I'm a Closet Choreographer!

My niece dances competitively.  This year, she dances with groups for Jazz, Tap, Acro, and Lyrical, and she has a Jazz solo.  Her competitions are normally in the Spring, and we are halfway through competiton season right now.  Every year, after every weekend contest, the same thing happens to me.  For every song that comes on the radio, I immediately start choreographing a dance routine.  I decide what kind of dance it should be--Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, etc.--and I design a dance for the whole song.  This goes on for weeks after the last contenst. In my mind, my dances are phenomenal, but in reality, I have no idea how good they are.  It would be interesting if I could teach one to someone and see what happens.  This might be another way to fund my Conference Presentation Habit, as I call it.

Blitz 2014--Day 1

Today, we had our first Blitz Day of the year.  Everyone, who teaches 7th graders, did a Writing lesson, and everyone, who teaches 8th graders, taught a Math lesson or a Reading lesson. My coworker and I created the lessons, prepared the materials, and got everything distributed in advance.  The day went well, teachers even enjoyed the lessons, and we got a little more practice in before next week's testing.

We have done Blitz in the past, but it has focused on Science and Social Studies for 8th grade.  This year, our principal wanted to add something for all tested subjects.  We have never done anything of this magnitude for these content areas, so it was a learning experience, but it went well overall.  Every teacher participated this time, and we kept the regular daily schedule and didn't rearrange anyone or create different student groups.

Girl Scout Tent Camping

Our girls are 3rd-6th grade, and we have never gone tent camping.  When our 5th graders were in Kindergarten, our Service Unit went tent camping at a state park, and our girls went to visit on Saturday only.  Since then, we have camped several times (at least once a year), but we have never done it in tents.  We decided that they needed the experience, but we would do a backyard campout to ease everyone into it.  I don't like showing up in the dark on a Friday evening and then trying to put up tents, so we decided we'd meet in the middle of a Saturday, put up the tents first thing, and then do other activities.  We did just that starting at 1:00 pm yesterday through 8:30 am this morning.

We think our tent camping experience was a success.  Despite the extremely strong winds, everyone stayed the entire night in their tents.  There were a few moments of wanting to go in, but they just got back in their sleeping bags and went to sleep.  Some were a little cold, but it turned out warmer than we thought it would be.  Yea!

We began Saturday afternoon by working together to learn to put up one tent.  Once it was done, the girls worked in pairs to put up 3 more tents.  They did very well and did it rather quickly too.  

We gathered in a circle and discussed the Girl Scouts' movement to ban "bossy."  Historically, when girls step-up to take a leadership role, they are considered to be or called bossy.  Girl Scouts is getting others on board to back this idea.  When girls step-up or take on leadership roles, they are not bossy, they are leaders, and we need to help develop them as such.  We then discussed bullying--what it is, how to handle it, how to help others, etc.

The girls were given a little time to read over some camping related badges--Camping, Hiking, Bugs, Trees, and one other.  We decided to go on a hike.  While gone, they listened for sounds and looked for different plants and animals.  They got to see horses and ponies close-up and a few cows from a distance while e walked more than 2 miles.

When we returned, our special guest had arrived.  A Senior we know from church and Juliette Girl Scout, needed to finish a Journey by doing a Take Action Project.   Before she began, we went on a hayride (minus the hay).

For her project, she planned to help our girls learn about healthy foods and healthy food choices as well as how to make a healthy meal and snack.  She planned our dinner, dessert, snack, and breakfast.  She talked about the food groups, had the girls create a pretend meal, and then make changes to that meal by choosing the healthiest foods they would eat or could think of within each group.  They then moved to the kitchen.  The girls cooked Tortilla Soup (chicken broth, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes/Rotel, tomato sauce, chunk chicken, and Greek seasoning), to which they could add tortilla chips and shredded cheese, and Pita Sandwiches (ham, turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese, & condiments).  For dessert, they made Frozen Yogurt Sundaes.  They chose between vanilla and strawberry frozen yogurt and then fruit toppings (green apple, red apple, peaches, banana, strawberries, gingerbread granola, and/or pumpkin granola).  For their snack, they made Trail Mix (sunflower seeds, pretzels, granola, butterscotch chips, and a few other items).  They played a game to help mix it all up.  Before Caroline left for the evening, she showed them how to make breakfast--Yogurt Sunrises.  They opened an orange and made each slice a ray of sunshine and put a scoop of yogurt in the center with granola sprinkled on top.

