Summer - You will be great conducting the workshop, so relax and have fun with it. You were probably thrown off when DU was connected with DM. Not too often grown brothers and sisters bowl together. My family is really, really strange that way. We do tons together. Our spouses think we are nuts to want to have family get togethers! This year our school is doing 18 minutes of SSR (sustained silent reading) three days a week. I am so excited because I usually don't have time to read for pleasure during the school year. Of course I have two severely ADHD students in that hour so I may be doing more monitoring than reading but I still have high hopes. We start on Tuesday, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Robyn - I knew I could count on you for some really good name for my cart. I'll send you that information. You must have needed that rest or you wouldn't have slept through the night. I wanted to sleep in this morning but after my DH alarm went off three times (between 5-5:30 a.m.) I was wide awake.

Kerry - Thanks for the Biggest Loser information. My DH said he would set up the satelite thingy to automatically tape it each week. Since I don't normally watch TV, I tend to forget to turn it on. How long were the regular shows? I was thinking they were only 1/2 hour but maybe they were 1 hour. I can't wait to see a whole 1 1/2 hours of it! You definately don't want to miss the first part due to your phone call, so you better be safe and tape it. Breakfast didn't happen. I decided to make a quick phone call to someone whom I thought wouldn't be home but was. That made me late. No one was there when I got there but a lady told me that one of my friends had just left. I waited for about 10 minutes more (25 after we were suppose to be there) and when no one showed, I left. Another friend emailed yesterday that she got there 1/2 hour late, so I must have just missed her. I guess I should be happy that I got my grocery shopping done instead but I would have rather laughed with my friends! The kids bowling was quick as it was only fun day. We were out of there in less than an hour (too bad the real days aren't that quick!). When we got back my DH suggested we go see a movie. We saw Charlie and the Chocolate factory. It was okay but I thought they left out the most important part, where Charlie gives up his ever lasting gobstopper. Charlie kind of won by default instead of goodness in this one. The kids loved it though. Tonight my DH and I have to bowl. I'd rather go golfing! Congrats on your productivity yesterday morning. I am very much a morning person, so I usually get more done before 11 a.m. than the whole rest of the day combined.

Pam - I hope that this power drug does the trick. You have been suffering way too long with this thing. Sinus infections are the worse because they affect so many different things from head pain to nausa. I hope you are taking it easy this weekend!

Mouse - Hang in there. Just remember you are making a difference in the lives of your students and that is what is important!

Ginny - I hope you are up and running soon, we miss you!

Michele - I hope you found all kinds of great bargins at the Mall of America. I have never been there. I really like new clothes (especially shoes and coats) but I hate to shop! Some day I will need to go, just so I can say that I have been there.

Sue

Evening All,
I just got home from my dsss' football game. They finally won their first game it was 7-0. It took them almost until the last 4 minutes of the game before they scored. So it was a very boring football game up until that point. It was friggin' hot too. There was no shade and a lot of hot sun. I just kept downing the water. On the way home, my dh and I stopped at this biker bar that our one friend's told us about called Jimbo's. They have really good fresh hamburger's there. It was an awesome hamburger. I thought I deserved it and some french fries after getting up this morning and putting in my 4 mile Super Challenge Tape. So before everyone else got up this morning I got in a 4 mile walk. They told me that I was just a little too bouncey and perk. I don't know why! I might see if the dh wants to go for a walk here in a little bit to stretch our legs after sitting all day long. It was about an hour and a half drive to the football stadium. Than sitting for 4 hours and climbing back in the van to come home.
Sue, I think the shows were an hour long last year. So I just might have to tape them all so I can watch them for sure. Glad you had a fun day yesterday.
Summer glad that you were able to find some Summer time yesterday and got your work done. That must make you feel good about your productive day! How was church today? Do you think you might start attending there?
Pam, glad that you are finally feeling better. It sucks to be sick the first month or two of school. Like you aren't already tired from trying to get everything ready and getting back into a routine.
Michele did you have a nice trip! Did you buy yourself anything?
Robyn, how was your son's baseball game yesterday? So are you going to reward yourself for your 11 pound loss? If so, what is your reward?
Mouse, were you able to relax and recharge your batteries over the weekend? Hope you have a great week with your students. Sounds like you are making a positive impact on several of your student's lives. Keep up the great work!
Ginny, we miss you! Hope your computer is fixed soon.
Well I better go and get some work done. I need to get my stuff ready for tomorrow. So that way I don't have to do much in the morning. Talk to you all later.
Have a great week at school!
Kerry

