Well, school started for me again yesterday. So that is why I have been quiet. I'm still having go-rounds with the lead teacher over what exactly it is that I'm going to teach. She has several apparent sensitivities: one of them being that she has no degree and isn't a certified teacher. I really don't care, because I've seen her teach, and she's pretty good. Sometimes. But she thinks I do. Funny, she didn't start thinking that until I went back to school to work on my doctorate or a second master's or whatever the heck it is going to be. She also has issues with the phrase 'life-skills' and 'independent living'. She doesn't think it should be a part of our program...but our program is the vocational job-training component of the high school. And its sure not on the tests for state graduation, so its not being taught elsewhere! Makes sense to me for it to be in our program.
I guess it'll be an interesting summer & fall. I get to meet with her and my supervisor on Thursday because of all this. She went behind my back and told the administrator that I didn't want to "work as a team".
Food was interesting... I had been getting 'less sick' lately, but last night and this morning were bad... so its back to the protein shakes during the day. I guess I ate too much yesterday since I had a slice of peanut butter toast (B), an apple for lunch, and then soup and turkey sandwich for dinner. Whatever it was, I was really sick last night, and don't feel so great now.
Okay... I'm off to work, and then to grad class.

Mousie: I would like to translate what your coworker said, "work as a team" actually means "She won't do what I want!" Just so you know what she is really saying, you will be able to rise above her childish, insecure, and ignorant behavior when you meet with your supervisor. If your supervisor is any good, he/she will see through your coworker's words. GOOD LUCK! Sorry you are back in the trenches. Oh, and I'm still behind you on the life skills training. Back when I began my career in special education 18 years ago, I also taught high school students. As part of their vocational training, we taught ADL (activities of daily living) and ILS (independent living skills). These were on the IEP and were considered an important preparation for them to transition into the workshop/factory setting. Even those who were higher functioning and would move onto grocery stores, etc., had these on their IEP's. I really don't understand why your coworker is making such a big deal over this. Is it that she is just lazy? On another topic, I don't think you ate too much. Have you spoken to your doctor about what you should be eating to make you more comfortable?

We are going to my best friend's house today. She is house-sitting for someone with an in-ground pool. So, needless to say, that is where we will be spending our day. (Her other friend mustn't know her very well if she is allowing my friend to use her pool while she is away. Liability alone...and then inviting strangers over to her house.) Like every other day with my friend, this one should be interesting!

I have finally lost all the weight I gained while DH was hospitalized and recovering. But now, I'm stuck on a plateau. This is no time for me to be on a plateau! I'm running out of time! I rode my bike for 30 minutes. Maybe I need to do an aerobics tape too. That may give my metabolism a boost. Okay, here is my pledge. No more snacking after dinner...even if it is fat-free. I will have to go down to the low end of points allotted for the day. Let's see if that helps.

Hi!
Just me again, and I promise not to be so bad at staying in touch here.
Mouse, please tell me that this is summer school you are starting!!! Schools here in NY have not even been closed 2 weeks......and I am still in recovery mode. I totally agree with Summer about her philosophy regarding working as a team..... (that team player line is SO lame, to quote my 15 year old). Hang in there.........

Summer- glad that Dh is out of the woods. For you, try modifying your diet a bit. I know that WW recommends trying different foods......to both break up monotony and also the body gets used to the same stuff all the time! Are you on WW? If so- see if you can pick up one of their excercise tapes/DVD's. I have the Get Fit (toughest) one, and for a 35 min workout, you get 3 AP'S!!!!!!! (4 for me, as I am just over 150#). Talk about a bang for the buck....... It has a bit of light weight training and is so upbeat.

