I'm back...
Anybody hear from Summer???
Robyn: How's the illness? don't push yourself! I had that and didn't go to the doctor for months and months (who can blame me with all the doctors I see anyway?!), mostly because I couldn't get an appointment with a primary care/general practioner! I finally went to urgent care and had bronchitis and pneumonia... and NO SICK LEAVE! I didn't get rid of it until after Hanukkah. You can't use or earn sick leave until you've had your 6 months probation period. Strange philosophy for a hospital and school since we get reminded constantly not to come to work sick since so many of our kids are medically fragile.
Ginny: I fully understand the bit with drivers. As you may be aware, turn signals are optional in the state of Maryland. You're not required to have them or use them. ;)
And last night, my car broke down in the gym parking lot. Fortunately, they managed to get it started (tow truck driver). The driver followed me to the gas station, I bought gas for the car. On his recommendation, I took the car to the Saturn dealer I always go to. He said his wife has a Saturn also, and he won't let the local dealers touch her car. In fact, as I think on it, I don't know anybody that lets the local Saturn group service their cars. So I drove it to York, and my mom had to come get me from her house. I missed school today... didn't get my car back till after 4.
I start my swimming job this Saturday. The pool manager considers me as good as hired, and I'm being paid for it. I am not entirely sure how much it is, though. She gave me a figure and said it was "per lesson". There are 2 lessons per night, though, and I just can't believe I'm getting paid that much for 1.5 hours of work! FUN work, too, since I love being in the water with kids. I didn't get paid for Special Olympics or Fairfax County's program. They were both volunteer. I got free membership to the rec center for Fairfax County if I did 4 hours or more per week.
We'll see, I guess.
:mouse:

Evening Ladies,
Thank God it is the weekend. I didn't have a good day today. I was ready to cry by 9 am today. My kids were given a count job for the school. Our open house is this coming Tuesday and the district bought these How to Succeed Magizines for parents. There were four of them. Math, Reading, Sciene and Social Studies. My kids were given this job yesterday at 2 p.m. school gets out at 2:45. So I had my afterschool kids work on it some. Then my kids finished this morning and delievered them to teachers. That was about 2,000 magazines that we sorted and delievered. Then I had another count job in my mailbox and the secretary called and asked me if we had it done yet. I told her no and she said that my boss wanted it down by the end of the school day so the kids could take it home. So we hurried up and finished that one and delievered them. Then I had a run in with the lunch duty lady about where my kids could sit. We have sat at the first table in the middle row for the last few weeks. The kids who pack their lunches then have the rest of the table. So today we got in the cafeteria late because the third grade teachers dismissed the kids late and the packers tried to take my kids seats. I asked them politely to move down and this lady jumps all over me about how we are only to have the first have of the table. Mind you there is 6 preteenage boys and 2 adults that have to seat here. The tables only hold 3 people per side per section. So I told my boss we need to talk. We didn't get to talk this afternoon, but he is going to get an ear full Monday morning while we do bus duty. I can't stand this lady being rude to me and my kids all the time. I swear she stands by my wheelchair student to hollar at the rest of the kids. This scares my girl and she starts to whine or cry a little. This lady told my aide the one day to take her to the smaller lunchroom. Mind you if we did that we would not be around the other kids and my kids wouldn't be getting any socialzation with other peers. So today since I was in a bad mood by lunch time, I was ready to rumble with this lady if she got mouthy with me one more time. I tried to make copies after school and the papers kept jamming on me. So I just came home. Walked in the house and my dh knew something was wrong. So he listened to my tale of woe and told me to go workout at Curves. I would feel much better after that. So I did and he was right. We walked down to the festival here in town and got dinner. Then we walked to the football game. SO my evening has been great. Tomorrow I am having a yard sale. So I hope that I will do good enough with the festival going on here in town. We are only two blocks from where they are holding it.
Sounds like everyone has been busy with school. I will get more personal tomorrow afternoon or evening. I am really tired tonight. So I will talk to you all later.
Have a great weekend!
Take care,
Kerry

Ahhh, Kerry, they used to do that to me in my inner city school with my class. It drove me nuts: the other kids, being big and tough and well, streety would push my kids out of the lunch line. My kids, being big and not-tough and emotionally disturbed as well as cognitively impaired would shove them back and we'd have a rumble. Guess who got in trouble? ME! Not the kids, not the kids who started it... ME. We just gave up, to be hoenst with you and I started taking my kids to lunch in between shifts. It was the only way I could preserve some of my sanity since I didn't have a TA. And the other teacher wouldn't come to lunch if she knew I was there... so I'd get stuck with both life-skills classes. And hse had no control over her group at all.
One time, one of the regular kids put one of my kids in the trashcan. :rolleyes: My kid LET the other kids do this. He thought they were his friends.
Another time, one of my kids got turned upside down and shaken down for money in the boys bathroom. After that, I went in the boys bathroom and cleared it out before my kids could come in since administration wouldn't do anything about that either.
:mouse:

Good morning!!!
Crabby Dh and Ds just left for bball practice.....ah, the house is so nice and quiet!!! :D

Kerry- it sure sounds as though your day was pure torture. One ordeal after another, and stupid people to boot! Save your anger for Monday ( bus duty again??)- take notes for yourself so that you can stay on topic and get the points you need to make across. Is this lunch lady a permanent person??
Gotta love your Dh for sending you to Curves......he really rose to the occasion on that one!!!!! I am so glad that your evening worked out to be great for you. Maybe you got all the crummies out of the way during the day, and your weekend will be nice!! Good luck with the garage sale. :)

Mouse- the more I hear about your swimming instructor job, the better it sounds!!!!!! I am soooo happy for you! :) What was wrong with your car? At least the breakdown happened in a pretty good place, as opposed to on an expressway.....or the Beltway.....I95....... Guess the same rule that applies to optional turn signals (or use of them when you have already begun the turn, so why bother!) also applies to passing a school bus with its reds on. (wait till I post here on a day when that happens.........it takes me hours to calm down and stop shaking) So,is today the first day of swimming lessons??? Let us know how it goes.

Robyn- how you feeling????? I totally agree with Mouse. I had something like that 3 years ago. First got sick in early January and did not get rid of it until April....6, Dr visits.......3 antibiotics....borderline pneumonia....what a mess. Take care of yourself!!!!

Summer- still praying for you.......we miss you.

After several days of totally crummy weather, it is beautiful here in NY. Dd has a soccer game this afternoon, and is now playing with some neighborhood buddies. I'm going to check out and go do my WW tape. I'd love to walk but want to let Dd just play outside with her friends.
See ya later.
Ginny

Hi everyone,
My day has been good. I got up this morning and did a 3 mile walking video. Then I got my shower for the day and got ready. Then I set up my yard sale. I sat outside in the shade mind you since it is hot here but 5 1/4 hours and only made $26. So I think everyone must have been busy going to school sporting events and the festival. So I packed everything back up and plan on having another in Oct. Then hopefully I will be rid of everything.
Tonight my mil and I are going to here a concert downtown. My minster's stepds is in a band and they are performing tonight. Then it will be back to the house to watch the parade since it goes right by our house. So it is a nice way to relax after my hetic week and morning.
Mouse I got the same treatment last year when I had a really severe behavior student that you are talking about always getting in trouble yourself. I now know why one of my coworker's left to go teach at other school. He was on this ladies grade level team and she made his life misible. So I have set out to stand up to this lady and not back down and let her win. She doesn't do a good job teaching, the kids walk all over her and she breaks ever staff rule we have at school. She is one of those people who come across phoney. Enough about that. Did you find out what was wrong with your car? I hope it can be easily fixed and doesn't cost a lot. Enjoy your first swimming class tonight.
Robyn, I hope you are feeling better today. It doesn't help to be sick with all the stress you have been under. I hope you get a good report when you go see the doctor tomorrow. Please take some time and rest this weekend.
Summer, how are you? Have you heard anything yet? I read a magazine called diane today and thought of you. It is a magazine put out by Curves. This issue they were talking about women who had breast cancer and their stories of how they survied their ordeal. Would you like me to mail you my magazine?
Ginny, hope your crabby ds and dh come home in a better mood. I know working out yesterday made me feel so much better. Maybe you could get a walk in this evening. I noticed that I sleep better at night when I get a walk in during the day. Hope your dd has a great soccer game. My stepchildren are playing soccer this year. They have their first practice on Monday night. Thank God all three of them are on the same team. That makes it easier.
Well I think I am going to go try and take a nap.
Talk to you all later,
Kerry
P.S. Please keep my cousin's family in your prayer's. His wife passed away last night from complications due to the gastric bypass surgery. She lost weight too fast and then got down to 90 pounds. She was one sick lady for the past several months.

