[calnative]

Hello everyone,
I don't have much to report in the way of weight loss because right now I'm still trying to get into the swing of things after having a 3 week break. I really like the schedule we're on: 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off (fall), 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off (winter), 9 weeks on, 3 weeks off (spring), 9 weeks on, 6 weeks off (summer). Next year I hope to work in the same district where my daughter goes to school so we can have the same days off.
My students are doing much better with their behavior. I teach middle school in an inner-city school. It's a challenge, but I really love those kids
It's finally cool enough to do some things outside. My neighbor and I are starting to walk together. She wants to lose weight also, though she doesn't have a far to go as I do. It will be nice to be able to leave the kiddies with the hubbies and have some girl time I told my sister about this sight, she's a hs teacher.
Hope everyone is ok.

Enjoy the weekend.

[Summerlover]

Not much to report. I'm still sick...the cough is getting worse. Why that stupid doctor didn't prescribe antibiotics is beyond me. Aren't they supposed to when you are coughing up yellow goop? (Sorry to be so gross!) I know that in the next day or two I will be dragging myself back in to get antibiotics.

I'm so excited for daylight savings time! We get an extra hour of sleep tonite! I've been having a heck of a time trying to sleep. My husband was ready to kick me out of the bedroom around 3am with all of the hacking, and then I had to use my inhaler and take more cough medicine. It is hard to be quiet when you are choking to death and you can't see what you are doing. I may end up sleeping in the play room tonite if I create another "disturbance!" Never mind that he snores and then always makes noise between 5am and 630am on a daily basis while the rest of the family is trying to sleep.

I will check in as much as I can this week, but since it will be VERY BUSY, I may not be around as much as usual.

Cal, your schedule sounds really great. Our summer is only 2 weeks longer, and with all of the snow days we got last year, we only had you beat by 1 week. 3 weeks off at a time sounds so heavenly. It must be hard to get back in the swing of things though.

Story, I'm so impressed how far ahead you are with lesson plans. I still have to do this week's. If I am a week ahead, I feel wonderful! I can't imagine being months ahead...WOW!

Yoo hoo, Robyn!!!!!!!

Summer

[calnative]

Hello everyone,

Since I've posted a few times here, I thought it about time to tell a little about myself. I live in the middle of the desert (and whine about the lack of rainfall and the abundance of dust )
I teach 7th grade Language Arts at an inner city school Tough kids at times, but I do enjoy it. We just bought a house this year and loving it. I was soooo tired of apartment living. I wanted to have a house when my daughter started school and we made it. We moved into the house in June just 2 days before school was out. Good timing or what? My hubbie did all the moving with friends (I couldn't help because I had to work; oh darn ) My daughter, Ashley, started kindergarten this year. I can't believe my baby is in school already.
I started teaching as a substitute 9 years ago and have been a certified teacher for almost 4 years now. I just completed my master's degree last summer My hubbie had the nerve to ask me (on the day I finished my last project) if I was going to start a PhD program; I could've hit him However, the option is still there, but not until my daughter is older.
We travel a lot: to Europe mostly and we've done some road trips around the US. We also lived in South Korea for awhile. We're thinking about doing a road trip through New England next summer if we don't go to Italy again. My hubbie is from near Venice and we go there frequently, about once every 2 years. Ashley is 6 and she's been to Italy 4 times already. I love it there.
I lost my mother last year to leukemia. I still feel so lost I miss her more than I ever thought possible.
I have been on the weight roller coaster for my entire life. I am so glad I found this site so I can get support and have someone to talk to who understands. I come from a family of 6 and we all have the weight issue. Some more than others
Gotta get ready for church. I'll check back later.

Hope everyone has a nice restful Sunday.

Calnative

[Summerlover]

Cal, you and I have some things in common. I also have a kindergartner who will turn 6 on 11/11. I also lost my mother to cancer, but it was back in 1986. It was horrifically painful. I still have moments of difficulty, but I healed tremendously when my daughter was born. I have yet to begin my masters though. Money and time hold me back. I wanted to begin this spring, but I would have to pay for it with my credit card, and my debt is just too high to do that right now. Now I am shooting for fall. I live in New England, so I could probably suggest some great places to visit if you come East. Our annual summer vacation is to Cape Cod. We used to go to North Truro, but found that Dennisport is more family friendly. The Cape is my slice of heaven, and we plan on retiring there. If you do come East, let me know so that I can provide more suggestions.

