Teachers Successfully Losing Weight/Summer 2005
 

SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!


Need I say more?

Hey! I wasn't left behind this time!
Hope everyone is doing ok. Just been a super crazy time around here. Working on trying to get the water in my goldfish pond right. It's full of algae now, and you can just barely see the little orange fish lips when they come up to eat. It's making me insane.
I would like to say that when I went to the doctor yesterday, my blood pressure is down to 120/70. The last time I went to the doctor in January I had noticed that my blood pressure was beginning to creep up it was like 144/90. So, I guess all the exercising is really making a difference.
Still haven't lost a single stinking pound. But, I am trying very hard to be good. I will take the advice and up the water as well as record every taste lick and bite.
Talk to you all later when I have a little more time.
Pam

So you guys think that I can actually remember from the other thread and then post here????? My brains are fried........stressed whatever. But I will give it a shot.
Mouse - congrats on getting the recommendation published. Opps to Imp.....could not remember if he was a he or a she and I goofed. Nothing like a mature cat trying to act like a kittenish goof ball. Speaking of which, Fidget spent most of the time from 10-11 pm ( I was trying to read) attacking me, my book, my feet you name it.......what a space cadet she was!!!!! Then I checked the weather channel and tada!!!!!!Full moon. Explains it all.....

Deb- yup you guessed it right, ABeka for my Dd. I have her 3rd grade book, and she is working thru the additional pages at the end- but there are only a few of them. Later on this week I will have to get cracking and find something else for her. I feel so bad for her......she hates math now...and I feel like such a meany.

Summer- thanks for starting the new thread!!! Can't wait to hear how you have been doing!

Pam- congrats on the reduced BP. Makes you feel great, doesn't it? :D
Log all those BLT's for a week.....see if the scale budges. And watch/measure those portions.

Gee, yesterday Dh bragged....remarked that now he is involved with baseball/softball almost 8 months out of the year! (fall ball, summer league, spring training). Is that something to be proud of???? :?:
So, so day.....hope to be able to post more tomorrow.
G'nite. (Hi toanyone I missed)
Ginny

:( You are all gonna think me really weird, but I am blue. :( I miss my students. I spent so much time on testing, reports, and miscellaneous paperwork during May and June, that I feel cheated. I have more I wanted to do with these kids. They are now perfect preschoolers. I worked for months to get them to share, follow rules, and learn. Now they are ready for kindergarten. They are gone. :no: I wasn't ready for this...not yet. :no: Meanwhile, my coworkers practically ran each other over in the parking lot yesterday racing to escape school.

I have said, "Goodbye." I will move on. I will transition. After all, it is my favorite time of year.

So, as I swallow over the lump in my throat, I will say to summer, "Welcome! Welcome to those balmy, sunny days lying by the pool, ocean, lake (insert your favorite here)...welcome to Jimmy Buffet playing in the background as I sip a Cuervo Gold Margarita...welcome to sand between my toes, not to mention all the other crevices...welcome to uninterrupted hours of reading trashy summer reads...welcome to the smell of my coconut-scented sunscreen...welcome to flip flops and sundresses...welcome to evenings lit by lightening bugs and fireworks...welcome summer...

Summer, no Ido not think you are wierd......I think we all do this because we love kids, right???? Surely it ain't the pay, or any of the garbage....I get awfully attached to some of my kids, and actually get choked up dropping them off for the last time (especially my 5th graders who will be on another route in the fall). So~ I understand. The good part is they will remember you always and you get a new crop of munchkins to love in the fall. (but I truly understand what an accomplishment it is to get little ones to learn the rules...and their kindergarten teacher will love you for it).
Ok, nuff from me......feel like a pin cushion here....need some tylenol and a very good nites sleep.
See ya later!
Ginny

Duh.......btw, went to WW today. Stayed the same, which I am happy about considering as disrupted as my life has been recently.

Ya know, Summer.....If I wasn't exhausted, I'd be blue too. BUT... luckily... sheer exhaustion (and pain...in CASE you forgot my leg/foot issues! LOL) took over last week and got me thru the last days with my 1st graders...and the first days of official Summer Break! .....So for the first time EVER, I've missed out on my "But I just got them to where I wanted them....I don't want to give them back" blues! I'm guessing here that those of us who teach LITTLE kidlets might feel this a bit more than those who teach older kids... I mean, I seriously DOUBT that my son's 7th grade teachers are out here somewhere feeling blue that their time together is over! (::choke::giggle::choke::) The mere thought of that happening is extremely funny! LOL

Today the doctor officially told me that he is not exactly sure what IS / WAS wrong with my left leg...but that I may begin doing whatever I want to! So. Stand back. I have until next Monday. On Monday, June 27th...... IT begins. I must get my fat fanny back in gear. I am giving myself the rest of this week....to rest (sorta) the foot (it still hurts) and to prepare. Yeah. Stand back. I need to do some math and update my little signature thingy...yadda yadda yadda. It ain't gonna be pretty folks...but I've GOT to do this. So. Today is Tuesday. I've got a 12 pack of Diet Code Red to finish and some cravings to give into. Come Monday, it is water, water, water. The soda will be the first thing out of my life. Even diet.... I've got a lot to do and to plan...so I will spare you the rest of my brain work!

Someone needs to go to the old thread and put a link to the new one. I don't have a clue HOW to do that... Do you? I think Mouse is still posting there.

Summer.... I have plans to get some sand between my pale toes tomorrow! Today was spent at a gathering of my old school friends...one of my dear old friends retired last week...and so we were celebrating with a blender and some other yummy things!

Gin.... I know you hate your husband's dedication to baseball / softball... BUT... hang in there. I'm sure that they will invent SOMETHING for those 4 months that he has NOTHING to do! ((hugs)) Chin up, girl!

Pam... Congratulations on the change in blood pressure! The other day mine was crazy while in the ER. The darn nurse asked if I was under any sort of pressure or stress or had any worries. This was on the official last day of school. Besides being in the ER to be looked at for possible blood clots....NOOOOOO who has any pressures, stress or WORRIES?! ::shrug:: The ER doctor actually told me that I needed to stay off my feet while at work. Ok...NO problem!

Oh dear... I've turned this into a rant! WHOOOO meeee??? Rant?? Will spare you any further ramblings for tonight!

take care.....
meeee

Hey!
Summer, that is sooooooooooooo sweet. Ok, do I miss my kids????Half of them email me. Someone is emailing me little clues for me to figure out who they are. I guess I am one of the teachers Robin was talking about...... ;) It was a rough year over all. Let's just leave it at that and move on. :D
Ginny: No gain is great if you ask me......It is a full moon. We went to play tennis at 9:30 tonight because it was full when we went the first time, and the moon was huge and fat. Really pretty. My cat tries attacking the water hose when I am watering. She creeps up on it, slinks through the bushes and then wham.....I move it! It's quite a fun game. :lol:
Robin: I am happy to report that I have been gulping huge amounts of water today. Still drinking that one stupid Pepsi. I hope you will get back to your normal routine soon. You can do it.
I have a stupid stupid yeast infection not in the normal place that one gets one, but underneath that roll of fat on my stomach. I am going insane. It is so itchy..............I feel like I could just take a brush and scratch. Went to the doctor, she said to blow dry it after a bath and gave me some cream, which really isn't working. She said that sitting in a wet bathing suit doesn't help. So, I have been out of the pool for a few days. Need to replant some flowers, but it's been so hot..............
Hey to everyone else! See you guys later.
Pam

Well... so I'm the one that got left behind this time. Oh well! I FOUND YOU!!!!!
Ha! Just try hiding!

