Hi everyone, sorry to be AWOL so long. I read through all the posts and sympathize, empathize and understand all the frustrations. Except for Robyn's classroom, I don't think anybody understands that!

Just to toss my 2 cents worth in on home and work, I have to say that when I was a stay at home mom I did it ALL. I never expected or wanted DH to lift a finger to do anything. And now that I work full time again and the kids are older, they all help around the house, with little to no prodding. The only time I feel snowed under, so to speak is during our library's busy times, open house and book fairs, inventory. But for the most part I feel like we do okay. There again, my kids are teenagers and do for themselves for the most part. I can certainly remember the exhaustion and at times the resentment from doing everything myself when they were babies.

I'm not as faithful to staying on program as I wish I was, as I certainly need to be. Hit and miss is the best I can say for it for now. Tomorrow is another day, another chance to get it right. I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my clothes though, that much is certain.

Hope the rest of your week is good, no snow days in sight for us!
story

So. Here I sit. Today was a 2 hour delay... the ice is incredible here. STILL. My students came at 11 and left at 1:10 (don't ask...but that is the time they leave every Wednesday). We did not have time to do too much other than the lunch and exchange library books. I have to admit...I LOVED it! I got many boxes of "STUFF" put away. I will be able to have small group reading again by Monday. I have thrown away 2 huge barrels of garBaggge from all the stuff pulled out of my coat closet.

Summer, we have been informed that the painters don't work during the summer. One of the severe asthma students has had a horrible reaction to the painting (not my kid! hallalujah! Poor baby!) and has been hospitalized. Yikes!

Kar, glad to hear that your dh has been helping you! Mine doesn't complain OR help much any more.... arghhh!

I read and filled in all the blanks in Dr. Phil's Book's Chapter 2. I also read a LOT of Chapter 3... I stopped as it was a bit MUCH for me to "handle". I'm off to read that thread now. I STILL have 7 report cards to do before I sleep...sigh!

Ya'll take care!
Tomorrow is already Thursday! YeeHaww!

Robyn

Hi Story! Didn't see your entry until after I hit post.......
Didn't want to leave you out! I'm with you with doing my program hit and miss...
today I did great until dinner...arghhh....

Hang in there! We can get back on track! (and THANKS for not understanding my classroom....I walked in there today for the first time in 5 days..and nearly had a stroke! AND then the custodian came in to tell me that she can't be doing me any favors....um, THANKS...I haven't asked her for a darn thing! WHAT is up with the custodians owning the buildings? arghhh!) Okey...enough...

Hang in there! Tomorrow is another day!
Type to you soon,
meee again!

Kar, I'm glad you are getting more help and respect.

Story, I'm glad you are back. You were missed. I look forward to my DD being old enough to really help me out with the housework. She does help put away groceries, and cleans her playroom and bedroom (does a lousy job though).

Robyn, OH MY GOD...HOSPITALIZED?! In letigious (sp?) Connecticut, that would be a law suit waiting to happen. I just can't believe it. So, the painters don't work in the summer...nice. How about vacations? I suppose they get those off too! Custodians...My sister, a 30-year veteran teacher, told me a long time ago that the people with the most keys have the most power! She was right! She also told me the most important person in the building to be friendly with is the custodian. I took her advice, and I not only bend over backwards to be friendly with my custodian, I give him a generous Christmas present every year, and a check at the end of June. Needless to say, he treats me well. It doesn't change the fact that my classroom could be cleaner, but he does accomodate me more than the other teachers on my floor.

Well, I am unexpectedly home today. DD began to develop a rash on her face last night. I thought it was her eczema and applied Elidel. It was worse this morning, and I started to think, "allergic reaction to amoxicillin" and "scarlet fever." She didn't have a fever, so I pondered sending her to school knowing full well that I would get a phone call from the nurse. And when it came down to it, I knew that a good mother wouldn't send her child to school with an "unknown rash." So, I can add sick day #5 to my list. At least I will have a doctor's note to submit. Turns out that strep throat sometimes is accompanied by a "strep rash." I have to observe her to make sure it doesn't worsen, but otherwise she is fine. My school didn't find a sub, so my aide is alone with my class. They'd better hope that the state doesn't do a surprise inspection, or there goes my accreditation.

I've been looking at the new spring catalogs coming out. There are so many beautiful clothes that I am dying to wear. I've got to get my act together. These clothes don't come in plus sizes. REALITY CHECK.