I am trying to enjoy my summer, but have been overwhelmed with house stuff. Dh is so busy with softball (Dd's team) that the stuff around here is suffering, and I am doing my best to get at least some of it done so that the house does not look slovenly.
Finally finished staining the deck today (second coat).......now onto the weeds.....
I have been counting all this outside stuff as a workout, plus a 1 mile walk after dinner.
Been a naughty girl as far as my eating goes. I am going to WW tonite, but will use one of those no weigh in coupons..need the meeting but just cannot face the scale. I have been well behaved today with my eating. But, Summer, I agree with you, I have GOT to give up evening eating. It is killing me and preventing me from getting these last 11 pounds off.......
Gotta go watch the kids in the pool. Forgive me if I missed you....basically I started back up with this page and will leave personal posts from now on.
Take care!
Ginny

Afternoon Ladies,
Robyn I am so sorry you had a bad day yesterday. I knew going to the funeral would be a tough one for you. But to go with no tissues and the heat index being so high, I am glad that you didn't faint or have heat stroke. As for the bike rides, I try to go in the evenings when it has cooled off some. Or we go on the bike path were it is shady.
Mousie, I will be thinking about you when you go for your meeting on Thursday. It sounds to me like your coworker has it in for you for some reason. Or is she just jealous of you going to grad school? I think you are doing the right thing by teaching them the life skills and the independent living skills. How else are they going to learn them? Their parents aren't going to teach them those skills, they are relying you to do it. Good luck tomorrow. Hope you are feeling better today. There is nothing worse then feeling sick when it is so hot out.
Summer Congrats on your weight loss! Way to go!! I knew you could do it. I hope you had fun at the pool today. I would love to have my own pool. Then I could go swimming anytime during the summer. It would be great. Maybe after I go back to school for my master's degree, I will be able to afford a pool.
As for my tooth, it is feeling better today. I was able to eat the steak, potato and green beans my dh made for dinner last night for lunch today. It still feels a little weird when I bite down on my food and chew it up. I think I just have to get use to the new filling.
My DH had a fit last night because the meat was not thawned when he went to make dinner. So he was a raging nut bag last night before I left for TOPS. He went off about how he is the only one who cooks around here and then cleans up after the meal. That I need to start pitching in my fair share around here. He really pissed me off. I told him a few things and then out the door I went. I went to TOPS and stayed late talking to one of my friend's out in the parking lot. When I got home, he was like your dinner is in the refridgator. I told him I was not hungry. He said that he was very sorry. I told him that he was a real @**. We figured out that it is the medicine he is on for his knee. I can't wait for his knee to heal 100%, then his grumpy moods will be gone.
This morning I don't know how I was able to do this. I got up at 8:30, woke the kids up, fed them and myself, got them dressed, teeth brushed, got a shower and shaved my legs and got dressed and was out the door by 9:35 for our trip to the library for Summer Reading program. I came home and made lunch for the kids. So I am done playing mommy for the day. Their dad can entertain them this afternoon and take them to their swimming lessons tonight. I am going to go workout at Curves with my friend here in a little bit. Then I might read this evening or clean a little more of the storage closet out while the kiddies and their daddy is gone.
Well I better go get my butt ready to go workout. Talk to you all later.
Take Care,
Kerry

I'm back.....had to check for an email from Dd's college coach, so I thought I would say hello.

Robyn- forgive me for not reading earlier in the thread about losing your HS friend to cancer. That must have been tough.....and then attending the funeral in the heat. I am glad that you got thru it ok.....

Kerry-what kind of med is Dh on for his knee? How nice that you had the TOPS meeting to go to.......someplace safe to vent and just get away from the turmoil. I have never been to a TOPS meeting, but I do have a lot of fun at my WW meetings.....so it is probably similar. Did you make it to Curves?

I did not get quite all the stuff done that I wanted to.......but the deck is 95% done....been staining it for 3 days now.......it gets too hot to work on it all day, so the mornings are best. Tomorrow I hope to get the yard cleared a bit more in prep for Ds's get together on Saturday (8, 14/15 yr old boys coming over to play basketball). At least tomorrow noone has to be anywhere and I do not have to make dinner. I might be able to make some real progress!!!!
Nuff blabbering from me.........see ya tomorrow!
Ginny

Grad school makes the days really long. I'm glad that teeth and diets are working better for people! Glad decks are getting stained, and that other people recognize how hot the summer is! I do NOT like summer very much. I am a fall-spring kind of Mouse.

