Evening Ladies,
Just a quick note to vent. My stupid dh hurt my feelings tonight at dinner. We went out for a nice dinner at Bennigian's. But all the way there and throughout dinner I had to listen to how it was his birthday tomorrow and by God he was living it up. He sure did live it up with 2 beers, a full-baby back rib dinner and a brownie bottom pie, for a grand total of $30 for his meal. I was a good girl and got a mix and match dinner of grilled salomam (sorry about spelling) and a small piece of grilled steak and a baked potato with unsweetened iced tea for a total of $15. He was floored to see the bill. Than he got on me about how I deeply hurt his dd's heart by not taking her to go see my sister. I informed him that I was the only one invited to go see my sister and that I needed time to be by myself. I didn't get to do anything fun this summer and by God before school started I was taking time for me. So than I gave him the silent treatment on the truck ride home. He asked me twice why I wasn't saying anything to him. Finally about halfway home I looked at him and said because I don't have anything to say to you and I don't feel like talking to you right now. We get home and I come in the house and start straightening up the house and doing a few small items that I have neglected this week since I was in class. He kept coming up to me for about 45 minutes and hugging and kissing me saying I hope you are not mad at me. I told him that I was not mad at him and to just leave me alone. I figured why bother telling him that I was hurt by the way I was treated for my birthday for two years in a row, but when it is his friggin' birthday the world is to treat him like a king. Plus I felt personally attacked because I wanted time to do something for me and me alone. So I just kept my mouth shut or I knew we would end up in a major full blown fight. He got ready to go fishing with his nephew and keeps telling me to go to my sister's tomorrow and to have a good time not to worry about breaking his dd's heart. Just to go and have a great time. I let it go at that because my friend from TOPS called and asked me to go for a walk. She was chuckling when we first started out walking because she witnessed our hug and kiss in the middle of the street. He put his fishing gear in his truck and than asked me to kiss him goodbye. I gave him a quick kiss and than pulled away. She sayed that I jerked away from him and turned away and started to walk towards her. She told me that I was doing the right thing and to go buy myself something nice tomorrow on his birthday. So after going for our walk I felt a little bit better. I think I will really get even with him in the morning by getting up at 6, bouncing out of the bed, doing a walking video in the living room with the tv volume up really loud, clanging and banging around getting my shower and leaving around 7:15-7:30. I have decided not to get mad just to get even.
Ginny sorry to hear that you didn't get to go WI yesterday. Just think that few extra dollars will help out with your home improvement project between ball seasons.
Mouse, glad that you finally know where you are going to be teaching. I hope that you have a pleasant teaching career there and that your boss doesn't make it hard on you. Sounds like you had a nice time at the farmers market. Glad you got some good advice from your doctor. That just might be the thing for you to see the scales go down a little bit more.
Summer hope your BBQ with your family was a huge sucess.
Sue hope you enjoyed your pizza for dinner. What kind did you have?
Pam, hope you didn't laugh too hard at your ds tonight. I have to admit I am still chuckling over that story.
Robyn, I know you are at the beach, but I didn't want to leave you out of my post. I hope you are having a wonderful relaxing time with your family.
Well gals if I am leaving in the morning, I better go pack a suitcase and go to bed here before midnight. Talk to you all on Sunday evening or Monday evening. Next week's class is on Math Concepts for Grades 3-6. It is an hour away from my house down a hilly, curvy road. I hate those kinds of roads because they make me car sick. I am going to be a real wonderful student the first half of my class every day.
Have a great evening! Also have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Kerry

Summer- I had the Disney character discussion with my family last night. My ds said right away Cinderella because you have to clean all the time. My dd thought perhaps Snow White because she had to cook and clean for the dwarfs. My dh, obviously trying to earn brownie points, suggested Belle from Beauty and the Beast! I guess she was a book worm and thought her family's well being more important than her own... I suggested Mary Poppins "nearly perfect in every way" and all! I would have to stess the NEARLY part.

