I've Got to Get to Work!

Last week at this time, I was putting the finishing touches on my lesson plans. Different week, different story. I've been cutting up, napping, snacking, you name it. Basically, I've done EVERYTHING but get my work done. See, I'm even blogging rather than working. I need to see a counselor. Why don't I do what I know I SHOULD be doing?!?

Wow, my ADD just took me to the shower and now I'm back. I just think I'm too tired to do what I need to do. I've got to take care of myself better or better care of myself. Sometimes, I'm just so exhausted, I just don't really care. How sad is that?!? I guess I need to pull myself up out of this funk.

Did I mention sitting out last night at a baseball game for about three hours? It was bitterly cold, for South Georgia. Our boys did pretty well. One of my calculus kids hit one out of the park. He should play in college. He's a pretty good kid, most of the time! My students all have their days. When I woke up this morning, my knee was a little hinky. I'm not sure if it's the 200+ pounds on my frame or sitting out in 38-degree weather!

Supermom and The Child have gone to Bubba and Granny's this weekend, so it's awfully quiet around here. I find myself sitting here listening to Rick and Bubba and wondering what I'm going to do for dinner. I think I may make a pot of pasta sauce and have some of the whole-wheat pasta, not sure.

I need to stop procrastinating and slog through some of this lesson plan business. That's what I'm declaring that I'm going to do.

Cheers!

Can't Sleep Enouzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Okay, I think I need to go to the doctor and the gym. I am exhausted. Doesn't matter how long I sleep. Doesn't matter what I do. I'm tired. I don't know if this is some kind of depression, but I'm tired.

I'm gonna try more regular gym trips (struggle) and more water to see if that helps.

Later.

Coming Up for Air

Okay, we started school with the kids a week ago Friday, so we've got six days under our belts. It has been pretty good, overall. The students seem to be more focused on learning (I know it's week one.). A great focus has been placed on bell-to-bell teaching. I disagree with this. Focus needs to be placed on bell-to-bell learning. That is what I've been working towards.

It's been a little difficult to adjust to our new regime. It's a deal where we've pretty much been allowed to whatever we want with very little guidance. My room is in the back of a secondary building, so there was very little traffic back there. We've got to have standards up, essential questions, and everything pretty much has to look perfect when an administrator comes in.

Don't get me wrong. I WANT my students to learn and I have been working from bell-to-bell. It's something that I've (with an exception or two) done the entire time I've been teaching. It's just that it feels as if administrators are coming in to "get us," not, as an administrator who left did, coming in to affirm that we are doing our job. It's the punitive tone that is very unappealing. It makes me feel very beaten down. It's not that I don't like the administration. I really don't have an opinion yet about them. I am pretty neutral about them. It's just that I forgot to do attendance for a block and got a very patronizing/inflammatory e-mail about it. Other people have been crawled about things that in the great scheme of things, don't seem very important.

I love my classes. I have two senior-level classes and one predominantly tenth-grade class. They are all very good. my favorite, I think, is my fourth block. This is actually GREAT because I look forward to the end of the day. Planning for me is first block, so it's kind of nice. It's not so good because second through fourth blocks are an endurance test.

I went to my friend Snoopy's house yesterday afternoon and found my friend Fiona there as well. We piled up in the den and proceeded to take a L-O-N-G nap. Fi was on the sofa with her trusty doggie and I was in a chair with a nice blankie, since Snoopy keeps her house cold. We then watched the end of Major Payne and indulged in a great bacon cheeseburger pizza.

Today, I got up a little before 8 a.m. and watched my nephew while my sister went to Weight Watchers. At about 11 a.m., I went to bed for a nap and slept until about 1:30, tried to call Mrs. C., didn't get her, and decided to go back to sleep. I then got up around 4:30. I am not going to have trouble going to sleep tonight either. I am so tired from school, it's not even funny. I sit down during first block (between trips to the main building) and at lunch, but that's it. I think that I'm going to go get fitted for inserts for my shoes. My back has been killing me.

