Teachers successfully losing weight- going for the home stretch to summer!
 

Belated Happy birthday Robyn!:hug: Sorry I have been up to my eyeballs to notice dates and the like. Hope you had a great day and were treated like the a queen- you deserve it. How are you in points land?????? (you mentioned being over, that's what those 35 additional are for!)

Mouse- I love my cheapo vacuum........picks up lots of cat litter from my 3 critters.

Do we really have to go back to school???????????:( Had one 3rd grader who made me a lovely picture and said she missed me! (see, I am not really such a monster all the time).
Got a walk in........so far have been a pretty good girl. But I can feel the water weight creeping in......oh joy.

Anyway, gotta go back to the salt mines (courtesy of Robyn)- short staffed so I am doing a regular HS/MS then my elementary- which you know I love so! (ugh). See ya later!

Chatting with myself here.....been good all day and it was stressful. (I hate a regular HS/MS run!). But I am glad it is all over, and there is a nice bowl of sf jello waiting for me in the fridge. Nite!

Evening, all.
Thanks for the new thread(s!), Ginny! :)
Today was a good start to hopefully a good week. Chronic Absentee Darth Student was out again. She went to a funeral (I'm not sure we believe this) on Friday, and didn't come today. My Spanish-speaker left early.
We got a whole lot of work done for our activity at the airport, including some of the cards. A lot of the FAQ cards so the kids can give information back are done.
My school actually paid for the materials to make them! Wooot!!!!:)
And we had an incredibly funny incident as a direct result of this whole thing: one of my kids was transcribing his notes (highlighted information from the Red Cross website), which included the distance each hotel is from the convention center. Important if you're like me and can't walk real well!
Anyway, he's got the hotel name typed, the address... and the phrase, "Distance from the convention center: 5 blacks". My TA and I just about fell on the floor laughing. My TA even demonstrated how we'd show people at the airport how to find their hotels... "Go to the convention center, and walk down the street counting. :he points...1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Oh! There's your hotel!"
I got in an awesome swim: the gym was crowded, but the pool was empty so I had the lane to myself for most of an hour... and swam for over an hour. :) Its so nice when I can do that!
Need to go eat and work on a paper for grad school. We have a faculty meeting tomorrow, so I need to be at work earlier than usual.
:mouse:

Mouse- bet that swim felt SOOOOOOOOOOO good! A lane all to yourself! :)
Gee, I like your directions- had me howling too! Lots of luck with the CADS- funeral eh?????? Not sure if I would believe it either.

Aw crum. Spent way too many hours in my tin can today. I was punching out, looking foward to a few hours off......when a coworker (actually, the woman who trained me, who is a saint BTW) ran into the office, visibly shaken- her son just informed her that a tree (large willow) fell down on their house. So she ran out to go home....leaving her mid day run (I don't have a mid day, nor do I want one) driverless- I tried to sneak out only to hear my supervisor call my name........so I spent a lot of quality time in my tin can today. Somewhere around 6 hours........yuck. (I helped out because of who I was subbing for and because my supervisor is permitting me to take off the end of my route Friday to attend an award dinner for Dd)
So my day stunk........I am pooped......WW tomorrow.
G'nite

Evening, all.
I guess we are all seriously busy! I worked all weekend between the gym & Red Cross stuff. I did an event at the local National Weather Station; they had an open-house this weekend, so disaster services set up a table. I had thought we were going to be inside, but we were not... so I wound up with a nice sunburn. Good thing I was there in the MORNING and not the "peak" hours between 12 and 2. I normally have sunscreen with me if I know that I'm going to be outside because the meds I take say I shouldn't be out in the sun... but I didn't have any this time. I've been smearing aloe on myself since Saturday, so its mostly gone.
Then, Sunday, I wound up guarding because the teen that usually works that day had some class or osmething to do. His explanation was very convoluted when he came in Sunday afternoon, because he'd told me on the phone something about college; but I found out he's only a high school junior! I'm sure he's LOOKING at colleges, but it wouldn't have been such a serious issue as he made it sound.
Today was a strange day at work; nothing bad happened, and we did pretty well getting work done... but it was definitely strange by the afternoon. Started with us having to lunch duty: we normally only have it every other day, and today wasn't our day!
We were all working away, bell rang for 8th period, one child left, and then two reappeared with the reading teacher. They need help working on research projects and she has too many kids to give them 1:1 attention. So, I'm helping them, my TA is playing Uno. I hear on the walkie, "If you're ready, go ahead..." and I look at my TA and say, "Gee, I hope we're not going to have a fire....." and the fire alarm goes off! My one student with seizures can't be in the building during a drill, because he has a seizure. Given this was so late in the day, there was a huge possibility he'd have a seizure on the bus on the way home; it usually hits him 20-40 minutes after exposure to whatever (we're not sure if its the light, the sound, or fear). I could find the nurse, of course because she goes out front! We're in the back. Then, it happened right as one of my students was leaving for dismissal. Fortunately, he came back to us, because he didn't know what else to do. At least he didn't stay in the building! I had to apologize to his Mom because he was late for a doctor's appt. because of the drill! Then, the nurse decided to call the parents of the other kid so we didn't send him home on the bus... nobody on his bus is trained to deal with his seizures, so we didn't want to risk it. He's lives really close to the school, but still... And, finally, the parent of one of the other kids showed up to sign the paperwork for him to attend summer school! A very busy, very strange afternoon.
The good news is that I received permission from the principal to buy t-shirts for the kids out of my community instruction fund for our day we're greeting at the airport. :) I wanted the kids to have shirts with the school name or logo on them, so they were all somewhat uniform. The local chapter is going to give us shirts for another day. Me? I get to wear my one and only Red Cross shirt both days. :sigh: And it proclaims I am from the Central Maryland chapter! I don't have one for my current chapter; all they have are t-shirts, and only in a large. The large fits, but between it being a white t-shirt and not "big" on me, I won't wear it around the kids.
Should be interesting! I expect to be utterly exhausted after we're done at the airport...
:mouse:

