Final Free Friday

Technically, my first day back to work is August 11th.  That's the first day I'm required to go back to work...the first day of my 2014-2015 contract.  However, anyone that knows a teacher also knows that the hours written on a teaching contract are very different to the hours actually worked.  Which means even though I'm not required to go back to work for another full week, that's not going to happen.

Today is officially the last day of my summer break.

It's a bittersweet occasion.

Half of me is devastated that my days of going to bed whenever I want, getting up whenever I want, not getting dressed until 3PM, not caring what I look like, and spending hours of doing absolutely nothing are over.

Half of me is ecstatic that the new school year is starting up and I can get back to my normal, strict routine, and my no more being lazy self can get back to being productive. 

I have a love-hate relationship with this time of year.  I've gotten to the point where I'm tired of sitting around the house doing nothing, and I'm ready to start work.  I'm bored, my mind is flying with ideas I want to put in to my classroom, and I'm getting antsy just thinking about how much I have to do and how little time I have to get it all done.  I also hate that the summer seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye, and even though I'm tired of sitting around the house doing nothing, I hate the fact that I haven't found more stuff to keep me occupied so that I'm not so bored and ready to go back to work.

I guarantee that I'll spend the first month of work thinking about all the things I could have done with all my free time, and didn't do.

I can't help but think back to May when I was so excited for the summer to get started.  How I had plans to do so many things: Theme parks, water parks, swimming in the pool with the kids, pool parties, family get-togethers.  And, now, I look at my pool and wonder what the heck happened?  

In the five weeks I've been off work, we spent 4 days in Branson, went to Silver Dollar City twice, went to the water park once, and I've been swimming with the kids in the pool less than 5 times.  

Thirty five days off, and I've done about 10 days worth of activities.

So, for about 25 days, we've done nothing?  That's crazy.  And horrible.  What a waste of free time!

It hasn't helped that we've had such mild temperatures.  If I remember right, we've only had one week that was really hot.  The other days have been nice, and there have been several days that were on the verge of cold.  But, still, it pains me to see that I've let so much time slip by doing nothing.  

It hasn't helped that I've spent this past week being sick.  I'm still not 100%.  I'm much better than I was 2 days ago, but I have a feeling this cough is going to linger for a while.  

This weekend, I need to take the kids shopping for school supplies and school clothes.  We also have a back to school get-together planned at my principal's house.  Then, Monday, it's back to my classroom so that I can start getting ready.  

I think I'm going to get ready here in a little while and get out of the house for a while.  We have a birthday party we're going to, tomorrow before my principal's thing, so I need to go and get a present and I want to go to the teacher store and pick up a few things.  

I hate this ho-hum feeling I've had the past couple of days.  Being sick, being bored, and just not having much energy has really put me in a funk.  I hate feeling like this, and I need to do something to bring me out of it.  All I want to do is sleep, and then I get mad that I spent so much time sleeping.  So, in order to avoid that, I need to be away from the house.  

Maybe I can talk the kids in to going with me.  They need to get out for a while, too.  

Oh well....my final free Friday is here.  Might as well make the most of it.

What Day is It? The Day for Action!!

So it's happened.  That time that comes during my summer break where I start to lose track of my days, and have no idea what day I wake up in.  I've only been off work, technically, for two weeks.  I didn't finish teaching summer school until June 27th and that time has flown by.  Yet here I am, getting up and making plans and realizing I can't do certain things because it's not the day I thought it was.  

Today, for example, I got up and decided this afternoon I would run by the bank and stop by the library to get some more books.  My lazy butt didn't get up until 11AM, so I need a cup of coffee (or four) before I can get started with anything.  Then, I sit down and see on my iPad that today is Saturday.  The bank and the library both close at noon.  

Sure, I could rush around and make it to both places before they close in 25 minutes... but I'm not going to.  Because that's not what I want to do.  I don't want to have to rush around to do anything.  

I do have to cut down my patio sitting time today to go and do some grocery shopping.  We've been home from vacation for two days, so that's just enough time for the kids to clear out the cabinets of all food left in them.  So, a restock is in order.  Which is good timing for me.  After being at home for two days and doing nothing, I'm ready to get out of the house for a while.  It doesn't take long before I start getting bored and antsy.  

