A Wonderful Way to Move in to A Fun-Filled Four Day Weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  I did.  It was totally awesome.  The part where I wasn't at home, anyways.  HA!

My kiddos really showered me with love all day from gifts to cards to hugs to behaving themselves as much as they could having to look at a table completely packed with candy and treats and not being able to enjoy any of it until the very end of the day.

I always tell myself that I should take a picture of the stuff my kids bring for parties, but I always forget.  The amount of stuff would probably shock you... I know it's shocked me each time we've had a party this year.

But, I did remember to take a picture of the goodies they bought for me.

I got a chocolate rose, a box of chocolate covered cherries, a heart shaped box of chocolates, a peach Crush with a small bag of candy, a Pepsi, a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper, 2 large suckers, a massaging cat, a Bath & Body works set, and a tulip plant.

The Bath & Body works set was courtesy of my super amazing Secret Pal, the peach Crush came from an anonymous sender, and the rest came from my kiddos.

The picture doesn't even include the treat bag that my kiddos made for me to ensure that I got whatever was being passed out around the class during the party.

The tulips I have to talk about, because it was the biggest surprise of the day.

While my kids were in their P.E. class, I was helping with a student council fundraiser - we were delivering Crush's to classes.  I saw the parent walk in the front door with the tulips in hand.  I was called to the office, but I had to go and retrieve my lil guy from P.E. at his dad's request.  When we both got back to the office, my lil guy's dad looked at the tulips and gave a little head nod to his son indicating it was to give to me.  I'm not sure if the smile on my face or the smile on my lil guy's face was bigger.

You see, this was the same kiddo that got me the awesome collection of sweets from the local candy store for my birthday, do you remember that?  Well, I made a little joke on Wednesday and told him to stay away from the candy store for Valentine's day - due to my diet.  I had no idea he would actually listen.  He instructed his parents to buy me flowers, instead, because I couldn't have candy or chocolates.

Is there anything more sweet than that?

I don't have favorites in my class.  But there's just something about that little boy that melts my heart - and it has nothing to do with the extravagant gifts he buys for me.  I told you about him in my birthday post.  I swear, it will be super hard to say goodbye to all of my kiddos on the last day of school.  But my lil guy?  I just know I'm going to bawl like a baby for having to let him leave.

It just happens to be an added bonus that he's the brother of Peanut's beau.  Or should I say best-friend, because he's not allowed to date until he's 16.  I just love that family.  To two very supportive parents, to an amazing older son that makes my daughter feel so special each and every day, to a younger son that makes me feel special each and every day, to a younger daughter I've haven't met - yet - but I really hope she's in my class once she gets to 4th grade.  In fact, their mom is the only parent I have as a friend on Facebook.

Speaking of the older brother, Peanut sent him a can of Crush yesterday.  He didn't send any to anyone.  He received two, however.  At the end of the day, Peanut informed me that he gave her the extra can he received.  He kept the one Peanut sent him, and gave her the one he'd received from someone else.  Not sure how sweet that comes off to you guys - but I know that Peanut thought it was amazing...and so do I.

Anywho, I've gotten way off course here somehow.

So, to wrap up, yesterday was an awesome day.

Today?  I'm at home.  NO WORK FOR ME!!  I do have to take Butter to a doctor's appointment here in a little while, and I have tons of grading and plans to write for next week.  But, once I'm done with all that?  I get to enjoy the rest of my time off.

Tomorrow night we're all going out to eat for my dad's birthday.  Then, I'm going back to my parent's house so that Mom and I can go and play bingo ALL DAY LONG on Sunday.  Then, it's another night at my mom's house and home Monday morning so I can rest at least one day before going back to work.

Fun times!!

Everyone else enjoy your day, I know I will.  :)

Happy Show Your Love Day!!

Every day, I am thankful to be a teacher.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Almost.

But, there are certain days where I'm a little more thankful than others.  And one of those days?  Oh yes.  Valentine's Day.

Why would I be more thankful on a day that's supposedly about love and relationships and romance?  Because Valentine's Day is a don't even mention it subject in my house.

You see, Hubby hates Valentine's day.  No, he despises it.  For the eight years that we have been together, I've watched Valentine's day come and go keeping my lip buttoned as tight as the kids in Harry Potter who can't mention He Who Must Not Be Named.  I've watched friends receive the most beautiful flower bouquets, boxes of chocolates, jewelry, and all other types of gifts that are meant to show that special loved one how much they're thought of.

