but that its likely to be sleet/freezing rain. That means that soon after it ends, the major highways around here will be okay. A friend of mine in Baltimore (one of the people I teach swimming with) is willing to give me a ride into the train station if I meet her at the gym. I can totally do that. She's also willing to pick me up Sunday afternoon/early evening. She lives near the gym...So, with lots of crossed whiskers and tails...
Ginny: Its okay, really. I probably should have talked to my endocrinologist about this before now, but I've never been brave enough to bring up the subject. I just put it all together and kinda figured it out. And, I was okay with it because as I said, I've never been fond of babies or little children. Its been a joke: I teach high school for a reason; though I teach kids who have cognitive levels of elementary school kids. I'm not sure why I'm okay with that and not little children. I stopped being completely okay with it the first time she was pregnant. Then I felt guilty when she had the miscarriage and had to wait another year before trying. I was too busy with everything else this summer to really process or deal with her being pregnant again, and then Hurricane Katrina kept me busy after I moved here, plus school stuff. It just really HIT last week. It wasn't helped by not hearing from them, or by our mutual friend asking me if I was going to be the gdmother. I actually would love to be the gdmother, since they are two of my closest friends and I probably don't have any trouble loving the child. But they'll never ask me, and I don't even want to ask them who they've chosen because it'll just make me upset.
Okay... enough of that. You're all certainly sick of reading it!
I have a funny story to tell: We have been pairing our student who speaks mostly Spanish with our kiddo with ED. It works beautifully because our ED one loves to help and feel responsible... it keeps him mostly calmer. And our other student has been learning English from him as well. It varies how well he uses it... but today, our ED kiddo was teasing him, and the other student VERY clearly told him to "talk to the hand", and then "zip the lip" with gestures. I'd rather have heard WORDS... but he's picking up teen-speak! I ignored the fact that it wasn't the most APPROPRIATE comments...

Michele- congrats on the 1/2 day!!!! (hey, this darned snow is good for something at least!). Hope you got that nice walk/workout in.

Mouse-ok, I am crossing my fingers, whiskers and tail.... Hope you can keep your plans for this weekend. Safe travelling, Mouse. Love your ED student story......typical kid to pick up on the "cool" stuff.

Ah, the sweet sound of my supervisors voice at 5 am......so melodious.......school is closed . I needed a 3 day weekend!!!!
Not sure what I will do today- but for now I know that an hour on the treadmill watching a morning news show (pure luxury for me as I usually only see fragments of the first 15 minutes) is in my plans. Dh just called, he made it to work ok (left at 5:15 to avoid the morons on the road) and the rest of us are homebound.
Guess I'll go put my sneakers on.......Happy Friday!
Ginny

LUCKKEEEEE <------ said in my best Napoleon Dynamite voice!

It is pouring RAIN here. Yeah! Another wonderful day with dripping coats, soggy shoes, NO recess, techni colored runny noses. I can't wait!
My stress levels are sky high...and not ONLY about the rain! I am going to have to work on a group PM..... I don't want to post it all here.... maybe I will try to do this later this evening....IF I survive the day!

Get on that treadmill, Ginny! The rest of you keep warm and be careful in this weather event!

(((Hugs))) take care,
meeeee

Quick message: We were closed today as well, but it is now above freezing everywhere, and if I go before sunset, I might just get there. Philadelphia is varied: the hotel told me it was still snowing when I called directly, but the reservation specialist told me that the hotel said it was okay... and I heard them say it to her. I'm going to wait another hour or so, since my train from Baltimore doesn't leave till 1:45. If I leave here at 11:30, I can make it to Baltimore. The roads are clear, just wet, I can see that on all the traffic cameras. My mother, on the other hand, is truly annoyed that I'm even considering going. Actually, Maryland Dept. of Transportation is on the news right now saying the main roads are just wet with some icy spots.
I'll let you guys know what happens.... the hotel said they wouldn't charge me a cancellation fee because of the weather conditions.