This morning I went back to the doctor since I am now coughing up green stuff! YUCK!!! Yes, I am rather graphic, sorry! Finally I am on antibiotics. I could have been well by now if the doctor had prescribed them on Thursday, but she is one of those paranoid about prescribing antibiotics. Now I feel like I'm on the verge of pneumonia. I haven't been able to sleep. I have a fever. My chest is killing me, and I constantly rely on my inhaler. Thanks a lot doc!

I have some amazing news. I lost another 2 pounds. I not only have not been dieting, I have been eating comfort foods because I've been sick. What has changed has been behavioral changes that Dr. Phil outlines in his book. I'm telling you ladies...you must check this book out. I have never lost weight almost effortlessly. At this rate, I might actually look pretty good by Christmas without feeling deprived.

Well, I finished this week's lesson plans. I should do next weeks, but I haven't spent any quality time with my DD today. So, I will put it off for another evening.

Have a great week!

Summer

[storylady]

Hi everyone. I tried to post the last couple of days but for some reason I couldn't get anything to go through. Maybe this will work. Summer, I hope you start to feel better soon. I hate having that cough that makes you have to try to sleep sitting up because the minute you lie down you feel like you're choking. So many of our kids and teachers have been sick already. I wash my hands like a fanatic lately, 10 times a day and use antibacterial stuff in between. If I catch the kids with fingers in their mouths or noses I squirt thier hands before they can touch the books. I wipe off my desk and computer mouse with clorox wipes every afternoon. I'm not taking any chances!

This little 'cold front' ( it got down to 48 last night) felt like an arctic blast, especially at 4 this morning when the power went off and we were left in the cold and dark. I stayed up so the family could sleep, man was that a long lonely 2 hours! Came home made chili and a loaf of pumpkin bread, the house smells spicey and homey, like a warm winter day. Now I'm ready for summer again! One little taste of cold weather is enough to suit me!!

I hope everyone else is on the mend and doing good. Happy humpday everyone,
story

[HatterasMermaid]

Hey ya'll!!!!

Boy have I been out of the loop! Missed "talking" with you guys!

If it isn't one thing then it is another.....My crazy schedule sure didn't have time for me to be sick. BUT, of course, I spent the last week to 10 days with a horrid head cold.......nothing serious BUT you know how teaching is when you are TRYING to breathe! I blame the school..... of course! They have YET to turn on the heat (or the option to have heat!) The sweet Virginia weather is sooooooo strange!

...Today I taught all day in my leather jacket! Some of my friends thought I was just trying to appear cool....Some others know that THAT is the jacket that I used as my "fat barometer" and in March couldn't have zipped the puppy no matter how I "sucked it in" and now I can EASILY and with room to spare, so they thought I was just reminding myself of how far I've come...TRUTH be told...I was just trying to get warm. Never did! BUT I did look cool and stayed OP with ease! hehehehee...

So what have I missed? Everyone down to a size 4 in my absence? I am still fighting the fight...and trying to find time to get back to exercising.

Speaking of fights....we meet with the head of SpecEd and my son's IEP team on Thursday. We've asked for an Independent Assistive Tech. eval....WOW! Our note certainly got the attention I've been trying to get for 5 years! Sad, but finally true! AND, this time, I'm not backing down! Meet with me or NOT...but the bottom line is..... Have the assessment done...by someone outside the system, YOU pay the bill AND don't forget to abide by the recommendations!

Okey, enough from my mouth! I certainly hope all is well with everyone! I'll be back to read the latest! Tell me all about your successes!

(((hugs)))

Robyn the

P.S. Welcome to the new middle school teacher, Cal! Middle School????? OMGOSHHHH! Go, Cal! Go, Cal! You are my hero!

[HatterasMermaid]

Oh oh oh.....

DOOOO be careful what you wish for...cause I've returned...and just for your entertainment....my ranting and raving returned with me! heheheee....(that was in response to someone stating that they missed me! Thank you tho, for missing me! )

I've got soooo much to rant and rave about...and nearly forgot to post a very cool link.....