But, you know what?  It hasn't really bothered me.  One good thing I can say is that Hubby pretty much shows me how much he loves me every day.  The man cooks for me - the most amazing dishes imaginable.  Seriously, it's like having my own personal chef.  He puts up with me without coffee.  And, there's not a day that doesn't go by where I don't hear the words "I love you" out of his mouth.  I really don't need a special day out of the year to feel more special when it comes to Hubby.

Yet, I still LOVE holidays - and Valentine's day is no exception.  And, now that I'm a teacher, I get to celebrate it with some other little lovelies that feel my heart with love.

The sad part is, it's not really about showing them how much I love them all.  Just like Hubby with me, I try to show them every day how much I love them.  No.  It's totally about getting to have a class party.  Yep.  I'm one of those teachers.  HA!

For today, I promised the kids that I'd bring them special treats for their party.  They all unanimously voted on brownies made by who else?  Ah ha... Hubby.  They've had them before, and they enjoyed them so much that they'd gladly take a brownie over any stationary set or cutesy stuffed animal.  They'll be getting homemade caramel chocolate brownies and a Crush soda.  Cute, right?

And, the even better part to this day is the fact that it's my Friday.  We're getting Friday and Monday off for President's day.  A 4 day weekend!  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ME!  I'd gladly take two days off work over a box of chocolates or some flowers ANY DAY. Cause it means that I get extra time home with the ones I love.  And that's what today is all about, really.

So, take some time today to not think about the gifts or the treats, but who the important people are in your life.  Don't worry too much about what you buy, but more importantly - show them every day how special they truly are to you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Well, That's Just Disappointing...

How do you make an entire counties of teachers stay up until ungodly hours, band together in prayer chains, and then make them all cry hysterically in a matter of 12 hours?

Tell them snow is coming.

Oh yes.  It appears that NW Arkansas and SW Missouri is in for another snow-day free winter.  Oh goody! *Insert massive amounts of sarcasm*

All day, yesterday, every teacher in every school district in our area was keeping a close eye on the weather.  It was even worse once school got out.  Why?  Because we were given a slither of hope that we'd be getting snow...and not just a little.  That word was used that sends us all in a frenzy and causes crazy behavior like snow dancing, getting up out of our chairs every three minutes to check outside, keeping our TVs constantly tuned to the weather channel, and staying up until well past our bedtimes chatting on Facebook seeing what's happening where in terms of any snow sightings.  ACCUMULATION.

Oh, and we got it.  We got a whopping 1/2- 1" that accumulated enough on the windshields of our cars to be a pain in the rear end when we have to go out there to drive to school. *Sigh*

I guess I can't complain too much.  I am getting Friday and Monday off.

I remember the good ol' days from when I was in school, and the slightest dusting meant a snow day.  Heck, I even remember a few occasions when school was cancelled because there was snow in the forecast - and then we ended up with a few flurries.  I guess I'm now paying the price for those over zealous superintendents...and now there has to be actual inches worth of accumulation before there's even a consideration of a snow day.

In other disappointing news....anyone catch Biggest Loser this week? *SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN'T!*

I wasn't very happy this week. I really hate weeks with temptations...especially when there are people that eat and barely scrape by because they got the 2lb advantage.

That's what happened this week.  Francelina and Alex both participated in the temptation - as well as Jeff, but he only ate about 200 calories.

I was shocked to see Francelina participate, because she's been having a really good run.  Alex, on the other hand, drives me nuts - and tries to find any way possible to skate by on the coat tails of others.  Lucky for her, Francelina won the challenge - and then gave Alex the other 2lb advantage because she "took a risk".  Blah!

But that's not what bothered me the most.  I was not surprised when Francelina fell below the yellow line this week - that's karma's way of telling her she should have just stuck to her guns and not consumed 1500 calories of junk.  I was ticked off Alex got a high number, but I was even more ticked off when Mike had to lose more than 10lbs to be safe...and lost 10lbs.

I really thought that after the temptation, the rest of the house would let Mike stay and send Francelina packing.  He earned every pound of his weight loss.  Yet, no.  The group decides to send Mike home...because he's the biggest threat.  Well, hello Game Play - I was wondering when you'd show your ugly face.

The jerk of the week award goes to Jeff.  He and Mike made a promise to each other at the beginning of the show that they wouldn't vote for each other - no matter what.  Then, Jeff decides to think of competition, and then uses the LAMEST excuse as to why he voted off his roommate.  Jeff said he based his decision on the percentage of weight loss for the week.  Mike had the lowest percentage by 1/10th of a percentage.  YET, Francelina only got hers with a 2lb advantage.  So, Jeff was a total idiot when he voted Mike off for that reason... because the lowest loser was, in fact, Francelina.

I told you a few weeks ago that I didn't like that guy.  He's shady.  And now he appears to be a back stabber.  I don't have any love for people like that.

