Good evening all.
I saw the orthopedist today: I didn't do any serious damage. I have to go to PT 2x a week for 4 weeks... which isn't bad either. He gave me a new version of my old brace that is more flexible and not as big, so I think I'll be able to wear a shoe again.
He did say that the other orthopedist wasn't seeing arthritis... he was seeing some calcium build up and some small spurs from the number of times I've injured myself.
My disappearing TA is going to resign... the assistant principal told me today. I need to remember to ask him how he wants me to tell the kids. We'll have to tell them something because they always ask for her.
I'm jealous of all your cleaning bugs. I hate to clean, but I do it... LAtely, though, I'm never home. And while I'm home now, my ankle hurts to walk on... forget cleaning.
I'm also going to have to steam clean the carpets here; Imp has thrown up a few more times. I'm going to take him to the vet. Between him & my car, there is no way I'll be able to take more than 1 grad class in spring. I don't understand it: he acts perfectly normal, before and after throwing up. He's drinking water. He's eating food. He begs for ear scritches, and bugs me when I'm taking a shower. A friend of mine recommended the vet she takes her cats to. She has 4 older cats.

'Morning!"
Mouse- great news that you did not do anything major to yourself. Hope the PT helps, and the brace too. Some of the new braces are so flexible and easy to wear these days. I have a student who is wearing a knee brace- and it is not at all apparent that she has one on. Guess by now you should get Imp to a vet......I am at a loss for ideas. Gosh, I forgot that you needed a "new" vet with the move! That too is one of those "relationships" that need to be developed - it is important to feel comfortable with your little friends Dr. (my vet is a total nut case....his real name, and I kid you not is Charlie Brown). Anyway good luck with the resigning TA- this is the crummy one right? Can you get that really good one to replace her?

Robyn- okie dokie....so you noticed the darned full moon too?? Yesterday am the kiddies were really wacky. I have this student who really dislocated her knee 2 weeks ago- and then went on vacation last week. Yesterday was her first day back. So she boards......asks to sit with her best friend.....I refused that one as they are both whack jobs and even worse together...and then find Miss Knee brace climbing over the seat, in the aisle.....jumping around. And me, Mrs Type A personality, freaking out worrying that a full body cast would not protect this kid. Not pretty......then there was the deer that danced in front of my bus on the way home......blew the horn and got it off the road....and it then danced in front of the bus behind me (we were both returning at the end of the day). And there above it in the sky, the big fat full moon. Shall I also add my wacko kitten.......she is in active house trashing mode now..... Aw, I hope today is better for you!!!!! Get the duct tape out for the mouthy one..... And as far as those additional points, well that is what they are there for !!!!! Special stuff, treats- something out of the ordinary, right? Keep it up- your progress is wonderful.

Got up and walked for 25 minutes, 1.5 miles. And, thankfully, TOM arrived. I was so tired of feeling bloated...so now I am just tired . Hopefully I will be down a bit for tomorrows WI.

Guess I'd better go wake up Ds. Have a great day!
Ginny

Good Morning!
I would normally be up an on my way to school at this time. I took a personal day today. Got some oldest son stuff to take care of. Won't bore you with the details......But, hopefully it won't take long and I can just have the rest of the day to piddle around.
My kids at school were ok yesterday. I am missing a mock writing test today. I would have been at school for it, but they changed the schedule after I had already put in for my day. Oh well. Darn, I would have been stuck with my first period. Shucks!
Ginny: I feel your pain. I am waiting for my tom to arrive any time now. Wish it would just hurry up and get here. I feel like I could have wired my jaws shut when I got home from school yesterday. I ate a banana, three marshmallows, a few hazlenuts, and a leftover barbeque chicken leg that was calling me from the refridgerator. Ughhh. However, I still didn't go over my points for the day, and I managed to get in a one mile walk.
Mouse: I don't like to clean either. However, with me living with three "boys" if I don't clean, you would have to kick a path through the livingroom. I have been going around everynight, trying to keep things straight. Where I steam cleaned the carpets in front of the front door, they have already tracked in leaves and dirt. It pisses me off. Ughhhhhh

Robin: Looking forward to that pie recipe. Would like to try it out before I take it to my mom's house. Made a cherry crunch recipe the other day. Must have been great cause I didn't even get a single bite of it. My oldest said it was off the chain. So, I guess that's great!

