9/28- The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I did not get in all my workouts for the week, but I did track points pretty well. I also did not eat out much this week which allowed me to stay on top of everything even more. While I do enjoy a good meal out, more than about two a week means I feel gross and bloated. So, I'm glad I was able to make most of my meals for the week- plus, I'm a pretty good cook, so I still get good food when I cook. I'm so humble...

It was Homecoming Week at school. I am still tired. It's a fun week, don't get me wrong, but it is exhausting. The kids are out of uniform all week which makes them crazier and crazier. Come Friday, it's hard to keep them from jumping out of their own skin since they're so ready for the Pep Rally and the game. It was good overall, and I even had fun dressing up for some of the days like 80s day. It's amusing to see what the kids wear for days like that- lots of tie dye... because... old is old to them, it blends. Friday, I did not make it to the game since we had our CYA dinner (and my ears needed a break from the screaming).

Tuesday, I got to see MK, Gigi, and the family one more time before MK and Gigi go back to Texas. We had a nice dinner out, and then we hung out at their house for awhile. It was a really enjoyable evening. Wednesday, I went to family dinner at Mom's. She and Conor grilled different meats for us. I brought brats, and they were tasty as always. Thursday, Sean made me dinner (I know, I'm very spoiled by my man).  We had a nice time enjoying our meal, and then we watched a Sci-Fi movie. I was a bit creeped out by it, not going to lie. Friday, I went to the CYA dinner, and we had a good time. Good food, good conversations, and we ended the night with some games outdoors.  Saturday, I slept. I slept a lot. I needed it. Last night, I chaperoned the Homecoming Dance with plenty of other teachers. A few of us decided to eat beforehand, and we wound up at an Italian place none of us had been to before called Pasta Italia. It was so delicious! Our waiter was so nice, and we even got to meet the owner and the chef! I will definitely be going back there (for special occasions). Today, I went to Mass, ran some errands, and got my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Then, the Gilmore residents were treated to Soul Fish Cafe for lunch :)

Now, it's time to finish getting ready for an impromptu Girls' Night to go see "The Phantom of the Opera"!

Me with a few other teachers for 80s Day

Kristin and I at Homecoming

Tip of the Week: Don't fight the crazy moments you know are coming, learn how to embrace them and go with the flow.

Recipe of the Week: Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

9/21- We built this city on rock and roll

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I got in my workouts this week, and I tracked well until the weekend. This weekend, I was busy and eating out a lot which made it harder to keep track of everything. While I had a lot of fun, I definitely feel it. I know, I know, simple solution would be to not eat out so much on the weekends. Let me tell you, it was not my plan. Oh well, better luck next week and weekend.

School went well this week. All my students finished units and projects. Everyone was able to test on Friday which was really nice. Having four preps, it's hard to get them all line up like that, but I am hopeful that since they have all ended on the same day, it will be easier for that to keep happening. And, a lot of my students have been doing well on the tests I have graded so far which is a good sign (I think). Now, I just have to make it through next week- Homecoming Week. Pray for me.

This weekend went by so quickly, I could not believe it. Thursday evening, Sean and I went to Putt Putt to play mini golf and go go-karting. It was so much fun! Friday afternoon, I went to SBA's tailgate and football game. It was a lot of fun. I got to talk to a lot of parents and students and teachers. Loved it! Then, a few of us went to sit together at the game, and we watched the first quarter. By that time, I was exhausted, so I headed on home. Yesterday morning, MK called me and asked that I go to the Brunch and Tour portion of our 10 Year Reunion Weekend. I had opted not to go to Friday's event because the cost was simply too high for a night in, especially one that wasn't catered. I was sad to miss that, though, so I agreed to go to the Brunch and Tour. It was really nice seeing everyone and getting to tour the school :) Afterwards, I went home and napped a bit before going to Emily's home for a lovely dinner. We all had fun over there catching up and all that jazz.

Today, I went to Mass, and then came home and got right to lesson planning and prepping for this week. I have all my units planned and ready for the rest of the quarter! Later on this afternoon, I got ready to go with Sean to his aunt and uncle's house for dinner. We had a lot of fun chatting and watching a football game. The food was so delicious too!

Now, I am making sure I am as ready as possible for tomorrow/this week.

Pictures of the Week: Sean and I playing mini-golf and going go-karting. Gigi

Tip of the Week: Be patient with others, and be patient with yourself as you work towards big goals.

Recipe of the Week:Apple Crumble

9/14- I say a little prayer for you

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I did not get in all my workouts this week, but I did track my points well. And I only ate out a few times this week meaning I had far more control over the ingredients and portion sizes which is always good. I wish I had been able to get in all my workouts this week. I feel more stressed and tense when I don't get in all of them.  That will be this week's goal: Get in all workouts!

School went well this week. My juniors are almost done with "Beowulf" which is good. It's going by a bit faster than last year which is really nice. My seniors finished "Gilgamesh" and have a few poems left for this unit. They got to start working on a project in class on Friday- some even finished it! My sophomores are almost done with their second chapter and seem to be getting the hang of my class. All of this means that everyone will be able to test this Friday! My hope is that in doing this, more unit tests will align in the future helping to keep me saner.

