Hey, all! I'm taking a break between writing a Geography unit for 5th grade and writing a Social Studies test for 4th grade, so I thought I'd check and see who's here. I didn't walk today--two very long days driving older daughter to dance and flute lessons on Monday and Tuesday--just too tired today--I will go out again tomorrow morning--I've been sleeping so much better with the walks. Last week at school, one of my "angelic" few took the pants of a very shy boy down, and I got him suspended. He was only back half a day before he started his usual talking and getting out of his seat. That was yesterday. Today I had to deal with another boy completely ripping out the t-shirt seam of another boy during recess because he pulled the shirt as a "joke", a third one throwing paper--how they do it when I'm the police in that room I'll never know. Then six boys had to write the definitions of "obey" and "respect" 50 times each because they just couldn't shut up in the lunch recess line. I am running low on discipline ideas with these boys. A few of them are so mischievous that whatever tactic I use only works a few days, and then they become immune to it. I created a time-out chair for one person in a very isolated area of the classroom, but I think I'd like to have two. A third one in the hall might be a good idea too. A bright spot is that I am teaching what we call "Family Life" (sex ed.) to the girls twice a week during the gym period while the boys have gym alone, and it is a very enjoyable experience. Both the girls and I like the class. In a week I will be teaching a similar class to the boys while the girls have gym alone (a scary thought with that group). I would like to think that class will be enjoyable, but a few may try to mess it up. I plan to put them out if they don't behave and then call their parents. Anyway, that's how things are going for me. I'm eating moderately--probably having more sweets than I should, but I'm not going to pressure myself. I weigh myself once or twice a week to keep an eye on things--and to make sure I don't start gaining.

Miki, I can imagine how frustrating it must have been to have those sudden emergency costs--how fast they eat up what we have! And somehow they always seem to happen in multiples--never one financial crisis at a time. And with as busy as you've been, it sounds like you just had one of those "last straw" situations. I've been there myself. At times I feel that I'm just holding everything together with a single thread, and then naturally life comes and cuts that thread on me, and I feel like I'm totally falling apart. Hang in there.

Cyan--sorry about that pesky wisdom tooth--I remember when mine were coming--soooooore!!!! Thankfully, I got mine all out 13 years ago.

Well, it's time for me to get back to the Social Studies grind. The faster I get it done, the sooner I can call it a night. Bye for now.

Hey Newie

Those boy students of yours sound like gremlins...yeesh!

I have been feeling in a slump lately...I dont feel like working....or exercising...I am still at 170.5...argh...but I am trying very hard to get off this bloody weight...ack ack ack...I am doomed to be 170 pounds for the rest of my friggin life!

ok...rant over

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast
lunch: leftover pasta with artichoke salad...I didnt eat my salmon salad
dinner: grilled chicken with hummus and greek salad
snacks: mixed berries, applesauce, maybe chocolate
beverages: tea, water, diet soda

see ya later ladies

Cyan

Oh yay...but I have a few chores to do tonight...wash clothes...change kitty litter...and the list goes on

I was very bad last night food wise...I had a mc donald's hamburger...my dad brought it home and I ate it...I had fried meat with spicy sauce which has lots of oil based sauce...mopped it up with crusty white bread rolls...I had 3 tablespoons of sour cream....feta cheese...and yes..chocolate:rolleyes:

I weighed myself this morning and I am still at 170.5...I hope I didnt blow it for the week because of my binge yesterdyay...and no ...I didnt exercise.

so today's menu
breakfast: rice krispies with skim milk
lunch: smoked meat on black bread
dinner: sauted chicken breast with mushrooms and hummus
snacks: mixed berries, small banana
beverages: diet soda, water, tea

I cant wait to sleep in tomorrow

have a great weekend

Cyan

I'm back!!!
 

Hi everyone,

I'm back again--for a few of the days the site just kept saying that the server would be down so I quit trying to get here for a while.

I have been feeling like many of you have lately. Cyan, I have had a constant period now for almost 3 weeks straight since starting on the new medication/BCP. I have a Dr's appointment to look at it further. Like you, I have been really tired, feeling crappy all around and not much like doing anything. Miki--the whole thing is also screwy because I am so emotional it is like being on a rollercoaster--in some ways I can relate, however my moments are not as grounded as yours (I would be upset too if I has those bills come in at once). Newie--how frustrating the boys sound in your class...what grade do you teach again??? I am guessing somewhere between grades 5-7 based on how much of the pulling off of clothes there is!! What about making them come up with their own consequence? I have found that kids can be much harder on themselves and much more creative with consequences (depending on the child of course). Debee--how is the carpet doing?? I remember when my sis was little she decided to clean my dad's van as a surprise and used SOS pads to clean it (scratched it all up!) and it was a stressful time for all of us!! Kids can do crazy things and not even mean it, which makes it harder not to be mad!