Talk to you all later.
Pam

Hey! Yes I've posted twice in a row. However, the freakiest freakiest and I do mean freakiest thing happened to me today.

Ok, I took a personal day from school oldest son had a ticket had to go to court......Anyway, as I am sitting in there, in walks the SUPERINTEDENT of the school system. He is actually the man who hired me nine years ago.
I was like oh great. Now, mind you I was doing nothing wrong, but where did he choose to sit??????? In the row in front of me. So, I don't think he noticed me as I kind of looked the other way......Anyway, I noticed there was a news crew in the back of the courtroom...............Ok, well then our ISS TEACHER comes in shackled..............In an orange jumpsuit......Charged with 3 felony counts of Indecent liberties with a child, etc.....Statutory rape....Omigod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'll be watching the news at 5. I called my best friend at school. We thought he had gotten into trouble, but weren't sure what for. Anyway, it was so strange.......My son's ticket was dropped and we went on our merry way, out the front door of the courthouse and smack dab into the news crew....Ha! Talk about having your business on the street huh? It will be interesting to see what in the world actually happened.

I have an apple spice cake in the oven and I am attempting to make a lower fat lasagna for dinner. I just realized I haven't eaten all day and I am starving..........

Will update later........

Pam

Back again!

Pam- that is entirely too strange. Now the big question for you is, do you return to work tomorrow and keep your mouth shut or attest to all of the proceedings? I gather that this was just an arraignment (sp) and not an actual trial. Wow. Can't imagine......but we all know that that kind of junk happens everywhere and anywhere. The closest thing I have to that is several years ago a male member of the janitorial staff was caught with some online porno (using a school computer) and making xerox copies of his private parts (somehow the idiot lay down on the copier nude.....just the thought of it all makes me want to puke). Oh well- he no longer works for the district. Back to your story- you had no inkling of this situation? I do know the way my district works is they try really, really hard to keep stuff quiet and out of the media. So it would not surprise me if this incident was hushed. Glad that Ds's ticket was dropped.


Anyway- survived the afternoon. I am so tired. Part TOM, part cold,part holiday burnout. Guess its not going to get better......actually am toying with the idea of a personal day myself, in a week or so, just to regroup and get stuff done. Gotta redo the stupid seating chart. I can tell I am losing control over the gang, and with the reduced daylight hours that ain't good.
Got another short walk in, but I am no bundle of energy today.
Dm is on the phone. Guess I'd better go. Let you know how WW goes tomorrow.
Nite!
Ginny

Well... it sure is hard to type with my eyes poked out. When Gin started typing about the school custodian who was laying on the copy machine (Xerox proves you're OLD, Gin! LOL) making copies of his, ahem, parts.... lead me to have visions of the janitorial crew at my school in various poses with the copy machine which caused me to jab out my eyes in an attempt to rid myself of the vision! EWWWWWW! Thanks Gin! Could have done with out THOSE visions!

HOOOOW freaky for you Pam! ....and you thought your day was going to be rather uneventful! Please update (maybe in a PM!) how this all turns out! I made a enchilada
(rather high points...but within my plan!) recipie that was in the new(?) WW chicken cookbook! It was very good! Everyone liked it ....the Picky3 ate without negative comment! (THAT is huge!) On Thursday, I'm going to try something else.... chicken and dumplings from the same book! Will let you know how it turns out! Tomorrow is a WW ground turkey chili crockpot deal! (Tried it two weeks ago with the Picky3 loving it!) Will get the pie posted here soon!