Seriously busy and overwhelmed. Hopefully get time to breathe tomorrow.

Up .4 at WW- good meeting though. And I am PMSing- so no biggie. Got a walk in with my WW buddy. So far I have been pretty good, kind of bummed though. Dh has been strange recently. Hope this passes quickly, but I am prepared for this to be awhile - I know he is still reeling from the loss of his Df. It is affecting him in ways he never thought it would. So, I guess I am on autopilot awhile longer....did I mention I am tired of this?
I think I will shut up for now, feeling far too negative and it is time to return to work.

Gee, this weight loss journey has been such a struggle recently. I am such a burnout. And getting rather lonely here...........

Hi, Ginny. And everybody else! I see Ginny's talking to herself, so I won't feel TOOOOO guilty about not being here. I think I've mentioned before that I hate weeks that are mostly B days, because I run around constnatly and never get a break. Getting to the gym has been really difficult because last week I stayed after school 3 days... one day, I went to my grad class then came back for our Poetry Slam. A friend of mine from my old school (one of the only people from that place I talk to), came down to host it, so I had to take him to dinner after... We stayed and talked till nearly midnight! It was tough getting up the next morning, let me tell you! I also had to have my ultasound for my annual physical one day last week, and there's just no way I can go swimming after THAT. Ick.
This week, I've had 2 days where I had to stay after school... and the one day I thought about going, I went to the grocery store instead... Good thing, too... There was a major shooting on the road that I take to get to the gym! Not only would I have never gotten to the gym... they closed the road... but I might have been just in time to see the whole thing. Apparently, this guy went crazy and then started blasting a local police department.
I have to stay after school Thursday and Friday this week too. I'll be at my mom's on Saturday, but I have a gym up there I can use. Thank goodness!
My class was at the airport today, and tomorrow. Things went well, though we only had one person that we got to help. We all missed the boat on the lunch plans... We'd planned based on the map that the airport publishes on their website. Allegedly, there was a Subway and a Pizza Hut as well as a sit-down restaurant before security. The Subway and the Pizza Hut don't exist. And, we didn't have passes from the airport to get through security. The only other way is have a plane ticket. Obviously, we didn't have those!
I have no idea why the airport advertises all their shopping and restaurants if you can't USE them!!!! I had to call the school, and they got the cafeteria to hold one lunch line for the kids. One of the news-stands had sandwiches, but they weren't your average sandwich. They had a couple of normal salad-types: chicken or tuna, but most of the kids were grossed out by the turkey and horseradish, and the ham and brie. The Red Cross has promised to do a food run for the kids tomorrow since they have a van on site with free parking passes.
At least, I don't think I've gained weight. I *feel* like I have, but I don't think so.
:mouse:

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Its FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!:carrot: :carrot: :carrot:
All the little monsters are home.........school bus is asleep..........yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Mouse- thanks for chatting with me here! gee I was getting lonely. Enjoy your visit with DM this weekend. Hope you get some gym time in. Sorry that things have been so hectic for you, but it seems as though that has been the way for all of us. (where are you hiding,Pam and Robyn?)

No time to fill you in on my insanity......better go pretend that I want to make dinner. Take care.

Found you....now it is thundering and getting ready to storm.... so I'm LEAVING! But, I'll be back! I didn't even get to read any of the posts!

take care,
Robyn

So glad you found us Robyn!!!!! PLEASE come back, I am so good at talking to myself, but am a bit loopy here!:dizzy: Aw you knew that anyway!!!!

Good weekend, or ok I guess it was. I had both MIL and my DM over for MOthers day, so needless to say, I cooked and worked.....not much of a day off. Dh says he will take me out next weekend when we are at Ds's- you guessed it - baseball tournament!!!!!!:hug: Ah, the sweet romance of a nice dusty, sweaty,hot ball field......., abusive fans....bad coaches.....can't ya feel it in the air!? Can you tell I am losing it??????:dizzy:


Anyway , on a lighter note, Dh and I am going away for an overnight- ALONE- to celebrate our anniversary. We have reservations at Sturbridge Mass, a place we both love.....:carrot: Can't wait!

Gotta go help Dd with this awful report that the first phase of is due in 2 days. Imagine a knuckleheaded teacher who throws a MAJOR assignment this late it the year? Ok, I will shut up.
Nite!