I recently acquired a mountain bike and have been trying to learn how to ride it. I haven't been on a bike since I was about 10 years old. Now I am enjoying the riding but coming home with many bruises on me. The last one my foot slipped off the pedal and I actually have scabs on my legs that match the pedal design--ouch!!! All in all I am a disaster at it but it is keeping me active which is the important part. Mostly going out for short rides lately but getting out every day to every other day for about 1/2 hour at a time. We are planning a mountain bike weekend away sometime next month so I have to get myself into shape for that. Still getting mixed up on how to change the gears on the bike let alone ride it over logs or rocks. So far I am riding it on grass/weeds.

I think I have gained weight since on the BCP. Mostly in my chest area so I am not complaining and neither is my spouse. However, it has been so sore to touch and I have to go bra shopping and get some new ones in a different size. I have also been eating crappy lately. Went to McDonald's yesterday but had a kid's happy meal. Try to order small when I go there as I know that even with small the calories and fat are huge!! Have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the meal though. Somebody kick me for that!!! I can't eat chocolate, so I figure I can indulge in a happy meal every now and again.

We have a friend living with us right now. He just lost his job and got a new one right near our house so he is staying here while he sells his home (in Windsor area) and moves to Toronto area. So far things have been going well with that. We are on week 2 of him staying and it has been like having a visitor over. His home is now on the market and he has been actively house shopping here so all is well. I'm not too keen on his girlfriend though. In fact, somewhat concerned. She hasn't been staying here but has visited and we have discovered that she is very controlling and dependent almost bordering on something worse. Hopefully that relationship won't last for his sake.

Cyan, hoping to come to Montreal sometime. May actually go up to Tremblant with my rollerblades and bike as well as try out the new Louge ride they have there. Room rates are cheap there in May--you can pay as low as $49.00 per night with a kitchenette, so I might consider a weekend there for biking instead.

I have been working too hard lately with little or no breaks. I have only had a total of one week off in 2003/2004 so far and I feel I need at least one week more. In my field I am on contract so I have to save my money to take time off which I have. Now I need to figure out what/where/when and actually book the week. I think a lot of the illness I have had is connected to working too hard in such a stressful field. Counseling can really drain a person sometimes.

Talk to everyone soon,

Cjunk

Me Again!
 

Hi Everyone!

Me checking in again. Went to the Dr.'s and we are working on some solutions now. The results have all come back and it is something resolvable and will take about 4-6 weeks to get back on track. Major vitamin deficiencies related to lots of periods bAsically!! I am happy that I should be feeling more like my old self again soon.

Miki--How are you? I read your post again and thought to myself that you shouldn't have to feel as bad as you do. Have you ever thought of getting your mood checked out??? It is really common for people to have Seasonal Affective issues at this time of year without having enough sunshine for so many months and now the darkness and rain, rain and more rain. There are even some non-medicinal solutions to this problem as well and definitely worth looking into if you think you might have something like that...your doctor should be able to help out.

Cyan--what's up??? It's not like you to give up like so I am giving you a kick in the butt to eat better this weekend!!!

Gotta run,

Cjunk

169 pounds!!!
 

Hey Ladies

I lost 1.5 pounds this week...170.5 down to 169!!! I have finally broken through the barrier...wooohooo

Hey Cjunk...good to hear that you have found out what is wrong and that it can be fixed...here's to you feeling like your old self soon.

My weekend flew by so quickly ...as usual...ugh! I dont like mondays much so I am always rather crabby.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: bran cereal with skim milk
lunch: turkey breast on black bread with mayo and dijon, artichoke salad
dinner: chicken breast with roasted potatoes
snacks: v8 juice, mixed berries
beverages: water, diet soda, tea

exercise: pilates

Have a great day everyone

cjunk...let me know when you are coming down to montreal

Cyan

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have been gone for awhile...it sounds like a full moon ..I too have been in a weird emotional mood lately..feeling defeated about the diet, binge eating to self comfort. That is why I am writing at 5 a.m. in the morning...

Well, the past few weeks have not been the best...my left breast has been feeling tender and seemed to grow a bit so I decided to get a mammagram..last one I had was in 2001..the results came in a few days ago and it looks like they may have found something..I need to repeat one in 6 months.. I am hoping it is just calicium deposits..trying not to focus on it.

I was also very sick and so were the kids off and onfor the past two weeks..sore thoart and fever. Nevr once went for the whole month to the gym that I just signed up for..very mad at myself. Foodwise eating lots of choclate,salty foods and carbs..I can not get back in control. I will change starting today..here's my plan

1. try to look for non-food ways to prevent stress..taking walks, yoga, reading, bubble baths, not worrying about what might happen until I have all the facts.

2. keep working toward my goal for the wedding on May 22. Try to lose at least 5--10 pounds by May 22

Miki, I am so sorry to hear about how you are feeling ...I went trough a very emotional time a few years ago for a few months..I think it was a pre-midlife crisis..just remember this to will pass. I find journaling helps to to sort out feelings, talking to a friend and trying to put a little fun in every day. Please post.