Before bed, since the wind was so strong, we made S'Mores in the oven.  Yummy!  Before turning in for the night, the girls played Flashlight Tag.  The girls grouped up in one tent to hear jokes before separating and turning in for the night.

We got everyone up around 7:15, and they instantly started getting ready, packing up their things, taking down tents, and preparing breakfast.

It was a great experience!

Girl Scout Grocery Shopping

Tonight, instead of holding a regular meeting with activities or badge work, we took the girls to a local supermarket to buy groceries for tomorrow's campout.  I gave the list to the girls, and we made our way through the store getting our items.  They did a great job comparing prices and getting the items we needed.

You never know if children grocery shop with their parents or know how to get the best deals, so I enjoy doing this with our girls.  We have shopped for a food pantry in the past, but this time, they made the decisions about the food for their own campout.

Spring Break--Weekend #2

I can't believe today is the last day of Spring Break and everything goes back to normal tomorrow (with a very busy, not-so-normal day).  I could use a little more time off.  Isn't that what everyone always says?

Many non-educators gripe and complain because educators and students get a week off.  I read a blog (wish I could find the link) explaining how this is a week to rejuvenate to get ready to give more of ourselves to our students and jobs.  Teachers who got into the profession for the right reasons (not just for the time off and tiny paychecks, ha ha!), they give every ounce of themselves all day everyday.  They eat, sleep, and breathe teaching, their students, problem-solving, worrying, planning, and so much more.  They don't take "mental health" days or time for themselves.  They start in August and work their rears off until June and then take classes and prepare/plan all summer.  There really is no time off.  Maybe a vacation thrown in there somewhere, but great teachers work all the time. (I could go on and on about this.  Maybe another post one day.)

This week, while doing all I have done, I have still stressed about work, but I have been too tired to truly think and do the work needed.  We have a huge event scheduled for March 28th, and I have a ton of planning and preparation to do. 75% of it needs to be ready to go by Friday, so that means long days this week.  I have tons to do during normal school hours, so this planning will probably take place outside of the normal day.  Just thinking about it stresses me out.  Oh, well!  It will be great for the students. Today, my last day of Spring Break, will be spent thinking through the event, making a plan to get started, thinking of what resources I need, and more.  My work never ends b/c the education of children never ends.

Yesterday, Mom and I traveled to see my nephew graduate from Young Marines Boot Camp.  I am so proud of him.  He endured everything they threw at him, and he even said it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be.  He worked hard, lost 10 lbs, and came home exhausted.

 At the end of the graduation ceremony, all the children ran over to their families.  It was so emotional.

After we finally got back to their place, he showered, got on the love seat, and was out.  He was exhausted.

How did I do with a crazy day and watching what I ate?  Not good.  Not good at all.  I am afraid to put everything into myfitnesspal.  I tried making good choices at lunch and dinner, but going to fast food places (through the drive-thrus) and eating at 10:00 at night makes it even harder.  We went to a huge grocery store in the middle of the afternoon, and they were giving samples of all kinds of things.  I can't think of the last time I walked and sampled, but I did yesterday.  There was some good stuff too.

fried rice, peanut butter cup ice cream, turkey and cranberry salad on tomato and rosemary (?) bread, almond cookie, cauliflower something or other, couscous or quinoa, and another type of sandwich (Italian meat of some sort, I think)

My niece baked red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for my nephew's homecoming.  Yes, I had one, and they were delicious! (I wish I had taken a picture.)

Today, I will need to plan out my week of healthy meals.  My BFF started Dr. Oz's 2 Week Rapid Weight Loss plan yesterday.  I could do it the next few weeks, but I think I will hold off until April.  I will make good choices and plan out my weeks, but I need a little time off, I think.  I have got to focus more on my walking/jogging b/c we are doing a Color Run on April 12th.

Enjoy our Sunday!  I'm off to get ready for church.

Spring Break--Friday

I am so sad that today is the last day of Spring Break.  I am certain I could come up with much more to do around my house and Granny's.

Today, we focused on our house.  We swept, mopped, washed sheets/comforters, hung pictures/paintings, and moved a desk.  I wish a nap had been added to that, but I haven't napped all week--not that I haven't been tired enough.

We are planning a "bad" dinner for our last night.  We will be enjoying cheeseburgers, fried mushrooms, and ranch dressing.  Can't wait!  (I'll get back to being healthy next week.)