Hi, ladies! We're back! It was a nice, but busy weekend. We spent Friday evening packing and getting ready. We were on the road at 6:45 Saturday morning--UGH! It didn't take as long as we estimated (only 4 instead of 5 hours),so DD and I were off and running by 11am! Unfortunately, we didn't find much. DD found a postcard to add to her collection and then we found a cute picture frame trimmed in crystals for DD's bedroom. She had a picture of her with our next door neighbor and no frame, AND it was 50% off the already clearanced price (only $3.98!). She was thrilled! By 4:30 we were heading to our hotel and by 6 we were searching for somewhere to eat. We ended up at a place called Chevy's. I don't know if it's a chain, but it was really good Mexican food. We were all stuffed by the time we got back to the hotel and the kids wanted to go to the pool. DH and I just sat in the hot-tub. Then it was time to watch TV, unwind and go to sleep.

This morning, I asked DH if we could stop at this outlet mall I had seen. It was the exit before the Cabela's we were heading toward, anyway. We found NOTHING at Cabela's, which disappointed DH, as he has REALLY looking forward to this trip just because of Cabela's. At the outlet mall, I found 2 things at Casual Corner Woman. I spotted a rack of those faux suede jacket-shirts originally $49 clearanced to $19.99! I debated between a dark green and a dark tan, but ended up with the green. I already have several of these jackets--they are great with a t-neck under them or even a short-sleeved top depending on the weather. Then, I found a rack of chenille sweaters originally $21.99 marked down to $14.99. I got a red one, which is one of my favorite colors in sweaters. And to make matters even better, Minnesota does not charge tax on clothing! I walked away a happy woman (even though it's so darn HOT, I won't be wearing them anytime soon!).

As far as walking is concerned, I haven't done any formal fitness since Thursday, but I logged more than 20,000 steps on Saturday at the Mall. I think that counts for something!

I'll get back on track tomorrow. I'm working on laundry, emails, etc tonight!

Good night, all!

Michele

Evening Ladies,
Well my dh went over to see his nephew. So I set out on a walk by myself, after calling a friend from TOPS and being told that she was already out taking a walk with her sister. At first, I was just going to stay home and started doing little things around the house. Finally about 15 minutes into my chores, I said forget I am going for a walk. So I set out on my little walk and ended up walking three miles. I came home and finished doing the little things I planned on doing. So now I guess I can relax a little bit better and hopefully sleep will kick in soon.
Michele sounds like you had a fun weekend. Congrats on the new clothes. Sorry to hear that you won't be able to wear them just yet. LOL I think you are allowed to take one weekend off from any formal excerising, since you went away for the weekend. It's not like you are going to fall off the bandwagon or anything.
Hi to everyone else. Hope you had a pleasant evening. Wishing you all a wonderful week with your students! I am hoping that I can get my students to work hard on the math lesson that I have to turn in next Saturday at my follow-up math class. Maybe I need to bribe them with something extra special. Since I will have to do 3 more lessons before Dec.
Well I think I might be able to fall asleep soon. So I will head off to the comfort of my bed. Don't want to fall asleep at the computer and have the keys from the keyboard imprinted on my face tomorrow morning.
Kerry

Morning Ladies,
Hope everyone had a wonderful relaxing weekend. I got to bed finally last night around 12:30. But I was back up this morning at 5:30 to start my day. I don't know why I couldn't go to sleep, other than it was my 3 mile walk around 8:30 that must have done it for me.
Have a wonderful day today! Hope everyone has an easy work week this week.
Talk to you all later,
Kerry

Hey everyone!
Made it through Monday. I look like Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
Oh well, I have gone through tons of Puffs plus. I was testing today, so it wasn't to bad.
I am happy to report a three and a half pound loss last week. Unfortunately, that still puts me three pounds shy of where I was in May. However, it works for me. I know I was bad this summer.