Summer

Hi everyone,
It has been one of those days! I just kept saying silent prayers to God to help me make it through the day. My kids were somewhat calm today. That was until my aide left at 12, to go get her car that broke down on her yesterday. So that left me in my room by myself for an hour. I was not a happy camper, because one of my student's autisitc and nonverbal. He just kept running around pounding on stuff and crying for about 30 minutes. I asked one of my other students to go to the office and ask for them to send someone down to help. Did I get any help? I was told that after the office aide was done with her lunch, she would be down at 1:00. So then all my students started to act up to get my attention. I was never so glad to see their bus driver at 2:45. Of course, I had to call a parent just to get her son's socks and shoes on him. SO we were a little late getting to the bus. I thought that my day would start to improve with my intervention kids. Oh no, I ended up having to cover for another teacher so she could go to a staff meeting. So I was in my room with 24 5th and 6th graders going over Science questions on old prof. tests. It was a very long hour and half. Needless to say, I came home ate dinner and fell asleep for 1 1/2 hours. So much for going to the gym to workout tonight. I just got the phone call that there is no school tomorrow. I am getting sick of going for a day and then off for a day. The rate we are going we will still be in school in the middle of July. Sorry for ranting and raving. But, boy I feel a little bit better. Atleast I didn't go to the kitchen and find a snack of chips or something. Thanks.
Story glad to see that you are back.
Robyn I can not believe that the painters have the summer's off. I thought that was when they did most of their work. I have never heard of painting in the winter time. Sorry to hear that one of the students is hospitalized. How much longer do they have to be in your school? I hope not much longer.
Summer I hope your dd is starting to feel better. I didn't know that with strep you could develop a rash on your face. Learn something new everyday!
I think my pillow is calling me. I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Kar, I really feel for you. I was a special education paraprofessional at the beginning of my career 17 years ago. I worked with severe and profound teenagers. After two years of that, I began college, but because my mother had passed on and my father literally fell apart, I had to work full-time as well. So, I worked in a group home for mentally disabled adults while attending college. I had trouble getting a teaching job after graduation, and then I got married and had DD. Basically I have 14 years of experience working with the developmentally disabled. I've got LOTS of stories. I know how hard you are working every day. And I know how difficult it is to do your job without a decent ratio. I'm so sorry you had a lousy exhausting day. TGIF!!! Get lots of rest this weekend and hopefully you will be ready for more on Monday.

DD went back to school today and so did I. I tested the three kids who showed up today and finished their report cards. I still have one more left. This boy has been out for a total of 2 1/2 weeks! At first he was really sick. Now it is a transportation problem. Whatever!

Tomorrow DD has gymnastics. We practiced her back bend and cartwheel today. The back bend is improving, but the cartwheel just isn't happening. She (like me) doesn't like to do anything that she isn't perfect at. I really hope she learns how to cartwheel so she doesn't give up on herself. The last three years she loved gymnastics because she was the best. Now that she is the youngest and most inexperienced in her group, she wants to quit. She is soooooo her mother!

We have to go shopping this weekend. I need new pajamas for when I go to the sleep clinic at the hospital. My current bedclothes are not meant for public viewing. I also need new slippers. DD has a GAP gift certificate. I also want to take her to the movies.

I'm gonna go. Have a great weekend ladies!

Summer

Hi Ladies,
I had a nice relaxing day! It went much better than yesterday. I made the trek out to the county board office to pick up my paycheck. My friend and I went together. As we were walking out of the building, our superindent was coming in. This is the first superindent that I have had that makes a point to get to know his staff. He talked to us for a few minutes and warned us to be careful on the ice in the parking lot. The other superindent's I have had just kept to themselves and if they happened to come to my school building it was straight to the office and out the door again. I worked out to Richard Simmons Sweatin to the Oldies. I now know why I borrow it from the library every so often. I am just not coordinated to do all his steps just yet. I still have to take off a few more pounds and then I might be able to move a little easier to his steps. Tonight I curled up in the arm chair and watched the movie, Drumline. It was okay. So it was nice to have a day just to do the things I wanted to do and not what everyone else wanted me to do. I just wish I was able to have a few more days like that. I guess I will have to try to make time for myself more often. Well I better go to bed early tonight. My hubby made a shopping date with me tomorrow after I get back from Curves. He is even springing for my lunch, so I better get rested up to do some serious shopping. Have a great weekend ladies! I am glad that I am in a more postive mood tonight. Thanks Summer for the advice. It was greatly needed and appreciated.