Safe travelling Mouse........hope you were able to do what you wanted to this weekend. From the looks of the storm you probably were, it was fast and furious- but all over by 1 pm here and Philly is west of me.

Robyn- hope you got to the WI this am......hope you are ok too.....
thinking about you! Try not to let the stress monster get you too badly. (got that workout in......shovelling snow and treadmill...see if you can burn your stress off)

Dh was in a good mood which went rather sour after talking to his mother and Dd on the phone. So, this will be a short hello,as his mood is not the best.
See ya!
Ginny

Heyyya! Flying in to say.... Look at me! Look at me! I lost 2.2 this week! Look at me! STRESSSSSSSS AND a weight loss! Yahooooo! I wore my summer pants with a turtle neck and a huge REMOVEABLE sweater for my WI! I looked sorta ridiculous until I saw the crowd coming in in their winter duds with their shorts and t's in their hands ....and them changing into them before their WI! Had I worn shorts for the first WI...then I'd be doing it too! I wear the same pair of pants most meetings! LOL

Anyway.... I'm going to update my stats.... and then I've got junk to move and stuff to do....and Christmas shopping to get done! YippeeeSkippeee.... Tis the season to be a Grinch! Gotta get in the mood!

Oh, did I tell you that a dear friend (or so I thought) gave my children an 8.5 foot blow up HomerFrickenSimpson for our yard?! I'm mortified.... the 2Princes adore him, of course.... I'm embarrassed to be seen going in or out of the house! My dh helped them set him up AND put lights and BALLS on the cedar tree that is by him! I'm HORRIFIED! I was sorta hoping that he would get stolen. He's been out 2 nights...no luck yet! I'll keep you posted! I may even post a photo of the darn thing! I am also shopping for a new friend!
You wonder who puts those stupid things in their yards??? Look at me! Look at me! Ohhhh miiiiiiiiiiii GAWWWWWWD!

take care,
meeee

I was out of school yesterday as well. I was very excited at first to have some extra time off. Then when I started thinking about how I'd already made my lesson plans and everything was going to be messed up, I wasn't so happy anymore.

Had an old high school friend over today with his fiance. She's skinny, I'm fat, so my esteem level is way down right now. I hate being fat so much. I went to the doctor yesterday to talk about some of my health problems. I've had extremely dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, depression, etc. She tested my thyroid and I am supposed to know something more on Monday. I went ahead and started some pills for depression. She thinks maybe it will help get me out of the current moods I have been in.

I have to start focusing really hard. Not only am I going to Florida to see the ocean for the first time, but my friend is getting married. I have to have some significant weight loss my June. I've been trying really hard. I've only lost one pound this week though. That's disappointing, but if my thyroid is messed up then that explains why I can't ever lose any weight. But, I'm down 4 pounds due to low calorie intake. Well I guess I better go. Have to clean the house. Talk to everyone later...hope you all enjoyed the snow.

Hey!
I just realized I have not been on here in a week! I read everything......
Welcome Dawn!
I have been sick, had laryngitis(sp), too much work and not enough sleep. We have two Christmas parties this weekend. Yikes, one tonight at 7 and one tomorrow night at 5:30. I know what they are serving at my schools party, I ordered the chicken....Tonight, who knows........GIVE ME STRENGTH, as I am starving right now..................I'm drinking water, for now......Since I am the DD, that will be points I won't have to worry about....

Robyn: I know what you mean about the one pound loss. I was beginning to get really irritated myself. However, geez, with the holidays, my goal is not to go overboard, still be able to enjoy myself, and try to be really good in between festivities........The week of Thanksgiving I lost 1.5 pounds. The week after that I gained half a pound......This week I have lost two! I have really tried to be good this week..... We shall get there. Slowly but surely...... So, tonight will be tricky, but there is always tomorrow......

Ginny; Got all your shopping done? I have not even done Christmas Cards or anything.....I have a little shopping done, but it's all in the back of my car, unwrapped....Where it will continue to stay until I have the energy to do it.

