9/29- When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

School was pretty good this week. We're almost done with "Beowulf" in my Brit Lit classes.  I think they've liked most of it- though one of them does not like the fact that Beowulf ends up dying and getting replaced.  He wanted to call the author.... I laughed so hard and accidentally called him Wiglaf (the successor). Then, the whole class lost it. My sophomores are finishing up their second chapter this week, so that's good. We're about to take the Gospels apart and look at them one by one. I think that will be enjoyable and good for them. We're also gearing up for Homecoming this week. Lots of dress up days and competitions.  Should be interesting. Will be praying for my sanity.

I had a nice weekend as well. I got to take part in a special moment for my cousin to start it off. Then, I went to dinner and the play "Clybourne Park" at Playhouse with my friend Theresa.  We had awesome seats :)  It was a truly great play, a definite must-see if you get the chance. Be sure to refresh yourself on "A Raisin in the Sun" before watching it. 

Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of my day with my friend Amy and my godbabies.  We had breakfast, went shopping, played in the new tent/condo.  It was a lot of fun hanging out with them and goofing around.  My dear little goddaughter did inform me that I am no longer allowed to dance or sing around her though.  Young ones do not care if they offend you, as long as you know when you are bothering them, haha! Then, I grabbed a few things I've been meaning to get at different stores, and the ingredients for Pumpkin Pie Fudge. I made the fudge last night, and my apartment has smelled delicious ever since.  Afterwards, I had rented a movie, but ended up falling asleep on my couch.  I think the week made me tired. Or spending the day with little ones. Either way, totally worth it.

Today, I ended up going to mass with a friend which was a nice change of pace.  Then, Mom, Memaw, and I had a nice breakfast at Stone Soup.  Now, I am getting ready for the week ahead and figuring out my own outfits for each day's theme. Tomorrow's will be the hardest- Under the Sea... I may just wear all blue and tape pictures of fish to myself....

Tip of the Week: When something crappy happens, have your moment about it, but don't let it ruin the positive things happening in your life.

                                                           Pumpkin Pie Fudge!

Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Pie Fudge (I know it's not the healthiest, but I just made it, and it's delicious, so yeah)- 1 piece = 2WW pts. eat sparingly. Share with friends, neighbors, and coworkers :)

Ingredients:
2.5 cups sugar
5 oz. fat-free evaporated milk
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
7 oz. marshmallow creme
1 heaping tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
11.5 oz. butterscotch chips
.5 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Grease the dish into which you are putting the fudge. Do this first- I have forgotten many times, and it is a pain to try and do it when you need to pour the fudge into it. 
Pour sugar, evaporated milk, and pumpkin puree into pot. Turn on medium high and begin stirring ingredients until they are blended and boiling. Turn burner down to medium low. Stir constantly for four minutes (yes, your hand will get tired). Turn burner off. Add in marshmallow creme, stir until blended. Add in butterscotch chips and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until blended.  Add in the pecans, and stir well. Pour into dish. Let cool for at least a few hours- even better if overnight.

                                          Set of "Clybourne Park"

                                                     Lizzy and Daniel looking at each other

                                                   Halloween decals in kitchen window

                                                    In one living room window

                                          In other living room window

Now, time to figure out the last details for tomorrow and maybe some for the rest of the week :)

9/23- But I've always found my way somehow by taking the long way, taking the long way around

Weight Loss for the Week: 0llbs

I did my afternoon walks this week. I did my morning walks on the weekends. I did not try any new morning exercises during the week. Just getting up and stretching my neck is taking more time than I had anticipated.  Fortunately, I start physical therapy this week and am hopeful that it will help me get up and get moving faster in the morning instead of spending 15 minutes making my neck move. I also stuck pretty well to my daily points during the week. But, I used up all my weekly points this weekend. I splurged Friday night and Saturday night.  I know that's why they are there, but the goal for this week is to not use more than half of them at all.

School was pretty good this week. My juniors are moving through "Beowulf" pretty well, and they even seem to be enjoying it for the most part. My sophomores are moving steadily through the New Testament. We did a few projects this week to try to liven up class. I think it's working.  It's so different to have a subject that allows for more group work and projects and activities. English requires more focus and analysis. I love English for that reason, but I must admit, I am enjoying getting to try new things in Theology.

Friday evening, Mom and I went to an art opening at Gallery 56. It was Cuban art. I liked it, it was unique and provoking. I definitely like that they have free openings. Then, we had dinner (totally gorged) at Fresh Slices.  I chilled for the rest of the night.

Saturday was Downtown Museum Day here in Memphis.  It is one of my new favorite days.  I loved it last year, and I loved it this year.  We went to the Railroad & Trolley Museum to start the day.  It was really interesting seeing the history of it in our city.  We also played with the toy trains, practiced our Morse code, and rang the bell :)  Afterwards, we had some time until our Backbeat Bus Tour, so we wandered around the Memphis Farmers Market and then Beale Street. We took the Memphis Mojo Backbeat Bus Tour.  Our tour guide not only told us about the historical sites (mainly related to music), she also sang and got us to sing along to different gospel songs, blues songs, and rock'n'roll songs. It was so much fun! After that, we stopped for lunch at the Majestic. Then, we finished our day at the Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum.  It was very interesting seeing all the details of the house and hearing about its haunted history.  After that, I needed to relax for awhile, so I did. Later, I met up with Cat, and we saw "Austenland"- so cute and funny!