This evening, I'm going to a birthday party.  I'm excited about that.  Dinner, some dancing, good time with friends.  An excuse to put on something other than shorts and a t-shirt, fix my hair, and put on a little make-up.  It's just what I need, really.

I've been in somewhat of a funk since the whole I can't get on a roller-coaster because I'm too fat ordeal.  I mean, I know I'm a big gal.  I know I've got several pounds to lose.  I know I don't like the size of clothing that I wear, or how certain outfits make me look.  Yet, up until that day, when I looked in the mirror I didn't see a ginormous woman staring back at me.  I saw an overweight woman.  One that had too much cushion, but could still get around and do everything her kids were doing.  One that could still run, climb, get on giant roller-coasters, and walk miles and miles around a theme park without even breaking a sweat.  

Yet, one stupid lap belt took all of that away from me.  

From that moment, my image has changed quite a bit when I look in the mirror.  Now, I see every bulge, every layer of fat, every piece of fabric that holds on to me in a way that is far from flattering.  I scold myself for letting myself get this way.  I scan through recent pictures of myself, and cringe at what I see.  I have hit the "Delete" button for several of those pictures, because I just can't bare to have them out there for the world to see.

It's amazing how one tiny situation can make my whole outlook on myself change.  

It takes me back to the days when I was hovering around 300lbs.  That was such a long time ago, and a place I swore I'd never get to again.  And, I'm not there.  Yet.  But, if things keep going the way they are... it's a strong possibility.  I don't want that to happen.  It can't.  I won't allow it.  

I want that other girl back, the one that ran 3 miles a day, got a taste for shopping in stores that sold "normal sized" clothing.  I worked so hard to get myself there... for what?  To throw it all away.  

I spoke to an old friend, the other night, on Facebook.  We haven't seen each other since high school, and we joked around as if it's only been a few weeks that had passed.  We were close. Best friends, in fact.  Which is why it wasn't difficult for us to speak as if the 14 years apart were nothing.  Yet, when a comment was made about how I looked back then, I couldn't help but cringe at the idea of what it would be like if we saw each other again.  I am twice the girl I was then.  Literally.   The pictures I looked at on my friend's profile shows the same person, just a little older.  My pictures?  The same person, wearing a fat suit.

So, I have an important decision to make.

I can sit here and wallow in my self pity.  Beat myself up for letting myself get this way.  Stare at myself in the mirror and hope that I can learn to love who I am, and just get over it.

Or...

I can do something about it.  Again.

I remember the literal blood, sweat, and tears it took for me to rip 80lbs off of myself just a few short years ago. I'm older now, it'll be harder... but there's no reason I can't do it again.  I have the willpower.  I have the desire.  I just need to make it happen.  And remember that if I don't hold on to that person, and keep the hard work up... I'll be right back at square one. Again.  And again.  And again.

I have already made up my mind that the weight has to go.  I'm dubbing my little challenge as Operation: Outlaw Run.  The name of the roller-coaster I couldn't get on.  My short term goal is to lose enough to get on that ride without any problems.  My long term goal is to stay that way.  Not allowing temptation and laziness to take hold of me, anymore.

I love being active.  I love doing stuff I didn't think was possible.  It's time to break that girl out of her shell, once again, and beat all the odds.

And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Just My Daily Ramble

This morning, as I was driving the kids to summer school, the sun was shining and the weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL.  Now, a mere hour later, the sky has been covered with dark clouds.  More rain is moving in.  Again.

It's been one pretty wet week 'round these parts.  My dream and desire to spend the week in the pool hasn't played out at all.  But, thank goodness for covered patios!!!

Since our ball season started, there have been A LOT of games cancelled due to rain.  I have a feeling Jelly's game tonight will be heading for the same fate, as well as all three kids' games tomorrow.

Oh well.  Can't really complain.  We need the rain.  It's helped make everything grow like CRAZY.  My little back yard is completely green...with weeds. But, I'm not flower racist.  I think weeds are/can be just as nice as some other flowers.  They are alive, which is more than I can say about anything else I've ever tried to grow.  My rose bush is looking pretty nice, and as long as the weeds don't start hurting my roses, they might as well stay.  