Mouse, hope Imp is ok! Glad to hear that you've done no serious damage to your ankle!

Gotta run.....
This morning something happened.... to me or to the clock or something. Dh woke me up 15 minutes AFTER I was supposed to be walking out the door to take DS to school. I have NO clue about what happened....but mannnnnnnnnn did that screw up my day or WHATTTT?! Things just seemed "wrong" all day!
I've got to check out the alarm clock AND get some REMsleep tonight.... My fanny was truly dragging today!

take care everyone!
meeee

This is copied from Dottie's Weight Loss Zone .......... I've not personally tried it....
and there seems to be a mini debate about the point value.... YOu may want to count it up yourself....

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Whole Pie - 4 pts!

1 - 15 oz can pumpkin
1/2 cup EggBeaters
1 1/2 cup skim milk
3/4 cup Splenda
1/2 teaspoon salt (I just sprinkled a bit)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (I used 1 1/2, love the stuff)

Beat till smooth (I just whisked it all); put in Pam sprayed pie pan. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, then at 375 for 45 minutes till knife inserted in center comes out clean. Because of the size of the pie plate Jackie used it's usually less than 45 minutes - she must of used a bigger one than the standard - I used the standard and it needed about 50 minutes (it does poof up a bit). Serve with FF Cool Whip! Delicious!!!

Haven't tried this cake either...but well, I've tried sex....and if this cake is better than THATTTT...well...whooohooo and all for 3 points!!!!





Better Than Sex Cake

This is from the recipe swap at the WW site. Hope it's what you are looking for!


Servings | 24
Estimated POINTSŪ value per serving | 3
Course | Cakes

Ingredients
1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
10 oz Diet Cola
1 egg white
6 oz Fat Free Caramel ice cream topping
7 oz reduced-fat or fat-free condensed milk
1 cup Heath Bar bits
1 container fat-free Cool Whip

Instructions
Mix cake mix, egg white and diet soda. Bake as directed in a greased 9x13 pan. During the last few minutes of baking, put caramel and condensed milk in a sauce pan and stir on medium low heat until smooth.

Take cake out of oven, and poke holes all over the top. Pour caramel mixture over warm cake, filling in the holes. Sprinkle Heath bits over the top, reserving some for the top. Cool completely. Cover with containter of Cool Whip and sprinkle with remaining heath bits. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.


Special Notes
Made this for holidays and non-WW relatives didn't know the difference. You can reduce the amount of Heath bits if desired to lessen points.

Pam - Here is a recipe from my "Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly" Cookbook (a great book for any crockpot fan!). I haven't tried it yet, so no promises.

Chicken Jambalaya

1 lb uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
4 oz reduced-fat, smoked turkey sausage, diced
1/2 cup clelery with leaves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup onlion, chopped
1/2 cup gree bell pepper, chopped
2 tsp. cajun seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce,optional
1 bay leaf
14 1/2 oz can no-salt diced tomatoes, undrained

1. In a large nonstick skillet, saute chicken 2-3 minutes.
2. Stir together remaining ingredients in slow cooker.
3. Add sauteed chicken
4 cover. cook on high 6 hours.

Makes 6 servings: 370 cal, 7 g fat, 4 g fiber

Pam - I can't believe you guys are talking about going to the beach when I have been driving in our first snow/ice storm of the year! We are suppose to get 1-4 inches of snow and since it rained all day, it could be a mess by morning. You will have to share your cherry crunch recipe with us. Anything that remotely resembles cream cheese frosting, has to be good! Any more on your ISS teacher? What are the chances that you would be there at the same time!

Ginny - I actually spent the night Saturday night. My friend Mary's husband is in Iraq so she had a slumber party with just girls allowed. We were up gabbing until 4 am, which is 6-7 hours past my bedtime! It was fun but I ate WAY too much. Everyone brought their own beverage and a snack. I did good on the drinking, only three Cranberry Mikes, but MAN did they have some irrisistable snacks! It was nice just to laugh and relax and forget about reality for awhile.