Today, I got up and took a nice walk through Overton Park. Then, I went to mass.  Afterwards, I cleaned the apartment and started getting ready for the week ahead. This afternoon, Sunshine and I met for a long lunch :)  I did some laundry and some grocery shopping.  I tried a new recipe- WW Buffalo Chicken Pizza. If I do say so myself, it is pretty dang delicious.  It might even rival the restaurants versions.  I'm also trying cucumbers in my water infuser. Will let you know how that turns out next week.

                                            Love from a student

                                          Outside of the Railroad & Trolley Museum

                                        I make a rather cute conductor, don't I?

                                          Memphis Farmers Market

                                                   Me with the tambourine!

                                     Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum

                                         Wreath made with human hair..... 

 

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Tip of the Week: Move around during the day. I know it's hard depending on what your job is, but get up and move around as much as you can.  I don't let myself sit down when I'm teaching. I don't have a podium. I move all around the classroom. 

Recipe of the Week: http://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/print.aspx?PageId=1402901&PrintFlag=yes&previewDate=4/26/2013

Okay, now back to making sure I am ready for my week :)

9/15- Well, I don't know, but I've been told, if you never slow down, you never grow old

Weight Loss for the Week: 1lb

I got in all my afternoon walks this week! Somehow it happened, mainly because I needed the sanity and sense of accomplishment it provides me.  I have decided that it is too sketchy to walk in my neighborhood (and likely most neighborhoods) at 4:30 in the morning. I am looking into gyms in my area and their monthly costs to see about joining one and exercising there in the mornings. More on that as it unfolds.

School was pretty good this week. My British Literature kids are fully into "Beowulf" now- and they're not completely bored! I'm doing my best to make it engaging- mainly because I remember hating it when I had to read it in high school.  They're actually staying on task and asking pertinent questions about it.  I'm more relieved than I can explain.  I also had them start their year-long Twitter assignment this week. They have to correct celebrity tweets each week (in a nice fashion), and I was highly amused and proud at the first batch of corrections :)  My favorite one was this: @DanJRadcliffeNL Mr. Potter, every sentence ends with a period. Hogwarts would be upset with you. #thackerygrammar

My Theology kids had their first test this week- almost everyone passed! I was so glad. I gave them a study guide, and I let them do a review day. For the most part, they took it pretty seriously and reviewed the material pretty well. I am glad for that too. We then had a 9/11 Remembrance Day and a few activities to finish up the chapter and have it relate to their own lives. 

Fall weather is starting to trickle on in here in Memphis- we got our first real taste of it Friday.  It was so nice out, and we had a home football game (we won!). I even treated myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte (non-fat, no whip) on Saturday morning just to really relish the fall feeling.  Later that day, Sunshine and I went to Cooper-Young Festival.  I've also been house-sitting this weekend for one of my favorite dogs- Harley.  And while it's been fall in the mornings, it's been warmer and more like summer in the afternoons, so I've still been taking advantage of the pool :) It's been so nice- especially since I made sure to get all my grading done before the weekend started so I could really relax and enjoy it all. 

Last night, Kerry hosted our first K Squared Book Club meeting! Most of the group was able to make it, and we even discussed the book a few times, hehe! We had a ton of fun eating all the goodies, catching up on everyone's lives/dramas/accomplishments, and telling each other what we thought about the book.  I hope everyone likes the book I picked for next month as much as they enjoyed the last one. Now, I get to start planning our meeting, and hoping the weather will be nice so we can go on the roof.

                                            Cooper-Young Festival

                                         Harley by the pool

                                          Time for the K Squared Book Club!

  

 

Tip of the Week: When going out to eat (or when eating at festivals and the like), do not feel like you have to eat all of the food you are served. If you receive a large portion, stop when you start to feel full, and see about taking the rest to go.

Recipe of the Week:http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/recipepage.aspx?recipeid=148821 

Now, time to finish planning my lessons for the week ahead :)

9/8- You kick the sand up with your heels, you think to yourself how good it feels

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

This week was a bit of a whirlwind. Four-day weeks seem at once so much longer and incredibly shorter than a regular week. You know it's a short week, so you expect it to fly by, but you also know just how much you need to cover in such a quick amount of time. I enjoy them and am frazzled by them. It was a good week though. We're finishing up our first unit in Theology and prepping for the first test. I hope they study and do well with it. In British Literature, we finished Summer Reading, and then we read a few good poems from the Exeter Book to transition to "Beowulf." I know it's a hard one to get through, but I think I can make it enjoyable for them most of the time, fingers crossed.