You MUST read JuJu's latest skinnydaily (www.skinnydaily.com). Read the one called "How I Got Fat"... I SWEARRRR this woman knows me! The REAL meeee....the one deep deep down inside that I don't let others see, hear, or even talk to! READ IT!

ALSO....who invented this day lights savings time thing? AND WHY do we have it again?? I'm having a hard time returning home in the PITCH black darkness....feeling like it is midnight.
Anyone else LOVING this change??

OOOH and....who was talking about an exercise ball?! Did you get one? Are you doing it? TELL ME ABOUT IT....I'm seriously thinking about one....but want to talk with someone who knows what the deal is with it!

OOOOOOOHhhh AND I bought...notice I didn't say READ or even CRACKED the binding on..... Dr Phil's book on diet AND the Jorge Cruise Book (8 minutes In the Morning for something about REAL bodies....read that as FAT chicks....) Now that I'm almost nearly breathing again without having a tissue constantly on my nose...I guess I'm gonna have to open them!

Ok...I think that is all.....Off to fight with the middle school aged child regarding his homework...WHAT FUN!

take care,
Robyn the of Owning but NOT reading Diet related books!

[Summerlover]

Robyn, best of luck with your son! I'm so happy that you have them by the balls! You go girl! You know that it is the parents who have all of the power. I so missed your ranting and raving. It was fun to read your postings.

Dr. Phil, Woo Hoo!!!! I'm so glad you got his book. If you are anything like me, and I think you are, you will discover this book to be the miracle it is! I have lost 5 pounds without dieting. I made some lifestyle changes (not dieting or exercise yet) and those changes over the last two weeks has melted off the weight. I just read the chapter about food, and the exercise chapter is next. He doesn't even get into that stuff until the middle to end of the book. There is so much other stuff causing us to be overweight. First you deal with all of the more complicated stuff, then you get down to the simple part. Please check into the Dr. Phil book club when you get up to speed. It is a great thread...not as fabulous as ours of course, but I like it.

Either way, please let me know what you are thinking as you read the book. I would love to see the lightbulbs going off in your head!

Story, I like you am paranoid about germs. I wash my hands several times a day and use Purel in between. I spray Lysol, and make the kids wash their hands after blowing their noses. I don't know why I've gotten hit so hard this year, but I think having asthma makes me more prone to illness.

Hi Cal!

I have stuff to tell you guys, but I'm so darn tired, it will have to wait another day or two.

Take care my friends!

Summer

[HatterasMermaid]

Hey~ Just checking in before I call it a night....

Summer, honey...... Parent's have all the power??? I wish! Maybe where you are THAT is the way it is....however where we are THAT is sooo far from the truth!

I'm so fed up and sick of my kid getting the short end of school life I can't see straight. He has a dual exceptionality....gifted iq, short term processing deficit, and a physical birth defect. I'm sooooo sick of having to fight for EVERYthing CONSTANTLY ....all we want is a level playing field for him! What we get is the run around and meeting after meeting after meeting..... On Oct. 15th, I attended an IEP meeting that had NO meeting minutes kept, no signatures, no nothing..... totally illegal. The advocate drew their attention to the "no paperwork" issue before the meeting ended.... and now I've been called back to yet another meeting as they say we've never ever had an IEP meeting....

I'm done. I'm soooooooooo exhausted. BUT tomorrow is another fight! I'm laundering my best "Mother From ****" power outfit, I'll go back and fight some more! Maybe I need to eat more of Popeye's spinach....cause I sureeee don't feel powerful yet..... But tomorrow is another fight....and I'm officially requesting a $4,800 independent evaluation.

um, Summer....thanks for listening! Tell me what else to do or say...and I'll try it!

take care...get some rest!
Robyn

[HatterasMermaid]

Hey Ya'll!

TGIF! I could do withOUT the candy craziness....BUT...hey at least it is Friday!!!

I swear the ONLY thing worse than Halloween Madness is the Valentine's Day Madness! Hope the rest of you survived and are well on your way to enjoying a relaxing peaceful wonderful WEEKEND!!!!