But, that's life, I suppose.

Oh well, it's that time to go and get ready for work.  I'm gonna look on the bright side and not focus on the fact that we lost out on a snow day, but focus on the fact that I have only two days left of this week and then I get to enjoy a nice, long, 4 day weekend.

Truthful Tuesday

To be honest... I'm a little unsure about this sore throat I woke up with.  Not sure if it's from the heating being on, the constant change in the freakin' temperatures, allergies, or I'm getting sick.  I've got a three out of four chance that it's nothing...so I'm liking those odds.

To be honest... I refuse to get too excited about all the snow talk that's going on right now.  Since last Friday, there's been a whisper that we'll be getting some snow tonight.  Well, the forecast has changed about every hour - so I'm not sure what to think.  One minute we're in for 1-3" of accumulation, the next we're in for less than an inch, the next we're getting 1-2" of slushy, wet, snow.  It just blows my mind that yesterday I was outside in a light sweater, and tomorrow I could be bundling up to go out in freezing temps.  And I wonder why my throat hurts and my nose is running.  Humph!  Of course, knowing my luck, we'll get just enough snow to make the ground too nasty and wet for outside recess... but not near enough to have a snow day.

To be honest... I didn't mean to worry anyone with my pathetic weigh-in post yesterday.  I'm so thankful for the support and encouragement.  I didn't want to put the vibe out there that I was giving up, I just meant that I didn't want to keep making empty promises.  It seems like the more I talk about being successful, the more failure that comes my way.  I figure if I just take one day at a time (my beginning of the year mantra), I might be able to see better results.  But, thanks again for being so kind to me.

To be honest... I'm really nervous about being away from school today.  I have professional development, and I have a sub that I don't know.  To make things worse, I'm getting a new student today...another one.  That's two in a week.  I hate not being there when a new student comes.  Hopefully, he gets settled in OK and makes it through until I get there this afternoon.

To be honest... I did a little happy dance last night when I found out that Peanut's best friend (whom she's goo-goo over) asked her to the formal dance.  He is such a sweet, caring, and smart young man - and I couldn't be happier about it.  He's not allowed to "date" until he's 16... so Peanut is fully OK with them just being best friends.  And so is Momma.  He even stayed with her at the basketball game last night, even though he has absolutely NO interest in 5th and 6th grade basketball.  I'm lucky enough to have his little brother in my class, and I have gotten to know his family pretty well also.  So happy for my baby girl!

To be honest... I'm really hoping that Hubby and I can have a day out on Saturday.  We're both not too keen on trying to get out the weekend after Valentine's Day, but we definitely need some time alone.  He HATES Valentine's day, so we're looking at it as more of a late birthday date night.  My hope is that we can go make a visit to the construction company I want to build us a house and find out where we stand and how much of a possibility it is for us to start building our house pretty soon.  That would be the BEST late birthday present EVA!

To be honest... As much as I can't wait to start the process of getting a house built, I'm very nervous about our current situation with buying the land we're currently living on.  It's complicated because we've been paying for the land for the past seven years, but we've been paying Hubby's dad and he's been paying the land owner.  We have nothing in our name, right now, and I'm worried that it's going to be a lot more difficult than we think to get something in our name.  Fingers crossed things all work out.

To be honest... I should probably think about going to get ready.  I need to get to school early and make sure everything is ready to go for the sub.  I just hope this day flies by.  Not a big fan of being away from my kiddos.

Weigh In Monday....And It's Not Pretty

I just don't know what's happened to me since my birthday weekend.  I mean, I have one small portion of french fries and it's all downhill from there.  I've had the worst week trying to stay on track and stay focused... I just don't know what's going on!

It's not like I've gone crazy this week.  I haven't.  Not all week.  Just the past two days.  And still, not "crazy" - just eating things I shouldn't be.

The worst part is, I had such a wake-up call yesterday... and after, I drowned my sorrows with a burger and fries.  Let me explain.

Remember how excited I was about going dress shopping with Peanut for her formal dress?  Well, we had an amazing time... except for when it was time for me to try on some dresses.  It took everything I had to hold back the tears of how awful I looked standing in front of a mirror in a dress.

My beautiful daughter had tried on several dresses, and I felt so proud to ooh and aah over how truly amazing she looked.  Here's a pic of her in one of the dresses she tried on.  She didn't like the dress, but she looked stunning in it...

I posted this photo on Facebook, and one of my old friends commented on how much she looked like me when I was 16.  As complimented as I felt reading that comment, I couldn't help but think I sure don't look like that now.

When I found a dress I liked, and tried it on, I couldn't help but notice how terribly frumpy and large I truly looked.  And it was devastating.

