Ok New Resolution to blog!

Well I have not blogged personally in a long time and when my Dad said "Hey you haven't blogged in awhile" I was surprised someone was actually reading my blog lol. So I am planning on revamping blog design and adding links to my book blogs and school blog. Hopefully i won't get behind.

I am in a new grade this year 3rd grade and I am a little nervous because I get so stressed over the TAKS now the STARR test. I am going to take each day one at a time hopefully I can work with my new team and students this year with less stress. LOL I will probably look back at this and say what was I thinking? I have lots of ideas I want to do in my class so check mys school blog to find out what.

I have decided to do the Week in the Life scrap challenge with Ali so be on the look out for these posts. I am thinking also that maybe to redo it the first week of school hehe to see a glimpse of what a teacher goes through the first week.

Checking IN

Well got my tax money. I am about to go out and buy a washer and dryer with the money. Kind of scary having to spend all that money in one place (or at least most). But seeing how I can't mooch off my Dad too much longer and it being a pain to drag my stuff to his house across town it is about time.

Still not called the Doc yet just me procrastinating. Talked with friend at work and she said she had seen a difference with me since I started taking this new med but still debating what to say to doc.

~later

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer?????

Found this on Bookshelves of Doom:


http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/

OMG! Looks like it could be good too!

Learn Me Good

Learn Me Good: "I wonder if poking myself in the eye with a sharp stick would have hurt less than after-school tutoring today..."

LOL. I totally get this!

Update

Ok well everything is going ok for me. I have started new meds which makes me feel like I am walking around in a fog. I am not sure I can keep going like this. I stopped the Zyrtec and that help about 75% with the feeling of fatigue but it is still there. I need to go to Doctor for a follow up on the tests done when last went to get the meds. I will talk to the Doc about whether amounts are right, if I can change to different med, or some other alternative can be done. It is so bad that when I drive I feel like I am going to fall asleep driving. Reading I can no longer do because it makes me even more drowsy than I already am. I have so many books waiting for me to read! This also effects my sleeping. I haven't been able to get to sleep due to my not being able to get comfortable (like sitting or laying down). I wasn't taking both pills (one in morning one during day/night)but I am now taking one of the pills in the evening and this has helped.

My favorite Aunt, Midge, died this past week. I am sad but at the same time I know that she has not been the same since her husband Dale died. Plus lots of drama with her son which probably didn't help her. My Dad and Lilly are coming back today from the funeral on Thursday. I feel like a heel for my Dad not telling when/where the funeral would be so I could send flowers. I am hoping he got something and I can help contribute to that.

I have again started my search for a transfer to a different grade level/school. This year my school is displacing 6 teachers. I am not one of them but due to so many leaving due to student amounts being so low I may not stay in 3rd grade nor will I be able to go to 2nd grade. Soooo, that leaves me with trying to control where I will be going by getting a transfer.


My goals as usual have been thrown out the window. I only exercise about 2 times a week if that. I did however meet my goal for steps with my pedometer and I am getting a $40 gift certificate to Borders! YAHOOOO!!! I am on level 2 and that will get me $50 when I complete it (level 1 was $25 but I had some left over).

I have saved a little bit in my savings which is good. I got a little bit of money for taxes which will go toward a new washer and dryer that I have need for awhile. I don't like going to my Dad's house to wash my clothes every weekend. It is time consuming and I just feel bad about mooching off of him.

I will continue to work on saving money and working out more. I will start a new class for healthy eating. More later on this!
Tina

Cool Tech for teachers/web designers

Found this on a site: Embed It. It lets you embed any type of document or url directly into a webpage or blog. Interesting. Not sure how I would use it but interesting.

Tina

Another interesting tech

This is wordle. You copy text from something and it arranges it for you. The bigger the word the more it is used in the text you copied.

No surprise if you know me that money and exercise is pretty big LOL.

here is the link: Wordle

TOO COOOL!

