Summer Blogging, Day 3

Okay, so we already discussed how today was my last day of summer school. It is exciting, but it's kind of sad too, because it means the summer is about halfway over. With trainings and inservice before school starts, August is pretty much filled with school stuff, so July is really all that is left. I'm going to try not to focus on that though.
Wednesday, June 29th
1. Do something productive.
Hmm...it's not good when you have to rack your brain to come up with something! I guess today the only thing I did productive was give the TAKS test. It wasn't hard, and maybe it's because I only had four kids, but several times I thought to myself "why do so many teachers complain about this!?"
2. Do something healthy, or for others.
Well, I woke up early to go to the gym. I got there at 5:30, and three people were waiting by the door. I thought maybe they'd forgotten their key fobs, but turns out the fob reader pad was not working. One of the guys wanting to get in called the owner to come open it for us. But it took about 15-20 minutes for the guy to get there, and there were at least 10-15 people waiting by that time. It was kind of annoying. I was thinking that I could have slept later, but once I got inside I got to work. I did a little bit of cardio and 3sets of five different leg exercises with weights. My legs are sore from my workout Monday, so I thought I might as well work them again. I didn't do any arms because they were still sore from the rope swing at the family reunion, yoga, and cutting that darn bush-tree thing. In fact, they were shaking a little off and on this morning! Weird.

3. Do something selfish.
Okay, so most of the day was selfish. I got home from summer school around 12:30 and sat on the couch until about 4:30. No lie. I accidentally (and I'm using that word the way a three year old does after they intentionally hit a friend) turned on the stupid Casey Anthony trial and COULD. NOT. ESCAPE it! I got so hooked. I kept telling myself not to watch it and sensationalize the case, but I seriously couldn't pull myself away from it. I would tell myself 'okay, it's 2:30, you must turn it off at 2:45, no matter what is happening.' Then I wouldn't look at the time again until 3, so I'd say 'okay, at 3:30 I need to turn it off and go lie down for a nap' then keep watching anyways. I didn't turn it off until Zac got home around 4:30. But to be perfectly honest, it was because the judge recessed for the day. That made it a little easier to turn off, haha. While watching it though, I found myself in awe and admiration for the attourneys. I hated the defense, because I guess I want her to be found guilty, but I think I also hated him because he was so darn good. Both he and the female prosecutor are just so sharp and quick. I think I would be insecure to shout objection and be able to think on my feet so fast, but they are great. Casey baffles me. Don't ask why I got sucked in. I need to just avoid it altogether, because I could see myself hooked and useless, sitting on the couch all day long tomorrow, following the trial again. I don't need to do that. Anyways, sorry for that long rambling. When Zac left to go workout, I laid down for a nap. Then two of our friends came over at 6:30 and we headed to Arlington for Trivia Night at Pluckers. This is me and Zac's third Wednesday to go in the past five weeks, and we really enjoy it. We went alone the first time, took one couple the second time, and a different couple this time. They loved it, and want to go again. There are 6 rounds of ten questions, with the topics being sports, music, television, technology/mixed subjects, movies, and 90's trivia. It was a fun night! :)

School's (really) Out For Summer!

Yay! Today I finished teaching my first summer school! I did 8th grade reading, and LOVED the change. The kids I taught had either failed English/Language Arts for the school year, or failed both of the TAKS reading tests. So, you could say I had a challenge on my hands, but I really liked it. The kids took their third (and final) administration of the TAKS today. I hope they did well. Results won't be available until after July 15th.I only had nine students (six of which I had two hours a day, and three whom I taught four hours a day), so I got to REALLY work with them and build a relationship with each of them. The circumstances for summer school are actually teacher's dream...four hours a day, only four days a week, small classes, positive relationships, laid back atmosphere...too bad it isn't like this all year long! :)

I know that school (techinically) got out the first week of June, but since I had summer school, it didn't really feel that different to me. I still had to wake up early, tried to go to bed at a reasonable hour, and couldn't really leave town. Not my typical summer freedom. But today when I left the building (even though I enjoyed teaching this summer) I had the most joyful, weight-has-been-lifted, giddy feeling. I thought the Alice Cooper song "Schools Out For Summer" should have been blasting from the sky. Instead, I just added it to my playlist and listened to it three times in a row when I got home.

