Hi Ladies,
Sounds like we are all tired and worn out by the end of the day. My aide was absent yesterday and even though I had a great sub in the room with me. It really makes you exhausted by the end of the day. My wild child was in full swing all afternoon long. I was never so glad to walk down to the teacher's parking lot that is about 1/4 mile from my building then I was last evening.
I lost 3 1/4 pounds last week. At my TOPS meeting the other night, they put a crown on me and I had to wear it the whole meeting. I laughed when they said something about me being Queen Kerry. They asked me what I was doing differently last week to lose it all. I said stress can either make you heavy or lighter. Plus I sat on the throne last Tuesday night and most of Wednesday. So that is how I did it. I ate some fat free cookies last Tuesday night and I think the ingredients didn't sit well with my tummy.
Well I better go and get ready for my kiddies. They have been in rare form all week long. I still have not met with the parent and my boss yet. I don't think it will be anytime this week either. Oh well.
Have a great day!
Kerry

Kerry, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go girl!!!!!!!!!

I appear to be stuck after losing the 5. Then again, I am in the middle of my period, so I am probably retaining water.

During parent/teacher conferences, a weird subject came up. One of my boys has been telling his mom that she is fat and should lose weight. I told her what my DD has said. An hour later another mother said that her daughter told her the same thing...and this lady is thin. What is going on? Is the media getting to our 4 year olds now?! I mean, anorexic teens isn't too surprising, but now 4 year olds are upset because their mothers aren't skinny twigs?! This is very alarming.

This morning I got up and used a new exercise machine my DH got for himself. It is the Gazelle by Tony Little. I tried it for a minute last night and amazingly enough, I was able to do it. (I'm not very coordinated, and have had trouble with steppers and skiers in the past.) Well this morning I decided to do it for my routine. After 3 minutes, my hips, butt, thighs, knees, shins, and feet were in AGONY!!!!!!!!!!!!PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAHHHHH!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! I forced myself to stay on it for 11 minutes and 47 seconds. Then for the duration of my 30 minutes, I rode my recumbent bike. I hope I can get out of bed tomorrow!

Goodnight!

Summer

Good Friday Morning to You:
I went to the ball field last night to see my stepDD play a scrimmage softball game. It was a good game. I think her softball team will be a good one this year. Then it was off to do some grocery shopping. My DH got a new workout machine yesterday from his brother. So I can't to start working out on it too. Tonight I am going to Curves afterschool since I missed working out last night. Unless you consider pushing a full shopping cart thru Super Wal-Mart as a workout.
Well I need to go and get my kids started on their morning work. I am so glad that it is Friday and the weekend starts at 2:45 this afternoon for me.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Kerry

TGIF!

What a week! I've got a million things to talk about...but I'm just
tooooooo tired to even think of typing it all out!

This week totally KILLED me! I've gotta go start the wash so that
I have everyone's uniforms ready for tomorrow.... Baseball and Scouts.
Yipeee! Actually, right this minute we are playing hookey from the Cub
Scout Pack Meeting...I feel like such a rebel! I'm a tired rebel...that is
for sure! These longer days...and my gradelevel had bus duty...OY!

Anywhooooooooo..........I'll be back eventually this weekend...I'm thinking
that I'm heading to bed as soon as I get the uniforms in the dryer....they are made out of horrible polyester stuff...that doesn't wrinkle!!! Yahooo!

Ya'll take care...
Queen Kerry, good for you!
Summer, hope you are moving ok! Good for you for even trying! I'm such a lazy bum....when I finally got a moment to myself at 11:25 last night...I just went to bed... (actually did my Walmart shopping from 9 to 10:30....sad, isn't it?!