What did you do for Spring Break?  Do you think schools should have Spring Break?

Spring Break--Thursday

Today brought about more moving, cleaning, and organizing.  We moved tools and Christmas stuff to our house and then began organizing the sewing items in our playroom.  While we were going through some boxes, we found these pictures.  I love older pictures. (I wish I had a way of scanning pictures.)

My uncle and mom when they were in high school, I believe.

Mom in her Senior Prom dress

Mom for High School Graduation

Weight Loss Has Its Highs and Lows

Gaining weight is so easy, and losing weight is torture.

I remember these little dresses I wore my senior year in college.  My weight/size was pretty OK.  I wasn't a skinny little thing, but I looked and felt fine.

When I started teaching 17 years ago, I focused so much on work and the stress it caused that I didn't pay attention to what I ate or how I looked.  Looking back, I remember not having things to wear near the end of the school year, so I wore my mom's clothes.  That first year was horrible.  So horrible that I changed school districts for my 2nd year.  Looking back, I had no idea how big I was and it didn't click that I had grown to a size far larger than I had ever been.  I think I may have gained 60-70 lbs that year.  How could I not realize that?  How could it not have bothered me?  Could it have been because I was just trying to survive? Why didn't someone say something?

During my 3rd year of teaching, I joined Weight Watchers with my mom and aunt.  We went to weekly meetings, and I worked hard at what I ate.  I don't remember if I joined Curves the first time at that point or not.  After 5 months, I lost 25 lbs.  This was a huge deal.  I hated that it took 5 months, but I was excited I was finally at a low point after 3 years.  However, it didn't last long.

Over the next 10 years, I regained that 25 lbs plus at least 29-30 more.  I may have even weighed more than that, but that is the largest number I remember seeing on a scale. At some point during those 10 years, I lost 11 pounds cutting out soda and trying the South Beach Diet, but it didn't stay off.

In 2010, I decided it was the year to take care of me.  I began visiting the doctor for ailments I had been experiencing for several years.  Over the next 2 years, I only lost 10 lbs trying to eat better.

Finally, as you may know from my blogging, I joined Curves again on July 9, 2012.  Everything I have done since then has been compared to that start date and the highest weight I know from 2010.

After doing the 10 day detox and really trying to watch what I eat these last few weeks, doing a lot of house work this week, and adding in some walking/jogging, I have made it back to the weight I was at after losing with Weight Watchers.  This was one of my goals.  I wanted to get to this number on the scale.  That means I have lost 54 lbs from my highest point in 2010 and 14 lbs since January 6, 2014.  Woohoo!

I am trying to keep up with my BFF who has begun walking and jogging.  Last night, I walked 4 minutes, ran 2 minutes, walked 4 minutes, jogged 1 minute, and repeated for only 25 minutes.  That was hard on my joints, but I gave it a try.  Now . . . to keep trying.

While I am excited to get to this point, I have 30-35 more pounds to go.  I need all the prayer and encouragement I can get.

Happy 102nd Birthday, Girl Scouts!

Happy 102nd Birthday, Girl Scouts!

How will you celebrate?

If I were with my niece or our troop, we would have a cupcake or some ice cream and discuss what they enjoy most about being in Girl Scouts.

Spring Break--Tuesday

Today, we got up and moving early again despite our sore muscles.  We finished Granny's little shed and worked on the bottom part of her big shed.  My Great Aunt helped us during the afternoon.  We filled up her parkway across the majority of the front of her house.  People came all day to rummage through it.

I don't mind people going through the trash.  We have done it ourselves, but people should clean-up their mess and reorganize the stuff when they finish.  I am too tired from taking it to the curb the first time to keep cleaning up all day long b/c people are making a mess.

We finally quit working about 4:00 PM.  Because we were too tired to cook, we went to Souper! Salad for dinner to make good choices, and we did.

When we finished, we went back to Granny's to load up all the donation stuff.  Our plan is to take stuff to the donations place first thing tomorrow morning.

One of my BFFs told me about My Fitness Pal App.  I documented my food and exercise for Monday and Tuesday.  It is very neat!  I'm not really sure about the calories part.  I gained so many calories from all the work I have been doing, but I still haven't eaten anywhere near all my calories.  Am I supposed to eat them all?  Eat most of them?  Leave a bunch each day?

