Teachers Successfully Losing Weight/Holiday Edition
 

Gosh, I'm so sorry I have been MIA. I ended up spending every spare moment at the chiropractor this week. I not only have a pinched nerve again, I have a new one to keep the old one company. By Tuesday night, I was in friggin' agony and dragged myself to the chiropractor at 5:45pm. He has helped me, but I have a long way to go this time around.

On Thursday, DD's actual birthday, I took her to "Build A Bear Workshop" to use the gift certificate she got. Well, I recommend you avoid going there unless the place is empty. We waited in line for an hour, and then the process took about another 30 minutes. With my backache and the crowd, it was like "**** on earth." If you have any enemies, take them there on a holiday or a weekend. It would be a great way to get revenge. :devil: She did enjoy herself in spite of the wait.

My aide managed to get her a** into school all four days, however she was either late or left early each and every one of them. :p I just want to see her make it through five (Monday-Friday) full (8:30-3pm) days...just once to see if she could do it.

Robyn, I'm so sorry about your friend. It is so difficult to lose someone you care about. I hope you are okay. Feel a hug.

Mouse, Sorry you don't have much energy. You may want to mention it to your doctor.

Kerry, I can't tell you how many workshops I've attended that were actually relevant...not many.

Ginny, Great idea for a birthday party...and reasonably priced too!

On Monday, yes, the famous "start a diet day," I am going on the South Beach Diet. Wish me luck!!!

I have some ranting and raving to do. My DD's Brownie leader who I like to refer to as "Little Mrs. Susie Homemaker," is such a friggin' BIMBO. (I call her that because she likes to lord it over the working mothers in the troop that she is soooooo fortunate that she is able to be a "stay at home mom." Believe f*cking me, if I had the option of staying home, I would...however, I don't.) Anyway, Little Mrs. Susie Homemaker requires our daughters to wear their uniforms at every meeting, which is okay with me...most of the time. However, when they are going to get really filthy, I'd rather DD wore jeans. Last Tuesday, they worked with fabric paint, which by the way, is PERMANENT on fabric. DD got it all over her uniform including on one of the badges (try-its)!!! I didn't know it was fabric paint because Little Mrs. Susie Homemaker didn't tell me. I figured it was regular paint, and used shout on the stains. Well, those stains aren't budging. What kind of idiot gives 6 and 7 year olds free rein with PERMANENT FABRIC PAINT when they are wearing their special uniforms?! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The BIMBO suggested I try the dry cleaners. Sorry, no. I would rather buy her a new skort and rip every badge off of that sash and replace it as well. What I would like to do is ring her friggin' neck.

Hey, Summer & all.
I think I survived the end of term grading mania. I'm not entirely certain, to be honest...my email has been down since last Thursday, so if the database witch has sent me any nastygrams, I haven't gotten them.
I totally agree with you, Summer: I used to steal my father's old Army uniform shirts because they made GREAT smocks for most of my kids! And there were always tons of them around. The dress greens were perfect, because they were long sleeved and all.
In fact, I don't even buy regular GLUE for my classroom. If it can't be done with a gluestick, we don't do it. ;) The kids don't get scissors either...
And... I forgot to buy the rulers at Staples today. Dang it. :dunno:
I got to swim the last two days, changed my closet over to winter stuff...thus seeing the incredible gap I have in clothing. I have bought bits and pieces in the last 2 years, but not a whole lot of stuff. I REALLY need pants, but I'm rebelling. I need 1X or 2X pants, but I have to buy most pants in 3X or larger because of the pannus. The 1X and 2X fit best at the waist... I have lots of turtlenecks, and some shaker sweaters and some fleece polo shirts (somehow they just look so much nicer than the other polo shirts I normally wear?)
I also now need a new winter jacket. Tried to buy that today and Lane Bryant kept kicking me out of the site. :mad: I did manage to buy the red turtleneck I need for Saturday and also a charcoal gray one... and a pair of jeans. I'm afraid the jeans will be massive around my legs and waist, but I can't do much about it. I can wear a 3X twill pant without problem across that lump, so I bought the largest size denim jeans. Which will be too big around the waist. Oh well. We'll see.
If they work, I may just buy twill pants in that size.
I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to print a banner for my TA's bulletin board... it kept crashing, and trying to burn a new CD because the one I made a few weeks ago has huge scratches across it from somewhere and wont' play on the CD player I use for the gym anymore.
This is the 12th time the CD burn has just quit and stopped responding completely. I'd love to know what its problem is today. It usually does it 4 or 5 times before it burns correctly, but this is just insane. Okay... so I told it to burn as a data CD instead of an audio CD. It worked. GRRRR. I hope my CD player will play it. The computer definitely does. My stereo does not. Its too bloody cold out for me to go try it in the car. The car and the Sony CD player out there are both newer as is the cheap-o gym CD player than my stereo though. I was going to try and burn some instrumental mood music for the kids... my TA asked about that the other day. I have Manhattan Steamroller, and some other instrumental stuff. But I don't want to take my originals to school because some of the kids will steal ANYTHING.
:mouse:

:mouse:

Evening Ladies,
I actually had a good weekend. I was lazy yesterday for a change. I got up and fed the kids and then went to the gym. Came home and spent the day lounging around. I didn't get my shower for the day until 8 p.m. It felt great to be lazy for a change. My dh was surprised that I was still in my gym clothes at 7 p.m. last night. I said get over it this is my one day to be lazy. This morning we went to church with his mom and sister. They had a memerial service for loved ones who has passed away. It was a nice service then they had lunch afterwards. I just hope that I didn't eat too much. Came home and took a nap this afternoon. Have been working on getting the laundry done this evening. So that was my big exciting weekend. Oh no, I have to go back to school tomorrow and face the kids acting up because their routine has been off for four days. God help me come Jan. after Christmas break.
Summer I think you have every right to be mad a Girl Scout Bimbo. I can't believe she expects the girls to be dressed in their uniforms for every meeting. Who in their right mind lets 6 year olds use perm. fabric markers. Hope the rest of your weekend went okay.
Ginny and Robyn hope you enjoyed your weekends. Hope you were able to find some time to relax.
Well I have to make copies for my dh. He is the boys' basketball coach and my sdd's ball couch too. Things are going to be fun around our house for the next couple of months.
Have a great week!
Kerry

Hello people.

I've got soooo much to say...but no time to type it all out.
Spent most of this weekend (both days) either with Boy Scouts (who also are required to wear their uniforms to every function.... but who have two different uniforms...Class A's are their formal ones... Class B's are special Troop teees.... (that have stains from many a project and campout in various spots on them!)Perhaps you should suggest that to THE idiot in charge of your daughter's group... and I don't think dry cleaning will help fabric paint stains... those paints are MADE to stain fabric!) or at the funeral home for the wake and then again today for the actual funeral. My eyes are sore from wiping them.... My friend would have LOVED the gatherings that happened both nights after the formal services... Her husband gave the eulogy at the funeral. Her children's sobs and the noses of the rest of us were so painfully noticeable!

Kristie is at peace. She will be missed! Her determination, fight and wonderful positive outlook on life is to be admired! She was given less than 6 months 19 months ago! Don't take your life for granted!

Monday... Summer, sounds like a great day for beginnings for me as well! I'll let you know what and how I make the day a GREAT day!

Take care all of you.......
meeeeee

Hello all,
My name is Kim and I am currently a substitute teacher/eled grad student. I will be student teaching next semester and I would be wonderful to have people to talk to who know just how tiring it is being in the classroom full time and trying to fit in workouts and not pig out on the comfort food after school. Currently, I am about 240 and I would like to get down to 230 by christmas, and since I have 9 family birthdays and three holidays between now and Jan 9 (not to mention a work schedule that varies as a sub) it's going to be pretty tough, but I think this time I have set a reasonable goal of 10 lbs in about 5 weeks. Since I am also a poor grad student, I am not joining ww this time or trying to follow any special diet, just trying to make healthier choices, starting with actually bringing my lunch to school along with a bottle of water instead of eating the pizza special with whatever. Anyway, tomorrow I am hoping to take a walk in the morning to start things off right. Good luck to all and have a great day!

Happy Monday folks!

Welcome Kim! You'll discover that we come from many different areas of education! I have been a 1st grade teacher for the last 17 years...however, this year, I gave up all I ever knew and MOVED districts! So I'm a 39 year old beginning all over again! I LOVE me new school. BUT, I truly miss all my old school friends! Moving schools shut my weight loss efforts to the back of the bus while I let my emotionality lead me off the side of my path and into a BIG FATTTTT ditch! BUT... I'm trying to regain control! I was once a size 22. (With the boobs of a size 14...dont ask...) I *WAS* a 12 for a very brief time... (Long enough to get my courage up about changing jobs!) NOW I am facing life from 16's again.... BUT...I'm making progress! I know that the battle is ALL in my head... I just have to regain control of the head! (This weekend was tough as I had a very dear friend pass away.... )

Anywho...Welcome Kim...

AND I lost 1 pound!!! Yahooooooooooooooooooooooo! Only 49 more! I'm back in the drivers seat! The bus is OUT of the ditch!

ya'll take care!
meeeee (oh...I'm Robyn, Kim!)

Welcome Kim!
I am a special education teacher in a county school district in Southeastern Ohio. I deal with teenage boys all day long. Then work with the afterschool program four evenings a week. So I know what it is like to try and deal with everything, squeeze in workouts and not eat junk. Hope I can help inspire you to lose weight. Currently I am having a bad week. I must have sprained my ankle last week. But I overlooked the pain and kept working out. Well today, I have a very swollen ankle. So after school, it is off to Urgent Care to get it checked out. I hope it is just a sprain and not something else.
Hope everyone else is having a wonderful day! I will check back in with you all later.
Kerry

I have a quick question for you all. Can a swollen ankle make you heavier at your weigh-ins? I have TOPS tomorrow night and I am concerned that I might weigh in heavier with my swollen ankle. Thanks for you advice in advanced.
Kerry

Well the doctor seems to think that it is a sprain and I have to try to stay off my foot and keep it elvated. Plus I am not allowed to workout for a few days. That is going to kill me. I am also on medicine to take the swelling out of my ankle. So that is what is new with me.
Gotta go and get some sleep.
Take care,
Kerry