Cyan, you are so motivated and it paid off 169! Great going.

Cjunk, I love reading your posts about your active lifestyle...hopefully your medical problems are being resolved.

Newie, when it gets tough in the classroom just remember how important a teacher job is...you are in the future. Sometimes I think the toughest kids are just the kids that need the most love.

Hi, everyone--sorry it has been so many days since I've been here. The end of last week was very stressful. PARENTS interfered with my discipline plan with the boys and the shirt tearing incident. I didn't get it completely resolved till Friday last week. I was furious. That is one of the problems at our school--parents often won't back up the teachers--don't want to let kids take responsibility for their actions--always want to blame someone else--does that sound like society in general, or what? Anyway, I took time for myself over the weekend--did a little shopping alone on Saturday--bought a new chair for my desk, and some lavender hand cream. I've taken to using lavender for stress relief. It also helps me sleep. I've used it off and on for a couple of years, but this time I got some real aromatherapy products--soap, the hand cream, massage oil. Cjunk--to answer your question, I teach 5th grade, so you were right on the money as far as age goes. Debee, thank you for your encouragement. I do know that I am doing something very important, and believe it or not, I do see a great deal of improvement in this group. A lot of it is in little things that would bore someone to death if I recounted every detail, but it is mostly in general management of the day, their respect for me, and in their sense of personal responsibility. Often I will feel as if I have taken two steps forward and one step back, but at least I am moving in a positive direction. Yesterday something happened that four boys in my class will get disciplined for (throwing wet toilet paper wads on the bathroom walls), yet I could hardly get mad at them, because they all confessed without me even bringing it up to them!!!! I thought that was incredibly responsible, and would not have happened a few weeks ago. :D (The principal had come into all the classrooms that use that bathroom to give a general reprimand.) Practically in the same breath, another person who had thrown an object in the classroom in a separate incident confessed to his guilt after it appeared that someone else was going to be blamed for the offense. The boys will be punished basically by each having to write a letter of apology to the maintenance staff (2 men), personally reading it to the men, and then they will have to put in the time the men had to in order to clean the bathroom wall by doing other cleaning jobs for the maintenance men. I am going to be sure the jobs include garbage, just to add in a little gross factor into the punishment/lesson. Their parents will not be called--partly because I don't want them sticking their noses in, and partly as a reward for their being honest. I am hoping they will learn a little more responsibility from this. Also, cjunk--I like your idea about kids setting their own punishment. I'm going to keep it in mind. I have to constantly come up with new ways to teach these kids.

Got to go--food is up and down--more chocolate than necessary. Weight is stable at 158. I walked with hubby on Sunday. Really, I'm going. Bye for now.

Hey Ladies

Still plugging away at it....I stayed on plan with the food and did my pilates dvd last night. I plan on cycling tonight

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: reduced fat peanutbutter with jam on whole wheat bread with a diet pepsi
lunch: tuna salad sandwich with diet mayo on whole wheat bread and artichoke salad
dinner: sole with snow peas and feta and olives
snacks: v8 juice, applesauce
beverages: diet cola, tea and water

Have a great day everyone

Miki I send you a big hug and I hope you feel better soon
Debee...I hope your boob is nothing to worry about and thank goodness you got it looked at right away...I send you lots of good energy
Newie...good job on reigning in your kids...they must be very tough...and I love aroma therapy...I have been using essential oils for years now and swear by them. I bought lavender when I was last in tasmania and it is the best.
Cjunk...let us know how you are doing...I am still laughing about your inlaws and how little they eat...man I would have to have food everytime I would be going over for dinner or lunch before getting there.

Have a great day everyone

Cyan

A quick note to myself ...since no one is in here waaaaaaaaaaa

ok...anyway, I did my cycling last night but only managed 15 minutes of it.

I will do pilates abs dvd tonight

Menu plan
breakfast: peanut butter and jam on whole wheat
lunch: smoked salmon salad ( I was going to have sole with snow peas)
dinner: scallops with garlic and sundried tomato with whole wheat pasta
snacks: chocolate soy pudding, banana
beverages: water, tea, diet soda

have a great day
Cyan

Hi, all--am just hanging around--had a bad day, actually just the afternoon--discovered a couple of the little "angels" in my class are working on some deceptive stuff--taking low-graded papers out of their take-home folders, not handing in a quiz one doesn't want to do--baloney like that. Do they really think I'm that dumb???? It really ------ me off. Anyway, I'll survive. I did eat about 10 Hershey's kisses as an afternoon snack after school--with a cup of coffee. I'm trying to escape for a while, but it really isn't helping. I've had very good luck with the sex ed. class I've been doing with the girls for the last three weeks. The boys start Monday--heaven help me, please!! Hubby is being very helpful to me tonight--good thing--I don't think I could really do any extra housework tonight. I've got a set of paragraphs to grade for midterm reports, which are due tomorrow, so that is where my evening will be. Tomorrow I make my regular drive to the orthodontist (50 miles each way) with older girl, and Friday night I have to go to this 8th grade honor dinner at school. What I need is pure mother's recreation for several days--not a chance in the next few weeks for sure--maybe in summer.