Make the most of the weekend!
Robyn

Robyn I feel your pain girlfriend! This past week I had to be at school 20 minutes earlier for morning detention four out the five days. Then I had my long days on Monday and Wednesday until 6:30. Tuesday I had a meeting to go to. Thursday it was work until 4:15. StepDD's practice game for softball at 5 and then grocery shopping later that evening. So tonight after school, I skipped out on my principal's birthday party (carry-in dinner) and went to Curves instead. I had a much better time relaxing with my one friend and then it was home to my hubby cooking dinner. It was chicken nuggets, corn and mac and cheese. So I only ate a little bit of it. Then I went and rode the excerise bike for 5 miles since I had such a starchy dinner. My stepDS's had ball practice. So I took my stepDD to the DQ for a small ice cream cone before we head to the ball field to watch her brothers practice. So now I am being lazy and playing on the computer. But atleast I am attempting to do laundry. I have washed one load, it is in the dryer now. I have another load in the washer now. But will I fold them tonight or just wait until the morning to do that, that is the question. We have a ball parade at 9:30 in the morning. Then a softball game at 1 and a baseball game at 3. Guess where we are going to be all day tomorrow? The Ball Fields. I hope the weather is nice out tomorrow. Well I better go for now.
Have fun tomorrow.
Summer I know how it feels with new workout machines. I have a gazelle. It took me a week to get use to it. I am a little sore tonight after trying out the workout machine my brother in law gave to us. I think it will be a good machine. But I just have to get use to moving some of my muscles again.
Take care,
Kerry

Have you girls seen this page? WHAT a hoot! Just had to share it with you both!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=63851

Well, yesterday morning, I did 15 minutes on the gazelle and 15 on my bike. I didn't feel pain on the gazelle while doing it...however, last night I got on my knees to get something, and I had severe burning pain in the side of my right knee (I probably need an operation from all the times my knee caps have dislocated over the years.) and even though the gazelle isn't high impact, apparently the motion injured me. So, it is back to the recumbent bike...the only exercise I can count on not hurting me. I'm gonna give my knees a rest today, so I worked out my abs and upper body this morning instead.

The scale isn't moving, but my measurements are showing a loss in inches around my waist and hips...where I really need it. You know what? I'm gonna weigh myself less often and just rely on the measuring tape. It is the only thing that is accurate. Every doctor's scale is different. Every gym scale is different. Who knows if my scale is right? But you can't screw up with a measuring tape.

Gotta get DD to gymnastics.

Summer

GOOOOO Summmmer!
I'm sorry that you have hurt your knee....
Yahooo for that measuring tape changing!
You know muscle weighs more than fat. When I started using weights the scale remainded the same but my body changed dramatically! I NEED to pick up those
weights again! Do you use weights when you exercise your abs and upper body?

Today we have a school carnival, baseball games, a scouting event, and two dentist appointments. Yahooooo! Just remembered I've got to at least RAKE this living room
and kitchen! ARghhhhh! I can't wait to sleeeeeep!

Robyn

My God Robyn!!! You are packing in a week's worth of activities into one day!!!

DH is having a diverticulitis flare-up, so any plans with him for the day have gone down the toilet. DD had gymnastics, we had lunch, and now she is quietly entertaining herself in her playroom...(I don't disturb her when she is involved in something other than being my shadow.) So, I find myself with a little time to myself. What a strange feeling. There are so many choices, and yet I don't know where to start.

So much for my time alone!!! She just snuck up on me to tell me she is ready to go to the playground. Well there you go. I'm glad I didn't get involved in anything!

Just to answer your questions, I just picked up my free-weights today for the first time in a long time other than to dust them or vacuum the rug! I have an abdominal crunch machine by Nordic Trak that I use. Our (tiny) bedroom has been shifted around, and there is a corner I found to store it. Maybe now I will use it more often. Before DD, I would go to Bally's gym several times a week. When I went to college, I would go to the gym in between school and work. Even after I got married, I would go. Once DD was born, I tried to go, but the childcare workers there are atrocious. The few times I left her there, she would end up being bitten, scratched, or bruised by the other children there. So much for supervision! DH works too late to watch her on weekdays. On the 2 days that I get out of school before 5pm, I usually have an appointment scheduled. I'm gonna try to go at least one day during the week while DD stays at the after school program, and one weekend day while DH watches her. Wish me luck!