Cool site called Picnik that lets you edit your pics like Photoshop!



original

after picnik


here is the link: picnik

Busy Week

Well I am feeling much better. I have yet to call Dr about my meds :( but since I am so broke I probably couldn't have afforded it any way. The week seemed really long for me. I started out with talk to my kids about things I want to do differently in the class. They seemed to like the ideas that I talked about. We started the Project 365 and I started the blog for it.

http://www.tinadudley.edublogs.org

They were really excited about getting to take pictures for the day! The first couple of students did a pretty good job. I didn't have a chance to have them write any comments since I was still fiddling with the blog.

I was not able to exercise this week due to Family Night on Wednesday and planning for it on Tuesday (yes procastination!). Thursday night the team went out for Martha's bday and I felt just awful not being able to get the card or gift yet. I told her I would get it this week and we would go out to dinner some night. I always have such good intentions but my poor memory combined with my procrastination and finaces always seem to make this kind of thing happen. Sigh. I did exercise on Saturday with Martha and Barbara. I somehow managed to get up early and get there only 10 minutes after they arrived LOL. I thought it would be harder to get back to exercising but it wasn't that hard that day. I do ache a little in my abs since I did some crunchs on the ball. I plan to exercise Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday this week. Will check back to see the outcome.

My personal Project 365 had a slight bump. My camera doesn't have a charger (long story) so I am going to have to use the camera at the school for right now to take pictures. So there will be a delay in posting them. I think I will try a weekly post rather than a daily one. Look for that later today.

~see ya

2 more days!

Well I am still sick after being off for about 2 weeks. The first week was fine then went to Dad's and he was sick. Well the next day I too started to feel sick. I am feeling much better but still stuffy and clogged.

I am getting anxious about the first day back after my holiday. I want to start out on a positive note and try to reconnect to my students. I just haven't felt like I have connected with them this year like I have in previous years. It may be due to my unhappiness with where my life/job is right now. I really want to do something new rather than stay in 3rd grade again. On one hand I LOVE my team but I am tired of TAKS and not being able to teach more and not worry about whether I am covering everything before the test and stressing if they will do well. Also I won't be moved to 2nd grade due to Principal and even if I am moved Barbara has been asking forever to move and hasn't been. So I would feel extremely bad if I was moved and she wasn't. Which leaves me to moving to new school. I have thought even about moving to new district or applying for oversees schools. With my personality I am not sure if it would be a good idea but I need a change.

I talked with the DR about changing my meds because I felt that maybe that may be why I have been so high strung or getting angry so quickly. Well I lost the prescription and have been taking my Lexapro at 1/2 dose. I must say I don't feel as stressed however I am not at work. Wondering if I am taking too much? My worst time is around Aunt Flo time so will see what happens.

Money is extremely tight due to Christmas. I am having to stretch my money and not pay something so I can get groceries. I have only myself to blame so there is nothing to do about it other than make sure it doesn't happen again. I have put a hold on the Dave Ramsey book to see if this is something I can do to help with my debt and reducing it. I do know that most of my money is being wasted on eating out and buying books. I have tried to not eat out unless necessary and cut my book buying to little to none. I have been checking books out from the library so I have something to read. However the types of books I read are not found at the library (ok some are but the majority are not).

My goals for the coming MONTH:

1. I am making cards to carry at school to help me be more positive toward the students and keep my temper under control. Hopefully me seeing these cards will help me be more patient, calm, and under control of my emotions.

2. No eating out more than 1 time a week. (Seeing that I have no money until Amex flips over this shouldn't be a problem.)

3. Only buy 3 books a month (which is about $24) or $25 budget for books ( again no money until Amex flips over. Also I got $20 gift card from Student so free this month)

4. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 45 minutes.


~see ya!

Again long time no posts!

I am beginning the new year with new resolutions. My money and health are still at the for front but I am also trying to change my outlook on life and my job. I will be starting Project 365 days which is a photo a day challenge. So keep an eye out for that. (Like anyone is reading this LOL).

~see ya!

Pioneer Woman

Wow. I just spent about 2 hours reading Ree's love story with Marlbro Man (what she calls her hubby). Can I say that I was truly touched by her story and want me a Marlbro Man of my own? She isn't even done with her story yet so I will wait with baited breathe to learn more about her and her MM.

Sigh.

Sigh.