Well, I'm going to cook pancakes and sausage for the family--none for me--it's got eggs in it. I haven't had a stomach ache of any kind since I stopped eating things I know have eggs in them.

Debee, I was thinking about you. Keep in touch with your dr. regarding that breast. If it's anything suspicious, you want to get it taken care of as early as possible. Prayers to you.

Well, got to go. Talk to all later. Bye for now.

Happy Thursdays Ladies

well I didnt exercise last night and I dont think I will be doing it tonight cause its the friend's finale.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast, skim milk
lunch: chicken breast with baby mixed greens, asparagus, potato salad,green beans
dinner: scallops, sun dried tomatoes with garlic on a bed of whole wheat spaghetti
snacks: granola bar
beverages: diet cola, tea, water

Have a great day folks

Cyan

Hey Gang, Just a quick note to say hello. Beginning of the week was easy but the end has been tough. Thank goodness it's Friday!! I have to work on Saturday as well but I am looking forward to it as we have a fun activity planned. Debee, Mikki big hugs to both of you and hope all is well--keep posting to let us know how you are. The beginning of the week was good activity-wise as well--went biking Mon, Tues and baseball Wed. Yesterday watched Friends and today I hope to get some exercise in.

Hi, everybody--rough one this week with those 5th graders, and yesterday I finally lost it--absolutely lost my temper in class. Other teachers told me not to worry about it, but I feel bad--really bad. I ate about 20 chocolate kisses over it. My lost temper was triggered by the class's disrespect of a situation where I tried to begin work on an art project, and it involved collecting and tearing up the beginnings of hand tracings the students had done 2 months ago--probably 15 minutes of work in each one--and throwing away other coloring pictures they had done two months ago that I haven't had time to mount because of all the BS I've had to go through because of bad behavior from about 12 of 28 students. I also did about 10 minutes of ranting and raving, as well as beating the blackboard with an empty water bottle while I ranted about their disrespect. I somewhere let the d--- word escape--not referring to any of them--I just said something like, "we're not going to do a d--- thing." I also tossed three or four children's weekly paper folders on the floor for them to pick up because they had not put their names on the front of them, despite being asked several times, and I'd just had enough. I then called the principal to tell her what I had done and why, and cried. She spoke briefly to the students, I spoke to them again, telling them I was ashamed of my behavior but so very disturbed that their behavior had brought me to such a point. The principal is very supportive of me, but is also concerned about my loss of temper, though she understands this group and how far they can push. They have been like this since kindergarten. I'm going to finish the year with them in a very structured environment with very little opportunity for them to move around the classroom or the school, and a teaching style that will involve mostly me presenting information, their doing work based on what I presented, me reteaching, and over and over like that, with very little interaction because they cannot respect even a simple question/answer session. I am so frustrated. I have tried so hard--with every bit of imagination and effort I have been able to summon. Today I feel just sick. I am fearful that parents are going to say something, though I am praying not because I just sent home mid-quarter reports, and mostly they were very bad, as were the weekly behavior reports I send home on Fridays. Perhaps the kids are afraid to say anything because of their own reports--I can only hope. I was at a school dinner last night where there were parents of my students present. I kept looking at them to see if they were looking at me in any funny, horrified way. No one seemed to be. I am feeling very paranoid. This week I had to deal with an incident where a group of my boys vandalized the bathroom by throwing wet tissue on the walls and ceiling, another where one boy thought it would be fun to squirt glass cleaner with ammonia he was using to clean his desk at another student, and hit the child in the eye, and where another boy threw a pop top across the room, and it hit a girl in the forehead. This all happened before Thursday. It's like I have to be five people to keep track of what they are doing or planning to do next. Suddenly the old Sidney Poitier movie "To Sir With Love" comes to my mind. Do I need to watch it? Will it inspire me? I don't know. Anyway, thanks for listening/reading. I hope everyone is doing well. Take care.

Hey girls...Newie...wow...I hope things work out at school for you. I would be paranoid too. Hang in there and hopefully you will know what to do with those monsterous kids.

Cjunk...how are you feeling...if allthat exercising is an indication..I am thinking you are on the mend...I hope so.

Well this friday I weighed myself and I am down to 167.5...I lost another 1.5 pounds this week...wooohoooo...I am getting close to my lowest weight in the past 4 years of 163...after I reach that goal...I will go onto weights I haven't seen in 4 years! I cant wait..how exciting.

Have a great weekend

Cyan

Hey Everyone,

Cyan!! Big congratulations!!!! :D You are doing awesome!! Keep up the great work -- you are an inspiration to us all!!