Gee, I am sorry to be MIA.........up to my eyeballs (this is new?????) and just too much to do. Welcome Kim! I am Ginny, the resident bus driver here (complete with a college education, but happy driving my critters around!) Sorry not to get more personal but the stupid phone has been ringing off the wall, and I have not had the chance to post as I thought I would. Congrats on the 1# Robyn!!! You trying any of those WW strategies? Kerry- sorry about the ankle. Mouse- I agree, I would mention the fatigue to the Dr..... Summer- oh, please tell Susie Homemaker to get out of the house and face reality......she must have only one child or her kids live in an aseptic bubble.....who would possibly think of allowing kids to paint w/o smocks?
Gotta go.....might be back later. See ya!
Ginny

Kerry- what a big bummer about the ankle......but the problem with soft tissue injury is that if you do not let it get better it will take so much longer to heal. Hang in there, hon, hugs.....I'll be praying for a speedy recovery. I doubt that the sprained ankle could impact your weight immediately, but then who knows? How did the WI go, anyway?

Robyn- ok now sweetie~ you are going to kick this fat off of your body- but you had to make a crack about your weight loss efforts going to the back of the bus???? (as if I need another bus joke?) FYI- I only put kids in the back of the bus that I can trust, and I mean that!!!!! So, on my route good kids get to sit in the back (can't be worrying about them giving cars behind them the middle finger now, can I?). Ok, nuff of the bus stuff...... How are you feeling.....you had such a tough week. Have you had any chance to share memories of your friend with another who knew her?

Kim- being that I did not do you any justice with my hello before, I will try again. It sure is tough trying to juggle school and eating healthy. I'm on WW- one of their BIG strategies is planning.....have that healthy snack (the one that replaces the junk you want to stuff in your face after a day of whining, out of control kids) cut up- packaged and ready for you when you get home. Make a note for yourself-post it on the fridge " My after school snack will be carrots" or whatever.......use that note as a reminder that you can and will overcome that unhealthy urge......and remember what worked for you to overcome the unhealthy eating habit. Also, don't think that a walk has to be a 3 hour marathon, 10-15 minutes is a great start.....a lot of times I do not get one big walk in, but 3 shorties (15 minutes each). That works too. In what part of our great country do you live???

Mouse- I hope you were able to get some shopping done.....I hate shopping, so I understand your frustration with it. Glad you got some pool time in.

Summer- the susie homemaker story makes me want to urp.........the more I read it the more I want to also.......hope your week started out well.

Gee, is tomorrow really Wednesday????? Payday is Thursday......and I have to do some major shopping, as we are having Turkey day here. Dh is taking off next week, which means good news that he will finish the painting ( I did get all but the hallway done- which is 80% of it) but also means he will probably mess up the house incredibly right before company. Thems the breaks, I guess. I hope to get to WW Thursday am, between my morning and afternoon. Might even get to stay for a few minutes of the meeting.....I need a break. KIddies on the bus are starting to whack out........they sense the holidays are not too far off. Where is the Advil when I need it??????
Better get some sleep. See ya tomorrow.
Ginny

:spin: "All by myself........don't want to be......all by myself, anymore......"
Hey, where is everyone!!!!!!! :lol: Hope Kim, Kerry, Summer, Mouse and Robyn you are doing fine.....just busy. See ya later!
Ginny

Sorry I've not been around much. This is quite a week. I am still suffering with my pinched nerves...one in my upper back, and one in my lower back. I have terrible pain at the base of my skull, and I have been fighting a terrible headache all week. This week is parent/teacher conferences, and since I have 34 sets of extremely enthusiastic parents, I have to accomodate them in not only the scheduled time allotted, but also during prep periods, lunch periods, and after school. Meanwhile, the other teachers don't even have back-to-back appointments during the scheduled times. It is nice to have involved parents, but demanding and exhausting too. Unfortunately, during this BUSY week at school, DD's having "family week" at her school. I had wanted to attend "family night" last night, but I was not functioning last night. We even used the "homework coupon" her teacher had given her for her birthday so that we wouldn't have to deal with homework last night. I bit my poor sister's head off last night on the phone. I am generally a good-natured person, and my nasty mood seemed to really shock her. But, I couldn't answer questions...I had to just get off the phone. I will call and explain when I'm feeling more like me. I think what might be contributing to my discomfort and cranky mood might be my new diet. I started South Beach Diet on Monday. I have already lost 5 pounds...must be water weight. Anyway, the first two weeks of this diet is ****. Not only no carbs, but no fruit either. I've managed to survive 3 days of this, but God help me for the next 11. Actually, even though I know I shouldn't, I am going off it for Thanksgiving...just that one day, and then back on Friday. I have the choice dieting through the holidays and being pissed. I could not diet at all and gain even more weight. Or I could diet and go off for selected holiday events. I choose the last one, because I think I will still lose weight, just a little slower...better than gaining. In the meantime, I'M IN MAJOR CARBOHYDRATE WITHDRAWAL...AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Hi Kim! WELCOME! Now don't introduce yourself and disappear! We are a very supportive group. I teach public inner city preschool. I am a fourth year teacher. I am married and am the mother of a 7 year-old girl. I've been on Weight Watchers most of the time and did okay, but always put the weight back on. I tried Dr. Phil, and even though I liked his ideas, it didn't work for me. Now, I am on South Beach. The people that I know who have tried it have lost between 30-70 pounds and kept it off. Good luck to you, and please feel free to let it all hang out. We surely do!

