Hey everyone! A quick note from me. I'm over my head and entering the official week 2 of school...arghh! I'm recovering from all my "itis" es....slowly...way too slowly for my liking! I have a voice finally....but it isn't mine. It is more of "Demi Moore on Testosterone"! I finally broke down last night and took the prescription cough medicine.... it knocked me OUTTTT! Which is what I needed! Even DH got some sleep due to me finally not coughing all night long! (He pointed that out this morning!) I feel a bit more human today....just in time to spend hours with my new manuals and the plan book! Yippeee!

I've very concerned about Summer. Does anyone have her phone number? I had her mailing address but don't any longer. She has been "away" wayyyy too long.

Sorry for the drama...but...well.... you know!

Dryer is calling my name....and I don't iron...so....
take care...thanks for the prayers!

I'm worried about Summer too and very glad you're feeling better, Robyn. You need to sleep when you're sick: that's WHY the cough syrup knocks you out! you wouldn't take it for anything that is less serious... And you're lucky it knocks you out! It just makes me agitated. I have to be very careful they don't put hydrocodone in it: one dose of that stuff and I get all jittery like I had 30 gallons of coffee!
Codeine isn't that bad, but it just makes me dizzy. The only things that knock me out, really, are tylenol and benedryl. The other stuff just makes me high or dizzy.
Okay... I spent all day doing a back-up of my computer's harddrive, and now I'm going to bed! Its nearly 9, and it'll be al ong day with 2 classes back to back.

Mousie,
I'm allergic to codeine....and this cough medicine has "something from that family" (as the dr. put it.... He told me that very few people who are allergic to codeine have reactions to this. Codeine makes me sleep...and then vomit.... all at the same time....for HOURS and HOURS.... I was a bit nervous and it took me a LOT of convincing that I wouldn't have the night from H@$$ if I took it.... BUT, I was desperate! So, I took it as directed... 1/4 of a teaspoon, waited 1 hour. Then another 1/2 of a teaspoon...and then waited a very long hour before I was allowed
to get in bed! An adult dose is evidently 1 teaspoon.... but not for me!
Anyway.... I didn't get sick! I slept and I didn't cough!

enough!

Robyn, glad you are doing ok.......or at least better. Too bad you had to take the major league cough stuff, but there are times that that is the only alternative. Better to rest than cough your brains out all night!!!!! (BTW, how many activity points or calories are burned with all that coughing??, yes, I have a sick mind) Glad you are taking care of yourself!!! Get better soon.

Mouse, you are taking 2 classes tomorrow nite???? How late will you get back? drive carefully, ok?

I too am worried about Summer.......I sure hope she is ok.
See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