I ended up picking a dress that looked the least terrible, and then had to find something to put over it - because I refuse to wear a sleeveless dress.  Again, because I look terrible without sleeves.  I tried with all my might to just keep a smile on my face - because it's my own fault I look the way I do.  I wasn't going to let it spoil our day out together.  Nope, instead we made the quickest drive to Red Robin and I drowned my sorrows in a huge burger and fries.  Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

So, it was no surprise when I stepped on the scale this morning I discovered that I had gained 1.2lbs.  Yep.  GAINED.  So, now, my total weight loss in the past 4 weeks is a measly 6.8lbs.  UGH!!

All I kept asking myself in my head, yesterday, was why didn't I stay the course two years ago?  How proud would I have felt if I was down below 200lbs trying on those dresses?  And the worst question of all:  Will I embarrass my beautiful child by showing up to her dance looking as awful as I did in those store mirrors?

To make matters worse, the night before we all went out and ate Chinese food with P-Momma.  I was semi-good and only ate meat and veggies.  I stayed clear of my absolute favorite Chinese food - Chow mein.  I look at that as a form of a victory, but I'm sure I over did it on the meats and veggies I did eat.

This time last week, I sat here and spouted off about how I was going to really buckle down again and jump right back in to losing weight.  And look how the week went?  I'm not about to start playing the same old tune week in and week out, trying to defend my poor excuse for weight loss.  I'm just not going there.  Again.

I have one of two choices to make.

I either accept the fact that I'm a large woman and will always be a large woman - taking the hurt and despair of trying to look nice in clothes, when I know deep down that I don't.

OR

I stop with the "I will" and just freakin' DO already!  No more excuses.  No more minor slips.  No more using food as a reward or being OK with a minor cheat here or there.  Because you know what?  There are no minor cheats.  When I slip and fall - I majorly crash and burn.

The sad truth of the matter is, I can't just sit here and give you an answer.  I can tell you which one I want to choose - but unless I actually start doing rather than telling, it's all a load of hot air.

I have exactly a week and five days until Peanut's formal dance.  I know it's not possible to lose enough weight to look much different than how I look now.  That makes me sad, but it's the truth.  But, I have to also stop thinking about the short term in all of this. If I am thinking of committing - completely - it has to be for the long term.

I truly don't know what the future holds for me and the success of my weight loss.  All I know is that I hated the woman looking back at me in the mirrors at the store, yesterday. I hated the way I felt.  I was full of shame and detest.  I don't want to live my life feeling that way about myself.

So, it appears I have some serious decision making to do....and doing will be the key word in all of it.

Armed Teachers Looking to Become a Possibility?

That's not a fake picture.  That's an actual freeze frame from a news segment that has aired about the possibility of Oklahoma teachers carrying guns.  And it's a very hot topic in my neck of the woods, right now, because I live only 10 minutes from the Oklahoma border.

I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - I don't like to use my blog for talking about hot topics like religion, politics, etc.  But, sometimes I have to put my 2 cents in on a topic that actually has something to do with me.

While perusing around Facebook, yesterday, I noticed story after story after story discussing that Oklahoma teachers may soon be carrying guns to school with them - after taking a short course about gun safety - and my heart stopped beating for a second.  Will it really get to that?  Will my neighbor state really move towards training and arming their teachers as if they were police officers?

I was very surprised at the equal mix of comments on the news stories.  Many people were in support of having more guns on a school campus, many were opposed.

I read actual comments such as:

I'd feel safer knowing that my child was protected by an armed teacher.

The only way to truly protect children from crazy gunmen is to have an armed person waiting for them, and what better person than their teacher?

What happens if a teacher gets really mad at a student?  Or a student gets really mad and overpowers the teacher with the gun?  

What kind of message will we send to our children if the teachers start carrying guns?  We're basically telling them that they aren't safe anymore.

I'm in full support of it ONLY if the teacher receives the proper training and the guns are kept in locked safes.  With a response of:  What good will it do to have the gun in a locked safe?  By the time the teacher gets it out, they'll already be shot. 

And I could go on and on and on.  Some of the comments made me think, others scared me to death.

Hubby and I have had our share of conversations about this very topic.  He has a concealed license.  He owns guns.  Me?  I hate them.  But, I will admit, I feel just a tad safer knowing that there is someone in my house that's trained to use a gun - and has one available if he needs it.  That's not to say that we have guns laying around our house.  Not a single gun is ANYWHERE my kids can get to.  They are locked up.  Period.  However, if the need should ever arise, I'm confident that Hubby could be armed and ready in a split second.