Hey Mousie. I hate shopping for clothes these days. For a while I just kept on washing the same 4 pair of pants over and over, but eventually I broke down and bought a bunch of new stuff. I'm hoping that by the summer I will be forced to donate them to Goodwill and take the really nice things to a tailor for altering. What is the latest re: surgery?

Kerry, take care of that ankle...OUCH! I've sprained both ankles a couple of times, not to mention when I broke my left foot. Ibuprofen (Motrin) will help with the inflamation. But mostly, you need to elevate it and STAY OFF IT. I hope you feel better soon. Take it easy.

Ginny, why are men such slobs? When mine was in the hospital, my house was pristine...and I have a kid! I provide him with baskets to keep bills, papers, catalogs, etc. and yet he still leaves piles of stuff on the floor including a pile of stuff that needs to be tossed. Why can't he get a garbage bag and toss the stuff on the floor? He can't answer that question. Good luck with your DH being home. At least the painting will get done.

Robyn, Don't feel bad about allowing your emotions to get you back in trouble. Ever since we got home from Disneyworld, and I found out how bad our money problems were, and then I had the breast cancer scare, I hadn't exercised or dieted. I gained 15 pounds!!! But since Monday, I've exercised daily for 30 minutes and have not cheated on the South Beach Diet. No looking back. Only looking forward at our fabulous and healthy future!!!

I'm dead on my feet. Tomorrow conferences aren't over till 7:30, so my brain will be fried by the time I get home. I'll catch up on Friday!

I'm MIA again. Sorry. I haven't gotten home before 8:00 any night this week. Monday was the endocrinologist appointment: she wants me to see a nutrionist. Insurance doesn't typically cover it. The ones up here want $250+ for a first appointment. The one she's going to refer me to down there is like $150. So, another drive to Northern Virginia. :dunno: What is it with insurance companies? Why list nutrionists on the plan if you're not going to cover it... or better yet, tell me HOW to get one...????
No surgery. At all. Based on what I told my endocrinologist, who is really a reproductive endocrinologist, and a GYN specialist, she doesn't think the gallbladder surgery is a good idea. She's also a surgeon, so she clearly understood the issues. The surgeons I've seen don't want to do gallbladder surgery because the endocscopy and ultrasounds I've had done were negative. They show no gallbladder disease. Why remove something that isn't bad? The only symptoms I have are nausea and vomiting, and the hida scan I had done in June showed a 12% ejection factor which means my gallbladder only works 1/3 of the time its supposed to. But the test isn't that accurate, I'm told, and there are other symptoms of gallbladder disease that I don't have.
Tuesday was just normal stuff... the gym is doing a "swim around Key West" thing, and I'm sort of unofficially expected to participate since I teach swimming. So I ponied up: I have 26 days to swim 9.9 miles. Of those 26 days, there are 6 that I won't even be in town, and all laps have to be swum at the gym's pool. So even though I'll swim when I go to Philadelphia (in the hotel pool), I can't use those laps.
And tonight was my monthly Red Cross meeting. I'm bushed, its 10:30, and I haven't even eaten dinner yet!
More later.
:mouse:

ok...so. thursday kristie died. tuesday vanessa's (she teaches at the old school with Kristie) son was killed in a motorcycle crash. wednesday a student(from my past) was in a rather serious housefire and was airlifted to a burn hospital. my throat and nose are making me insane. my neck has a "kink" in it and I can't turn my head to the left without serious pain. I feel like crap. my classroom kids are acting wild. my realkids are acting wild. my dh is acting not so DEAR.

tonight i ate Mac and cheese for dinner. i drank real coke.... medicinal of course...
and tomorrow i'm not watching the news or turning on my cell phone.

ya'll take care!
(((hugs)))
meeee

I wanted to post before I spend a 12 hour day at school. Robyn, I'm so sorry about all the sadness and grief surrounding you. Please feel a hug.

I HAVE LOST SEVEN (7) POUNDS IN THREE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! YOWZA YOWZA YOWZA!!!

Summer-
great to hear from you.....I was starting to worry a bit, but this time of year is so busy. I wish I could send you a hug and take those pinched nerves away...... have you tried massage (as with a chiropractor or massage therapist) for that? Must be so painful.....and with such a busy schedule. And even with feeling like garbage you are getting workouts in! Good for you!!!!!!!! Lots and lots of luck on South Beach. I know only a wee bit about it.....but I think your strategy for Thanksgiving is fine. Just be sure not to overdo it- portion control and only eat those foods that you really think are worth going off plan for. You should come out of the holiday just fine that way.