Evening, all.
I love going home, but I sure can do without the smoking. Both mom and grandmother smoke, plus my aunt was there (the reason I went up this weekend!) so there were 3 smokers. Consequently, I now have a major cold and am busy hacking up a lung. I have cough syrup left from the tiny bug I had during/before Spring Break, but that stuff keeps me awake. I guess I'll call the doctor tomorrow.
I don't have TIME to be sick this week!!!!! Really! Saturday is Prom, and we're having a horrible time trying to find Darth Student a dress. She probably weighs close to what I do... anywhere between 275 and 325. And its darned hard to find a formal above a size 16 anyway, never mind that formal dresses are usually 2 sizes smaller than the label because of the way they are designed! I don't know why I care so much given what the child has done all year, but I do.
We're all going in a group... I bought my two girls their corsages...
Then, we have to take books back to the library, we need to go to Home Depot or Lowes so they can practice those measuring skills by helping me by screening/chicken wire for my balcony. Mom gave my kitty some grass, and I want to put it on the balcony for him to eat... but I won't let him go out till I screen off the rails.
We are also doing shopping for the department: our school has a lock-in graduation party the night after graduation, and I volunteered my kids to do the shopping and such. Finally, we're also going to do a bowl-a-thon for the local Red Cross. I totally DO NOT have time to be sick... and what am I? SICK!
:mad: ITS NOT FAIR!
:mouse:

Mouse- hugs........sorry you are not feeling well. I hate to tell you- but there is a nasty spring cold going around, my Dh and Dd have it, and are feeling pretty nasty.But I am sure being around smokers did not help one bit...... Bless you for attempting to locate a dress for Darth Student.......not sure if I have the patience for that.

As of this moment, I would seriously strangle the teacher who assigned this darned state report so late in the year! Dd is feverishly working on it- the dumb thing is just massive...should have been assigned in January (as it was when my 2 oldest had to do it and they had 3 months to complete what we have been given 5 weeks to do). So I am rippin' ticked....tired...and just want this year to be over!

Going to WW tomorrow, I think however I won't WI. I have eaten everything in sight...and just want a meeting and some peace....is that too much to ask for?
Nitey nite!

Well... I went back to work today even though the opinion of most was that I shouldn't have come. I did it because I didn't know Darth had found a dress. She says she has one... I hope so. She was supposed to go (she was invited, and I said I'd pay for it) to get her nails done with the other girls today, but she didn't come in. I can't say I'm disappointed: I'm not unhappy to miss a 4 hour trip to the mall!!! I obviously haven't been swimming at all this week, either... :grrr:
I talked to my doctor yesterday because she called me out of the blue with blood test results; I guess she thought I'd already seen my endocrinologist. I haven't, because of the state testing. I had to find a day that we weren't doing something, that I didn't have a kid testing, that Prom stuff or other stuff wasn't happening... Anyway, I don't see her till next week.
The good news is that the insulin levels are back down from the medication. My fasting glucose was up a bit, but it still wasn't high. Its usually like 80-81, this time it was 93. That could mean that my body is using the insulin better so that its not always too low or too high.
The cholesterol was the same, though the good cholesterol was up. The bad news is the testosterone is up AGAIN, and now they are also showing an increase in DHEA which creates testosterone and cholesterol. I read a little about it yesterday, but it didn't make sense: some people claim that hormone can help reduce insulin resistance and high cholesterol. My doctor also told me that not having gained any of the weight I lost back is flat amazing... but I made it clear that I wasn't necessarily thrilled with this because I haven't LOST any new weight in quite a while. All I really want is to be able to buy a pair of jeans in a department store. Or something other than the awful knit pants that I always wear. :( I don't think that I'm asking for too much. Women who are heavier than I am can do that!!!
In other news, I REALLY need somebody to stop me before I volunteer again! Please, tie me down!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE??? My Red Cross chapter is starting a youth iniative. We do not currently have more than 5 active youth volunteers in the chapter. The Red Cross charter only mandates 2 things, really: services in an emergency (includes military personnel), and services to youth. That last one is often put by the wayside, especially in this day & age when it is so hard to get into schools. That or the chapter looks at the swimming lessons and babysitting courses as the services to youth.
I was an active volunteer because I watched my mom do it, and I know that some of my students have become active community volunteers (in any group!) because they've seen me volunteer. I went to a private college and graduated with little debt (only $26K with interest over 5 years) because I had scholarship money for volunteer work AND good grades. How can I not volunteer for something like this?
But where am I going to get the time????????????/
:mouse:

Just a quick note...
We did the prom today, and the kids had an awesome time. :) I'm tired. But it was SOOOOO worth it! Yes, I danced.
I even got my nails done.
:mouse:

Hi Ladies,
Sorry I have been missing for about two months. School and home life has been very stressful and now I am hopefully back on track. I had state testing, IEP meetings,fieldtrips and we moved to a smaller house since I last spoke to everyone. I have gained back about 6 to 10 pounds. But I am starting back to working out and watching what I eat. Plus today, I started Detox7. It is an internal cleansing program. I am going to see if that will help me get the jumpstart I need to get back on track.
So what is new with everyone else? I bet you are all looking forward to the school year coming to a close soon. I have a week and half left. I am looking so forward to having some time off to relax.
Well I better go and get some work done around the house. Then I think my dh and I are going to go out to lunch.
Glad to be back again. I sure could use the support right now.
Take care gals,
Kerry

Welcome back Kerry!!!!!!!! We missed you!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to be short. Busy day here....Ds has a double header this pm, it is our anniversary.....on and on and on....

