Just a quick note...
We did the prom today, and the kids had an awesome time. I'm tired. But it was SOOOOO worth it! Yes, I danced.
I even got my nails done.

Hi Ladies,
Sorry I have been missing for about two months. School and home life has been very stressful and now I am hopefully back on track. I had state testing, IEP meetings,fieldtrips and we moved to a smaller house since I last spoke to everyone. I have gained back about 6 to 10 pounds. But I am starting back to working out and watching what I eat. Plus today, I started Detox7. It is an internal cleansing program. I am going to see if that will help me get the jumpstart I need to get back on track.
So what is new with everyone else? I bet you are all looking forward to the school year coming to a close soon. I have a week and half left. I am looking so forward to having some time off to relax.
Well I better go and get some work done around the house. Then I think my dh and I are going to go out to lunch.
Glad to be back again. I sure could use the support right now.
Take care gals,
Kerry

Welcome back Kerry!!!!!!!! We missed you!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to be short. Busy day here....Ds has a double header this pm, it is our anniversary.....on and on and on....

Mouse, glad the prom is over. And you had a nice time.

Kerry- don't sweat a weight gain. You are SO good a losing when you set your mind to doing so. Hang in there.

Robyn-earth to Robyn........you hiding from me????

Gotta go- see ya later!
Ginny

Hey!
Remember me? I too, have been MIA...More embarrassed than anything because since March I have managed to gain about six or so pounds back. I am back up to 170! Yikes. I eat terribly, school has been crazy. Not too much longer to go. We have our End of Grade Tests this week. We're finished on June 7th. Seems like forever. I have missed you guys. Had to track you down................
I promise I'll be back. Just wanted to drop in and say Hello.....

Pam

Oh my gosh, the dead are coming to life?! Welcome back Pam!!! Gee, this is great........two of you back in one week? Now if we can just hunt up Robyn. Please don't make me ill, finished on June 7. (I think i am on until 6/23 or so). You too Pam, don't sweat the few #'s up, I am sure they will come off soon.

Today stunk. I am so sick of baseball.........seems that that is all we do....need a month alone.......in a rubber room......guess I'd better get some sleep. Nite.

Hi Ladies,
I sure have missed everyone! I am glad to be back.
Ginny, I am so sick of baseball myself. We have a ball game or two every night this week. I swear since the beginning of May that is all I have done after school is go to ball games every evening.
Pam, I know how you feel about the gaining of a few pounds. But we will be fine and take them right back off. I have started to workout again and go back to Curves. I sort of put my workouts on the back burner so I could move and attend my stepkids ballgames. But I have started to schedule in time in my daily schedule again. June 7th isn't that far away now is it?
Mouse hope your week is going well. Did you recover from the prom?
Well I need to go and get my kids back to working. I gave them a little bit of free time this morning.
I have to go to my stepdaughter's softball game this evening at 5. My one stepson has to be a sub for another team at 6 across town. Plus I have TOPS tonight. So I told my hubby this morning, that I would go to the softball game. But I needed to be at my meeting at 6. He said that I would have to stay at the game until his ex got there. So if she doesn't show up until 6:30 I was not to leave. I got a little mad because I have something to do for myself and people are counting on me since I am the co-leader of my TOPS group now and I have to pick up the slack from my hubby's ex. So I am really going to have to channel my negetative feelings in a more positive way so that I don't go to the kids snack bin and start eating.
Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Hey!
Had our first day of state testing today. Two more to go. I took parent leave on Friday to go to my son's field day. So, that leaves me with a four day weekend. I'm pretty darned excited about that.
Ginny: Glad to be back. I feel for you with the baseball stuff. I went through it for years. Youngest one has no interest. I kind of miss it. But, then again.....
Kerry: I don't blame you for being mad about having to stay at your husband's game til the ex gets there. Especially since you already had plans. Hope she shows up on time. I am going to seriously try and start walking again soon. I have just been EXHAUSTED.
Had a stomach bug bad.......This weekend. COuldn't move, felt like I was hit by a bus. Couldn't eat. That was a good thing. Still don't feel great. But, I've been able to go to work.
Redone my livingroom totally. We put down hardwood laminate floors. THat was NOT FUN. BUt, the end result is beautiful. So, it's a whole new room. It's been a long time coming. Paint, new furniture, and floors. All I have to do is sweep. Do you know, other than swiffers, you just can't find dustmops anymore....
Well, have to cook dinner. Nothing sounds good to me.
Robyn: Where you at girl?
Mouse: Glad prom went well. Hope you're doing ok...