I've been having a hard time trying to get into the site. Everytime I did, my computer would kick me off. Anyway, I'm Back!!!! Tomorrow I'm taking Ashley to see Disney on Ice; this year is Princesses. She'll love it.

At school we were told last week (Friday) that we have some new requirements. As if we don't have enough to do. Arizona is one of 30 states that use attendance as a measurement of AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). The attendance at my school is very poor. Parents don't care, kids don't care, parents use kids for babysitters, etc. The state has decided that our school is one of several in the state that needed to be put on corrective action. So we are being monitored to death all because our attendance is low; never mind that the testing scores actually went up!!!! We were told that we are required to have 97% attendance for the entire month of February or the principal would come down hard on us such as not offering new contracts for the fall. In fact, they are talking about not giving us any performance pay raises because of the attendance. We were told that we have to call parents then do home visits to tell them that their kids belong in school. Hello!?!?!! Isn't that what we have truancy officers and a parent coordinator for??? The liability issue alone is enough for this to NOT be a good idea. I spoke to our union rep and she got some action. They cannot make us do home visits, but they can deny us the raise. Amazing to be judged on something that you have absolutely no control over.
Sorry to rant, but I really needed to get this off my chest. Hardly any wonder that over half the teachers at my school don't plan on signing new contracts for next year. Sad really, for the kids.

I'm so tired now. It seems that so many things are going on (and going wrong) that I feel so overwhelmed not only with school, but life. I've learned tonight that my grandmother will not be with us much longer. The hospice nurse is not giving her much time. They put her on more morphine today. She sleeps all the time. I'm really feeling so down and depressed.
Thanks for listening.

Cal

Cal, I'm so sorry about your grandmother. I'm glad that they are making sure that she is comfortable. It is so hard to say "Goodbye." I wasn't with my mother or father when they died (Mom died in the hospital while I was asleep at home & Dad was in Florida.) but I was fortunate to be by my grandmother's side. The whole family gathered around her. I hope that you have a chance to be with her now.

I can't believe that this crazy world we live in makes teachers accountable for so much and parents accountable for so little. In my district, after 10 unexcused absenses, we do a "Student Assistant Team" referral. If the parents don't get the kids to school, we do a DCF referral. You can go as far as "Educational Neglect." Between DCF and our Home School Coordinator, we are managing attendance. Yes, it is still an issue, but we play hardball. I don't know if that helps you or not.

We saw Disney on Ice during Christmas vacation. It was fabulous!!!

I have had a real live "WAKE UP CALL" and I have been officially embarrassed and humbled. My DD gave me a lecture yesterday about being "big." She did not use the word, "fat." I don't think I could have taken that. By the way, she is 6 years old. Anyway, she told me how I need to eat healthier and exercise more. She went on and on and on. I am so grateful my DH wasn't there. I don't need both of them ganging up on me. The lecture continued today, and I told her that I am taking care of it and she needn't worry anymore. That's it. No more pussyfooting around people! When my baby points out to me that I have a problem...one of my worse nightmares...it is time to deal with it and be done with it.

Summer

Hello everyone! Happy weekend!

Cal, I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. It is so sad to lose loved ones!

Student attendance is another WHOLE school issue that makes me go nuts! HOW in the world can *WE* be held accountable for whether a child is sent to school or not!?! and....I can tell you right now.... I am NOT, flat out REFUSE, to make home visits! There is NO way............EVER........... I am NOT going to win Teacher of the Year.......and I don't care! GEESH......When will the insanity stop?! When will parents be held accountable for SOMETHING? ANYthing?! I currently have 2 first graders who have missed 19 and 20 days for the year ...so far.... the one who has missed 20 days missed 42 last year..and was promoted! 42 days was one of our marking periods...He missed the time spread out over the year.... but COME ON.... This year...I've got the kid on my retention list. The child can NOT read nor write (after 19 weeks of Reading Recovery no less...) and he has serious issues about math. He can't learn if he isn't attending school. He has serious speech and language issues. I've referred him to every one and anyone who will listen!