Well, the stupid cat decided at 4 am to wake me up by jumping on the piano......guess she thought her lazy mama had slept way too long and it WAS time to feed her, right?
So, here I am flying on caffiene......did get my WW video in too. Busy day, payday- then Walmart and WW meeting.......then off for my afternoon monsters.....hope everyone is doing fine. Have a great day!
Ginny

Oh, Robyn.... Your turn for brownies. :) In fact, in between all the other stuff I have to do this weekend, I somehow have to find time to make brownies. I'll explain as I go along:
Friday: Off-Campus trip to the movies; I'm using some comp time to leave early. I'm feeling guilty about leaving at 11:30, so if I remember, I'm going to grab the slip from my supervisor and change it to 1:30.
Saturday: Thanksgiving Parade. Minimum of 5 students, 4 staff. And then we have to take one of the kids back to respite, because the respite person won't come pick her up after the parade. It may be a case of "can't", I'm not really sure. I know the respite person because that used to be her regular foster mom, and she was always very involved with her foster daughter's life. So I got another staff member to agree to go with me to drop her off.
Then, off to swim lessons, and I think a friend's houseparty is this Saturday.
Sunday: Swimming. Grocery shopping, brownie baking.
Monday: My TA is gone with the Young Marines. Its 2.5 days before Thanksgiving. We're watching a freaking movie.
Tuesday: I'm off campus with FIFTEEN STUDENTS to help set up for our parent hospital's major fund-raising event. Its called the Festival of Trees, and various groups donate pre-decorated trees, wreathes, gingerbread houses, and other sundry holiday paraphenalia that are then sold. Items are themed. Our school tree last year had dog houses hanging off it, dog and cat treats, bird treats, and came with a "pet starter kit" of food dish (hand painted by a student), leash, collar, etc. We didn't do one this year. I was volunteered to take the kids for set-up, and since the Development/PR department gets us money, I wasn't allowed to say no. They told me at 11:30 today that I was going.
Tuesday is also the day of our annual Thanksgiving luncheon. This is why I'm baking brownies. My TA is assigned to help with that, so we don't know who is covering our classes that day. I'm scared. Another good reason for a movie on Monday.
Wednesday: Only 2 classes, thank goodness, and a half day... my TA is again reassigned to either Young Marines or the clean-up from the Thanksgiving lunch.
Wednesday evening: Swimming, corral cat into carry case and drive to Lancaster.
Thursday morning: Stop my cat and my mother's kitten from killing each other while we eat our traditional lox, bagels and cream-cheese breakfast and watch the Macy's Day Parade.
Friday: Drive back to Baltimore with the cat, because I have to teach swimming Saturday!?
Sunday: Collapse!
Oh yea, and if that weren't enough: my father called me last night with the news that he was back in the hospital because he fell. You may remember that he is incredibly overweight. A stupid surgeon did knee replacement surgery on him in September. Can any of you tell me WHY I can't get a surgeon to touch me, but they'll operate on him without any issues? He has high blood pressure, type II diabetes, wound issues extremely overweight, possible cardiac issues, etc. Anyway, he fell at home on Monday, and had to call 911. They operated on his knee again yesterday, and he called me last night. I'm hoping they discharge him to a nursing home/rehab hospital.
I certainly can't go to Lancaster to take care of him. Actually, as bad as this sounds, I don't think I would go take care of him. :( He & I haven't really gotten along very well the last 15 years.
:mouse:

Oh man Mouse.......you are in it up to your eyeballs. Glad you got a chance to stop in and say hello. You are one busy lady. There is probably a part of you somewhere that cannot wait until Sunday......the one after Thanksgiving, cause at least then it is all over!!! Sorry about your dad- did he actually break anything? Hugs to you.....and maybe I should bake you some cyber brownies! Hang in there.

Gotta go......Dd might be getting a stomach bug.......better go do the dishes.....have a good nite.
Ginny

Ok, someone please explain to parents/guardians etc......who like to pick up their kids in their personal vehicles that traffic rules/traffic flow patterns etc....are NOT designed to make them happy, or even be convienient all the time. They are designed for the safety of the kids.......is that too much to ask!!!!!!! Had one chicken little who parked in such a way that she blocked my entrance into the designated bus pickup area...the numbskull would have had to back into oncoming automobile traffic to get out....she could not for all the tea in China, figure out why I might be upset- accused me of being inflexible. Perhaps Mrs Perfect wanted me to board my kids from where she obstructed my access- so that they could be runover by nut cases like her and the other traffic that was attempting to exit the school in a hurry, because it was, after all, Friday. Sorry for ranting and raving.....and without a schematic to show you how nasty this was it just sounds like I am a b****.
Is there a full moon or something? From the radio chatter on the bus, 2 other routes had their "reds run" by a car, we had one attempted abduction (golly, and I live in a rural town!). Thank goodness it is Friday!!!!!! And my luxury 65 passenger vehicle is locked up without me. (think they should lock me up and not the bus). My kids were pretty good, just all the other stuff that got to me today.
We made it to Friday, Kerry, Summer, Mouse, Robyn and Kim!!!! You mean we actually get 2 days off for good behavior??? For me, it is the beginning of set up for Thanksgiving- we will be feeding 12 here.
Sorry for being so flippant today.....it has been a long week.
Have a great weekend.
Ginny

Hi everyone,
Sorry I have been mia for the last week. It has been a long and rough one. My kids are driving me crazy. My ankle is better. It still hurts a little bit. But I haven't chanced it and went to Curves yet or did any of my walking videos. I will start back to working out on Monday. I am starting to stress out about going home next weekend for my grandma's 90th birthday party. This is the first time we have taken the kids on a major road trip. Even though it is only 4 hours to my parents, I am nervous of how they will handle the trip and then will they behave in front of all my family. Plus I have to get my van fixed before we go. So my dh's friend is going to fix it tomorrow and Sunday. So I am without a vechile for the weekend. Not a fun feeling. But I am not going to let myself get too stressed that I turn to food for comfort. Sorry to not get too personal tonight with anyone. I will check back tomorrow when I am not so tired and want to ripe people's heads off.
Take care,
Kerry