Evening Ladies,
I am very concerned for Summer too. I don't have a phone number or address for her. I just remembered that she had a wedding to go to this weekend for her niece. It was out of town. So that might explain why we haven't heard from her in a few days.
My day was half good and half bad. I got up and did my 4 mile walking video and then got ready for church. I walked to and from church. Came home and changed clothes and waited for my dh to get ready for the day. Then we went van shopping in a town that is about 45 minutes from us. We found a few that we might go back and test drive. The only thing is that I work until 6:30 Monday, Wednesday nights and then 4:30 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. So that would make a long day trying to get up there and test drive this week. I have open house at my school on Tuesday night at 6. Then on Thursday night I have to do my laundry and get packed to go see my family this coming weekend, since I will just be leaving straight from school on Friday. So I guess it will be one night next week or that Saturday before we can go test drive a van or truck. As for a van, I like the looks of the Town and COuntry's and the Pontanic Montana's. I have a Chevy Venture right now. As for trucks, I liked the 4 door Ford F150's and 4 door Chevy Silverado's. So that is the status on my van shopping today. I came home and took a nap. After I got up, my dh and I went to Walmart to do some grocery shopping. But before we went there I asked him to stop at Wendy's so I could get me a sandwhich. I went in and stood in line for 5 minutes waiting to be waited on. There was only one other customer in front of me and they had a special order. They wanted to buy an order of chicken strips and wanted to know if they could just buy two extra ones because they didn't want a second full order of them. So they had to go hunt down the manager to see if this was possible. After that I walked out the door. Had my dh stop at the Golden Arch's and I ordered a cheeseburger meal. Mind you I know that is good for a person on a diet, but I was hungry for a cheeseburger and was only going to eat a few of the fries and throw the rest out. So we start down the road and I start eating my meal when my dh starts ranting and raving about what I was eating for dinner. So I finished my cheeseburger and threw the bag with the fries at him and told him off. When we got to Wal-mart, I got out of the truck and walked in the store. He finally caught to me back by the shampoo asile. I hardly talked to him the two hours we were in the store. Then after we got home, he asked me what was wrong. So I just let him have it. I told him that I hardly ate any food at all today. I had a cup of yogurt for breakfast and for lunch I had a taco salad and iced tea at the Mexican restaurant. So I didn't think I was doing such a bad thing by having a cheeseburger meal from Mickey D's. That I have worked my butt off this past week walking and working out at Curves in order to treat myself today. He said that he was sorry and that he loved me. He was just trying to help me out with my diet. It just pisses me off that he is the third person to tell me this past week that I should eat something because I am on a diet. So I guess he was the last straw for me and I just blew up. I hate it when people know that you are watching your weight and think they are being helpful with their little comments and they really are only making you mad. So my evenign has been bad. Enough about me though. Thanks for letting me vent.
Mouse, sounds like you had a fun time at your swimming lessons though. I can see where a shirt would come in handy with little exploring hands. Glad to hear that there was nothing wrong with your car. That is always a plus.
Ginny, hope you made it through your double header ball games today. Plus was able to get a little shopping in too. Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. My cousin's funeral is tomorrow morning. It breaks my heart that I am not able to be there. But it is in Altanta, Ga. I couldn't spare a few days off from work to go. Plus don't really have the extra money to get a plane ticket.
Robyn, I am glad that you are starting to feel a little better. Hopefully you were able to get your lesson plans done today. Enjoy your second week of school. I can't believe I am starting my fourth week of school already. Time flies when you are having fun.
Well I best be off to bed. Talk to you all later.
Have a great week!
Kerry

Good morning!
Just a short hello, yes this one will be short!!

Kerry- forgive me, but are you also following WW???? If so (and this can of course be used as ammo with Dh or anyother naysayer.....) you can eat any food- even Mickey D's fries- as long as you control the quantity and allow for that within your eating for the day. Too bad that it had to erupt into you telling Dh off, but sometimes that has to happen. It is surely not good to always hold things in.
Vent whenever.......especially if it keeps you from stress eating (which I am all too prone to!). I am sure that it must make you feel crummy about missing the funeral.
But, you can always write or call and make some extra efforts to keep in touch over the next months. So often the bereaved really take things harder several weeks after the loss, when the reality of their changed lives really sets in. Then a well timed phone call or note of support from you could really be appreciated.

As for me, a busy Monday. Snuck to a WW meeting in NJ (probably won't do that again~ $2 more than here in NY!) - lost 3.6# (but remember, I was wearing jeans last week....anyway, I am still less than I have been in a while, which is good). Off for a short walk now, TOM showed up this am and I am feeling kind of droopy. Out for a 15 minute walk.........see ya later.
Ginny

I survived today......spent most of the day trying to help Dd get the help she needs in Biology...her professor is not really explaining the material and she is only one of 2 freshmen in the class. The rest are juniors and seniors. Poor kid really felt out of her league. And I saw the emails from the prof~ the woman sounds dreadfully disorganized and out of it. I can surely sympathize, I had someone similar for first semester calculus, which I am not proud to say I failed. Never got a clue what the moron was trying to explain!
Then I took the course over ( at a different school, I transferred) and had an A average in the course....the difference was someone who could explain the material taught it the second time around. But back to Dd, she got a tutor for this evening, and hopefully he/she can dig her out of the mess she is in.
Her other courses seem to be ok/managable.