Mouse, glad the prom is over. And you had a nice time.

Kerry- don't sweat a weight gain. You are SO good a losing when you set your mind to doing so. Hang in there.

Robyn-earth to Robyn........you hiding from me????

Gotta go- see ya later!
Ginny

Hey!
Remember me? I too, have been MIA...More embarrassed than anything because since March I have managed to gain about six or so pounds back. I am back up to 170! Yikes. I eat terribly, school has been crazy. Not too much longer to go. We have our End of Grade Tests this week. We're finished on June 7th. Seems like forever. I have missed you guys. Had to track you down................
I promise I'll be back. Just wanted to drop in and say Hello.....

Pam

Oh my gosh, the dead are coming to life?! Welcome back Pam!!! Gee, this is great........two of you back in one week? Now if we can just hunt up Robyn. Please don't make me ill, finished on June 7. (I think i am on until 6/23 or so). You too Pam, don't sweat the few #'s up, I am sure they will come off soon.

Today stunk. I am so sick of baseball.........seems that that is all we do....need a month alone.......in a rubber room......guess I'd better get some sleep. Nite.

Hi Ladies,
I sure have missed everyone! I am glad to be back.
Ginny, I am so sick of baseball myself. We have a ball game or two every night this week. I swear since the beginning of May that is all I have done after school is go to ball games every evening.
Pam, I know how you feel about the gaining of a few pounds. But we will be fine and take them right back off. I have started to workout again and go back to Curves. I sort of put my workouts on the back burner so I could move and attend my stepkids ballgames. But I have started to schedule in time in my daily schedule again. June 7th isn't that far away now is it?
Mouse hope your week is going well. Did you recover from the prom?
Well I need to go and get my kids back to working. I gave them a little bit of free time this morning.
I have to go to my stepdaughter's softball game this evening at 5. My one stepson has to be a sub for another team at 6 across town. Plus I have TOPS tonight. So I told my hubby this morning, that I would go to the softball game. But I needed to be at my meeting at 6. He said that I would have to stay at the game until his ex got there. So if she doesn't show up until 6:30 I was not to leave. I got a little mad because I have something to do for myself and people are counting on me since I am the co-leader of my TOPS group now and I have to pick up the slack from my hubby's ex. So I am really going to have to channel my negetative feelings in a more positive way so that I don't go to the kids snack bin and start eating.
Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Hey!
Had our first day of state testing today. Two more to go. I took parent leave on Friday to go to my son's field day. So, that leaves me with a four day weekend. I'm pretty darned excited about that.
Ginny: Glad to be back. I feel for you with the baseball stuff. I went through it for years. Youngest one has no interest. I kind of miss it. But, then again.....
Kerry: I don't blame you for being mad about having to stay at your husband's game til the ex gets there. Especially since you already had plans. Hope she shows up on time. I am going to seriously try and start walking again soon. I have just been EXHAUSTED.
Had a stomach bug bad.......This weekend. COuldn't move, felt like I was hit by a bus. Couldn't eat. That was a good thing. Still don't feel great. But, I've been able to go to work.
Redone my livingroom totally. We put down hardwood laminate floors. THat was NOT FUN. BUt, the end result is beautiful. So, it's a whole new room. It's been a long time coming. Paint, new furniture, and floors. All I have to do is sweep. Do you know, other than swiffers, you just can't find dustmops anymore....
Well, have to cook dinner. Nothing sounds good to me.
Robyn: Where you at girl?
Mouse: Glad prom went well. Hope you're doing ok...

Pam

Evening All,
Well my day has ended on a postive note. I went to TOPS tonight and didn't gain any more weight. I stayed the same. The ex showed up on time for once. So I was happy to get to go to my TOPS meeting on time. Now I am just relaxing from my very stressful and rushed day. My one aide had to leave early today since her son had the stomach flu that is going around. His fever kept going up and she left to take him to Urgent Care. That left my other aide and I to handle the class today. It was really fun having to call the office for room coverage so we could go change our wheelchair bound student.
Pam, your living room sounds really nice. What color did you go with? Love hardwood floors. Would love to have a whole house done that way. Probably is very easy to keep clean. Sounds like you are really looking forward to the your four day weekend. Going to do anything special. I know we have a birthday party and pitching clinic on Saturday and a graduate party on Sunday to go to. Plus we have the kids this weekend. So we are going to be busy again. I know when I started walking again, I started to feel better and would stop and think how long am I going to have to walk to work that food craving off. I know that you will start to walk soon and start feeling better once you do.
Ginny how was the tin can today? I hope you had an easy kind of day. Happy Belated Anniversary! How many years for you and your dh? When are you going away for your anniversary? Have you been walking with Lesile still? I just went back to walking with Lesile and the gang last week. I was not able to for about a three to four week period. So I am glad to be back in business. It sure does help with stress and food choices.
Mouse, hope you had a great day at school. Did you get to go swimming tonight?
Well I must end this chat with you all and get ready for bed. Have another evening of ball games tomorrow evening. Thank God they are at the same field complex this time. So it makes it a little easier on us. Have a great day tomorrow!
Take care,
Kerry

