Wow! Things Have Changed!

Goes to show you how long I've been away. There is so much going on in our life right now, I don't know where to begin. I have gradually started the process of "coming out" at work. So far, so good. A couple of months ago I was approached by the lower school principal and asked to start a new classroom. I am thrilled with this because I will be working with the younger students again and it will be my classroom only. I will have an assistant half the day. Looks like there will be between 17 and 19 this year. This has really helped control my OCD, since I have made list after list after list. Materials to buy, things to do, price comparisons, student lists, goals, books to read, and, of course, lesson plans. I technically have the summer off but will need it to get things ready. I will be making my own hours and am tutoring a high school student to make some extra cash. It costs a lot to walk on the Galveston Pleasure Pier, you know. I decided to take advantage of the summer to really work on my weight, especially an exercise routine. During the school year I get up at 5:30 in the morning to walk, and I have to be honest, I just don't feel like doing it every day. I find myself skipping more and more days. Since I don't have to get up as early, I am trying to vary my exercise a lot. I know that if you do the same thing every day, you will not lose the weight. I am rotating biking three miles, walking one mile, 10 laps in the pool, Zumba dancing, and weights from Joyce Vedral's Fat Burning Workout. That book helped me a lot in the past. In less than a month, I could see a MAJOR difference in the shape of my body. My eating can be better controlled in the summer, too. I take Lean Cuisines for lunch, eat cereal and fruit for breakfast, and cut my evening meal portion in half. Down ten pounds so far and it's only May 30th! J and I have been to some great events since last time I checked in. We went to the horse races on Kentucky Derby Day. J won the derby! We almost skipped it because the power went out for an hour and a half before the race and we thought about leaving. In April we went to see Carol Burnett in Galveston. She was great. It was mainly a q & a session. It's amazing the stupid questions people will ask when they have the attention. A couple of weeks ago we went to see Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking. I wlll say that that was one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. Our 14th row seats were free, but I would have gladly paid for them. If you get the chance to see her, you have to go.

K18 performed her final performance with CYT as the wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast and we are all proud of her. She accepted the role of the middle girl, Hodel, in Fiddler on the Roof this summer with the local community theater sponsored by the college. Hope to check in more often. Have a great summer!

Yippee! We Got a Scale!

Trying to look at it as a positive addition to the household. I have never weighed this much in my whole life and am really feeling bad about it. One of my best excuses for not losing weight is that if I do, I will have the rolls of skin to deal with, especially on my chin and neck. I can tuck belly skin in if I need to, but everyone is going to see my face.

Don't have the funds for Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem. I lost all my baby weight with Nutrisystem after each pregnancy. Weight Watchers didn't work well for me and J doesn't do well with South Beach, so here's my plan. I have four Lean Cuisines left. After those are eaten, I plan to cut out white flour and use whole grain for my grains (taken from South Beach). I plan to eat a protein and a salad with each meal. I get so tired of salads, so I am just going to try to make very small ones. If I absolutely crave a starch with my meal, I will eat brown rice or sweet potatoes. I plan to go to Whole Foods today to look for Kashi that I can cook up for a change. I plan to drink 4 bottles of water each day minimum - 1 when I awake, 1 by noon, 1 by five, and 1 by bedtime. I am going to cut my diet soda in at least half by making crystal light. I used to drink CL for my water, but it tore up my stomach. No sweets or desserts of any kind. So I guess you could say that it is high protein, low carb, like SB but without the first two weeks of withdrawal (which I always hated but did flatten up the stomach somewhat. But my stomach is so big now, that I hardly think I would notice the difference.)

On Saturdays I will record my weight on my newly printed calendar and every other Saturday J will measure me with my new, pink measuring tape we bought at Target yesterday. I am going to post my weight and measurements on the refrigerator door as a reminder.

On the exercise part of it, I plan to do couch to 5K at least four days a week. Still trying to figure out which days. I want to do Joyce Vidal's fat burning workout but I don't have a flat weight bench so I have to skip so many of the exercises in there that it hardly seems worth it. I am on the lookout for an old piano bench at a thrift store.

Anything I have left out?