The 19 day absent kid is the daughter of a single mom who can't get her stuff straight... she is always over sleeping and doesn't bother to get her daughter to school ...... I've referred her to everyone...but until it is causing school progress issues...sigh.... The kid is reading on grade level and doing math on grade level.... So no one will listen to me YET. Poor kid...Imagine what SHE could do IF she attended school on a regular basis!

GEES....can I turn someone elses rant into my own or WHAT?!

I've got more to say...of course...but I've gotta go for now.....I'm about to freeze!
type to you later!
Robyn ...who is DARN sick and tired of this weather!

Cal I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. It is very hard to watch someone very close to you die. When you are starting to feel very overwhelmed with the situation, step back and think of all the happy memories you had with your grandmother. That is what helped me get through both my grandfather's deaths.
I can not believe that they are holding the teachers responsible for the attendance issue. When are the parents going to have to toe the line for their children. After becoming a teacher and seeing the lack thereof of parenting skills for some people, I have been a strong believer in you need a license to be a parent. To see what some of my students in my classroom and my after school kids go through at home with their parents , it breaks my heart. If I could I would adopt one of my students. Mom doesn't care about him and left him with her parents. She only comes around once or twice a month to see him. But she has full guardianship of him. He is crying out for positive attention and love that it isn't funny.
Today was the first day in over a week, that I actually eat very well. I didn't snack through out the day or eat anything bad for me. Even when my DH took me out for lunch today, I was good and got a salad. I fell off the bandwagon when it was that time of the month and just ran with it. But now I think I will be back to my good eating habits.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Stay warm and take care of yourselves.
Robyn I am sick of this weather too. I can't wait for Spring to get here.

Hi everyone. It seems as though we are all being bombarded, at this the hardest stretch of the school year with more unrealistic mandates from our districts, principals or state. Attendance is a huge issue, here as well, but I've yet to hear of them holding the classroom teacher accountable. Hopefully someone will get their head out of their rear ends long enough to realize that that is a stupid idea. Hang in there, Cal, we're with you in spirit!

Robyn, I'm with Summer in that if a student were hospitalized here from paint fumes in the classroom, it would be lawsuit city before the hospital doors closed. Poor kid. As a parent, I'd have to say yeah I'd sue, at least enough to cover any medical costs that my insurance didn't cover. That's the height of stupidity, painting during the school year. As for the custodians, yes they are the people to make friends with, and you don't want to make them mad. At my campus they too are hamstringed by the district, understaffed and probably vastly underpaid. So the cleaning is wipe and smile and call it good. I spent 2 hours last Thursday cleaning in the library, areas that they never get to or just pass a feather duster over. But the one person who has the most power? The school secretary. I've always heard that and it is definitely true here. Don't piss her off, you'll be out on your ear before you know what's happened. What's really sad is that the principals are so influenced by her.

Kar, I love Richard Simmons, have all his tapes. I took his oldies tapes and made my own, that runs longer but has only the songs and moves that I enjoy doing. It's about an hour but it's fun to do so it goes by fast. I was thinking last night that with DH gone the next two weeks I should get up and sweat with Richard every morning, give myself a jump start on getting off the fence I've been sitting on and get on track. I don't know what everyone else here is doing, WW, Atkins. I do WW, while paying close attention to the carbs, not to go overboard. I haven't read Dr Phil. I tried, but I kept falling asleep. Maybe I shouldn't have checked it out from the library while I was half sick and tired!

DH and I ventured downtown to a Super Bowl party Friday night. It was fun, crowded. I was glad the metro buses were running, parking is non-existent. I'll be glad when the game is over and all the visitors leave. Even out here in the suburb of Houston we are overrun with tourists. Good for business, but traffic is a nightmare.
Enjoy your Sunday, teachers.
stoyr

I'm back again for yet another installment of Robyn's gut/emotional reaction to any and everything....fasten your seat belts, girls! Hehehehe!

So far for TODAY....my eating is on track. Of course I have to get up and go fix lunch very soon....and while I sit here telling you that I'm going to behave....WHAT happens lately to my POWER and DETERMINATION once I cross the little strip of metal that covers where the living room carpet and the kitchen vinyl are butted up to each other?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Why did I / Why COULD I go from January to September with nerves, will and refridgerator of STEEL? WHY / HOW did I get a half ton of pounds off my lard *** and then just suddenly STOP?! Why am I comfortable at 170 pounds? Why am I comfortable in my 14's? WHY won't I make myself exercise? NOPE, I do not like what I see when I'm naked. (BUT it does look BETTER than it did last year...BUT THAT IS NO EXCUSE!) I'm not gaining....there is about 3 pounds that I fluctuate between...but GEESHHHHHHHHH...................

