Well, you've all been busy since the last time I posted! This should be fun...trying to respond properly. :dizzy:

Yesterday was the playdate with the Tricklets (triplets). I invited the mother and the kids for lunch and swimming in our pool. Well, the mom, being the mother of triplets, misunderstood or had selective hearing and thought that she was dropping the kids off to play. She figured out that she was also invited when I asked her what she wanted to drink. (I would never drop my kindergartner over a friend's house without knowing the parents first...I mean, how does she know that she can trust me? Granted, pedafiles hide it well, and there really is no way of knowing how someone will be with your child when the parent isn't around, but you can usually get a "feel" for someone by spending the afternoon with them chatting.) So, anyway, when she realized that she didn't have the afternoon off, she said she needed to take care of something but would return in one hour. After I fed everyone, had them put their swimsuits on, and put sunscreen on the tricklets (they didn't have their own), we went swimming. Shortly thereafter, mom returned. It was awkward at first, but we ended up having some pretty good conversations in between dealing with the kids, who by the way, were very well-behaved. All in all, it was a great day, and we received an invitation to their house next week. I think I'm invited...but I'm not 100% sure. :lol:

Today was our playdate with my best friend and her DD and DS. Her DD is my DD's best friend as well. It was super hectic, her DD has ADHD, and I think her DS will turn out to have it as well. All in all, with the craziness, it was fun, and we got lots of sun. Tomorrow, a friend of DD's from school and her whole family are coming over for a BBQ and for swimming. Hopefully they are friendly people who like to have fun. I don't know them at all, but since they live in our neighborhood, and DD is friends with their DD, it is my responsibility to get to know them. Who knows? I may end up with some new friends myself! :D

My DH has taken a turn for the worst. In the middle of all this gleeful fun, he has been spending way too much time in the bathroom. He is being put on a third round of antibiotics. I'm really scared that he will need to be opened up again. We are leaving for Disneyworld in 19 days. This can't be happening!!! :(

Ladies I love to read...trash in particular...what I mean is, romance/suspense/lots of sex! Right now I am reading the second book in a trilogy by JoAnn Ross called, Out of the Blue. I mostly read Jayne Ann Krentz. I refuse to read anything of any value in the summer!

Mouse, I worked with adults with developmental disabilities for 15 years in the residential setting. I was an assistant manager of a group home. I've only been a classroom teacher for 3 years. Anyway, I think your people do need to be taught life skills. They should be taught the skills needed to be a whole person. It will serve them well in the future if they can do more than just their limited job requirement. I'm sorry those around you are so short-sighted. Good for you hitting a mile!!! 72 lengths...HOLY SH*T, that is impressive!!!

Kerry, I am soooooo happy for you and your accomplishments this month!!! :D

Robyn, I like water aerobics too. The old location of my gym had a pool, and I took water aerobics a couple of times, but the class consisted of 80 year old women. I felt rather ridiculous after a while. If there was just one other young/middle aged person there...The gym's new location doesn't have a pool, so it isn't an option for me.

Well, I'd better get back to my family. Take care one and all.

Hi Mousie, Robyn and Summer,
Congrats on reaching your mile of swimming. How long does it usually take you with the breaks built in? I don't think I could swim a whole mile. I just like to play around in the water and swim a few laps,play some more and swim a few more laps, etc.
As for work,keep your chin up. I am the only MH teacher in my building. There are three other MH teachers in my county school district. I really don't think they worked really hard at teaching some of my current students any acedmic skills. They just knew some life skills and how to watch tv and play games when I started my position two years ago there. I asked the lady who I took over for what she did. She said she did a math sheet with them in the morning, had them do jobs around the school and in the afternoon did a reading paper with them. I was amazed at how little they were exposed to social studies, science and language arts. So I started to incorprate those into my lesson plans. I was teaching one student who had been passed through the system up to the 7th grade, how to read. He was ADHD and from a really bad family life. So when I was teaching this kid how to read his other acedmics started to improve too. But then,mom got in a fight with her parents and moved away with him. So I am afaird that he has gotten lost again in the system. It amazes me how little some of this students have been given a chance to learn. Enough about school!
Summer sounds like your play dates went well. Glad to hear that you got invited over to the triplets house next week. Sorry to hear that your dh is not feeling well again. I hope you can still go on vacation.
We had a rough afternoon at our house. Earlier this week, my stepdd's softball coach was found died under his deck. He was fixing something under his house and they think he had a seizure and that threw him into a heart attack. He was 31 years old. Well my stepdd was very close to him and has been pretty upset about his death. His calling hours were this evening. She insisted that she was going to them to say good-bye. We explained to her that he was going to be in a coffin and not alive. He was not going to be able to talk to her like he did on the ball field. She said that she knew this,but she still wanted to go. So I helped her change clothes and her mom took her to the funeral home to see him. Her mom, dad and I had talked about how we didn't think it was a good idea to let her see him like that. But she keep saying she needed to go. I hope she is not traumatized over this for years to come. I ended up taking the twins for a bike ride while their mommy and sister went to the funeral home. I needed to keep them busy from asking any questions, becasue I didn't know what to say to a set of 6 year olds.
Well I better go to bed. It has been a long emotional day. I need to rest up for my big family get together with the in-laws tomorrow evening.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
Take care,
Kerry

With breaks and all, my shortest time is 90 minutes. I also don't count the stretching before and after. I hardly ever 'run out' my mp3 player's music, so I don't think it takes me longer than that. My longest time is 2 hours, but I stopped and had an involved conversation with a friend in between two sets of laps. ;)

As for the other: how can you teach life-skills if you can't read? Unless these are really severely disabled kids (like severely MR), there is no reason for not integrating the life-skills/job-skills into an academic whole. That's what I do. And we do science and social studies, though we might not call it that. The last 2 years at my inner city school we had a science fair, and my kids entered. Our first year, we won an honorable mention. I was really proud of them: all I did was help provide the structure and print out the labels and Boardmaker symbols for the presentation board. They did all the work. Their hypothesis was that Jello using the 'quick set' method would gel faster than Jello made using the standard method. They charted the time and temperature, did the whole thing. Of course, we made like 80 zillion things of Jello that year before they did the experiment, but who cares????
Believe it or not, at room temperature without using the fridge, standard Jello gelled first. I was surprised!
I admit that I didn't break science and social studies into separate periods, but made it part of the whole. But the 7th and 8th grade curriculums called for exposure to scientific thinking, scientific method, etc... and we did it. We also did modified US history (lots of mapping and local attraction type stuff).

Sorry to hear about the baseball coach. I don't think she'll be scarred, Kerry... one of our gym teachers at my last public school was found dead in the weight room by students (he had a heart-attack while exercising alone). Lots of students and staff went to the viewing... it seemed to provide closure for many. And then in the Spring the school did a memorial for him and planted a tree outside the school for the teacher.

Hello all....

Just checking in. So much to answer!

Mouse, GOOD for you and your kiddos! You are teaching them "stuff" that they need to learn! Winning and participating in the Science Fair has got to thrill them to pieces! (As well as teach them a "bunch of stuff"! One of my favorite posters that I had when I was a brand new teacher ....back in the dark ages...was of Garfield and Odie flying through the air...The caption said, "One doesn't know what one can't do it one doesn't know what one can't do!" or something like that. (I still have it....and I still believe it! It is amazing what you can accomplish IF....) Keep up the great work!

Kerry, so sorry to hear about your dsd's coach. How sad! What a way and place to die. I can't remember how old she is, but.... I think that she will react the way that the adults in her life will react. I also think that it is important that children "deal with" the death of someone they loved just like adults need to "deal with" it. I'm thinking that her going to the funeral home was a good thing in the long run.... especially if she was close to this coach. Poor baby.... no one ever wants to do those things...AND to have to learn to say goodbye at such a tender age.... BUT... She knew she needed to say goodbye. I'm sorry that you've had this to have to sort out and deal with! Be strong for your dsd!