Checking to see where Hurricane Ophelia is headed. Somewhere along our coast I think. She needs to go right on out to sea if you ask me.

Sorry not to get personal, I have a ton of stuff to do. Have a great day everyone!
Pam

Oh, before I forget! Someone said the funniest thing to me today. She said the reason I have this sinus infection, is because I have lost so much weight, and am not getting the right nutrients. I said "Quite the contrary actually, I'm eating healthier than I ever did." Her suggestion to me, is that I slow down on this "weight loss thing!"

Thanks, Pam.

We made a point to encourage him to take late morning classes his 1st semester even if it meant classes in the late afternoon. He agreed and his first is 10 something on 3 days and 11 on the other two.

I'm stuck in a rut.....I haven't lost a pound in 3 weeks! I continue to exercise 6X a week (brisk 30-45 min walks or bike riding). Sometimes, I have to make myself eat because I'm not taking in enough calories. Of course, I've been back to school for 3 weeks.....less water intake, skipping snacks at times, stress.. you know the rest. Has anyone had the same problem or have any suggestions???


Thanks,
Tammy

Thanks Ginny & Kerry and anyone I might have missed.

Tammy

Hi new friends,

My mother came up from Florida 2 and half weeks ago and left last Tuesday.....she's in great shape at 60 and exercises more than I do! (She came the day I started school!) I haven't been able to get free moments with her, school and the Hurricane heartache I have been feeling for all those affected since then. My hubby has volunteered to go to one of the affected hospitals (don't know which one) for 3 weeks and lend his expertise. Normally, we could not afford it but the hospital he works at it "giving" them 3 weeks of PTO time, which in turn is reimbursed by the federal government. No answer yet as to when or if.

Luckily my kids are in college and high school, and we will gladly manage without him to do such a great thing.

Tammy

Good evening, all.
It looks like things are winding down locally in terms of the Red Cross response. We've about 20 in hotels, the rest are with family and friends. We have nearly 300 people locally who have come up here and asked for assistance. But I can't do casework because that is from 8-6, and I don't get off work until 4:00. Its another 30-45 minutes before I can get to where we are doing the cases.
My state has a leave law similar to the one that Tammy described... at least insofar as if you're a national volunteer. And I admit to being rather worried: we have 1.5 caseworkers tomorrow (1 brand new person, and our director). Not much I can do about that. But my principal will not allow me to go, so I have been doing what I can do after school.

Now, for school stuff... I need some help. I have two separate issues, and no other teachers to really ask, though I'll be sending some emails.

1: I have a student with high functioning autism, and I've scared the daylights out of him. I had the idea he was scared of me, because I am rather brash and can be loud. I probably do have a strong personality with most of the kids... and things haven't gotten any better from being in a school of kids with mostly emotional issues the last 3 years. Any ideas on how I can help him get over being so scared of me? He's literally stiff as a board constantly...
2: I have two students that are lower functioning that the rest. Normally, I'd split my group and have my TA take one and I take the other, but my TA isn't very comfortable teaching... and she's very unsure of herself academically, or for tasks. There is no initiative, and even when I've asked her to do specific things, they don't always get done (except copying... that ALWAYS gets done, and very well). Add in that one of the kids speaks only Spanish, and I have a recipe that could be disaster. They ALL very much need functional academics, but I have only my own personal teaching materials, and I'm afraid that most of my lower level stuff has been given away (too old to keep), lost, etc. Any ideas for stuff for these lower guys? Typically, I'd do a lot of picture book stories that fit our theme (grocery stores), or fit the words in our reading program (Edmark Functional program). Also lots of hands-on, cooking and community stuff. But I don't have these guys all day, and the one child I have all by himself (he's responding very well to a sight word reading program, and I really want a complete Edmark kit for him!), and the other child I only see 2 times with the other groups.
I also don't have any materials for cooking, and I flat refuse to buy a microwave or blender, toaster oven, and bowls/cups/plates, etc... for cooking.
Help is definitely appreciated. What I want to do is get textbooks for the one group that is higher... I wish I could teach them core subjects, but NCLB doesn't allow me to do so. Instead, the one kid that is scared to death of me has English with a regular ed teacher, a brand-new special ed teacher... and they are giving him remedial work so he can pass an 11th grade test he won't ever take.