Got into a tiff with a supervisor- had a student who tried to get on my bus (he is not one of mine!) and as that I had students on already, I could not leave the bus. So I thought that I could call over a teacher, explain the situation, and she could find out what route the student belongs on. Sounds simple? Naw.....I was told I had to radio in to the office (transportation office)- and try to get the kindergarten student to give me his name (kid was already terrified) and they would radio back to me with the proper route. Then....guess what!!!!!! I am still stuck with wondering how to escort this student (can't leave my bus, remember?) to his bus. Well, I blew it, handed the student off to a teacher, and she found his teacher (about 15 feet away) and junior got on his proper bus. Bad bus driver, Ginny....boo hoo. Then, the heartbreak story. The little guy (3rd grade) on my run whose mom died in a tragic accident a little over a year ago- well noone was at his stop today. "Base" could not reach the neighbor who usually takes him with her daughter, and Dad was at work (30 minutes away). So he stayed on with me and we turned around at the end of the route and went backwards (he is at the beginning) to get to his stop again. Noone there....took him back to the office where his Aunt (who got stuck in traffic) pulled in moments after we did. Your heart just goes out to this kid.......any other kid might have been concerned- maybe scared- but this little guy- all he could say was "where is my aunt?" with a lot of pain in his voice. Just breaks your heart.....the Aunt and I worked out a deal with the dispatcher (who understands this student's plight) where we will hopefully be able to get permission to drop him off at his buddies stop,if this ever happens again. which is almost my last stop. A very good choice, (in my book) as the friend's mother is almost always home- and the student is comfortable there. Also, as it is at the end of the run, the office has had tons of time to try to find his Dad/sister/Aunt...so we will know (hopefully!) if noone will be able to get to his stop for awhile. I proposed the idea to the Aunt and then the dispatcher, who as I mentioned before has a soft spot for this kid.....and it sounds as though all the father has to do is get permission for this in writing and it can work. Ok, ok, it sort of bends the rules a wee bit.....but if ever there was a kid who needed a break, I think this is one.
Sick of me babbling???? I refuse to walk tonite, the mosquitos are awful. I was outside for 10 minutes and felt as though I took a bath in them!
Hope everyone had a good day......and I sure hope Kerry is right about Summer being at a wedding.
See ya later.
Ginny

Hi everybody! I'm so sorry to worry all of you. Kerry gets the prize...I was in New Hampshire over the weekend for my DH's niece's wedding. Friday, I got home late, and then I had to pack and clean since people were going to be in our house to take care of our dog. So, I had no time to post before we left. Early Saturday morning we left, and late Sunday night, we returned. I feel like the walking dead...I'm soooooo exhausted. I have so much to tell you all about the trip and the wedding, but I have got to do lesson plans (yes, for this week!) and then get to bed.

The most important thing to tell you is that my right breast is fine. But, the radiologist isn't convinced yet that the left one is okay. So, tomorrow afternoon, I have to have an ultrasound. I only found out today at 2:30pm, so I had to go another weekend wondering.

When I have info, I will let you know.

Just so you know, after my ultrasound, I have to pick DD up from school, cook dinner, and then run out to her open house. So, I probably won't be able to post tomorrow night.

However, I have Thursday off for Rosh Hashanah, so I can post Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Then, I will catch up with all of you.

Thank you so much for caring about me.