Kerry - As you probably won't read this until you get back, I hope you enjoyed your trip. You not only NEED but DESERVE time to yourself. We spend so much of our time doing for others, we would go insane if we didn't do something for ourselves once in awhile. Have you considered direct deposit? That is done electronically the same day the checks are written. I understand the double standard birthday. My dh birthday is in June and mine August. He always ask for something outrageous (last year it was a $500 watch!). The last two years I only got a card (and one of those was the big 40!) At counselling he made the comment that I didn't get his son anything for his birthday this year. I did get him something I paid for his golf league, which is $150. Then he decided not to golf and let his roomate golf in his place. I was never paid back. Then I thought about the fact that my DH hadn't bought ME anything for my birthday for two years. That shut him up. Plus it was just before Christmas so he bought me diamond earrings and a matching neckless. Maybe it would be a good idea to talk to your DH about it! The pizza was from a one store place called Deluca's. They cut there pizza in squares so I can have a middle piece. No crust but about an inch or more thick with cheese and toppings! YUMMMMMM! I did stop at two pieces, so that is good. I only had to use 8 flex points, which isn't bad considering I also went out for lunch that day.

Ginny - Too bad you had to miss your WI. I hate when I am planning on going and then something comes up.

Mouse - I know it is tough, but try to stay positive. Sending off positive vives will not only improved your mood but is bound to reflect off to others. Just think of all the great new students you will have to help mold!

I am off to a wedding shower. The person putting it on does WW, so I am hoping she will have something safe to eat. The bride to be is 43 years old and this is her first wedding. It will be interesting to see what the shower will be like!

Sue

The BBQ with my SIL and DB was how should I say, not great. My poor SIL's DS died in March. Her nephew was my first love, and it was his DM that died...the difficult funeral I had to attend in April. Anyway, she is having a horrible time getting over the death of her DS. It has affected her health, to the point where she couldn't eat and had to be hospitalized. My DB and SIL kept all this to themselves until last night. So, instead of a relaxing summer evening of good food, drink, and lighthearted conversation, it was a night of emotional floodgates opening. Having lost my parents before their time, I know the **** that death causes first hand. I wish they had called and told us what was going on so that we could have been supportive. At the very least I could have been praying for her. When I called to check up on her, it was downplayed, and I assumed they were being truthful. Anyway, last night pretty much sucked. Having been through this I know that time will help her an awful lot, and facing the pain now rather than putting it off is better. No, it never totally goes away. You are all witness to that based on how upset I got going through my mother's things for my tag sale a month ago. There are times it becomes unbearable. But then the sun comes out and life is okay again.

The one good thing from last night was the food. Mainly my cheesecake. I have never made cheesecake, and I wanted to make a sugar-free, low-carb one. I searched high and low for recipes on SBD online and here at 3FC. They all involved cottage cheese YUCK! I wanted to find one using low-fat cream cheese. Finally, I found a great one in my old Richard Simmons cookbook. Here it is:

3 pkgs. (8 oz. each) low-fat cream cheese
3/4 cup Splenda
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup egg substitute (I used regular eggs)
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
cooking spray
1/3 cup low-fat graham cracker crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large mixing bowl, using electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, splenda, and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs and lemon juice. Beat just enough to blend, no more.
2. Coat base and sides of 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Add graham cracker crumbs and shake pan so crumbs cling to bottom and sides. Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pan.
3. Bake 45 minutes. Cool. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

It tasted like something I've eaten in a restaurant. I couldn't believe I baked it and it was essentially sugar free except for the graham crackers.

Summer - That is too bad that your BBQ turned out so differently. I bet you really helped your SIL work towards her healing process though. I am so blessed not to have lost any immediate family members. Thanks for reminding me that I should appreciate them now and let them know how much they mean to me.

Thanks for the cheesecake recipe. Cheesecake is my all time favorite thing in the world! Did you happen to figure the points? I can't remember if you do the WW thing. I am trying really, really hard to be good right now, so I may have to wait to try this out.

I'll tell you a super easy low fat/sugar cheesecake. Take a 16 oz tub of ff sourcream and pour a (4-serving size) box of sf ff white chocolate pudding powder in it. Stir well and pour it into a lf graham cracker crust. Cover it with 1/2 a can of Lite cherry pie filling. It sounds gross, but it is really good. Even my anti-diet DF eats it! It doesn't have the texture of the baked kind of cheesecake, but is exactly like the unbaked version. The good thing is you can make it in about 5 minutes, so it is great for unexpected company. It is only 3 pts for 1/8 the pie (2 pts Core). That is pretty good for cheesecake!