Newie-sounds like a rough week for sure...getting close to the end of the school year though. You can almost count down the days!! That means that only 5 or 6 more weeks where with your planned structured environment you will be doing just fine. I can remember when I was young and we acted out very badly in class one day and my teacher "lost it" and frankly that was what turned our behaviour around. None of us talked to our parents about it at all from what I can remember--mainly because we knew we had it coming to us.

This weekend was a bit rough for me. I am adjusting to a medication to get my levels back in line, but some days are better than others. It is taking me a bit of time to adjust but I have only had it for a few days so I have to take it easy. I was thinking that I might take a sick day if I feel as rough as I was yesterday. I ended up working but I was not at the top of my game and really needed to be so it would have been best had I not been there at all. Unfortunately, my whole body feels like what the equivalent of eggs would be if they were scrambled. I am hoping today is the last of the adjusting and then I can feel normal again next week. Normally I don't work on weekends but I had to this weekend and I had flexed another day earlier in the week for it. Have you ever had a day where you wish you could live it over again just so that you can change one decision you made during the day to see if a better outcome would have happened??? That's kind of my yesterday. I am determined to make this a better day.

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Debee, Mikki--how are you both??

hello girls----------pardon me for being nosy,but every now and then i jump out of the cow pasture next door and roam around the surrounding fields!!!---the misc. groups board seems pretty friendly!!! anyway,here is my nosy question-----last fall one of you spoke of having your abode featured on a Home and Garden Show!!! I found that very exciting,but haven't heard mention of it lately!!I love all those shows and I would love to see a 3FC member profiled! Hopefully you don't mind me dropping over,---you can check me out at the Cow thread if you like----nice talking to you,Bagzz

Sunday was much better!
 

Hi Everyone,

Sunday was a much better day. I took my mom for a mother's day bike ride and my dad and fiance came as well. Then we had a salmon and veggie dinner at my fiance's parents for mother's day (his dad cooked it!!) and after that went to the pool and swam for about a half an hour later in the evening. It was more of a relaxing swim than anything. Discovered that the side effects of the medication that I am on are virtually non-existent if I am exercising and post-exercise. So I guess I will have to keep up the workouts. Whatever works to make me feel better!!!

Gotta head back to work!! It is my birthday later this week and I am feeling this one a bit more than others but I think it will be fun.

Talk to everyone soon,

Cjunk

Monday Again
 

Hey girls

The weekend was good...I kept to the program and didnt overeat although I had Opera Cake yesterday for Mother's Day.

I weighed in this morning and I am at 167.5 ...which means I have reached my mini goal so onto 163 for the end of May...I cant wait.

Hey Bagzz...I think you are talking about Debee..her home was featured in the show. She will be excited to know that you are asking about it. Hopefully she will drop in soon and read your post.

Anyway, Meal plan for today
breakfast: instant carnation with skim milk
lunch: turkey breast sandwhich on sourdough bread, tomato salad and carrots
dinner: salmon steak with spinach
snacks: dunno yet

Have a great day

Cyan

I'm BACK!!!
 

Hey girls! ;) I'm back. I'm not back on the weight loss train. Trevor Michael was born Tuesday, May 4 at 9:35am. He was a scheduled induction. Pitocin was started at 7am. Water was broken at 7:39. Epidural given slightly after 8am. I went from 5 cm and neg. 2 station to complete and +3 in 20 minutes. While the epidural took care of the actual contractions, I still felt all the pressure in my "area." I felt him slide down my birth canal and felt like I was pooping a pumpkin. :D He was 9 pounds 3 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. I have recovered nicely. He has a bad bout of jaundice right now and is on a bili-blanket that Home Health brought over today and set up for us. I'm stressed about all that but I know he'll get better. Breastfeeding is going well. He's the cutest baby ever (along with my other two children of course) and he's very serious. I got up to 225 with this pregnancy which means I gained a total of 52 pounds. I'm not sure what I way now because my scale needs batteries. I'll probably just wait until my 6 week check up and then get batteries and get serious about the weight loss. I have the whole summer off from classes! :cb: :cp:

I'm glad to be back so plan on hearing from me often!!!

Love,
Lisa :goodscale

Hey Lisa

Congratulations ...I send you and your family best wishes, a big hug and kiss to Trevor. Wow...he's a big boy...good on you Lisa! Its nice to have the summer off too. you gotta post up pix soon! I will be here to encourage you to lose weight once you are ready...just holler (sp?)

Well I havent done any exercising this week thus far so I guess I will get back to it tonight. I have also been eating my Mother's Day cake I bought for my Momma...just to good to pass up but I dont want to put any weight back on especially in light of my success...so I wont be touching it again for the week...I hope my father will eat it.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: tuna sandwich with light mayo on sour dough bread
dinner: tomato salad with smoked salmon and feta cheese
snacks: yogurt with bran cereal
beverages: water, tea, diet cola

Have a great day everyone and once again Lisa...congratulations and good to have you back with us.