Spring Break--Monday

Today, despite getting in at 1 AM, Mom and I got up early and got busy.  We went to Granny's and cleaned off the patio and cleaned out a small shed.  We worked some in the garage too.  Everything went to the curb that wasn't going to our house.  I got tons of exercise loading, moving, hauling, carrying, dragging, and pushing all kinds of things--most were heavy.  We worked and worked moving things from the backyard to the front curb. We barely ate lunch and snacks for all the work.

We then worked on the two sheds at our house.  We needed to make room for things to come from Granny's to our house.  Again, I loaded, moved, hauled, carried, drug, and pushed all kinds of things--most were heavy.  I moved things from the back acre (we have 2) to the front curb. Granny kept all kinds of craft magazines.  For years, we had tried to get rid of those she had in our back shed b/c they were just ruining.  She wouldn't let us.  Well, those magazines dating from 1964-1991 are now on our curb waiting for the recycling truck.  There were boxes and boxes of them.  She had reused Girl Scout cookie boxes (those holding a case) to store her magazines.  Our front shed is organized, now contains 4 cabinets and 2 tool organizers from her garage.

We finally quit around 3:00 PM.  We rested for a bit and then went to my cousins' for dinner with my Great Aunt.  We had a nice dinner and visit.

I wish I was able to spend more time with my niece and nephew, but we have to get all this work done while I am off work.

Spring Break--Weekend #1

Spring Break began on 3:25 on Friday.  Woohoo!

Mom and I left my work and headed south to see my niece and nephew.  We arrived, despite horrible traffic and adding 30 minutes to an hour to our time, to go enjoy a delicious dinner.  I actually ordered a salad.  For people who know me, they know what a big deal that is.  I don't eat salads out much, but I chose a yummy one.  It was probably high in calories, but I had them to spare today.

On Saturday morning, my niece and sister-in-law got up early to go watch her friends during the morning dance competition.  A dance friend's brother came to hangout with my nephew.  Mom, my nephew, his friend, and I went to breakfast, bought some homemade tamales to bring home to my cousin, and went back to their place to wait for my brother.  We got a call that we were needed at the dance competition, so we got ready quickly and left.  (My brother is a Stage Dad, so they needed his help.)

We arrived at the dance competition by 11:20 and were there until 8:30.  My niece was in 5 dances, one was her solo.  She was in group Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Acro dances.  Her Jazz got 1st Overall in Jr. Large Groups and her Tap got 2nd Overall in Jr. Large Groups.  Her Acro group got the coveted Most Entertaining Award and an invite to Las Vegas this summer.  Overall, they did well for the first competition of the season.

We were starving when we finally left, so we went to dinner.  Again, I made good choices.  We got back to their place and pretty much passed out.  We were tired.

Sunday morning came early.  Besides the time change, my nephew had to be at his Young Marines Boot Camp by 7:45.  He decided he wanted to join this group/organization to see if the Military is what he might want to do when he is older.  He had already had a day of drills and to get to know people.  This week puts the kids through a real boot camp simulation.  They will be treated just like the Military personnel.  I am so worried about him.  He doesn't have a lot of upper body strength, and he (and I) does/do not like to be yelled at.  The Military guys yell at them even if they do something right.  I can't stand that yelling and meanness.  We have been able to see some pics via Facebook daily.  I am sure he is worn out, but he seems OK in the pics. I had a very hard time leaving him.  I was teary, but I didn't show him.

We ended the day with my niece's dance pics.  They were to be the weekend before, but the dance owner's grandmother passed away, so things were changed.  We were at the dance studio from 3:00-7:00 for pics.  When we finally finished, we went to eat.  I made bad choices. Again, I was teary leaving my niece.

Mom and I then headed home and got home at 1:00 AM.  Man, I miss those two, but I am so glad we had a great weekend.

My adorably handsome, intelligent nephew before Booth Camp.

My adorably beautiful, intelligent niece at her dance pics.

Girl Scout Sunday

Today is Girl Scout Sunday.  How will you spend it?  Will you go to church?  Will you do anything special at church?  We invited our girls to visit our church.  If we had had several, they could have been ushers and greeters.

Day 1 After Detox

Well, now I can add back foods I haven't been eating a little at a time.  I didn't really have anything planned for lunch, so I ate leftover rice (a very small amount) and pears.  Overall, I ate very little during the day, but I wasn't hungry.  For dinner, we went to Souper! Salad.  I make great choices, only had one little bowl of soup, and no cornbread or butter.  I now find myself feeling guilty making food choices.