Evening, all.
It seems like it has been a long week, but I don't know why. Darth Student has been absent 3 out of 4 days this week. :shrug: Today, only 2 of my kids showed for school. We went in the community today, and since only 2 showed, we went to lunch at the mall. We also bought labels for the video CDs I made of the prom.
I saw my endocrinologist yesterday, and the blood work was "okay", as I'd said previously (I think). Biggest issues are that the cholesterol went up a little bit again, which may be genetic. I do eat more fried stuff than I should, but I don't eat other high fat items. Also, some new hormone has spiked: DHEA. Its the hormone that ultimately works with others to produce testosterone and insulin. But, allgedly, it can help control insulin resistance and such. :shrug: The liver enzymes were just fine, which is good. Insulin was down, so I am responding well to the Actos, and it isn't making me sick. Or at least not any sicker than I am typically. The other issue is that the testosterone is up again. Its at least as high or higher than it was when I started treatment. They aren't sure why, though: I'm on spironolactone now, I exercise and changed my diet. So, they increased my spironolactone dosage. Its hitting me hard: it lowers your blood pressure, and has always made me sleepy. I take it at night instead of during the day because it makes me loopy. I guess it'll take a while to adjust.
And let me tell you, I am so truly sick of the idiots I used to work for. At some point, somebody pre-approved those orthotics last summer. Now, my old insurance company doesn't want to pay it, and neither does my former employer. Or, I can't tell what they want, actually. I got a letter in the mail from them that was stamped "received"... but no indication of whether or not it was paid, no letter stating whether or not they were planning ot pay it, and if not, why not. I am SOOOOOO not playing this game with htem.
I'll have to email the PT office that did the orthotics tomorrow; I don't have the email at home.
WElcome back Kerry, Robin, Pam. I'm too sleepy to figure out what else I should say. Sorry.
:mouse:

Evening Ladies,
TGIF! I didn't think I was going to make it through the week in a sane manner. My kids are going loony at school since they know the end is near. Then we have had to go to the ball fields every night this week. Tonight the kids didn't have a game but we went for my nephew's girlfriend's little boy's game.
So is everyone looking forward to the having a long weekend? I sure am, but we will be busy this weekend. My sil and her two daughters are in for a visit. So I am sure we will have a family get together dinner sometime this weekend. Tomorrow we have a birthday party to go to and on Sunday a graduation party. Lots and lots of food temperations for me. So I am going to try really hard not to overdo it. Plus I think I might throw in some excerise time. I really don't want to go to my wi on Tuesday and have a gain. I was very proud of myself this week with my excerise. I worked out every morning at home for an half hour with a walking video and I went to Curves three nights and worked out. So I am finally getting back into the swing of things after hitting and missing working out over the last two months or so. I really want to start next school a new me. That way I can buy new clothes and have a brand new style.
Mouse, hope you are adjusting well to your change in medicine. Sounds like for the most part you got a pretty good report from your doctor. When is your school's last day? Sounds like your kids are slowly dropping like flies. We have school until Thursday June 1st. I have 3 kids that get promoted to the high school on May 31st and as a treat to them they don't have to come the last day of school. So I have told my other two kids that if they didn't want to come on the last day of school,they didn't have too. The one hasn't came on the last day of school for the last two years., so I would say that it is safe to say he isn't going to change that habit this year. I don't know about the other one though yet.
Pam, did you enjoy your day off today. How was your son's field day? Our school's is next week. So are you done with the state testing? My two guys who had to alternate assessment scored the highest points they could on their tests. So that was great news to get. My other four students who had to take the state achievement test scored in the limited range. But they did do a good job for their ability levels. I was proud of them all.
Robyn, where are you sweetie? I have missed chatting with you. Please come visit us. I need to hear your witty charm to make me laugh. Hope all is well with you.
Ginny, how is things on your old yellow tin can? I hope you have found not had to spend your whole week at the ball fields like I did. How was your wi in this week?
Well I need to go to bed. Have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Need to be up at 8 to get my dh and sdd ready for her pitching clinic. Then I have to squeeze in a workout at home, get myself and the twin sds's ready and go fill out a job application at the local conienvce store that my nephew's girlfriend works at ( summer job for extra cash), take the boys to the library and come home pick up the other two and off to a birthday party we go. Busy busy there is never no rest for the weary.
Have a great weekend! I hope to check in but you just never know what could happen over the weekend.
Take care,
Kerry