Have a great day
Cyan

Hey Lisa

Congratulations ...I send you and your family best wishes, a big hug and kiss to Trevor. Wow...he's a big boy...good on you Lisa! Its nice to have the summer off too. you gotta post up pix soon! I will be here to encourage you to lose weight once you are ready...just holler (sp?)

Well I havent done any exercising this week thus far so I guess I will get back to it tonight. I have also been eating my Mother's Day cake I bought for my Momma...just to good to pass up but I dont want to put any weight back on especially in light of my success...so I wont be touching it again for the week...I hope my father will eat it.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: tuna sandwich with light mayo on sour dough bread
dinner: tomato salad with smoked salmon and feta cheese
snacks: yogurt with bran cereal
beverages: water, tea, diet cola

Have a great day everyone and once again Lisa...congratulations and good to have you back with us.

Have a great day
Cyan

pictures of Trevor
 

Anyone who is interested in pictures of my new little one can go to growingfamily.com Click on the link to their web nursery. Then it will ask for the birthday May 4, 2004 and the first 3 letters of my last name, SMI, and the state, KANSAS. Then click on find baby. That will send you to a link for Trevor. Click on his name and there are four pictures from the hospital. They are hospital pictures so they're not that great. He's much cuter in person. Hope to hear from all of you soon. I've missed you all!!!

Lisa

Congratulations Lisa!!
 

Welcome back and congratulations Lisa!! I looked at the pictures of your beautiful new baby boy with the directions that you gave to the website and he is so cute!! He is a big baby like my nephew was. I am looking forward to reading your posts and happy to encourage you along the way once you get back into things.

Cyan, good for you for getting back into the exercise and putting down that cake!! I am happy to hear that you made your mini-goal.

Newie, Mikki, Debee--I am looking forward to hearing from all of you. I so much enjoy all of your posts and hope that all is going well for each of you.

I am starting to physically feel better lately. The medication I am on seems to be working well and for the first time I have been sleeping only 8-9 hours a night instead of 12-14 hours!!! That makes me feel like I have so many more hours in my day to do things instead of just coming home from work and going to sleep within a few hours. I hadn't really truly realized how badly it can affect you when your iron is that low. So happy to be getting back on track. Looking forward to getting back to my normal pattern of 7 hours sleep a night which I used to be like before. For now I am happy at 8.

Talk to you all soon. I am going to enjoy the sunshine here as I understand that it is supposed to rain tomorrow!!

Cjunk

Hi, girls--I have about 2 minutes. Congratulations, Lisa, on that new boy of yours. I know the pumpkin-pooping feeling. My girls were 8 lbs. 14 1/2 oz. and 9 lbs. 5 oz. respectively. Glad to know all is well. I gained 48 lbs. each with my two girls, so I know the project you're facing. We'll be here for you.

I've had a rather difficult few days, what with the explosion I did at school on Friday, although there have been considerable changes in the children's behavior. There were a few parent calls, by the parents of the good children mostly (of course), and I did receive a warning for my personnel file--mostly a formality to protect the principal, I think--but mostly it's seeming to blow over. I think the person hurt by it the most was probably me. It devastated me to think that I could be pushed to the point of losing my temper like that, but there are a few "bad seeds" in that group that everyone else feeds off of. I never did that in all the years I taught--11. I am trying to turn it into a positive life lesson for myself and the children and face every consequence directly and courageously. Well, I will tell more when I get more time. Bye for now.

Hey Lisa
went to growing family and saw trevor...oooh how cute he is...congrats again.

Hey Cjunk...glad to hear that you are feeling better.
Newie..looks like things are brightening up for you too with those brats.

I had a hectic morning..I woke up and noticed that 5 gallons of my 10 gallon fish tank had dripped off..the poor gold fish were stressed out to boot...so I had to run over to walmart and get a new tank...and of course ..that made me late for work..showed up at 11 am instead...so lost two hours of work and paid 70 dollars for the new tank...argh.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: v8 juice
lunch: mortadella panini with grilled vegetables
dinner: dunno yet


gotta run

Cyan

Hello girls! Well, thanks for all the compliments on my new little bundle of joy. He's had a bad case of jaundice, but with he's been on 24 hour bili lights and he's getting better. He's had to have his blood drawn 3 days in a row now. He handles it very well considering. It's stressfull on me to have him not 100% well, but this will soon pass.

As for weight loss. Well, I'm gearing up mentally. This weekend I hope to do a grocery shopping trip and I'm aiming to make good choices for weight loss. I would like to go back to doing low carb, but not as low as the induction phase of Adkins. I'd like to add fruit and other "healthy" carbs. Also, I'm not a big cook, especially since my husband works nights now and I'm not going to make dinner for a 4 year old, 6 year old, a newborn and myself. So, if anyone has ideas for easy to prepare low carb meals for one, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm also not drinking caffiene since I'm breastfeeding and I've been drinking lots of water. I feel good about my water intake.

Cyan, I really like how you put your daily menu on here. I bet that really helps with accountability. I'd like to start doing that next week.