Morning All,
Welcome back Tammy! We sure did miss you for the last few weeks! As for your no weight loss and working out like crazy, could it be that your fat is turning into muscle? Maybe you need to change up your walking and biking routine so that you are challenging your muscles and not falling into a set routine. See I change where I start on whichever machine at Curves everytime I go there and I do a different walking video each day so my muscles don't get use to do the same pattern and not work as hard. Does that make sense? Also if you started drinking water on a regular basis that would help flush out your fat. That is very honorable that your dh has volunteered to go help in the South.
Mouse, I had a three students with autism over the last few years. I had a high functioning one and two low functioning ones. What I did for them is let them find a space in my room that could become their comfort zone. Than when they started to feel stressed or scared,I just suggested that they go to their spot. I also would give my high functioning one a special errand or job to do for me to earn his trust and respect. Hope that helps.
Hi to everyone else! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!
I did weigh and measure myself this morning. I lost another 1 and 10 inches. So I am hoping that I have a great loss tonight at TOPS.
Well my kiddos are here so I need to get them started on their work. Talk to you later.
Have a great day!
Kerry

Rudolph here!
I am just not getting any better. I am doomed. Oh well, On with the kleenex.....
Pretty good day today. Had a conference with the cryer's mother. She blurted out today that she took her daughter to the gynecologist and she is sure she is about to start her period......... Things have been ok with the girl, except she comes up with eighteen million reasons to leave class. I have not allowed her to leave class. Until.............She told me today, that her privates were burning and itching...........Didn't know what to say about that, so I refered her to the office to speak with someone there........I was like "Oh, hold on a minutes and I will see if someone in the office can see you."
On top of being sick, I just started myself.......Boo hiss........
Mouse: There is a program online, or used to be at www.babblefish.com that will allow you to type things in in English and will translate it for you in Spanish. As far as the student who is afraid of you. Kind of just do things quietly around him as far as a slight smile, praise, sticker, good job, maybe that will help. I don't know, I am not used to working with autistic stuidents. But, I defintely agree with the helper idea.

Tammy: Welcome back......My college kid, has informed me today, that he is withdrawing. Over the telephone of course, so I am ready to kill him. Only, he is not home for me to do that.

Hey everyone else.
Going to get dinner started.
Pam

Hi all,

I tried to start this 30 min. ago and got sidetracked with school stuff! DH just came home, have to go out "under the oak" and talk to him about his day.

Kerry - Great idea. My husband suggested the same thing last night as I was lying in bed sneezing and blowing my nose writing up a test study guide. I was too receptive at the time. (infected already) I do not belong to a gym so he is going to help me with my 'old' exercises.....sit ups, leg lifts, etc. I tried to make a consious effort to drink more water today (I take my own from the filtered fridge....cheaper and plenty of it). I think that is big part of it also. Thanks for the advise.

Pam - I would want to kill my ds also He's only been at school since 8/18 and still calls home every 4-5 days. We'll see how long that lasts. He's turned into a parent pleaser this year, so our fingers are crossed. How long has your son been in school?

Be back later tonight!