Just a short hello......
Kerry- sorry that your garage sale did not do so well. I have had sales like that, when I only made a few dollars. Seems like a lot of work for nothing. But you are right, October might just be a better time when kids schedules settle down a bit. Sounds as though you have a really nice evening planned! I hope you enjoy it- the concert and parade. Yup, I sleep better also when I get my "walk" or whatever in during the day. I did my WW tape this morning, when everyone was out. It felt so good....and I put some extra gusto into those kicks and lunges to get rid of some of the stress. It felt good.......
My day was ok. Dd had her soccer game- the team won and looked pretty good for the first game and only one practice. Ds and Dh came home in only slightly improved moods. Funny how Dh is not able to see why his excessive opinionated moods (gee that sounds clumsy, but describes him well) could possibly affect Ds's moods (or mine for that matter!) When Dh is in the excessively opinionated mode, nothing anyone else says is right or even close and he blasts apart whatever anyone else has to say.
This evening he complained that Ds was unable to express his opinion~ well, duh, if he is told that his opinion is wrong all the time....then that sure does not give him much confidence in self expression, now does it???? (Dh is the same way with me at times also). Sorry, I had to vent, I am not really bellyachin' as much as I am just stating fact. It is a part of Dh that I have learned to deal with, my SIL has the same difficulty with my BIL (obviously, Dh's brother).

Anyway, in comparison to what Kerry's cousin's family is going thru this is nothing! Kerry, may I just have the cousin's first name please? It helps me to pray if I have a first name. Did your cousin and his wife have any children???? That is so sad.....I have heard such stories about the bypass surgery, although I know of instances when it was a blessing. I will pray for your cousin's family.
Nuff blabbering from me in one day!!
Summer and Robyn......how you two doing??? Mouse, how did the first day of swimming instructing go?
See you tomorrow.
Ginny

Evening Ladies,
I had a really nice time at the concert and the parade. It was nice to visit with some friends that you don't always get to see or have the time to chat with. So my weekend is going great so far. Tomorrow we might be going to look for a new van. My van is leaking oil and we don't know why. So hopefully we will get to go van shopping tomorrow.
As for my cousin's name it is Bill and his wife's name is Beverly. This was her second marriage, but she had two children from a previous marriage. They are both in their early twenty's, a boy named Chris and a girl named Amanda. It is going to be a rough week for everyone in my family, since we are all getting together next Saturday for my cousin's Jenny's wedding. Just hearing what she did to her body to get this way is very sad. I never thought she was a very big person to begin with and then she had the surgery. She was dropping the weight like crazy and then developed all these health problems and was going to different doctors getting medicine. I think it was a combination of the medicines and too low of a body weight that forced her to go to the hospital last weekend. The doctor's told my cousin that she was in critical condition but she was doing fine. Then she died last night sometime. It is a very scary thing. I have know a few other people who have had that surgery and have died from it. But then I also know a few people who have also had it done and lived to be success stories. I know one thing, I will lose my weight the good old fashion way through willpower.
Ginny glad to hear that you got your WW tape in this morning. I find that when I am alone doing my WATP's tapes, I will really get into it and give it my all. But if I am doing it with my sdd or my dh is around I don't go all out. Glad to hear that your dd's team won. I bet she was happy. Sorry to hear that your dh and ds moods were still a little crabby when they got home. I understand what you mean about your dh. Mine is like that too at times.
How are you other ladies? I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Well I am going to go and get me some sleep. I am just a little tired this evening. Sitting out in the sun for 5 hours can really do a person in.
Have a great Sunday!
Take care,
Kerry

Hi, all.
Kerry: Sorry to hear about your cousin. One of my close friends also had the surgery and spends most of her time sick. She's ALWAYS sick. If she doesn't have a cold or something, she's got stomach problems. A lot of people have tried to push the surgery on me (not my friend, of course!), especially a lot of doctors and recently people at the gym. The last one that did it got the rough edge of my tongue, I'm afraid. Just before I was diagnosed, when we were still going off the idea that my weight gain was because I'd been very sedentary for nearly 2 years because of my ankle injury my orthopedist sent me to a surgeon that specialized in weight loss. He was insistant that gastic bypass was the only way I'd ever lose weight. He may be right, I certainly haven't lost any with all the exercising I do, and watching what I eat. But I'm not at all willing to have it done, because I already eat less than 2000 calories per day and exercise at least 5 days a week. Glad you enjoyed your concert and all, Kerry!
And yea... I almost always wind up on the list of teachers that is picked on by administration or by the brown-nosing teachers who don't teach. Drives me nuts, but what can I do? I'm there to do a job, and I'm going to do it the best I can. That means that I teach, not hand out worksheets. I use worksheets... I have a worksheet based independent living simulation. Its very similar to one I created on my own as part of a graduate project... But mine confused many of the students because there were a lot of directions they needed to follow and steps to access various Internet sites. I also don't have enough computers to do it this year.
Ginny: Tonight was the first night of swimming lessons. I enjoyed myself, but I was really nervous. First I assisted in the Peewee/Parent & Me lessons. I'm not very good with little children, which is strange because the cognitive level of many of the little ones is the same as the kids I teach! Anyway, I scared one of them really badly and she started to cry... She wouldn't get in the water with me. So I took another little girl, and she did great until it was time to go on her stomach and paddle... then she started crying. She even went on her back for me, which most of the kids hate. Then I got another little one, and she was handful... she kept wanting to get out of the pool. She, too, wouldn't paddle for me, but she'd done it for the lead teacher.
The second half ofthe lessons I was with the Level 1/2 group. One of the instructors didn't show up so we had to combine the two groups. 16 kids. We wound up splitting them when some of them were scared of the water. The little girl I had took lots of coaxing, but she did okay eventually... Still no paddling, but at the end she let me put her on her back. Many of the kids clung to me like I was an octopus. I'm going to have to wear a shirt next time! They all kept trying to pull down my bathing suit... I'd forgotten WHY we had to wear a shirt when we did swimming in Fairfax,but now I remember!
All in all it was fun... Coming home was another story, though: There was a bad accident on the Northbound side of the highway, so they were detouring traffic onto the southbound side and both sides were clogged. Took me longer to get home, and I worried the dispatcher covering for me. I'd forgotten my cell phone, so I couldn't call the answering service when I got out of the water like I'd planned. But he was okay covering the extra half-hour for me.
Does dragging kids aorund in the water and holding them in the water count as exercise?
Summer: Where are you? How is everything?
Robin: How are you feeling? Get plenty of sleep. If you like tea, I recommend Stash's Wintermint as a great non-medicine thing for lung sicknesses. Wintergreen has the same chemical compound as aspirin, but without the side effects... Also, the steam from the tea helps loosen things up.
:mouse:

In reviewing this, I see I forgot some stuff...
There was nothing wrong with my car that the Saturn dealership could find, and she was just fine yesterday and on the drive back to Baltimore. Annoying, but I'm glad it was a cheap fee. They didn't charge me the whole diagnostic fee either, just half an hour... Another reason I like going to that Saturn group: they are always very fair. The theory is that with all the rain we've had I might have gotten some water in the gas line. There were no error codes in the transmission or the engine, just a stall code (which is what it did). I typically only put dry gas in my car during the winter, but I guess I should have been doing it this summer too because of the rain.
And my TA is so hard to read most of the time... I don't know if she's going to be witchy tomorrow because I was out Friday or not.
Next week will be interesting... Its a 4 days week, because we're closed on thursday for Rosh Hashana, but we're coming back on Friday. ACK! Actually, just 3.5 days.
I start grad school Monday night. I need to call Barnes and Noble because I ordered one of the textbooks over a week ago and its not here yet!
And I'm dispatching this weekend, so I can't go anywhere today. So, no gym.
:( And no gym tomorrow either because of classes...