Okay, as for exercise, I'm hoping to get a stroller soon so I can start walking. We have a family zoo pass, so that would be good. I don't have a membership at the gym anymore, but I'm really considering getting one. They have a swimming class for moms and their new babies. That would be awesome.

Okay, sorry this was all about me. I'll get more personal with you guys next time!!! I would really appreciate any advice to get me started next week on my weight loss!!

Lisa

Hi Everyone,

I woke up this morning feeling physically not so great but it is my Birthday today so I will try and make the best of things. I decided to take a few hours off of work this morning and I am going to go to a specialty coffee shop and treat myself to a really expensive good coffee and relax a bit and read a book. Yesterday I missed my baseball game because I had a really heavy counselling session that was much longer than anticipated. I think this week has been beautiful weather but terrible for me for exercise.

My fiance has something up his sleeve for my birthday tonight but I am not sure what yet. My girlfriend is having a BBQ at her place for me on Sunday and my family are all away for work right now but my mom and sis and I are having a "spa night" when they get back. So those are the plans!

I hope I am feeling better soon so that I can enjoy it all--I have been so tired the past couple of days! I am equating that to the lack of exercise as well!!

Cyan, sorry to hear about your fish tank. I have a 36 gallon tank at home with Discus in it and it would be an expensive trip to the fish store for sure!!

Lisa, sounds like you are gung-ho and on the right track to success!!

Newie, I think sometimes it is experiences like the one that you just had that help us to grow as people as we learn from them about ourselves. I think you are approaching this situation very positively and I congratulate you for that. Hang in there as the year is getting close to being done. I hope that you are not looking at what happened as making you second guess your skills and abilities because you have 11 great years of experience behind you.

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Its thursday already!
 

Hey Girls

Lisa...yep...putting my menu on line helps me stick to the plan and it helps me plan my meals so that I dont come home and eat whatever is there.

Cjunk...thank goodness my tank is small...so it cost me 70 bucks to replace it..I felt bad for our aging goldfish...but they seemed happy this morning...so I guess they are ok with their new tank...they are at least 7 years old.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: crab salad sandwich with sour dough bread
dinner: chicken breast with roasted bell peppers
snacks: yogurt with bran cereal, sorbet
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: pilates abs

Have a great day

Cyan

Cjunk...Happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear Cjunk...Happy birthday toooooooooo youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu....and many more!

Let us know all the details...gifts...surprises...cake...fooooooood... .looking forward to hearing your post

Cyan

I meant reading your post :lol:

almost forgot...here are your cyber gifts :hb: :gift: :hat: :queen: :balloons: :cheers: :eating2:

CJUNK!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :hb: :gift: :balloons:

Enjoy that cup of coffee! :coffee2:

Definitely let us know about all your presents!!

Lisa :)

Thanks for the Happy Birthdays everyone!!

Having trouble concentrating at work today because the weather is absolutely beautiful outside.

I found out I am also working an extra 4 hours tomorrow night so I am going to leave a bit early today. I have a 2-3:30 appointment but after that I am gonna head home and strap on my rollerblades and go for a spin. I enjoyed my coffee this morning as well. I ended up getting to work fairly early even though I said I would go later and I also plan to work through lunch so that I can leave earlier too as I think an earlier day would be more fun than a long lunch. A few of my co-workers are taking me out tomorrow for lunch as Thursdays tend to be busier here. Like you Cyan, we are going out for Sushi lunch which is pretty healthy. I bought a small lemon square with my coffee for my birthday as a treat which I never usually do and I am having trouble finishing it. It is so sweet!!

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Its Happy Friday ..woo hoo
 

Hey Cjunk...good to hear that you are having a blast celebrating your birthday..SUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIII hmmmmmmm...lucky girl. By the sounds of all your activities planned...looks like you are feeling better. good on you.

I have been very bad this week...I have really stayed on plan at all...I ate too much cake, roated fava beans and too much sorbet.

So I am buckling down for the weekend.

Meal Plan
breakfast: bran cereal with skim milk
lunch: whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce and parmesan
dinner: smoked salmon salad with olive oil
snacks: mixed berries
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

have a grea weekend

Cyan

MOnday Sunshine
 

Its monday and of course...its a beautiful day...so sunny and bright...so of course I have to be indoors at work...ack

I went hiking yesteray...boy was that tough...my feet were burning by the time we were done...2 hours...one hour to get up the hill and one hour to get down..but the weather was beautiful and perfect for hiking.

