Why Do Simple Things Have To Be So Friggin' Hard??
 

Summer I can SO relate to your anal-retentive church secretary. What is up with wanting to socialize with fellow members of your church? And how dare she say you 'better not contact' people without checking with the pastor first? What is she? The church den mother? Please. Stuff like that just irks me.

I can relate too, to having outgrown friends and feeling adrift, wanting friends, a social life, but not having any you feel really comfortable with. My DS's godmother and I used to be the best, closest of friends, but after my kids got older, she had moved a little further away and I returned to work, it began to sink in for me that she only got in touch with me when she wanted something from me. I wasn't a pal anymore, just the pleasure of my company wasn't enough for her, she only wanted me around when I could be of some use to her. The one time I needed her help, however, she was AWOL. After that I had to swallow the hurtful realization that this was a very one sided relationship and I had to take steps to protect myself and my DS from being hurt. At present I have one or two close friends, but we don't really socialize. I just see them whenever. As for co-workers, well, let me put it this way: They are all older, or make way more money than I do, or have no kids or grown kids, in short, we have little to nothing in common except work. And when they go out it's to expensive shows and restaurants. If I have that kind of money to spend, I feel like it should be with my family, not my co-workers. I applaud you, Summer for trying to find like-minded adults to be with, with kids so you can include, or at least, talk about them. Don't let that secretary stop you, what's she gonna do?--ground you?

Cal-back to the grind, huh? Man what a vacation, I sort of envy you. Robyn you are in inspiration girl. I was thinking of you this morning as I rode my bike at 5:30 a.m., if Robyn can make herself to do it on a Friday night (never mind that the friend called, your intentions were THERE!!), I can too. Onward and downward (in size, pounds, inches :dizzy: )

And Summer, 3 degrees? :o I was whining this morning because it was 50, and I was cold! Kudoos to you in spades for going back for the kiddos coats. Can you imagine 30 minutes in the cold? No way.
I hope everyone had a great start to a great week. Stay warm
story

I think we could all be such good friends if we all lived closer to each other. :D I don't have many friends either. My sister and I are really close, but she lives in California. She has talked about applying to the high school near where we live and it would be great to have her here, but she's still trying to decide which is best for her. It's hard to not try to influence her. I do enjoy chatting with all of you, even though I'd been AWOL for awhile. Sorry.

Hang in there girls. We have each other. :grouphug:

Temp was 77 today. Great day!! Here's some Arizona sun for those of you who are having a real winter. :sunny:

Cal

Story & Cal, thanks so much for making me feel less alone. I too think we would make great friends. We have so much in common. It is just that we are spread out all over the country. I know if we were near each other, we could have a great time together. I'm glad that you are here for me, even if you aren't down the street.

Well, I don't plan on letting that barking secretary stop me from pursuing a better social life. I'm gonna write a letter to the pastor explaining my idea and why I came up with it along with a copy of the letter and questionnaire I want to send out to the potential members. Hopefully he will understand how I feel and be sensitive enough to support me.

If he is a jerk about it, then I will have to think of something else. The thing is if someone tells me, "no," I dig in my heels and say, "YES!" I can be very persistent.

In the meantime, we will still host our annual St. Patrick's Day party in March, and I plan to invite a bunch of couples from that list of parents I have from church.

If you want to make a friend, you have to be a friend.

Thanks again you guys. You made me feel loved.

Summer

I love you too Summer! I am over my head with CRAP here...don't even know why you're feeling UNloved right now...I'll get on some day again and read why!!! BUT I care! :)

Things here are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo annoying.

I've decided to demand that our 3rd grade son be removed from the evil teacher's classroom. I have made an appointment to discuss this with the principal. I'm nearly crazy over this.

Our oldest (SpEd) son's school assigned laptop (part of his IEP) won't work right. It is a week before semester exams. No one will listen to the kid ...OR me!

gonna run instead of dump further!
no exercise today.....but I did great with water and food....

