5/26- It's the final countdown

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

It was the last week of classes! Now, it's just a few exams and cleaning up/out the rooms, then it will officially be Summer!!! I got in most of my workouts this week, and I did well tracking points. I even got Sean to go on a nice long walk with me this week! It was really nice, and I like having a boyfriend who also wants to have a healthy lifestyle :) We're going on another walk tomorrow! This is apparently what it takes to impress me... I think that's a good thing...

The school week did seem to drag on as we knew it would. The kids finished up units, projects, and study packets (complaining half the time, but they did it!). Now, all that is left is proctoring and grading exams. It should be fine and simple enough. It also means half days which means I can get some other stuff done those days too. I can't believe we're at the end of the year. It's been a really fun, crazy, engaging, entertaining, enlightening year. I feel very valued and appreciated which is something I definitely don't take for granted now. I also feel like I've taught the kids a few things, maybe not everything the objectives stated, but definitely a few needed life lessons.

On Monday, I went over to the Buttross's and visited with them and MK and Gigi since they were in town. We had a really nice time chatting and catching up with each other. As I said earlier, Sean and I went walking this week- we walked around Overton Park and the Square which was nice. We then grabbed some dinner at Lenny's (love that place!). Wednesday evening, we had rescheduled Book Club, so we met at Kerry's for this month. It was fun chatting about the book and our lives as always. Thursday, there was a retirement party for a woman at SBA, then I went over to Sean's. My sweet man made me dinner and watched one of my favorite RomComs with me. It was a very relaxing, enjoyable night.

This weekend, I house-sat for Karen again :) Harley and I had a nice weekend hanging poolside- I worked on my tan, he rolled in the grass. I also went on a 3-4 mile walk every morning this weekend. I love that adorable goofball. Friday night, I met Kerry and Kim for some dinner at Chiwawa's- yum! Saturday, after laying outside for a few hours, I got ready for Daniel's first birthday party. I can't believe how big he's getting! The party was nice, but I had to leave early for Mass with Memaw. After Mass, we grabbed some dinner and chatted- Mom even joined us.  Sunday, Mom joined me for part of my tanning time, and I had a lowkey day hanging with Harley.  I went to bed by 8pm. I'm not even remotely ashamed of that fact.

Today, after Karen came home and I told her how the weekend went, I came home and went to lunch with Kerry at Local. After lunch, we finally decided to try the ice cream at Sweet Noshings. It's really good. We should have waited a bit longer to make this discovery.... Oh well... Afterwards, I came home, napped, and then made myself get up and go to Zumba.

Now, I am relaxing and making sure everything is ready for the exams this week.

The Birthday Boy!

How cute!

So relaxed

Tired boy

Tip of the Week: Appreciate the small things in life.

Recipe of the Week: Buffalo Chicken Rolls

5/18- Everyone's a bit of a fixer-upper, that's what it's all about

Weight Loss for the Week: 0bs

This week has been completely insane and busier than anticipated. I only got in one workout. I was not happy about that. I think I can get in all workouts this week though- nowhere near as busy as this past week was. I tracked well in the beginning of the week, not as well the past few days. New week, new start- the beauty of WW.

Monday evening, I went with a few other teachers to go see the High School Musicals Awards since our school's production of "West Side Story" was up for 12 awards. It was so fun to see all the people and schools who attended- we even got to see numbers for all the productions nominated for Best Overall Production (including WSS). SBA's play won SIX awards! We even won Best Overall Production! The kids were totally ecstatic, it was so great to see that. It was a bit of a late night, especially since it was a Monday, but it was well worth it. I'm just so proud and impressed of all the things our kids do over there.

Tuesday evening, after battling traffic for over an hour (I was not a happy camper by the end), I went over to Sean's, and then we went to his aunt and uncle's for dinner. I was definitely nervous since it was the first time I was meeting them, and I was glad Sean calmed my anxious self down on the ride over since I was wound up from dealing with all that traffic. Fortunately, it was a really nice, enjoyable evening. They were really nice and funny- and I got to learn more about Sean and see where some of his sense of humor, etc. comes from :) They treated us to a nice dinner at Long Horns where we continued our conversation. It was a lot of fun, I look forward to seeing them again.