Sounds like our week of perfect weather is going to come to an end. It is suppose to become humid and in the 90's again. What is it with this summer?

I switched our wipe-off family calendar yesterday. I was really worried that I would have to put school up there but I didn't. That means I still have at least five full weeks of summer left! I guess I should start thinking about all those projects that I planned to do this summer like cleaning out the toy room and refinishing my porch swing. I should really spray the weeds that are popping through the tarmac. It is amazing how a weed can grow through that! I really hate spraying though because our driveway is almost 1/2 a mile long and you have to carry that sprayer down and then back to refill. Maybe I could use the children's wagon, if I washed it good afterwards.

Sue

Evening, all.
Well... I've done 2 bookcases, my desk, and put all the cat's feeding dishes into the dishwasher. Tomorrow, I start packing. The stuff I've found in that desk... some good, some bad. I'm hoping that I find some books I don't want so I can drop that at the used bookstore... maybe. Not sure if its worth it or not, since I won't be nearby to use the credits!
The dresser is up next, because I don't think its been cleaned out in a coon's age, and certainly not for years!
I ordered chinese food for dinner tonight, which is okay, because I didn't eat much today or Thursday and Friday. I did okay with the carbs, too, even with the eggroll and a bit of rice.
I'm still stiff... I was able to swim a little yesterday evening during lessons, but I really regretted having done it this morning when I woke up! It is getting better, I think, at least I hope so, because I don't want to pay my former employer for health insurance for August. I'd like to save that $400... I have 30 days grace, so unless something happens, I won't pay them.
Kerry: Hope you really enjoyed your trip! I just realized: I'm going through Ohio on my way to the camp. I'm staying overnight there on my way out, and probably on my way back, too. I think I am going back a different way. My mom thinks dropping south out of Chicago to pick up 70 is faster, but I'm not sure. Mapquest will only give me one route, and I'm not a member of AAA. On the way out, I'm definitely stopping in Maumee... and I'll probably either wind up in Maumee on the way back or in Richmond, Indiana (the hotel says Richmond, but its really just over the border in Ohio) if I go the way my mom wants me to go. I'm trying to drive back in 1 day, so I can be back to work on Tuesday, but I'm not sure its going to happen.
Sue: I know, but I really am Eeyore. Its hard for me to see the positives in things a lot of the time. Like, I should be insanely happy that I'm making way more money, I'll be near one of my best friends and 2 other friends, I'm going to be with a great Red Cross chapter (I already knew the Loudoun County disaster person, and I have worked with her and the Alexandria chapter person before), I have a nice apartment... but what I'm really worrying about is grad school, having to leave the gym (because my new one isn't as nice... The pool is really too shallow for me to enjoy swimming, since its only 3 feet, 8 inches deep; and the weights are down a flight of stairs and very inaccessible.. they have an elevator, but its not easy to get to), the Jewish holidays (being able to go home to my family... and getting there before sundown, which is tough in October!).... I should be utterly relieved that I'm not going to have to put up with the psychological BS that my last school used, because my new public school won't be able to do that kind of stuff. The union will prevent it. I'm going to get to actually do some community instruction with the kids, and its actually budgeted for... I won't have to worry about transportation, because its taken care of.
I guess I'm just not feeling it right now! Sorry.