Mega Millions

500 million dollars. Wow. I wonder what past winners of the Mega Millions Lottery were thinking the morning of the drawing. Did they wake up that morning and say, “I’m going to be a multi-millionaire in less than 24 hrs.”? Was that day an ordinary day for them, taking kids to school, cooking dinner? Did they even think once about the ticket they kept in their wallet or purse or did they sit in anticipation, waiting for the big moment when the numbers were called? Did they split the cost of tickets and plan how they would split the money with others? Did they make a list in their minds of what they would do if they won? It seems so surreal that in the morning one could wake up like on any other day, dreading sitting in traffic with a mound of bills stacking up, carefully calculating your checkbook so that every penny is balanced, and then in the evening go to bed with millions of dollars waiting for you to spend.

I asked my mother last night if she had bought her lottery ticket yet. She said that, no, she had no use for that much money. If it had been 4 million she would have reconsidered. The only member of my family I have ever known who bought lottery tickets is my grandmother, and even she has decided to pass.

I never ever thought J and I had a shot at the money until this past year when a winning ticket was sold to someone at an H.E.B. store in Houston, about three miles from our old apartment. We had shopped there once when it first opened.
What would you do with that much money? Would you ever work again? I think I would choose to travel, but I would definitely work, too. I cannot imagine myself never working again. I would become too bored. And I would definitely donate a major portion to many different causes, not just one. I would give a reasonable amount to both of my daughters for a rainy day fund and pay for their college and for my future grandchildren. But I would not give them enough so that they would not try to support themselves.

So have you bought your ticket?

Sorry

Sorry for the long delay, but I am immersing myself in Pinterest and The Lovely Bones book.

It's finally happened

My ex is now trying to distance himself from my family. It has been three years since we split. He has always come with the girls to family dinners and holidays. We are always civil with one another. One of my girls once told me that he wants to be friends with me but is waiting for me to make the first move, whatever that is. I am not all that uncomfortable with him being there, I just don't know what to talk about. I usually ask him how his family is, how's work, blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, he finally told my parents that he is going to skip family functions from now on because it makes "B" uncomfortable. My mom says it's people at his church who are encouraging this. I imagine he's just trying to make a new life for himself, totally understandable. I know this is a step in the right direction, that, hopefully, one day J will be invited to attend functions. But I am also worried that it will put our daughters in the middle of having to choose to attend holiday functions and leave their dad at home alone (his family is out of state) or stay home with him instead. By leaving them, this is the position that I have put them in, not him. So now I am feeling guilty about that.

Now on to other matters. This is my spring break and, as usual, I don't have much to show for it. I was able to spend the day yesterday with K21. Now I fear I am coming down with a sinus infection. My plans with a friend today have cancelled. Must take this time off to work on the book. Friday I am going to spend the night at my parents' house and spend time with both gmas. Then Monday it's back to the grind.

Trip to ABC 13

Above left to right: Ilona Carson, K21, and Melanie Lawson

Above left to right: Ilona Carson and me

That Was A Long Break From Blogging

and I've taken an even longer break from my other two blogs. Life has not been grand around here. J has been sick, I am struggling at work, and life in general is just blah.

However:
Saturday night I had dinner with K20. I am happy to say that she made The President's List at school. This is a great accomplishment for her considering her learning issues. I am so proud of her for persevering.

Tonight I had dinner with K18. She was given the role of Madame De La Grande Bouche, the fabulous, enchanted wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. At the end of the play, she is supposed to wear a hot, smoking, red dress. Tonight we talked about her first boyfriend. They have known each other since 2nd grade. I am very happy and scared for her all at the same time. She is leaving for Michigan for spring break. Nervous momma here since two weeks ago one of her friends she has known since 3rd grade was killed along with her best friend in a car wreck in Magnolia.

Tomorrow night J and I are going out to dinner with friends. We have tickets to see Reba at the rodeo on Friday night. Of course, the forecast is 60 percent chance of thunderstorms. It ALWAYS storms when we have tickets to the rodeo, so why should this year be any different? Saturday night we have tickets to the horse/camel/ostrich races. Great way to start my spring break!!!

I have been working more on my novel, changing it, then changing it back. I really need to finish it!!!