Yeah, yeah, so the real reason they are still there is because I can't tell the difference between weeds and actual flowers.  I planted seeds back in April, so I don't know if weeds are just taking over the garden, or if actual flowers are sprouting.  I guess I'll know eventually.  If they bloom flowers, they stay.  If they just continue to grow as green leaves, they may have to go. 

My poor front and back yards could also do with a good mow.  The grass is a couple of inches long, and I know it won't be long before I'm seeing a nice yellow ticket waiting for me on the front door "reminding" me that I need to keep my lawn looking nice in order to occupy my home...and not paying a hefty fine.  Gotta love city living!  HA!  I would do it myself, but my allergies are bad enough without making it worse by cutting grass.  I'm allergic to the stuff.  But, even being allergic, I don't like driving down my street and seeing all the freshly cut, neat lawns, and then driving to my yard that looks like someone has forgotten all about it.  It's getting to the point where it's so bad, I've got little mice committing suicide in my pool!!  It sure must be a jungle out there for them.  

Hubby really needs to get on it, once this round of rain has passed through again.  I can't bare the sight of animals that have decided to end it, because they just can't find their way back home.

I've decided that, being today is the last workday I'm off work for three weeks, I better get my caboose off the patio and take my car in for a service.  It's overdue.  Shocker, right?  I mean, who has time to take their car in every 3000 miles for an oil change?  Especially when they are only open during the week and until noon on Saturday.  I've tried going in on a Saturday... it doesn't work, because every other person that works normal business hours is trying to do the same thing I'm doing.  And ain't nobody got time to spend four hours at a car dealership waiting for an oil change.

While I've enjoyed spending so much time at home doing absolutely nothing, the thought of getting out of the house for a while (that doesn't involve taking kids or picking them up) is becoming very appealing.  I've even decided that I'm going to get out this weekend and go play some bingo.  That's another one of my activities that is well overdue.  It can rain all it wants to, that way, and it can't ruin my plans.  

Monday, I finally go back to work for three weeks to teach summer school.  The first couple of days will be spent teaching the Jr. High kids, and then I switch over to my regular assignment of teaching 4th and 5th graders.  And, I'll admit right now, that I'm a nervous wreck about having to teach Jr. High.  Last year, I had an absolute BLAST working with the older kids.  We had so much fun each and every day.  What's different about this year?  The kids are.  Big time.  I don't know what the deal is, but I spent one day with the older kids last week, and I was ready to get the heck out of dodge.  They were disrespectful, rude, and couldn't give a flying toot about what I was talking about.  They were much more interested in their electronics, each other, and themselves.  I am a firm believer in giving respect where respect is given, and I have a strong feeling I'll be fighting tooth and nail for any of that next week.  

It's sad, really.  The kids aren't "bad kids".  They are just a very self-centered bunch.  Already obsessed with boy and girlfriends, who's saying what on Facebook, what Snapchat has just been sent out, and what group is picking a fight with another group.  Their idea of summer break isn't sitting in a classroom listening to lessons on the Civil War or reading a novel or learning about robots or even playing Minecraft (if there's actual lessons involved).  That's why, last year, I went out of my way to make the activities I did as enjoyable as I could.  But, this year?  I just don't know how I'll compete with  the white headphones.  Even after demanding that they be removed, I then get to compete with eye rolls and huffs and puffs of agitation that I even suggest they pay more attention to me than who's "liking" their status of : "Thiz techr be so lame! Who carz bout war stuffs?  Redy for swimn on da riva with my n***as" on Facebook! Luckily, I only have to do it for two days before I can go back to my "comfort zone".

For the younger kids, I've been given PE in the morning and I'll be teaching Minecraft in the afternoon.  And, I honestly think I was given the easiest assignments available.  I plan on being nice and active with my kiddos all morning long, playing basketball or volleyball or kickball.  Then, when the temps have been turned up, I'll be spending the afternoons showing kids how they can create, build, and survive a virtual world that they design all by themselves.  