Ok I know it has been a long time but I am trying to get this up and running again. I am trying to get a new job in 2nd grade and I will post how it goes. The job fair is May 21 so it is pretty far off right now.

The reason for the change is a lot of things. One being that I know I won't be moved at the campus I am at now. There is a lot of issues why which I won't go into since it is still going on :). I am burnt out of the TAKS stuff and I feel that a change in grades will help since I can't pursue my real goal which is to go back to school to be a school librarian.

Martha on my team is almost complete with her degree for this and it really makes me upset that I can't pursue what I really went in to teaching for since I had to have 3 years of teaching to be a school librarian.

This goes back to my trying to jumpstart my goals again. I am trying to make rules for myself money wise so I can start having money in the bank and not be so broke all of the time. I have also started my 403b plan up again so when I retire I will have something to help live off of since I can't get Social Security due to the Texas Retirement System for teachers.

My next goal money wise is to stop spending so much money on books and eating out. I don't keep track but I must spend about 200 dollars a month on books. Eating out is also expensive and is one of my downfalls on my wanting to get healthy. So if I cut that back I hopefully will help on my weight loss plans.

On my weight loss goals I have really dropped the ball. I am eating healthy sometimes and others I really jump off the deep end. I am still emotionally eating or boredom eating which needs to stop. I also haven't been to the gym in over 6 months which is sad since I worked so hard before. With the stress at work all I want to do is go home and be left alone. I don't want to go to the gym or get out my work out videos. This prompted my wanting a change at work.

~Tina

Been busy

Well the last couple of weeks have been busy exercising. Last week I started going back to school to get my room ready (early). Tomorrow I will go back "officially" for the workshops.

I have been exercising like I have wanted to but again my eating habits have not been the best. I think that this is what keeps me from getting under 180 but once school starts this may change when I get into my regular schedule.

My money goals have really sucked and I will be stretched very thin this month. I know this will make me stressed out worrying about making the money stretch far enough. I have no one to blame but myself and I am making a strong effort the next couple of months to tighten up the spending. Most of it was spent on books, movies, and eating out because I was so bored. I am also going to look into getting a part time job on the weekends. I have been saying this all summer but I have yet to do it. Sigh.

talk to ya later!

Last week

Well I continued the 2 workouts a day trend and exercised off over 3300 calories!!! However I had several days of bad eating so I kind of sabotaged myself LOL. I did my Monday weigh in at 188 which is up 3 calories but I weighed in today at 182.5 so I am going to say the lower amount is more accurate due to the bad eating on Friday and Saturday.

I must say I like going to the gym to exercise better than going to the apartment gym. I get to see other people and I get to watch my own tv w/o other people's music disrupting me. It's cool that the elipticals and treads have their own tv's attached with cable. Yesterday I watched Underworld while walking. TOO COOL!!

I found a new website having to do with healthy eating with tons of cool stuff to learn and an email weekly. It is called Hungry Girl. Check it out for some cool stuff!

Hey!

Well I have been working out like crazy this past week. I burned at total of 3000+ calories for the week! I did 2 workouts a day like I had planned and I even attended some kickboxing classes at the gym and burned about 600 calories at each! I guess I need to work harder when I do it at home. LOL. My weight this week is 185.5 and I am sooooo excited!!!!


I had to attend a funeral for a custodian that passed away last week. I was so sorry to hear he had lost his fight against cancer. While there I did get a couple of complements from several coworkers about how thin I looked. I was so proud of myself and told them I would hopefully lose more by the time we started up at the end of August.

I also saw the latest Harry Potter movie. I liked it but not as much as the Goblet of Fire. I really liked how Rowling really started giving Harry some really depth and he seemed like a real teenager. I also got the scoop on the last book from a coworker who is a Harry Potter addict and read every book unlike me who stopped on the third and just watches the movies LOL. From what she told me it really sounded like Rowling wrapped everything up pretty good and left herself some room to start a new series if she wanted.

Well that's it for now!

Movies

Well I recently went to see Transformers and BOY it was great!!! If you haven't seen it yet I would strongely recommend it even though there is some highly suggestive stuff for the younger crowd. I can't believe that they did this to a movie that is geared to kids.