I don't remember what I said to everybody last time... Except, I do remember asking Summer if we were going to do a summer edition. ;)

Summer: You have no idea... I didn't get to say good-bye to my kids at all. They kicked me out and off campus with no warning; I wasn't even allowed to go to graduation. I was with some of those kids for THREE YEARS, YEAR ROUND practically. I took them on out of state field trips, I went camping with them, I FED them! For 2 years running we had huge birthday parties (pizza or chinese food, brownies or cake, etc) because my birthday and 2 of my student's birthdays were within the same week!
I used to buy my homeroom lunch once a month (out of my own pocket: not too hard because I imposed a $5/limit, and you can do that at the sub shops and chinese places around here)... behavior incentive and grades. I was SERIOUSLY blue the day before graduation. Graduation was the day after my birthday; my friends from Virginia were up here and had to practically DRAG me out of the apartment to go dinner. Then I drove home and cried the whole way because it REALLY hit me. I'm glad we didn't go see the Lion King; I would probably have cried everytime I heard the songs.
Top it off with how they treated my belongings, which showed up that same week...
And Robyn: I teach secondary! I DO miss my students. Maybe its because I'm a self-contained teacher? I dunno. And this last place was really hard because it was a high school, and I was there for 3 years; the kids would actually come back to talk to me or hang out in my room in the morning. I'd never had that in the middle schools before, and since I'm also a special ed teacher it was a unique experience.
Robyn: Soda. I can't give it up... I only drink diet, non-caffinated soda at this point (except the Pepsi One which has caffeine). I just can't drink the amazing amounts of water they want... completely plain water (bottled or tap) just makes me nauseated. I drink lots of decaf iced tea; I can drink club soda or seltzer, but even seltzer sometimes makes me gag. So they finally backed off and said non-caffinated, non-caloric beverages of any type were okay. Especially since they took away my Propel (which is, literally, the only bottled water I could drink without yacking)... but it has some corn syrup in it, and is therefore verboten on this whack-o meal plan I'm on.
Okay, I admit it... I do cheat... but not much. And I'm nowhere near as nauseous as I used to be, and hardly ever throw up anymore. I've also noticed I tend to be more emotional when I cheat. Strange.
Of course, losing weight would be nice too. I'm not sure. On Saturday I checked, and I was at X54 with shorts, t-shirt and sandles. Today, it was X52 with capris, polo shirt, socks, ankle brace and my high shoes with the steel orthotics. More clothes, and I know those shoes add like 5 pounds to my weight if not more! They're HEAVY.
And I forgot to take my keys out of my pocket: had the locker room key and my car keys in there. So I might have lost weight. I have certainly gotten a lot more muscle on my arms from all the lifeguarding practice.
Pam: I'm familiar with those types of infections, and must note that I disagree with your doctor. I don't get them often, but I do get them because of the endocrine disorder... and the more I swim, the less I get them. If I don't swim for a couple of days, I'm more likely to get one... I think the chlorine does something that a regular daily shower doesn't do. Of course, I also won't go to my doctor about it... Too many of them get on my case about that type of thing being from my weight, and refuse to believe that my weight isn't even largely because of my eating habits.

Geez. I should go to sleep... its after 2 in the morning.
:mouse:

Summer - Welcome to summer! I teach high school and although I usually don't miss my darlings right away I do eventually miss them greatly. I also bawl my eyes out every year at graduation because my babies are graduating! Because I teach special education I usually have the same darlings for several years. Sometimes I am more mom than their actual mothers. A lot of them do come back to visit but some I never see again. I take a picture of each one in their cap and gown right before graduation and have a huge photo album of all my past students. Every year I go through my album at least once and get all misty-eyed over my kids. (So Robyn, your DS's teacher may be missing him as we speak!) I am not sure secondary regular ed has the same bond because often they only have the students for a semester or two and they have around 180 students each semester. They probably don't bond as much unless it is a special case. Look at it this way when you are feeling blue about the group you just lost, soon enough you will have a whole new group to mold!

Pam - Don't worry about the fish, goldfish LOVE alae. They will be fat little buggers in no time! Hopefully you will get the water doing what you want it to soon, then I think they are pretty self maintaining. Congratulations on your blood pressure going down. That must make you feel good mentally as well as physically! I actually have always had the opposite problem. My blood pressure is extremely low to the point where I would get dizzy or sick from it. Since I have been on Weight Watchers my blood pressure actually has been higher (still low but not too low). Not sure why that is maybe all the water I am drinking now.

Ginny - Staying the same is not a gain, so that is good. I know it is more fun to see that minus sign in your book but as long as you are not going up it is okay. I get weighed tonight. I have been trying to be good this week but my scales are not showing any loss. I am afraid that I am not getting enough water since I have been active outside in the heat. As far as your DH baseball addiction, just be glad he isn't into gambling or drinking! That is what I have to do when my husband's golf interfers with my plans.

Pam - Your cat attacks the hose and my 125 lb dog thinks that he needs to drink out of mine while I am trying to water my flowers (stomping on all the plants as he goes). We are working on it and he is getting better but it is so hard for him to resist! Look on the bright side, soon that roll will be gone and you won't have to worry about a yeast infection. That must be terribly itchy between the heat and the fact that your pants would rub it and irritate it all the time. Maybe you should just get yourself a two piece swim suit! :)

Mouse - That would kill me not to be able to say goodbye to my kids not to mention denying you atleast graduation! Why wouldn't they let you go there if it was only your communication skills and not any problems with students? I think that should fall under cruel and unusual punishment! Have you tried drinking Crystal Light? I tried it a long time ago and thought it was terrible but tried it again this year and really liked it. They have tons of different flavors. I really like the raspberry lemon-aid. They even have some that are calcium fortified for those who struggle to get their daily calcium in. They are only 5 calories per 8 oz glass, are low sodium (15 mg), 0 g carbs and have no caffeine! They often go on sale at our grocery store for buy one get one free but considering they make 6 or 12 qts depending on the package, it really isn't expensive. They also have single serving size that you can keep in your purse and pour into a bottle of water if you needed to.

Today is library day. Then I am going golfing (my choice) or to the beach (kid's choice). Maybe we could squeeze in both as it is the longest day of the year and a full moon!

Sue

I haven't posted here in ages--definitely time to get more support. My school year just ended, almost all of it on a very nice note. Packing up my classroom of course a gigantic hassle.

I have been a WW Lifetimer since Nov. 04 but recently put on a few extra pounds. This was entirely due to not writing down my food. I am still eating healthy choices, but that portion control element went by the wayside. Also too many salty snacks have led to some fluid retention.

My plan: cut out all salty snacks for a few consecutive days. Change my workout routine so that my body stays challenged. Go to a WW meeting and pay the stinking $12 if I'm over my range. It's not the end of the world, and the meeting will help me refocus my efforts.

Thanks for listening!

Elana - Welcome back. I too am a WW lifer (since May of 2004). I injured my knee in January and went into a bit of a downward spiral with my WW program. Now I am trying to lose the 7 lbs I gained. Luckily I was way below my goal, so I don't need pay but I did get back to making my weekly meetings a priority. I am also trying to be good about measuring and tracking again. Tonight is weigh in, wish me luck!

Sue

So far, I am OP today. I had a very healthy (portion-controlled) lunch and got my hubby to come home early so I can make it to kick-boxing class at t he Y. One of the best things about my weight loss (18 lbs.) is that I can do lots of exercise that used to hurt my knees.

I love kick-boxing and I'm psyched that I can take it up again. I am having some end-of-year aggravation about my renewal contract (I'm sure several of you have been down this road) so the idea of punching for an hour sounds great!

Evening, all.