Summer, What fun you are having! How busy you must be! Isn't it funny/strange/ and down right sad.... How / What people think about their kids?! I would have NEVER considered leaving my 5 year old with someone I didn't know to swim in a backyard pool.... OR anywhere else for that matter! I am not too sure that I would leave my 9 or 12 year olds with people that I didn't know. Heck, when our oldest went on a field trip to a theme park (2 hours away) with his band...his father went! He didn't hang out with dad all day...but just knowing that my dh was there made me relax a bit! I know that he has to grow up...... and he will but something isn't going to happen to him because we've decided that he doesn't need us anymore! He is at such a wonderful and yet painful age.... one minute he will be acting like an adult...and then the next minute he is doing stupid kid stuff! Nope...he still needs his parents!

I'm sorry to hear about your dh. What else can be done to help him? Poor guy!
He remains in my prayers! You are also in them! :)

Well, yesterday I did "good"! I measured. I did what I was supposed to! This weekend, we have some socializing to do! I'm going to control my mouth and what goes in it! Nothing dripping with mayo is going on my plate! I am going to take my own chips with me so that I won't feel left out with the chips! I've got a plan and I'm going to stick to it! :)

Ya'll take care!
meeeee

:cb: :cb:

Had to come back to tell you that I exercised! I did my favorite Firm tape and used weights! hehehehe! I'm doing my PLAN! :) yahooooooooo!

I AM in control! :)

:), Mermaid. I went to the pool today, though it was a bit of dance to arrange the schedule so somebody would cover me while I was dispatching. The only thing I dislike about dispatching is that I'm tied to my apartment. Because of living in a city, and parking in a parking garage, if my pager goes off while I'm out, even if I'm just 2 blocks, I'm a minimum of 10 minutes from my apartment. Oh well.
Thanks for the comment: I don't know that the kids were excited: I have a picture of them posing with the ribbon and the display board, and not one of them is smiling! Well, what can I expect with 8 boys classified as moderately mentally ******ed and emotionally disturbed??? ;)
I, too, like Garfield... have several posters in my classroom, but my favorite one I have not bought. I don't think I'd get away with hanging it in my classroom, especially given the kids I'm with! It has Garfield, and says, "You CAN'T scare me! I teach!" :)

:mouse:

Happy 4th of July
 

Happy Birthday, America!

I hope that all my friends here have a wonderful, fun filled day! Have a great family day! BUT...watch out for the dripping mayonnaise at the picnics!

We will be hanging out at home, grilling dinner and then spraying each other with bug repellent (!) and then going down to our side of the river to watch
the Yorktown fireworks when it gets dark! Things get sorta intense around
our part of VA on the 4th of July! (Ya'll remember what happened at Yorktown, yes?! :lol: )

Have FUN!
Robyn

Happy Independence Day!!!

As I sit here typing at my computer, every so often I pause to apply more aloe to my SUNBURN!!!

I am such an idiot. I apply SPF 30 to my child. She has NEVER had sunburn in her 6 years of life. I use between a 4 and 8 on my body and a 15 on my face. I'm not sure what I was thinking...maybe I was still intoxicated from last night's BBQ...but I only applied sunscreen to my face and shoulders. I guess I didn't think we would be outside by the pool for very long. But after two hours without sunscreen, OUCH!!! I'M IN PAIN!!! :hot:

Last night, we had DD's school friend, little sister, and parents over for a BBQ. It was great to get to know them. We had fun, and the girls had a blast. The only thing was that her friend's father kept flirting with me. It was so awkward with his wife sitting right there. Since I was just getting to know them for the first time, I didn't know if he does this with everyone or if he has the "hots" for me. :?: Part of me was flattered...it has been a long time since someone has treated me that way...and part of me felt horrible for his wife whether she noticed it or not, it was pretty disrespectful of her. My DH was clueless...which is probably a good thing.

Today, after swimming in the pool and hanging out in my backyard, we went to Fairfield beach where my extended family has a cottage. Every year everyone gathers from all over the country for a family reunion there. It was wild to sit and watch everyone constantly eating while I sipped on my Mike's Hard Lemonade. And when I did eat, it was just a cheeseburger, baked beans, and watermelon. I didn't have a hot dog or any of the mayo salads, and I avoided seconds. It was very interesting feeling to consciously control myself while the feeding frenzy took place. I was/am very proud of myself. Tonite we will make s'mores, but again, I will control myself.

Kerry, that boy you taught how to read in 7th grade has you to thank for having any kind of positive future. He may be gone now, but he will always have that time with you. You truly changed his life for the better. God bless you. Also, I am so sorry about your stepDD's coach. 31 is WAY TOO YOUNG to die. How horrible for everyone who loved him. I think it was a very healthy thing for her to go to the calling hours. In fact, I think it would have been worse for her had she not gone. We all need to come to terms with death. It was appropriate for her to face it in this way.

Mouse, I AM AMAZED BY THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND SWIMMING!!!!! GOOD LORD LOUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robyn, thanks for understanding how I feel about parenting. I think too many people take parenting too lightly. In the past two weeks, two children under the age of 4 were hit by cars and were killed. The parents weren't watching them. Last week a 5 year old boy was raped by a man out on the street in the city I teach in. The mom was quoted as saying, "I started to worry when it got dark and he hadn't come home." What the f*cking h*ll is a 5 year old doing playing out in the neighborhood without adult supervision?! Apparently the kids around there just go outside on their own and return home for dinner. I wasn't allowed out in my neighborhood to play without adult supervision until I was 8, and that was 31 years ago when the world was a safer place. IF YOU CAN'T WATCH YOUR KIDS, DON'T HAVE THEM!!! So now, 3 innocent children's lives have been destroyed all because their parents weren't paying attention to them. AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I don't care who calls me overprotective. At least I know I am doing everything I can to keep my kid safe and sound.

Enjoy the holiday!!!

Hi, everybody!

Hope everybody has had a nice July 4th! Mine has, knock on wood, been very quiet! This is a good thing, as I was the dispatcher/duty worker on-call for our local Red Cross Disaster Services team. We've only had two fires this weekend which is a blessing. It is bad enough to lose a house to fire or disaster, but then to lose it on a holiday is worse.

I was thrilled yesterday as I managed to eat and keep all of what I ate down. This has become a real issue over the last 2 months; the doctors think that my body has stopped responding appropriately to at least one hormone that causes your gall bladder to work. The result being that I'm surviving on protein shakes, turkey sandwiches and salad. If its low-fat and very plain, I can usually keep it down. But yesterday some friends introduced me to pakorah (vegetables fried in chick-pea flour). Horrible for you, but very tasty... and I figured what the heck? If I was going to get sick, I may as well enjoy it before hand!
Unfortunately, today wasn't quite so good. :( Oh well. As my mother would say, 'this, too, shall pass.' :)
Thanks for the compliment on the swimming, Summer. :) I swim not only for exercise, but so I don't have to work quite as hard at restraining the 'fist of death' around my colleagues and administrators. I assume thatyou've read Dilbert and are familiar with 'the fist of death'? If not, I can explain.
My fellow teachers are asking me to teach each job area we offer separately, and not cross-over into any of the other job areas while teaching one. This goes against everything that I've ever learned, and believed in for teaching. My teaching is a thematic whole, an eclectic mix. Anyway... that is why I swim. I go almost everyday after work. Somehow, it makes dealing with this stuff at work more bearable.

