2/24- I should've been more deserving than this beggar, thief, and courtesan I've been.

Weight Loss for the Week: 0 lbs

I started off this week at Dad and Diane's in CO and that was great :)  I got to hang out with Dad a good bit- we went for a hike, ran errands, and even played a game of Phase 10- I won and got to sign the Title Belt!  It was really good to get see him after everything that happened.  I knew he was okay, but I just had to see him for myself.  I think he liked getting to see me too :) I liked getting in some good exercise, eating tasty, healthy food, and all the quality time I got to spend with them.

                                           At the Bluffs, about to go for a hike. 

                                                     
                                           Good looking people

                                            I won the Title Belt!!!

Then, I came back to Memphis, finished out my crazy week of only three days.  I know that three days should feel like a break, but I felt like I was playing catch up the whole time and never quite able to do so until it was all said and done. I also did not get to exercise here.  And I ate out too much, and just ate crap too much the last few days.  That would be why I maintained instead of losing this week.

I got to spend a lot of time with family back here this weekend- girl's night at Memaw's complete with staying up talking and sipping on wine until midnight.  It was really nice and fun and I'm glad I'm old enough to truly appreciate it all.

Today, I finally slept in a little, got caught up on everything and have been able to just relax for a good portion of the day.  I also got stocked up on healthy goodies for the week- back on track.  Then, I made Chicken Paprikash for my week's meals.  It is sooooooo delicious.  I am liking my challenge to try a few new recipes each month.  Maybe I'll finally do one that isn't a chicken recipe next time.  I just really like chicken.  So, it might still be a chicken one.  We'll see....

Recipe for Chicken Paprikash (I didn't add the mushrooms, and I substituted nonfat Greek Yogurt for the Sour Cream)

 http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=87051

                                It was very tasty- looking forward to lunches this week.

Now, back to the Oscar's :)

2/17- Hey, where did we go, days when the rains came? Down in the hollow, playing a new game.

Weight Loss this Week: 0 lbs

I felt like a chicken running around with it's head cut off this week. We had Parent-Teacher conferences (went very well), the school play, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday services, Valentine's Day, and I was getting everything ready for my subs next Tuesday and trying to get everything ready for my trip to see my Dad and Diane. I did not get in all my workouts this week and I splurged on Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day.

And I felt the lack of exercise and the splurges. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like feeling unhealthy about the week as a whole. So, I am staying on track with this week and making sure I get my workouts in and eat better- i.e. avoid all the crap in the teacher's lounge.

 I made it to CO last night and have been enjoying spending time with Dad and Diane, and I even got to see one of my cousins and her family before they went up to the mountains for their ski trip. We've been relaxing, running a few errands, and we went for a 3.5 mile hike this afternoon. I'm very grateful that I was able to come here and get to see them and help out if I can. Now, back to spending some much-needed quality time with the CO Thackery's :)

2/10- Then the rain let up and the sun came up and we were gettin' dry

Weight Loss for the Week: 1.5lbs

This last week has been ... intense.  The week seemed normal at the start, a bit busy, but normal.  I was able to watch my portions, fit in some extra exercise and stayed on top of things like grading and prepping and all that fun stuff.

Wednesday evening, it took a turn.  My dad and stepmom called me to let me know that they had found a benign tumor on my dad's pituitary gland (that's in the base of the brain) and that it would have to be removed since it was pressing on his optic nerve and causing a lot of issues.  I got upset, cried a little, but was able to function pretty decently that night and the next day- especially knowing it was benign and that it was stupid to get so upset and worried about it.

Thursday was pretty normal, the school day went fine, got some solid info at a meeting that I needed, and even treated myself to my favorite salad.  That night, my mom informed me that my stepmom had been trying to get a hold of me.  The tumor had ruptured and they were performing an emergency surgery on my dad that night. I pretty much lost it.  I was able to talk to my stepmom to get some more details, and to make sure she had some good friends there with her during the surgery, and after some time, I was able to talk to my dad before he went in for the surgery. 

I spent the rest of the night praying, crying, and trying to distract myself by over-prepping for school the next day. My stepmom had told me the surgery would take some time and it was already late, but I wanted to know when it was over and that he was okay.  It finally ended and she let me know late into the night.  I then spent another hour praying thankful prayers and crying tears of exhaustion and relief.  I ended up only getting a few hours sleep that night.

I made it to school the next day and decided to try to make it through the whole day since I knew if I went home, I would just cry and be unable to do anything productive.  So, I went to school to try to stay distracted.  I let some of the teachers know what was going on and they informed the rest of the staff and they were all wonderful checking in on me when they saw me throughout the day. And I started off each class letting my students know that I had had a long night, my dad was in the hospital and I needed them to do their best and stay totally focused. And they did.  The students were wonderful about it and I definitely needed that.  With all the love and support I got, I was so glad I went in to school and was able to not sit and dwell all day.

I also appreciate all the texts and calls I got from friends Thursday night, all day Friday, and Saturday.  Y'all are simply wonderful people. 

I finally heard from my stepmom and dad that afternoon which made my day.  I was glad to hear he was doing well, walking around, and he was even making jokes on the phone, so that was wonderful.  I was able to just rest and relax and update all my friends for the umpteenth time that day about him. Then, I passed out early.

Yesterday was far more normal, minus me actually sleeping in since I was so dang tired.  And, my dad was released from the hospital which is great.  When we talked, we made plans for me to go see him and my stepmom next week while he's still recuperating. I'm looking forward to seeing them and getting to help out for a few days.

Now, back to my somewhat normal life of planning, prepping and grading.  Oh, and my massage this afternoon ;)

2/3- What made us think that we were wise and we'd never compromise?

Weight Loss Last Week: 1lb

Weight Loss This Week: .5lbs

Sorry to not post last week- it was a crazy weekend and time just got away from me with some unexpected news.  Not going to elaborate here for the now, just asking for prayers that what's supposed to happen will happen.

Let's see, I've been doing well with meal planning and been working harder to get those work outs in.  This week was not so easy for the work outs- we had our Spirit Week at school and as fun as it was, it was rather hectic and a bit draining by the end of the week.  But the kids had a blast and it was a lot of fun to see them dress out and to get to dress out as well- I even won with my Batson gals on Twin Day- we were MCHS Cheerleaders! We had Nerd Day, Retro Day (yes, I 'froed the hair), Twin Day, Pajama Day, and Superhero Day.  We also had different competitions almost every day and a special Mass and Breakfast which some of the parents were able to attend.  It was a really nice week, and I'm glad I have a year to prepare for the next one, lol!

I have been having some nice time with my family as well- we've gone to brunch and movies the past few weeks.  We're also all preparing for some big moves this year and hoping everything works out for those.  Prayers are definitely appreciated for that as well. While it seems like it's a big deal, it's a good thing for us all.  I'm enjoying preparing for my own place and collecting items here and there so I don't have to get a lot all at once.  And now my grandmother is preparing to leave her home of over 50 years.  I know it will be a bit weird at first, but I love how excited she gets when she talks about having her own apartment.  She's so adorable :)

Otherwise, everything is about the same.  I will be looking to try a new recipe sometime this week, hoping to have a bit more time than last week/end- wish me luck, haha!

Now, here are the photos from the week!

                                                                    Nerd Day

                                                                  Retro Day!

                                    
                                                           
                                                                Twin Day!

                                                                   Pajama Day- we're sleeping, then waking up!

                                                          Superhero Day!