Hello friends,

I've been so overwhelmed with all the demands of my time lately. I've been MIA for most of the week. I've missed the chatter with my online buds!

Welcome SpedMom! I too am a SpEdMom (my ds/12 is OHI with quite a thick IEP that requires my constant nagging for them to follow...to the point of only meeting with his school team with his educational advocate!)! I am also teaching my 17th year of first grade in the same classroom where I began teaching 17 years ago no less. Not sure if I'm complacent....but I am jaded after all the years of really living the life, dealing with the administration, trying to help the kids, trying to teach the parents how to parent, jumping through the hoops of the outrageous mandates / demands from administration at the building level, at the city level, state level, federal level! Hope you take time to look thru all the postings and see where I posted photos of my classroom. Seems that the painting couldn't wait until an appropriate time nor could our children be put in a temporary location for the paint to dry and the fumes to disappear! We made do........ Every space in our school has gone through this since returning from our Winter break (painting started in Jan & still continues). The paint fume headaches are a constant for the kids and teachers. One student was hospitalized. Meanwhile, one of the teacher's toilets broke. There is one toilet in the building for the over 100 adult staff members. It has been this way since before Christmas. Yeah, after a while...the old guard gets jaded! I just want to teach ....and have an adult sized toilet that is sort of clean! I look forward to "talking" more with you and getting to know you! Congratulations with your Atkins success! Keep up the great work! Glad you found us here!

Summer, Hope you feel better soon! You KNOW that I'd sit thru your inservice! I'd EVEN try using your Rubrics! I'll try anything that anyone suggests that might help my kiddos progress! I don't care how long you've been teaching.....IF you can lead me to the water, I'll drink!!!! Enjoy your time off! I'm jealous. We have NO time off between now and Spring Break (Easter!) Try to relax a bit! Let us know how your sleep testing goes! Fingers crossed for no apnea!

My school's annual Valentine's Carnival was on Saturday. It was a wonderful and tiring success! The children seemed to be having a fun time! We have school tomorrow as a Hurricane Make Up Day....so I must sign off and get my newsletter, homework and plans for the week done!

Oh and the family is asking for dinner....the NERVE of them! LOL
Ya'll take care!
Robyn

Cal, your grandmother and your family are in my prayers. I'm so sorry that things are not getting better for her.

Our school also had a fire drill on the 13th ("valentine's day" for the kiddos!), right smack dab in the middle of the last hour of the day! Right smack dab in the middle of the Valentine Exchange! What a crazy time! We had kids trying to "save" their Valentine bags.... First graders flying high on Sugar can get a bit illogical! At least we won't be having another drill for at least a week! In January, our monthly drill was carried out in the rain! (At least it wasn't snow!)

Hang in there Cal!
Robyn

Robyn: I hate fire drills this time of year. I can't believe that you had a fire drill in the middle of the valentine exchange. I kept "feeling" like we were gonna have one at an inopportune time on Friday...and you had it instead of me! Do you think my intuition stretches all the way down south to you?! You never know! We haven't had one in a looooong time because of the old principal leaving in December. The interim principal forgot about it, and nobody reminded her. The new one is so busy getting acclimated and prepared for the VISIT, and we haven't reminded her either. So, pretty soon, we will be hit with a bunch of them in a row. I just hope it doesn't occur to her until temperatures get above 10 degrees! Heck, maybe she will even wait until spring! I'm a dreamer, huh?


Well, in a few short hours, I will be at the sleep center hooked up to electrodes and looking like a science experiment. I have always thought this would be a really cool thing to try (I still kind of do), but now the nerves are setting in...you know, that fear of the unknown.

I'd better go. I have to do a lot of stupid stuff before I go. Please pray that it is not apnea. Thanks!