Well... I survived a Monday. The kids weren't too bad, and my TA is so competent (even if she does get a attitude about it at times) that we were right on track for starting what I wanted to start today. They did pretty well with it, too... I was worried about the reading.
And then I had grad school. I was registered for 2 classes, back to back, ending at 8:45 tonight. Not too bad, really. Summer classes were longer.
First class: The instructor changed, the scheduled instructor is having "life issues" so we have no books, no syllabus... and nutty the fruitcake for a professor. She's "in charge" of the mild/moderate disabilities and inclusion program. I think if I'd met her initially, I would never have gone to Hopkins! She's... weird. She sounds like she is being really nice, but underneath there is this little niggling thought that she's really a nasty evil person. I know that's bad of me, but... I couldn't help it. And she talked about these learning strategies she was supposed to teach us about like they are the Bible and the only way to teach! No offense meant, comparing something to the Bible.
In any case, it turns out its a TRAINING class on how to then use these methods with the students. Not an instructional class on how to use the methods, a strict training class... We can't even buy the books for the class unless we buy them through her, because she's a certified trainer for the program! I did NOT need to pay Hopkins $1100 for that! However, the class had potential until she told me that it had to be implemented the way she said, and for the length of time said or we get an incomplete... I can't do it. I have to teach specific things in each 9 weeks course. And most of my kids can't read anyway, so these strategies aren't appropriate for them. The kids that it IS appropriate for are getting them in classes at our school.
So she recommended I drop the class unless I could find a neighbor's child or a kid at my school could stay after school. My kids live all over the state of MD, so that isn't possible. So she wrote a note for me to drop the class.
Class 2: I walked in and the first thing I asked the instructor, based on Class 1, was "Do you mind that I teach kids with severe and multiple disabilities in a private school?" The answer was No, but you might have some problems doing the project and you'll need to be creative. Creativity is my middle name! How else do I teach ratio and proportion to kids with mild MR and autism or other issues and have them REALLY get it? C'mon! So she said to stay, and I could talk to her after class. And after class her first comment was, "well, I always get one like you." So I joked back, "And I'm always the one!" and then I told her where I taught and she says, again, "Well, I always get one or two of you." Lord... she hates where I teach! She's into inclusion, she teaches at a "home school" and that school takes ALL of their kids and NONE of them go to special programs, ever. And here I am, at a private school for kids who can't be educated by their local school system...and we have at least one kid from her county, probably more. And she starts on about how I need a curriculum... but there IS no curriculum for what I do. So I told her that I could take a math curriculum... and make it functional, becuase that's what I did before I came here, so that's okay... no, she doesn't want that... because functional math isn't general curriculum. So I said I could find state standards and use THAT as a curriculum, and she said that I'm removing most of the work because if I have the standards, then I don't have to do what the other students do, which is figure out the essential standards... but I do, because I have state standards for a WHOLE K-12 curriculum: I can get the PA career/vocational strand... its not the essentials, its the K-12 standards for the whole state! But she didn't want that either. Ultimately, she said I'd have to use a general ed curriculum or not take the class. And she didn't think that it would be much of a learning experience for me. I told her that I really do already know how to adapt, accommodate, modify, overlap curriculum. And I DO! Really! I always look at the curriculum for the grade level and decide what my MR kids can do from that. When I did 7th grade, I did the scientific method with the kids; I did ratio and proportion. Those aren't MR skills, they aren't life-skills... they're GENERAL ED!
Apparently, the classes in the inclusion program should be renamed to "Inclusion for students with MILD MILD MILD disabilities as long as they fit what the general curriculum". Or at least this class, which is Diversifying the Secondary Curriculum for Students with Disabilities. It should be renamed! Because she kept telling me that I'm not in a setting where this is appropriate or where we use general curriculum, but we DO! Especially our vocational track!
So I get to drop this class too. I hope I can get ahold of my advisor tomorrow.
What a great way to start fall semester. WHY DID I GO BACK TO GET ANOTHER DEGREE?????

Wow.....
Summer, I am SO glad that you are ok! As you can tell from reading the posts we were worried about you. And Kerry gets the prize for having a memory (mine was lost years ago). Good news about the right breast. Too bad that the sono has to wait for a while.....and Lord, willing, that will be good news too! Welcome back.

Ok, Mouse......now you were trying to go for an advanced degree???? Gee, I feel for you~ two difficult situations in a row. I sure hope you can find your advisor today..., think I'd give him/her a large piece of my mind! Glad that your kids were ok, though.

Normal day for me so far.......well, as normal as anything I touch is! Going to have to sneak a walk in somehow, probably after dinner.
Gotta go, today is my day at Dd's school to help at lunch. See ya!
Ginny

Hi to Kerry and Robyn.