So, what's my actual opinion on teachers being allowed to carry concealed weapons?  I don't like it.  Not one bit.  That doesn't mean I'm opposed to having guns on campus - but only in the hands of those truly trained to use one, comfortable with using one, and are kept away from any child.

What good would that do a school?  I don't know.  I really, honestly don't want to think about it.  I would, however, feel a little safer knowing that the administration in our building had access to firearms - if the need arose.  I would feel a little safer knowing that there were police officers on campus that had the only job of protecting our campus.  Would I feel safer knowing that there was a gun in every classroom on campus?  Not at all.

At the end of the day, this business in Oklahoma does scare me.  Mainly because I think it's quick judgement over a tremendous tragedy.  Because such a heinous crime took place in Sandy Hook, schools and states are now making decisions that are too quick.  Not properly thought out.  Where too many questions will go unanswered.

I have this horrible feeling in the bottom of my stomach that this bill will pass, and we'll start to see an incline in problems.  What will it take before all of the pros and cons are truly examined?  Will an accidental discharge that causes an injury have to occur?  Will a teacher have to be overpowered for his/her weapon?  Will a disgruntled teacher have to snap and do something terrible?

I honestly, truly, don't think the answer to preventing school shootings is to arm every employee.  Do I think that added protection is needed in schools?  Of course.  But at the end of the day, taking guns away from law-biding citizens or giving guns to every teacher might not be the answer.

If it were so easy to stop criminals from committing crimes, wouldn't that have happened already?

All I know is that I would do whatever it takes to protect the precious angels in my classroom.  No doubt about it.  I would jump in front of a bullet, I would hide them all in every nook and cranny available, I would throw chairs or tables or any heavy object at a person who was trying to harm us.

But, I can also go about my day loving every student that walks in my room or attends my school.  I can give them support, guidance, reassurance that nothing is ever as bad as they think it is.  I can send them home each day with the feeling of love.  I can look out for any child that may show signs of being bullied or is somehow hurting inside.  And I can pray to all things holy that taking preventative measures that way may change the mind of any student or person who wishes to do me or my class any harm.

Because at the end of the day, I didn't become a teacher to worry about whether or not I need a gun to protect my students.  I protect my kids every day.  I became a teacher so that every kid I come in to contact with knows that there is at least one person who will ALWAYS be there for them, to give them the tools they need to make something with their lives, to make my classroom a safe haven for any situation that may be taking place at home.  Not a single child in my room now, or that ever walks in to my room will feel the pressure of a label, or live in a shadow of a past reputation.  There are no bad kids... just kids that need someone to help and support them.  I show them that I don't give a flying flip about what trouble they've got in to in the past, or how much they hated school because of problems they've had to deal with.  Those things stop the day I become their teacher.

Birthday Festivities: Week 2

Yeah, so it's no secret that I'm somewhat of a diva.

Were you able to read that sentence without laughing?  I know it was hard for me to type without making a little chuckle.

Truth is, I'm probably the furthest thing from a diva there is.  Well, come to think of it... I do walk around and command attention, can sing a pretty good version of Hero by Mariah Carey,  and it appears I also think I'm entitled to celebrate my birthday two weeks in a row.  So, maybe I am a little diva-ish.

But, if you look up the definition of "diva", you'll see that it states that a diva is a female performer.  Welp, definitely not me.

Diva talk aside, I am getting to celebrate my birthday for the second week in a row.  This weekend, with my P-Momma.  For those of you new to the blog, of have somehow forgotten who P-Momma is - she's my pseudo mother-in-law.  She is Hubby's best-friend from high school's mom, and a woman that Hubby considered a mother for several years during and after high school when things weren't so great with his own parents.  Even though those fences have been mended, P-Momma is still very important to him...and to me.  She has become like a mother to me and a grandmother to the kids.

Anywho, just like all major holidays, we get to spend time with P-Momma for birthdays.

In just a little while, we'll be heading out to her house and spending some time with her before we all go out for dinner this evening.

After the crazy, busy week I've had this week - I can't wait to spend some time sharing my crazy, busy week with her.

This week definitely took it's toll on me.  I slept for 13 hours last night!! I feel asleep around 9 and didn't wake up until 10 this morning.  That NEVER happens!  Just goes to show how much hard work I put in. *Insert little pat on the back for myself*

Tomorrow, Peanut and I are going to go out shopping for her formal dress.  Another fun day to add to my weekend line-up.  It's not very often we get to do fun, girly things like that together.

Well, this is just a hodge-podge, quick update for today.  I know that the weekends are usually snoozeville in the blogging world, so I might as well say my good-byes now and let my fun weekend begin.

Enjoy your Saturday!!