Evening Ladies,
I had a wonderful visit with my sister. I think she might actually join the Curves near her. I will be so happy for her. We went to see Wedding Crashers. It is a really funny movie. We did a little shopping yesterday and I bought some items for my classroom. I know I was to be shopping for myself, but I ran into a few good bargins. Than we went to over to my ds's friend's house for a home cooked dinner. This morning I slept in and realized when I woke up that I had slept for about 11 hours. I guess I needed the sleep though. I got up and got ready for the day. Than we went to Olive Garden for lunch and went shopping again. I was able to get a few Christmas presents and birthday presents on the bargin racks at the Hallmark store. Plus I bought three books for myself at the bookstore. I came home and went out to dinner with my dh. Than after dinner I came home and put all my stuff away. Laid out my clothes for tomorrow, figured out my banking stuff so my dh can cash my check when I am at school. So now I am playing on the computer for a little while.
I did leave my dh a note yesterday morning by the phone. I just told him that I had worked really hard this summer taking classes for this HQ crap. Plus I had been heartbroken one to many times with the hopes of having my parents and one sister come for a week long visit in August and going to see Brad Paisley in concert over Labor Day weekend. So I thought I deserved to go to my sister's and do something I wanted to do for a change with no strings or person's attached. Than I proceed to tell him about how I was hurt over dinner on Friday night about how it was his birthday and how special it should be. I told him that I was tired of being put on the back burn when it came to my birthday and that I deserved to be treated and made to feel special on my birthday. Not one of these "Oh Honey the boys and sissy need baseball equipment and we need to go buy it for them today on your birthday. Oh by the way Happy Birthday! " I know that he got it because it was not laying by the phone when I got home this evening. I really haven't gotten a chance to ask him about it yet either. I am just wondering if I should wait and see if he mentions it first.
Summer I am sorry that your BBQ didn't turn out the way you would have liked it too. But atleast now you know what they have been going through and can reach out to help them heal a little bit better. Your cheesecake recipe sounds yummy. I will have to copy it down and try it out on my family sometime.
Sue, thank you for sharing your kind words with me. That helped me alot to know that I am not the only female who gets screwed out of a birthday year after year. I hope that me not being here on his birthday and the letter will help him think about it next year when it is my birthday. Your cheesecake recipe sounds good too. I am going to have to try that one too! Darn you ladies are twisting my arm for cheesecake!
Mouse, when are you going to go to camp? How long will you be in Chicago? Hope you have a safe trip! I know what you mean about the feelings of moving. I went through the same thing four summers ago when I moved down to where I am living at now. It is almost like you don't want to give up what you have out feeling secure and not knowing what is to come.
Ginny, how was your weekend? Did you get to spend time with your dh or was he off to another ball game?
Pam, hope you were able to have a nice relaxing weekend. Did you do okay with your soda deintake and up your water intake?
Robyn, hope you had a wonderful time at the beach with your family. Please tell me you have a nice golden tan and not a red sunburn going on.
Well I better go to bed if I want to go to my class in the morning. I have a week of Math classes for Grades 3 through 6. Than I will be done for a while. In Oct., Nov. and Dec. I have to go one or two Saturday's in each of those months to finish up my classes and than I can really celebrate for the New Year because I will be done with my HQ teacher stuff. Yeah!!
Talk to you all tomorrow. Have a great start to another week!
Take care,
Kerry

Good morning.
I thought I had to be at work today at 9:00, so I got up really early... then realized I don't have to be there until 9:30. That 30 minutes makes a difference because of rush-hour traffic. I can't swim, still, and so I know if I leave now the other lifeguard will want to leave. The morning full-time guy (he opens the pool at 5:30) has been in a really bad mood all summer, and last week left before I came in... the aquatics director wound up finishing his shift. Of course, the water aerobics class today starts at 9:30, so hopefully the lane lines will be moved before I get there.... AND, there are TWO classes on Monday, so they aren't done till 11:30, which is when I'm finished... I might not have to move them at all!
I am coming home to pack. My friend who works at the front desk of our apartment building is coming in early to help me pack. I'm going to ask her if she minds doing the kitchen... its too small for 2 people to be in there, and if she's okay with that, I'll start doing my books. The bathroom is super easy: everything is in plastic boxes under the sink, I just need to put the stuff on the sink in one of the empty boxes, and then take down my shower curtains. My hanging clothes just go as is, and my folded junk will hopefully fit in my dresser after I clean it out, or in my huge suitcase that I never use.
That leaves the computer stuff... The laptop goes in its carry case, and with me, of course, but the printer, scanner, USB hubs, etc... will need to go in a box. I think my towels and stuff will fit in my foot locker. I was moving so often 3 years ago (I'd moved 3 times in 3 years... and just before that I'd moved 3 times in 2 years, not including all the moves that college involves!) that I made a point to buy permanent homes for my stuff ... it makes it easier in a studio apartment. I really only need boxes for kitchen stuff, and my books.
Kerry: Sounds like you had a good time. I don't think guys get it. I really don't. Are the classes you're taking going to be of any use for you with your students? I know that is one of my biggest gripes about NCLB/HQ teachers. The implication is that special education teachers are doing arts & crafts or something with our kids because our degrees can't make us highly qualified, but a degree in elementary education CAN? And at the other end, since I teach functional math, what the **** good is a degree in math going to do me? Not one iota (never mind the fact that it just wouldn't happen!)!
I am leaving for the camp on August 16. I need to be there by 9:30 on the 18th, so I gave myself a day and a half to drive out there. I plan to drive from Virginia to Maumee/Toledo the first night, then to Chicago the 17th, and stay over there the night before camp. Coming back is different because I can't leave until 5:30... and I know I won't make it back to Maumee if I leave at 5:30... so that is why we were thinking about having me come back a different way.
Hope everybody has a good Monday.