Morning Mousie, Robyn and Summer,
Glad to hear that you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine weekend was fine. We stayed at home most of it. We did go to my brother-in-laws on Saturday evening for a family get together. Things were going fine until my sister-in-law's brother got drunk and started to act like an idiot. Let's just say I was almost in tears before my dh and I left to come home. I was sitting in the living room watching the Nascar race with my nephew's girlfriend and sister-in-law and the drunk idiot came in the room. He got down on the floor beside the chair I was sitting in and started to look under the chair. He said D*mn Kerry you better get out of that chair before you bust the spring in it. The chair is sitting really low to the ground. You could poke someone 's eye out when that spring pops. It didn't help that my sister-in-law and nephew's girlfriend was laughing about it either. I just kept my mouth shut and tried to ingore him. Then he sat there and kept staring at me and asking if he could ask me a question. I knew he was going to ask me about my weight so I told him no I didn't want to talk to him. Finally when the race was over, I told my dh that I wanted to go home. He knew something was wrong and asked about it going out their driveway. He said that the drunk idiot didn't mean anything by it, he just gets that way when he has one to many to drink. That he won't remember it the next day. I said that I would and it might be a long time before I speak to him again. That was just a little too painful to endure. On a good note about that family get together, I didn't over eat and was proud of myself.
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon and part of the evening cleaning. I cleaned out my closet. Was able to get another bag of clothes for my yard sale out of it. I have just 5 big black garabage bags full of clothes to get rid of. Then I worked in cleaning out the back storage closet. I have a little bit more to go in there. I think I am going to work on that this evening while my dh takes the kids to the city pool for swimming lessons.
I did excerise this weekend. I rode my excerise bike for 30 minutes on Saturday morning and did 20 minutes on my gazelle. Then yesterday evening my dh and I went for a walk around town. So I was able to excerise and control my eating all weekend long. Plus I was able to go to a buffet yesterday for lunch with my dh. I was proud of myself. It was at the Chinese restuarant just down the street from our house. I had one and half plates of food. But I picked all vegetable dishes to sample and had two crab ragoons. I love those and use to eat 6 to 8 of them. Now just one or two are good enough for me.
Well today I have my appointment with the nutritionist at 9:45. Then I think I will stop in at Curves on my way home and workout. This afternoon we are to go play ball at the ball field. It has been a while since I played ball. God I hope I don't embarass myself too bad.
Summer isn't amazing how some people have children and don't care enough about them. They put themselves first and their children are an afterthought. I saw that a lot when I worked in an inner city school for my first 3 years of teaching. It is sad, how some of these children are left to grow up on their own so to speak. Then society whats to know what is wrong with our youth. It is lack of parental support and guidance. I still see some of it in the county school setting I am in now. It breaks my heart to see how some children are treated. If I could, I would bring them all home with me and show them the love, guidance and support they need. Then sometimes, I wonder if I am too strict and overprotective of my three stepkids, because of what I have witnessed at school. Sorry to hear about those three innocent little children.
Robyn, I am very proud of you for watching what you ate and working out this weekend. That is great. So how did your meaurements go?
Mousie, that is a wonderful stress reliever you do. I know when I work long days at school on Mondays and Wednesdays, those are my two days that I go workout at the gym before coming home. If not, I am stressed and become a super b*@ch. Keep the good work.
Well I need to go and get a shower and get dressed, before I go to the hospital for my appointment. You all have a wonderful day!
Proud of everyone this weekend!
Take care,
Kerry

Afternoon Ladies,
I am one tired and sore lady. I went to my appointment this morning. I talked with a very handsome male nutritionist. He told me to eat 3 meals a day with 60 grams of carbs at each meal. Then have a bedtime snack with 30 grams of carbs. So I also have to make sure that I eat 1500 calories a day. After my appointment, I went to Curves and worked out. Then I came home and eat a bacon chicken wrap for lunch. Then it was off to the ball field for a two games of ball. We played for 3 hours. SO I am just a little tired. Now it is off to the pool for the kids swimming lessons. The only thing that is keeping me driven to move is pizza for dinner. But trust me I won't go over board. Talk to you all later. Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
Take care,
Kerry

:grouphug: Kerry, please feel a big HUG. :grouphug: I have been very upset since I read your post about the nimrod who was so horribly cruel to you and the people who not only didn't defend you but laughed. SHAME ON THEM!!! How dare they? I really felt your pain...as I read each word, I was sitting on that chair. We have all known humiliation in our lives. My victimization by bullies was during my childhood. I've been fortunate enough to eliminate toxic relationships from my life as an adult. But the pain I felt in my younger years came right back up to the surface as I read your post. I can advise you on how to handle this loser in the future, but even though I can empathize with your pain, I am not you...I am not living your life. So, rather than give you unsolicited advice, I will give you my understanding. I will give you a virtual hug. I will pray that you will be treated with the respect and dignity you deserve from now on. And for those heartless fools, "WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND," and "GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY." SHAME ON THEM!!!

Kerry, I forgot to tell you how impressed I am with you...the way you are exercising so much and sticking to the diet. YOU GO GIRL!!!

I tried on shorts today. (Don't yell at me Robyn!) I have cellulite on my legs now. I don't remember it being there last summer. All my fat is on my stomach, hips, and butt. I have thin (muscular) arms and legs. For the first time ever (and I weigh 12 pounds less than last summer) I saw cellulite all the way up and down my legs, not just my butt. Is this another sign of turning 40?! SH*T!!! I wish I was rich, cause I swear, I would have lipo, a tummy tuck, and do whatever the heck they do to cellulite. I couldn't possibly exercise my legs more than I do already! I walk and ride the bike. All my aerobics involve my legs for Pete's sake! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I suppose the only thing to do now is make the most of what youth I have left. I am certainly a kid at heart (I think I'm mentally about 8 years old :lol: !) Oh poo!!!

Well, I have 15 more days till we leave for Disneyworld. I just want to lose 5 more pounds before I go, just so I am comfortable in my clothes. In that intense heat, I need to be comfortable.

Okay, I'm gonna hit the sheets.

Hey people! :)

Kerry, I'm with Summer! (((hugs))) You are a much better person that I am, cause I would have knocked that drunk on his a$$! What a jerk! AND those people who laughed at what he said....Summer said it.... "God don't like UGLY!" They will get theirs in the end.... Girl.... Stay away from those poison folks! You are doing a great job! Don't let their shallow insensitive comments get in your head!

Summer, I'm still waiting to feel like an "adult". Today I was playing with my guys in the pool and felt suddenly "weird"....I have played with EVERYONE my whole life the way I was playing with them... My parents when I was little, my friends when I was younger, my husband while we were dating...and now the boys! It was truly a MOMENT! As time goes on.... nipping and tucking seems like a more reasonable feat. Of course, I'm NEVER going to do THAT....money or not! I'm a whimp. I can't imagine the pain that would be involved! ....HOWEVER...if I got to pick one "procedure" that would be free AND painless... I'd get my hips / thighs "sucked" and while they have the straw in there...they could suck a bunch off of my belly too! GROSS! LOL Not that I've ever thought of this...NOOOO not at all! LOL

Is there any other solution to getting rid of cellulite?

Mouse, my brother in law is also a RedCross volunteer. He is the one that the dispatcher calls to tell where the disasters are. He coordinates stuff. Sorry... I guess it is obvious that I don't know too much about what he does, huh?!

I did not do too well eating today. I had the munchies like crazy. I did drink my water! AND I exercised with weights! Tomorrow I must go to the funeral of a high school friend who died from cancer. Very sad. I'll check in after that is all done!

take care!
(((hugs))) to all!
meeee

Morning Ladies,
Oh my GOD! I am so sore this morning. My legs are killing me. I think I overdid the running yesterday playing ball. Oh well, I had fun.
Thanks gals for the hugs and words of encouragement. I think I am just going to ignore that SOB for a while. If he ever asks me why I don't talk to him much anymore, I am going to tell him about what he said to me on Saturday night. Then tell him how it feels to picked on about your weight issue and how hard I have come to be where I am at today. The way I figure it for the other two individuals who I thought were family, I see them in a whole new light. I wouldn't be so charming and nice to them anymore. The one went to TOPS with me last year and knows how I have struggled with my weight. But she has her's coming to her. She lost all her weight and is now pregnant. So she is starting to get big again. Once again thanks for your hugs.
This morning I started to count out my carbs at each meal. I am going to measure out the serving size on everything and stick with it. My one stepds asked last night for a couple chips off my plate last night and I told him that I would get him his own. He asked me why and I told him that I had to measure out all my food portions from now on, so I can keep track of what I am eating better. He was like okay,is this so you can get more strength and keep your current strength. I told him yes and his brother looked at him and said no that is so she can drop the pounds off. His dad, mom and I had just had the discussion earlier in the evening about how the boys have been telling her she needs to stop eating so she can lose some weight because she is too fat. We think the media has a lot to do with their thinking people are too fat and need to workout more. So I am trying very hard to watch what I say around the boys about my weight loss plan.
Well I have to be at the dentist in 30 minutes. I still have to thrown on some clothes, brush my teeth and put my contacts in. Thank God he is just around the corner from my house.
I will talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Kerry, you can count on my support. We girls need to stand by each other when the rest of the world seems to have lost their minds and manners.