Anyway, yes... I'm starting to think the code words 'not a team player' mean that I don't think inside YOUR box, and that way you can accuse me of 'not thinking outside the box', too... and get all your buzz words in two phrases! I really don't understand why everybody is so adamantly against teaching independent living skills as part of the vocational training program. We have some students working toward a diploma, but the vast majority, even if they are diploma-track, aren't college bound students!
And even college students need life-skills! I went to college with HONORS students who couldn't sort laundry or use a phone book or handle money! And never mind cooking! Scary!
ECMom: I *wish* I were talking about summer school. I teach for a private school that goes year round. Unlike public year round schools where you're "off-track" for so many weeks, we get like...5 days off... then we're back. The kids were done the 17th, we were done the 18th...and had that next 4 days of that week off,and then 3 days the following week. We're done with summer session August 5th, and then off for 10 days and back. Its really starting to get to me because its like they really want to chase me away and make me quit.
And I have talked with the GI specialist... she told me an ultra-low fat diet should work... so I've been doing the protein shakes, turkey sandwiches on wheat or rye (since I don't eat white bread), salads, fresh fruit... and it worked for awhile, but tonight I couldn't eat the salad. I bought a turkey sandwich at grad school and some pretzels... which I ate, but if I don't eat this other turkey sandwich, I'll have less than 700 calories today which is really not good.
I meet the surgeon tomorrow, and have the endoscopy on July 19th. They're having minor fits over the endoscopy (well, the team leader and the supervisor) because the supervisor scheduled 2 other staff to be out on the 19th/20th, plus on the 20th told my TA she could go to a professional development. And she really wanted to go. She's going to support me and not go, but it makes me feel bad even though she acknowledges that its not my fault because I'd told our supervisor 2 weeks ago about the endoscopy! But even with her staying, on the 19th/20th there are 6 staff members for 147 kids. Its across 5 periods, but that's a lot of kids!
:sigh: I'll survive, but I know I'm in a mood because I've broken out all my copies of the 'teacher saves the class' books. You know, Torey Hayden, Tracey Kidder, etc... all the positive stuff... to remind me WHY I went into this profession!

Hang in there, Mousie! You've got sooooo much going on!

Sounds like everyone is going 100 mph! I know I am! I've been behaving with my eating, getting all my water in , AND doing my exercises with my Firm tapes and weights! Tomorrow is my weigh and measure day.... Don't FRET, you can BE sure that I will fill you end on the results! LOL

Summer, I have lots to say about WW.... I've not been successful finding the spot that you were talking about under the WW title thingy or whatever.... could you send me a link, please? There are lots of things to talk about regarding metabolism and points and STUFF! Shall I spout it here or on the other page?

Dh is hanging over my shoulder...he wants to do something on the computer...so I'm gonna have to go for now!

Ya'll take care,
((hugs))
meeeee

'Morning!!!!!!

Mousie- what are they looking for with the endoscopy?? Sorry, I missed that you had to teach almost year round........I can't imagine that!! (although when I worked in the private sector and had to work year round). But the grind of working with students.... a break is so needed!!!!

Robyn- what questions did you have about Weight Watchers?? I do get to the meetings and have tons of literature from them. I would be happy to answer any questions or take them to meetings for you. I guess you must love the Outer Banks- do you vacation there in the summer?

Gotta go get to that silly yard work........that will classify as my workout!
Have a great day.
Ginny