Summer

Welcome SpedMom! Glad to have you on board.
Cal I am still saying my prayers for your family. I hope you are not feeling too much stress right now.
Robyn and Summer sounds like everyone had a week from ****. I am hoping when I go back to work on Wednesday that it is not a completely horrible day. I had a doctor's appointment today and tomorrow I have a workshop. So my kids are probably going to give the sub or sub's fits.
Nothing new here. Same old s*** just a new day!
Summer I hope your sleep study goes well. My brother-in-law just had one done. He is still waiting for the results. He was awake for almost all of the study. They gave him 4 sleeping pills and it still didn't faze him.
Well everyone have a great Tuesday!

Today was a snow day.....with very little snow! Just hung out around the house with DH. The boys both had a 2 hour delay! It was sorta fun! Felt like I was playing hookey! This week will be another busy one! AND there is more snow predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday.... I'm a bit concerned for JULY! We have so many days to make up now...from the hurricane and all!

Kar, hope your workshop is a good one!

Summer, are you sleeping?! Hope it all is going well!

SpedMom, I saw a post of yours about an ab machine. Tell me details of the machine. I'm not familiar with this one! .....It really works???

Cal, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

No signs of snow tonight! Soooo, I'm heading to bed early for a change!
Take care,
Robyn

Morning everyone!

I'm finally back on track after having a binge a week ago that would have put many to shame. I even finally summoned the courage to join a local gym (ladies only, thank you!) that has become quite popular with the teachers in my district. They offer a very hefty discount to our employees and there are plenty of teachers and aides in my school who have promised to keep badgering me about steady attendance. An extra bonus is that they pay $50 for referrals and I was able to help out a dear friend of mine who is suddenly finding herself single and struggling financially after many years of wedded bliss. Mornings work best for me, and there are 2 other teachers in my district that I've met during in-service days who are also early risers and will be there! I'm ready, I'm psyched, and I've already charged the year on my credit card, so I'm committed!

Cal: Still sending good thoughts your way and hoping all is well and that you make it through this most difficult time.

Robyn: The 6 Second Ab machine is a very light-weight piece of equipment with 2 handles that allows you to do crunches (and side crunches) from a seated position. This is extremely important for someone like me whose back never fully recovered from pregnancy and childbirth over 9 years ago! There are sets of rubbery "bands" (for lack of a better descriptor) that you use to adjust the tension. It's an excellent way to work out the abs without straining the back. I do find that it does an excellent job of toning the upper and side abs, but not as great for the lower abs unless you get on the floor, put your feet up on a chair, and do it that way. But....I've strengthened my abs enough now that I can handle that without having to use my back to get the upward motion. Is it a replacement for gym-style ab machines? NOPE! But it's a great way to work on abs when you don't have the time, money, or inclination to go to a gym and your back can't stand the strain of the roller-type or other other floor-based ab exercisers.

Summer: Good luck on the sleep study! Don't stress too much or you'll never catch those Z's.

Thanks again to all for the warm welcomes!

I am soooooo tired. We left for the hospital at 7:15, got there at 7:30, and then found out I had left the very important paperwork on my coffee table. So, we turned around, and my very pissed off DH drove way too fast to get us back home to pick it up. I arrived at the sleep study 10 minutes late with an angry DH and a DD who was full of questions about how mad daddy was and what was going to happen to me in the hospital. Great way to begin!

My family left soon after, and the technician spent the next 30 minutes hooking me up to electrodes. The tech had no bedside manner at all. He harped about my weight contributing to my sleeping problem, and all of my risk factors...DUH! When these medical people preach about weight loss, they act like obese people are just stupid, and if we knew better, we'd be thin. If only they understood how complicated this all is.

He was unhappy with me because I was supposed to remove nail polish from one nail. I did that, but because I have acrylic overlays, he became irritated with me that I didn't have it removed as well. So far, I had pissed off two men. At 10:30, he told me to go to sleep. I kept having to pee which got on the tech's nerves because he had to disconnect me each time. I had to continually change positions because I couldn't get comfortable, and I was very self-conscious knowing that this rude guy was watching me try to fall asleep. It was a looooooooooong night with very little sleep...I would guess about an hour at the most. At 6am, he came in, turned on the lights, told me to wake up, and wouldn't let me close my eyes even though my eyes needed to adjust to the light. Before I was really awake, DD and DH were in my room to take me home. I was happy to see them and go home.