Today when the kids finished the TAKS, we had time to talk before they had to leave. They got on the subject of music, and one of the kids said her favorite artist was 'Prince Royce.' When I said "WHO!?" with a puzzled look on my face, one of the other kids said "miss, you don't know him? He's like the latin Justin Bieber! All the girls love him!" So, of course when I got home I had to look up the latin Justin Bieber. And being the considerate person I am, I thought I'd share this new discovery with you, just so you never feel stupid that you don't know who a huge singing sensation is. LOL! Here ya go, my friends...

*To turn off the music already playing, just scroll down to the bottom and find my playlist and hit pause. I'm liking the playlist thing. I've already thought of a few songs I want to use in the coming days. It's fun to let a song define your day. At least, it's fun to me, and it's my blog, so there.

Summer Blogging, Day 2

1. Do something productive.
Let's see...summer school, cleaned the bathroom, trimmed a half tree-half bush in our front yard (hard work...my arms were shaking afterwords), loaded and ran the dishwasher, and moved clothes from the washer to the dryer.
2. Do something healthy, or for others.
I downloaded the Pocket Yoga app for my iPhone, after doing it with my cousin Robin at our family reunion. I love that you can do it whenever you want, in the comfort of your own home, and $3 is way better than buying a DVD and having to worry about putting it in and all that. Anyways, while Zac was cooking us pesto pizza for dinner, I did some living room yoga, while Frank Sinatra sang to us. It's still pretty warm in the house (if the thermostat is on 78, it's actually 82 or so in the house), and with the yoga and all, it felt very summery.
We also took Molly to our favorite park in Hatchie for a long walk. Zac ran four miles, and Molly and I took a nice walk. Molser sniffed everything in sight, and jumped at the sounds of the insects and frogs in the bushes. Silly city dog. She get it from her Mama. I screamed when a frog (that I thought was a leaf) jumped across my path today. Not because I'm scared of frogs, it just startled me, because I wasn't expecting it.
3. Do something selfish. (or just because it makes me happy)
I took a very long, nice nap today. I got a snow cone this evening. I had lunch with a friend, and made plans for tomorrow night. I'll have to tell you all about that in tomorrows post.

PS-I'm working on a post about our family reunion.
PS#2-Zac SPAZZES (the heck) out when he hears Cruel Summer. Every since I put it up yesterday, he's been singing it and getting so pumped each time he hears it. It's pretty priceless. LOL!

Summer Blogging

So, the month of June has COME AND GONE! Like, speedy quick.***

I have two more days of summer school, and then I get to start a real summer. No alarm clock (if I don't want) and no obligations. Just me deciding how I want to spend my time. Except...I'm not good at that. If I don't MAKE myself do something, I am completely content sleeping/reading/surfing the day away. So I decided that I have to do three things every single day, and blog each evening (or the next morning, because let's not be too strict, it is summer, after-all) about each of the categories. Here they are:
1. Do something productive.
2. Do something healthy, or for others.
3. Do something selfish.

Today my list would be something like this...
1. Productive: I taught summer school, and did a load of laundry. And returned to my blog after a month hiatus. That can count as productivity, right!?
2. Healthy/Others: I got up early to hit the gym, and had an awesome hour long workout. I also went to give blood. I am O-negative, so they need me a lot. (universal donor, ya know) Turns out I was too anemic (which happened to me last time I went in May...boo!) so I wasn't able to give, but I really wanted to, and I think that can count as trying to do something good for others.
3. Selfish: I took a nap. I also went to Barnes and Noble tonight and spent a gift card that my sweet in-laws got me for my birthday. I bought three magazines, since TAKS testing and a relaxing weekend at the lake are coming this week. I also got a book which I'm really looking forward to reading. I think it could qualify as a selfish entry OR a healthy activity. I think mental health and wellness is just as important as physical health!