Morning Ladies,
My DH is on iboprofuen 800mg. When he takes it he becomes tired but won't give in to go to sleep. Then he just becomes a bear and makes life for everyone around him unbearable. The ladies at TOPS were very understanding the other night and gave me some sound advice. One lady said I should have grabbed the frozen meat and wrung it at his head, then I would have knocked some sense into him.
I started to wear my pedometer again today. So I can see how many steps I walk during a day with the kids here. We got up this morning and walked down to the old train depot, for art lessons. The kids made bear pictures today. I was able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine while reading a book.
Mousie I hope your meeting went well today. Sorry to hear things are tough at work right now. I know how you feel, that was how my whole month of March and the beginning of April was for me.
Ginny have fun with your yard work. I will be having to either mow the yard today or tomorrow. It sure makes for a good workout when you have to push mow your lawn.
Summer how is your dh doing? He is not tiring himself out by going back to work and working all day long,is he? Are you enjoying your playdates?
Robyn how did your weigh in and measurements go today? I wish you the best of luck. Great job on getting in your water and excersise each day. I am very proud of you.
Well gotta go. Have to do laundry. I think that is a never ending job. The nice thing about it is as a treat I get to go to water aerobics tonight. So I will have to get my chores out of the way, so I can really enjoy myself in the pool this evening.
Take care,
Kerry

The meeting went suprisingly well, though I had to leave early because of the appointment with the surgeon. So I didn't have as much time to get things cemented and crystal clear as I would have liked. Especially since my supervisor has no back-bone! I'm not sure if he agreed with me and is allowing me to do what I would like to do or if he's just playing mediator, and things are the same as they were before.
The meeting with the surgeon was also interesting, though he seems to be the only one on my medical team that doesn't want to just remove the gall bladder! He wants to see what the endoscopy says, and try medication before removal. He did say it isn't uncommon, when there is no other cause, for the hormone that controls the gall bladder to be dysfunctional. And so, in my case, that isn't a far stretch given that I already have so many other hormones that don't work!
Speaking of which: I was so embarrassed last night! Its my week off the contraceptives that I use to get some of the hormones I lack, and so I'm always a little more stressed/weird then. And two of my instructors for my one class did something that I find incredibly unfair. I goofed up an assignment. I did 4 software reviews, and we were supposed to do 4 hardware. I only did 2 hardware. BUT, the 4 software reviews were in ON TIME and I was ready for class that night. But they only gave me 50% of the grade on two of the software reviews saying that they were 'late', because I didn't do the hardware reviews! They never told me they wanted me to switch up. Anyway, I was tired, soaked from a rain storm, stressed from school and hadn't eaten... and I started to cry, right in the middle of the class! I was mortified!

Mousie- big hugs girl.......you are so stressed right now.
Kerry- that pool sounds so nice..........enjoy it!

Came online to check something for Dh- off to a picnic dinner. See ya tomorrow.
ginny

Kerry, I sure hope your DH feels better and returns to his normal personality soon...for your sake.

Mousie, I'm so sorry about what happened with your assignment. I find what the instructor did so unreasonable. You are an adult and deserve to be treated accordingly. Have they never heard of giving someone a second chance? DON'T LET THE TURKEYS GET YOU DOWN!!!

Ginny, Thanks for your advice. Robyn is referring to a new thread I started in the Weight Watchers section.

Robyn, Here is the way to get to my new thread. And please post there so others will join in. So far, 23 people have viewed it without posting. What is the point of viewing and not posting?! Anyway, this is the way there:

1. Go to the Weight Loss Community
2. Scroll down through General, past Alternachicks, Diet Plans, Chickchat, Sugar Busters, and South Beach.
3. Stop at Weight Watchers
4. Click on WW Clubs & Groups
5. Scroll down to Threads in Forum...Weight Watchers for Teachers
6. Tada! You are there!

DH lied down at work today for 30 minutes, but felt like he needed more rest. He came home very early and slept. Get this...the lab tech who took his sample on last Friday lied to DH that he didn't have a doctor's order so he couldn't run the test. It was faxed over before DH even got to the lab. So, apparently the lab tech wanted to begin his July 4th holiday early. Meanwhile, the test didn't get run till today, and if he has another infection, he has not been getting treated for it, which could mean that the infection has worsened!!! I swear to God, if the surgeon has to open him up again because the infection is worse, that lab tech is in BIG TROUBLE. We are leaving for Disneyworld in 13 days. If DH needs more surgery, he obviously won't be going with us. AAAAAHHHHH!!! So, I'm a bit stressed out right now. What is happening with the medical care in this country. And, we have private insurance...what about those on medicaid? They must really be getting neglected.