I actually, truly, 100% believe that if our government would spend a few afternoons a week watching 4th and 5th graders working together in developing their own nation, they'd learn so much.  Kids.. 9, 10, and 11 year olds, sometimes do a better job of feeding, protecting, and caring for their "citizens" than some of our government officials ever will.  

And, really, that message goes to anyone that feels that spending 30 minutes a day playing a "video game" has no real educational value.  What some parents and teachers try teaching their kiddos about good citizenship, collaboration, and values for YEARS can be accomplished in a few weeks of playing Minecraft.  Twenty plus kids start out working completely alone, but they soon realize (without ANY coaxing from me) that a job is easier when tackling it with others than it ever will be trying to do it alone.  

OK, well I've probably rambled on quite long enough for one day.  Time for me to get in gear and get something done.

Have a great Friday!!

A Pr-Emotional Week

This past week has been a blogging DREAM, giving me so much to write about.  The problem was, though, I didn't have 5 minutes to sit down and even attempt to write something because I've been so darned busy.  So, instead, I'm going to write about it now and moving forward being that I'm almost done with school for the year.

Last week was the kids' last week of school. With the last week of school comes promotions.  Specifically kindergarten promotion and 8th grade promotion.  And, I was lucky enough to have two children that were participating in one or the other.

Jelly officially graduated from kindergarten.  My baby girl is now going to be a 1st grader.  The event was very cute.  Hubby, P-Momma, and I met at her school to watch the short assembly.  Jelly was so excited to have her Mommy, Daddy, and Grammy at the event.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Happy girl with Daddy and Grammy

So proud of my little graduate

Best friends for life

Our sweet girl with Mommy & Daddy

Once that was over, it was back to work for me.  Until the end of the day, when it was time to prepare for the "BIG" event.  The events of events.  The biggest ceremony of the year:  8th grade promotion.

It is the prom of ceremonies for the 8th graders.  Girls spend tons of money on hair, nails, and dresses.  Guys get dressed up in tuxes and spit shined shoes.  Hours are put in, practicing, to make sure the event goes without a hitch.  It's been a year in the making for the day to finally arrive, and when it did, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.  My baby girl was moving up in to high school, and the school made sure that the kids got the biggest of send-offs.

And the best way to explain the wonderful night is through the pictures...

There was the breakfast that was put on for the 8th graders by the local Methodist church...

Peanut helping herself to the yummy food

Peanut and her BBF (boy best friend)

Then there was getting the hair and make up done for the big night...

Hair's done

It was absolutely beautiful

Side view

After make-up had been applied

Then came putting on her dress.  It was so hard not to cry seeing her so dressed up...

Isn't she absolutely STUNNING?

Before the actual ceremony, the kids were invited to a pre-promotion reception.  All the kids were treated to cupcakes and apple cider.  No parents or families were allowed in to the reception room, but being a teacher in the school helps get some rules bent.  I was allowed in for a couple of minutes to shoot a couple of pics...

After the reception, it was time to get the show on the road.  The kids filed in to the gym to the graduation processional music.  They all looked very spiffy and professional in their graduation gowns.  The ceremony kicked off with recognizing some of the accolades of some of the students.  With each recognition that was given, it made me tear up to see Peanut stand.  She had been one of twelve students to take the high school Algebra class, and then made an advanced score on the final test.  She also ranked in the top 10% of her 8th grade class, which was one out of seven from the seventy students in her class.  An honor that earned her honor cords to wear over her robe.

Another honor that Peanut was given was the chance to sing the dedicated graduation song with one of her best friends, while another friend accompanied them on the guitar.  

If ranking in the top 10 percent of her class, receiving advanced in a high school level class, and getting to sing the graduation song wasn't enough, Peanut also got to do one of the highest honors of 8th grade promotion:  Give the commencement speech.

Now, in years past, the recognition/commencement speech was given by the class' valedictorian.  But, last year, the county decided to no longer have a valedictorian.  So, this year, the opportunity to give the speech was opened up to all 8th graders who wanted to give the speech.  The interested students had to write a speech and then it was selected by a panel of judges.  Peanut's speech was selected, and she couldn't have been more happy.  It's something she'd talked about doing since the beginning of 7th grade.  