Robyn, sorry about your friend.

"WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!" My eighth grade math teacher, Mr. Kennelly used to say this. It is a saying that we should keep in mind right now. When we feel weak, we can remind ourselves of our resolve to get healthy. I don't even want to think about it as "getting thin." In the process of a healthier lifestyle, the results will be thinner and toned bodies. It is the focus on outer beauty that gets us all in trouble. It leads to eating disorders. It makes ignorant people think they have a right to comment on other's so-called imperfections. A bright light needs to be shined on the imperfections of those who are heartless and cruel. Let's focus on their imperfections. SCREW THEM! LET'S GET HEALTHY INSTEAD!!!

Okay, enough of the sermon. I woke to a tiny voice saying, "Mommy, it is 8 o'clock! You need to get up!" After feeding her, I rode my bike for 30 minutes as I inhaled the Connecticut Post. I ate Total, a banana, and skim milk for breakfast. Yogurt with raspberries and blueberries is planned for lunch. This afternoon, we are going to my sister's pool. I will actually swim in it. DH returned to work today. Too soon. He will be lucky if he makes it till noon.

I'm gonna get going. Remember this wise saying,

"WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!"

Let's get going!!!

Hi Gals,
Hope everyone is having a great day! I am in a lot of pain right now. I had to have an old filling taken out and a new one put in. So the dentist gave me two shoots of novacaine and they finally wore off about 1:30. But it is still tender on my right side of my mouth. It was fun trying to eat a bowl of southwestern style chicken vegetable soup and some cottage cheese at lunchtime today. I think I will be eating something soft for dinner tonight too.
Summer I agree with you 100%. We just need to focus on getting healthier and not worry what others have to say. Because there is probably something wrong with the others who are making fun of us. I am refuse to stoop to their level.
So did you have fun swimming today? I have a TOPS meeting tonight. But they also have water aeorbics over at the city pool at the same time. So I guess I will have to decide what I want to do. I know I want to go weigh in tonight and see if I have lost any more pounds since last week. My cute nutritionist told me yesterday not to be one of those people who get on the scales everyday. That I should only get on the scales once a week. That way I don't beat myself up over weight changes from day to day.
Robyn I am so sorry to hear about your high school friend passing away. I will keep you and your friend's family in my thoughts and prayers.
Mousie hope things are still quiet in your neck of the woods. For the last several days we have heard the fire dept. go out more than we have the last month. I think a lot of it is from people setting off fireworks.
Well I must go see what is lurking for me in the laundry room to either wash, dryer or fold. Oh what fun!
Have a wonderful afternoon.
I think I might attempted to ride my bike around the block here in a little bit. Maybe that would loosen up my legs and take my mind off the pain in my mouth.
Take care,
Kerry

I just wanted to let you all know that I started another thread under the Weight Watchers heading. If you want to visit it, look for Weight Watchers, then Weight Watchers Clubs & Groups, and the actual thread is Weight Watchers for Teachers. I thought it would be a good thread to speak specifically about the plan. We've all become very personal here, and that thread would be much more specific to the Weight Watchers Program. I no longer post on my old thread at Dr. Phil since I switched over to WW.

Kerry, sorry about your teeth. Dental work is a major phobia for me. I would rather go to the GYN than have dental work done. I hope you feel better quickly.

We didn't go to my sister's house after all. She doublebooked me! After we agreed on me visiting her on Tuesday (today) a colleague from her school called her and asked if she could come see her on Tuesday. That would have been all well and good if my schedule was more flexible, but we have playdates for the remainder of the week. She regretted the mistake right away, but it was too late to do anything about it. So, I did some laundry, watched some soap operas, and took DD to the movies to see Dodgeball. What a stupid, but funny, movie! :rofl: There's enough silly gags in it to keep you laughing throughout the whole movie making it worth the cost of the ticket and saving an otherwise boring day. It was probably better for my sunburned body to have one more day out of the sun. I will have to wear a high SPF tomorrow at our pool playdate.

DH went back to work today. He came home an hour early, collapsed on the couch, and has been asleep since. I think he needed another week, or should have just gone back part time to build up his strength. Supposedly, he is going back for more tomorrow! Gotta love him! :dizzy:

Evening Ladies,
I am feeling much better. I was able to eat a baked potato and a small hamburger from Wendy's. It was my treat for having to go to the dentist and going to TOPS tonight. I didn't lose any weight this week. But atleast I didn't gain any weight. So I am happy about that.
Sorry to hear that your sister overbooked you today. Atleast your laundry got done. I did four loads of it today. So I know what it feels like. Now that my dh's kids are with us for two weeks, I will really have the laundry to do. But it is worth it. They are so much fun playing ball with, going to bike rides and walks.
That movie's previews looked good. I will probably just wait until it comes out on DVD and get it at the library or video store. I can't remember the last movie I saw in the theatere was. I think it was Daddy Daycare. SO that was awhile ago.
This afternoon, the twins and I went for a bike ride. We are getting a better at improving our distance. We even were able to go up a some hill today. Then afternoon my meeting, I came home to play a game of ball in the front yard with the kids. Then we took a long walk around the big block. I think we went over about 5 city blocks and then headed back home. SO the kids will sleep good tonight.
Well I need to go get ready for bed. Have a busy day tomorrow. There is a program at the library at 10. So have to make sure the kids are up and ready to go out the door at 9:30. Then they have swimming lessons tomorrow night.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow~!
Take care,
Kerry

Hello my friends!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. The funeral was very difficult. IF the situation wasn't trying enough, I forgot my tissues AND it was horribly HOT in the church. I really thought that I was going to faint. I actually stopped at the Burger King drive thru and ordered a small REAL Coke. I needed the ice, the sugar AND the caffine. I hate to use soda like a drug, but MAN, I was feeling so sickly! The heat index was well over 100 degrees outside....I'm not too sure that it was a whole lot cooler than that in the church. So, I figured the WW points for an 8 ounce coke....and figured them into my day. I will never EVER go anywhere without a tissue in my purse again...LET alone a funeral! DUHHHHH! What was I thinking or NOT thinking?!

Anyway, sounds like you were all busy, chores or fun stuff! Don't you hate it, Summer, when someone cancels your plans for you?! ARghhh! Don't forget your sunscreen for the rest of your week's plans! :) Kerry, glad that you maintained your weight for the week! You are doing well! How is your mouth?! I hate dental stuff! I had my 6 month cleaning last week and it took two days before my mouth felt "right" again! ...and they didn't do anything other than poke and prod in there!

It is way too hot for us to ride our bikes during the day time.... and it doesn't cool down enough until it is too dark for the kidlets to ride with me.... BUT, I'm looking forward to fall and getting our bikes out on a regular basis! I'm jealous! LOL

I'm doing my Firm tapes. Today was my Ab day...which is sorta funny cause I have no ABS! LOL BUT I did the tape...and tonight I actually feel it! I did okay with my WW points! AND I drank my water! Besides nearly fainting and drinking a bit of iced coke, I guess the day was a success!