I want to warn all of you that might try my cheesecake recipe...those low-fat graham cracker crumbs which in a sliver of cheesecake may add up to a tbs. total has caused the South Beach Diet community to PANIC ! I had the nerve to post my recipe which is made with splenda (no sugar), low-fat or fat-free cream cheese (can't see a problem there), egg substitute, (again, can't see a problem there), non-stick spray, and a sprinkling of low-fat graham cracker crumbs on the pan. Well, these crumbs which are such a small amount are causing SBD people to freak out because graham crackers aren't allowed on SBD. It's a small amount people!!! I've upset so many people because graham crackers aren't allowed that SBD online is totally wigging out that I dared to post a recipe with something ILLEGAL on it. At SBD recipes, here at 3FC, someone caught me as well and practically slapped my hand. Do they really think that they will gain weight from some graham cracker crumbs?! I mean, if they do then they've got a lot more problems than obesity. (I feel like going back and posting a recipe for fried chicken!!! )

I'll be back later to post more personal messages to you all. Have a great day!

Kerry, I think writing your feelings to communicate is so effective. I have used it with DH when I had difficulty putting my feelings into words, and I didn't want to interrupt me before I got it all out. I would wait for him to approach you about it unless a lot of time goes by. Good luck!

Mouse, good luck with your packing. It is such a drag packing to move, but sometimes it gives us a chance to purge.

Sue, I haven't done WW in over a year. I'm doing South Beach Diet (SBD). The recipe came from Richard Simmon's FAREWELL TO FAT cookbook. I substituted the sugar with splenda, but otherwise, it is the same. You will see in my previous post that my recipe caused quite an uproar. You can substitute the graham cracker crumbs for crushed nuts if you are concerned that the crumbs will add inches to your hips! I have 4 more weeks of summer, but really only 3 weeks to enjoy since I go back the week before to get my room ready. Like you, except for my tag sale, I have put off all the projects I've saved for summer. So, I need to "get on the stick" and start attending to my list of chores. We've had a lot of fun on our play dates, and just some days of crashing and doing nothing. But, I've got stuff to do in between the fun activities planned for the remainder of the summer.

Well, I've been faithfully working out at the gym every other day, today being one of them. I've only been doing 20 minutes on the recumbent bike so I don't overuse my calf muscles which would worsen my heel spurs. I am working out with weights for 30 minutes, again, avoiding the calf muscles. I've been stretching my legs, especially my calves a lot as well as icing my heel. I have to admit, even though the pain is still there, it isn't as severe as before seeing the podiatrist. On Wednesday, I have an appointment for a free consultation with a personal trainer. I hope it doesn't get me into an expensive venture that I can't afford!

Kerry - I think the note was a good idea. Give him time to think it over before you have a discussion about it. I'd wait for him to come to you but then I am a whimp when it comes to confertation! I am so glad you had fun with your sister. If I was a good mom I would have had another baby just to give my DD a sister. Mine are so special to me. I can't imagine life without them.

Mouse - Okay you can be eeyore and we will just have to be your cheerleaders! At least you can come up with the positives when you think about it. It must be very hard to move. Other than college I have never lived more than 15 miles from the house I was raised in. I guess I am pretty pitiful but I like the small town "where everybody knows your name". It is a pain to move from one town to the next, I can't imagine moving across states AND starting a new job!

Summer - I can't believe the SBers would freek over a few Graham Crackers! That is why I like WW, no one tells me I can't have anything! I guess the CORE group is a bit like that though.

