$$$$ Surviving the 100th day/ Zija/Moringa/Zumba!!!

Notice the $$$ in the title.  $$$$ is always a popular subject in my blog. :) I get lots of hits on those posts.

This was around 6:45 when I leave for work.

I’ve been busy with the usual school stuff and working out.  I have really upped my workout schedule and the ounces (It’s slow) coming off.  I have been averaging about 5+hours a week of Zumba and/or Body Pump!  I love it!!!!  Not only have I bought me some Zumba pants, I participated in a Flash mob and an hour and a half Zumba Master class. The trick to working out is finding something you love it do!!!  Update: I lost .8 as of my Saturday weigh-in.  Can you say, "Yahoo!"?

We celebrated our 100th Day of school with lots of special activities.

Teachers now have to be up on the latest technology.  Here is one of my students using the interactive smartboard.

Writing "I would like a 100 ____________."

These hats had 10 strip that the students drew 10 things on.

They loved this challenge: standing 100 dominoes up in a row. At least one group did it!!

We made 100 day trail mix.  They chose 10 of 10 things and loved it!!

Friday was the 100^th day of school and I planned special “100” activities for the day.  It was fun for the kids, but it meant that I didn’t get all of my usual housekeeping, paper work kind of stuff done.  So, I brought it home and I guess I’ll need to get that done tomorrow!!

You may remember that I mentioned a miracle plant that I learned about in Honduras.  We helped a couple of the missionaries down there plant it while we were there.  This plant comes from India and it is considered a miracle plant because of all of the nutrients.  It was an interesting coincidence that right after I came back from Honduras, I started hearing about a product made from the moringa plant called Zija. Slowly, but surely, I heard of Facebook and church friends who were selling it. 

To make a long story short, I have  started using it and selling Zija. It really came in handy when my older son got really sick last weekend.  He spent last Sunday in the ER and couldn't keep any anything down. It settled his stomach and he finally started getting better.  I will keep you informed and here is a link to more information:

http://www.drinklifein.com/discovering_moringa.html

Flash Mob:

I went from one weekend in the ER with my son to the next weekend in a flash mob.  It was fun and great and I'm sharing the video that Nick took of our Zumba flash mob.  Enjoy!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LR4H5j_uz7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>  Click on the embed link.  I'm on the far left with a yellowish top. This isn't my video, so I'm not in it much.  If you look closely, you can see me mess up!

 

I also had fun at another Zumba event. Some of the local instructors brought a master teacher from Memphis.  About 200 Zutmba enthusiasts danced and had a great time for about an hour and a half.  We had so much fun that the time was up before we knew it.

Happy Snow Day & M.L.K's Birthday

This is a silly picture of me getting ready to go and workout.  I love this jacket! It's my favorite!

Snow Day

My class has been very busy since we went back to school on January 4^th.  It always takes a few days for some of the children (and the teacher) to get back into the swing of things.  I had to plan new work station (center) activities and the logical choice was winter (snow) activities.  Even though our days have averaged in the high 50s, it was still winter.  I think we jinxed it though because we had snow last night.  Fort Campbell had so much (I guess) that they called off school last night.  Oh, and  Monday is already a holiday. (Martin L. King's b day.) You have to realize that this is a rare occurrence for us. I think they got a lot more over across the state line!  So……………………HAPPY SNOW DAY!!

Plans for the day:

1. Sleep a little later

2. Laundry

3. Chill (take it easy)

4. Take an extra Zumba class

5. And whatever else I want to do!!!

 For my teacher friends:

I found lots of great Valentine's stuff in the dollar aisle at Target!

Not $1, but maybe $5!

Weight Watchers Update:

I have been faithfully tracking my meals, following my healthy meal plan, and last week I took 6 exercise classes!!!!  I had thought I would do better with my weight loss once I was back in school.  (I had been very good over the holidays, but the weight wasn’t coming off.)  Last Saturday, I was very glad to say that I had lost a POUND!  I really needed that to keep me encouraged.  Weigh-in is tomorrow morning and I am actually considering taking two Zumba classes and a Zumba toning class today!!!  We’ll see how it goes!

School challenge:

On a similar note, our faculty has begun a weight loss challenge.  We are actually competing with a couple of other schools to be the “Biggest Loser” and loose the highest percentage of weight.  We all weighed in Wednesday morning.  Since it was the first time, I ate breakfast.  There was a 4 pound difference from WW’s scale ( L ) and not in a good way!!  I wasn’t surprised because WW’s scale is always lighter than the doctor’s office or anywhere else. I’ll try to keep you updated on the challenge.Pi

 Pictures from my Twin Aunt & Uncle's 85th birthday:

 My uncle had twins too!

I'm in this picture stuffing my face.  Most of these people are second and third cousins.  That translates to my cousins' grandchildren. Unfortunately, we haven't been together as a group in several years!

This is my silly husband with my 85 year old aunt.  She is a widower and she has no children of her own, but has spent her whole life helping and doing for others.  When I was in high school, she had the idea of helping me go to Europe for Spring Break.  If I hadn't done that, I probably wouldn't have ever had the nerve to go to Honduras!!!

 Happy Snow Day!!!!!

earringproject: Merry Christmas/Happy 2012!!!

earringproject: Merry Christmas/Happy 2012!!!: Christmas Eve at my mom's house He's reading in the car & he hates having his pic made!!! Well, my break is almost over! Tomorrow ...