I'd better go, she is breathing down my back now.

Summer

I see....sorta like me....I've got a gym membership...have had it for 3 years now...have NEVER gone thru the door..... sad sad sad sad...won't be renewing come fall...it is thru school via payroll....it is a great price...but not if you NEVER EVER go...

time time time time time...
where does it go?
meeee

Well my DH is feeling better...how can I tell? He is back to being a sarcastic wise-***.

DD lost a tooth yesterday. The tooth fairy had heard that she no longer wanted 8 quarters. She wanted a dollar bill. So, the tooth fairy came and gave her "a dollar with George Washington on it!!! But she should have left 2 dollars because 8 quarters equals 2 dollars. But that is okay because the dollar has George Washington on it!!!" (So do the quarters, but who knew?!) I didn't know that she knew how much 8 quarters is, so next time the tooth fairy better leave 2 dollar bills. She has been flitting around the house waving her dollar all morning. She has called Auntie and Grandma and is waiting for her best friend to wake up.

Even though DH is better, he didn't want to go to church, and since I don't have to teach Sunday School this week, and I have a very limited dressy wardrobe at the moment (I refuse to buy anything else till I lose weight), and I have lots to do around the house, we played hookie. (How's that for a run-on sentence?)

DD (in her opinion) mastered the cartwheel yesterday, only I missed it. She was very upset. Well, the reason I missed it, and I am, by the way, very angry that I did, is because of a parent who refuses to follow the rules. Our YMCA has a small viewing room with a glass window. Because of the small viewing space, parents are not allowed to bring their child to gymnastics until the start of class. In other words, they don't want us coming early and disturbing/taking over the viewing room where parents are already sitting and trying to watch their children. Well, there is this mother (in her 50's who adopted a girl from China, & has spoiled this child to the point of her being totally obnoxious) who always comes at least 20 minutes early. She comes in and parks herself while her daughter wreaks havoc in her ever so dramatic way, making lots of noise, hitting other children, and then pouting and crying. The mother ignores her till she gets really loud only to tell the child to "work it out." The rest of us (who happen to be a peaceful group) are disturbed as we try to watch our child, chat quietly, or read. Yesterday, this little brat was fighting with another child causing people to stand up to break it up (because God forbid mom do anything) and left me with no view to see my child complete her first successful cartwheel which she has been working on for months. Do you remember how her not being able to do a cartwheel was making my DD want to quit gymnastics altogether? And how I had to talk her into not giving up? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Sometimes I really hate how inconsiderate and rude people can be. How dare she come in 20 minutes early, disturb the room, and have no consequences. I'm not gonna complain because I will be labelled as a complainer. If DD decides to continue for the longterm, I want to be friendly with everyone. Well this morning, DD showed me the cartwheel, and except for one bent leg, it was quite perfect and wonderful. All that matters is that she has her confidence back. Hurray!!!

I made yummy bran muffins for breakfast with the recipe on the box of All Bran cereal. I substituted the oil with apple sauce, and the white flour with whole wheat. So, they are healthy and are actually really delicious. How often can I say that sentence?! Not often.

Well, I should go and get busy with my long list of chores.

Happy Sunday

Summer

Hi Summer and Robyn,
Well I made it through Saturday! We got the kids to the church parking lot in time for their ball parade to the ball fields. Then it was home for a quick bite to eat. Fill the cooler with water bottles and off to the ball fields. My stepdd's team won their game. So it was off to the DQ for a celebration. I was finally able to talk her into leaving, so I could go back to the ball fields to see my twin stepds's play. But first I had to stop by the house get her duffle bag and drop her off at her grandma's house. Back to the ball field I went. I missed the first 40 minutes of their game. My dh and the boys kept asking me did you see this play and that play we made. I had to keep saying no I didn't remember I was across town at the DQ trying to hurry the stepdd along. I don't know if I like my dh coaching his twin ds's team now or not because that leaves me to do all the running for his dd when her team wins and I will miss out on the boy's games. Oh well I will stop my whining.
Summer I understand where you are coming from with the YMCA mom who lets her daughter beat up other kids. It really drives me nuts to go the kids' ball pratices or games and watch how unruly some of these kids get and their parents either just ignore it or think it is funny. My dh has to remind me to keep my mouth shut since I am not at school and I need to learn to separate the two at times. But it is not fair to the other students and parents who follow the rules. Good luck with this lady.
Robyn it sounds like you had a whole week's worth of errands to do in one day. I hope you made it through all it without losing your mind.
Well I need to go. The kids and the dh just came home from a skating party. They are complaining about being hungry. I will have to go find something to fix them to eat. I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday. Have a great week at work!
Take care,
Kerry