Sue: I'm allergic to Nutrasweet/aspartame, so I can't have the powdered Crystal Light. The pre-mixed stuff in bottles uses Splenda, so I buy it sometimes if its on-sale at Target or the store. The personal sized pouches of iced tea (two brands: 4C or Tetley, and Lipton) both use Splenda. The Tetley one has 4 kinds: green tea, decaf regular, caf regular, and raspberry. I bought the decaf today at the store since it was on sale: $4.99 for 20, where the Lipton one is $3.49 for 10.
I am not sure how much I swam today, but I swam for more than an hour, and when I did my "pacing lap" (so I can figure out how many laps I did; I always do it at the end because I swim slower then!), I did it in just over 30 seconds. I refuse to believe that I swam 144 lengths, though, so I put 1.5 miles here, and on the board at the gym. The lifeguard watched and pointed out that I'm "kicking butt" at the Chesapeake Bay swim we're doing: I'm in 4th place overall, and I might be the 3rd place women's finisher... if I pay my fee. ;) The gym's Chesapeake Bay swim is 9 miles total instead of just the 4.0 miles of the real one.
Oh, and about graduation: they did it just because they could and to be mean. I was allowed to give graduation gifts to some of the seniors (only 3 of them were ready on time, so the other 3 didn't get their gifts because the gift cards I ordered got screwed up)... but couldn't give them the gifts personally. I couldn't tell you why, but they do it to everybody. If you leave their employ, you're not allowed on their property, end of story. You're not supposed to communicate with other staff either... any communicaiton has to go through administration or human resources. I've watched them do this for 3 years, so I knew what to expect... at least I had other teaching jobs before this and my master's plus loads of good recommendations and a good resume. I have seen them completely destroy other professional staff's careers by refusing to do recommendations and employment verification forms. Some of the staff they've fired deserved to be let go... but others did not.
:mouse:

Hey guys!
How's things?
It's been a very lazy day for me. Bought a John Saul book at the grocery store today, so am about to start reading that.
Sue: I am rolling on the floor laughing my butt off at the thought of a two piece.. :lol: But, thanks for the suggestion. My dog is a big plant smusher too. She, however, hates water, she runs the opposite direction, so don't have to worry about that. We have a nice dog dish full of water, but she has decided that she likes this little frog pump I have near my pond. It's a metal statue and water shoots out the frogs mouth and cascaded down and back to the bottom. She keeps drinking all the water out of it, and I think the pump has burned up. I know the algae isn't bad for the pond, because that's what the hundreds of tadpoles in there are eating. However, it would be nice to see the fish every once in a while. I have just decided to change the filter everyday for a while, and then get more pond plants.
Mouse: What have you done for those infections? I AM ITCHING TO DEATH OVER HERE. OMIGOD. I told her the name of the cream I was given before, and she said, this is better, can't pronounce it (starts with a k) and it really isn't doing much. So, I went to walmart and bought this cheap anitfungal cream which is helping a little. It's crazy. Not too mention........Here is an embarrassing moment.....I decided to shave the bikini area...................ALL OF MY LOWER EXTREMETIES ARE ITCHING. My husband is laughing about this...I told him I would be the one laughing when I shaved him in his sleep.............. :o By the way, broke down and bought a coca cola zero today............CAN'T BEAT A PEPSI.... And since you've mentioned it, I will be back in the pool asap. It has been really hot and I haven't been swimming since I thought it would just aggravate the situation.

Welcome back Elana: It's been a long time. Sounds like you are doing ok.

Ginny: Are you guys through yet? We'll be going back to school when you finally get a break. Geez...........Happy to report that we turned in my son's application for college today. It's just a local community college. However, we figured that until we are sure he is going to make a committment to buckle down, we're not throwing our money away. Btw: car's in the shop again...........
Hey to everyone else....Should we put out an APB for Paisley and Kerry?
Pam

;);)Truly. I was NOT being UGLY about Middle or High School teachers. REALLY! What I truly meant was....and as much as I adore my son... WHY on earth would teachers get the blues and MISS a teenager?! I love my kid. I EVEN help with his BoyScout group! However, when the clock strikes 8, I RUNNNNNN!!
EW. ...and I am certain that some of you feel the same way about little kidlets....the ones that I spend hours and hours and hours and years and years and years (18 to be exact!) with! This year my classroom in my new school was stuck between 5th and 4th grade. I nearly split a seam running for cover each time they switched classes! If I got too close to those big kids (especially after Spring Break...and they were all taller than me with much larger boobs!) I broke out into a sweat and began feeling the hives break out. For the first time ever I got to know "big kid" teachers AND they got to know a "little kid" teacher! We had quite a fun time of it! SURPRISE, SURPRISE! I'd hang out in my friend Susan's 5th grade room so that she could run for the restroom, etc... AND she would hang out with my 1st graders so that I wouldn't have to wear Depends! She was always happy to see me when I would return. As I would when she would return, she would give me a quick hug with a "BLESSSSS you!" and run for the door! It got to be our little end of potty "scene"! :) Every now and again, she would send "feuding" 5th graders to me....and I would "deal with them!" AND I would go over with a typical first grade "tale" to tell... and Susan would ROTFLOL over what ever I didn't raise an eye over! LOL

It is a DARN good thing that some of us love the little ones...and some of us love the big ones! THAT means that no matter how they grow...there is a teacher out there to love and miss them during the summer! (And, it makes me smile to think that out there...on a beach is a teacher who is sorta blue that my guy has returned home for the summer! Meanwhile...back at the ranch...I think I may be OVER feeling blue and missing my kiddos!

Was NOT trying to offend anyone with my statements to Summer!
I'll be back... take care until then!
Meeeeeee

Oh. My foot / leg issues were resolved by staying in bed for 4 days. IMAGINE! Seems that being on your feet on concrete for upwards of 10 hours for the last 8 days of school make your old fat body rebel. NO. REALLY! So, I've been told to not stand up so much while at school, buy some old lady support hose to be worn when things are not happy, take alleve when I feel it coming on and to watch out for the signs and symptoms of blood clots(which this was NOT). I have been reading. Novels. NOT anything school related! Whooooopeeee! I read an old Janet Evanovitch novel. I read a Jennifer Weiner book. I read a collection of Short Stories "Girls Night In". I read a book called Bubbles something or the other! I even read a Rachel Ray cookbook. I'm heading back to the library tomorrow. Looking up my old favorite ...Cornwell... There has to be something new out! And I'm on the waiting list for Janet's new book and a few others!

Oh... they are asking about lunch again.... guess I'm pushing my luck! I have to clean out the attic...and our bedroom.... yippee... Having EVERYONE home all day EVERYDAY is, um, getting more difficult! This man has got to find a job.....sigh....

gotta get to the kitchen!
meeee

.........SOMEbody...... please. I have GOT to get my oldest ...rising 8th grade boy...who has the ability to read anything....but won't....to read........

Titles? Someone who knows (and loves and misses!) middle school boys...... suggest something for us to check out of the library! I'm striking out..... I've explained that resistance is futile..... he has read Tolkien....Paulsen... etc... ???? Ideas?!

Mouse, what software did you write the review for? (PM me.... I still need to "talk" to you about this kiddos AT needs! LOL)

Ok...enough from me already!

Hi Ladies,
I am sorry that I have been MIA for the last month or so. School was hetic this year at the end. Then I had to take 3 courses the first 3 weeks of June. Thank God I had great presentators, who it would have been a drag going to school. I have a break until July 18th. Then it is another 3 weeks of classes. But hopefully when all is said and done I will be considered high qualified. Plus between all of that my stepkids have had ballgames and my dad was in the hospital for a week with pneumia (sorry don't know how to really spell that). So I have been given a break for the last two days. Yesterday I took my two stepsons to the city pool. I even got in the water and played with them for a little bit. Than it got to the point that they were too cool to be seen with me. So I started swimming the length of the pool. Our one friend's little boy was there and so he raced me back and forth across the pool. I let him win every time. Even the times when he pulled on my swimming suit strap and the back of my suit. LOL This morning I took a 5 or 6 mile bike ride out to our local state lake and back. It was very nice and peaceful. So that is what is new with me. I have gained about 5 pounds since school got out. But I am going to work really hard to get it off this summer. Well I better go and spend some quiet time with my dh. His kids are with us this weekend and we won't have a moment of peace to ourselves. Talk to you all later.
Love ya,
Kerry