Robyn - Thanks for the visual of our janitorial staff! I was trying hard not to think about it at all then I read your post and started visualizing some of our janitors, EW! Since I may never actually get to have sex again, I'll have to try your cake. It sounds wonderful! My pumpkin pie recipe is a bit different from yours because it has Bisquick in it. I'll have to dig it out because that one is tried and passed with flying colors. I hadn't noticed the full moon but I have only had half my students due to deer hunting season starting yesterday. That is a downfall when you work in a rural community!

Mouse - I am glad you received some good news at the doctors. Maybe the new brace will help to prevent future injuries. So how is Imp? Do you have any new plants in your house?

I am headed to bed. I have been working with a home bound student. Between that, teaching and helping my own two with homework, I feel like I have done nothing but teach all week. I am sure driving in the icy snow today didn't help anything. Snow doesn't phase me too much but I hate the ice. Especially black ice like tonight.

Sue

Ok...I demand a "re-do"......my dreams last night were all about school.... I woke up feeling exhausted...and worrying about something that I have finally decided DIDN'T really happen! OY! I feel robbed! ROBBED, I tell you! It isn't enough that my days are filled with these faces.....now my nights are too? I'm getting REALLY grouchy without getting decent sleep for so many nights in a row!

Ok, so I am old and decrepit........Robyn will you forgive me?


Speaking of stuff, here I was envious of Pam's day off and thinking of taking one off myself.....then Dd got sick. I drove my am (she slept thru most of it) and my supervisor is swapping someones much shorter afternoon for mine- keeps me home longer with Dd, keeps me in town as she is sick and gets me out of my big yellow monster in time for her 4:30 Dr appt. Her throat sure looks "strepy" to me...... SPeaking of recipes, got to WW yesterday and Laura gave out Pumpkin Mousse......

1 box ff, sf vanilla instant pudding
15 oz can solid pack pumpkin
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.....
2 tbs ff cool whip (bless the person who invented this stuff anyway!)

Prepare the pudding as the box directs with ff milk.
Fold in the pumpkin. Add cinnamon and nutmeg.
Chill. Spread ff cool whip over the top (at this point you can sprinkle on a wee bit more cinnamon as a garnish over the cool whip).

One member said she made it last year- her kids liked it better than pumpkin pie- not so strong tasting. She recommended putting the stuff in parfait glasses....just to jazz it up. Oh, the point value????? 1 point per cup!!!! I am going to try this as it makes an easy dessert that I can enjoy.

Sue- if it is any consolation, we had ice last nite and frost. Upstate they are dealing with snow, so I know us downstaters are due soon. I am so glad you had a good time Saturday nite. Heck with the one nite of overeating.......start afresh...go for an extra walk.....you will burn it off!

Robyn- thanks for the recipes.....I am actually cruising for something to make for dinner now that I can do and have in the oven while I am taking Dd to the Dr tonite. SO glad you enjoyed my copier ( ) story- nope I can't go there either thinking of the janitorial staff laying on the XEROX machine......... Ok , I admit it- I am a sickola........an old one at that..... Hope you get your redo in on the sleep my dear.....and if you can manage to pull that one off, well please let me know your secret!!!

Gotta go figure out what I am making for dinner......can't get to the store with Dd so I will have to deal with the chicken breast I have and let the finicky eaters bellyache! See ya!
Ginny

(BTW, went down .8 yesterday)

Hey!
Thursday........Tomorrow is Friday and then two more days...........Wahoooo. Ok, so I have eaten terribly. Duct tape, that's what I need on my mouth. I was planning on being good today, but it is Tom and I broke down and bought a goooey chocolate chip cookie at the school cafeteria today. Don't know how many points are in that. Free??????ok, maybe not.
Ginny: Did you see my lovely school??????? Janitor joke funny.....