Mouse: I don't blame you for being upset when your friend didn't let you know if she was ok. I bet once you see that cute little baby, you'll forget why you were even mad. I was out shopping for baby clothes for my little cousin, cutest little stuff.............

I am sort of excited today for two reasons....First of all, I went and bought a skirt which was an x large, which is too big.............Kind of sucks because I wanted to wear it tonight.... Secondly, I am one and a half pounds away from being considered not overweight according to the BMI!

Talk to you all later. WIsh me luck tonight....

Pam

Welcome Dawn! I just started hanging around in this group and it's a very friendly bunch.

Lately I have inserted just about anything that will fit into my mouth . I have made many a stupid food decision recently and don't exactly feel my best. I think the holiday stress is getting to me...plus, my IA (instructional aide) will be gone until Christmas break starts and I have a sub to work with for the next week and a half--a good sub, but a sub no less. I also just shed a student teacher yesterday that I was about to choke. This sounds terrible, but I am glad just to have her gone and my room back to myself.

I need to go--lots going on tonight and tomorrow (still haven't put the tree up either!) Have a good weekend everyone!
Fran

back again.........

Robyn- happy for you!!!!!!! 2.2 loss!!!!!! Hey who cares what you wore- I try (and that does not always work out) to wear the same thing.....I know I was messed up by a sweater and jeans last week. But you are seeing what I love about WW.....it comes off slowly but surely. Happy shopping and BTW, you can keep homer!

Pam- glad to hear from you- but sorry that you have not been feeling well.
Congrats on the healthy BMI (being so close). Really that is why we are all doing this, to be healthy, right? (ok, looking better is nice too! ) Enjoy the party......hope you make great choices and your damage control mode is in full gear.

Fran- a few pointers for stress eating.....WW suggests that you keep LOTS of no calorie beverages around ready to drink- seltzer, herbal tea, limited diet soda/iced tea plus some healthy alternatives to whatever food is tormenting you....it is SO tough this time of year, and it does seem as though there is food (and really yummy food too!) around every corner calling your name. I hope you can find some way to minimize the damage. Get your tree up?

Dawn- hey 1 # loss is great!!! Hope the blood tests come out ok. This darned weight loss thing can be SO frustrating- don't know if having a thyroid problem would be good or bad. I do hope that your mood improves- and I know lots of people that take paxil, zoloft, wellbutrin etc.....and have responded well. Feel better!

Survived today....did some Christmas shopping with Dd and Dh, which went ok. He sort of was in one of his moods- I think he wants to way overbuy for the kids- we go thru this every year and he tells me what a crummy Christmas last year was (with the implication that I was too cheap). Gee.......he could spread some of his generosity on his wife?! Did I say that!?
Aw, shut up Ginny......... ok, I am sane for now. So we are getting some shopping done, which is good. Little by little.
Geen a good girl keeping food out of my mouth....got 2 points left and am not hungry at all.
Okie dokie....guess I'd better say nite!
See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

Ginny--Thanks for the advice. I think my main problem is I just haven't been committed to caring for myself, just taking care of everybody else. My body is letting me know, too! I feel cruddy.

One of my sisters began WW about 11 months ago--I was already a member and doing pretty well--and she has lost about 40 pounds. I have "found" about 20 of those. You would think that her success would motivate me--but I think part of it is that I am very different kind of eater than she is--she is much more "quality focused" and can have appealing, fattening goodies around her and they don't bother her unless it's something very specific that she wants (at her house Halloween and Christmas candy--even the really good chocolate stuff-almost goes bad before someone eats it!) I tend to be more compulsive and have a hard time geting out of a "eating-junk rut". I've been spinning my wheels--on and off--for most of the past year. Once I go over on points I start to get that defeatist attitude that the day/week is shot.

I think that the frustrating thing is that I know exactly what to do, I just don't do it and have no one to blame it one except myself.

Okay, I've whined enough. Time to actually put that Christmas tree up!

Fran