Hi all!
Pam: Yes. Go swim. And, believe it or not, I wear a two-piece bathing suit. Its the only way I can get the top and bottom to fit without the top being 3 sizes too big!! I buy separates, and only buy ones that are long enough. I love the bike-short and other shorts... and the tank-top style.
Robyn: No offense taken. :) And yes, it is a VERY good thing. I don't like little children much... I have them in swimming lessons, and prefer them at ages 8 and up. I tend to like the outspoken bright ones a bit more, too. :blush:
Books... Harry Potter? Robert Heinlein's Juveniles (Space Cadet, Rolling Stones, Red Planet, Have Spacesuit Will Travel). I think the ones I listed are the only ones in print, but your library might have others. I'd avoid some of his more recent (before he died) works: Friday, To Sail Beyond the Sunset... a bit risque for a teenage boy.
Anne McCaffrey's Pern books might catch an interest. Diane Duane has a series about teenage (middle/high school) wizards... I have the omnibus 'Support Your Local Wizard' , but I think the first book is called 'So You Want To Be a Wizard'. 7 books or so in the series.
I didn't like them, but many kids liked Philip Pullman's Golden Compass series, and Lemony Snickett. SM Stirling, David Feintuch, and David Weber has 'naval' style battles set in space. Those should be okay. Robert Aspirin's Myth series is funny ... epsecially if he likes puns.
Robin Cook (medical thrillers) John Lescroart and John Grisham. Wen Spencer (especially the Ukiah Oregon series if you don't mind a touch of male-female relations (handled very tastefully, mind) and some rather extensive violence). I really enjoyed the Ukiah Oregon series... Alien Taste is the first book.
<The violence isn't descriptive of blood and gore and people being torn apart... its just some aliens doing some stuff, people getting shot, some blowing up... its not DISGUSTING or GRATITIOUS violence... she did a very nice job. She has a website: http://www.wenspencer.com>
Some of my kids have also liked historical fiction about kids... Red Scarf Girl and Chinese Cinderella were really popular and some of my boys liked those too. Most of my boys were really into science fiction though.
Why doesn't he like to read? Is it hard turning pages or tracking text? Have you considered combining a print book with an unabridged CD? Pricey, but it works!!!
Oh, and the software: IntelliTools, of course! :)
:mouse:

Hey everyone!
How's everyone this morning? Everything is ok here. I am just looking at the disaster area I call home and thinking maybe I should just go back to bed. However, since I'm up I guess I'll just stay up.
Mouse: I have a tankini top and could not find the bottoms in my size, so I ended up buying a pair of shorts to go with it. However, they bubble up in the water and give me my own personal flotation device. Ha! :lol: I'm planning on going swimming today. It's supposed to be really hot today.
Kerry: Welcome back. The end of the school year can certainly be hectic. Sounds like you are having fun so far. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!
Robyn: Have you read Cornwall's book Blowfly? It came out in December I think. It was excellent. By the way, I am not one of those offeneded Middle School Teachers! ;) Been racking my brain for books, just can't think this morning.
Oh, an off note..........If anyone does happen to get razor burn bumps when shaving the bikini area........I had a really bad time with this ....I bought something called bump stopper 2. It is actually produced for black males who get bumps from shaving......However, it works great. I read about something similar on the internet and was desperate, so I bought some. Bumps all gone within two days.
You guys have a good day. I am going to stay on an eating plan today and excercise. I keep fighting with a stupid pound. Lose it, gain it back, lose it gain it back. I have got to get moving before it's time for school to start again.........

Pam

Robyn: I usually work with reluctant readers who struggle with reading, so I am not an expert on those who "can read anything but won't". It really would make a difference on his maturity level and interest. Harry Potter is good for many but if he doesn't like that wizzard stuff (or hates a goody two shoes, as my students would say), he might not be interested. John Grisham would be good if he is mature enough. How about westerns? Louis L'Moure (not positive that is how you spell it) has many, many good ones for that. How about The Outsiders? Most of my students enjoy that. If he is a bit of a war or history buff I would suggest A Soldiers Heart or Flames of the Tiger.

Kerry - Glad you are back. Sorry to hear about your DF. Hopefully he is better now.

Ginny - How is your DM?

So while people are suggesting books. What is good for adults? I am not a big science fiction person but not too picky otherwise. I do enjoy books about real life. You know the type you get wrapped up in and forget they are not real. I don't do well with anything that involves children being hurt. I just checked out The Touch by Colleen McCullough (author of The Thorn Birds) but I have such a hectic weekend, I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to read. I'll let you know when I do.

My DM is here for golf and lunch.

Sue

Morning Ladies,
Today is the last day of ballgames for this season. My stepsons' were picked to be on an all star team and for the last week yes we are playing or no we are not playing every other day. Last night they finally decided that they were not playing because they didn't want to play up to 3 games a day in the hot summer sun. Which I don't blame them for that. I think that is a little much for 6-8 year olds. So maybe our lives can get back to normal and do some fun activities for the rest of the summer as a family.
I am reading a funny book right now. It is called The Hot Flash Club. I think it is by Nancy Thayer. It is due back at the library in a few days and I am only half way through it due to classes and ballgames. But I am hoping to finish it this weekend. She has a sequel called The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again. I am right now also reading Weight Watchers Weight Loss That Lasts. It is a good book. Makes you rethink about some of the issues centered around the weight loss and excerising. Sue, let me think about the adult books and get back to you.
Pam I hope you enjoy your swim today. I was planning on going for a walk by myself this morning. But when I said something about it to my dh, he was like wait until the kids get here and then we will all go on one with you. So as you can see I am still waiting. The kids are here but my dh wants to take a shower before going on the walk. Thank God I am a workout scheduled with a friend at Curves this afternoon.
So I can regroup and get some peace than, before going to the last ballgame of the season.
Ginny how is your DM doing? I hope all is well with you and your family.
Summer, Mouse, and Robyn hope you are enjoying your time off from school.
Well I think I am going to get my excersie clothes on and head out the door with or without some extra bodies.
Talk to you all later. Have a wonderful Friday!
Love,
Kerry

I'm going to weep. I just hit a button by mistake and lost my entire mile-long post. :cry:

I had dental work today and just pib-cked ub-p my-b lib-p off of-b the-b floor-b. I hate novacaine. I hate the drill. I hate that the novacaine doesn't prevent the drill from hurting. I hate that the novacaine lasts for six hours. This appointment was with the dentist whose wife died of breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. Somehow I managed to avoid saying anything to upset him. :tied: Phew!

Robyn, my house was a nightmare during the month of June in spite of the fact that I did major cleaning in the middle of being VERY BUSY so the people letting out Duffy while we were in Cape Cod wouldn't think us pigs, and again when my sister-in-law was passing through town with her entourage on her way to the airport the night following preschool graduation and my school party. Somehow the house still got messy enough again for me to have to deep clean for our play date on Wednesday. I live with the sloppiest people on the planet. The laundry is officially done and folded, so I no longer need to keep my bedroom door shut to company. :o

Oh, another thing Rob, glad you got the rest you needed to help your body parts feel better. I have shooting pain and lameness in my left foot (the one I broke two years ago) occasionally. I wonder if it is because I have gotten too heavy. I was 17 pounds lighter last year. I have found no opportunity for rest. I try to ice it when I remember. Worse comes to worse I will see the chiropractor. I'm hoping that by dropping a ton of weight this summer will help.

One more thing, Rob, until your son finds the genre that interests him, he won't be a reader. When I was stung by the modern romance bug, I couldn't get enough of books, but until then, even though I was an A student in reading, I was bored by it. So, take him to the library or book store and let him go wild exploring various authors until he finds his interest.

Okay, really this is the last time, Rob, no margaritas for me. I'm back on South Beach diet. I've lost 7 pounds since Monday!!! I don't know how that will look on my ticker since I've been yo-yoing all year. Anyway, no carbs at all for one more week. After that, I will figure out a low-carb margarita mix even if I have to use crystal light to make it. No sand in the toes...all backyard pool swimming. DD is driving me nuts demanding play dates. So far, we've only had one play date in three days. How terrible!!! She has become too much of a social butterfly. I just don't feel like dealing with "know-it-all" 6/7 year-olds every friggin day. 4 year-olds are so much easier to manipulate and intimidate. These first graders are so savy now...a bunch of wise a*ses who question everything including the rules. I don't want to be a disciplinarian all the time. I just want to chill. So, she will have to deal with play dates every other day or so. I've actually been lucky because snow-day girl has been in Maine since Tuesday. But, she is returning tomorrow. :( There is a girl two houses down, on the other side of the next-door nightmare's house. She was in a different first grade than DD, but DD knows her. I suppose at some point we will have to invite them over to get to know the family so she and DD can play together. I was hoping to stick with the friends we already know, but with a child soooo close, it is hard to ignore her.