((hugs to all))
Robyn

Robyn, I can't believe the way you are abused by your school system. In my district, the admininstration is so afraid of the parents, that they cave into whatever the parent wants. (Maybe they are afraid of being shot! No kidding!) Some of the parents that walk into my school are pretty scary looking folks. All of the teachers smile really big and cater to the parents no matter what the cost. For example, where I live, I have to pay $200.00 a month, about $2000.00 a year, for DD to attend the after school program (and she's only there for 30 minutes a day). In the district where I work, the parents have always gotten before and after school care for free. Well, this year because of deep budget cuts, the city told the parents that they would have to pay $15.00 a month, about $150.00 a year. Well, you wouldn't believe the reaction. There was protesting, threats of violence, yada yada yada. So, guess what? The district dropped the idea of a fee, and the parents won. Robyn, maybe you need to show up at your kids' school brandishing a weapon!!! :rofl: I'd bet they'd do what you wanted then!!! :lol:

Okay, enough of that.

I've been a naughty girl. I've been so friggin busy at school, I haven't finished reading chapter 2 of Dr. Phil. I've got to do it soon and post something soon.

I have a snow day today, so hopefully I can catch up on laundry, dishes, school work, etc. The frigid temperatures around here, 2 degrees, have been messing with my old injuries. My body is killing me. My broken foot from last year is the worst. My old knee injuries, shoulder injury, back, and hands are so achy. Now I know why all the old people (we call them snow birds) go to Florida when they retire. I always wanted to retire in Cape Cod, but with all of these aches and pains, I may end up retiring in Florida with everyone else! Why am I thinking of this now? I'm only 39, but today I feel 79!

Hi Story & Cal!

Summer

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=7]
TGIF!
Will check in later...IF I survive this cold weather!
TGIF!

Okay, I've never experienced this in my entire life. School is closed because it is too cold...better word, frigid! It is currently 2 degrees. Yesterday, we only got 6 inches of snow because it was so cold. I guess in order to get lots of snow, it has to be warmer. Whatever, at least now I have more time to get stuff done. It just blows my mind that so many days I'm forced to drive on ice to get to school, yet today the roads aren't bad...school is closed because of the cold. I guess they were worried about buses not starting and kids getting frost bite at the bus stops.

My next-door nightmare just dropped off another plate of brownies. AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately my DD already saw them, so I can't throw them away. I just have to use my new resolve to be successful. I just posted on the Dr. Phil chapter 2 thread. I posted a lot there.

I'm gonna post my stats because I'm making myself accountable to you ladies.

Current weight, 1/16/04: 235
Goal weight, 7/16/04: 165
Specific goal: I will lose 2.5 lbs. over the next 26 weeks with a total weight loss of 70 lbs. I will maintain that weight loss within 10 lbs. I will exercise daily using 1. my recumbent bike, 2. Richard Simmons aerobics tape, 3. walks outside when it feels less like the arctic circle, & 4. going to the gym when I have childcare.

Summer

Getting back into the swing of things is really tough. I spent most of this week reviewing and next week we will start a new instructional focus: inferencing and predicting outcome. At least I don't have to be grade-level literacy coach anymore :cb: The district FINALLY hired one full time. Don't get me wrong, I loved doing it, but it was too much to basically do 2 jobs. It's crazy, a literacy coach is in our school improvement plan, but it was the first position eliminated at the beginning of the year: go figure.

I really feel for those of you back east. The high here is supposed to be around 70 and sunny. Last night was the first time we've had to use our heater since before New Year's. Here's some Arizona sun for you; hope it makes you feel better. :sunny:

Enjoy the weekend.

Cal

"We're having a heatwave...a tropical heatwave..." :flow2: It is a sweltering 20 degrees today!!! WOW!!! I may need to break out the bathing suit!!!

Believe it or not, 20 degrees does feel warm to me. After dealing with below zero temperatures (yesterday was -2 degrees, not 2 degrees like I thought) with windchills of 20-40 degrees below zero. When I brought DD to gymnastics today, we had to park out on the street really far from the YMCA. Walking there wasn't bad at all. It was tough leaving because the wind has picked up, but it still seems awfully warm compared to this past week.

DD is in a new class for gymnastics this year. The cut-off age for her old group is 6, so I put her in level 1. Level 1 has quite a diverse group of ages and abilities. Now that she is no longer the tops of her class, she suddenly doesn't like gymnastics anymore. This is an opportunity to teach her a life lesson. Just because something is difficult and requires practice doesn't mean you should give up. As I'm telling DD this, I keep hearing someone in my ear say, "listen to your own advice." When I was a kid I was the first one to quit when something seemed too hard. As an adult, I have overcome many obstacles...infertility, putting myself through college while working full-time, becoming accredited when my district didn't think I had it in me...there are many other examples, and I would LOVE to add weight loss to that list of accomplishments. And, I'm not letting DD give up on something she has loved for 2 years because it is all of a sudden more difficult.