Have a great evening,
Tammy

Evening Ladies,
Oh am I glad that my day is almost over. I was having a great day until I came home from my foot doctor's appointment. My foot was killing me since my doctor tried to take off the core of my fat deposit with his metal pick thingy and couldn't get it to budge. So he put some medicine on it and told me not to use my punice (sp) on it for about two weeks. My dh was on the floor with my dss by the front door going over his spelling words with my dss in tears. Than my dsd and other dss asked for help with their homework and I got ticked off at them when they won't comprehend what I was explaining to them. Than my dh and I got into when he kept yelling at his son about how he has been practicing lately at football practice. I just couldn't take it anymore and I let my dh have it. Than he replies back that we are done as a couple and he says that we are selling the house and getting a divorce. So than when I won't talk to him and he asks why not, I explain to him what I was trying to do since he kept yelling at his son over and over for about 45 minutes straight. He finally saw my point and felt sorry for what he said but I am still mad over how they all acted when I came home today. Now I know why I work the afterschool program so I don't have to put up with this crap. So that just set the tone for my whole evening. Now I feel like ringing someone's neck. I did get a phone call when I was gone that we don't have school tomorrow. Someone shot a hole in our hot water tank.
I have some good news though I did lose another pound. So since school started on August 22nd, I have lost 8.5 pounds. So hopefully I will see 150 by the end of the school year.
Well I better go and get some work done around the house. That way I can have a free day tomorrow.
Talk to you all later.
Kerry

Hey ya'll....

sorry not to have the chance to get personal.... with the exception of ..

Get well, Pam! I'm sorry to hear about the kid and college! Hang in there.

Kerry, soooo sorry to hear about all the stress! I'm sort of jealous that you don't have school tomorrow due to someone shooting the water tank! (I'd LOVE not to go to school tomorrow! LOL) Congrats re: your weight loss! YOU can do it! Keep it going!

Mouse, I am also one who could scare a kid with my "aura"...yeah, I know you find that hard to believe! LOL ...and I know that dealing with kids with autism can be a bit different BUT, I've always sort of killed those who found me "different" , ahem, "scary" even with kindness and goofiness. I keep at them until they see that I'm funny...not scary (unless deserved!)... Last year, my very high functioning autistic kiddo was petrified. After a few "moments" alone with the teacher...just talking, he figured out that I wasn't going to bite him. (We talked very frankly about him being afraid of me!) It also helped that his mother's sense of humor is veryyyy sarcastic... so he "got the jokes"! ...and I have to admit...I did put on my "kid gloves" when it came to interacting with him.... I just had to remember that he was petrified...and he had to remember that I was just ME! In the end, we had a pretty good relationship! This year he is petrified of his 2nd grade teacher....and I'm sorry to say I am too! Don't know how to help him with THIS one! Good luck!

My "special" group of "special" kiddos is kicking my "special" butt. I'm "on" all day...EVERY day. There are soooooo many academic issues. There are sooooooo many behavior issues. I've been to one CS already. We have a FBA on Thurs. I've got 5 IEP's already....with the CS pending the IEP. AND I'm sure that I need to do at least 5 more CSs! I feel so badly for these kiddos.... We are doing Brain Gym. Playdough, listening games, movement to music, 10 minutes motor, 10 minutes academic lesson, back to motor.... morning recess after 2 hours of this... I even have them doing lamaze breathing! I'm trying everything. Dictated sentences, whole language memorizing sight words! Poetry notebook with new poem each week working on concept of print at this point then fluency .... songs (academic and other)tracking words, BEHAVIOR charts, management plans, Marvin Marshall's "you choose" ideals.... yadda yadda yadda... Shared reading, guided (??? at this level...but I'm trying!) reading, listening to stories on tape... Puzzles! AND now they want us to do something re: the constitution for Friday... ARRRGH! Anything I'm missing? I'll try it...just tell me what to do!!! I spent $80 to join Reading A to Z. It is a great site with lots of resources.... but $80??? yeah! for one year! and they won't reimburse me...but I"m trying... OH and we are working on color word and number word recognition, sentence vs. word (concept of print), Writing their names, routines, procedures...yadda yadda yadda...

I've not forgotten about the cart name issue...I'm just not coming up with anything that makes me LOL....so I'm not done yet!

Summer.... Read all that I'm doing with these kiddos... YOU are preschool girl.... tell me what I'm missing! What other angle haven't I gotten???? Besides the one at the counter of the liquor store! (Actually, I asked the assistant principal...joking of course, if it would be alright if I kept just a little vodka in my desk...she didn't hesitate. Her response...OF COURSE! ...then she hugged me! Gotta love her!)

Going to go.... I've further exhausted myself typing this.....my hair is turning grey! or is it gray? grey or gray... Oh dear...

take care... thanks for listening to my rant.
meee