#GIRLBYE

Greetings! I'm still FAT. BYE. HA HA! 

HALLELUYER! SUMMER STAYCATION FINALLY ARRIVED!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, my second year as a Special Education teacher finally came to a close...and not soon enough.

 I enjoy my job, coworkers, and the school, but I needed a break! I knew I needed a break when...

• I knew I needed a break when...I  descended down the stairs one morning dressed for work and my kids asked, " Are you going to work today?" I took that as ...DANG, you look like crap today Mom. As the end of the year neared my clothes got bigger and bigger. So, most of the time I went to work wearing my baggy old big girl clothes.

• I knew I needed a break when...most of my morning ritual, such as eating breakfast and moisturizing my face started to occur in the car (not while driving of course). One morning I moisturized my face before rolling through the toll...business as usual. When I reached the next red light I pulled the visor down to shield my eyes from the sun. I happened to glance at my reflection in the mirror and noticed a huge glob of lotion on my face. The toll lady said nothing!

• I knew I needed a break when...it took 3 alarms to wake me up in the morning: my alarm clock, my cell phone, and an iTouch alarm clock app. Every time each  alarm sounded I hit the snooze button. For next year I might purchase Clocky, an alarm clock my Mom told me about. Check out Clocky...for the morning impaired!

So now that staycation arrived...now what? What's the plan Stan? *blank stare...crickets chirping*  After much consideration, I plan to use the summer as a jumping off point for getting back and staying on track. So first things first I think I need to make some summer goals:

Food

• Cook 80% of my meals and try at least 3 new recipes each week. I found several new recipes I want to try in one of my favorite cookbooks.

 You can find some of the recipes in the book online. One of my favorites...Stuffed French Toast Sundaes. Next time I make these I might use yogurt instead of ricotta cheese. Want the recipe...click here.

• Another summer food goal, incorporate a fruit and veggie with every meal.

Exercise

• I want to exercise everyday, but realistically 30 minutes of something daily will suffice.
• Continue to train for my next 5K by running @ least 3 days a week.
• Weight train @ least 2 days weekly

Okay, I just spent the last 30 minutes fighting & yelling at the AT&T troubleshooting computer. I loathe talking to computers. Can I speak to a real person please? For whatever reason my Internet keeps malfunctioning, AND I lost part of this post. So with that being said...well written, I am wrapping up this bad boy. Okay, so back to the post...

I decided to set only a few goals; whereas, too many goals overwhelm me. BUT, first things first I need  must plan a weekly menu to serve as my guide. I find in life, I need guidance or disaster follows. After menu planning...grocery shopping. I found some great deals in the sales paper this week: cherries $1.88, strawberries $1.38,  and peaches $.87. Once again, why is there no cents key on the keyboard? 

Anyway, HELLO SUMMA STAYCATION...I am so  looking forward to spending more time cooking and in the gym...not really.

What is your favorite summer recipe?

1 DAY & COUNTING!

1 MORE DAY UNTIL SUMMER STAYCATION!! I teach, so I usually spend the last few days of school closing out the year and packing up my classroom. Packing up means storing all equipment and materials and pushing the big ticket items to one side of the room. 

 (pics from last year)

Tonight, I utilized my blogging time to complete forms as well as other paperwork. I just wanted to check in and thank those of you who participated in TOOT TOOT Tuesday. I tried to respond to all comments before my Blackberry malfunctioned and erased all unsaved emails. I plan to resume a regular posting schedule on Monday. Why Monday you ask:

• Thursday: complete remaining paperwork
• Friday: END OF THE YEAR HAPPY HOUR
• Saturday: WW Meeting, Kid's Rehearsal, Graduation Party
• Sunday: Weight Watchers 5K Walk
• Monday: Shopping with Mom and God Mother

Phew...just writing down all of those events and festivities made me tired. Until then, I bid you adieu...

Any teachers out there...When is your last day? To all bloggers, tell me about your plans for the summer.

Alas the time has come...

Well folks, as of 12:00 AM my Summer officially ends :-( Tomorrow, the teaching staff must report back to work(Actually, I went to work last Friday to jump start my room preparations.).

This past week I walked around in a funk in anticipation of my return back to work. Don't get me wrong, I am more than grateful to be gainfully employed, but I can't help but feel a tinge of remorse as I enjoy my last few hours of Summer. My back-to-work funk interfered with my weight loss endeavor, and knocked me off the wagon. I only worked out once last week, but i managed to make somewhat sensible food choices. Even though I worked out once, my week kept me super busy and active.

Despite residing in Funkytown last week, I managed to drop 2.4 pounds bringing me to a total of 32.6 (something like that) pounds removed! This week I plan to get back on the wagon and ride it till the wheels fall off. GAME ON!

So tonight, I contemplated writing a post about my weekend OR last weekend's end of STATS class celebration OR my mom's red boots, BUT instead I decided to create a photo montage celebrating my first summer off. I hope you enjoy my montage SUMMA-TIME 2009:

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com