:mouse:

Just a short hello (my shorties seem to be long.........., I know)
Kerry- I am so glad that your day ended up well. I think you were really, really due for a "Kerry" day, if you know what I mean!!! Good for you, hope today is as good. (ya gotta stock up on good memories like this for the not so good days, right??) I did pray for you and your cousin this am in church (I pray at home too, just had a good reminder to do so there!). thanks for their names, it makes it more personal to me. And I will keep praying for them and you too! Good luck looking for a van. Got any model/manufacturer in mind?? And a big thanks for understanding about my Dh....from other posts is has sounded as though portions of our Dh's personalities are similar. Mine has some wonderful qualities, and I do know that he loves me and must remind myself of the stress that he faces at work. Plus he is dedicated to our children. But there are those days........ BTW, back to an earlier post: My library of Leslie tapes includes her Weight loss walk (4 miles total in 3 segments so you can do 1 mile, or 2, 11/2 mile walks separately or together),WATP 3 miles (this one uses 2# weights if you have them) and my latest addition, WATP express, walk strong (I have to pick up the stretchie for this one). I also had an old 1 mile tape that I loaned to someone.....have not seen it in 2 years. I really like the 3 miler with the weights the best. That might change when I invest in a stretchie!

Mouse- I would absolutely count getting little ones in and out of the pool as an activity!!! Ok, not the true cardio workout that I am sure that you give yourself, but your normal swim sounds as though it is 4 Activity Points in WW land, and what you did with these kids about 1 AP. Hey, there are days I settle for a short walk, or 1 AP, as that is all I can get in. Sorry that you will not be able to get your gym time in for a short while. It will feel all that much better when you can!!!! Good that your car had nothing major wrong with it. Sounds as though the dealership treated you well. As far as your little ones goes, I am sure that they will improve as the lessons go on.
It takes time for everyone to get to know each other and trust each other- especially critical in the water! You are going to do fine! And I can see why a T shirt is an essential!!!!!

Obviously we got to church this am. This afternoon, it is off to a double header for Ds's bball team. (yawn.....) He will not be playing every inning ~ so please do not accuse me of being a horrible mother! (hehehehe). 6 hours of baseball is just a bit much for me. Fortunately, there is a Walmart and HomeDepot within 10 minutes of the park (and they are 30 minutes from our house) so I will take advantage of their proximity and get some quick errands done.
Guess I'd better end this "short"post, eh?
Robyn and Summer.......how you doing!? Prayed for both of you too.
Take care.
Ginny

Hey everyone! A quick note from me. I'm over my head and entering the official week 2 of school...arghh! I'm recovering from all my "itis" es....slowly...way too slowly for my liking! I have a voice finally....but it isn't mine. It is more of "Demi Moore on Testosterone"! I finally broke down last night and took the prescription cough medicine.... it knocked me OUTTTT! Which is what I needed! Even DH got some sleep due to me finally not coughing all night long! (He pointed that out this morning!) I feel a bit more human today....just in time to spend hours with my new manuals and the plan book! Yippeee!

I've very concerned about Summer. Does anyone have her phone number? I had her mailing address but don't any longer. She has been "away" wayyyy too long.

Sorry for the drama...but...well.... you know!

Dryer is calling my name....and I don't iron...so....
take care...thanks for the prayers!

I'm worried about Summer too and very glad you're feeling better, Robyn. You need to sleep when you're sick: that's WHY the cough syrup knocks you out! you wouldn't take it for anything that is less serious... And you're lucky it knocks you out! It just makes me agitated. I have to be very careful they don't put hydrocodone in it: one dose of that stuff and I get all jittery like I had 30 gallons of coffee! :)
Codeine isn't that bad, but it just makes me dizzy. The only things that knock me out, really, are tylenol and benedryl. The other stuff just makes me high or dizzy.
Okay... I spent all day doing a back-up of my computer's harddrive, and now I'm going to bed! Its nearly 9, and it'll be al ong day with 2 classes back to back.

:mouse:

Mousie,
I'm allergic to codeine....and this cough medicine has "something from that family" (as the dr. put it.... He told me that very few people who are allergic to codeine have reactions to this. Codeine makes me sleep...and then vomit.... all at the same time....for HOURS and HOURS.... I was a bit nervous and it took me a LOT of convincing that I wouldn't have the night from H@$$ if I took it.... BUT, I was desperate! So, I took it as directed... 1/4 of a teaspoon, waited 1 hour. Then another 1/2 of a teaspoon...and then waited a very long hour before I was allowed
to get in bed! An adult dose is evidently 1 teaspoon.... but not for me!
Anyway.... I didn't get sick! I slept and I didn't cough!

enough!

Robyn, glad you are doing ok.......or at least better. Too bad you had to take the major league cough stuff, but there are times that that is the only alternative. Better to rest than cough your brains out all night!!!!! (BTW, how many activity points or calories are burned with all that coughing??, yes, I have a sick mind) Glad you are taking care of yourself!!! Get better soon.

Mouse, you are taking 2 classes tomorrow nite???? How late will you get back? drive carefully, ok?

I too am worried about Summer.......I sure hope she is ok.
See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

Evening Ladies,
I am very concerned for Summer too. I don't have a phone number or address for her. I just remembered that she had a wedding to go to this weekend for her niece. It was out of town. So that might explain why we haven't heard from her in a few days.
My day was half good and half bad. I got up and did my 4 mile walking video and then got ready for church. I walked to and from church. Came home and changed clothes and waited for my dh to get ready for the day. Then we went van shopping in a town that is about 45 minutes from us. We found a few that we might go back and test drive. The only thing is that I work until 6:30 Monday, Wednesday nights and then 4:30 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. So that would make a long day trying to get up there and test drive this week. I have open house at my school on Tuesday night at 6. Then on Thursday night I have to do my laundry and get packed to go see my family this coming weekend, since I will just be leaving straight from school on Friday. So I guess it will be one night next week or that Saturday before we can go test drive a van or truck. As for a van, I like the looks of the Town and COuntry's and the Pontanic Montana's. I have a Chevy Venture right now. As for trucks, I liked the 4 door Ford F150's and 4 door Chevy Silverado's. So that is the status on my van shopping today. I came home and took a nap. After I got up, my dh and I went to Walmart to do some grocery shopping. But before we went there I asked him to stop at Wendy's so I could get me a sandwhich. I went in and stood in line for 5 minutes waiting to be waited on. There was only one other customer in front of me and they had a special order. They wanted to buy an order of chicken strips and wanted to know if they could just buy two extra ones because they didn't want a second full order of them. So they had to go hunt down the manager to see if this was possible. After that I walked out the door. Had my dh stop at the Golden Arch's and I ordered a cheeseburger meal. Mind you I know that is good for a person on a diet, but I was hungry for a cheeseburger and was only going to eat a few of the fries and throw the rest out. So we start down the road and I start eating my meal when my dh starts ranting and raving about what I was eating for dinner. So I finished my cheeseburger and threw the bag with the fries at him and told him off. When we got to Wal-mart, I got out of the truck and walked in the store. He finally caught to me back by the shampoo asile. I hardly talked to him the two hours we were in the store. Then after we got home, he asked me what was wrong. So I just let him have it. I told him that I hardly ate any food at all today. I had a cup of yogurt for breakfast and for lunch I had a taco salad and iced tea at the Mexican restaurant. So I didn't think I was doing such a bad thing by having a cheeseburger meal from Mickey D's. That I have worked my butt off this past week walking and working out at Curves in order to treat myself today. He said that he was sorry and that he loved me. He was just trying to help me out with my diet. It just pisses me off that he is the third person to tell me this past week that I should eat something because I am on a diet. So I guess he was the last straw for me and I just blew up. I hate it when people know that you are watching your weight and think they are being helpful with their little comments and they really are only making you mad. So my evenign has been bad. Enough about me though. Thanks for letting me vent.
Mouse, sounds like you had a fun time at your swimming lessons though. I can see where a shirt would come in handy with little exploring hands. :) Glad to hear that there was nothing wrong with your car. That is always a plus.
Ginny, hope you made it through your double header ball games today. Plus was able to get a little shopping in too. Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. My cousin's funeral is tomorrow morning. It breaks my heart that I am not able to be there. But it is in Altanta, Ga. I couldn't spare a few days off from work to go. Plus don't really have the extra money to get a plane ticket.
Robyn, I am glad that you are starting to feel a little better. Hopefully you were able to get your lesson plans done today. Enjoy your second week of school. I can't believe I am starting my fourth week of school already. Time flies when you are having fun.
Well I best be off to bed. Talk to you all later.
Have a great week!
Kerry