Hopefully, at the end of March I will have some exciting news to share with all of you. I caught up with your blogs tonight. Sorry I was unable to comment.

Meme - Borrowed from Tyffany

1)ONE OF YOUR SCARS. HOW DID YOU GET IT?The only really scar visible to others is on my leg, from when I tried to shave for the first time and slid the razor down the side of my knee. I think I was eleven, Of course, I do have my c-section scar which shall remain hidden forever.
2) WHAT IS ON THE WALLS OF YOUR BEDROOM? Nothing
3) WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE?It's a purple Blackberry and it’s worth less than the $30 we paid for it.
4) WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?70s and piano instrumentals
5) DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
5:45 a.m. My poor mother. What a night she must have had.
6) WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
My children’s success and happiness
7) WHO DO YOU MISS? My children
8) IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU OR HAS A CRUSH ON YOU?
I hope in love.
9) WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My wife.
10) WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME?Ann, but I changed it to my maiden name.
11) THE BEST TV SHOW EVER CREATED?
Right now I’m thinking Everwood. I didn’t want it to end. MASH is a close second.
12) THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO?My wife.
13) DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?No
14) THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?No one MAKES me cry.
15) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE/PERFUME?Tou se Moi (sp?)
16) WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?Green eyes. Hair color will make no difference.
17) WOULD YOU RATHER BE SMART OR FUNNY?
Smart
18) COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Neither
19) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Mushrooms
20) IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A shrimp fire cracker roll from H.E.B.
21) WHO IS THE LAST PERSON WHO MADE YOU MAD?
Probably a student
22) DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
Yes, Spanish.
23) WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT THAT YOU REMEMBER SOMEONE GIVING YOU?I remember getting my first record album. It was a Partridge Family album I received on my birthday in fourth grade.
24) DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE?
Of course.
25) ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No
26) FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Gloria Vanderbilt jeans
27) WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR?
Jeep Wrangler
28) WHAT COLOR IS IT?
Doesn’t matter
29) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF EXERCISE?
Clogging
30) WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Not if I could help it.
31) WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Show them affection, let them know they mean the world to you.
32) WRITE A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED
99
33) BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
34) WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL THE MOST OFTEN?
My wife’s
35) WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST?
Unkind people
36) HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY? WHERE DID YOU GO? WHAT PLACE DID YOU LIKE BEST?
Canada and Mexico. Cozumel is wonderful. Canada was beautiful.
37) YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Right now, food.
38) FRIES/CHIPS, RICE OR BEANS?
Fries and rice
39) FIRST JOB?
I worked at the Nut Hut in the middle of a mall. Lots of crank calls.
40) EVER PRANK CALLED SOMEONE?
Yes, and got caught, too. Also, two older girls somehow got a hold of David Hennessy’s phone number (from Dark Shadows) and got me to dial the phone. It was long distance, to California, of course. They got in trouble; I didn’t. I was about seven or eight at the time.
41) WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS?
Changing an A/C filter and starting laundry
42) IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Liposuction, baby!
43) WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS MEME?
Because my life is boring and I don’t have anything else to blog about.
44) WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ON THE MOST?
My hair or nails.
45) WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Go insane.
46) WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Kindle cards
47) HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
The two I have
48) WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My maternal grandmother
49) WHICH FINGER IS YOUR FAVORITE?
Huh?
50) DO YOU WISH ON STARS?Not anymore. It doesn't work.
51) WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Wheat Thin Fire Roasted Tomato Stix
52) DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
If I take my time, yes.
53) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Salami, but I never eat it.
54) ANY BAD HABITS?
There are too many to name.
55) WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
Wynonna Judd
56) IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Maybe
57) HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET THAT YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
I’m sure I have, yes.
58) DO LOOKS MATTER?
Yes.
59) YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER?Not in healthy ways.
60) WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
I don’t have one right now.
61) Do you trust others easily?
No
62) What was your favorite toy as a child?
I really liked my roller skates and my softball pitchback.
63) How many numbers are in your mobile phone?
Around 20
.64) Do you use sarcasm?
Yes, and it gets me in trouble.
65) Do you know anyone famous?
No, I used to know Kenny Roger’s oldest sister, but she went with the ex.
66)Have you ever been in a mosh pit?No.
67) What do you look for in a place to live?
A doggy door
68) What are your nicknames?
Hey, you.
69) How many hats do you own? What is your hat size?I have around seven. One size fits all.
70) Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
No.
71) Were you upset about Steve Irwin dying?
Yes, but surprisingly had never watched him. I was a more of a Jack Hanna fan.
72) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint Chocolate Chip or Chocolate Peanut Butter
73)Are you lazy?
Yes.
74) What are your favorite songs at the moment?
Endless Love
75) What is your favorite band?
Sugarland or Rascal Flatts
76) How many wisdom teeth do you have?
Mine have never come in.
77) Do you want to go anywhere special this year?
The new Galveston Pleasure Pier, the new section of Schlitterbaun in New Braunfels.
78) What are you listening to right now?
MASH in the background
79) Last thing you ate?
Didn’t I already answer that question?
80) Last person you talked to on the phone?
My wife.
81) What is the first thing that you notice about yourself in the morning?
My hair sticking up.
82) Favorite thought provoking song?
I Loved You Before I Met You