I'm gonna clean house tomorrow AND see if I can get us to the library tomorrow!
(Summer....One for the Money....READ it! LOL)

Take care!
Type to you tomorrow!
meeee

Well, school started for me again yesterday. So that is why I have been quiet. I'm still having go-rounds with the lead teacher over what exactly it is that I'm going to teach. She has several apparent sensitivities: one of them being that she has no degree and isn't a certified teacher. I really don't care, because I've seen her teach, and she's pretty good. Sometimes. But she thinks I do. Funny, she didn't start thinking that until I went back to school to work on my doctorate or a second master's or whatever the heck it is going to be. She also has issues with the phrase 'life-skills' and 'independent living'. She doesn't think it should be a part of our program...but our program is the vocational job-training component of the high school. And its sure not on the tests for state graduation, so its not being taught elsewhere! Makes sense to me for it to be in our program.
I guess it'll be an interesting summer & fall. I get to meet with her and my supervisor on Thursday because of all this. She went behind my back and told the administrator that I didn't want to "work as a team". :mad:
Food was interesting... I had been getting 'less sick' lately, but last night and this morning were bad... so its back to the protein shakes during the day. I guess I ate too much yesterday since I had a slice of peanut butter toast (B), an apple for lunch, and then soup and turkey sandwich for dinner. Whatever it was, I was really sick last night, and don't feel so great now.
Okay... I'm off to work, and then to grad class.
:mouse:

Mousie: I would like to translate what your coworker said, "work as a team" actually means "She won't do what I want!" Just so you know what she is really saying, you will be able to rise above her childish, insecure, and ignorant behavior when you meet with your supervisor. If your supervisor is any good, he/she will see through your coworker's words. GOOD LUCK! :lucky: Sorry you are back in the trenches. Oh, and I'm still behind you on the life skills training. Back when I began my career in special education 18 years ago, I also taught high school students. As part of their vocational training, we taught ADL (activities of daily living) and ILS (independent living skills). These were on the IEP and were considered an important preparation for them to transition into the workshop/factory setting. Even those who were higher functioning and would move onto grocery stores, etc., had these on their IEP's. I really don't understand why your coworker is making such a big deal over this. Is it that she is just lazy? On another topic, I don't think you ate too much. Have you spoken to your doctor about what you should be eating to make you more comfortable?

We are going to my best friend's house today. She is house-sitting for someone with an in-ground pool. So, needless to say, that is where we will be spending our day. (Her other friend mustn't know her very well if she is allowing my friend to use her pool while she is away. Liability alone...and then inviting strangers over to her house.) Like every other day with my friend, this one should be interesting!

I have finally lost all the weight I gained while DH was hospitalized and recovering. But now, I'm stuck on a plateau. This is no time for me to be on a plateau! I'm running out of time! I rode my bike for 30 minutes. Maybe I need to do an aerobics tape too. That may give my metabolism a boost. Okay, here is my pledge. No more snacking after dinner...even if it is fat-free. I will have to go down to the low end of points allotted for the day. Let's see if that helps.

Hi!
Just me again, and I promise not to be so bad at staying in touch here.
Mouse, please tell me that this is summer school you are starting!!! Schools here in NY have not even been closed 2 weeks......and I am still in recovery mode. I totally agree with Summer about her philosophy regarding working as a team..... (that team player line is SO lame, to quote my 15 year old). Hang in there.........

Summer- glad that Dh is out of the woods. For you, try modifying your diet a bit. I know that WW recommends trying different foods......to both break up monotony and also the body gets used to the same stuff all the time! Are you on WW? If so- see if you can pick up one of their excercise tapes/DVD's. I have the Get Fit (toughest) one, and for a 35 min workout, you get 3 AP'S!!!!!!! (4 for me, as I am just over 150#). Talk about a bang for the buck....... It has a bit of light weight training and is so upbeat.

I am trying to enjoy my summer, but have been overwhelmed with house stuff. Dh is so busy with softball (Dd's team) that the stuff around here is suffering, and I am doing my best to get at least some of it done so that the house does not look slovenly.
Finally finished staining the deck today (second coat).......now onto the weeds.....
I have been counting all this outside stuff as a workout, plus a 1 mile walk after dinner.
Been a naughty girl as far as my eating goes. I am going to WW tonite, but will use one of those no weigh in coupons..need the meeting but just cannot face the scale. I have been well behaved today with my eating. But, Summer, I agree with you, I have GOT to give up evening eating. It is killing me and preventing me from getting these last 11 pounds off.......
Gotta go watch the kids in the pool. Forgive me if I missed you....basically I started back up with this page and will leave personal posts from now on.
Take care!
Ginny

Afternoon Ladies,
Robyn I am so sorry you had a bad day yesterday. I knew going to the funeral would be a tough one for you. But to go with no tissues and the heat index being so high, I am glad that you didn't faint or have heat stroke. As for the bike rides, I try to go in the evenings when it has cooled off some. Or we go on the bike path were it is shady.
Mousie, I will be thinking about you when you go for your meeting on Thursday. It sounds to me like your coworker has it in for you for some reason. Or is she just jealous of you going to grad school? I think you are doing the right thing by teaching them the life skills and the independent living skills. How else are they going to learn them? Their parents aren't going to teach them those skills, they are relying you to do it. Good luck tomorrow. Hope you are feeling better today. There is nothing worse then feeling sick when it is so hot out. :( :(
Summer Congrats on your weight loss! :) :) Way to go!! I knew you could do it. I hope you had fun at the pool today. I would love to have my own pool. Then I could go swimming anytime during the summer. It would be great. Maybe after I go back to school for my master's degree, I will be able to afford a pool.
As for my tooth, it is feeling better today. I was able to eat the steak, potato and green beans my dh made for dinner last night for lunch today. It still feels a little weird when I bite down on my food and chew it up. I think I just have to get use to the new filling.
My DH had a fit last night because the meat was not thawned when he went to make dinner. So he was a raging nut bag last night before I left for TOPS. He went off about how he is the only one who cooks around here and then cleans up after the meal. That I need to start pitching in my fair share around here. He really pissed me off. I told him a few things and then out the door I went. I went to TOPS and stayed late talking to one of my friend's out in the parking lot. When I got home, he was like your dinner is in the refridgator. I told him I was not hungry. He said that he was very sorry. I told him that he was a real @**. We figured out that it is the medicine he is on for his knee. I can't wait for his knee to heal 100%, then his grumpy moods will be gone.
This morning I don't know how I was able to do this. I got up at 8:30, woke the kids up, fed them and myself, got them dressed, teeth brushed, got a shower and shaved my legs and got dressed and was out the door by 9:35 for our trip to the library for Summer Reading program. I came home and made lunch for the kids. So I am done playing mommy for the day. Their dad can entertain them this afternoon and take them to their swimming lessons tonight. I am going to go workout at Curves with my friend here in a little bit. Then I might read this evening or clean a little more of the storage closet out while the kiddies and their daddy is gone.
Well I better go get my butt ready to go workout. Talk to you all later.
Take Care,
Kerry

I'm back.....had to check for an email from Dd's college coach, so I thought I would say hello.

Robyn- forgive me for not reading earlier in the thread about losing your HS friend to cancer. That must have been tough.....and then attending the funeral in the heat. I am glad that you got thru it ok.....

Kerry-what kind of med is Dh on for his knee? How nice that you had the TOPS meeting to go to.......someplace safe to vent and just get away from the turmoil. I have never been to a TOPS meeting, but I do have a lot of fun at my WW meetings.....so it is probably similar. Did you make it to Curves?