Kerry, welcome back!!!

Pam, I was told to use baby oil to shave the private areas, and it prevents the bumps.

Sue, my favorite authors are Jayne Ann Krentz, JoAnn Ross (suspenseful romance), Janet Evanovich, Millie Criswell, Hailey North (humorous romance),
and Catherine Anderson (romance).

Mouse, I hope you are making peace with everything and moving on. I'm sure that you will end up being happier in the long run.

Elana, welcome back! Ginny, Hey girl!

Thanks to all who have put in their 2cents worth about getting the kid to read. I've heard you all....even taken notes....and well, we are going to go to the library come Monday (...it will be alright... oops sorry! I'm a bit ADD in case you didn't know!) and I will be patient and persistent...and he will find a book or BOOKS that he WILL read! I'm nearly desperate enough to hand him a Janet Evanovich book....which he would find hilarious....BUT, I'm just not ready for him to read my favorite trashy novels! ;) He has read much of Paulsen, Tolkien, and all the HarryPotters.... I think I need to be patient and wait him out at the library until he finds at least 2 books and something on CD to listen to! Thanks again for your help!

All this talk about shaving. I bought a new pack of razors. Thought of you girls! I've no intention of needing it...but I actually was looking around for the stuff Pam was mentioning...Just in case....'Bout the time I spotted it, my poison ivy started itching on my right ankle.... NOPE...Will continue to sport my "sideburns" for a bit longer.... Baby oil and bump ointment are noted for the time when I've lost my mind..or the poison ivy has dried up and I've forgotten how lovely it is to ITCH!

Summer, Hopeb yourb lipb gotb backb to normalb! Sorry you had to have dental work. BUT, at least you didn't have to try to figure out how to keep you life going and leave sub plans and make sure daughter's care and transportation was all taken care of...yadda yadda! SEEE! Those darn rising 2nd grade girls are something else, aren't they?! Very little will slow them down at this point! I only had 4 girls in my class this year...so it wasn't THAT bad...but MANNNNN girls are something ELSE! You've gotta be Firm and Firmer with them or they will ROLL on you! (Yeah, my case of the blues has definately disappeared!)

Had a wild time of it tonight. Stand back, ya'll here come the lovely details! Went to the movies with a great friend. Our husbands play in the same band. Our sons are the same age and get along famously.... SO... every now and again when the dhs are in the basement playing music, we order the kids a pizza, and leave them upstairs to see to themselves...(the men are downstairs if they should need anything!)...And she and I escape! Tonight we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith! We had popcorn and a box of chocolate covered peanuts for dinner (yeah, I know!). We enjoyed the movie! Go see it! I decided that if Brad isn't having a thing with Angelina then he is foolish. She is so beautiful...and well..he IS Brad! (Sorry...Darn ADD...) When the movie was over, we drove over to the 24/7 Walmart and did our grocery shopping together! What a riot! Had a good time. SAD, isn't it?! LOL It was nice to just get out and be a "girl"! Know what I mean?! Anyway... we've managed to get all the groceries put away...and I'm wide awake...at 1 a.m. So THAT is why I'm posting here! LOL

My inlaws. I hope my earlier comments about my inlaws didn't sound TOO horrible... BUT, MANNNNNN they are driving me nuts lately! AND I don't live here alone. AND I'm sure that my guilt is self induced, BUT... I really really really don't enjoy drop in company! My very best friends KNOW to call me and make plans with me! They are wonderful about this.....and I guess I've been spoiled.... We live out in EasternMongolia for Pete's sake... NO one just drops by where we are.... until June05!
...and only when the house has been trashed! :) I'm ranting... sorry! I'll stop!

Ok... so I think I may have gotten the soda monkey off my back. Maybe... Will have to see tomorrow. I've got none of "my" soda in the house... and I'm drinking my favorite ...WATER... yummy..yummy! (I'm trying to convince myself!)

Well...seems that everyone has gotten into my bed....watching tv with dad... I think that it is time that I go scare them all into their own beds! Our sleeping schedules are so mixed up ...and it is only the first week of our summer!

take care,
meeeee

Trouble with school admin.
 

I could use some advice from you veteran teachers (I just finished my 1st year in a system--I have taught 8 years in private schools).

My district sent me a reappointment letter and a contract. I signed and returned the contract. Now the assistant super. claims the letter was a mistake. He said they could send a letter to rescind or a termination letter.

My principal said he'd be glad to have me back next year if that's the final outcome. I met with an employment attorney and talked w/people from my local union.

Yesterday I also talked w/someone from the state union. She pointed out that even if I force it and show up for work in September, they can dismiss me on the first day (since it takes 3 years in same district to get Professional Teacher Status).

So, what do you think?
1. Just drop it and accept defeat
2. Take the risk (after more research) and go back to work expecting them to honor the signed contract
3. File suit to force either performance of the contract or for damages

The good news is I am not overeating in response to this obviously stressful situation.

My husband and daughter went away for the weekend. Max (13 y.o. son) and I are here so he can continue practicing for his Bar Mitzvah, get the fancy clothes, revise his speech, etc. Plus we can probably just hang out together and enjoy the weekend. We'll probably get some grocery store sushi for dinner and watch a DVD. It might hit 100 here today but even without central AC our house is quite cool.

Take care.

Elana,

1st, I'd be looking for a new position somewhere...just in case. Where are you again? (Ie, which state?)

2nd, What is the cause of all of this? Did you see this difficulty coming? (Ie,
did you have good job performance evaluations this year?) The issues are at
the out of building admin level and NOT with your in school principal? What or
why is this happening? Will your school principal stand up for you? (Sounds like
"NOT really" is the answer to that. More like, "I'll take you if you fight this but
I'm standing here on the sidelines and I'm NOT going to make any real effort on
your behalf. Good luck.")

3rd, I would go with what the lawyer and the union reps tell me. I'd be very concerned that what the state rep said (about being let go on Day 1 in Sept)
would play itself out! Once school starts teaching positions will be harder to
find. Without tenure....they can cut bait and let you go...without reason.

4th, IF you forced the contract....whatever manner....Will you have any quality
to your life with this school/district? I mean. You will be marked with a "scarlet
letter" forEVER!

This truly reeks! BUT...I'm not too sure what you can really do about it WHILE keeping your life comfortable at the building/system levels. The union reps would be my guide!

You are doing a great to control your eating at such a stressful time! I never do well with stress eating. Continue to be in control! Try to relax and enjoy your weekend with your ds! I also have a ds13! Enjoy helping him prepare for his special day!
Keep us posted, of course, about how the job situation plays itself out!