I am back down to 167.5...so now its time to move off this number and lose some more weight. I am going for 166...help me get there lol

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: turkey sandwich on sour dough with carrots
dinner: chicken breast with spinach and peppers
snacks: yogurt, mixed berries
beverages: diet cola, tea and water

exercise: pilates

Have a great day

Cyan

A quick hello to everyone. A busy birthday weekend with lots of parties and celebrations. Had a fun weekend and enjoyed it all. Didn't end up taking any time off on my birthday and worked extra hours on Friday so I took some time off this morning and have another event tonight that I have to work at until 9pm so I will likely flex a few hours on Friday afternoon of this week to cover that off. Lots of evening and weekend work lately but it makes for a nice weekday morning to get caught up on laundry. Not feeling so great today even though it is sunny. Kind of a little shaky like I am pepped up on caffeine or something but I will forge ahead and work!! Cjunk

Good morning all! Happy Monday! Well, today I went to a friends house with the baby to study for a final tomorrow. I got a week extension on the nursing final! So hopefully, the studying will pay off and I'll do okay tomorrow on the test.

Cyan, you will be at 166 in no time! You have been doing so great!!! Your hike sounds great.

CJunk, sounds like you have been working lots of hours. I wish you lived here and you could come help me get caught up on my laundry as well. It's piling up! LOL :lol: I'm glad you had a great birthday weekend!

I'm having a hard time getting started on my weight loss program. This morning I had fruit, which is good, but it came with a dip and it was yummy. I shouldn't have had the dip. I also had some chips with cheese dip at my friends house. Not good. When I got home at 2:15 I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a big glass of milk. The bread was low carb, but the jelly kind of cancels that out. I just had a 2 carb dairy dessert. It was yummy. For dinner I will have fish and sauteed veggies. I will also drink lots of water. I know I can't cut calories too much since I'm breastfeeding, so I need to take that into consideration. I'm not up to exercising just yet, but on Friday I'm going to the zoo with the kids. I finally put batteries in the scale and I've lost over 20 pounds since I had Trevor. That was really shocking! Well, that's all for now, Trevor has a dr appt.

See you all later!

Lisa

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I am so far behind!

Lisa, congrats on Trevor!!! I went to the site..he's a cutie. Is his jaundice all better??

Cjunk, happy birthday a little late. Sounds like you enjoyed it. I too have been working lots of hours. Off tomorrow but will be spending it at the kids school for a "funday"...grilling hamburgers, playing games etc.

Cyan, you are doing great these days! Hope your motivation will rub off on me soon.

Newie, sorry to hear about the little 'monsters' you're having to deal with lately. Just remember you only have a few more days with them...you'll make it. :)

Debee, how are you?? Did the show already air that featured your house?? I was hoping to catch it.

Heard from Taiwan via email few weeks ago. If I remember correctly, her baby is due July 1. Not positive about that but she does plan to get back in here once he/she is born and on a regular schedule.

I'm still up and down as far as weightloss. Just cant seem to get on track and stay there. Still not giving up.

Anyone heard from Reina lately? I hope things are well with her.

Well, I really dont even have time to be on here so I guess I better run. Seems like I can never get caught up with house chores these days. I'll be back in to post again soon.

Take care, all

MIKI

Hey girls,

Well, I didn't have the fish I was planning on for dinner. I was at my mother-in-law's house and she brought home chinese. I ate way too much. So, I'm going to plan my day for tomorrow. Here goes:

Breakfast: bacon and yogurt
Lunch: hot dog with low carb bread
Dinner: Fish and sautteed squash
Snacks: sugar free popsicle/ string cheese
drinks: diet sprite and water

There. I feel better.

MIki, great hearing from you. Hang in there with the weigh loss. I know what you mean about up and down and not being able to get in the groove. I'm having a hard time as well, getting back on track. Thanks for the congrats on Trevor. Yes, his jaundice is a lot better. He had his last blood test today.

cyan, Cjunk, Reina, Newie, Debee, Hope you all had a great day! Hope to hear from you all soon. I'm so glad to be back with all of you!!!

Hi, everyone--sorry it's been so long since I've been in here. I've been having a rough time after the "incident". There were about 5 phone calls to the school office, and some amends to make to students. There is also a problem with parents' gossiping at our school, and I've had to deal with hearing what people are spreading around about what happened that day--many untruths and things taken out of context. It caused me to do a lot of questioning of myself--asking myself if I really said X, Y, or Z, and then beating myself up over it. There was one item being spread around about me that I said I did not say, but after thinking about it, I am not sure. No matter what, parents have taken what might have been said completely out of the context of what was happening. Things are pretty much calmed down other than that, except inside me. I'm trying very hard to go on--a part of me wants to confess every little detail of what I remember about the incident to the principal as I think of it, even if things seem to be over and no one else is thinking about it but me (I think it's how I beat myself up over my mistakes)--my hubby has told me that I just need to drop it and get through the rest of the year. Any opinions? I could use a little feedback and perspective.

Needless to say, my food has not been good--I'm not eating mass quantities--just making some poor choices. I'm also not sleeping well.

The irony of this whole situation is that I am closer to the majority of the students in my class than I was before, and I have pretty much isolated the troublemakers. I don't know. I have learned a lot, and next year will be very different.

Let me get off myself, please. Happy Birthday, Cjunk! Also, sorry, Cyan, to hear about your fish tank. Was there a big mess to clean up? Well, I'm going to get going now. Talk to you all soon. Take care.