The best part was that I DO NOT HAVE SLEEP APNEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whatever else may be wrong with me, at least I don't have to deal with wearing an oxygen mask every night or having an operation. The funny thing is that apparently even though I do snore, I snore very quietly. The tech told my DH that he is probably keeping me up at night (what I've been saying all along) and is probably waking himself up with his own snoring! That jerk was good for something...he put DH in his place!

I wasn't able to go to bed right away, because I had a dentist appt. at 9:30, so I waited till afterward. DD only let me sleep for 45 minutes, so I guess I will have to catch up tonight.

I will check in with all of you tomorrow, and hopefully I will be my old self again.

Summer

I forgot to tell you the funniest part. I was worried about how DD would cope with me spending the night at the hospital, so I explained everything and she saw my room, etc. I figured everything on the homefront was under control with me gone. Well I was wrong.

The dog flipped! Duffy searched the house for me. He wouldn't go to his bed at bedtime. He tried hiding under my side of the bed and then proceeded to poop all over my bedroom rug, the playroom, and the stairs. I guess he let my DH know how he was feeling!

Summer

HI Ladies,
Boy has it been a long day today. I had to work until 6:30 with the afterschool program. It was my first day back this week. So I was going into work feeling like it was a Monday. Atleast I got caught up on some work. Plus my students were wonderful today. The one who is always giving me fits was so well behaved and calm today. I just hope this lasts for the rest of the week.
Summer glad to hear that you don't have sleep apnea. Sounds like you had the tech from h***.
Paula did you happen to join Curves? It is an all ladies gym. I love the one that I go to. I have a dear friend that goes with me and we motivate each other. I am sure you are going to enjoy your workouts.
Robyn my workshop was okay. The state of Ohio changed the forms for IEP's and we had an inservice on it. I wish I had brought my file folder game stuff and crayons. I could have sat there and colored while listening to the presenters and the video. LOL.
I went to my TOPS meeting last night and I lost another 1/2 pound. So I guess I am slowly getting to a thinner person. I am hoping to reach my 30 pound goal by my birthday in May. Well I am starting to fell asleep as I type this, so I guess I better crawl my way to the bed. I will talk to you all later. Have a wonderful Thursday!

Story, where are you?! Yoo hoo! Cal!

Summer

Where is everyone? I guess it has been a hectic week for all of you. I'm just blown away by how quickly my vacation is flying by. People make snide comments about how much time teachers get off. Well let me tell you, if it weren't for all these breaks, I would never get things done.

Since my vacation began I have:

1. caught up on laundry
2. had a sleep study done
3. recovered from a sleepless night during the sleep study
4. been to the dentist
5. had allergy testing done
6. shopped at Staples for school supplies
7. bound a book written and illustrated by my class
8. purchased paint and wallpaper for house
9. painted large cabinet
10. cleaned living room (and within minutes of DH coming home it was a mess again!!!)
11. attended play date with DD
12. organized play date with new friend for DD
13. bought hot pink, yes, hot pink rocking chair cushion for school

...and there is still a lot more for me to do in the next three days! How dare anybody criticize a teacher's schedule. They don't know what it is like to bring work home every night and try to balance this stressful job with family.

Summer

My friends...I have just had a breakthrough. I do not have time to detail it in this post. If you would like to read about it, you can find it under:

Book Club
Dr. Phil's book club, chapter 5, healing feelings

I can honestly say that my only hope for losing weight has been to read this book and apply all of it's principles to my life. I am currently on the second reading...this book requires time and deep introspection...but it is well worth it.

Take care, and be well my friends...inside and out!