Well... The parade is tomorrow. Its supposed to RAIN! And a fellow staff member reminded me that I'd better leave earlier than I thought: I live, literally, 4 blocks from the start of the parade route. I've set my alarm for 6:10. Maybe I'll go out for breakfast. I don't need to be at the school until 8:00, but if I wait till 7:30, I might get caught by road closures? Ick.
My friend's party IS tomorrow, but I don't think he sent me directions or anything. I haven't checked my school email since I left this afternoon.
Ginny: I really don't understand people and what they do... I got honked at this afternoon because a lost driver asked for direcitons, and then eneded to make a right hand-turn. I let him go in front of me, and the 10-second delay between the light turning to green angered him. I'm sorry: there is veyr little in this world that would make me react in such a fashion.
My team-leader sent out a message to the whole high school yesterday about my winning this award from the Red Cross. A whole bunch of other Emergency Services volunteers got it too... :) So, and this is funny, one of the staff that was going to go with us to the parade found out she'd need to leave early so she was going to drive to the Red Cross on her own. So I gave her directions, and she says, "Wow! You must really go over there a lot to give directions that well!" ROFL! Uh, yea... I spend A LOT of time over there. ;)

:mouse:

tomorrow is almost a mirror of last Saturday....
Boy Scouts(Service Project that begins at 7 a.m...)
and then a funeral...... ain't we got fun?!

will check in after .......

Well, aren't we all busy and overwhelmed...definitely time for a break. I wish it was a week, but I will take what I can get.

Mousie, you've got quite a schedule to deal with. I hope things with your dad improve.

Robyn, I'm so sorry that the black cloud hanging over your head hasn't moved on yet. But, it will eventually...and the sun will shine again.

Ginny, there are a lot of wackos on the road, and unfortunately they have children and like to drive them to school. At DD's school, there is NO PARKING in front of the building. At normal arrival/dismissal times we are basically expected to park on a side street and walk since the parking spots are taken up by staff. When we pick up from the after school program, there are available parking spots in front of the building to use, but obviously we may not park in the fire lane. Everybody does it anyway, and last year there were a couple of car accidents because there isn't room to back out of a legal space if someone is parked in the fire lane. Cops gave out tickets last year, and a memo was sent out this year telling people to comply with the rules. I park in the legal spots. But there is always some a**hole who thinks they are above the law who park in the fire lane. I've almost run over or hit a car a few times, and I'm the one abiding with the law. Nobody is doing anything to stop them. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At my school, a**holes constantly park where the buses are supposed to drop off kids. It is a daily battle. I know how you feel.

Kerry, try not to let the long drive worry you. Provide the kids with activities to keep them busy, and offer a reward for good behavior during the visit. Positive reinforcement (bribery) can be very powerful at home as well as in the classroom!

Hi Kim. Let us know how you are doing.

Today is errand day and cleaning day. Tomorrow I am hosting a Longaberger party. I only have 5 people coming, but they are all people I like, so it should be fun no matter what.

It is nice to be almost completely finished with parent/teacher conferences. I wasn't given enough time on the half days to fit everyone in, so now I'm using free periods and after school time to get it all done.

I'm on the School Leadership Team, and was put on ALL of the committees for the holidays...decorating, ornament making, planning the pageant, and planning the visit from our corporate sponsor who provides gifts and a Santa. I love the holidays, so if I'm going to be assigned a major project, this is at least a fun one for me to do. So, basically, I AM THE HOLIDAYS at my school.

I am still down 7 pounds. I have lost 2 inches off of my waist!

I love the South Beach Diet!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Afternoon Ladies,
I am in a much better mood today. I got up this morning and was able to ride my excerise bike for 15 minutes and then used my gazelle for 15 minutes. So I was in a much better mood today and feel better. I went to a workshop today for TOPS. I bought a book there called The Choice is Yours, so I am hoping that it movitates me to start losing again.
Summer hope you can atleast try to enjoy the holidays. Knowing you, you and your friends will have a great time at your party tomorrow. Congrats on your weight loss and inches lost. Keep up the great work!!!
Ginny I hope your day is going better today. At my school people park in the fire lane and in the middle of the parking lot blocking people in. I got to the point were I back in my parking spots anymore so that I can get out. How did you do at your WW's meeting on Thursday? We are having my dh's family over for Thanksgiving. I don't plan on going out of my way to clean the house. Since they never seem to appreciate it. I will sweep the floor and dust but that is about it. I didn't want to have dinner at our house since we are going away the next day and have a big weekend planned. I wanted to be able to relax for a day because I knew the next three days are going to be busy. But no one seems to understand that in my dh's family. They don't know what all I have to do at school and think that I can just leave it at school and take care of my home responsibilites without a problem. Since they are allowed to do that with their jobs.
Mouse so how did the parade go today? Were you able to get directions to your friend's party? Sounds like you have a lot of stress in your life right now. Hugs to you. Hope your dad is feeling better. Don't let it get to you too much.
Robyn, I am soo sorry to hear that you have another funeral to attend. This black cloud that is hanging over you will lift soon. Then there will be lots of sunshine in your life again. Don't let it get you down. Keep your chin up!
Hi Kim. Hope all is going well with you. Please come back to chat with us soon.
Well I better go and get started on the laundry. Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Sorry not to get personal- been one ofthose days. BTW- with regard to the bus incident, the moron was in a bus only area. Duh. Dd just got in a car accident, she is fine.....the car drivable but has a boo boo....she says it is her fault. And to top it off Dh got mouthy with me (he has been a crumb all day) so I bit his head off. Told him to shut up (he made fun of my salad for dinner.....told him that if he WANTS me to put back on the 30# I have kept off for over a year, then I can go ahead and eat like him). I never ever tell him off.......he deserved it......don't feel bad at all......ain't I a crumb. Thanks for letting me vent. Gotta go
Ginny