I did my "official" weigh-in today.  I lost 4 pounds in 10 days.  I had truly hoped it was more, but I wasn't doing the supplements or the shakes that go with the real detox program.  But still, 4 lbs is pretty good. Now . . . to keep it off.

Detox Day 9

Day 9:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: banana

Lunch:  fish and vegetables

Snack: nuts

Dinner: chicken and brown rice with some salsa

Detox Day 8

Day 8:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c we were busy cleaning, organizing, and recycling.

Lunch:  Rice Vegetable Soup from the Detox program recipes and a banana

While it tasted better than the last soup we made, I still didn't like it.

It had celery, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, broth, garlic, and brown rice.

Snack: banana
I really got hungry about 4:30.

Dinner: Fish, rice, and peas

Still need to drink more.

Unexpected Day Off

With the crazy freezing temps and weather yesterday and overnight, most school districts closed today. It is funny to see pics of homes across town with yards covered in white when we have very little of anything here.  My road is clear, but the highway, which is about a mile away, was horrible this morning and overnight.  It was in the mid to low teens with wind chills from -6 to 2 degrees this morning.

After a 32 minute workout this morning, I got busy reorganizing the back bedroom, recycling a lot of unneeded documents on a bookshelf in the front room/office/library, and clearing out some things in 2 two drawer filing cabinets.  Now, I want to scan some things in the filing cabinets so I can recycle those documents. I cleaned out a lot of Girl Scout documents and forms we don't need any more too.

We are waiting on the plumber.  Last night, disgusting, smelly gunk backed up in the kitchen sink, front bathroom sinks, and washing machine.  We also had a river of water leaving the back of the washing machine and flowing through the laundry room and kitchen.  The plumber called us this morning, but he said no one is working today due to the weather.  However, he said he would see about possibly getting someone out here this afternoon.  Haven't seen or heard from anyone, but we are hoping.

I hate wasting a day off, so I am glad we got things done, but I wish we could do more.  The back room isn't how I want it, but it is better.  I wish we could move some more stuff from Granny's over, but it is so cold, and I don't have anyone to help me except Mom.

We'll see what else I can find to do in just a bit.

How do you spend an unexpected day off when it is very cold?

Detox Day 7

Day 7:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c of church and errands.

Lunch:  Flounder and Tilapia with a mixed green salad and beans

Snack: half a jar of Fiji Apples

Dinner: a can of Ranch Style Beans (LOVE these) and the rest of the Fiji Apples

Still need to drink more.

Mom enjoyed popcorn and a Snicker for her evening snack.  While that would have been yummy, I didn't stare at her or want any.  :-)

Crazy Weather Today

Yesterday, it was in the 80s.  Mom and I worked in Granny's garage and then loaded boxes to bring back to our house to store.  We then decided to clean out one of our sheds to make room for 4 cabinets that we will move to our house to store more items from Granny's.  We worked and worked.  The weather was beautiful!

Today is a different story!  A cold front came through last night, and our temperatures dropped into the 40s or 50s.  This morning, the temps were in the 20s.  We have had lightning, thunder, freezing rain, hail, sleet, and snow.  In some areas, it is accumulating, but in others, it is not.  Our roofs and cars are covered in ice, but my yard just has a few patches.

Highways and bridges are a mess.  People have been sharing pics of the south side of town, and they have gotten far more than us.  People driving home from work or other important places have shared pics too, and the highways are far whiter than my street.

These are pics I have gotten from others from east of town, south of town, or on one of our bridges.

 Highway east of us

 Bridge in the center of town

While this yard has a lot of white, mine has little to no white.

Detox Day 6

Day 6:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

I went and did a 30+ minute workout at Curves this morning.

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c I was busy moving, boxing, and cleaning items.

Lunch:  Great Northern Beans and Kidney Beans

We were so busy all morning, and by the time we got to lunch, we were exhausted.  We ate leftover beans to get rid of them.

Snack: None today

Dinner: Chick-fil-A Grilled Market Salad and ice water

We had been out and about, so we decided that since I could have salad, we would try one I have seen/heard friends eating lately. Shockingly, to someone who isn't really a salad eater, it was good.  I put Fat Free Honey Mustard on it and liked it.

While this whole meal was under 380 or so calories, I was not supposed to have the dressing or chicken today.  Oh, well.  It was good & healthy, and I will eat it again.

Still need to drink more.