Weight Watchers

So, Adam and I started Weight Watchers together last week. Not because we think we are needing to grease the door frames so we can get through them or anything...not yet, anyway...but mostly just so we can get a handle on things with our eating and weight loss. We go on Mondays, get weighed, and attend the meeting. It lasts about 30 minutes. This Monday will be our first weigh in after starting the program.

I thought it would be really hard. And I will say-it is definitely more difficult than swinging through the Taco Bell. But it has not been so bad. I am lucky because now that I am teaching, my meals are a bit more healthy. I usually have some small, healthier things for breakfast and a light lunch. It's not too bad.

My struggle is not taking the easier route, like the above mentioned drive through. After a long day, I would rather just grab something quick. I think if I can realize what my weak points are, I am more apt to do better.

So, we are off and running! Monday's weigh in is coming up fast- I am excited!

Grocery Shopping Today...

Today was an incredible grocery shopping day. I went to Bi-Lo and Publix and here is a picture of what I got.

Here is the list of what I got:

4 bottles of laundry detergent

1 package of Playtex disposable gloves

2 boxes of dog treats

1 bag of apples

2 bag of fresh green beans

2 sweet potatoes

9 cans of soup

3 bags of cheese

1/2 pound of turkey

bread

1 package of wheat pita pockets

1 package of sandwich thing

2 boxes of frozen veggies

5 bags of Green Giant Steamers

4 Glade candles

1 Lysol disinfecting spray

2 bar soaps

2 bags of carrots-I think that's all...for.....

$50.00!!!

The Week...

This week was great....and exhausting!

I finished my first full, official week at school. I am so excited to be there. I am loving it. I like having kids that are a bit older. However, they were super crazy this week! We had many different things to attend this week (plays, etc) so that was part of it, as well as Halloween-they're always crazy about this time. Either way though, I am happy with the week-it went very well!

Last night, Adam and I went to see This Is It, the Michael Jackson movie. It was so good! It's weird though-I watched it for about an hour before it hit me that he is dead. Crazy! Ya know, a lot of people were sad to see him go, since they thought it was the end of his genius music being released. I hate to say it, but I think the end of his genius work came a long time ago. Don't get me wrong-I had his newest stuff and liked it very much. But it wasn't "Thriller" or "Billie Jean." Most of his music was dedicated to saving the world or relaying his hurts and didn't seem to be as much fun anymore. Of course, that doesn't mean that it was ok that he died. Not saying that. All in all, the movie was cool. Amazing what that tour was gonna do! The Thriller stuff was INCREDIBLE!!!! I would have loved to have seen it all.

Oh, and ...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Like, Totally!!!

   Last night, we held and 80's themed going away party in honor of our dear friends Josh and Amy Pearson.  They will be leaving for Orlando, FL early Monday morning. With all the party planning to focus on, I have not focused that much on the fact that they really are leaving.  Today it is starting to hit me, as I am making time to go say goodbye.  That's weird.  I don't want them to go.  Josh and Adam have been friends for so long and I know he will miss hanging out with Josh.  Amy and I have become great friends, even though we have known each other only two years.  I feel like her friendship is one of my important friendships.  Ya know, the kind that you might only have one or two of.  The deep ones. Anyway, I am not wanting her gone.  I have loved having her in my life-to run and get dinner with, to take have play dates with our dogs, to understand the (sometimes :o) )  frustrations of being married to a band member.  She gets me in a lot of ways.  My life won't be the same without her here.

    On a more happy note, I did take a ton of pictures from the 80's party.  Here are some highlights.

Good News!

  After many weeks of waiting and back and forth, I finally found out that my certification issue is going to be worked out.  Many of you  may know that I was in the process of adding something on my GA certificate to my TN certificate.  It was taking a long time and my start day for school is getting closer and closer (I start this Monday, the 26th).  I was getting so nervous that I would not even be able to teach on Monday.

    I talked with an AWESOME lady at Hamilton County Human Resources and she was helping me figure out the different avenues we could take.  However, we did not have to try and go another route, because we received word that my add-on was approved!

   This is such a relief!  I have been down at school for the past two weeks, getting ready for the job I was not really even sure would work out for me to be able to take. I am glad it all worked out!  So, now all I need is Monday to get here.

Shadowing

  This past week, I spent Tuesday-Friday at my new school. I was shadowing the current teacher just to get an idea of how things go around there and all. I am so excited to be there!!!  I got to kind of chill out in the back, take some notes, think of some things I would like to do the same and different, and I even got to do a little planning for when we come back from Fall Break.  

  I was very nervous about what 5th graders would be like-I have never taught them. The highest I have ever taught is 2nd grade.  In fact, I was so nervous about them, that I seriously debated even taking the job at first.  If it wasn't for my husband's encouragement and sheer excitement, I might have wussed out.  But he had so much faith in me and how much I would love the job that I decided to trust his judgement and go for it. And let me say...I LOVE IT!  Fifth grade is not scary at all! In fact, I love it because I can talk to them, joke around, and feel like they can handle more stuff.  

 

  I was debating about changing the room around-ya know, rearranging, taking down some stuff, adding some stuff, etc.  The teacher there before me was very encouraging about that. She told me she pretty much expected that I would change it.  She understood that I needed to "make it my own" and do what is best for me.  That was helpful.  And also, I think the kids can handle it.  They aren't Kindergartners that flip out if you move a basket of books.  So I'm happy about that part.

  Not only do I love the kids, but the staff has been SO great.  They have made a point to welcome me, introduce themselves and help me when needed. I don't feel like an outsider as I have in the past in new positions.  I like the feeling of being welcomed.  I am excited to already be meeting some awesome people-an even some people who,as it turns out, new me as a kid. Crazy!

  Now for the problem....In Tennessee, 5th grade is considered Middle School as far as certification goes.  In TN, I am only certified Pre-K-4.  While I taught in GA, I got a middle school certification added to my existing certification. However, I never got it added to my TN license.  And now I am racing the clock to get it added in time for me to officially start on October 26th.  I received word Thursday that all of my paperwork had made it to Nashville (that is where TN Teacher Licensing is located) and was just waiting for approval, assuming it is approved. So currently, my fate rests in the hand of a guy named Brandon in Nashville.  He is the one who decides if they will add my middle school certification to my TN license.  If he says yes, it's all good. But if he says no, I cannot keep this position.  I am on pins and needles, waiting to hear the answer. I of course hope he says yes because I am LOVING this position already and do not want to lose it!

   

Back to school...

 Although "Back to School" time happens for most people in August, mine is beginning this year in October.  I kind of like the change up. :o)

  Tomorrow I kind of officially/unofficially start my new job. Although, the class is not mine until after Fall Break (the 26th), I will be going in for the rest of this week to kind of "shadow" the teacher that is there now.  This way I can kind of get to know the routine and how things are done.  

  I am excited of course, but also nervous.  I hate being "the new kid."  I much prefer getting settled in and just knowing what to do.  I am sure everyone does.  I am looking forward to this new adventure, where I think  I will be very happy, but beginning is always the hardest part.

  As I do every year though, I will breathe deep, listen to some "Billie Jean" on the way to school to get pumped up and walk in like I know exactly what is going on!