take care,
Robyn

Afternoon Ladies,
Elana I am sending out some hugs your way. I would serious think about looking for another position. How happy would you be teaching in that district with the threat hanging over your head do they like me this minute and than will they hate me the next minute? Do want you feel is right for your career.
Robyn, sorry that your in laws keep dropping in on you. My one brother-in-law has a habit of visiting us when we are just getting ready to leave to go do something special. For example, on Valentine's Day and our anniversary who is standing on our front porch. I feel bad for him because he is divorced and his two kids have families of their own now, but sometimes his time is just awful. Hope you are able to find some books at the library on Monday. I went last night and got an arm load of books that sound good. Also hope you can get your ds interested in reading books this summer. Good luck!
Summer sounds like you have a social butterfly on your hands. My sdd spent the first two weeks of summer vacation over at her best friend's house during the day time. Last night after the boys ball game and the trip to Mickey D's,they were begging my dh and I to let someone come over to spend the night. They got mad when we told them no that the other kids had plans for this morning. It can get a little nerve racking at times. I just wonder if we will come home with an extra kid or two after the boys pool party for ball. Congrats on your 7 pounds lost. Keep up the good work. I am going to try really hard to lose some weight this summer too. I want to start school at the end of August 25 pounds lighter. I need to also be 150 or less by Christmas time or my dh's offer to buy me a leather coat is off the table. So I have to get my big butt in gear.
Mouse, how is the new eating lifestyle changes working out for you? I hope all is well with you. When are you moving to Va.?
Pam did you enjoy your swim yesterday? Hope all the itching has stopped for you now. I didn't have a problem wearing my swimsuit the other day over at the city pool. But I don't know if I will be comfortable tonight at the boys pool party with a bunch of guys around. I haven't decided if I am going to go swimming or not.
Ginny, so have you taken Robyn up on her offer of hiding the ball equipment yet? How is your summer going so far other that with ball?
Well gals, I must go and take a nap while everyone else is doing the same. If not, then when I go to take my nap later, all **** breaks loose cause they think it is time to run around the house like elephants or bulls in a china shop.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!
Check in with you all later.
Love,
Kerry

Oh God Elana. How awful. I second everything Robyn said, especially about looking for a new position. Sometimes these things happen because of budget cuts, and being the newbie, you were the first to go. I have feared the same thing happening to me since I began teaching. My first position was to replace a teacher taking a one-year leave of absence. She made it clear to me that she had no intention of returning, but didn't tell the district so she could maintain benefits. It was stressful because I didn't know if she was on the "up and up." She didn't return, but my position was eliminated because of NCLB. My school was labelled a failing school, and the parents left the school in droves. My kindergarten was no longer needed. I found this out while on vacation in Cape Cod. Needless to say, my vacation was ruined. Luckily, I interviewed for another position in another building (my current position) and was hired. I was prepared to go to any district in the area to teach if necessary, including private school. I would get busy updating the resume and renewing old contacts ASAP. Good Luck!!!

Rob, your big night out with your friend sounds like fun...especially the grocery shopping part :lol: . I have to disagree about Angelina and Brad though. I'm still mad at him for breaking up with his wife. And, Angelina is too freaky for my taste...all snuggly with her brother, marrying that creepy Billy Bob...I don't like her know matter how beautiful she is. I liked Brad and Jen, and sorry, but I'm not over them yet! :p

Another thing Rob, I've gotten really lucky with my MIL. In the fall/winter, they are snowbirds in Florida. We do not visit...no money...and if we did have it, we'd be back in Disney with a 5 second stopover to see MIL and FIL. Anyway, remember last year when DH had the operation? He was in really bad shape, and I had taken a lot of time off to be with him in the hospital and at home. Well, the day I was returning to work, MIL promised to stay with him and take care of him for the day. At that point, he still needed a tremendous amount of care, and I considered a home health aide, but thought family would be nicer for him. Guess what? MIL stayed less than an hour. F&MIL had stuff to do. When I got home from work, my DH was crying. I can't tell you how pitiful he was...suffering in pain and crying on my couch because his DM left him. I don't think he has forgiven her because they have been home from Florida since April, and we haven't visited them once. (They live one hour away.) I am enjoying the lack of contact, but I feel bad for him that his parents are so selfish.

I'm mad at my sister...speaking of selfish. I signed up for aqua aerobics with a friend. Apparently there hasn't been much response for the evening class. We can't do the day class because we don't have childcare. Anyway, my sister wanted to do the class with me which would have raised the number to 3 allowing us to keep the class. Without her the YMCA is dropping the class unless some other random person signs up. Well, after promising, my sister changed her mind because two nights a week for 45 minutes was too much of a commitment. :p She isn't doing anything else all summer. When she needs me to do something that makes her life easier, I do it. However, she is so inflexible. We always have to go to her house for family gatherings. At DD's birthday party, she left because she felt sick. She wasn't sick, she just didn't like being a guest in someone else's house. God forbid she defer to anyone. She orders everyone around like she is the Queen of England. (At Christmas her BIL was bowing to her muttering, "Whatever you want, Principessa.") It got a laugh from everyone, but she didn't get that he was being sarcastic. I'm sick of her. AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: The funny thing is that after screwing me over the aquasize class, she suggested my niece (who drives me NUTS!!!) help me with my tag sale. Like I need more stress in my life. Pahlease. :p

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone. In terms of performance, it's a totally separate issue (I got excellent evaluations and have a very strong relationship with my supervisor--English dept. chair who also is president of the local union). The reappointment letter, it seems, went out by mistake. The assistant super. who is being the most recalcitrant is leaving to become Super. in another state next week. I am hoping to have more luck when the new assistant super. comes (she is a former teacher, union head and well-liked by the teachers).

I have to say, it's really discouraging to be recognized for doing a great job and then just completely jerked around about renewal. I guess that's just how it is for non-tenured teachers. Sigh.

No, I am not lost on the field of dreams.......wish I was.....just spent way, way too many hours in a school bus, and today had to wear my referee shirt (actually put it on last nite). A world war broke out here between Dh and our 2 oldest, a long stupid story I won;t bore you with. The gist of it is- Dh is so stressed out- job is driving him insane, and he wants our kids to do well so much that sometimes his enthusiasm for their success smothers. The kids would do well to accept that....and I need a vacation....away from them all. Thankfully, all the little kiddies are home for the summer :D and at the last minute I was asked to drive a wheelchair bus to the next county (75 minute drive) to pick up 3 severely disabled students. (2 in chairs, none of them are able to speak at all- this is also a residence facility- to describe the level (or lack of said) of ability of these kids). Gotta be at least $100,000 per student to work with these kids......opened my eyes to a whole new world. Well, at least the bus was air conditioned, and the monitor pleasant company.
Anyway, I have stress eaten myself into oblivion......have a nasty headache and wish I could just crawl in a corner and read my latest Cornwell. One thing good about being so out of touch with current authors, when you are catching up on 10+ years of books, there is no waiting for the next release. :lol: I just finished From Potters Field.....and am now working on Cause of Death. BTW- was it Robyn who was looking for books for Ds???
Someone mentioned Louis L'Amour- he wrote the Lonesome Dove series and a mess of other books. My Ds enjoyed them too...or so he told me.
Gotta go- sorry not to get personal right now. I am such a burnout.
Ginny

Gin: Sorry life is running you ragged. Get some rest and try to find some peace for yourself. Good luck getting back on program.

Elana: Good luck with the new super.

It was hotter than Hades here today...not complaining though, we just all crowded ourselves in the pool. I'm really tired. Last night, I just couldn't peel myself away from the tube. Everyone went to bed, and I turned on "What Not to Wear." I got all sucked in. Then there was a "What Not to Wear/While You Were Out double cross special. I thought it would be an hour, and got in real deep. Well, it was two hours. I didn't get to bed till 1:00am. What? Am I nuts? :dizzy: When you have a child who is up at dawn, it is just plain dumb to stay up so late. But, I just couldn't help myself. I did enjoy the shows though.

I joined South Beach online, and someone recommended a sugar-free margarita mix to me in case anyone is interested. It is called Baja Bobs. He has all sorts of mixes. www.bajabobs.com. I ordered two gallons!!! Well, it is only the beginning of the summer...I want to make sure I have enough to last me a week or two!!!

I still want to strangle my sister. She has been rubbing me the wrong for too many months.