Pam

Evening All,
Well my day has ended on a postive note. I went to TOPS tonight and didn't gain any more weight. I stayed the same. The ex showed up on time for once. So I was happy to get to go to my TOPS meeting on time. Now I am just relaxing from my very stressful and rushed day. My one aide had to leave early today since her son had the stomach flu that is going around. His fever kept going up and she left to take him to Urgent Care. That left my other aide and I to handle the class today. It was really fun having to call the office for room coverage so we could go change our wheelchair bound student.
Pam, your living room sounds really nice. What color did you go with? Love hardwood floors. Would love to have a whole house done that way. Probably is very easy to keep clean. Sounds like you are really looking forward to the your four day weekend. Going to do anything special. I know we have a birthday party and pitching clinic on Saturday and a graduate party on Sunday to go to. Plus we have the kids this weekend. So we are going to be busy again. I know when I started walking again, I started to feel better and would stop and think how long am I going to have to walk to work that food craving off. I know that you will start to walk soon and start feeling better once you do.
Ginny how was the tin can today? I hope you had an easy kind of day. Happy Belated Anniversary! How many years for you and your dh? When are you going away for your anniversary? Have you been walking with Lesile still? I just went back to walking with Lesile and the gang last week. I was not able to for about a three to four week period. So I am glad to be back in business. It sure does help with stress and food choices.
Mouse, hope you had a great day at school. Did you get to go swimming tonight?
Well I must end this chat with you all and get ready for bed. Have another evening of ball games tomorrow evening. Thank God they are at the same field complex this time. So it makes it a little easier on us. Have a great day tomorrow!
Take care,
Kerry

Evening, all.
It seems like it has been a long week, but I don't know why. Darth Student has been absent 3 out of 4 days this week. Today, only 2 of my kids showed for school. We went in the community today, and since only 2 showed, we went to lunch at the mall. We also bought labels for the video CDs I made of the prom.
I saw my endocrinologist yesterday, and the blood work was "okay", as I'd said previously (I think). Biggest issues are that the cholesterol went up a little bit again, which may be genetic. I do eat more fried stuff than I should, but I don't eat other high fat items. Also, some new hormone has spiked: DHEA. Its the hormone that ultimately works with others to produce testosterone and insulin. But, allgedly, it can help control insulin resistance and such. The liver enzymes were just fine, which is good. Insulin was down, so I am responding well to the Actos, and it isn't making me sick. Or at least not any sicker than I am typically. The other issue is that the testosterone is up again. Its at least as high or higher than it was when I started treatment. They aren't sure why, though: I'm on spironolactone now, I exercise and changed my diet. So, they increased my spironolactone dosage. Its hitting me hard: it lowers your blood pressure, and has always made me sleepy. I take it at night instead of during the day because it makes me loopy. I guess it'll take a while to adjust.
And let me tell you, I am so truly sick of the idiots I used to work for. At some point, somebody pre-approved those orthotics last summer. Now, my old insurance company doesn't want to pay it, and neither does my former employer. Or, I can't tell what they want, actually. I got a letter in the mail from them that was stamped "received"... but no indication of whether or not it was paid, no letter stating whether or not they were planning ot pay it, and if not, why not. I am SOOOOOO not playing this game with htem.
I'll have to email the PT office that did the orthotics tomorrow; I don't have the email at home.
WElcome back Kerry, Robin, Pam. I'm too sleepy to figure out what else I should say. Sorry.