I'm going to go fix some quinoa for supper. That may be part of my problem. I haven't been getting my quinoa quota met. Hmmmmm. Something to think about!

Happy Monday!

Wow! Today was really pretty good. I'm just very tired. It is rough working with tomorrow's future! Then, after school, we had the Georgia High School Graduation Test group. Fiona's group had a grand total of one attending, as did mine. Two kids will do REALLY well on the graduation test. Yipee! It's not for our lack of trying. What can you do?

I have got to get my lesson plans together. Ugh!

That and gym. #1!

Saturday, I'm Baaaaaack!

Well, this week has been a total challenge, both personally and workly (okay, not a word, but I couldn't think of an appropriate one). I have just not been feeling right. It's not that I've been sick or anything specific. I've just been extremely tired and wanted to sleep for several days. I cried all the way home from work on Wednesday. I was trying to get my lesson plans done, but had stayed so late that mentally, I was exhausted. It was out of anguish; I just don't like to let something whip me. I'm much better now, though.

Part of my invigoration I watched The Biggest Loser on Thursday (via DVR) and I was renewed. I SO love Bob Harper, it's not funny. When the 62-year old grandpa ran to him, he became my favorite. I am also excited about Jillian returning. Is it wrong that I'm really pulling for the lady who hasn't been to her husband's Christmas party because her wedding pictures are so good she's embarrassed of how she looks now? But Pa-paw is my favorite (He's also got an AWESOME head of hair also.). Thirty-one pounds? Are you kidding me? I only wish that they'd give some kind of statistics breakdown for how much time they worked out and what they did. It would help people appreciate how much goes into such big weight losses.

It's been since Sunday that I've worked out. I'll go back tomorrow, but I've got to do a better job of getting to the gym. My heel started hurting again. I guess it's going to hurt if it's used or not. This year I'm sitting down much less while teaching, so I guess it stays aggravated. I suppose a little elliptical machine usage won't hurt it too much more. I've tried to stretch it out as per the websites that lead me to believe it's plantar fasciitis. I'm not going to the foot people unless it gets much worse. I've got enough medical worries right now.

We're watching the Georgia Southern/Coastal Carolina game. The Coastal Carolina mascot is the Chanticleer. Wow, what is that, you ask? Well, inquiring minds had to know. According to their website it's a very beautiful, cocky (no pun intended) rooster. It's taken from the Nun's Preist Tale in the Canterbury Tales. (Please see the logo above. I couldn't figure out how to move it.)

I'm going to grade some papers. What an electrifying evening for me, huh? I got two sets graded last night while listening to the football game on the radio at Snoopy's. I want to continue the magic and get my backlog cleared out so this week is better. I hope to sleep a little as well. I'm also planning on trying a new church in the morning. I have decided that even if I don't make it to the early service, I'll go to the later one. I may write again tomorrow. I KNOW it won't be a week this time.

Happy Day!

Had a really good day today. I can't believe how well-behaved and hard-working my ninth graders are this year. They want to work every day. What a delight!

My other classes were very good also. I was fairly productive, but packed up almost everything so I can play catch up. This week was the longest week EVER. It may be my age, or the heat due to the fact that it's hard to heat an upstairs when the temp outside is getting up to 105 degrees. Also, I've been walking/jogging with the cross-country team. It's been brutal.

This afternoon/evening Snoopy, Senora, Dude, and I went to a Cajunish-themed restaurant. I had some delicious tuna and a Caesar salad that wouldn't quit. It was very enjoyable.

I'm gonna go catch some zzzz's. Good weekend, y'all.

Exhausted!

Wow! I am tired. Trying to keep everything up and do all the beginning of the year things has gotten me to a point of ZZZZZZZZZZ. See, I fell asleep while doing this. I'll try to update you tomorrow. Nothing major, just the day-to-day fun of school.

Peace out.