Have a great day one and all. For those of you in the truly warmer weather, enjoy!!! See ya later!

Summer

I spent the day painting my bathroom. I planned on just painting it yellow and being done with it. But lately, I've been watching two remodelling shows, Monster House and Knock First. Well, once I got started, I couldn't stop. I painted the sink cabinet, the wicker shelf, the wicker mirror. And, if my husband didn't drag me out to make dinner, I would still be in there painting something else.

The cool thing is that I was so immersed in my project that I forgot to eat lunch!!! DD and DH came upstairs at 1:30 asking about lunch, and I sent them to the kitchen to fend for themselves. I wasn't hungry!!! Me, not hungry!!! THAT NEVER HAPPENS!!! Around 2:30 my stomach started to growl so I ate a lean cuisine pizza. But if those two hadn't come looking for food, I don't think I would have even had those hunger pains.

So, now a roast is in the oven, and I am beat. I have paint all over my lovely manicure. I will have to clean up my nails since I won't be getting my nails done until Thursday. I'm so happy that I accomplished something and was too busy to think about food. I don't mind being exhausted and having sore hands and arms.

Apparently I need to be deeply involved in a solitary project to keep from eating. I would love to work on something creative by myself every day, but my lifestyle involves lot of people especially kids. Sometimes when my class and I are doing an art project, I have to set a timer or we get totally off schedule.

We are totally snowed in this weekend. It has been snowing all day. It is still in the 20's...a total heatwave!

Where is everyone this weekend?

Is everyone off tomorrow for Martin Luther King Day?

See ya. Summer

Hello, all! Been AWOL lately.... Talked to Summer via IM... I've been doing NOTHING...I've got NO good excuses... I don't know! Guess I'm just coming a bit unGlued! Lots of time consuming stuff going on...... Guess that is the nature of my UnGlue!

1. My classroom is being dismantled for painting. I've got to get every paper clip off of every surface that is painted. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I still have 24 6 and 7 year olds to deal with and oh, yeah, TEACH something to! Things are piled up everywhere. Kids are getting into piles, knocking over piles. AND haven't they discovered that "huffing" paint fumes is NOT healthy???? :?:

2. My middle school son worked long and hard on a project that was due on Friday....then the teacher that assigned the project didn't even show up to collect them.... Another teacher from the team came...said she didn't know anything about the projects, coach was in the teacher's lounge :mad: and to put them back in their bookkbags ....ARGHHHH! He has another project due on Wednesday. It is nearly done. Wonder if THAT teacher will want that one?

3. I did have a successful meeting with my other son's principal. We meet again on Feb 2nd. :shrug: guess we will see how it goes! Either the teacher is gonna LOVE him or HATE him after the principal suggests to her what she suggested to me!

4. The CubScout man sent me an email and told me to plan the meeting for Wednesday. I am NOT one of his registered assistants. I did say I'd help with a project in February. WHAT THE ****? I emailed him back and was nice BUT...Just what I need after being at school all day...with the paint...and the piles...and the kids....MORE children...and these boys are NOT well mannered. I will chew them up without trying! arghhhh...

5. My husband's best friend's kid is here for the day. Mom's school is having a make up day. He is a nice kid. BUT I've had to have on a bra since 7. I don't really MIND...and they would do it for us..... but mannnnnn....a bra????

6. There has been no time for me. I need to do Dr.Phil's Chapter2. I need to exercise. I need to spend time with my bookbag. I need to spend some time ALONE! Ha! Report cards need to be started. Our bathroom needs to be REdone. The kitchen needs to be CLEANED (that would be a good place to start!)

Geesh, just call me SusiSunshine. :yikes:

SEEEEE...I told you ...I'm UNGlued!

take care!

Gosh Robyn...I can't believe you have to teach in a room being painted.
And that cub scout leader is awfully presumptuous. I hope you can chill out today, even though you have to wear your bra! :rofl: I'm the same way, when I walk in the door, the bra comes off before the shoes!