Good morning!
Just a short hello, yes this one will be short!!

Kerry- forgive me, but are you also following WW???? If so (and this can of course be used as ammo with Dh or anyother naysayer.....) you can eat any food- even Mickey D's fries- as long as you control the quantity and allow for that within your eating for the day. Too bad that it had to erupt into you telling Dh off, but sometimes that has to happen. It is surely not good to always hold things in.
Vent whenever.......especially if it keeps you from stress eating (which I am all too prone to!). I am sure that it must make you feel crummy about missing the funeral.
But, you can always write or call and make some extra efforts to keep in touch over the next months. So often the bereaved really take things harder several weeks after the loss, when the reality of their changed lives really sets in. Then a well timed phone call or note of support from you could really be appreciated.

As for me, a busy Monday. Snuck to a WW meeting in NJ (probably won't do that again~ $2 more than here in NY!) - lost 3.6# (but remember, I was wearing jeans last week....anyway, I am still less than I have been in a while, which is good). Off for a short walk now, TOM showed up this am and I am feeling kind of droopy. Out for a 15 minute walk.........see ya later.
Ginny

I survived today......spent most of the day trying to help Dd get the help she needs in Biology...her professor is not really explaining the material and she is only one of 2 freshmen in the class. The rest are juniors and seniors. Poor kid really felt out of her league. And I saw the emails from the prof~ the woman sounds dreadfully disorganized and out of it. I can surely sympathize, I had someone similar for first semester calculus, which I am not proud to say I failed. Never got a clue what the moron was trying to explain!
Then I took the course over ( at a different school, I transferred) and had an A average in the course....the difference was someone who could explain the material taught it the second time around. But back to Dd, she got a tutor for this evening, and hopefully he/she can dig her out of the mess she is in.
Her other courses seem to be ok/managable.

Got into a tiff with a supervisor- had a student who tried to get on my bus (he is not one of mine!) and as that I had students on already, I could not leave the bus. So I thought that I could call over a teacher, explain the situation, and she could find out what route the student belongs on. Sounds simple? Naw.....I was told I had to radio in to the office (transportation office)- and try to get the kindergarten student to give me his name (kid was already terrified) and they would radio back to me with the proper route. Then....guess what!!!!!! I am still stuck with wondering how to escort this student (can't leave my bus, remember?) to his bus. Well, I blew it, handed the student off to a teacher, and she found his teacher (about 15 feet away) and junior got on his proper bus. Bad bus driver, Ginny....boo hoo. Then, the heartbreak story. The little guy (3rd grade) on my run whose mom died in a tragic accident a little over a year ago- well noone was at his stop today. "Base" could not reach the neighbor who usually takes him with her daughter, and Dad was at work (30 minutes away). So he stayed on with me and we turned around at the end of the route and went backwards (he is at the beginning) to get to his stop again. Noone there....took him back to the office where his Aunt (who got stuck in traffic) pulled in moments after we did. Your heart just goes out to this kid.......any other kid might have been concerned- maybe scared- but this little guy- all he could say was "where is my aunt?" with a lot of pain in his voice. Just breaks your heart.....the Aunt and I worked out a deal with the dispatcher (who understands this student's plight) where we will hopefully be able to get permission to drop him off at his buddies stop,if this ever happens again. which is almost my last stop. A very good choice, (in my book) as the friend's mother is almost always home- and the student is comfortable there. Also, as it is at the end of the run, the office has had tons of time to try to find his Dad/sister/Aunt...so we will know (hopefully!) if noone will be able to get to his stop for awhile. I proposed the idea to the Aunt and then the dispatcher, who as I mentioned before has a soft spot for this kid.....and it sounds as though all the father has to do is get permission for this in writing and it can work. Ok, ok, it sort of bends the rules a wee bit.....but if ever there was a kid who needed a break, I think this is one.
Sick of me babbling???? I refuse to walk tonite, the mosquitos are awful. I was outside for 10 minutes and felt as though I took a bath in them!
Hope everyone had a good day......and I sure hope Kerry is right about Summer being at a wedding.
See ya later.
Ginny

Hi everybody! I'm so sorry to worry all of you. Kerry gets the prize...I was in New Hampshire over the weekend for my DH's niece's wedding. Friday, I got home late, and then I had to pack and clean since people were going to be in our house to take care of our dog. So, I had no time to post before we left. Early Saturday morning we left, and late Sunday night, we returned. I feel like the walking dead...I'm soooooo exhausted. I have so much to tell you all about the trip and the wedding, but I have got to do lesson plans (yes, for this week!) and then get to bed.

The most important thing to tell you is that my right breast is fine. But, the radiologist isn't convinced yet that the left one is okay. So, tomorrow afternoon, I have to have an ultrasound. I only found out today at 2:30pm, so I had to go another weekend wondering.

When I have info, I will let you know.

Just so you know, after my ultrasound, I have to pick DD up from school, cook dinner, and then run out to her open house. So, I probably won't be able to post tomorrow night.

However, I have Thursday off for Rosh Hashanah, so I can post Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Then, I will catch up with all of you.

Thank you so much for caring about me.