Evening Ladies,
TGIF! I didn't think I was going to make it through the week in a sane manner. My kids are going loony at school since they know the end is near. Then we have had to go to the ball fields every night this week. Tonight the kids didn't have a game but we went for my nephew's girlfriend's little boy's game.
So is everyone looking forward to the having a long weekend? I sure am, but we will be busy this weekend. My sil and her two daughters are in for a visit. So I am sure we will have a family get together dinner sometime this weekend. Tomorrow we have a birthday party to go to and on Sunday a graduation party. Lots and lots of food temperations for me. So I am going to try really hard not to overdo it. Plus I think I might throw in some excerise time. I really don't want to go to my wi on Tuesday and have a gain. I was very proud of myself this week with my excerise. I worked out every morning at home for an half hour with a walking video and I went to Curves three nights and worked out. So I am finally getting back into the swing of things after hitting and missing working out over the last two months or so. I really want to start next school a new me. That way I can buy new clothes and have a brand new style.
Mouse, hope you are adjusting well to your change in medicine. Sounds like for the most part you got a pretty good report from your doctor. When is your school's last day? Sounds like your kids are slowly dropping like flies. We have school until Thursday June 1st. I have 3 kids that get promoted to the high school on May 31st and as a treat to them they don't have to come the last day of school. So I have told my other two kids that if they didn't want to come on the last day of school,they didn't have too. The one hasn't came on the last day of school for the last two years., so I would say that it is safe to say he isn't going to change that habit this year. I don't know about the other one though yet.
Pam, did you enjoy your day off today. How was your son's field day? Our school's is next week. So are you done with the state testing? My two guys who had to alternate assessment scored the highest points they could on their tests. So that was great news to get. My other four students who had to take the state achievement test scored in the limited range. But they did do a good job for their ability levels. I was proud of them all.
Robyn, where are you sweetie? I have missed chatting with you. Please come visit us. I need to hear your witty charm to make me laugh. Hope all is well with you.
Ginny, how is things on your old yellow tin can? I hope you have found not had to spend your whole week at the ball fields like I did. How was your wi in this week?
Well I need to go to bed. Have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Need to be up at 8 to get my dh and sdd ready for her pitching clinic. Then I have to squeeze in a workout at home, get myself and the twin sds's ready and go fill out a job application at the local conienvce store that my nephew's girlfriend works at ( summer job for extra cash), take the boys to the library and come home pick up the other two and off to a birthday party we go. Busy busy there is never no rest for the weary.
Have a great weekend! I hope to check in but you just never know what could happen over the weekend.
Take care,
Kerry

Evening, all.
I don't even know where to begin. I went to a convention this weekend, which is normal. I am helping run the hospitality suite, which isn't terribly unusual either. The suite itself is in a very inaccessible location, though... the floor is slippery in spots with lots of stairs (its pre-ADA, and since it is no longer used as a restaurant, the hotel doesn't have to update it). I don't think I'll help with that next year... I'll have to find something else to do. Dunno. Then, this evening, some twit at a grocery store stepped on my foot. HE had the cow, not me. I just let out a little noise, and he jumped all over me. I admit to being very rude back, but the clerk at the stand didn't need to get involved. I wound up getting my dinner for free, because I complained. I have noticed that my symptom of low blood sugar is losing control over my temper, so add that to the very long day (I was pretty much by myself in the suite from 8-6 today) and it was a mess.
Kerry: Its not going too badly with the new dosage; I tend to fall asleep soon after taking it and wake up 2 hours later. That's okay, but its cut into my party time at the convention (yea, sure... I'm SUCH a big partier.. NOT!). I am going to miss a friend's 60th birthday tonight likely, because the thought of going back over to the con isn't pleasing. We'll see.
As for school, we're done June 14th, but we have a week of exams where the kids get out early on those days. I'm getting mixed messages as to whether or not the kids have to come if they don't have exams. MY dean says no, but the severe disabilities teacher says yes. Graduation is June 16th.
The week after I have to do an utterly stupid highly qualified teacher thing, and then summer school starts. I'm doing extended school year for my ED kiddo...3 days a week for 90 minutes a day. I'm also working for the national board of professional teaching standards again for a week.
I might stay in Baltimore for some of those days if the gym wants me to work that week also and save the gas. Not sure. I had planned to do 9 credits in grad school, but I can't do that now because of the stupid highly qualified crap. In addition to elementary school (which I am qualified for except in math), I have to have high school because I have some kids doing credits and some doing alternate assessments... They won't give me credit for my journalism classes or most of my social science classes, so I'm not highly qualified in anything at the high school level. I'm only 2 credits shy of English, and I like history so I don't mnd taking history classes... but I would rather take classes to finish that post-master's degree right now!
Hope everybody has a good Memorial Day... see you guys next week.
Its going go to be a busy one: I have a Red Cross training on Tuesday evening, Thursday is the bowl-a-thon the kids are doing, Friday is a shopping trip for the school, Saturday I'm working at the SATs, and then have to go pick up my new car...

