Jackie

This a picture of my youngest.  She is why I get up in the morning and work hard all day.  She is such a sweet child.  But at times, she can also be devilish!  This picture was taken 2 years ago after a skating recital.  She was asked to wear her hair in an Afro!  She looked lovely.

You'll Be Missed!

This past weekend, I lost a former student to a tragic accident. This was not the first student that I had lost tragically, however, this was the first time I could not wrap my mind around it. The other students who died were sick. However, this time, a young spirit left this Earthly plane due to a car accident. I taught this young man when he was in 6th grade. He was very creative and decided to do a project by creating a video game. The only problem was that only his home computer was capable of playing the game. In order to grade his project, I had to go over to his home. So, while he was playing the game, I was sitting in his kitchen, watching him. He described what was happening throughout the game and how the characters in the game were forming the winter time constellations. It was sweet and I enjoyed his enthusiasm. Now, 6 years later he is gone. You will be missed Chris. Rest in Peace.

Love,

Mrs. M

Jackie and Her Coaches

She is the reason why I work 2 jobs and sacrifice upgrades in wardrobe. Her passion right now is figure skating. This was taken right after her 4th place finish at the Bay State Games. My husband and I are quite proud of her.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Spring!!!

Well, I haven't had a chance to blog in quite a while. Lots have happened. First of all the Red Sox won the World Series, Christmas was spent in California with my mom, and the Patriots lost the Super Bowl! Quite a busy time for all of New England. So, losing weight hasn't been very successful, but I am feeling better about myself.

The students that I've been teaching this year are absolutely delightful. All 105 of them! We have had a great time doing the Star Log project, and now we are into Dynamic Earth! Lots of earthquake and volcano stuff. This is when Earth Science becomes gloom and doom. And, the kids despite their fear love being scared.

Jackie, my youngest is surviving 6th grade. This year has been about learning what it takes to achieve good grades. In many ways, she is still quite a young learner. I hope by the time she is in 8th grade, she has caught on how to be more successful in school. She has confided that she does not want to go to Concord-Carlisle High School. She would prefer to go to Concord Academy. The onlyl thing wrong with that is that Concord Academy is about $40,000 a year. We would have to have scholarships and subsidies in order for her to go to school there during high school. But, she is the type of kid that CA is made for. She is artsy and thinks outside the box. Way outside the box. So, there my dilemma begins. My husband would love for her to go to the high school, but she would prefer CA. I've 3 years to figure this out. I already work another job to just pay for her skating. I guess I could get another job to pay for CA. That would give me 2 hours to sleep every night! (Just kidding!)

Well, gotta run.

Quote: By one of my students concerning homework: "Do we have to write it down or can we just think about it!" (S/he was serious.)

One Month and Counting

I haven't posted in a long time. However, a lot has happened since I began. First of all, THE RED SOX are within one game of winning the world series!!!!!! And, secondly, I've lost a total of 13.5 pounds. I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 188.5 lbs. I am sooooo excited. I could tell by my clothing that I had lost weight, but I had stopped weighing myself. And here is why. I found myself obsessing about my weight. I started to weigh myself 4 or 5 times a day. Now you know, that within one day, your weight can fluctuate 1 or 2 pounds. Those weight fluctuations were starting to play with my head. So, I did the only thing that could keep me sane. I didn't weigh myself for 3 weeks. I just kept dieting. I was getting positive feedback by the way pants, skirts, even underwear, fit. So, this morning, I decided it was okay to get on the scale. I was fully dressed (I usually weigh myself naked) and I weighed 11 pounds less in full sweats!! So, I quickly threw off my clothes and got back on the scale. I was pumped! I've conquered the 190's, and am now in the 180's!

Dieting has gotten easier. I eat lunch at the same time everyday, with the exceptions being the weekend. Now, before you think that this is some diet trick, it isn't. I teach school, and I have the same lunch time everyday! I always eat an apple before I eat my lunch. Then throughout the day, I drink lots of water. My bladder is now used to waiting until lunch time and/or prep time for me to go to the bathroom. I also bring the Quaker Oats granola snacks as snacks between meals. At 90 to 100 calories and loaded with fiber, it helps me get through the day.
Did I mention lunch is at 10:30 everyday?

Anyway, I've got to go and will leave you with this quote from my students: "Let's Go Red Sox!!! Beat the Rockies!"

Week 2 Begins

So, week 2 has begun. There was the usual teaching craziness yesterday. My students have just finished Part 1 of a project. Today was a competition. But, yesterday, I had to spray paint 15 basla wood airplanes gold. Putting together the planes and spray painting them took over 2 hours. It was all good though. The students had a great competition and all in all, it was a great day.

Then, I had ordered a new cell phone, however, you're not going to believe this, the FedEx truck didn't deliver the phone as planned. What happened the driver of the truck got locked out of the truck. My new phone was one of the packages still on the flight. So, I was informed that I wouldn't be getting the phone until later on today. I was supposed to get the phone yesterday.

Now, the reason for this blog. I am really sticking to the weight loss committment. Each day, it is getting easier and easier to stay on target.

Tomorrow morning, my older daughter and I will be getting up early and walk before I get ready for school. She has lost more than 80 pounds. I am very proud of her.

Well, time to end and hope to live to write for another day.

Quote: "Better late in this world, than early in the next." from my dad, while driving, when he's running late for an appointment.