Well... I survived a Monday. The kids weren't too bad, and my TA is so competent (even if she does get a attitude about it at times) that we were right on track for starting what I wanted to start today. They did pretty well with it, too... I was worried about the reading.
And then I had grad school. I was registered for 2 classes, back to back, ending at 8:45 tonight. Not too bad, really. Summer classes were longer.
First class: The instructor changed, the scheduled instructor is having "life issues" so we have no books, no syllabus... and nutty the fruitcake for a professor. She's "in charge" of the mild/moderate disabilities and inclusion program. I think if I'd met her initially, I would never have gone to Hopkins! She's... weird. She sounds like she is being really nice, but underneath there is this little niggling thought that she's really a nasty evil person. I know that's bad of me, but... I couldn't help it. And she talked about these learning strategies she was supposed to teach us about like they are the Bible and the only way to teach! No offense meant, comparing something to the Bible.
In any case, it turns out its a TRAINING class on how to then use these methods with the students. Not an instructional class on how to use the methods, a strict training class... We can't even buy the books for the class unless we buy them through her, because she's a certified trainer for the program! I did NOT need to pay Hopkins $1100 for that! However, the class had potential until she told me that it had to be implemented the way she said, and for the length of time said or we get an incomplete... I can't do it. I have to teach specific things in each 9 weeks course. And most of my kids can't read anyway, so these strategies aren't appropriate for them. The kids that it IS appropriate for are getting them in classes at our school.
So she recommended I drop the class unless I could find a neighbor's child or a kid at my school could stay after school. My kids live all over the state of MD, so that isn't possible. So she wrote a note for me to drop the class.
Class 2: I walked in and the first thing I asked the instructor, based on Class 1, was "Do you mind that I teach kids with severe and multiple disabilities in a private school?" The answer was No, but you might have some problems doing the project and you'll need to be creative. Creativity is my middle name! How else do I teach ratio and proportion to kids with mild MR and autism or other issues and have them REALLY get it? C'mon! So she said to stay, and I could talk to her after class. And after class her first comment was, "well, I always get one like you." So I joked back, "And I'm always the one!" and then I told her where I taught and she says, again, "Well, I always get one or two of you." Lord... she hates where I teach! She's into inclusion, she teaches at a "home school" and that school takes ALL of their kids and NONE of them go to special programs, ever. And here I am, at a private school for kids who can't be educated by their local school system...and we have at least one kid from her county, probably more. And she starts on about how I need a curriculum... but there IS no curriculum for what I do. So I told her that I could take a math curriculum... and make it functional, becuase that's what I did before I came here, so that's okay... no, she doesn't want that... because functional math isn't general curriculum. So I said I could find state standards and use THAT as a curriculum, and she said that I'm removing most of the work because if I have the standards, then I don't have to do what the other students do, which is figure out the essential standards... but I do, because I have state standards for a WHOLE K-12 curriculum: I can get the PA career/vocational strand... its not the essentials, its the K-12 standards for the whole state! But she didn't want that either. Ultimately, she said I'd have to use a general ed curriculum or not take the class. And she didn't think that it would be much of a learning experience for me. I told her that I really do already know how to adapt, accommodate, modify, overlap curriculum. And I DO! Really! I always look at the curriculum for the grade level and decide what my MR kids can do from that. When I did 7th grade, I did the scientific method with the kids; I did ratio and proportion. Those aren't MR skills, they aren't life-skills... they're GENERAL ED!
Apparently, the classes in the inclusion program should be renamed to "Inclusion for students with MILD MILD MILD disabilities as long as they fit what the general curriculum". Or at least this class, which is Diversifying the Secondary Curriculum for Students with Disabilities. It should be renamed! Because she kept telling me that I'm not in a setting where this is appropriate or where we use general curriculum, but we DO! Especially our vocational track!
So I get to drop this class too. I hope I can get ahold of my advisor tomorrow. :cry:
What a great way to start fall semester. WHY DID I GO BACK TO GET ANOTHER DEGREE?????
:mouse:

Wow.....
Summer, I am SO glad that you are ok! As you can tell from reading the posts we were worried about you. And Kerry gets the prize for having a memory (mine was lost years ago). Good news about the right breast. Too bad that the sono has to wait for a while.....and Lord, willing, that will be good news too! Welcome back.

Ok, Mouse......now you were trying to go for an advanced degree???? Gee, I feel for you~ two difficult situations in a row. I sure hope you can find your advisor today..., think I'd give him/her a large piece of my mind! Glad that your kids were ok, though.

Normal day for me so far.......well, as normal as anything I touch is! Going to have to sneak a walk in somehow, probably after dinner.
Gotta go, today is my day at Dd's school to help at lunch. See ya!
Ginny

Hi to Kerry and Robyn.

Yea... I decided that I wanted to give a go at getting a doctorate. And "just special ed" wasn't good enough... I could do THAT anywhere. I wanted to combine my love of functional skills, transition/voc planning, and assitive technology. My master's is in transition planning and severe disabilities. My bachelor's is in mild/moderate disabilities, even though I did get one class on autism and one on MR.
So I figured that I needed to bone up on some curriculum and instruction stuff, because there really ISN'T any curriculum for hwat I do. A lot of MR teachers, especially those borderline moderate/mild kids, or the kids who are borderline (IQ 70-82), don't get what they need. They get art projects and stupid worksheets. They hardly ever get cooking or community instruction. A lot of times, with the high stakes testing, they're getting college prep crammed in their brains so they can memorize how many senators and how many congressmen and how many states and when the states entered the Union so they can MAYBE pass a state test in SOMETHING. It drives me nuts. And these are the kids that are making up a lot of our service industry jobs. They don't look at all like their disabled, and don't even act like it if you accept that a lot of teens and young people are into music, raggedy dress, and parties and fast-food. But they can't read or write very well, and they have other functional skills lacking.
:shrug: Anyway...
My advisor is out of town, so the secretary is going to talk to the department chair. She was my advisor for my master's program.

:mouse:

I will catch up with everyone's posts in the morning since I have tomorrow off. I just wanted to update everyone.

The ultrasound was not good. I have a surgical consult scheduled for next Thursday.

Again, thank you for your support.

Hi!
Seems slow here.....I hope that for those with the day off it is at least restful.
Mouse- wishing you and your family a solemn holiday (day of atonement, right??? so to say happy is inappropriate). Your intentions on the doctorate are admirable, now if you can just find some courses that fit that need!! Hope you find your advisor or some help soon.
Summer- hugs, hugs and big hugs. Probably at this point the worst part is this eternal waiting...one appointment to another. I know of at least two women who faced a similar diagnosis and went through surgery to find that the suspicious tissue was not cancer at all. Hang onto your faith- leave your burdens at His feet.....He will take care of the rest. I will continue to pray for you.

I only sort of have the day off. Still have to go to the catholic school that I drive home from to pick up from there......so I have to work 2 hours. Oh well.
Gotta go sneak a walk in. See ya later.
Ginny

Hi, everyone.
Summer: more hugs, and some more brownies... maybe a purr or two from a cat if you like them... Mine has enough purrs to share, since he ate half a bag of cat treats while I was gone! He thinks I left them just for him!
Ginny: Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, so its a very happy holiday! :) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is next Friday. This will be the first year I can't fast: the whole blood sugar thing makes it too iffy. My mom and grandmother can't fast either because they have to eat with medication. I know its okay, but I've always fasted until at least noon!
My school was closed today, but we're not closed next Friday for some reason. I guess because this is the middle of the week, and Yom Kippur technically starts at sunset on Friday, so there isn't a need to be closed... Although its hard, because if the whole family is to gather (which includes my cat), I have to leave early enough to get there for everything. So, I took some of my comp time for next Friday. That way the cat can come with me. Although he's likely to be unhappy because he has to have bloodwork done, so I'll have that done Friday.
After that is Sukkot, the Harvest festival. We have back to school night the first night of Sukkot, and its a celebratory holiday... plus, I have a whole new caseload this year, so I just can't miss back ot school night. I did ask them to look at ALL the calendars next year or if they have questions to ask... There are other staff that won't be there that night because of the holiday.
:mouse:

Summer, (((((hugs)))))......please try to remain calm and secure (easy for me to type from my chair HOURS away, isn't it?!) My very dear friend was given some horrid news two months ago only to have a specialist tell her that the original doctor was good to be cautious but basically wrong. She has been given a green light after having been petrified for the last 2 months! (((((big big supportive hugs!)))))

Mouse, Happy Rosh Hashana! :) We did not get the day off to celebrate with you tho! ;) OHHH and I *do* need to "get with you" to discuss AT...and my kid. I'm SEARCHING for the right answers.... he is loving 7th grade in spite of the crap!