DD and I went to the beach with the tricklets (triplets) today. Their mom took us to Wendy's. I was quite worried about what to have to eat. I instead had a chicken BLT salad without dressing. It was actually pretty good, and I didn't cheat! The tricklets' mom is this tiny thing weighing in around 110 pounds. She wore a string bikini to the beach and had a belly button ring...no stretch marks. I felt so self-conscious. Granted, I look a lot better than I did last summer...about 12 pounds lighter. So, I guess, rather than focusing on the fact that I WILL NEVER EVER LOOK LIKE THAT WOMAN...even at my thinnest I just don't have the same body type...I should just focus on the improvements I have made and will continue to make.

Hey ya'll! So much is going on here!

Mouse> (((hugs))) I'm sorry things are so stressful for you in SOOO many aspects! Hang in there! Hormones are HORRIBLE to deal with! I spent several months after my hysterectomy crying like an idiot over important and some reallly stupid things! I hope the doctors get your health "fixed" soon!

Ker> Enjoy the pool and your water exercises! YES, laundry NEVER ends! LOL Just as I'm making progress and caught up, someone wants to WEAR something... There ought to be a law! My dh gets physically ill from taking huge doses of ibuprophen! Hang in there!

Ginny> You currently go to WW meetings? I need a kick in my WW butt.... but I've never gone to a meeting! (Money and time!) I swear next week...I'm back to WW hard core! (Went to Applebee's yesterday! They have several WW safe choices!)
YES, we love Hatteras, NC... which is south of Nags Head! Buxton, N.C. is our most favorite spot on earth! We spend as much time down there as possible... any time of year! (We fish in the fall, winter, and spring! We swim and play in the summer!) You should have just heard my sighhhhhh as I typed! My dh changed jobs this winter...(We were forced to take our vacation back in December at the end of the old job...We went to Florida and had a wonderful time....BUT when people mention the beach ........sighhhh! LOL NOpe, we won't be going down anytime soon.... more sighs!)

Summer> Did you already complain about the lab tech? You need to make your complaint known, infection or NOT! You also need to investigate if the guy actually lied or if there was some sort of break down in getting that order! AND.... I am so sorry that he is still not feeling well. He sure has had a rought time of it!

I actually giggled at the thought of me spending time on the beach with the mother of triplets who STILL gets to wear a teeny tiny bikini complete with belly ring! GASP! Triplets, no stretch marks.... there ought to be a lawwwww! Triplets and NO stretch marks......gasp!

Thank you for giving me the directions to get to the ww page! I'll try to find it!

Well.......
My kiddos and I are meeting my friend and her family at the Williamsburg airport today! Her husband has a plane and they are flying down to meet us for lunch. The kids will more than likely go flying while she and I sit and talk! The restraunt there is a nice place to eat!

Gotta go Bare Naked Ladies are on Today.... and I've gotta go get my Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ready to throw at the t.v. (um, that is a joke.... ) We took the kids to see BNL two Decembers ago! WHAT a fun time! Ooooh here they come!

Bye!

Hi, I am also a teacher (kindergarten) who works in a large urban charter school. Very challenging students and demandind work schedule. I am currently trying the South Beach Diet ( loosley) and taking my time off to walk and go back in August a healthier (and hopefully lighter ) person.

I want my students and coworkers to go "wow" when I return at the end of August

Welcome Chilichick Glad to have you on board! You are already a healthier person,if you are walking and watching your weight. Keep the faith you will achieve your goal.

Well ladies, dumb me went to water aerobics last night and then went to play baseball for about an hour. God my legs were killing me last night. I had to rub ICY HOT on my legs. They feel better this morning. I was able to make it around the circut at Curves three times. Watch I will bottom out this afternoon and will be laid up for a couple days.

Well I better go and find out what we are doing today. Talk to you all later.
Have a great Friday!
Take care,
Kerry