Kerry, give yourself a pat on the back for all your patience dealing with a stepfamily and treating them "like your own." Then add to it your DH taking on extra responsibility coaching thereby placing even more on your shoulders. I don't know how I would handle such a trying situation. Girl, I give you a lot of credit. A lot. They'd better treat you like a QUEEN on Mother's Day.

Well, speaking of Mother's Day, DH wanted to know what I wanted for Mother's Day. I thought hard and realized that I would love a spa day at Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun Casino. The whole place is quite beautiful. We were there for a few days for our 10th anniversary (didn't have time to gamble), and I LOVED the spa. So, he will get me a day there. I will use it when I've lost some inches. My mother-in-law is back north from Florida for the warm months, so we will go to their place near the beach for Mother's Day.

My volunteer, who has been with me for 3 years (since I started teaching), will be with my class for the last time tomorrow morning. He is graduating, then beginning grad school and an internship next September, so he won't be back. It is rather silly that he works with me in a pre-k classroom since he is studying to be a history professor. He is planning on pursuing his doctorate before he is done. If nothing else, I have made him an expert on 4 & 5 year olds, so he will be a great dad! I'm gonna miss him.

Well, my friends, have a wonderful week. Don't let the turkeys get you down. I will be thinking of you.

Summer that sounds like a wonderful gift for Mother's Day. My mom and grandma still live in my hometown which is in the northeast part of Ohio. So I will be spending the weekend with them for Mother's Day. I am planning on coming home long enough on Friday to cash my paycheck, pay bills and heading up the road for 4 hours to get home to see my mom and grandma. My dh is staying home to spend the day with his mom. We are planning on taking my mom and grandma out for lunch on Mother's Day to the local restuarant in town. Then my Mother's Day afternoon will be spent in the van driving home. I am thinking about going to church with my mother-in-law then that evening when I get home.
I was a good girl today and rode my excerise bike for 10 miles. It took me about 15 minutes. But atleast I got some form of excerise in today.
Well I better go and get ready for bed. Monday's are one of my long days. Thank God I only have a few more to go. Then off for the summer.
Have a wonderful week!
Kerry

Mother's Day used to be a day I dreaded. After my mom died in 1986, I could barely get through the day. Now that I have a daughter, my pain has been healed tremendously. The last time I really felt like my heart was broken was when DD was an infant, and I really wanted my mom to share this beautiful experience with me. My dad died when DD was 5 months old and only saw her on videotape because he lived in Florida. Unfortunately we missed seeing him by just weeks. But, now I'm the mom, not the daughter, and that is okay. Most of the time I don't have a problem with it. So, I can let my mother in law have her moment in the sun being the queen for the day, and I get nice gifts. Not a bad deal.

We had our going away/graduation party for my volunteer, Mike, today. Since he could only come for an hour in the morning, I got coffee for Mike, my aide, and myself, and munchkins for the kids. I didn't even eat one!!! Anyway, I gave him the book, Oh The Places You'll Go, a Winnie the Pooh in a graduation outfit, and a Barnes & Noble gift certificate. I took pictures of him with the kids. It was all so sad. Since he is a 21 year old single male, I don't see us staying "friends." He promises to visit and keep in touch, but it will never be the same.

I'm gonna get going and spend some quality time with my DD.