(((hugs)))
Robyn

[storylady]

Hi everyone! I've been AWOL for awhile, no time, no access to the computer. I've had better weeks than this past one but at least it's behind me. DS and I had a nasty fight, of course in the car on the way to school which made me feel like dirt all day. Why do the most intense moments happen in my car?

Friday was indeed Candy Day, oh man it was about the worst I've ever seen it at school. Over the summer the Texas Agricultural Department took over the school lunch division and put a bunch of new rules in place. One, in line with the "No child left behind" mantra forbids the sale or gift of almost all candy, the sole exception being chocolate, and carbonated drinks that contain less than 10% fruit juice. The good news is that got coke machines out of the buildings and teachers can't use candy as learning incentives as much as they used to. It looked on Friday as though parents were rebelling against it because they brought in so much candy (the contraband kind) for the classes--and Halloween is not a sanctioned 'party day'.

I agreed to be a room mom for one of our classes, we don't have enough parent volunteers to go around, we have to beg help for everything! I don't mind doing it, they'll have everything ready for me and it won't cost me anything. I feel like we are in the hardest stretch of the year, until the holidays. Then the period after the winter break until March will drag and seem to last forever. The only good thing about this time is that lesson plans are so easy. If there is a downside it's that there is too many things to choose from for a change.

On the weight front I'm still playing around with those 2 lbs. I get to 150, regain them, lose them, gain them. I'm puzzled. I looked over my journals last night to see if I can detect a pattern in my eating, no clue. I guess I'll just keep plugging along.
Summer, congrats on the 5 lbs. What lifestyle changes did you make that allowed such an effortless loss? I hope you are feeling better by now, the bronchitis around here is terrible, and the flu.
Robyn, I agree, when it comes to my kids and the school system I feel powerless. I thought that working in the same district might help, give me an inside track as the the workings of 504 mods and all that, but all it does it give them the idea that I don't have to come to meetings because they can keep me up to speed via e-mail, which doesn't happen, or phone which happens only when I'm in the middle of a class and can't think or plan what to say. I feel penalized by working in his district instead. They had his 504 meeting last year without me there, who in the heck signed my name on the paperwork? I still don't know!!

I hope you all have happy, restful Sundays. The weather here is lovely so I think I'll do some yard work today, lots of pine needles to rake up. Take care,
story

[Summerlover]

Robyn, sorry for the late reply. I haven't been online since my last post. This week has been INSANE!!! I'm still in a partial sugar coma.

Anyway, if I were you, I would familiarize myself with the law. My sister has a special needs child, and she was a special ed teacher. She knew the law inside out upside down, and she made sure she got Susan everthing she had coming to her. In CT, parents get what they want. Parents in CT also do not hesitate to play hardball...getting a lawyer etc. Administrators are always trying to avoid lawsuits, so they give whatever the parent demands. If the district doesn't provide an appropriate program for a student, the district has to pay the tuition for a school which does provide a program. It is the law. I believe it is a federal law (94-142?) I'm not positive of the number, but I know it is a legitimate law. It is the teachers who have no power at all. We are the pee-ons.

Best of luck, and FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!

Story, thanks for the congrats! Before Halloween, I had lost another 2 lbs., bringing me to a 7 lb. weight loss!!! Then the candy, cupcakes, cookies, etc... arrived. I don't dare stand on the scale. Dr. Phil's ideas went down the toilet! Tomorrow, I will "stop the madness" and get back on track. I used to eat in front of tv all the time...all my meals, and snacks. One of his rules is to eat at the table only, no tv. It was quite an adjustment, but a very positive one. No more mindless shoving of food in my mouth. Another rule is to put the fork down between bites. Between that and the natural conversation that takes place at the table, it takes longer to eat, and as a result, I fill up faster. Also, no more "clean plate club." Just from these three rules, I leave the table with food still on my plate, and a full stomach. And since I can't eat in front of tv, it has cut way down on snacking. There are other things, but the best approach to this is to read the book girlfriend. It is a mindblower!

Summer

[HatterasMermaid]

Hey! (I will comment on my success or lack there of re:son and his IEP later....I've got to much other stuff to discuss....and the weekend was too good...to talk about things that make me rant like a fool!)