Some other movies I rented:

Shooter-(Mark Walhburg) LOVED it. I am an action movie nut and he is just sooo cute!
Black Snake Moan- Hmmm not sure if I liked it. It was really STRANGE. Kind of a redemption type movie. Christina Ricci is a major slut but by the end you understand why and see how such different people can help each other. Justin Timberlake was WHOA in this movie. First scene is of him and Ricci going at it and boy it was smoking hot! He plays a really out of character person to me.

Sweet Land- This movie I really liked but most people I think will think it was boring and their is not naked parts for a romance. This was a movie based on a short story (which I put on my tbr list). It is an historical piece and the romance is very slow but I liked it because it seemed to go with the time period and the two people who where falling in love. I just wished they showed more of the romance because there really was a spark between the two main characters.

Well that's it for now!

Disappointing Week

Well it has been my TOM and I really blew it food and exercise wise. First time since January that I haven't exercised for 5 days. I also went out to eat too much this week which i attribut to my TOM since I get a lot of cravings during this time. However I am proud of myself for not eating like I use to for the cravings. I did splurge but it was with healthier foods and then I stopped when I was full.

I have been doing the eliptical and treadmill at the gym at apartment/Spectrum. I must say I am really liking it to be able to get in and out quickly while being able to relax and listen to my music. I have found I like the eliptical better than the treadmill for my feet and for calorie burning.

I have bought the biggest loser book and am going to try and do the cardio/strength training they suggest. It is a 12 week program so I kind of am my own little challenge LOL.

I plan to go see Harry Potter tonight with my nephew who is celebrating his birthday. I will comment on whether I like it or not.

Busy weekend

Ok I again have had some slip ups this week. Not bad but I have to buckle down on the eating. I always have severe cravings around that time of the month and boy I am not showing much willpower.

I was suppose to start the Beck diet thingy Monday but.....I procrastinated and didn't do it. I will start tomorrow and stick with it. I did read the first chapters leading up to the start and the first 3 days. It did say I can go slower but I think this is giving myself an excuse to procrastinate which I am veeerrryyy good at. I was also suppose to start the Ab challenge but put it off. I felt yucky on Monday and had to go to the doctor for a check up for my meds. I had planned on getting up at 8:00 am to exercise but forgot they closed the apartment gym to remodel for Monday and Tuesday. My plan is to do treadmill/eliptical in morning and DVD in afternoon.

Hmmm I keep saying that but again no go. I have been exercising but not to what I want. I also had some issues with numb feet which only started up again since the treadmill/eliptical. I talked w/the Doc about this and some other things I have been putting off (colonostophy) due to fear of what I am not exactly sure but I have to do this to make sure I don't get the colon cancer my mom and brother both had.

Anyway back to what Doc said. She said that it could be water retention but thinks it is only that I am not stretching enough. I agree with her since I don't have this problem doing Turbo Jam or other exercise DVD's (except the Leslie Sansone walking ones). When I do the Leslie ones I am standing in place alot as I am on the treadmill and eliptical so I think the repeated pressure on my feet without the moving around is bothering them too. The Doc said that the muscles in my quads are too tight and even though higher than my feet that is were I would feel it the most. Sounds good to me. Stretch more easy solution if I can follow it which I think I can.

I am really missing the Biggest Loser Challenge and the daily repoire (sp?) I had with some of my team mates/competitors. I don't want to continue that regime but I still need that checking in with someone to make sure there is some one there who is working with me. I am going to keep at it on my own and not be too upset and think positive (my motto this year). I know I can do this and it may take me longer but I am at least doing more than I was a year ago and maybe even 6 months ago.

Which Star Wars Character are You?

Ok saw this on a site and here is what I am...
Your results:
You are Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker 75% Yoda 74% Obi-Wan Kenobi 70% R2-D2 70% C-3PO 66% Princess Leia 64% Han Solo 63% An Ewok 60% Qui-Gon Jinn 59% Chewbacca 57%

You value your friends and loved ones, but can sometimes act recklessly because of your emotions. Occasionally you resort to whining. You look ahead to great things for yourself.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)

Click here to take the "Which Star Wars character are you?" quiz...