Evening, all.
I don't even know where to begin. I went to a convention this weekend, which is normal. I am helping run the hospitality suite, which isn't terribly unusual either. The suite itself is in a very inaccessible location, though... the floor is slippery in spots with lots of stairs (its pre-ADA, and since it is no longer used as a restaurant, the hotel doesn't have to update it). I don't think I'll help with that next year... I'll have to find something else to do. Dunno. Then, this evening, some twit at a grocery store stepped on my foot. HE had the cow, not me. I just let out a little noise, and he jumped all over me. I admit to being very rude back, but the clerk at the stand didn't need to get involved. I wound up getting my dinner for free, because I complained. I have noticed that my symptom of low blood sugar is losing control over my temper, so add that to the very long day (I was pretty much by myself in the suite from 8-6 today) and it was a mess.
Kerry: Its not going too badly with the new dosage; I tend to fall asleep soon after taking it and wake up 2 hours later. That's okay, but its cut into my party time at the convention (yea, sure... I'm SUCH a big partier.. NOT!). I am going to miss a friend's 60th birthday tonight likely, because the thought of going back over to the con isn't pleasing. We'll see.
As for school, we're done June 14th, but we have a week of exams where the kids get out early on those days. I'm getting mixed messages as to whether or not the kids have to come if they don't have exams. MY dean says no, but the severe disabilities teacher says yes. Graduation is June 16th.
The week after I have to do an utterly stupid highly qualified teacher thing, and then summer school starts. I'm doing extended school year for my ED kiddo...3 days a week for 90 minutes a day. I'm also working for the national board of professional teaching standards again for a week.
I might stay in Baltimore for some of those days if the gym wants me to work that week also and save the gas. Not sure. I had planned to do 9 credits in grad school, but I can't do that now because of the stupid highly qualified crap. In addition to elementary school (which I am qualified for except in math), I have to have high school because I have some kids doing credits and some doing alternate assessments... They won't give me credit for my journalism classes or most of my social science classes, so I'm not highly qualified in anything at the high school level. I'm only 2 credits shy of English, and I like history so I don't mnd taking history classes... but I would rather take classes to finish that post-master's degree right now!
Hope everybody has a good Memorial Day... see you guys next week.
Its going go to be a busy one: I have a Red Cross training on Tuesday evening, Thursday is the bowl-a-thon the kids are doing, Friday is a shopping trip for the school, Saturday I'm working at the SATs, and then have to go pick up my new car...
:mouse:

Hey girlies! What a dang Spring I've been having! It has been really tough! I've not had a chance to read all of the thread to catch up with you all...but I'm sure glad to see that you are all here! :) Currently, I'm fighting a horrible cold that won't let go of me! Also since I last chattered with most of you, I've become a mother...again! After 14 years, I broke down and allowed the boys (all 3!) to get a puppy in early May. What the heck was I thinking? She is adorable, of course! ...and a LOT of work! I'm up right now because the oldest kid is sick. Fever. Stomach. The whole 9 yards...and he can't sleep...so mom can't! Perhaps I need to get him to "try harder"! 'cause I'm about asleep at the keyboard, again!

I'll check back in tomorrow (or during NORMAL hours!) and see what is what around here! :) Hope all is going well!

Take care,
meee
P.S. NO baseball until NEXT Thursday! WhooooHooooo! What is a family to do with out baseball?

Happy Memorial Day to you all!
It has been a quiet day around my house so far. My dh went to help our friend work on getting our city pool ready for opening day (June 5th). I had to go to Wal-mart because I dropped my glasses this morning and the lense popped out. This afternoon we are to go to a cookout at a friend's house. So that should be fun. I am really going to watch what I eat there, though since I have wi tomorrow evening at TOPS. :) I would like to be atleast down a little bit. Time will tell.
Robyn, glad you were able to pop in and say hi. How is your oldest ds feeling today? I hope you were both able to get some sleep. I know that the flu is going around my school really bad right now. I just keep my fingers crossed that I don't get sick. So what did you name your puppy and what kind is she? Are you counting down the days to your summer vacation?
Mouse, are you feeling today? Sounds like you had a very busy weekend, too. Sounds like your summer is going to be jammed packed too. I can sympathize with you on the highly qualified teacher thing. Remember I went through that last summer. Now this summer I am looking for a part-time job, just to get out of the house a little bit and also to make some money so I can do a few of the extra things I want to do this summer.
Ginny, how are you doing this weekend? Is this the weekend you and your dh went away for your anniversary? I can tell you that I started back to walking full-time with Lesile and the gang last week. I did a tape everyday and that hasn't happened for about a month or two. So I am hoping to get back in the swing of things and see the scales go down. Are you still walking when you have the time? I would love to walk outside but this weekend, it has been too doggone hot. Yesterday it was in the 90's still at 8:00 last night. So I think we will be in for a hot summer this year. Guess I am going to have sneak in walks outside in the early morning hours or late at night, when it is some what cool.
Pam, are you enjoying your long weekend? Did you enjoy your day off on Friday? Do you have any big plans for your summer vacation? I bet it has been too hot for you to go walking outside.
With it being so hot out, I really don't feel like eating awhole lot. So maybe that is a plus. I sure am downing the water though. Maybe this way, I will be able to go back to school in the fall skinner and have a whole new look. :)
Well I better close and get ready for our cookout. My dh should be home soon. Talk to you all later. Have a great safe Holiday!
Kerry

WHYYYYYY do they assign 8th grade, 14 year old boys Poetry projects that include writing 40+ poems ...that include artwork? WHAT did *I* do to deserve this damn assignment? WHAT is being learned? WHO is learning it? We've discovered that our DS is CLOSER to Andrew Dice Clay than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow! ...but I could have told you that...AND had hair left! I told him to take a break before I accidently left marks on his body from the fun of it all! We will get back to it......in a bit!

The youngest finished is Bacteria project. How vague is "Research bacteria. Present what you find to me in any way you want."? OK! Anyone else thinking that THAT is sort of vague? Did the best we could with that topic!