I must get my head together.
I must EXERCISE daily. NO MATTER WHAT THE SCHEDULE.
I must EAT correctly.
I must drink water...even if it is -20 degrees...arghhhh.
I must read Dr. Phil...and PAY ATTENTION to what he is saying.
I MUST get my head together.

I'm so pitiful. WHAT is wrong? WHY can't I get it all together?
School is just one excuse I use...a real excuse...but I did it with school before.

I know what to do.
I know how to do it.
I've even DONE IT BEFORE.

The decision is mine. FIGURE THIS OUT,ROBYN........ GET your **** together. GET your **** together and keep it together for GAWD SAKE! You are 20 pounds away from your goal. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??????? Do it. DO IT!

This concludes ME raking ME over the coals. Let me kick someone else....um..
Which one of you has the kid who is giving her lectures? I think it is Summer! SUMMER, read my ranting..and come with me! GET it together...... WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR????? Your kid is worried about you. FIX YOU! (oh that is so mean... ((hugs)) I'm not too good with kicking other people's butts!)

My goal for today: Water, food, and 30 minutes of exercise. WHAT are you doing? (Oh crap...I just realized ...I'm gonna have to put on a bra for the exercise...GEESH! Now am I dedicated to my goal or WHAT?!) GET UP... MOVE! DRINK some water!
...and write to me and tell me that I'm not insane.

Your fat friend who preaches one thing and then goes into the kitchen and eats WHATEVER.............sigh............

Robyn
who is in the kitchen as you are reading this doing battle with something that will make her butt bigger.....

Here...look at this for a while..... BELIEVE IT!



Love ya'll!

Robyn, thanks for the entertaining rant, sermon, and swift kick in the butt!!! Now, I shall pull out all of my psychology experience and give some back to you. (I got all A's in every single psychology course I ever took) I think the reason you are stalling the rest of your weight loss is maybe down deep you have some fear about what will happen when (not if) you reach goal. You've heard "fear of failure," could you have a fear of success? Ask yourself if there is some sort of payoff for you to remain 170 lbs., size 14 (which by the way sounds absolutely fabulous to me ). Maybe I am full of crap...probably I am. I could have Dr. Phil on the brain. But I would definitely say without a doubt, that whatever is stopping you, it is all in your head. Have you read chapter 4 yet? If not, do so. There is A LOT of good stuff in there. Also, I would bring up what you are feeling to Dipthong. She has a lot of wisdom about all of this. So, if I am wrong, and even if I'm right, check in with Dip.

Story, sorry the Super Bowl is invading your town. I guess I am lucky that it is only invading my living room! DD and I went to the movies just to escape all of the testosterone. We went to a chick flick, "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton." It was PG13, a risk I admit with a 6 year old. But let me tell you, there was no swearing or sex...nothing but kissing. I don't get why it wasn't rated PG, but whatever. It was enjoyable, and it got us away from "Super Bowl Sunday" television. Isn't Richard Simmons the best? I still do the original "Sweatin to the Oldies." The later versions didn't do it for me as much as the first. It is fun for me because I have known the routines for soooooooooooo many years and have no trouble doing it. I love Richard.

Kar, keep up the good work. Having a salad in a restaurant with all of the other available choices is quite impressive! Good for you!!!

Well, I did pretty darn good today myself...and it is hard because of all of the Super Bowl food in my kitchen right now. The family demanded pancakes for breakfast, so I made Bisquick lite and had only one pancake. For lunch, I had three spicy chicken wings. (I told you all we have is Super Bowl chow!) I ate popcorn and diet pepsi at the movie while DD ate m&m's...okay I had some m&m's too, but not a lot. Dinner is chili over rice. I will have a normal sized serving, no seconds. No nachos, no chex mix, and no more chicken wings. As far as the diet I follow, I loosely follow WW and keep an eye on my carbs as well. Dr. Phil preaches not to obsess over dieting, so I don't do any keeping track right now, just eating healthy.

Oh, I forgot to tell you all! I lost 3 lbs. this week! Duh, how could I forget?! It happened when I started really reading the book again and doing what he says.

Have an enjoyable Sunday ladies.

Summer