We have two paid Sunday school superintendents at my church, and the newest one (gung ho) is DRIVING ME CRAZY! :crazy: She wants to know what is in my lesson plans for next Sunday. You've got to be kidding. My principal hasn't even gazed at my lesson plans at school (you know, my paid position) in weeks. Who the **** does this ***** think she is? She is a mom. She is not a certified teacher. I'm the certified teacher generously volunteering my time, and she has the balls to ask to see my lesson plans!!! Second of all, I haven't even written my lesson plans for school for tomorrow, and she thinks I've already planned for next Sunday?! I really freaked her out when I told her I didn't think I would follow the curriculum. I could picture her losing it on the other end of the phone. :faint: I would actually like to do something about Martin Luther King, Jr. I didn't teach SS yesterday, so I wasn't able to do it then. My SS students aren't very tolerant of people different from them, and I would like to expose them to the idea of loving and accepting everyone...people of all colors, races, and creeds. So, doing a lesson on MLK is a great opportunity for me to do that. I may ruffle some feathers by not following the curriculum, but it is on the "Lost Coin" which has been done over and over again. MLK and teaching peace is more important. What are they gonna do? Fire me? That would be the best news ever! :rofl:

Yesterday I painted the bathroom. I love the walls, the mirror, and shelf, but the color on the sink cabinet looks BAD! I'm gonna have to redo it in a different color or I will go nuts.

This afternoon, I'm going to the Ear, Nose, & Throat doctor since I haven't had a clear upper respiratory system since August. I think I should be seeing an allergist, but my regular doctor referred me to the ENT.

Back to laundry, etc...

Cal & Robyn have checked in. Where are ya Story? I'm gonna assume that Shameeka wasn't able to find us after the crash. Oh well.

Have a great day! Summer :flow2:

I am really wishing I didn't go to my ENT today. You wouldn't believe everything I have to do. First of all, because I tend to get a bloody nose from blowing it too hard, the doctor cauterized my nose. NOW I CAN'T BLOW MY NOSE FOR A WHOLE WEEK! If you knew how often I blow my nose, you would understand how hard this is going to be for me. Whatever I am allergic to has turned my nose into a water faucet. And, as a result of the cauterization, my nose is sooooooo itchy. I keep on sneezing, but I can't sneeze through my nose. I have to sneeze through my mouth. The last time I sneezed so hard, I peed on myself!!! :o This can't happen in school. Between a constantly runny nose that I can't blow and non-stop sneezing while holding my legs together (I'd better start doing those kegels again!) I'm gonna go out of my mind. I have to apply bacitracin inside my nose twice a day for a week. I can't bend over because I have to avoid blood rushing to my head. To continue, in a couple of days, I'm gonna have to start doing a sinus rinse (a douche for the nose) twice a day. Then do a new nasal spray. I was on Flonase, and apparently it causes nose bleeds! I will be going for allergy testing soon which probably means that I will have to go off my medication for a while so that the results are accurate. In a few weeks, I will have to stay over night in the hospital's sleep clinic so they can observe me for sleep apnea. Then when we have all of the test results back, the fun will really begin. I will be treated properly for my allergies, and possibly undergo surgery if I have apnea. THE FUN NEVER ENDS. :dizzy:

I'm glad to receive treatment, I am just so uncomfortable right now, and I can't do anything about it for a week.

Bye guys, and enjoy blowing your noses and sneezing with wild abandon!

Summer :crazy:

It is great to see that there are other teachers out there going through the same things that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I have Multiple-handicapped students and I have to try very hard not to let my stress level get too high that I crave snack foods and chocolate. But I think I have it planned that when I start to feel stressed I ask one or two of my students if they want to go for a walk. We walk around the two elementary buildings one or two times. I try to do this several times during the day to get up and moving.

WELL GEESSSS Louise...Summer! You win! You win! (((hugs))) Makes me not wanting to wear my bra today sound VERY lame! I'm so sorry that you have to go thru all this STUFF with your nose. I hope that all of this junk will help you sort out your nasal issues AND that in a while you will be BETTER than you have been. ***CAUTERIZED*** You're my hero! They wanted to do that to me when I was preggers with #2 cause the blood just wouldn't stop....BUT, I couldn't do it! Hang in there! Take the junk with your nose one moment at a time! :)

Hello, Kar73! You've walked into a rather hormonal moment for Summer and I! LOL It hasn't been a good weekend around here! :) We are a small but "nice" group of teachers! REALLY! LOL Contrary to what we are spewing this weekend! We know all too well the hassles, headaches and yep, even rewards of the classroom. Welcome to the looney bin! We're glad to have you! :) Hope you stay around! We don't rant and rave ALL the time! hehehehe!

Happy Tuesday...groan!....to us all! 4 day week, gotta love it!
take care...will check in again soon!