Wednesday night, we had our first Bible Study where Matt lead- he did a good job! We stayed on point, and he answered a lot of our random questions which was nice. Then, it was time to get some good sleep in before the longest day/night of my week: Thursday. Thursday, I woke up, got everything ready, and then carpooled with Kristin, Mark, and Pearson since we had Baccalaureate Mass at 7pm in Collierville. The school day was normal enough. After school, we grabbed an early dinner, then got to the church early enough to get a decent parking space. The Mass was nice, and thankfully not as long as we thought it would be. Still, I didn't get home until almost 10pm that night.

Friday was an easy day school wise- videos in Theology and a test in British Literature. Friday afternoon, I was so tired, I came home and immediately got in my pj's. I don't remember much other than the fact that I made myself move from the couch to the bed at about 8- I am positive I was asleep by 8:30pm. Saturday morning, I got up and got ready to head to Graduation- I carpooled with the other Three Horsemen again. The ceremony was nice and quick enough considering how many students we have. Afterwards, I went and got a haircut- it's nice and short again! Then, I vegged out and rented a few Redbox movies ("Frozen" and "Labor Day"). It was a nice, relaxing evening.

Today, I went to 8am Mass and Fellowship which was really nice, though I was sad to hear that our associate pastor is transferring in June. I really like him and will miss him. After that, Kerry and I got some lunch and caught up on each other's lives which is always fun. I ran a few errands after that. When I finally made it home and settled in, I finished creating my exams. That took a few hours, but they're totally done now, which is such a huge weight off my shoulders. I have most of the stuff ready to go for this week, so that's nice too.

Now, time to rest and get ready for the last week of classes!

Tip of the Week: Breathe.

Recipe of the Week: Herbed Cream Cheese on Cucumbers

5/11- I can do a few tricks, some old tricks and some new tricks. I'm very versatile.

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

I got in all my workouts this week- and I walked plenty of additional places. For the most part, I tracked points pretty well. I love exercising outside this time of year when it's warming up, but it hasn't gotten unbearably hot yet. That will be coming surely and swiftly, I have no doubt. For now, I will enjoy the warmth and the sun. It's simply divine.

School was fine this week. Units are winding down as we inch ever closer to the end of the year. My Theology students took their last unit test on Friday even. My British Lit students will take their last one this upcoming Friday. I cannot believe the year is coming to an end. I am afraid that these next few weeks will drag on endlessly- but never fear, there is still plenty to do for all of them. They will complain about it, but what else is new?

Wednesday afternoon, I had some drinks and snacks poolside with a few friends who let me unwind from what has been one of the hardest days of my teaching career. I discussed rape and rape culture in depth with my Theology kids that day. While I truly enjoyed that they got into the discussion, and I definitely think it's a discussion that needs to happen with high school students, it was still a very difficult topic to discuss for approximately four hours. It did make me realize how much I would love to teach a Social Justice elective one day though. Anywho, my friends were good about letting me unwind from that day, dissecting the positive and negative pieces.

Thursday evening, Sean and I were offered tickets to see "Gypsy" at Playhouse, and we accepted. We got dinner at Bar Louie first which was very tasty- I love their Buffalo Chicken Flatbread. I love buffalo chicken anything.... Then, we walked around the Square with me acting as tour guide. I think I did a pretty good job :) We finally made it over to the Playhouse, got our tickets, met some of the other people there for the reception thrown by the drug court (they were the ones who offered us the tickets). The play was so good! The acting and singing was just wonderful! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing it.

Friday, after school, I met up with a few friends at Local for an early dinner (no shame in it when you eat lunch at 10:30). After that, I took a nice, relaxing bath, and then I ended up talking to Mary Kathryn for almost two hours. It was so nice; we had a great catch-up session. Saturday, I went to Zumba, then to a CYA Leadership meeting where I was put in charge of marketing/social stuff. It means I work with the schedule and get to take pictures. They may regret allowing me to take all the pictures I want... After that, I finished Mother's Day shopping, visited with Mom, and started grading.

Today, I went to Mass with some friends. Then, I decided I wanted to make pancakes from scratch. They are very good, but they ended up becoming lunch since it took so long to make them, haha! Afterwards, I did my cleaning and laundry, and started getting ready for Mother's Day dinner. We had such a nice, simple dinner at Mom's. There was just enough food, and it was fairly healthy which was nice. We had some good laughs and nice conversation. And, at the end of it all, I got to cuddle with Thomas for a few minutes before he clawed his way out of my arms. One day, he just might forgive me for moving out of the house.