I did not get quite all the stuff done that I wanted to.......but the deck is 95% done....been staining it for 3 days now.......it gets too hot to work on it all day, so the mornings are best. Tomorrow I hope to get the yard cleared a bit more in prep for Ds's get together on Saturday (8, 14/15 yr old boys coming over to play basketball). At least tomorrow noone has to be anywhere and I do not have to make dinner. I might be able to make some real progress!!!!
Nuff blabbering from me.........see ya tomorrow!
Ginny

Grad school makes the days really long. :) I'm glad that teeth and diets are working better for people! Glad decks are getting stained, and that other people recognize how hot the summer is! I do NOT like summer very much. I am a fall-spring kind of Mouse. ;)

Anyway, yes... I'm starting to think the code words 'not a team player' mean that I don't think inside YOUR box, and that way you can accuse me of 'not thinking outside the box', too... and get all your buzz words in two phrases! I really don't understand why everybody is so adamantly against teaching independent living skills as part of the vocational training program. We have some students working toward a diploma, but the vast majority, even if they are diploma-track, aren't college bound students!
And even college students need life-skills! I went to college with HONORS students who couldn't sort laundry or use a phone book or handle money! And never mind cooking! Scary!
ECMom: I *wish* I were talking about summer school. I teach for a private school that goes year round. Unlike public year round schools where you're "off-track" for so many weeks, we get like...5 days off... then we're back. The kids were done the 17th, we were done the 18th...and had that next 4 days of that week off,and then 3 days the following week. We're done with summer session August 5th, and then off for 10 days and back. Its really starting to get to me because its like they really want to chase me away and make me quit.
And I have talked with the GI specialist... she told me an ultra-low fat diet should work... so I've been doing the protein shakes, turkey sandwiches on wheat or rye (since I don't eat white bread), salads, fresh fruit... and it worked for awhile, but tonight I couldn't eat the salad. I bought a turkey sandwich at grad school and some pretzels... which I ate, but if I don't eat this other turkey sandwich, I'll have less than 700 calories today which is really not good.
I meet the surgeon tomorrow, and have the endoscopy on July 19th. They're having minor fits over the endoscopy (well, the team leader and the supervisor) because the supervisor scheduled 2 other staff to be out on the 19th/20th, plus on the 20th told my TA she could go to a professional development. And she really wanted to go. She's going to support me and not go, but it makes me feel bad even though she acknowledges that its not my fault because I'd told our supervisor 2 weeks ago about the endoscopy! But even with her staying, on the 19th/20th there are 6 staff members for 147 kids. Its across 5 periods, but that's a lot of kids!
:sigh: I'll survive, but I know I'm in a mood because I've broken out all my copies of the 'teacher saves the class' books. You know, Torey Hayden, Tracey Kidder, etc... all the positive stuff... to remind me WHY I went into this profession!

:mouse:

Hang in there, Mousie! You've got sooooo much going on!

Sounds like everyone is going 100 mph! I know I am! I've been behaving with my eating, getting all my water in , AND doing my exercises with my Firm tapes and weights! Tomorrow is my weigh and measure day.... Don't FRET, you can BE sure that I will fill you end on the results! LOL

Summer, I have lots to say about WW.... I've not been successful finding the spot that you were talking about under the WW title thingy or whatever.... could you send me a link, please? There are lots of things to talk about regarding metabolism and points and STUFF! Shall I spout it here or on the other page?

Dh is hanging over my shoulder...he wants to do something on the computer...so I'm gonna have to go for now! :)

Ya'll take care,
((hugs))
meeeee

'Morning!!!!!!

Mousie- what are they looking for with the endoscopy?? Sorry, I missed that you had to teach almost year round........I can't imagine that!! (although when I worked in the private sector and had to work year round). But the grind of working with students.... a break is so needed!!!!

Robyn- what questions did you have about Weight Watchers?? I do get to the meetings and have tons of literature from them. I would be happy to answer any questions or take them to meetings for you. I guess you must love the Outer Banks- do you vacation there in the summer?

Gotta go get to that silly yard work........that will classify as my workout!
Have a great day.
Ginny

Morning Ladies,
My DH is on iboprofuen 800mg. When he takes it he becomes tired but won't give in to go to sleep. Then he just becomes a bear and makes life for everyone around him unbearable. The ladies at TOPS were very understanding the other night and gave me some sound advice. One lady said I should have grabbed the frozen meat and wrung it at his head, then I would have knocked some sense into him. :) :)
I started to wear my pedometer again today. So I can see how many steps I walk during a day with the kids here. We got up this morning and walked down to the old train depot, for art lessons. The kids made bear pictures today. I was able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine while reading a book.
Mousie I hope your meeting went well today. Sorry to hear things are tough at work right now. I know how you feel, that was how my whole month of March and the beginning of April was for me.
Ginny have fun with your yard work. I will be having to either mow the yard today or tomorrow. It sure makes for a good workout when you have to push mow your lawn.
Summer how is your dh doing? He is not tiring himself out by going back to work and working all day long,is he? Are you enjoying your playdates?
Robyn how did your weigh in and measurements go today? I wish you the best of luck. Great job on getting in your water and excersise each day. I am very proud of you.
Well gotta go. Have to do laundry. I think that is a never ending job. The nice thing about it is as a treat I get to go to water aerobics tonight. So I will have to get my chores out of the way, so I can really enjoy myself in the pool this evening.
Take care,
Kerry

The meeting went suprisingly well, though I had to leave early because of the appointment with the surgeon. So I didn't have as much time to get things cemented and crystal clear as I would have liked. Especially since my supervisor has no back-bone! I'm not sure if he agreed with me and is allowing me to do what I would like to do or if he's just playing mediator, and things are the same as they were before.
The meeting with the surgeon was also interesting, though he seems to be the only one on my medical team that doesn't want to just remove the gall bladder! He wants to see what the endoscopy says, and try medication before removal. He did say it isn't uncommon, when there is no other cause, for the hormone that controls the gall bladder to be dysfunctional. And so, in my case, that isn't a far stretch given that I already have so many other hormones that don't work!
Speaking of which: I was so embarrassed last night! Its my week off the contraceptives that I use to get some of the hormones I lack, and so I'm always a little more stressed/weird then. And two of my instructors for my one class did something that I find incredibly unfair. I goofed up an assignment. I did 4 software reviews, and we were supposed to do 4 hardware. I only did 2 hardware. BUT, the 4 software reviews were in ON TIME and I was ready for class that night. But they only gave me 50% of the grade on two of the software reviews saying that they were 'late', because I didn't do the hardware reviews! They never told me they wanted me to switch up. Anyway, I was tired, soaked from a rain storm, stressed from school and hadn't eaten... and I started to cry, right in the middle of the class! I was mortified!

:mouse:

Mousie- big hugs girl.......you are so stressed right now.
Kerry- that pool sounds so nice..........enjoy it!

Came online to check something for Dh- off to a picnic dinner. See ya tomorrow.
ginny

Kerry, I sure hope your DH feels better and returns to his normal personality soon...for your sake.

Mousie, I'm so sorry about what happened with your assignment. I find what the instructor did so unreasonable. You are an adult and deserve to be treated accordingly. Have they never heard of giving someone a second chance? DON'T LET THE TURKEYS GET YOU DOWN!!!

Ginny, Thanks for your advice. Robyn is referring to a new thread I started in the Weight Watchers section.

Robyn, Here is the way to get to my new thread. And please post there so others will join in. So far, 23 people have viewed it without posting. What is the point of viewing and not posting?! Anyway, this is the way there:

1. Go to the Weight Loss Community
2. Scroll down through General, past Alternachicks, Diet Plans, Chickchat, Sugar Busters, and South Beach.
3. Stop at Weight Watchers
4. Click on WW Clubs & Groups
5. Scroll down to Threads in Forum...Weight Watchers for Teachers
6. Tada! You are there!

DH lied down at work today for 30 minutes, but felt like he needed more rest. He came home very early and slept. Get this...the lab tech who took his sample on last Friday lied to DH that he didn't have a doctor's order so he couldn't run the test. It was faxed over before DH even got to the lab. So, apparently the lab tech wanted to begin his July 4th holiday early. Meanwhile, the test didn't get run till today, and if he has another infection, he has not been getting treated for it, which could mean that the infection has worsened!!! I swear to God, if the surgeon has to open him up again because the infection is worse, that lab tech is in BIG TROUBLE. We are leaving for Disneyworld in 13 days. If DH needs more surgery, he obviously won't be going with us. AAAAAHHHHH!!! :mad: So, I'm a bit stressed out right now. :( What is happening with the medical care in this country. And, we have private insurance...what about those on medicaid? They must really be getting neglected.

DD and I went to the beach with the tricklets (triplets) today. Their mom took us to Wendy's. I was quite worried about what to have to eat. I instead had a chicken BLT salad without dressing. It was actually pretty good, and I didn't cheat! The tricklets' mom is this tiny thing weighing in around 110 pounds. She wore a string bikini to the beach and had a belly button ring...no stretch marks. I felt so self-conscious. Granted, I look a lot better than I did last summer...about 12 pounds lighter. So, I guess, rather than focusing on the fact that I WILL NEVER EVER LOOK LIKE THAT WOMAN...even at my thinnest I just don't have the same body type...I should just focus on the improvements I have made and will continue to make.