I've got to get to the laundry .....it is buzzing like crazy! :)
Ya'll take care!
meeeee

Sounds like you had a fun day today Robyn! So how much hair do you have left now? What a crappy assignments for the end of the year. Other that helping with your children's school work and laundry, did you do anything fun today?
We went over to our friend's house for what was going to be a little bit. But it ended up being close to 6 hours. If I knew they would have their pool open I might have went swimming. But I guess I have to build up my confidence level to wear a swimming suit in front of all the skinny minny's that were there. LOL I am very proud of myself for only eating one ear of corn, a small serving of baked beans, potato salad, a bbq chicken leg, hot dog bunless, some cumbers, carrots and green peppers. Then later I had some watermelon. Plus I drank a lot of unsweetened ice tea and water. So hopefully tomorrow evening at TOPS I will have a loss. Keep your fingers crossed.
So did everyone else have a nice Memorial Day? I better go and get ready for bed, since I am sure my boys will have me hopping tomorrow. We are just going to watch movies and play games.
I will chat with you all later. Have a great week!
Kerry

Evening All,
Just a quick note to tell you how my wi in went. I am up a half a pound. Everyone said they thought it was muscle since I started working out again. But it is still a little discouraging after all the hard work I did about watching what I eat last week and even eating healthy at three parties over the weekend. But I am still going to try and kick butt. My mini goal for June is to be down below 200 by June 30th. So that is dropping off 12 pounds. I think I am up for a challenge.
Hope everyone had a wonderful day back at school after that nice long weekend.
Talk to you all later.
Take care,
Kerry

Evening all.
I got home really late from the convention last night. I did manage to get a swim in during the morning. The Convention was in Baltimore, so I was near the gym I work at. That was nice.
My friend from NY that came down for the event had asked if I wanted to try and set up a dinner for one of our mutual friends down here, and then my other friends that I introduced him to last year. I did it, and so we went to dinner after the convention. I had to drag him out of there at 6:00 Monday evening. Fortunately, there was no traffic and we were there in less than 90 minutes. Then we had to pick up one of the people, because her car was dead. I got lost. We had a stunning lack of communication when she tried to give me directions.
We wound up doing dinner much later than I thought, and we actually ate in the restaurant. Given how I typically react to food, that isn't something I do very often. This is a restaurant I like, but never go to because they don't let you do take-out. The results last night were predictable. My friends wound up taking the other girl home and getting my friend back on the road toward New York so I could get myself home.
School today was pretty decent... My ED Kiddo wound up going home with asthma or something similar. I hope he doesn't have asthma... that's the last thing I need! Its hard enough to keep track of his glasses and point sheets that are shed all over the building. I can't imagine doing it with an inhaler. Darth Student didn't come today. Probably because we had the slide show, and she would have had to go with the group to the auditorium. I'm going to guess the same thing will happen on Friday because we have the student awards ceremony that day.
I was supposed to have a class tonight, but there was a major traffic incident going into where the class was supposed to be held, and I just couldn't get there. I used the time to work on a slideshow of this year's pictures for the kids.
:mouse:

Hiya!
Well.... it is done! I have now have from May 31st to the 8th of July to get my fanny in gear and shrink it a bit more! I am meeting my dearest friend in Orlando for the National I Teach 1st Conference on the 9th of July! We will "do" the conference together and then head back to her house for the remainder of the week! Gasp! I'm so darn excited about going with her to this conference! I approached the principal back in early April with the.... "I know that this is a LONGGGG shot, but....do you have any money to spare?" The school is paying for the conference itself...and I am responsible for the hotel and airfare. While we don't have a bunch of money stacked around in the corners (after DH was out of work for nearly a full year.....) I have been cutting things here and there and "finding" money and moving little bits, etc.... :)

So. Tomorrow. I go hard core WW! I KNOW that I can do this! I have made my menus for the week.... this isn't THAT far from what I've been doing...except I can't go rationalizing that afternoon chocolate buzz that I so horribly crave! :) I'll just figure in the points!

Beginning next Monday, our school is having a 6 day (yes! 6 FULL DAYS!) MultiCultural Fair. I must make srue that I have NO access to junk food! 6 days! Grade 1 is responsible for teaching everyone in the school about Mexico. Funny, Mexico isn't a first grade standard of learning....and they outlawed hobby teaching years ago..... hmmmm??? I'm so confused! :) My kids are loving singing "Cabeza, hombros, knees y pies" in Spanish!