Happy weekend, everybody!
I went home to my mom's house last night and just got back. I was her chauffer yesterday because somebody cut in front of her at an exit ramp, and then STOPPED. Her fault, of course, because she hit the rear of the other car. She's black and blue everywhere. Took her to a doctor's appointment and then some generalized running around yesterday & today. I also got my new walking shoes from Propet. They look just like hiking books, and have a high, high neck with laces all the way up. I won't have to wear the ankle brace with them... and they'll be wonderful in wet or cold weather! Finally got a new cell phone too: mine was 5 years old, and didn't do anything: no clock, no vibrate, nothing. This new one vibrates, is color, has a clock, will do Instant Messenger (which I'm not signing up for!) and email and text messaging. I don't do that. I just wanted a phone. It has an organizer and games too...
Kerry: Hmm. The food is interesting. While I was home, we went to our favorite chinese restaurant... I've known the owner and his wife for 15 years, since they opened. Watched his kids grow up. He loves telling people how I'm going to school at Johns Hopkins. ;) He got his chefs to make shrimp & lobster sauce for me without chicken broth, and lots of stir-fried veggies. ;) I am required to go and say hi when I'm in town. I don't know that I've lost any weight, but I sure as heck have developed a whole lot of muscle on my arms and legs that wasn't there before. I guess that is what my body decided to do with all the protein??? Who knows!
Robyn: I sent you another message... Whoever said that he needs to go look and experiment is correct. Ginny? Summer? I forget! My mom used to complain that I kept her broke in books and computer software. She still complains about books. o:)
The library is lovely... I'll be fairly close to a good one when I move, and Fairfax County has a good library system. I was very spoiled by that and Lancaster's public library system. The state of PA allows you to get books from ANY LIBRARY in the WHOLE STATE for no fee. Here in Baltimore, you have to pay $1 for any reserved book, or any books sent from another branch! Drives me nuts because the larger branch in Towson isn't accessible. I can get in the library, and look at the new books but I can't get upstairs to the stacks. Same with the Baltimore City library that I live like 4 blocks from the main branch! :mad: I go to the one near the gym, but its pretty small... Before I had my car, I used to take the public bus to the main Lancaster library all the time: Or when I worked at the hospital, I'd walk the 6 or 7 blocks down and go.
Elana: I'd look for a new position. I should have left the school I left this year last summer. I didn't want to leave though because I loved the kids and what I could do for them. I liked knowing ALL the kids on sight, and having them come and talk to me. I didn't like the administration or the way I was treated... and I let them treat me that way because I didn't want to leave. Bad move on my part, and we don't have a contract or a union, so they were able to do whatever they wanted to do to me.
Book Suggestions: I read two real history books that were very well written lately... Arc of Justice by Kevin Boyle. This is about a black doctor in Michigan who buys a house in what was a 'white only neighborhood' in the early part of the 20th century. Just about the time the NAACP was really getting started. The night after he moved into his house, they were mobbed... people throwing stones and stuff in the windows, and so somebody in the house shot a rifle through the window. The police arrested EVERYBODY in the house. He was defended as his trial by Clarence Darrow (Scopes Monkey trial fame). Lots of background into what was going on at the time.
I'm reading 'Dear Senator' by Essie Mae Washington-Williams right now; she is the black daughter of former-Senator Strom Thurmond. The book tells about how she grew and never knew until 13 or 14 that her mother who raised her was her aunt, and meeting her real mother and then finding out that Thurmond was her father.
I also read the adult version of Chinese Cinderella 'Falling Leaves'.
I read lots of social sciences books about urban poverty, children liiving in such, drug addiction, foster care. All the stuff I see in my classrooms so I can MAYBE understand it a little more: Alex Kotolowitz's 'There are no Children Here' is good, as is Ron Suskind's 'A Hope in the Unseen'. Rosa Lee is good also (can't see the author from here), and about a DC woman who becomes addicted to Heroin, and what happens to her and her family. There is lots of background in all of the books, so you can see what goes on. 'Out of the Darkness: The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson' by Shelman is good also; this is the girl who was the first prosecuted court case for child abuse in the United States. It chronicles the start of child protective services and how it was actually harder to abuse an animal in the late 19th century than it was a child.
Gay Courter's 'I Speak for This Child' is good, and about a person (Courter) who volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in the court system. Her experiences are in Florida.
Just about anything by Torey Hayden or Mary MacCracken (latter are almost all out of print).
For the military folks in your lives, 'Spare Parts' is about Marine boot camp prior to the first Gulf War. I know the author. He was the person that hired me at my last school... but he left before I did. Good guy, strong moral values as near as I could tell.
He wasn't my supervisor, though, so I can't put him in my very short category of principals that I actually respect!
Uhm.... Who'd I miss? Ginny? Pam?
I went swimming today at a gym near my mother's house. Their pool is only 4 feet deep and has just one lap lane... then they did a small enclosure that is 8 feet deep with a current. It made it hard to swim, but when I was done, I did like the deep part! :) The "deep part" at my current gym is 6 feet, and its a heated therapy pool. I don't like the heat part.
OH!!! And I'm looking for bamboo PLANTS. Small ones. Anybody know where to get them? I was looking for a gift for my endocrinologist & her office.... I mean, geez, the lady spent an entire freaking afternoon with me... on a day she doesn't see patients. The bamboo in a glass jar with river rock matches her office perfectly. I found the jar, the rock... I CANNOT FIND THE PLANTS!!!!!! HELP!
:mouse:

Okay... as if the first message wasn't long enough...
When I was with my mom at the store with the garden center today, looking for bamboo plants, I had a little incident.
I had a little child, perhaps 4, certainly not older than 5, walk up to me, stare for a good long time (at least 3 minutes), point, laugh, and inform everybody how strange I looked. I know I look strange, and I don't need anybody to point it out to me. What made me really mad though was that his parents stood there and WATCHED him do it and then never said a word to him about his behavior!
I'm afraid my "icky teacher' side came out, and I told the child that he was "a very rude little boy" and that "pointing and laughing at people was wrong." THEN his mother and father said something... to me, about what I said to their child. I repeated my statement, and finished with something about how the problem wasn't really their child, but the fact that they didn't try to teach their child any manners. My mother wouldn't have hit me or anything, but if I pointed and laughed and stared, my mother would pull me aside and tell that was wrong. She always told me WHY it was wrong. I think the first time I remember doing that was about 4 or 5 and over a seeing eye-dog.
How would you folks (mothers, preschool and kindergarten or elementary teachers) handle this?
:mouse:

A little bit more sane here today.....and the baseball gods have been good to me today (perhaps the Lord smiled on me 'cause I went to church this am!) in that Ds's game was cancelled. Of course I LOVE ;) sitting in 95 degree weather watching baseball...... Honestly, today would have not been so bad, the game was close to home and just one game. But I am still pooped and glad to have a day off.

Mouse- hugs to you....well, I am sure that Robyn will have the best comeback of all (at least the most sarcastic one!). Mentally I would have been saying "little creeps like you deserve duct tape!". My take on the situation is that the kid has been given a bad example to follow in that mom and dad (or perhaps in this case I should refer to them as incubator and sperm donor ? hope I did not offend anyone out there......) are sleeping on the job. I think I would have addressed the parents, and told them, in a very professional manner, they should be teaching respect for all humanity to their offspring and that they someday might need to draw on that respect should one of them become ill- and then tell the monster that a book cannot be judged by its cover. Of course, with a big smile. Then of course, depending upon where my hormones are a given day, I am liable to say anything, and to expect you to straighten them out could be a superhuman task. So sorry it had to happen......I have come down hard on my own kids for the same offense....and I hope they have learned their lesson. Congrats on the new library!!!!!! :D I know that means a lot to you....ours fairly recently joined with others in 2 counties and they are all linked online, so I can order books from anywhere....charge is .25 for each book. And I am so dangerous with that. I can browse the catalog at home, order the books from home.....hope you are joining that kind of system too. Ever try a florist for the bamboo plant???

Summer- well, ok you were nuts staying up so late, but I would have done the same thing! :lol: What not to wear is a scream......and although I am probably a candidate for it myself, I find it entertaining. Sometimes you just have to get that kind of stuff out of your system. Good luck with SB online.
I'll adopt you as my sister, ok?? (my own drives me insane too!). Too bad about the class.

Kerry- great to see you posting regularly again!!!!! Are you still attending TOPS? And you were the queen of the workout....those #'s will come off I am sure, my sister in sweat.

Elana- what a miserable situation...I third the motion to start looking for another position. Robyn's advice was perfect. Gosh, between Robyn and Mouse we have some experts on the subject. Keep us informed with what happens.