There was a lot happening socially this week. Monday night, I went to Theology on Tap with other folks from CYA. It was very interesting and engaging. Tuesday, Sean came over and we hung out and had some dinner. Then, I completed my Homily Prep participation. I really enjoyed that- I hope to modify it and do something similar to it with my students. Wednesday, we had a nice Bible Study- so many laughs! Friday, we had our normal HPC meeting at the Saucer, and then I came home and crashed pretty early. Saturday morning, Mom, Leslie, Belle, and I went to Elmwood Cemetery as part of Downtown Museum Day. It was beautiful and so interesting! We ended up spending almost three hours there for our self-guided tour. When I got home, I had an invite to go to Cooper-Young Fest with a few neighbors, so I went there. We walked all over a few times. It was such nice weather for it! We got to go into the House of Mews and play with the cats and kittens which was a lot of fun :)  This morning, after Mass, some of us went out for breakfast, and we sat outside to continue enjoying this gorgeous weather. This afternoon, Mom, Memaw, and I went to see "Addams Family: The Musical." It was hysterical!

Now, time to make sure everything is ready for the week ahead and get some rest.

Pictures of the Week

Elmwood Cemetery

House of Mews

Cooper-Young Festival

Tip of the Week: Pray.

Recipe of the Week: Crockpot Weight Watchers Bacon and Potato Chowder

9/7- Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got til it's gone.

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I tracked points fairly well this week. I got in my workouts. But, I ate out four times this week. And I am feeling it. It's not the norm for me to eat out so much, and that's a good thing, but this week was definitely the exception to that. This week, I am looking forward to eating the meals I have already made/planned- then I shouldn't feel so bloated and gross.  After two days,  I was feeling so icky.

Okay, school this week was short, but felt rather hectic. I think I'm getting more used to this year's schedule, let's hope that feeling lasts. The students were mainly good, had a few issues, but they've been resolved. My juniors seem to be enjoying "Beowulf", and we're getting through it a bit quicker this year which is nice. It dragged on a little too long last year. My Theology students had their first test, and I'm still grading them to see how they're doing. My seniors are still reading "Gilgamesh", and they are not liking all the old Sumerian names- even I can admit how confusing they can make certain sections when you've got like 10 new ones in one paragraph. But, they're almost through it, so that's good.

Tuesday afternoon, I went to visit Amy and the kids for a bit. They're adorable as always, and growing up so fast! Lizzy showed me her new swing set, and Daniel was walking and talking (he was JUST like an infant, what?). Then, I went to Homily Prep which was nice. After that, it was Trivia night for CYA. We did not do as well this week, but we had a good time. Thursday, Kristin, Mark, Jen, and I went to Schweinnehaus to try it. It was really good! The beer was good, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was very fun and relaxed. Friday, I went to First Friday and had plenty of good conversations with a few of the regulars and some people from the organization of the month. Last night, I went to a Theology department dinner- so much fun! We all had a lot of laughs and a lot of tasty food. Big thanks to Lori for hosting! Today, I went to Mass, and CYA Leaders were all at the same one which I loved :) Then, I went walking around the zoo with Mom for awhile. After that, it was time to start getting ready for CYA's kick-off event, the Fall Brew-Haha. We had a nice turn out for the event, though we may have overshot with the food a bit. That's okay though, it meant we got take some leftovers home (yay for some free food!). And the new people who came seemed to like what we had and talking to us. They all seemed interested in our upcoming events which makes me happy :)

Now, time to get some rest for the week ahead.

Pictures of the Week: Liz and Dani

Tip of the Week: Try not to eat out more than twice a week if you can help it.

Recipe of the Week: Weight Watchers Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

9/1- Well, I went to bed in Memphis, I woke up in Hollywood

Weight Loss for the Week: 0lbs

I feel like so much of this week was just trying to get my body back on its internal clock from last weekend. I missed some of my workouts. I missed a few meals just because I was too tired and needed to sleep. Now, I'm back on track with my sleep schedule, so that should help with all the rest this week. And I'm going to need it so I can stay focused and energized for the week and weekend ahead :)

School was fine this week- I'm getting more used to my schedule which is helpful. Let's hope that lasts. We had a more normal schedule this week. We went all five days and ended at the normal time all five days. The kids may have different views on that, but as a teacher, it's nice to get your fully-scheduled class time so you can get through all the necessary material.

Monday evening, Sean came over to hang out and have some dinner. I was glad to see him again so soon since it meant I could see with my own eyes that he was okay. I've asked him to not need to go the ER again anytime soon. Tuesday, I went to another Homily Prep session which was nice, very informative. Wednesday, I actually led Bible Study since Matt was unable to make it. I was a bit nervous, but I think it went alright. Friday, a few of us went to the Saucer after school- a few new people came which was nice. Then, that evening, I went to Mark's birthday dinner and had a nice time and lots of laughs. Yesterday, we had a family cookout at Mom's house. We all brought sides and our own meat (my burger recipe is feature below, and it was so good!). It was a lot of fun.  Afterwards, Sean and I went back to his place to hang out for awhile :)

Now, time to make sure everything is ready for this week- even though it's only four days, it's going to feel so hectic!

Tip of the Week: Sleep is so good.

Recipe of the Week: Healthier burger patties that still taste awesome :) 6pts.
1/4 lb 90%lean ground beef
Spices of your choosing
1/3 stick low-moisture mozzarella string cheese

Mix all the spices in with the meat. Wrap the meat equally around the cheese. Grill/cook the same amount of time you would any other burger. Enjoy!