***Speedy quick is a 'Junie B. Jones' reference, and I highly recommend Junie books to any and all parents. Kids love them, and there are a lot of social issues (she's quite the mischievous little girl) that create some awesome conversation and teachable moments.

weight issues...

Note: This is horribly written. I just re-read it, and it sounds rushed and messy, but I don't feel like changing it. You'll get the point. Probably even learn more than you even care about. LOL!

I feel like I always get geared up about losing weight and exercising and then a week later, I'm burned out and back to my old habits. I finally broke the cycle. Woohoo! I know it's a combination of things that finally inspired me to get serious about getting healthy. For one, my ten year high school reunion is at the end of May, and I didn't want to be THAT person, who looks so different than they did ten years ago. I reached an all-time high weight, and it was very depressing. I had a very unhealthy relationship with food, and I was well aware of it. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I have the chance to win $550, IF I lose the most percentage at my work. Sounds silly, but it's nice incentive! And since we have flight rewards for free flights, we decided that if I won we would go to NYC for a long weekend over the summer. How fun is that!? It's definitely made it a lot easier to be disciplined, thinking about a trip to The Big Apple!
Anyways, I quit drinking sodas (I still sip Zac's occasionally, and I've gotten a small one at the movies a few times, but I used to drink 1-2 a day!), I started drinking lots of water, I started eating LOTS of fruits and veggies, and together, we quit eating out at night, which shameful enough, we were doing almost EVERY...SINGLE...NIGHT! I started working out, and one day I quit "forcing" myself to go, and hating being at the gym. Now I love going. I wake up every morning at 4:45 and I'm in the gym from 5-6. Many nights I go back in the evening to just do cardio and watch tv. I'm so proud of myself, and my self esteem is so much better, which makes self control on eating way better too. I still allow myself to have a cheat day, and occasional treats, but overall, I'm ten times a better eater than I was.
The best part...I'm seeing results! I've lost 7% of my body weight since spring break (about 8 weeks ago), and over ten pounds. People I work with are saying I look smaller and more toned, and I FEEL BETTER! I'm not so sloth like. I know I could take it even further, and get even better results, and probably feel ever better (by giving up high fructose corn syrup, sugar, some starches, etc), but I'm happy with the way things are going for now. I have been careful not to deprive myself, because I don't ever want to resent this new lifestyle. Lifestyle...how cool to say that! Because, I'm not just on some yo-yo diet...I have truly changed my habits, and preferences, and lifestyle! :)
Sorry this post was so much about ME ME ME, and my weight, which is not even a fun issue in the first place, but I wanted to post for myself, as a journal. I used to go to bed at night disgusted with the way I'd eaten that day, and it's so nice to go to bed proud that I was a sensible and healthy eater, plus I worked out. Sigh...it's a new me, and I like it. Now...I just hope I keep it up, and WIN THAT MONEY! The final weigh in is the Thursday before Labor day, and the winner will be announced on that Friday. Wish me luck! :)

Therapy

Today, towards the end of the day, I was working away in my room, when our physical therapist and occupational therapist came in to work one-on-one with some of my students. The kids were in electives, so I was just writing out documentation forms (for TAKS-alt...my enemy) at my horseshoe table. At one point I looked up, and the physical therapist was playing catch with one of my girls. My student (who is usually in a wheelchair or walker) was on her hands and knees, shaking and sweating, BUSTING HER TAIL to stay up, keep eye contact, catch the ball, throw it back, and oh yeah, trying to remember to breathe the whole time too. I can't explain in words how HARD she was working. Putting in so much effort, trying her very hardest to do what was asked of her. Breathing hard, sweating, the whole bit. I couldn't look away...my eyes were glued to her. I felt a little lump growing in my throat, and told the tears not to come to my eyes, but they did anyways. See, most days, I don't remember my students have "special needs." They are just teenagers, and they need love and to feel accepted, and so on and so forth, but usually that's all I care or think about. But on some occasions, (like today) I hurt for them. My young students have to work SO HARD, just to do things like walk, or swallow. I guarantee that the other 950 healthy kids in my school don't think "wow...I'm so lucky! I can walk!" Because the truth is, we take our health (among other things!) for granted. Even as someone with a history of health issues, who has sworn to never let a good day go by without thanking God, I take health for granted. But that lump in my throat wasn't just about "life's not fair...why does she have to work so hard just to be able to do the simple things the rest of us do without ever thinking twice!?," but also a "wow...my students are rock stars!!" They never cease to AMAZE me..their strength, courage, positive attitudes, and appreciation for life are truly awe-inspiring. Enough to give this grown-up, busy, stressed-out girl a heartache and attitude adjustment. It was needed. I'm grounded again, and a little more appreciative for the things I am able to do.