Hey girlies! What a dang Spring I've been having! It has been really tough! I've not had a chance to read all of the thread to catch up with you all...but I'm sure glad to see that you are all here! Currently, I'm fighting a horrible cold that won't let go of me! Also since I last chattered with most of you, I've become a mother...again! After 14 years, I broke down and allowed the boys (all 3!) to get a puppy in early May. What the heck was I thinking? She is adorable, of course! ...and a LOT of work! I'm up right now because the oldest kid is sick. Fever. Stomach. The whole 9 yards...and he can't sleep...so mom can't! Perhaps I need to get him to "try harder"! 'cause I'm about asleep at the keyboard, again!

I'll check back in tomorrow (or during NORMAL hours!) and see what is what around here! Hope all is going well!

Take care,
meee
P.S. NO baseball until NEXT Thursday! WhooooHooooo! What is a family to do with out baseball?

Happy Memorial Day to you all!
It has been a quiet day around my house so far. My dh went to help our friend work on getting our city pool ready for opening day (June 5th). I had to go to Wal-mart because I dropped my glasses this morning and the lense popped out. This afternoon we are to go to a cookout at a friend's house. So that should be fun. I am really going to watch what I eat there, though since I have wi tomorrow evening at TOPS. I would like to be atleast down a little bit. Time will tell.
Robyn, glad you were able to pop in and say hi. How is your oldest ds feeling today? I hope you were both able to get some sleep. I know that the flu is going around my school really bad right now. I just keep my fingers crossed that I don't get sick. So what did you name your puppy and what kind is she? Are you counting down the days to your summer vacation?
Mouse, are you feeling today? Sounds like you had a very busy weekend, too. Sounds like your summer is going to be jammed packed too. I can sympathize with you on the highly qualified teacher thing. Remember I went through that last summer. Now this summer I am looking for a part-time job, just to get out of the house a little bit and also to make some money so I can do a few of the extra things I want to do this summer.
Ginny, how are you doing this weekend? Is this the weekend you and your dh went away for your anniversary? I can tell you that I started back to walking full-time with Lesile and the gang last week. I did a tape everyday and that hasn't happened for about a month or two. So I am hoping to get back in the swing of things and see the scales go down. Are you still walking when you have the time? I would love to walk outside but this weekend, it has been too doggone hot. Yesterday it was in the 90's still at 8:00 last night. So I think we will be in for a hot summer this year. Guess I am going to have sneak in walks outside in the early morning hours or late at night, when it is some what cool.
Pam, are you enjoying your long weekend? Did you enjoy your day off on Friday? Do you have any big plans for your summer vacation? I bet it has been too hot for you to go walking outside.
With it being so hot out, I really don't feel like eating awhole lot. So maybe that is a plus. I sure am downing the water though. Maybe this way, I will be able to go back to school in the fall skinner and have a whole new look.
Well I better close and get ready for our cookout. My dh should be home soon. Talk to you all later. Have a great safe Holiday!
Kerry

WHYYYYYY do they assign 8th grade, 14 year old boys Poetry projects that include writing 40+ poems ...that include artwork? WHAT did *I* do to deserve this damn assignment? WHAT is being learned? WHO is learning it? We've discovered that our DS is CLOSER to Andrew Dice Clay than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow! ...but I could have told you that...AND had hair left! I told him to take a break before I accidently left marks on his body from the fun of it all! We will get back to it......in a bit!

The youngest finished is Bacteria project. How vague is "Research bacteria. Present what you find to me in any way you want."? OK! Anyone else thinking that THAT is sort of vague? Did the best we could with that topic!

I've got to get to the laundry .....it is buzzing like crazy!
Ya'll take care!
meeeee

Sounds like you had a fun day today Robyn! So how much hair do you have left now? What a crappy assignments for the end of the year. Other that helping with your children's school work and laundry, did you do anything fun today?
We went over to our friend's house for what was going to be a little bit. But it ended up being close to 6 hours. If I knew they would have their pool open I might have went swimming. But I guess I have to build up my confidence level to wear a swimming suit in front of all the skinny minny's that were there. LOL I am very proud of myself for only eating one ear of corn, a small serving of baked beans, potato salad, a bbq chicken leg, hot dog bunless, some cumbers, carrots and green peppers. Then later I had some watermelon. Plus I drank a lot of unsweetened ice tea and water. So hopefully tomorrow evening at TOPS I will have a loss. Keep your fingers crossed.
So did everyone else have a nice Memorial Day? I better go and get ready for bed, since I am sure my boys will have me hopping tomorrow. We are just going to watch movies and play games.
I will chat with you all later. Have a great week!
Kerry