I got in my afternoon walks this week. I know I said I was going to try my morning walk, but I've realized that I'm not sure where I can walk that will be safe at such an early, dark hour. I don't really want to join a gym, but I don't think it's wise to walk in my neighborhood when it's pitch black out either. So, I will be mulling over this issue this week and decide what to do about it.

Friday, I went to a fundraiser for Dorothy Day House- such a good cause, and such a good time at the event! I always enjoy seeing all the regulars at the First Friday events :) It's nice catching up and seeing what everybody's been doing the past month. Plus, Opera Memphis stopped by and sang a handful of songs for us as part of their 30 Days of Opera program. They were phenomenal! After such a fun-filled night, I came home, chatted with a neighbor, and then settled in for a good night's sleep.

Yesterday, I decided to venture over to the Dixon and do my soul some good while I enjoyed the beauty of all the flowers. There were so many butterflies, bumble bees, and even a spry grasshopper all over the gardens! I just loved experiencing it all. I love that they have free mornings on Saturday :)  After that, I met up with Kerry for a bit, and we had fun like we always do. Then, I came home and decided to have a Me Night. I just pampered myself and acted totally girly.  I did my eyebrows, my nails, and all that good stuff.

Today, I woke up, went to Mass and really enjoyed the homily today. It was about being morally courageous instead of complacent. I think I can definitely use that for some of my lessons this week. Then, I went to brunch with Cat- I have missed that girl! Afterwards, I did my cleaning (I know, boring, adult stuffs), and I got a nice surprise when Amy, Nathan, and my godbabies stopped by to see me between the zoo and going home. It was nice to have a quick catch up and to love on those babies.

Now, I'm going to grade a few more essays before calling it a night.

Tip of the Week: Make time for yourself. Take some time to do something just for you, all by yourself. It helps keep you sane.

Recipe of the Week: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=87051

Another one for the crock pot- noticing a theme? Next week, I'll try for one that isn't a crock pot recipe... maybe.

9/2- I wanna be like you, I wanna walk like you, talk like you, too

Whoops, sorry to be a day late- Labor Day Weekend has me all confused as to what day it is.

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

School was pretty good this week. My juniors wrote their first five-paragraph essays about their Summer Reading. I like getting the first real writing sample from my students. It lets me know what their strengths and weaknesses are so I can better prepare them for future writing assignments.  My Theology kids have been getting into their textbooks this past week as we begin to look at the New Testament. So far, it's been good. I've been able to do certain activities to try to engage them and the material. I'm hoping it's working :)

The only day that was hard this week was Friday. I woke up and could barely move my neck. I spent about half an hour massaging it to get it to turn just a little each way. I figured it would sort itself out as the day went on, and I headed to school. I was wrong. It just got tenser and stiffer as the day went on. I was grimacing by my last class and just praying to be able to drive home safely. I got the number of a chiropractor, but the office was closed and won't open again until Tuesday. I decided to schedule a massage for Saturday morning to try to help my neck. Needless to say, I spent Friday night at home, taking some Advil to see if it would help with the pain.

Saturday, I woke up, and my neck still hurt quite a bit. The massage helped tremendously. I was finally able to turn my head in most directions- though it still hurt. The masseuse also gave me some tips to help with my neck while I wait to see a chiropractor. They've helped. My neck still hurts, but not nearly as much as it did.

After the massage, I went to Mom's to get the last of my things cleared out of my old room. A new friend from work and her husband helped me move my headboard from her house to my apartment, and I greatly appreciated that. I've also unpacked all the stuff I brought over. I even managed to keep my apartment in order with all the new items- I was rather concerned about the space and what would happen.  Fortunately, I hadn't used all the closets at the top of my dressing area, and most of the stuff went up there. I was still feeling a bit out of it regarding my neck and all the moving, so I rented a few movies and vegged out Saturday night.

Yesterday, I spent the morning grading most of the essays and other school work (I still have a few things left to grade today). Later that evening, Mom and I went to the Zoo's Member Night and had a bunch of fun walking around, seeing the animals, and catching up.  The tigers and sea lions were especially adorable last night :)  Afterwards, we grabbed some dinner before going home. I ended up chatting with a friend in the lobby until after midnight before I finally headed to bed.

I got in most of my afternoon walks this week, which was good. I ate healthy meals for the most part this week, but binged this weekend. I think the binging and the meds for my neck added to the maintaining instead of losing this week.

Tip of the Week: Don't live/work through extreme pain. If something is really wrong with your body, talk to a professional so you don't screw it up even more.

Recipe of the Week: I'm going to give y'all a link to the Top Ten Pumpkin WW Recipes since it's officially Fall! http://www.itsuxtobefat.com/weight-loss/top-10-pumpkin-weight-watchers-recipes

                                          Tiger cooling off in the water.

                                                   Mom as a Giraffe!

                                                     Me as a Giraffe!

         Sea Lion balancing a ball on her nose and her body on her flippers.

Now, time to finish grading and all that fun stuff :)