Merry Christmas/Happy 2012!!!

Christmas Eve at my mom's house

 He's reading in the car & he hates having his pic made!!!

Well, my break is almost over! Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and because the holiday falls on a Sunday, I get Monday off.  We go back Tuesday, but the students don’t come back until ….that’s a good thing!

delicious ham

My mom's dirty Santa game

I have had a great Christmas it has just gone by way too fast!  Besides celebrating on Christmas Eve and Christmas and dealing with children’s relationship dramas, I have been chilling around the house and working out about every day the Y has been open.  I have been very good and really stuck to my diet with the aid of my new Weight Watchers IPhone app.  I have been tracking my meals and I’ve been very good except my two “holiday days”.  I weigh in tomorrow, so we’ll see if my hard work paid off. (My fingers are crossed!!)

My family(Lucas wasn't at home last Christmas and we were glad to all be together.)

Add caption

Christmas Eve at my house (waiting for Santa Clause to come)

 My Christmas morning tradition: Country ham breakfast

passing out presents

On Sunday, it will be exactly a year since I’ve started this blog.  I have really enjoyed it, but my job has kept me busy and there’s not a lot of extra time for blogging.  I know I have some faithful readers out there so, I’ll try to put a post up every week or so

If I don’t get on here again for a while………………….don’t forget……………………………

Happy 2012!!!!

Twas three days before Christmas......

Twas three (or is it four) days before Christmas .....

The last week and a half before I got out of school was particularly long and hard.  You can’t really teach important stuff, which causes the students to become more wound up than usual.  They really weren’t too bad though.  We were able to get our presents made for their parents, have our *party and maintain a sense of normalcy right before break. 

 *A side note about our party…..I got all of the students a stocking and a small gift from the Dollar Tree.  I had asked the parents to send in small stocking stuffers.  Most of the parents did, and it made for a good time.  The children were so appreciative!!!  I heard comments like, “This was the best day of my life!” “Thank you! You are the best teacher ever!”  It was very apparent to me that these children not spoiled!!!

These were the ornaments that we made for their parents.  I got this idea from Pinterest also.  We made picture frames with their pictures also.

I also had my teacher friends over yesterday and we had finger foods.  They sampled some of my new Pinterest recipes!!!  We had a nice time and tried not to talk “shop” too much.

Who would like to come and help me take down this dated wallpaper???

Yes, I was able to get everyone into this hand-held self portrait!

I know there are some of you out there who read my blog religiously and I’m sorry I haven’t had any posts lately. I tend to not have a post unless I have taken a lot of pictures or something important has happened.  We’ll see if I can do better!  Also, when I’m teaching, I tend to be busy with that!! 

 I almost forgot....I've joined a book club. (Something I have been wanting to do for awhile!)  I joined them for a get together at Blackhorse.  It seemed a little strange to go out at night on a school night!!! :)

I will probably not have an update until after Christmas, so I want to take this time to wish you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas!!!

Oh, I almost forgot…..I’ve gone back to Weight Watchers and I’m trying to get these 5+ stubborn pounds off!  Let me tell you…..it’s not easy when you are ______ years old, but I WILL NOT give up.  I know have an Iphone app and it has made it easy to keep my tracker.  I lost a whopping .6 pounds in my first week.  That was with me following the plan religiously and exercising!  I will keep you posted!

Gift HInts/Normal Annoyances of a Second Grade Teacher

 (I always like to add pictures in my blog, and I haven't been taking many pictures lately.  I guess that is why I haven't had many posts!  I'll look for some fun pics from the internet!)

If you haven’t noticed there is a full moon outside.  They can make for a crazy day!!!  My students weren’t that bad, but by the end of the day, I was the one that was crazy!!!  So, I think the full moon has affected me!!!! 

Today's moon and there is a lunar eclipse tonight!!!!

 I had planned to go to Zumba as usual tonight, but Nick was flying home from Nevada and I realized that he wouldn’t be home to see after the dog.  I was hurriedly getting my things ready to take home, so I could take care of Cocoa when I got an email that said that I was getting a new student Monday. 

My dog, she is wonderful, but it's worse than having a baby!

 That was just great, we have our Christmas party coming up and I always give the students a gift and a stocking.  Luckily, I had bought one extra!!!  If I get another new student, then, I’ll have to go back to the store!!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B005FO9KUW/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=3375251&s=sporting-goods

I would love some of these.  I heard these Latin sizes run small!  :)

 Oh, and by the way, this child will be the third Michael in my class!!! (It’s the little things that send you through the roof!!)  Zumba would have eased some of the stress and tension, but a bubble bath had to suffice.  I’ll think I’ll be better after a good night sleep.

I would like this new album.

Gift Giving Advice:  I think it is very hard to buy for your spouse and vice versa, them for you.  I have figured out a way to keep both parties happy.  Find several things on the internet that you would like and then cut and paste and send them to your spouse in an email. 

Then, he/she can pick one to give you as a gift.  It will still be a surprise and you get what you wanted.  You could also make your Wish List on Pinterest.  (I think I mentioned this in a previous post.)  The email also has a link, which makes for hassel-free shopping for them.

only available in stores

You can never go wrong with one of these!

I'm excited because I have joined a Book Club. Our January book is, In the Garden of Beasts.  I've probably read a fifth of it in two days.  It's very educational!!!