Funny story-the occupational therapist saw me writing and asked if my hand hurt. "Yeah!" I said..."I've been hand writing all day!" and she added "it doesn't help you hold the pencil completely wrong! You are worse than some of the kids!" She then preceded to come model, and manipulate my fingers in the "correct" position, to which I made a sour face and said "that's not comfortable!" We laughed a lot. It was a nice release. But yeah, turns out I wrap my thumb around my index finger when I hold a pen or pencil, and that's not right. Oh well, I think I'll survive. :)

Free to be me...

I went to a district-wide talent show Saturday night. It was amazing! There were three divisions (elem, middle and high school) and I was pleasantly surprised by all the talent in our small town! One of the girls sang this song, and it moved me at that moment, and I haven't stopped thinking about it. (I was NOT expecting that lump in the throat feeling!) It's a pretty song, and BEAUTIFUL message! Lyrics posted below, my faves are in bold. Click HERE to listen, because it won't let me embed. Enjoy! :)

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)
Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt
(Chorus)

And you’re free to be you
Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though
(Chorus)

I love shutterfly! :)

Picture In Portrait 5x7 folded card

Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Fourth Annual Wine Night

Saturday night I had a terrific time with friends, food, and fabulous dresses. Okay, they were bridesmaid dresses, so only some of them were fabulous (mine being one of them, thanks to Liz).  The event started out the weekend before Thanksgiving, then last year moved to December (Christmas themed...we collected canned goods) and this year it was Valentine's weekend, and we all wore our old bridesmaid dresses. Who says you can't wear them again!? ;) I think I can speak for all of the ladies when I say it was a fun, intimate evening of wine, cheese, music, laughter, and of course...more wine!

Click HERE to see pics of the first and second annual wine nights, and pics/video/recap of the third.

**And just for fun...YES, as a matter of fact that IS Justin Bieber singing. My students are obsessed with him (they call him Justin Beaver! ha), and I have to say I have caught a little Bieber Fever myself! Not that I would pay for any of his music, but I like a JB song here or there. Judge me if you want. :)

Grammy predictions...

Y'all know I love to watch award shows, and how much I love music, so imagine how AWESOME the Grammys are to me! I posted my predictions last year too, which can be seen here.

To view the complete list of this years Grammy nominees, click here. 

Record of the year...Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Album of the year...Fame Monster by Lady Gaga
Song of the year...Need You Now by Lady Antebellum OR Love The Way You Lie by Rihanna and Eminem
Best new artist...Drake deserves this, but I wouldn't be disappointed if Mumford & Sons won, and wouldn't be surprised if Justin Bieber (or Beaver, as my students say) won.
Best Female Vocal Pop...this is SO hard for me because I love every woman and song nominated. I guess if I MUST pick one, it would be Bad Romance by Gaga.
Best Male Pop...Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble, OR Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars. Although my fave of these songs is Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert
Best Pop by Duo/Group...Hey Soul Sister by Train or The Only Exception by Paramore
Best Pop Collabo...California Gurls by Katy Perry and Snoop?

Okay, those are the categories I care about the most. Who are you rooting for? Who do you think will win? Which performances are you looking forward to! Leave comments!!!