Robyn- so how you faring getting Ds to read???? I remember really disliking that age for reading- I found most of the young adult books just too stupid, and some of the books like Grisham a bit too racy. At that age, I actually got my Dd hooked on Agatha Christie, but I am not sure that your Ds would like her. If I think of anymore, I will let you know. There are always biographies- or even a book about a hobby.....(are there any books on Xbox?????). One thing I also did was get Ds reading magazines about his hobbies. Ok, not quite the quality literature there but better than TV.

Well, the only bad part of no baseball game is now I have to make dinner......Oh well. And I am completely enjoying Cause of Death.....I am almost afraid to ask any of you Cornwell readers about the futures of Marino and Benton Wesley in her subsequent books.....I enjoy their characters and their relationships to Kay.
My eating is MUCH better today....lets hope it stays this way. This week will be strange, tomorrow the "annual" gyn visit, and then the colonoscopy on Friday. Oh what fun.
See ya later!
Ginny

Ginny, congrats on getting a break from baseball. On days like today, I need to be immersed in cool water (pool or ocean) or stay in the A/C. I cannot imagine sitting in the HOT :cool: sun baking as I watch baseball...sheer torture. One of the reasons I watch "What Not to Wear" is because I am also a MAJOR CANDIDATE. (Feel free to nominate me!!!) Anyway, what really sucked me in with the second episode was that the lady was a preschool teacher. Many pieces of her wardrobe look frighteningly familiar...the teacher sweaters, jeans, comfortable shoes and sneakers. She wore her shirts tucked in and belted though with a big belly carrying leftover baby weight, and it looked really freaky. I'd never do that. I'm more known for big shirts and tapered pants...yeh, I know, the tapered pants make my hips look bigger. There aren't too many great choices for pants with elastic waists. Hopefully those days will be over soon. So, with the things we had in common and the things that made me say, "What are you thinkin' girl?" I was hooked. I'd be happy to be adopted as your sis. I'm still really pissed at mine. Good luck with the GYN. I'm putting my appointment off till the end of the summer when I've hopefully lost more weight on SB. So far I've lost 8 pounds in six days!!!!! :D I'm sure all will go well with the colonoscopy as long as they knock you out. I will say a prayer.

Mouse, after picking my bottom lip off of the floor as I recovered from being utterly mortified, I would have come up with some response. The question is, "Would I have come up with a response before the people moved on?" I am terrible in situations where I am being ridiculed. I'm too shocked to react appropriately. I would want to give the parents a sharp look and tell the child that it is not kind to gawk at people and say mean things to them. I would also comment loudly to my daughter about the fact that some parents don't teach their children how to behave properly. Sometimes an indirect comment can get under people's skins as well. I think it just sucks that these as*holes treated you with such a lack of respect. It is shameful. Hey, another comment could have been, "What goes around, comes around." I doubt these jerks would want their child to be the butt of a joke. I don't think you did anything wrong. You deserved to be treated with dignity. Screw them. As an old friend of mine would say, "GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY." And their attitudes were ugly.

Robyn Robyn Bobobyn Bananafana Fofobyn Feefymomobyn Robyn. I'm waiting for what you would say to these low-lifes that were mean to Mouse.

Ok Summer, consider this your official adoption! Me too with that I would never have a statement ready to come back to the morons that Mouse ran into- but I am surely hoping that someone will. (Robyn, Hon, we need your wit and wisdom here!) I love What Not to Wear.....and of course am a major candidate myself. But my life is far too messy for me to get hung up on clothes......diesel fuel is messy and so are school buses and so are kids (including my own!). And I probably wear all the wrong stuff..but go for comfort (about the only good thing I can say is that I do not wear sweats).
We have our "Bus Driver Barbie" who has never missed a sale at Filene's-and is a walking fashion plate (complete with hair augmentation, shoes matching her purses.....the list goes on). But we all wonder if in an emergency, if she would be able to drag a student off the bus (a requirement in the physical performance test) without twisting her own ankle. Hey, congrats on the 8# loss!!!!!that is wonderful. Are you finding SB easy to follow?

Gotta go.........been here too much today. Have a great nite.
Ginny

G'evening all.
I've done nothing today, oh well. I really should clean... It wouldn't take me long...
I did read and put some of my new CDs (from the birthday gift certificate to Amazon) onto Itunes. Just in case anybody should ever give me a free iPod or I should happen to find one gift-wrapped on my door step! ;)
I finally found a good bag for my shampoo and stuff at the gym... I should have looked there 2 years ago!!! REI, the camping store, sells these things by Eagle Creek called 'cubes'. They're designed to pack clothing or other items into the rectangular space and so you can pack more in your suitcase. They have a mesh opening, and can go in the washer. PERFECT for soap and shampoo, bath puff... because the stuff will get air and won't mildew! It even has a handle. There is an REI store in Timonium, so I got it yesterday when I came back from Pennsylvania.
I finally had to get a new gym bag too. Mine is a ripped mess... and since I actually WORK at the gym, I can't look too much like a slob! I'd bought this one a bit under a year ago at Target, and it was supposed to have a warranty, but Champion said the bag got used too hard (and I suppose they're right). I found one at Ebags that is normally a $75 bag on sale for $25 because it was an old style... and they only had one color left. Its kinda cool, and has a pocket for a water bottle. That's a good thing: I am ALWAYS forgetting my water for the gym because I leave it in the car!
Summer: I, too, hate heat. I hate sweating, too... I think that is one reason that I like swimming much more than I ever liked any other kind of exercise. I walked because I needed to exercise, and not because I ever liked it. The only times I ever liked it were in the fall when it was cool and there was neat scenery to look at. Congrats on the weight loss. I guess my diet is way closer to South Beach than Atkins, though I think she was more interested in Atkins. I just can't live on meat for the rest of my life... but you can't eat eggplant or bok choy on Atkins. :rolleyes: Or if you do, its only a tiny bit... and no ricotta cheese or cottage cheese, especially not the fat-free kind! Of course, I definitely haven't lost 8 pounds anywhere in the month I've been doing this.
Ginny: I've worked with 'Life Skills Teacher Barbie' (more than one!). I never understood how they managed to not get printer ink on them, marker, chalk, jello powder, dirty children, etc... and then realized it was because most of them didn't do anything but worksheets and certainly never TAUGHT.
I'm going to go to sleep so I can go swimming in the morning. I either need to get there by 8, because there are TWO water aerobics classes in the morning taught by the teacher I really don't like... or I have to wait to swim till after 11.
:mouse:

Has anyone ever worked with a "Preschool Teacher Barbie?" Well I have. This chick is beeeeeautiful. She dresses like she works in an office with her tailored dresses and suits, spiky heels, full makeup and glamour hair. Meanwhile, my knit pants and sweaters get splattered with paint, glue, and dirt. You see, good preschool teachers roll up their sleeves and get on the floor with the kids to play and create. She mustn't be doing her job like she should wearing dry-clean only garments. We also have a "Speech/Language Specialist Barbie" and a "School Psychologist Barbie." But, I can see them maintaining their purrrrrfect wardrobes and hair in those "hands-off" positions more easily. You don't get too dirty in PPT meetings.

Mouse, it is nice to see I'm not the only one who prefers exercising in cool water. I can swim recreationally, but I was never a strong lap swimmer, so I really prefer water aerobics.

Well, I'm pissed. :mad: This morning, the Y called to tell me they were cancelling my class :p . I asked how many had signed up in the morning...4. I told them I had gotten 3 people, but the last person wasn't permitted to sign up. :p Why are they favoring the morning class over the evening? I argued that they are discriminating against working people and parents without nannies. She didn't care. My friend is so mad, she wants to cancel her family facility membership. She's had them do this to her before. Her favorite activity is to swim, and because of classes and the swim team, the only time she can swim is between 8 & 9pm. During the cold months, she isn't nuts about such a limited schedule. Right now I'm searching for an alternative. I'll be damned if I'm stuck with the same boring workout all summer. :p