Way to go Ginny! Stand up for yourself! There was nothing wrong in what you said to your dh. Sorry to hear that your dd got in a car accident. Hope everything goes okay for you.
Check in with everyone later.
Kerry

Oh by the way, the real reason I came on to post was to tell everyone that I bought a pair of jeans and a sweater for my grandma's party next Saturday. The jeans are a size smaller than I current wear and they fit. Yeah! Now let's hope that I don't eat too much on Thanksgiving that they won't fit two days after Thanksgiving.

GO GINNY GO GINNY GO GINNY!!! LET 'EM HAVE IT!!! Are we married to the same man?!

GO KERRY GO KERRY GO KERRY!!! CONGRATULATIONS FOR GETTING IN A SIZE SMALLER...IN JEANS NO LESS!!!

I'm so tired. I ran many errands and did some stuff around the house today. I can't get motivated to do more. I guess it will be a crazy rush tomorrow morning. I hope I'm not coming down with something. Maybe it is just the diet. I feel different without carbs and sugar...a little sluggish.

:yawn: :blink:
Okay:
The parade was a success, even though only 2 students showed up. I got some pictures. I was the person on the megaphone... well, the fancy one in our emergency vehicle. No rain.
I'm exhausted.... I left at 6:20 this morning, and didn't get home till 10:45. I had some time between end of parade, having eaten dinner and swim lessons... not enough time to go home... so I swam. 1.25 miles, 90 minutes. Then I did lessons.
I'm going to bed now.
I think I can find my way there: if not, I might just sleep on the floor with the cat. ;)
I didn't find my friend's party, he never called me and I didn't have an address or a phone number. We're work friends. I don't even know for sure it was tonight. Who knows with guys?
:mouse:

Afternoon Ladies,
Hope everyone's Sunday is going nice. I was able to get up this morning and ride the excerise bike for 20 minutes, do a 15 minute walking video and my ab excerises before getting ready for church. I am slowly easing myself back into working out after having to take a few days off due to my ankle. It doesn't hurt today. So that is a good thing.
Mouse sounds like you had a busy but nice day. Glad to hear that you got some extra swimming in before your swimming lessons. I bet that was a stress reliever. Sorry to hear that you were not able to go to the party. Hope you were able to get plenty of rest after your busy day.
Summer hope you are enjoying yourself at your Longerberger party. So what kinds of excerise are you doing along with your South Beach diet? Keep up the great work. It makes you feel good to be improving your health and self-esteem doesn't it. By the beginning of next year there is going to be a new Summer.
Ginny hope things have calmed down a little at your house. I think yesterday must of been the day for dh's to be crabby. My dh got that way last night. But I didn't let him drag me down into his bad mood. So how many days do you have to drive bus this week? Hope they are little angels for you and you don't have to put up with idiot drivers too.
Robyn I hope your day is going great for you. I hope you have found some time to pamper yourself. So what was the Boy Scout service project yesterday that it had to start at 7 a.m. on a Saturday? That is too early for me to be up functioning on a weekend.
Well today is my day to relax before my busy week starts. I only have to work Monday and Tuesday. Then I am off until the following Tuesday. But on Wednesday, I will be straightening up the house, dusting and sweeping. Then Thursday hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Then packing that evening. Friday morning leaving to go to my parents for the weekend. Friday night we are going to be setting up the hall where we are having my grandma's 90th birthday party. Then Saturday is her party in the afternoon. Sunday afternoon driving back home and spending Monday to relax and recuperate before going back to work on Tuesday. I am hoping to be able to squeeze in some workout time over the weekend to destress and relax. Plus this will help me not want to over eat this coming weekend. Well I best go and read for a little bit. The book next week and I haven't gotten very much of it read yet. So I will check back in with you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

hello all....
yep...waiting for my Sunday night laundry to finish ....
I have lots of homework left yet to do... but I wanted to check in and say thank you for being such a supportive gang! yesterday I typed in a whole big message to you that was lost.... I can't begin to type it again...now.... but...just know...that for now... all seems calm ...and things are looking great for a short school week!