I got on the computer because I have 10 cds that I need to copy for my cousin's wedding. I figured I should do something productive today!

Sue

I came back to ask all of you a question...
I keep thinking about the gym I joinedn down at my new place. Its a very nice gym: clean, free towels, the people were very nice to me, the price is right. The locker rooms are very nice as well, with good lockers. The showers are decent as well, up to a point. The hours are good.
Now...
The pool itself is only 3'8" deep throughout most of the pool. The center of the pool is 5'. This means the pool isn't deep enough for me to comfortably suspend (I can do it, but if I use my arms out of the water, I'm on the ground again) for water aerobics or the exercises for my ankle. The pool also has steps in and out; there is no deeper area or therapy pool.
The shower area does not have benches or a small area that stays dry to put clothing or toiletry kits. They put the hooks inside the shower part, at the end near the door. Unless you're careful, your stuff will get wet.
The scale is a standard medical scale (we have a nice digital one at my gym now), which makes it unlikely I'd weigh myself there.
There are 3 sit-down, large restaurants (2 TGIFriday types (one is a TGIF), and 1 asian fusion restaurant, a movie theatre, and a Marriott hotel in the same shopping center. They have surface parking and a parking garage, however one side of each parking garage has steps to and from the elevator.
The weights are down a flight of stairs. They have an elevator (2, actually, although one requires that I get assistance from staff to access; and I was told that for the other I'd have to be really quiet because its in the back of the spa or part of the spa that is at the gym), but its not easy to get at.
I'm thinking that this is not a gym for me... but I found another one near my apartment that is more my speed... it seems to have TWO swimming pools, one for families and children, and one for swimmers. They are also looking for lifeguards and swim instructors. Do you think I should go see the other gym, or just stick it out with the one I joined for the year? They were very nice to me, and he took his time to try and solve the issues... but until I actually used the facilities I didn't realize that it wasn't going to work well for me. I also didn't realize how much smaller and shallower their pool was compared to the one at the gym I use/work at now. They say its 25 yards long, but it doesn't seem like it is.
What do you all think?

As for packing: ALL of my reading books are packed (8 boxes worth!), most of the kitchen is packed, all my office supplies are packed. Not bad for 3 hours worth of work on the part of 2 people.

Oh my God what a day I have had! I hate my class that I have to take on Mathematical Processes. We have to read every night 30 to 50 pages of text. Then discuss it in class the next day. Than in the fall write a 3 to 5 page paper on how we are using the concepts learned in the workshop in our classrooms. That is going to be a tough one for me since I teach my students life skills kinds of math. My class was scheduled from 8:30 till 3:30 every day this week. The instructors changed it to 8 am and is letting us out at 3 pm. My major beef is that they changed it to accomdate all the people who live in that school district. I have to drive an hour just to get to class. So it is really burning me. Plus there is 27 teachers in this workshop and only 8 of us are not from that school district. This teachers are very rude too. They talk during class about their personal summer vacation and make it hard for the ones who want to attempt to learn something. I am just going to dread this whole week. I told my dh that he better be nice to me and make our weekend away special over the weekend of the 12th. He was sweet and told me that I was probably just overwhelmed right now and that it should get better. So maybe my letter did help somewhat.
Mouse about these HQ classes, you are exactly right about the concepts that they are teaching in them. They are geared for more for the regular teachers and I have not found really any of them useful to me yet. Don't get me wrong, I have learned some neat ideas to try with my students. Glad that your packing is going great. As for the gym question, I would probably go check out the other gym just to see what it was like. Because your new gym now sounds like it has a lot of limitations and you wouldn't enjoy it as well.
Summer, sorry to hear that you have caused quite an uproar with your cheesecake recipe. My God don't these people know that you have to live a little bit. Great job on getting your excerise in. Sounds like you have really worked out a plan that works well for you. You go, girl!
Sue, did you get your cd's burned? I have decided to let my dh come to me about the note. I tend to get a little mouthy and lose the point I am trying to make when I try to have a serious conversation with my dh about my feelings. So I am going to try the note approach.
Hi to Ginny, Robyn and Pam. Hope you are all having a wonderful Monday! I will try to come back later and chat with you all again this evening. But I have to eat my diet dinner from the Chinese restaurant, have an important business phone call at 7pm and try to do my 28 pages of reading for homework. Plus try to have a normal live outside of school.
Take care,
Kerry