Now, time to make sure I'm prepped for the week, and maybe even do some more grading.

Pictures of the Week:

Sean and I at the play

Mother's Day centerpiece: flowers from the garden

Mom and Memaw

Conor, Mom, and I

Conor, Memaw, and I

Tip of the Week: Never be afraid to go for it and try something you're really interested in doing.

Recipe of the Week: Since I can go back to Sbux now, I am making sure I order low-cal drinks (usually just a non-fat latte, but maybe I'll switch it up every now and again)- Healthiest Iced Starbucks Drinks

5/5- It's May, it's May, the lovely month of May!

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I went to Zumba three times this week! I went on two long walks! I hauled stuff up and down two flights of stairs for over two hours! I ate healthily for all but two meals this week! Maybe I'll see the loss next week? Who knows. I think I'm building up muscles though because my clothes are fitting a bit better, and I'm having an easier go of it with different weight exercises. We will see, eh?

School was fine this week- I only had a four-day work week because I took my final vacation day on Friday.  My Theology kids have started their last unit of the year: Sexuality and Morality. Despite the awkward moments, we are surviving just fine. I am trying to be frank and realistic with them as we discuss the Church's views and various outcomes. Maybe it will make a difference for some of them. We focused on notes and the basics this past week. This upcoming week, we will talk about views of people who waited and didn't wait, and their thoughts in hindsight (all saying to wait since this is Theology in a Catholic school), and we will discuss the issue of rape culture. In British Literature, we have also started our final unit: a brief survey of Romanticism, Victorianism, and Modernism. I wish we could spend more time on these. Maybe next year, I will cut another unit short to be able to do so. Oh, official news of the week: I will be full-time in the English department next year! While I have really enjoyed Theology, I am excited to get back to being full-time English again :)

Thursday, Dad got me tickets to his friend's suite at the Fedex Forum for Game 6. I brought Mom, Kerry, and Sean with me. We had a really good time even though the Grizz lost. I was glad Mom and Kerry like and approve of Sean :) Friday, on my day off, I went to the gym, then met Ashly at the Brooks to see the Dali exhibit- so good, go if you get the chance! That evening, I went to Cocktails for a Cause and enjoyed meeting people from WIN while also chatting with my friends.  Saturday morning, I was in errand mode- I started at Shred Fest where I was able to shred all my documents from this year that I no longer need but cannot just throw away.  Then, over to Mom's to drop off stuff and pick up my AAA card for the year. After that, I got my groceries for the next few weeks. I went to Michelle's again to help her move things and clean since she can't yet. Then, I rested for the remainder of the afternoon. Last night, Sunshine came over, and we had a full-on Girls' Night In- we got dinner, rented a movie, and did our nails! So nice and chill!

Today, I went to Mass and got to sit with the Powers. I came home and finally graded Research Papers!!! I decided I deserved some roof time after that, so I went up for over an hour just soaking up the sun. I then got ready for dinner with the CYA group at Frida's. We had such a nice time talking and enjoying the delicious food. We talked all about basketball, CYA ideas, school, etc. I am really enjoying becoming a part of this group. Afterwards, we took dessert over to the Dorothy Day House. We had a prayer service there, and then we enjoyed dessert with some of the volunteers (the residents were resting since there is a new baby now- sleep when you can!).

Now, I am making sure everything is in order for the week ahead while watching some "Devious Maids"- don't judge me.

Growl Towels!

Sean and I ready to cheer on the Grizzlies!

Kerry, Sean, and I

Mom and I- can you tell we're big fans?

At the Dali exhibit, you could make your own still-life feast. It's supposed to be for kids, so naturally, Ashly and I made our own- and we did it correctly. 

I want this. I need this. I may get this for my classroom next year for when my kids want to know the time, hehe!

Tip of the Week: Take advantage of all the awesome things to do in your own town.

Recipe of the Week: Meat Lovers Pizza- I made mine without the bacon bits because I don't like them, and I thought about adding real bacon, but didn't want to buy a pound of it.