Soooo.....Here I sit, 10:30 on Sunday night...I don't know where my bookbag is...this is NOT a good thing! I've had a great weekend! Free from all thoughts of school and the like! hehehe! I've got SOOO much to do before I can call it a night!

BUT...before I go...Yesterday, I did the Cub/Boy Scout mom thing...and went with my two to sell popcorn for their Pack/Troop. Got a sunburn...on the first of November??? WHAT is the world coming to?! Upon returning home, I took a 4 hour nap. 4 hours. What a sin! It was delicious!

Today, my oldest, dearest friend (30+years!) and her family flew their plane to the Williamsburg airport. We hung out at the airport restraunt for a few hours...had a great visit! She brought me the "stuff" from her closet that no longer fits! I have two new blouses, 4 new skirts, and 2 pairs of school appropriate shoes! Gotta love a friend like that! She also went to her local Ross for Less store....and purchased a very cool pair of slacks for me...she said she just KNEW that I'd love them! Well, I do! Mainly cause they are a 12 and fit me wonderfully! (In January, I wore a size 20, 22, 24 depending on the piece!) Yahooooo! a 12! What a wonderful wonderful surprise!

Here is what I'm going to do this week!....I'm going to do it! What is your plan???

*I'm going to break the "seal" on my new books, come MOnday...
*I'm going to do a few crunches before I head to bed tonight...
*I'm going to stick to the plan tomorrow!
*I'm going to drink my water...all of it...tomorrow!
*I'm going to fit in at least 15 minutes of exercise into each of my days this week.....I deserve 15 minutes...(I'd gotten sooo good at this...and then school began...sigh!)
*I'm going to get these last 15 pounds off these hips by New Years Eve!
*I'm going to Florida for Thanksgiving...and need to be a few pounds lighter, at least! (I'll share more about THAT trip when my school work is complete!)

Ya'll take care.....I will write more once I catch up on all that I should have done this weekend! Ohhh, it was wonderful to do nothing!

((hugs))
Robyn

[Summerlover]

This is such a hectic time of year. It probably sounds nuts, but I can't wait for January. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, especially Christmas. But, because of Halloween, my aide being out today, and Election Day tomorrow, my October testing isn't finished and will be carried over into November. I hate to miss deadlines. As soon as I'm done, I have to get ready for parent/teacher conferences. I am working like a crazy woman to finish testing to prepare my room for the state inspection. Even though I achieved national accreditation, the state of CT still needs to come and check me out. It will be a surprise visit between 12/1-12/15. The worst part of that is there can be no evidence of any holidays...not Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa. My theme will have to be winter. So everything I do in January & February, I will be doing in December instead. Yes, I can do Martin Luther King in January, and Valentine's in February. I'm just irritated that we have to pretend that the holidays aren't coming. I hate the state of CT sometimes. Instead of celebrating various cultures, we have to be overly politically correct. Tomorrow I'm attending a day long meeting to prepare for the state inspection. I'm getting nervous. At least when NAEYC came last May, I knew when. But two weeks of wondering when the state is gonna just show up will drive me nuts!

I guess since Robyn decided to refrain from ranting, I felt the need to do it myself!

Summer

[Summerlover]

Well, the ranting continues. I spent my day of professional development working with other pre-k teachers on our files in preparation of our state visit. Typical of the government, there is so much documentation required, and the most annoying part is that the same forms have to be copied and put in several different files. So much of the documentation is dry and boring reading. By the end of the day, I was bleary-eyed, and my brain was fried. There is still more collecting and filing to do, but a large portion of the work is done. I feel a little better about the December inspection now. If nothing else, I'm more prepared than before, but I won't be able to relax until it is over. What is hanging over my head the most is that the state inspector sends her report directly to the superintendent. So, if there is anything wrong, the superintendent knows. That is frightening. I guess all I can do is prepare as much as possible, and then after that, pray like crazy. Once I've handed over to God, there isn't much else to do.

My eating is atrocious. I'm so affected by stress. And with Halloween behind me and my daughter's birthday parties this weekend, I can't seem to get a grip.

I will get back on track eventually. I know I will.

I hope everyone is having a better week than me!

Summer