Hey ya'll! So much is going on here!

Mouse> (((hugs))) I'm sorry things are so stressful for you in SOOO many aspects! Hang in there! Hormones are HORRIBLE to deal with! I spent several months after my hysterectomy crying like an idiot over important and some reallly stupid things! I hope the doctors get your health "fixed" soon!

Ker> Enjoy the pool and your water exercises! YES, laundry NEVER ends! LOL Just as I'm making progress and caught up, someone wants to WEAR something... There ought to be a law! My dh gets physically ill from taking huge doses of ibuprophen! Hang in there!

Ginny> You currently go to WW meetings? I need a kick in my WW butt.... but I've never gone to a meeting! (Money and time!) I swear next week...I'm back to WW hard core! (Went to Applebee's yesterday! They have several WW safe choices!)
YES, we love Hatteras, NC... which is south of Nags Head! Buxton, N.C. is our most favorite spot on earth! :) We spend as much time down there as possible... any time of year! (We fish in the fall, winter, and spring! We swim and play in the summer!) You should have just heard my sighhhhhh as I typed! My dh changed jobs this winter...(We were forced to take our vacation back in December at the end of the old job...We went to Florida and had a wonderful time....BUT when people mention the beach ........sighhhh! LOL NOpe, we won't be going down anytime soon.... more sighs!) :)

Summer> Did you already complain about the lab tech? You need to make your complaint known, infection or NOT! You also need to investigate if the guy actually lied or if there was some sort of break down in getting that order! AND.... I am so sorry that he is still not feeling well. He sure has had a rought time of it!

I actually giggled at the thought of me spending time on the beach with the mother of triplets who STILL gets to wear a teeny tiny bikini complete with belly ring! GASP! Triplets, no stretch marks.... there ought to be a lawwwww! Triplets and NO stretch marks......gasp!

Thank you for giving me the directions to get to the ww page! I'll try to find it! :)

Well.......
My kiddos and I are meeting my friend and her family at the Williamsburg airport today! Her husband has a plane and they are flying down to meet us for lunch. The kids will more than likely go flying while she and I sit and talk! The restraunt there is a nice place to eat!

Gotta go Bare Naked Ladies are on Today.... and I've gotta go get my Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ready to throw at the t.v. (um, that is a joke.... ) We took the kids to see BNL two Decembers ago! WHAT a fun time! Ooooh here they come!

Bye!

Hi, I am also a teacher (kindergarten) who works in a large urban charter school. Very challenging students and demandind work schedule. I am currently trying the South Beach Diet ( loosley) and taking my time off to walk and go back in August a healthier (and hopefully lighter ) person.

I want my students and coworkers to go "wow" when I return at the end of August

Welcome Chilichick Glad to have you on board! You are already a healthier person,if you are walking and watching your weight. :) Keep the faith you will achieve your goal.

Well ladies, dumb me went to water aerobics last night and then went to play baseball for about an hour. God my legs were killing me last night. I had to rub ICY HOT on my legs. They feel better this morning. I was able to make it around the circut at Curves three times. Watch I will bottom out this afternoon and will be laid up for a couple days. :) :)

Well I better go and find out what we are doing today. Talk to you all later.
Have a great Friday!
Take care,
Kerry

Robyn, There is an internal investigation being done at the lab by the supervisor. She was the one who found the faxed order with the date and time on it. She was upfront about what happened in the first place. She was the one who told us that it wasn't the doctor's office, it was indeed the lab technician who chose to ignore the order. She called my husband and asked for a description of the person he dealt with. It was who she thought it would be. Apparently they have had problems with him in the past, and are looking for enough evidence to penalize him. Will he be fired...put on probation? I don't know. But, I have to say that I am impressed that they aren't trying to cover it up. However, if this does turn into something serious as a result of the lab technician's negligence, forthright or not, they'd better watch out!

P.S. Your friend has a plane, and your kids will probably go flying while you and your friend have lunch? Pardon me! Getting a little taste of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous?" Tee hee hee! Have fun!

WELCOME CHILICHICK!!! It is always nice to have some new blood! I don't know much about the South Beach Diet. I had done Dr. Phil for about 6 months, but the results were coming too slowly for me. I am back on Weight Watchers...loosely too! I just started a WW thread for teachers because I need some help being more faithful to the WW program. I saw that there are some South Beach threads. Have you checked them out? Well, welcome again. Stick around. It can get pretty fun around here...especially during the school year when we get sarcastic *****ing and moaning! (Robyn's the best at the sarcasm!)

Kerry, sorry about your aches and pains...grab one of your DH's 800mg ibuprofens, and you won't be feeling any pain. (I'm sorry the ibuprofen gives him so much trouble. It was my savings grace when I was recovering from my C-section. Percocet made me so nauseous, so they gave me the ibuprofen which relieved the pain better and didn't make me sick. I guess everybody's body is different.) I overdid exercise two days ago when I got pissed about my plateau which I am still sitting on. I had already biked 30 minutes, then I did a 45 minutes aerobics tape. Well, my right knee swelled up. Luckily, after I iced it I felt much better. It is frustrating when others can exercise like crazy without getting hurt.

AND, IT IS REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN PEOPLE ARE NATURALLY THIN AND DON'T GET STRETCH MARKS NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO TO THEIR BODY!!! Okay, sorry. I'm not over yesterday yet. I may never be. It is time that I accept my tall, big-boned, short-necked, Swedish body. The good part is that when I am thin, I am rather voluptuous. I just always envied petite women. Tick tick tick...time to get over it and work with what I have!!!

Well I had enough engery and motivation to mow the yard this morning. I got that done and over with for another week. My dh must have felt bad because he cleaned up some of the house well I was out there sweating off (hopeful a couple pounds, too) my a**. :) :) He even made lunch today.
Summer sorry to hear that your DH is having trouble with the lab tech. That is not fair or nice what that guy did to your DH. When will you hear about his results? I hope that he is soon on the road to recovery. How many more days until your vacation to Disney?
Robyn enjoy your lunch with your friend today. Your not going to fly off and leave us for a few days are you? :) :)
Mouse, sorry to hear about your trying evening the other night at school. If those professors were fair, they would let you have a second chance to do your assignment over. Don't feel bad abour crying in front your class, you have had a lot of stress in your life here lately. That is one way to relieve stress. Hope things are going better for you today.
Ginny did you get your house and yard ready for your vistor's this weekend? You are a brave lady having teenage boys over to your house. LOL.
Chilichick, I hope you come join our little group. One of the ladies at my mom's church is on The South Beach Diet. She really likes. My family doctor told me to try it to get out of my weight loss slump. I have been waiting for the book to come in at my library. It has been out for ever.
Well off to hit the shower. Talk to you all later.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Kerry