She did an absolutely AMAZING job with the speech...

After the speech, it was time for the reading of the names.  I couldn't have been more proud to watch my little girl walk across the stage to receive her diploma...

It was such an emotional night, and I couldn't have been more proud.  Her father and I, along with Grammy, Jelly and Butter all sat in the bleachers cheering her on.  I cried like a little baby as I thought about how in just 4 short years, we'll be doing this all over again.  Except, next time, she won't be moving on to another grade, she'll be graduating from high school.  

I cried thinking about how she won't pop in to my classroom at some point throughout the day to tell me something, ask me something, or just to say hi.  She won't be in the same school with me anymore.

After the ceremony, we took some time taking some pictures...

Peanut and her very special teacher.  Peanut absolutely adores her.

A quick pic with Momma

Peanut with one of her friends

The girls.. missing one 

The whole gang... LOVE all of these girls

The line seems to keep getting bigger

Such a cute pic of Peanut and one of her guy friends

After all of these pics, don't you know we didn't get a SINGLE pic of her and the family.  I managed to get a picture with her, but we missed out on pictures with Dad, Grammy, and little brother and sister.  It makes me so sad that we didn't get those pictures.

The night did end with one spectacular photo, and that was of Peanut receiving her graduation gift from Grammy.  It was quite the set-up situation.  Grammy gave her a card that contained a pass card to the aquatic center.  Peanut was given the choice to trade that gift in for another gift that was located in the trunk of Grammy's car.  Peanut, after some serious deliberation, decided to make the trade.  And then this happened....

A NEW LAPTOP!!!

What a priceless photo.  I was so happy for her, as it's something she's been wanting for a very long time.  It was the perfect way to end a perfect evening.

The following day, I spent almost all day in tears.  It was so hard to think about it being the last day my little girl would be in the same building with me.  She is now a freshman in high school.  She will be riding to school with me each day, jumping on a bus, and riding to the high school.

And next year, I'll be doing it all over again when Butter goes through 8th grade promotion.

Tomorrow is my last day of work before my summer starts.  I have a lot of work to do in my classroom, but I'm ready for the summer to begin.  I'll be teaching summer school in a couple of weeks, but between now and then I plan on getting some serious R&R.

I also plan on spending some time blogging more.  I'll have a lot more time, now, to write more and that's something I am very excited about.  I've missed blogging.  I've missed sharing what's going on in my life.  And now that the summer is starting, I'll have plenty to talk about.

Things I've Learned About Summer

Over the years, I've heard so many tales about stuff that fits the summer time.  Stuff like getting a good tan will prevent you from getting sunburnt...needing to shower right after swimming to stop your skin from drying out and to wash off the bacteria from the pool... stuff like that.

Then, yesterday, I get a news article from one of my local news stations about common myths from summer time - and I was fascinated.  All my life, I've believed many of these things to be true - and come to find out?  Totally not.  So, I thought I'd share them with you today... see if I was alone in believing stuff that I'd heard growing up.

12 Summer Time Myths:

1.  Peeing on a jellyfish sting is helpful.  Totally not true.  In fact, it will actually hurt the victim worse than help.  This myth came about from "Friends".. the show.  Can you believe that?  There is absolutely no health or pain benefits from peeing on someone that receives a jelly fish sting.  In fact, the only natural remedy to help with the pain is vinegar.

2.  Cold showers cool you off.  I kinda knew this one.. but still have done it to cool off.  Cold showers will cool you off while you're standing under the water, but the minute you get out... you'll probably start sweating as your body hasn't adjusted.  The shock from the cold water will just increase your body temperature when you get out...so it makes you feel even hotter and sweater than when you started.  The best way to cool off is a lukewarm shower and eating or drinking something cold.

3.  You can't get sunburned on a cloudy day.  I knew that.  Mostly from experience.  Even though it takes quite a bit of sun for me to get burned... I've received a nice tan from being outside on a cloudy day.  Clouds don't block the sun's UV rays.  So, if the sun's not out ladies... doesn't mean you can't still get your tan on!