Thank you so much for the very sweet and supportive private messages! You gals are the best! :)

gotta get to the dryer... I hear it buzzing and I am NOT going to iron tonight! LOL
take care..
meee

Morning Ladies,
Glad to hear that all seems calm for you right now Robyn. Well here is to a short work week for us all. May it go by fast and without any or little problems. Then it is a long weekend that we can relax and count our many blessings. Well I best be off to work. I am going to attempt to go workout tonight at Curves. This will be my first time since I had sprained my ankle last week.
Have a great day!
Take care,
Kerry

good evening!
Thanks to all for your encouraging notes.......I surely did feel bad for the little boy look that I got from a very mature individual.......and ok a wee bit of me does care about hurting his feelings, but I must tell you he had it coming. Of course now I am paying- he has added a few things to the menu on Thursday....( just to keep me even more busy in my vintage 1974 kitchen) but I had my say. And I am making my chocolate mint pie for dessert.....4 points per serving and he can make fun of it all he wants. Oh, and I am going to WW tomorrow nite......might kill me to do so, but I will. I half expect a gain as I will be weighing in at nite instead of the am, but we will see.

Dd is fine. Shaken but fine. Her door is fairly badly dented and will most likely have to be replaced. Other than that the car is quite drivable and from the other side and front appears normal. Dh got on my case about that.....what kind of crummy insurance co do we have (gee, they did not send an adjuster out at 10 pm on Saturday?????? 5 hours after the accident?????!!!!!!!!). Well, I did get a screwy "800"# to call (the adjusters office) and called that after I had made the intial contact about the accident. I was stuck in a typical automated answering system maze and unable to get out of it. So I called my agents office (who BTW was knowledgable and polite). They informed me that I would be hearing from an adjuster within 8 hours. Meanwhile, Dh is ranting and raving that we should go back to NJ (45 minutes away) to get the car repaired at the dealership (like I needed my life to be more complicated!)....where the he** is the lazy no good adjuster anyway...... I called the repair shop in town (one mile from our house, heaven forbid) and the auto shop tells me that she is pretty sure that they are a priority repair service for my insurance.....which means that there is no need for the adjuster to see the car. The repair shop will see the car, make an estimate, electronically send the estimate to the insurance co, who because they have this special relationship automatically approve the estimate. So I wait. Within 30 minutes, the adjuster calls.....confirms the priority relationship and tells me to go ahead and have the car looked at downtown. Gee, I was impressed.....it even shut up you know who!!!! BTW, he accused me of being selfish for taking 35 minutes to do my WW tape this am ("you had plenty of time for yourself!". And my bus died this am......battery went dead at the elementary school.Thankfully, I was empty and ready to return to the garage for my few off hours.The mechanics (bless them!) got my luxury vehicle started and got me back to the garage. This afternoon, complete with 3 new batteries and a new alternator, I was happily back on the road. Ok, Dh was not such a total monster......and yes this accident has been stressful.....but golly, can I get a break???? Please.
Nuff of me bellyachin'!!!!!

Kerry, I hope you got to Curves and that ankle feels ok.

Robyn- our class clown here......we just love you lots and love to "see" you smiling! Big hugs.

Summer- how did the party go???? How is SB working out for you....you feeling better?

Mouse-hope you had a nice rest with Imp.........well, hopefully on your bed! And this week is a nightmare for you, right? Things don't slow down until Sunday? Post when you can.....if you can't stop in, I hope your Thanksgiving is a happy one. Any news on your father?

Past my bedtime ladies....I just showed up here for a short hello. Have a great nite.
Ginny

Gee, am I a creep- just skimmed the other posts and saw two things, Kerry congrats on your new clothes. I am so happy for you. And Robyn- your week was torture....makes all my stuff look trivial. Love you lots.....glad to see that you are doing better.
Ginny

Morning Ladies,
Yesterday must have been the day for bad days. My students were hyper and out of control behavior wise. I had to call one parent on her son's behavior. Then one of my students wouldn't come in after it started to rain. I was so glad to see the equipment at Curves last night. Then I came home to my dh being in a bad mood over something his bil did to his sister. So there fore he tried to start in on me and my weight. I just walked away from him and went about doing my own stuff. Then he asked me right before I went to bed why I wasn't really talking to him or wanted to be around him. I said that I just needed to be alone and regroup after my day at school. Plus I didn't want to be around someone who wanted to point out my faults when I already had a rough day at school. He said that he was just picking on me.
Ginny hope your day goes better. You must feel very good about standing up for yourself. It kinds of feels empowering when I stand up for myself to certain people.
Sorry to hear about your bus problems yesterday. I hope that your day today goes better.
Summer, Mouse and Robyn I hope that your week is going well.
I best go. My break time is over here in a few minutes. Wish me luck tonight, I have to go to TOPS tonight. I am hoping that I have a loss. I have worked hard this week to watch my eating and working out w/o over doing it w/my ankle.
Take care,
Kerry

Well ladies I have been given the ulimate food challenge today. The kindergartne and 6th grades had lunch feasts here at school. So I got to see and smell all the good treats that goes along with Thanksgiving. Plus the cooks made Thanksgiving meals. I didn't eat any of it. I stuck with my lunch I brought to school today. I even have to sit through my students' party this afternoon. But I just keep looking at the food labels and that gets me in check with my weight loss goals.
Well I best go since my little angels will be back from recess soon.
Have a great day!
Kerry

I made it through my kids' party without eating any of their goods. Yeah for me!
Hope everyone's day is going great! I am offically on vacation at 4:30 this afternoon until next Tuesday morning. Yeah!!