Hi, everybody.
I feel sympathy for those with ibuprofen issues! I can't take it because it interacts with the spironolactone. I never know if I should right down I'm allergic to it or not on the sheets, because I'm not really... I just don't want to find out what will happen if I take it while on the spironlactone! :shrug:
I'm still pissed off at the instructors at the University. I mean, the more I think about it... Because they gave me 2 F's, and that wasn't called for. I honestly think they did it to "get back at me", because I had a 100% in the class before that, and between myself and other of the other students, we talk a LOT. I know as much as they do about access to assistive technology, and I think they might be smarting a bit over that. I can't help it! My mom is a computer programmer, and I have had access to a computer at home since I was 8! And damn it, if I'm going to pay $1180 for a class just because it meets in the freaking lab (which we haven't really used!), then I'm going to express myself in it too!
Okay. I can't do anything about it, so I shouldn't stress over it.
Good news: I was offered a part-time, 2 evenings per week 'job' for the fall. I'm assuming that it pays money, but it might only be a free membership to my gym. Either way, I'd get extra money. They had a huge number of kids sign up for swimming lessons on Saturday and Sunday evenings after the pool closes. So, the person who does the classes is a friend of mine and asked me if I'd be interested. She knows that I did Special Olympics swimming when I was in my last inner city school with my students. She's also trying to get me added to the list of people to take the lifeguard certification class through the gym... its cheaper than anywhere else, and the pool manager said she'd love to have me do some fill-in sessions. And THAT definitely pays money! Another teacher at my school used to guard there and told me that 2 years ago, they paid him $10/hour. So that'd be great. Its an indoor pool. If I'm a guard, even if I only fill in 1 or 2 times a week, I'd get a free membership as well...
Now I need to really work on my freestyle swimming. I normally do breaststroke because I can't kick very well. But for the lifeguard test you have to do 12 lengths of freestyle, and 8 of anything else. I did it before (admittedly somewhat slowly and oddly), but that was before I hurt my ankle.
Now, I'm going to go stress out some other people: you were talking about poor medical care. I didn't tell you all about the plastic surgeon and how she lied to my insurance company. They must have thought I was kidding when I called them and told them I didn't want to see her again, and that I wanted ALL of my records 2 weeks ago. I haven't gotten them yet! So, I guess I get to call and be mean.

:mouse:

That is great news about a part-time job, Mouse! You have a lot to offer those young people who want to learn how to swim.
I finally have the house to myself for a couple hours. The kids had their last swimming lesson tonight from 6 to7. Then from 7:30 until 9:30, they were are my stepdd's ball team's pool party. They all begged me to go with them, but I said no. I was able to pick up the house a little bit and get some more laundry done. Plus I just wanted some peace and quiet to do the things I like to do. Like read and listen to the music on the music video channel on cable. I figured that this was pay back time to my dh anyway. He has slept in every day this week. I have been the one to get the kids feed something for breakfast, get them dressed, teeth brushed and out the door to the library program and art lessons. Plus in the evenings, I have been the one to get them showers and ready for bed. Plus read them bedtime stories. I figured he could be responsible for them at the pool for awhile. Considering the other night, the kids wanted me to go to the pool with them too. But my dh said no I wasn't needed to be there. He wanted to take them, so I figured he could take them by himself again tonight. He was begging me to go. I stood my ground and said no thanks. Plus it was too hot out for me. I didn't want to sit for 3 1/2 hours and watch the kids in the pool.
So what is everyone 's big plans for the weekend? I think we might go hiking tomorrow at Old Man's Cave if the weather permits. Then Sunday we are going to play ball at the ballfields again. I am hoping to finish the book I am currently reading. It is called A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House. It is a great read, about a Cherokee born lady raised in Kentucky in the early 1900's who falls in love with a white man.
Well I better go and finish the laundry. Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Hi Chili! Do NOT let Summer mislead you.... we do not b#$%@ and there is NO sarcasm around these parts! NONE! Nada... NOOOOOOO. Summer is trying to mislead you! I am a sweet, calm, delicate Southern Bell! I wither at the sounds of B#$%*( and find it non productive to partake of such! I must go fan myself with my Scarlet O'Hara fan now!
(The rest of this post is not meant for your KindyTeacher eyes, my new friend!)

Summer, Dahhhhlin....now why did you go and mislead our new friend Chili?? Do you want her to think ill of our little charming happy group? Do you want her to think that I have some sort of loud screaming ranting crazy cussing mouth? Don't you want her to think that we are the Stepford Teachers? Now about that skinnya$$ed mother of FREAKINTRIPLETS who parades around the beach in a string bikini with no apparent stretch marks..... I say, let her relax on the beach.... tell her to take a little sunbath nap....tell her that you'll be in charge of her darling but rather TEENY TINY UNDERFED in UTERO triplets ... let her drift off in a peaceful little sleep. THEN.... take out your brown eyeliner and red lip liner and go to town. IF she had no stetch marks before her nap....HA, she would have some damn marks when she wakes from her peaceful sleep!
.....Don't you HATE that? I gained 18 pounds with my first baby. Went back down to my regular (altho far from Twiggy) weight and then gained 22 pounds with my second baby. When all was said and done. I have a map across my belly that can get you from Kennebunkport Maine down to Baja California. I can also get from Miami to Seattle and MANY spots in between. I am a BONUS to have around. Who needs an ATLAS??? They've got my gut! I carried two babies, one at a time. WHAT THE HECK kind of momma can produce triplets without a mark??? If the eyeliner and lipliner trick doesn't work.... then I'd have to bury her up to her little hottie neck in sand. Let me know if you need me to plot out your trip from Conn to Orlando for you! :) It got us from Va to Florida without getting lost once! :lol:
Ohhhh and I nearly forgot. YES! My boys do go flying while my girlfriend and I have lunch! Yesterday, they flew over all the Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown (We live in a VERY historic (read that as tourist filled!) area of VA!) sites and THEN they flew over our house, neighborhood, their schools, the river, etc.... They took a camera with them...but who knows how the photos will turn out! They had a ball! My friends dh was a dear! My friend and I (best buds since we were 8....that is a LONG time when you're 39!) got a nice visit in... never long enough...but...better than nothing! :) Sometimes, he flies into one of the airports, picks me up and we go flying off someplace for lunch or dinner and then he flies me back! Kinda fun! I love love love flying with them! :)

Mouse> Your class is about assistive technology? You know a bunch about that? AT is one of my personal areas of interest. I have a son who must rely on AT for his success at school. TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU know! LOL You know how mommas like me are! (AND I do know what you mean about always having computer access and knowing stuff! My dh works at NASA. Due to his work, we've had internet access since back to the days before their were pictures online. I'm talking back before there was a netscape! LOL Our computers at home have always been networked. Actually having a lot of technology at home has helped our oldest! He is going into 7th grade...but back in 1st grade, he taught his teacher how to use Word! ) Hang in there with all your STUFF! You sure do have a bunch of STUFF to be stressed over! Is there an official way to complain about what happened in your class? What do the others in your class say about what happened?

Kerry> I hope you got to enjoy being at home alone! I am very rarely home alone. When THEY leave for a while I either read or mess around with my beading or VERY rarely will watch a movie! I love when the house is quiet! NO hum of the laundry, the tv, no dishwasher, no kids "loving each other" (read "fighting").... I just finished reading _The General's Daughter_ . I'm going to get the movie (I've never seen it!) on the next 99cent day at the video store! It was a great book! Too long tho! I will go back to the library and make sure that what I check out is UNDER 450 pages! :)
Summer, did you get the book I put on your summer reading list?

Ginny> When is your son's gathering? Is it this weekend? Our oldest is 12......and I shutter to think of his friends hanging out here in masse! (He is a boy scout and we hang out on Mondays with his scout friends! NOPE...they aren't coming over anytime soon all at once! LOL)

Well.... This is soooo long and I haven't even explained that I've continued to exercise on schedule, drink my water right, AND eat in a controlled fashion! I am planning on spending an hour or so with my WW stuff and go hard core WW on Monday. I am sorry to admit this...BUT, I can NOT find the WW/Teacher strand. Summer, I am sorry to tell you that I'm too stupid ....I did see all the other stuff that you mentioned in your VERY detailed directions...but GEESH! Um....can you embed a real link on this page, please?! OR I'm gonna have to turn this page into my WW rants... I mean posts!

Summer, glad to hear that what happened at the lab is being investigated! Someday I'll have to share what happened to me once in a dr.'s office. aRGHHHHHH....people and their stupidity make me crazy! (says the woman who can NOT find the WW strand! It's a little ironic, don't you think?! hehehe)

Okey... I'm off to tell my ds that his LedZepplin is too loud..... GEESUS, I've turned into my mother! And since when do 12 year old boys like their Momma's Led Zepplin?
Ya'll take care! Make a plan. STICK to it! ....and MOVE your fanny!
(((Hugs))) Maybe I'll wait to make him turn it down until AFTER my favorite "Kashmir" is over! :) hehehe... I may have turned into my mom.....but that song still ROCKS! LOL

Robyn