Summer

Good morning. Something is wrong with my right eye. After I did the sleep study, I started having flashing streams of light go through my eye. It was very subtle, and I figured it was related to me not sleeping. Well, last night upon returning from a friend's house, I noticed a black dot in my line of vision. I thought it was a piece of mascara. But nothing was in my eye, and no matter what I did, the black dot (floater) remained. I opened up my DH's medical book and discovered that I have the symptoms of a detached retina. It is a medical emergency which requires surgery. What the **** was I supposed to about this at midnight?! And please tell me what opthamologist will be available to help me on a Saturday?! I don't know what to do. Do I go to the ER? And in case you don't remember, the VISIT of 80 people is on Monday, and they are coming to see ME. I swear, my life can be so friggin insane. So, just to be safe, I've just finished my lesson plans, gathered all of my materials, and placed them in a plastic bag, just in case the sh-t hits the fan. (You know I must be in a panic if I got up at 6:30am on a Saturday to write lesson plans!) Worse comes to worse, at least the sub will have the stuff I plan to do on Monday & Tuesday so that I will look organized to the group. I can't help it that my body won't cooperate. So now the goal is to find a doctor on the weekend who can treat me. Please pray for me. I'm really scared.

Summer

Summer: Go IMMEDIATELY to the ER. They have opthomologists on call and, although you may have to wait there for a few hours, it's better not to take the chance. It may be nothing, but do you really want to risk your eyesight? Perspective -- your eyesight is immeasureably more important than any visit by any amount of hot-shots!! Let us know how it goes!

KAR: I didnt' join Curves, but chose Naturally Women. Yes, it was a tad more expensive, but I get a discount through my school district and the hours suited my schedule to a tee. The Curves near me doesn't even open until 7:00 a.m., and I need to be showered and driving to work by then. The NW opens at 5:30, so I've been there at the door when they open, put in 45 minutes, shower in some really nice facilities, and get to work by 7:30. I don't like to do evenings as much because my husband teaches at the U of A and most of his classes are held in the evening. It's bad enough that I have to put my daughter in the after-school program 2-3 days a week for 2 hours (her school is 30 minutes away from mine and on a much earlier schedule). I don't want to miss time with her on the other days as well! Also, I'm nuts for Nautilus and Cybex machines and Curves couldn't help me there. The one here is pretty pathetic and very depressing.

Well, for P/T conferences I had only 5 students' parents schedule and only 2 out of those showed up. I was finished by 1:00 but still had to stay until 7:00 in order to get out early the next day (1/2 day). So, my aides cleaned out our supply closet, organized our physical therapy equipment, and I got a lot of paperwork and gabbing done! I called one parent whose appointment had been an hour prior but hadn't shown up, calling just to let her know that I was there and my schedule was free if she wanted to come in. She said "If I had wanted to talk to you, I would have come in." So, I asked her why she signed up for a conference if she didn't want to talk. She replied, "Well, until you showed up, it used to keep people off my a**!" Lovely. Just lovely.

Paula: WOW! That parent reminds me of some I had my first year teaching. I had similar response for p/t conferences. In my current school, things like that are better. Sorry you were treated with such disrespect when you had such good intentions. Don't let it get you down.

I have some news...good for now. I found an opthalmologist in the yellow pages who has Saturday hours, but was closed today. Then I found another 30 minutes away, and with much insistence with the extremely rude receptionist, managed to be seen today. I have a Posterior Vitreous Detachment. The vitreous gel pulled away from the back wall of my right eye. As of right now, my retina is still attached, so I don't need immediate surgery. However, the doctor told me that it may only be a matter of time before that happens. He gave me the signs to watch for, and I am to see him immediately because I could lose sight in that eye if I don't have surgery ASAP. I hate this hanging over my head, but what can I do?

I am scheduled to see him 4/3/04, if nothing happens before then.

Why did it happen to me? Because I am severely nearsighted, and MIDDLE AGED?! I'm only 39...when did that become middle aged?! So, is this what happens on the verge of 40...your body falls apart?!

Summer