Yea... I decided that I wanted to give a go at getting a doctorate. And "just special ed" wasn't good enough... I could do THAT anywhere. I wanted to combine my love of functional skills, transition/voc planning, and assitive technology. My master's is in transition planning and severe disabilities. My bachelor's is in mild/moderate disabilities, even though I did get one class on autism and one on MR.
So I figured that I needed to bone up on some curriculum and instruction stuff, because there really ISN'T any curriculum for hwat I do. A lot of MR teachers, especially those borderline moderate/mild kids, or the kids who are borderline (IQ 70-82), don't get what they need. They get art projects and stupid worksheets. They hardly ever get cooking or community instruction. A lot of times, with the high stakes testing, they're getting college prep crammed in their brains so they can memorize how many senators and how many congressmen and how many states and when the states entered the Union so they can MAYBE pass a state test in SOMETHING. It drives me nuts. And these are the kids that are making up a lot of our service industry jobs. They don't look at all like their disabled, and don't even act like it if you accept that a lot of teens and young people are into music, raggedy dress, and parties and fast-food. But they can't read or write very well, and they have other functional skills lacking.
Anyway...
My advisor is out of town, so the secretary is going to talk to the department chair. She was my advisor for my master's program.

I will catch up with everyone's posts in the morning since I have tomorrow off. I just wanted to update everyone.

The ultrasound was not good. I have a surgical consult scheduled for next Thursday.

Again, thank you for your support.

Hi!
Seems slow here.....I hope that for those with the day off it is at least restful.
Mouse- wishing you and your family a solemn holiday (day of atonement, right??? so to say happy is inappropriate). Your intentions on the doctorate are admirable, now if you can just find some courses that fit that need!! Hope you find your advisor or some help soon.
Summer- hugs, hugs and big hugs. Probably at this point the worst part is this eternal waiting...one appointment to another. I know of at least two women who faced a similar diagnosis and went through surgery to find that the suspicious tissue was not cancer at all. Hang onto your faith- leave your burdens at His feet.....He will take care of the rest. I will continue to pray for you.

I only sort of have the day off. Still have to go to the catholic school that I drive home from to pick up from there......so I have to work 2 hours. Oh well.
Gotta go sneak a walk in. See ya later.
Ginny

Hi, everyone.
Summer: more hugs, and some more brownies... maybe a purr or two from a cat if you like them... Mine has enough purrs to share, since he ate half a bag of cat treats while I was gone! He thinks I left them just for him!
Ginny: Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, so its a very happy holiday! Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is next Friday. This will be the first year I can't fast: the whole blood sugar thing makes it too iffy. My mom and grandmother can't fast either because they have to eat with medication. I know its okay, but I've always fasted until at least noon!
My school was closed today, but we're not closed next Friday for some reason. I guess because this is the middle of the week, and Yom Kippur technically starts at sunset on Friday, so there isn't a need to be closed... Although its hard, because if the whole family is to gather (which includes my cat), I have to leave early enough to get there for everything. So, I took some of my comp time for next Friday. That way the cat can come with me. Although he's likely to be unhappy because he has to have bloodwork done, so I'll have that done Friday.
After that is Sukkot, the Harvest festival. We have back to school night the first night of Sukkot, and its a celebratory holiday... plus, I have a whole new caseload this year, so I just can't miss back ot school night. I did ask them to look at ALL the calendars next year or if they have questions to ask... There are other staff that won't be there that night because of the holiday.

Summer, (((((hugs)))))......please try to remain calm and secure (easy for me to type from my chair HOURS away, isn't it?!) My very dear friend was given some horrid news two months ago only to have a specialist tell her that the original doctor was good to be cautious but basically wrong. She has been given a green light after having been petrified for the last 2 months! (((((big big supportive hugs!)))))

Mouse, Happy Rosh Hashana! We did not get the day off to celebrate with you tho! OHHH and I *do* need to "get with you" to discuss AT...and my kid. I'm SEARCHING for the right answers.... he is loving 7th grade in spite of the crap!

Ginny, Hope you enjoyed your "nearly whole day off"! Today I met THE nicest bus driver that made me think of you! Mrs. G. and I had a short conversation about one of my "dears"... and she complimented me on the changes since last year. (I'm sure that it is that HE has matured...but...hehehehe...I'll take the compliment!) She is sincerely interested in this kid! I *heart* Mrs. G! I KNOW this is our equivilent to you!

Okey...enough from me... Gonna go.... TGtomorrowF!

Did I tell you guys that I really really REALLY like my new job?!

take care!
(Summer... would you please send me your address via a PM?)