Ginny, Hope you enjoyed your "nearly whole day off"! Today I met THE nicest bus driver that made me think of you! Mrs. G. and I had a short conversation about one of my "dears"... and she complimented me on the changes since last year. (I'm sure that it is that HE has matured...but...hehehehe...I'll take the compliment!) She is sincerely interested in this kid! I *heart* Mrs. G! :) I KNOW this is our equivilent to you!

Okey...enough from me... Gonna go.... TGtomorrowF!

Did I tell you guys that I really really REALLY like my new job?! :)

take care!
(Summer... would you please send me your address via a PM?)

'Morning!
Mouse- ok forgive me for not being up to anything with my knowledge of Jewish holidays. Hope your Rosh Hashana was a very happy one!!! We do not have Yom Kippur off here either~ now you would think that here in NY with probably a somewhat larger than average Jewish population they might consider that, but then who knows?
Lots of luck with Imp and the blood test...is this just routine stuff?? (thanks for reminding me that RC goes for her annual check up in about 3 weeks, usually a rather comic affair as the vet tells me one more time that she is too fat......) Thanks for the education on Sukkot. I never, ever knew what that was and at least now have an idea. Getting any swimming time in?

Robyn- Sounds as though you are happy with your new job and I am happy for you!!!!! Sometimes the adjustment period is hard, glad that is over! Honey, take that compliment from "Mrs G" and keep all the accolades for yourself! Ok, the kids do mature, but some of them need a push from a mature adult to do so!!! Take the good comment as though you were that adult....she meant it for you!:)

Summer and Kerry, we miss you!

I am hanging in here......not feeling all that great- got some kind of low grade stomach bug, don't feel bad, but don't feel good either. The monsters were great this am.....I could not believe how quiet they were when we pulled into school. (gotta stop calling them monsters, I guess!). Had some very soft classical music playing this am (usually do not have the radio on at all), maybe they were calmed by that.
Think I am going to skip a walk today, just too tired and feel too blah.
Happy Friday. See ya later.
Ginny

Oh, geez. I'm so glad its Friday. This week has been long with the grad school crap: upon which I made a further twit out of myself this afternoon talking to an administrator at my school and trying to explain this without using too many words. I talk too much, I know that. But its worse when I'm nervous or confused. And this lady does tend to make me a little nervous. I mean, she's an administrator for pity's sake! ;)
Anyway, I was supposed to talk to my advisor about this, then got tied up in the behavior area with a kid at the end of the period, and didn't get out of there, FORGOT about it, then we had one of the certificate teachers (I've mentioned her before: the idiot who took one of my books without asking?) yelled out the lead teacher for my program because she said that *I* told her she could have a sheltered office project I picked up from the REd Cross for them... She never asked ME anything... I never told her anything. And she told Admin that I told them she could have it. Witch.
So I had all that.... and then tried to call the University and couldn't get through!
Yesterday, I tried to shop and couldn't because a gas station put a hold on my account for $75, when I only bought $5.01 worth of gas! :grrr: So I had nothing in my house for lunch or breakfast today, so I bought a school lunch... fish today, and macaroni and cheese with green beans... so not too bad, but more than I think I would have typically eaten, even though I didn't get to finish it. And so now I'm not at all hungry!!!
I couldn't go to the gym on Monday because of grad school, Wednesdya because of Rosh Hashana, Thursday because they were closed for Rosh Hashana, and tonight becuase we have tornado warnings and thunderstorms so the pool is closed. I could've lifted weights, but the beltway was a mess too, so I just did some grocery shopping and came home. At least tomorrow I can do my whole routine, including the water aerobics class and then I teach swimming in the evening.
The highlights of the week: a local store that I stopped in to get grocery ads for my kids had all the Hood Dairy low carb stuff on psecial. I don't do low carb, of course, but I can't have nutra sweet. I don't understand why the low-carb yogurts have splenda and the low-fat/low calorie have nutra sweet when they're all made by the same company. The low-carb ones are more expensive too!
Second Highlight: I've been complimented on my hair lots and lots of times this week, but haven't done anything different. My lead teacher told me that EVERYBODY (whoever that is!) has noticed that I've lost "A LOT OF WEIGHT", and I look great. I wish "EVERYBODY" worked the scales!!! :)

:mouse:

Mouse- take those compliments, hon and smile!!!!!! Congrats on having great hair this week ~ and the big non scale victory. All that swimming and working out is showing!
How awesome. So you replaced some fat with muscle mass, and that looks fine!
Sorry your day was miserable.....but it is Friday!!!!! As far as the Splenda/nutrasweet issue, one is off patent and cheaper (nutrasweet) and the splenda is not yet. And of course low carb is the fad for now.

I survived today....kids were ok. The one stop is driving me nuts, the stop with the kids who lost his mother. The neighbor who usually gets him off the bus is almost always late....costs me 5 minutes (and I am on the shoulder, with my "4ways" flashing- waiting for someone to show up, having to keep the other 50 kids entertained and in their seats. Bless them they do not say much, and know the students plight). But still, this is unfair to everyone else....the office is aware of what I am doing as I radio in when we pull off the road. But it is tiresome........ Oh well.
Dd left today~ the poor kid is awfully homesick. Nothing wrong with school, mind you- just misses home. She cried passing her little sister's room- she misses her so. Guess this will pass........gotta go. Hope everyone is doing ok.
See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

Morning Ladies,
Sorry I have been missing in action. I tried to come on line a few times this week and the computer would kick me off line after I went to post. Plus I was busy Thursday night getting laundry done and packing to go home this weekend. But I was not able to go home do to the flooding we had here yesterday. So I am pretty much bummed out. I told my mom yesterday when I called to say that I was not able to come home that I was getting homesick since I hadn't been home since Father's Day. Maybe I shouldn't even try to come home anymore since something always comes up and then on the spur of the moment on a Friday evening come home from school pack a bag and take off. Maybe that way I will be able to do it. LOL. So I am in a little depressed mood. My poor dh is trying his best to cheer me up and I just seem to snap at him. Got up this morning and went to workout with a friend. So maybe that will help me a little bit. So that is what is new with me. Oh we got sent home early from school yesterday do to the flooding.
Robyn, it sounds like you are settling in nicely at your new school. Take all the positive comments now that you can get and store them in your memory bank for those times when you are at your wits end. :) So did you get much rain down your way?
Summer, how are you? How did your test go the other day? I am so happy that your right breast came back fine. I bet that was some relief for you. :)
Mouse, sounds like you have a had a rough week too. Sorry to hear about your grad school mishap. I hope you are able to fix that problem soon. See spicing up your workout has helped. Your scales might not be going down, but your fat is turning into lean muscle and people are noticing. Keep up the good work! :)
Ginny, I hope you are feeling better today. It is no fun to be sick during the school year. I think I might be getting a cold or sinis'. My throat has been a little itchy and my nose has ran today some. I had to stand out in the rain for 30 minutes doing bus duty yesterday morning. My socks and shoes were soaked by the time I was able to get in from the rain. If your older dd misses your younger children how are they taking her being away from home? Hope she gets over her homesickness soon.
Well I better go. I think I might do a walking video this morning and then lounge around the house the rest of the day. Talk to you all later.
Kerry

Hey everyone! I sure miss all of you. I apologize for not being there for all of you these days. I am not functioning at my optimal level because of all the stress in my life. I am operating on survival mode.

Mousie, It is a shame that both courses were completely wrong for you. We rely on course titles and descriptions to be what they say they are, and it is really disappointing when they turn out to be something different. That happened to me with a course called, "Environmental Issues in the Elementary Classroom." It was supposed to help elementary educators teach about the environment. It turned out to be a "tree hugging fest." There were only 3 other teachers in the classroom. Everyone else was an environmental activist who had travelled to the rainforests the year before and spent all of their time planning protests. I only lasted a couple of weeks. Heck, I care about the environment, but these people were militant freaks!!! Anyway, I hope you find courses that will really suit you and lead you where you want to go and grow.