Robyn: That pie sounds yummy. Gonna try it before I take it to my mom's for Thanksgiving. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I will just take it and see what happens. Cake sounds good too. I have made a cake like that. But, with milky way and butterfinger bars. It definitely wasn't low fat either. But, quite tasty.

SUe: Thanks for the Jumbalaya recipe. Maybe I will try that next week. When we are all sick of turkey.......

I'll be back later. Gotta get some stuff done. I have to train the sixth grade Math teachers how to use or handy dandy new calculators. Aren't I lucky?

Pam

Evening all!

Ginny: Pumpkin MOUSE??? Oh no! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!). Hope your daughter is feeling better!

Sue: Ice... YUCK! Snow doesn't bother me either, because we get quite a bit of it near my mom's house. We're at the base (or just a bit south of) the pocono mountains in PA. I don't drive in the snow in MD or VA, but that is because people there don't know how to drive in it! I drive in PA all the time.

Robyn: I'm sorry you feel gypped! And thanks for the recipe: I think I can also eat that pumpkin pie you posted. I know that my Grandmother can. I told my mom when I sent her the recipe in email that we could probably use sweet potato pie filling instead. My mom, having lived in the south for a number of years, is a huge sweet potato pie fan.

And whomever asked about the TA: Yes, I'm trying to keep the TA I have now. I've recommended that he be offered an "end of year" contract which means he's being hired until the end of the year, and if they still need him, he can stay.

Me? Well, I can make neither fur nor tails out of Imp. He's stopped throwing up again, except for a bit here or there. I don't have any plants in the apartment. The only thing I can think of is that he's getting in the trash or something when I'm at work or asleep. I found out on Saturday that he can open the kitchen drawers... he got one of them opened and pulled out his whole baggy full of treats! So, its not a far guess to see him getting into the trash can or the dishes in the sink...
And the ankle? Well, I have crummy insurance now. Its good for doctors and such, and the dental plan is good... but the vision insurance is worthless (very few doctors take it; they sent me a list for Maryland by mistake, and all the doctors were in inner-city Baltimore!). And, apparently, most of the physical therapy places do not take my insurance. Those that do (all 3 of them) near me, were booked until middle or late December. The orthopedist's office helped me find a place in Leesburg. Its not too far from school, but its a hike getting home. And the therapist doesn't want me swimming for 6 weeks. I'm not happy about that AT ALL!!! That'll be hard this weekend: I'm working for one of my friends who is a guard there on Saturday, then we have lessons on Sunday night and I'm working Friday after Thanksgiving at the gym. And can't swim during ANY of that time! I think I may just not bring my swimsuit in with me, because if I do, I'll want to swim! I'm not sure though, because the gym I work at (its my gym in Baltimore) has the heated therapy pool. I have the same old exercises, so I could do them in the pool... The new gym doesn't have that, plus their steps in, so...
Oh... and can you believe this? We had a set of very difficult parents for an IEP meeting today. The assistant principal attended, and came back to thank the dean, but he also thanked me! I got a lot of compliments on my goals and objectives, too... I'm constantly stunned when I get thanks for that kind of thing because it NEVER happened in my last place. I used to get compliments from our IEP director, but she was really the only one who did it. She had two people in her department who did occasionally as well...

Tried to get here last nite.....got booted off. Oh well, it happens.
Happy Friday!!!

Pam- hope your day goes well......the one thing I found hard to believe about that article was that the district gave no status on the TA's employment status.....think I might have wanted to hear that it was being "evaluated" or something like that. But then you are innocent until proven guilty......guess I am just a pickle.

Mouse.....or shall I say Mousse? Hope they will hire that TA- the good one- sounds like a winner to me. Is Imp due anyway for a checkup?

Guess I'd better go get a recipe for dinner, that is why I came here anyway..... hope everyone's day goes well.
Ginny
(BTW, Dd's throat culture came back strep positive)