I'm Hanging On!

I haven't posted in a long time, so I should say that all has been pretty hectic.  School's out (yay!!).  But with that comes my summertime responsibilities:
1. I've taught a week-long workshop.s,
2. I've got two days of summer work with the sixth grade science teachers.
3. I've two days of summer work with the 7th grade science teachers.
4. I've still got to teach a week-long workshop in August.
5. I've got to schlepp my daughter to her summertime activities.
6. I've got to clean out the science workroom... I started today.  Got lots more to do.
7. Somehow I've got to fit a visit to CA to see my mom.

After all of this, I've got to start putting my room together.  Oh, and I forgot to mention, there's less of me to love.  Yes, I've continued my weight-loss journey.  I've lost a total of 46 pounds and look forward to losing 4 more pounds for a total of 50.  Now, that's not all I intend to lose, but it is a major milestone.  I've increased the distance that I walk each time.  I walk for at least 90 minutes and I walk all over our town.  Up and down hills, around the track, or just in my neighborhood... it doesn't matter.  I do Zumba and take a Spinning Class.  Both are intense.

I hope I don't take a long hiatus again.  I hope to continue to share this journey called life.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Today, one of the bloggers I follow shared how her car window was smashed and items were stolen from her car.  As I read this, I got sad because she was starting to lose faith in the goodness of people.  Here was a person who has such a positive outlook on life and who is madly in love with her husband and young child.  She has a strong faith in God and is what my family would refer to as "good people".

Then, there is a colleague of my husband who is probably one of the nicest persons I've ever met.  He is not only liked by his fellow teachers, he is LOVED by his students.  He's generous with his time and is a loving husband and father.  Over 2 years ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  I've been following his ups and downs.  At first his blogs were upbeat and positive.  As time has gone on, they have become less so.  Lately, they've been very scary.  Scary that we almost lost him.  I don't want anything to happen to him.  He's such a good person. 

 

This prayer is for you Dave.

Every Sunday

Every Sunday is weigh in day.  So, I get up and do at least 90 minutes on the treadmill before heading off to my weekly meeting.  I wear the same thing each Sunday.  And so far, so good.  I was down .8 pounds.  All together, I've lost 38.4 pounds.  I'm 1.6 pounds from my half-way point.  What I've done that has helped me stick to my new lifestyle is that I exercise.  Yesterday, I did 90 minutes on the treadmill and 70 minutes of Zumba.  Friday I did an hour of yoga and 60 minutes of Zumba.  The benefits of all of this exercise is that I now almost run up the stairs at school.  I don't notice the aches and pains in my knees as much.  By November, I hope to be at my goal weight----134 pounds.  After that, I hope to continue to exercise and watch my portions.

Everything's Still Standing

So, after the fiasco last week with the boiled eggs, my husband reminded me today that boiled eggs are done after 6 minutes of boiling.  If looks could kill, he'd be......let's just say, I would feel a whole lot of justification.  This week has been a typical week for me.  Lot's of work and lot's of afterschool stuff.  That's a typical life of a teacher.  I also observed a prospective teacher.  I really wanted him to do well as he taught the class.  It remains to be seen if he is the best candidate.  Then on Thursday, I arranged for my students to make Teddy Bears for the local hospital.  Truly, a busy day.  Oh, I continue to lose weight.  I'm now down 37.6 pounds, with 42.4 pounds to go!  Weight Watchers isn't so much a diet as a change in lifestyle.  I'm more active.  I've done a 5K, I walk do Zumba, and I walk at least one hour on the treadmill.  I'm not focusing on how long it will take to lose the weight.  Instead, I'm focusing on becoming fit.  Jennifer Hudson is my inspiration.

Oops!

I say this because I almost burned down the house.  What happened was I put two eggs in a pot of water so that I could have boiled eggs with my dinner salad.  I turned on the burner and thought that I had turned on the front burner.  10 minutes and a smoke alarm later, I found out that I had turned on the back burner.  On the back burner was a pan.  Needless to say, I turned off the gas, put water in the overheated pan, and opened all the windows and doors to let out the smoke.


Then, I turned on the front burner, but I didn't notice that the pilot light did not ignite the gas.  As I was clearing out the smoke, I kept smelling gas.....yes, the burner had been turned on, but the pilot did not ignite the gas.  Therefore, gas was escaping on the high setting.  I'm glad I didn't attribute the gas smell to the burnt pan.


Now you know why my family wants me to get out of the kitchen......sigh.

End of Year

The school year is slowly winding down.  I've got interims due, orders due for next year, 7 am meeting tomorrow morning, 2 before school meetings with parents next week.....and lots more curriculum to cover.  In one word-----YIKES!! 


But, I look forward to the peacefulness of summer.  I can re-charge and take some classes to help me become a better teacher to my students.  Just think, after June 24th, I'll be able to sleep past 4:30 am.  Looking forward to it.

I Did It!!

What I did was the Weight Watchers Walk It Challenge 5K Run-Walk.  I've been exercising like a fiend for the past 3 months to prepare for today.  At 7:30 am, I left home and met at one of the Challenge sites in our state.  I picked up my shirt and number and paced as I waited for the Challenge to begin.  8:30 came and went.  Then at 8:45, the Walk It Challenge began.  I walked at a steady pace and was just thinking when I remembered that I had put my iPhone and my earphones in my pocket.  So, I got them out, put them on and got some music going.  However, not until I was 29 minutes into the walk did I find the perfect tune that was at the pace I wanted to walk.  Yes, "I'm shipping off to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphys was the perfect tune.  It caused me to go into a state that I was passing people as I was walking.  I could've walked for hours at that pace (at least I felt I could).  Finally, I reached the finish line in 49 minutes 29 seconds.  My first 5K complete. 

I then jumped in my car and drove 45 minutes to my Weight Watchers meeting.  I had to weigh-in.  And I found out I was down 2 pounds.  This makes a total of 35 pounds lost since January 9th.  After the meeting, I went to my Zumba class.  I must admit I didn't have the usual amount of energy that I normally do during Zumba.  But I toughed it out.

Now, I'm looking at preparing for the Jimmy Fund Walk.  I hope to raise money for research in helping cure childhood cancer.  This walk is in September, and I must train to walk at least 13 miles.  I'm committed to this cause over many others.  My dad died of complications due to cancer.  If I can make a difference for children, it would be a great way to honor his memory.