Kerry, I'm sorry you missed out on seeing your family. It must be tough to be away from them. I hope you get to be with them soon.

Ginny, I hope the issue with the late pickup improves for you. Will the bus company take action with the person picking up the child? Have you ever tried bringing the child back to the bus company so that the person has to go there? Our bus drivers refuse to wait more than one minute, and then whoever is left goes back to the bus company where the parent/guardian has to pick up the child. Usually that solves the problem of a late pickup. Once someone has to do that once or twice, they miraculously appear at the bus stop on time! I'm sorry about your daughter being homesick. Does she have any friends or acquaintances at school? Usually once kids have friends and a routine, they do better. I went to local colleges, but if I had gone away to school, I have a feeling I would have felt just like your daughter. Send her a care package with her favorites...that will let her know you all miss her too.

Robyn, I am so happy that you love your new job! HURRAY FOR YOU!!!

Just so you all know, I'm not depressed. In fact, I haven't cried in days. I truly believe that God is handling this situation. Honestly, if I didn't put all my fears in His hands, I would be buried under the covers in my bed hiding from the world. But, thanks to past experience, I know He is taking care of me. I know He won't let me down no matter what happens. That is how I manage to get out of bed every morning. FAITH.

Hope everyone is enjoying their soggy weekend........Ivan has left most of us wet, I fear.

Kerry, I think your idea of a last minute getaway to home is a great idea. I know that sometimes making all kinds of plans and then having them disrupted by life can be so disappointing. I can see how/why this gets you down. Glad you got out to workout with a friend this am. At least a little time off for you must have felt good. Good thing too that Dh is trying to cheer you up. He is showing some sensitivty (somewhat rare for that gender at times, I am afraid). Hope your sinusitis or cold goes away too!!

Summer- I am so happy to hear that you are not getting depressed over this. Worried, concerned........and like you said in "survival mode" are totally understandable.
I am reading a book by Elisabeth Elliot ( who has been widowed 2X, her first Dh, a missionary was murdered when their daughter was about 3 months) who writes about how she gets thru difficult times. One of her biggies..."do the next thing". Basically, there is a LOT of faith in it too, but she tells of how just getting into or back into the everyday things of living....going thru with it all and not wallowing in pity is a helpful process. We know that that is just what you are doing- you have no time/opportunity to wallow/sulk or get bummed. Love your family- and live your life. Yup, He sure is taking care of you!! (and I continue to pray for you)

Mouse- hope this weekend with your family was good.
Robyn- how you doing????? Has Ivan caused much trouble for you in Va?

As far as my "late pickup". Well, I drive for our school transportation dept- so this is a very taxpayer driven system. I know, I could be the b*tch of the year and talk to my supervisor. I do have my annual route review this Friday, and will mention it then.
I've already brought the student back to the office with me once- problem is if Dad is at work, and the neighbor can't help out, then it is the kids aunt who lives in NJ (I know where she lives too, about 45 minutes away) who is flying up here to get to her nephew. So, I will do what I did last year- give the neighbor (who does the lion's share of bringing him to and from the stop) a bit more leeway than I would normally give the average family because of the sad circumstances. Then if it is still a problem, I'll mention it to my boss at the end of the week. See what he says.

As far as Dd goes....she is playing softball for her college, so has made several friends quickly. She is getting out to socialize- and this is really her first weekend there. Dh is going to her double header tomorrow- and I am sending lots of goodies for her as a care package with him. Once her "fall ball" schedule is over (3 weeks only) she will probably resume coming home weekends. It is not like she is 10 hours away....only 1 hr 45 minutes (with some traffic, 1 1/2 hours during off times). As far as missing her....well, we got our son back! Dd used to ride his case something awful, but with her gone, he is back to hanging out with his parents more......actually acting somewhat human. Sad that we have to lose one to gain another. Our youngest Dd misses her sister, but she too is getting more attention so it is not all bad. I think (know) that Dh misses her the most. Softball was/is his passion.....they spent lots of time together (in my opinion too much- he gave a disproportionate amount of time to her) and are very close. He misses her tons.....
Well, I am pooped and should sign off. BTW, I bought myself a stretchie on ebay for the leslie sansone tape- guess that $6 stretchie will have to sub in for the Curves membership this year! :) And I am happy to report that I did get my WW tape in today and did actually stay "OP" today. (I needed a good day! been so bad recently).
Hope everyone's weekend is going as well as can be expected. See ya tomorrow!
Ginny

Hi Ginny. I just want to let you know that I can't remember the last time I got a bit of exercise or stayed on program. Stress, especially scary stress, paralyzes me, hence "survival mode." At some point, I hope to do what I need to do for my body. Right now, I am stressing about getting a hold of my mammograms, MRI's, and ultrasound to bring to the surgeon. I don't know where they are or how to obtain them. Yes, I know a phone call or two (more likely ten) will get me the answer. Then the next dilemma will be when I get them since I work till 5:00pm every night. I may have to skip the after school program one day to pick them up. I hate to keep sacrificing $28 an hour for stupid Advanced Radiology related errands.

My aide has a personal day on Tuesday for her one-year old's birthday. The party was supposed to be today, so I don't exactly understand why she needs Tuesday off, but whatever. (I know so many people who take their birthday off work...I've never had the balls to do that since I take my job very seriously.) Anyway, how much you want to bet that since she will probably be really tired and hungover on Monday, she will end up being out tomorrow too?! I have not missed one day of school yet as a result of my own personal health crisis. I have taken care of tests on my own time or been late for work. I have not taken one day off. (I'm afraid I may need substantial time off and want to be prepared.) Anyway, we have "Open House" on Wednesday night, and I have a lot to do before then. I bet you anything my aide will be out both days and screw me over as usual.

I'm sorry I sound so crabby. I didn't get to really rest this weekend like I wanted to. Instead, I did a lot of school work, prepared for and taught Sunday School, household chores, and painted the trim in my dining room. I still have more to do, but I've run out of time, and still didn't get to rest. I need a three-day weekend so I can do everything and still have time to chill out.

Tomorrow the fast-paced frenzy begins again.

Robyn, I hope you are okay and aren't under water.

Mouse, I hope your weekend was great.

Kerry, take care girl.

Gee, quiet here.
Summer- your sentiments about needing another day of weekend sure rang true with me too!! Just getting thru life, and all the stuff that has to get done is so overwhelming. Well, Columbus Day is about 3 weeks away, (mine just got booked by my mother with stuff to do at her house!)- maybe you can look foward to that for a break. Bummer about your aide with an attitude. (I NEVER took my birthday off either....always wondered about folks with that kind of attitude). Sounds as though you have a busy week ahead, which is not good for Summer getting some rest, but good for keeping you from constantly dwelling on medical issues before your appointment on Thursday. And it is perfectly ok to sound crabby. You have every right to do so.

As for me, a busy day. Tomorrow am is my mothers surgery....who knows when/ how I will get here to say hello. I am working a full day tomorrow, and will scoot down to NJ to see her in the hospital tomorrow nite. Then I am driving the am on Wed, and going back to NJ to bring her back to her house. Life should return to normal (whatever that is) on Thursday, I hope.
Gotta go pick up the troops in my big ugly school bus. Hi to Kerry, Mouse and Robyn.
See ya !
Ginny

I've been pretty busy... don't have a lot of time. But I need another day in my weekend too! I have taken my birthday off before, but I usually have perfect attendance, so I figure its a good chance to use my comp time.
My TA has an attitude at times, too... but I think I'm getting used to it. What I don't understand is that we have a staff of like 80, and 18 of them were out today. Its only the 9th day of school! I don't get it! I know there is a nasty cold going around, but really... Especially since we don't have substitutes. I'm sure there were more out, because they always leave people off the list.
I'll be out Friday,but its for Yom Kippur. You start fasting at sun down, and if I want to be with my family, need to be there by 4:00 for dinner. EVerytime I try to leave the school EARLY, I get held up... so this time, I said I was using my comp time for the whole day!
Hope your mother is okay, Ginny.
We don't get Columbus Day off... the kids have a day in early November so we can do report cards, but staff has no time off till Thanksgiving. I don't think we even get Veterans Day this year... because we had Rosh Hashana.
:mouse:

I WIN!!! (actually I lose) Guess who called out sick today following a weekend off and the day before a personal day?! You guessed it! My good-for-nothing aide.

