1/19- It's so hard to be good

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lb

I tracked points well this past week, and I got in all my workouts. I also found out that one of the subs at my school is a WW coach and lifetime member! We had such a nice chat about our experiences, highs and lows, struggles, recipes, and so much more. It was so nice, and a good boost for my motivation. She told me all about the new 24/7 coach feature, and I think I may try that out this week just to get some extra support and ideas.

The kids were mainly fine this week- the seniors seem to think they've already graduated though which is a bit problematic. Hopefully, the quizzes and test they have this week will snap them back to reality. My sophomores finished this unit, and they are almost done with our first textbook. I will be explaining this semester's Morality Project for the semester tomorrow. It's the same idea as last year, just with a few tweaks. I hope they do as well as last year's kids did. My juniors are getting into "Macbeth" and their Research Papers so far. Let's hope that continues.

My good friend Kristin had her daughter, Beth, on Tuesday, and I was able to go to the hospital to meet her. She's so precious! I got to hold her for awhile, but then, I gave her back (it was hard to do, she's just so adorable!). Mom and daughter are both healthy and at home now, so that's great.

Thursday night, Sean and I went to Paulette's to celebrate our one-year anniversary :) I cannot believe it's already been a year since we started dating. It's just flown by. I am very lucky to have such a caring, sweet, and patient man. He seems to get my crazy, and I seem to get his crazy, so it works. We had a lovely dinner with a view of the bridge and river. We just chatted for a few hours there about the past year and all the fun times we've had. We also talked some about what the future holds for us. It was so nice.

Because I knew we'd be out late on Thursday, I took Friday off from work, and I am glad I did. I don't think I went to sleep until almost one. So, I got to sleep in on Friday (always awesome!), and then got to putz around the apartment for awhile just enjoying my free time. I started figuring out what I was going to wear to the Murder-Mystery party on Saturday night. I ran a few errands. Then, I went to see Kristin and Beth- I got to hold Beth for almost two hours! (Again, I promise, I gave her back to her mom). I decided to go to the gym after that. Then, just hung out at home for the night.

Saturday morning, I went to get some stuff from my mom's and Memaw's for my outfit for the party that night. I was Dina Diva, a 1920's lounge singer. Mom suggested I wear an old bridesmaid dress, and Memaw lent me pearls. Some friends from work lent me gloves and other accessories which was great. It meant that the only thing I had to purchase for my outfit were my fake eyelashes. After getting the last items, I met Melissa and Maureen for lunch, and we finalized plans for when to get together to do make-up, etc. Melissa was awesome and helped me do my eyebrows and smoky eye make-up. I looked pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. So did everyone else- I was so impressed by all the costumes, hairdos, props, etc.! We made it to the party, and we just had a blast pretending to be our characters and trying to figure out who the murderer was (it wasn't me!).

Yesterday, I went to Mass with a few friends, and then to brunch with the family. We were celebrating Conor's new job (he'll be in Midtown for those of you who live in this area- and he's a great mechanic!). Today, I cleaned Memaw's and Mom's places. I got to see the McDoubles one more time for the weekend. Then, I ran some errands, and I started getting ready for the week ahead.

Now, I think I will read some more of my new book- In the Garden of Beasts :)

Photos of the Week:

Tip of the Week: Try not to overthink things so much.

Recipe of the Week: Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

1/11- Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am, bigger, stronger too

Weight Loss for the Week: .5lbs

I stayed on track with points, and I did not let myself use many of my Weekly points. I got in all but one of my workouts this week. I feel much better this week than I did last week. I have been eating almost solely meals I have prepared and controlled in terms of healthy ingredients. It's good getting back to the normal routine.

School started back this week. We had inservice on Tuesday, but it was only for half the day. Afterwards, Kristin and I joined my mom for lunch. Then, I came home and took one more nap before the semester truly began again. Wednesday, the kids came back, and we have all worked on getting back into the swing of things this week. All of my classes have started new units, and the kids are behaving pretty well for being back from break. I think we'll have a good semester :)

Friday evening, I went to dinner and the basketball games at school with Hannah and Darlene. We had such a fun time! It was a hoot seeing the kids in their neon get-ups for the games as well. Afterwards, I came home and just crashed. Saturday morning, I went over to teach Conor how to make sausage balls. He also showed me how he's learned to make chocolate chip pancakes. It was so nice to have a homemade meal that I didn't have to make. And it's great that Conor is starting to take a real interest in cooking/baking his own food. We decided to go downtown to the car show once we were done with breakfast. It was fun looking at all the cars- and getting to sit in the really nice ones pretending that I could one day afford a Porshe or Miata. After I got home, I pretty much just crashed last night- my allergies were starting to act up again. Today, I went to Mass with a few friends. Then, Kerry and I caught up over breakfast. I spent the rest of my day getting ready for the week ahead.

Now, to get some rest before a full week of school.

Photos of the Week: Conor making breakfast, and fun at the car show!

 

Tip of the Week: Naps are beautiful.

Recipe of the Week: Mexican Casserole

1/4- Life is like a song

Weight Loss for the Past Three Weeks: -1lb

I was doing alright for the most part counting points and doing my workouts during this holiday season. Then, the past like four days/nights, I have gone out and celebrated with friends, family, and Sean. Oy. My body and my budget will both be glad to go back to normal this week with work and routine. I already have my meals planned for the week :) And I know when and what I'm doing for my workouts this week. Time to get back to it!

I had a nice holiday and break :) I got to see MK and Danielle while they were in town. We went to Seasons 52 for our annual 3M Christmas Dinner- so yummy! On Christmas Eve, Mom, Memaw, and I went to Mass, then Conor and Sean joined us for dinner and Phase 10. The next morning, we had our family breakfast, opened presents, and then Sean and I went to see a movie. Such a nice way to spend the holiday.

Right after Christmas, I went to Scottsdale to visit Dad and Diane. It was nice to see them and get to some warmer weather. We exercised daily, outside most of the time which was very enjoyable, saw a few movies, and had a very nice time catching up with each other. We even did a hard hike! Okay, Diane did the whole thing, but Dad and I made it pretty far. I also got to see Sarah and Rijan while I was out there. We met up for a late lunch and catch-up session which was great :)

I came back to Memphis in time for New Year's celebrations. On New Year's Eve, I was Melissa's partner in crime going to a few parties (including the one at the Powers's house- so nice to see some more friends that night!), and Murphy's for their Diva's Night Out show. It was so much fun, and I stayed up/out later than I have in quite some time on NYE. New Year's Day, after Mass, I rested for a bit since I had been up so late (I know, I'm getting older...). That evening, I went to Sean's for a New Year's Day dinner, and we had a nice time celebrating the beginning of the year together. Since he has had the last four nights off from work, we have been able to get together each night! We went to Seize the Clay with a few friends, and we had dinner with another. Tonight, we stayed in and had homemade chili and cornbread, and sweet Sean watched "Downton Abbey" with me.

I get to sleep in one more time before the semester begins again on Tuesday. I will enjoy it thoroughly :)

Photos:

 

Tip of the Week: In the words of one of my priests, remember that some resolutions may take longer than a year to achieve. Don't get discouraged.

Recipe of the Week: Weight Watchers Chili