83) Favorite two things to hate?
Traffic and the alarm clock
84) Favorite Drink?
Diet Cherry Coke
85) Favorite Zodiac sign?
None,
86) Sports you like to watch?
Football, hockey, baseball
87) What is your hair color?brown with blonde highlights at the moment

88) Eye color?Hazel
89) Do you wear glasses?
Unfortunately, yes.
90) Siblings?
Younger brother
91) Favorite month?
October
92) Do you like sushi?
I like sashimi. It’s cooked.
93) Last thing you watched on television?
Parenthood
94) Favorite day of the year?
No day in particular
95) Are you too shy to ask someone out?
No
96) Summer or Winter?
Summer
97) Kisses or hugs?
Both, I guess.
98) Relationships or One night stands?Relationships.
99) Who is your favorite celebrity?
Don’t really have a favorite.1
00) Books you'd like to see turned into a film?
“Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven”

Wordless Wednesday

Anothe Day Off

I guess 17 days off should have been enough, but, boy, was I happy that we got off for MLK Day! I needed it. I know most of you probably think my life is boring; well, it sometimes is. Here are some things that have recently happened in my life:

1. I have been watching Chopped religiously and trying to make new things from scratch. I have had some successes and a few failures in that area. When J and I ate shrimp and cheese grits in Gruene last month, I took a mental note of how they tasted and tried to recreate the dish on my own. It tasted great, albeit it needed more salt. I must say that the presentation was awesome. J took a picture of it on her phone, but it wouldn't forward to e-mail or text. Dang.

2. I have been learning about my Kindle Fire and what it can do, which I admit has gotten me in a bit of trouble. I have started playing Words with Friends, downloaded games, a scanner and a radio app, and today I downloaded my first book, The Hunger Games. I can already tell that I will be reading a lot more with my Kindle. I love the lightweight feel of it in my hand and not having to turn each page. Love the multi-tasking. Today, I actually played Pinball while getting a pedicure at the same time! I also downloaded some magazines, The Writer and Curve.

3. I have decided that if I don't have a teaching job for next year, I would like to work with the elderly in some way. I came to this realization after spending time with my 95-yr-old grandmother and her friends every other weekend. I don't feel that my job is secure due to enrollment issues for next year, so I must be prepared.

4. I am leaving work tomorrow at 10 a.m. to be with my daughter as she battles for financial aid.

5. I watched a total of 15 minutes of Sunday's Texans game; I couldn't take the stress of it all.

6. I reorganized the kitchen yesterday; it was getting out of hand. Now we can find all the lids to the tupperware containers and styrofoam cups don't fall on my head when I open the cabinet door to get a recipe.

7. Only one person has rsvp'ed for game night, AGAIN, but I am going to keep trying. Maybe we should switch to another night.

8. J started a new paralegal job last week (yay), but this week started with a migraine today (ouch).

Only two months to spring break! Hope you all have a fantastic week!

~b~