Kerry, hang in there.... you know that your successful weekend will find its way to your scale! Patience!
Mousie, Glad that you got to see your friends and enjoy the convention too!
Gin, We haven't had any baseball since last Thursday! and we don't have any until Thursday! WhooooHooooo! :) I'm psyched... until Thursday night!
Pam. Yo' dawg! Live near the Charlotte airport? Can't remember where you are! You can come see me while I wait for my planes! :)

Gotta run....... it is nearly midnight ONCE again! Dang where do the hours go?! Take care ya'll! :)
meee

Ok... I'm a bit concerned regarding dealing with the stress of the end of the year, the stress of the MultiCultural ExtravaganZA, the stress of irrate parents (don't ask), the stress of being an irrate parent (don't ask!...but I bet you know that it is with my 8th grade son's teachers!), the stress of the darn new adorable puppy, the stress of hours spent at baseball, the stress of dh's swing shift, STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS....and I'm supposed to do this on HOW many points?! ....AND without chocolate??? Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

.....I burned my arm with a hot glue gun....and then like a fool (as an immediate reaction without thinking...) I pulled the glob of glue off my arm and along came MORE skin than was truly necessary... For the record, I didn't say anything other than "Ouch!" (I was surrounded by 8 7 year olds who were listening to my "this is very hot speech!") BUT I did nearly wet my pants and pass out... (In that order!) My friend next door was "in charge" for the next 20 minutes as I sat trying to breathe with the Fred Flinstone throbbing arm thing going on! :)

Well, hope everyone is doing well! I've got two more report cards to carefully positively write! :) Ya'll take care!
meeee

Hope all is well with everyone. Busy day filled with school "fun"...busy night filled with baseball "fun" and now 8th grade project "fun"....

Hey Gin....guess this is what it feels like to talk to myself, huh?! :)
take care,
meee

Hi Ladies,
I am happy to say that I am done teaching school for the 2005-06 school year. Today was my last day with students and I didn't have any students show up. Yippee! So I got all my work done for tomorrow. Now I can show up for work and just play and goof off with my school pals before lunch. After I eat I am out the door, not coming back or looking back until August. "Schools out for the summer" is now my current theme song. :)
Robyn how is your arm today? I hope it is a little bit better. Have you been putting aloe on it to keep it from getting an infection in it? Other than stress, how is your life? Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So how much more school do you have?
Mouse, sounds like you are having easy school days with very little or no kids. Your slideshow sounds nice. Is it just for your class or are you sharing it with the whole school?
Hi to Pam and Ginny. Hope things are going well for you both. Is the countdown on for the end of your school year?
I must say that I think I have done a good job eating at school parties here the last two days. Tomorrow is a carry-in lunch and I plan on walking in the morning and then going to workout right after work at Curves.
Well I must check out the want-ads for a part-time job for this summer before heading off to bed. Chat with you all later.
Have a great Friday!
Later taters,
Kerry

Hey ladies.
Ok, three more days with the kiddos. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can......Sorry haven't been on this week. We have been working like dogs, both at school and home. I am soooooooooooooo pissed off right now. We were getting ready to get our pool out. Well, it bit the dust. So, we decided to go and look at permanent above ground pools. Way out of our price range. So, we got a 24 foot metal rail wall pool at walmart. SO, we spent the better part of the week, trying to level the stupid slopey back yard. We worked until nine oclock every night. THought we had the stupid thing level. Put the pool up. Which in itself was a pain in the butt. Filled it, it has taken two days to fill it. NOW IT IS NOT LEVEL....................WE HAVE TO DRAIN IT AND TAKE IT DOWN AND LEVEL IT AGAIN...........OMIGOD.....I AM SOOOOO PISSED.............I have developed a soreness unknown to me, by hauling lifting 1800 pounds of sand and top soil. NOt to mention raking, tilling, digging. I don't even want to know what our dagonne water bill is going to be. Dang.......So, I guess we will start over. My hubby is supposed to be going deep sea fishing tomorrow, so I guess I will be stuck doing all this myself. I am serious when I say I did it the first time. It's making me crazy. I have not lost a single pound have not tried. I'm burned out, tired and CRAZY. I worked so hard. It's disappointing.
Kerry: COngrats on being done. Lucky dawg. OUr kids have decided to lose their minds. I am holding my breath. Grades are due Monday, atleast most of that is done.
Robyn: Live nowhere near the Charlotte airport. Actually, I think I live closer to you. Now, if you were stopping in Raliegh, I'd be there. I am in ROcky Mount.
Ginny: How is everything going?
Mouse: Hope you are doing ok.
Gotta clean...
Pam

OMG. My shoulder, butt and neck. WHO knew that I also must have jarred something within that whole system. Old fat women were NOT meant to fall.

In other news, my report cards are done! Except for attendance. Can't do that until the very end. I've got all the other testing done at school. Now *ALL* that is left is making sure all the "stuff" is entered into the proper spots and filed correctly. The giant paper push. As if THAT is *ALL* that I truly have to do!

Tomorrow is the begining of our Cultural Fair. 6 school days of "sheer pandelirium" (as that redneck comic calls it!) 6 days of not being away from the children at ALL. 6. SIX. 6. Lunch in our classrooms on plastic trays over carpet owned by me! (NOT! We're rolling that puppy back!) SIX. 6. SIX days! Tomorrow, our first day, is 3rd grades day to teach the school ALL about Greece. The schedule kinks will be fixed out tomorrow as it works or doesn't. 1st grade presents on Thursday. OH we have 532 kids in the school and each gradelevel was given $0 as a budget for this little *SIX DAY* soiree.

AND to top ALL THIS OFF.........I'm not supposed to be eating anything that isn't on my plan. PLAN? WHAT PLAN? I wonder if I just plan for all my WW points to be chocolate........... man that won't be much! :)

Someone needs to get back in here before I just break my fingers complaining myself into cyberspace. I'm guessing that you've already figured out.... I'm not excited about next week! (The next SIX days!)
:)
take care,
meeee