Hey!
Been another busy day. My nine year old and I went out to school and tried to make some sense of all the mess I have in my classroom. We worked for two hours, and then came home and I weeded my flower beds and planted some more a friend gave me. I looked up it was 6. Still had to go to the grocery store, bring all the stuff in put away and put dinner in the oven. I must say I need to get on some sort of food schedule. I am doing terribly. I do well one day and awful the next. I started out buying healthy choices at the store today and then ended up with Crunch and Munch and Sun Chips in my buggy.
This is really my last full week of vacation. Next week I have a workshop everyday from 8-4:30, then we report to work August 17th. The students come back the 25th. I feel like I have wasted my summer. This is why I finally got around to weeding my flower beds today. I'm so lazy.

I have a "Pizza Meatloaf" in the oven now. It's hamburger, mozzerella, pizza sauce, and bread crumbs. But, it is relatively low fat, cause I used all lowfat ingredients. We'll see how it turns out. My assistant principal makes it and she says it is really good. I'm really not all that hungry, so if it is awful oh well. Ha!
Sorry not to get personal, I'm so tired now, and I need to go load the dishwasher and finish dinner.
Talk to you all later!
Pam

Pam, don't think that you wasted your summer. You are not lazy. You work hard during the school year, and you deserve to take it easy in the summer. I've neglected to do a lot of things on my summer to-do list, and I'm just getting with the program now. Enjoy your last week without guilt and regret. Make the most of your remaining vacation.

Kerry, there are always those people who don't want to pay attention in class or in workshops, and yes, they are sooo annoying to those of us who are there to learn. My supervisor is pushing me to become a facilitator, and I have already lead one workshop. I hate doing it because for the most part, people don't want to be there. I dread the day they really push me toward leading workshops on a regular basis for that very reason. So, I am grateful for people like you who want to learn. And when I am in the class/audience, I make sure I make eye-contact with the facilitator and try hard to pay attention no matter how boring it is.

Mouse, check out the other gym for sure. Yes, the other person was nice to you, but if you can find a better fit for yourself, do it. Hopefully they will refund your money.

Sue, these "militant" SBers SCARE ME!!!

DD had gymnastics tonite, and she was moved up to the Advanced Level group for the fall!!!!! That's my girl!!! (It's about time. She has been taking gymnastics since she was 4!)

I've begun to conquer my chores. I cleaned out my computer cabinet today. It took hours, but now I only have what I need in it. Tomorrow, I need to clean my bedroom, and maybe I'll have time to do more. The oil company is coming to service the furnace, so I may have to stay downstairs to be available to them. We'll see.

Robyn is in Cape Hatteras probably having a total blast right now. Good for her!

Hi Ginny!!!

Well Gals,
I have calmed down from my ranting rage of a few hours ago. I eat my diet dinner and than sat down to start my homework. I got down with it just in time. My dh and the boys' came home from football pratice. They will have pratice every night from 6-8 Monday through Friday until football season starts. Than they only have practice on Monday through Thursday's. So it should be interesting to see how it turns out. I did warn my dh that we were going to make the most of our weekend away and that he was not going to spoil it for be because of football practice and school starting. I am still waiting on my important phone call. They were to call at 7 and I waited an hour and a half. I called the one lady and she said that they were getting ready to call us in about two minutes. That has been over ten minutes now. I am starting to get a little ticked off since I need to do somethings around the house like make out bills and some general little housekeeping issues before I go to bed. I also would like to relax a little bit before going to bed.
Pam, please don't feel like your summer has been wasted! Sometimes we just need to relax and not live by a strict schedule. due to the fact that once school starts, we have that strict schedule to live by. Enjoy your last full week of summer. You pizza meatloaf sounds good. How was it?
Summer, I bet you are very proud of your dd. As for my classmates for this week, I am really going to try to overlook their ignorance and gather as much knowledge as I can. This are probably the same kinds of people who talk during the movies that we all pay to go see in peace.
Well I better go and get a few chores done. Talk to you all later.
Kerry