4.  Drinking any fluid keeps you hydrated.  Duh.  Totally knew this one.  If you're out in the sun and drinking nothing but Pepsi or Mountain Dew - you're going to end up dehydrating yourself rather than staying hydrated.  Even those sporty drinks like GatorAde won't really help hydrate your body when it's hot and sweaty.  The best drink is... surprise, surprise... water!

5.  You burn more calories in warmer weather.  Total LIE!  Which is very disheartening to someone like me who is currently working her booty off in the sun to try and lose weight.  Your body adjusts to the heat, so regardless of the weather... you're still burning about the same number of calories.  And producing more sweat is just your body's way of cooling you down... so that's not going to help, either.  Total bummer!

6.  Longer days mess with your sleep.  To be honest, I've never heard this one.  When I'm tired, I'm tired... and I sleep.  Since teaching summer school, my behind has been asleep before it's dark outside and I've had no problems whatsoever.  If you're on a solid sleep schedule, you won't get messed up from the sun being out later than it was in the winter.  Good to know though.

7.  Air Conditioning will increase your chances of getting a summer time cold.  Do people actually think that?  Well, I guess it would be those people that think that going out with wet hair will make you sick.  Being out in the heat and coming in to the AC won't increase your chances of getting sick anymore than blow drying those locks before taking a foot outside in the freezing cold.  Sickness comes from bacteria and germs.  Period.  Air conditioned air and wet hair don't increase the amounts of bacteria and germs... so you're safe to be around both.

8.  Salt water can heal a cut.  I did hear this once when I was at the beach.  Being in the salt water will help any cuts you have on your body.  While clean salt water can help clean out cuts and scrapes - the ocean is a cesspool of germs and bacteria.  That's the last place you want to dip in to if you have an open wound.  

9.  Butter eases sunburn.  That has to be a southern thing, right?  I mean, I'm not sure if anyone knows what happens to butter when you put it in a hot skillet - but I know that it sizzles and starts to burn.  Not the affect I want to get on my sunburn!  Unless you plan on frying an egg or making pancakes on that sunburnt back of yours... don't use butter!

10.  Poison Ivy is contagious.  And to think, all those times I've ran from students and people who walk around with poison ivy rashes.  For no reason whatsoever.  You can only get poison ivy from the resin off the plant.  If someone still has it on their clothes or skin you can get the rash, but if it's not... there's no danger being around the rash and/or blisters.  Good to know.  Hopefully I won't offend anymore people by screaming like a mad woman if I see the faintest hint of poison ivy.  

11. Getting a base tan prevents sunburn.  I couldn't believe this one was a myth.  My whole life I've believed that once I've got my first tan of the summer.. I was good to go for the rest of the time.  Which I unfortunately learned the hard way yesterday.  I've had a pretty nice tan going for a couple of weeks, now.  My shoulders, arms, and face are beautifully bronzed.  I thought I was good to go with just adding on to my browness.  That was until I got home yesterday and saw redness on my shoulders, neck, and forehead.  Totally sucks!

12. You should shower soon after swimming in a pool to remove bacteria and prevent skin dryness.  This one I've heard since basically growing up, because I've spent most of my life around a pool.  I remember often pleading with my mother to let me hold off on my shower because I just swam in the pool.  She would quickly retort that swimming is not a replacement for a shower...and I'm still dirty.  Pools are supposed to have high chlorine levels in order to kill bacteria.  That is the job of the chlorine.  That's why there is chlorine added to drinking water.  And while chlorinated water isn't the best treatment for your skin, it can help with issues such as acne and oily skin.  While I don't intend on using my pool as my new bath tub, I'm not going to feel so inclined to jump in the shower within minutes of getting out of the pool.  I can also attest to the fact that my usually oily face hasn't been glistening so much since swimming every day.  It's actually looking much better than it has in a very long time.  Now, I'm not preaching that if you're a daily swimmer that you can ditch your nightly shower... but I am saying that waiting until morning to shower isn't going to kill you, either.

And there you have it.  Twelve summer time myths.  Fun, right?

Now it's time for me to go to work.

Jo