The worst part of this is that because my program is nationally accredited, I have to maintain a ratio of 1:10. Since I have 18 students in each session, in order to maintain that ratio, I must have an aide at all times. I end up borrowing from the kindergarten teachers who certainly do need their aides, but their is no federal or state mandate for them to maintain any ratios. So, even though I must have an aide, and since aides don't get subs, I have no other choice but to borrow an aide. The kindergarten teachers get so pissed off at me for this. IT ISN'T MY FAULT THAT MY AIDE IS UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE. Why should I catch the attitude?! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I did manage to arrange to pick up all of my films at the Fairfield radiology office on Wednesday. I'm amazed that they are accomodating me like this!

So, for now, without my aide, I continue to prepare for Open House.

Mouse, how do you stay so healthy and avoid using sick time? What is your secret?! My students constantly get me sick.

Ginny, have safe travel to NJ.

Robyn, Are you under water right now?

Kerry, hope you are well.

Evening Ladies,
To update you all on my weekend. I did ride my excerise bike for 15 minutes on Saturday morning and then did a 3 mile walking video. You would think with all the sweating I did I would sweat out my bad mood. :) Wrong, I just wanted to be by myself that day. That night everyone was gone from my house and I went to the video store and got two chic flicks. Along Came Polly and 50 First Dates. They were both very good. Then yesterday morning, I got up got the boys ready for Sunday School with their grandma, shoved them out the door,popped in my 3 mile walking video, hurried up and got my shower and got dressed for church. I was just getting ready to walk out the door, when my dh said something to me and that caused me to start crying. So I left the house and went to the lake for a little quiet time to calm down. I was really looking forward to going to church and then that happened. So I was going to be walking in late with tears on my face. So I thought better not go when I am so upset and make a fool of myself. Came home and went out to lunch with my dh and then we got into another arguement that afternoon. So I didn't do much of anything yesterday afternoon, except sit on the couch and reflect on some things going on in my life right now. My dh did apologize to me and told me that he was having a bad day yesterday since it would have been his wedding anniverary with the first wife. So things are better today. Even though it was a Monday. LOL
Summer I feel so sorry that your aide seems to leave you in a bind all the time. Everytime I hear about your sucky aide, I thank God that my aide is a wonderful person. I which there were more aides like mine. Hope you are able to get your stuff done in time for Open House.
Mouse, I know what you mean about people taking off for being sick. My aide and I usually are the staff that shows up even when we are really sick, because we feel guilty about leaving our kids and one another in a bind. And the type of kids I deal with, we usually share all our colds and flus with the whole class. I am with you I have taken off for my birthday once. I went home for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day with my family.
Robyn, are you water logged yet? Hope all is well with you.
Ginny, I will say a prayer for your mom in the morning. What kind of surgery is she having? Sounds like you will be doing a lot of driving the next few days. Be care.
Well I am off to bed. It has been a great day, but a long one.
Talk to you all tomorrow. Wish me luck. Tomorrow is TOPS night. I was unable to attend last week, so I am hoping that I lost something .
Hugs,
Kerry

Just a quick hello-
Mouse- I hope all your plans for getting home early for Yom Kippur work out fine. Aren't you taking Imp for blood work too?
Summer- keep your chin up, girl! I know it will be hard, but try to keep a good attitude with this bad attitude aide. You stand only to gain by remaining a professional. Glad you got your films.....without having to pull too many teeth.
Let us know how it all goes Thursday, ok?
Kerry-sorry about your bad day with Dh. (he lost his first wife to illness or divorce?)
You are an angel for all that you do for your family- and are entitled to your feelings. I am so glad that Monday went better for you.
Got a walk in this am. (tonight will be kooky, I had to). My mom is still in surgery, they are removing a rather large basal cell carcinoma from her scalp (she let it go too long!) but they are fairly sure it has not spread. Just the size of it complicates things a lot. She should, Lord willing, be released tomorrow......and then a few weeks of recooperation.
Gotta go- I will post an update at 1:15 (she should be in recovery by then, and I will have to time tonite to post)
Hope everyone is ok........Robyn, you hiding on us! We miss you.
Ginny

My mom is ok- should be going upstairs to her room shortly.....she is in recovery now.
Hope everyone is ok. See ya tomorrow!
Ginny

Ginny, feel the hugs for you, your mom, and your family. I hope she heals well. Don't forget to take care of yourself while you take care of her.

Kerry, I'm sorry your DH's baggage caused your weekend to suck. It is hard to live with a man who has been through a failed marriage. My DH is divorced, but there were no children, so the connection was thankfully severed. The first couple of years of marriage were hard for us because he had trouble believing that he could have a good marriage after the first one was so horrible. But now that we've been married 11 years, most of the baggage is gone. Hopefully once you and your DH make it through a few years, his confidence will improve and the two of you will be okay.

Robyn, do you need a snorkle?

Mouse, How's it going?

Well, my good for nothing aide was out again today. And one of the kindergarten aides was also out. So, the three kindergartens and me had to share two aides. The principal drew up a schedule. So, when I had lunch and my kids had gym, whoever was helping me would run to help another teacher. I was fortunate to be covered the majority of the day, and the resentment from the other teachers wasn't quite as bad as yesterday. Amazingly, all the art projects were completed, so, by tomorrow afternoon, both of my bulletin boards will be done. During the afterschool program, I can usually work on my room while the kids play in my centers. However, the director of the program was out, so the special ed kids he supervises had to be watched by someone. The principal gave me one. Now, I worked with adults and children with developmental disabilities for 15 years, so I figured it would be no big deal. The only problem was that I had 25 kindergartners to deal with as well...not to mention that the principal didn't tell us his name, this child is autistic, non-verbal, and very sexual!!! I was doing "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" with the class, and the boy was literally "feeling me up!!!" The class went wild!!! Getting back any control of the class was almost impossible. I blew a whistle as I attempted to peel the child off my body. Eventually, I got them in the library, and we played a video. Only to make matters worse, we had two college volunteers in the room who kept trying to take over for me...only they were totally incompetant, and everything they said and did only exacerbated the situation. On top of the mayhem, one of the teacher's purse's was stolen. Her keys and credit cards were in it. She was hysterical...who wouldn't be. It just creeped me out that a parent would walk right in and steal it while we were standing right there. I may end up having to lock up my purse instead of carrying it with me everywhere I go, especially if just putting it down for a minute or two could mean it getting stolen. What a crappy day!!! I couldn't wait till it was 5pm, and I could leave!

Evening Ladies,
This is going to be a very short post since I am sick. I think I either have a cold or sinus' and just took some Nyquil to help me sleep tonight. Had an okay day. Two of my students got into a fight on the playground today at recess. So I had to make sure to separte them for the rest of the day. One of my kids freaked on me when we saw a stray dog running around the playground. He grabbed my arm and pinched me several times and started to run away with my arm in tow. So it has been an interesting day. I did make it to TOPS to find out that I lost 2 pounds over the last two weeks. SO now I am only 25 pounds away from reaching my mini goal by Christmas time.
Well I hope all is well with everyone else.
Glad to hear that your mom is doing fine, Ginny.
Summer hope your good for nothing aide comes back tomorrow to help you get ready for your Open House. Hope all goes well for you.
Talk to you all later
Kerry