Thinner me, soon to be

Next week I'm going to start Weight Watchers. Before you laugh at the whole "next week" thing, I do have a real reason why I am making a week from today my start date. My friend Photographer is doing Weight Watchers and she has been very successful. Since she know I don't make much money and can't afford WW, she's going to copy all her materials for me and go to the meetings. Then she and I will have a mini- meeting and weigh-ins so I can "do" it as well. Due to her schedule and mine, we can't start until next week- something about a start date.

Another awesome thing is that I'll have all the paperwork for the points system. She and I can also exercise together. I got a discount for a Y membership and I'm giving some serious thought to signing up for it. (I also found that my school system will reimburse me $10 a month if I join so it makes it even lower.) She's a Y member so we could do classes and working and swimming at the Y. If I don't join, she can come to Alcatraz with me and do the walking and swimming at least- and she said she would be willing to do that- less crowded.

We also both like to cook so we can cook together as well as exercise and give encouragement. It's gonna be awesome! A weight loss partner! I might reach my 40 before 40 goal of losing 10 pounds. I could even lose more!!!!

Even more inspiration for me- dad is going to eat WW with me, and keep track of points. So is ITSam. And, get this, Mac is even going to give it a whirl. For a few weeks, Mac said he'd try it but if it interferes with his summer vacation he's stopping. He's already texting Photographer his favorite foods to see what the points are (chicken nuggets= 10 are 13 points).

I do feel a little need to eat junk this week. And not necessarily sweet stuff but crackers and cheeses. I want breads and olive oil to dip it in. I want chips and dip. I want pasta and shrimp and salmon. (that's probably limited, I bet.)

So I have a new adventure for next week that will, hopefully, make me skinny and make all my clothes fit. Please let that happen!!!

A skinnier me,
Mags

Oh, and let it be said here and now, I am not going to turn this into a weight lose blog, or go on and on about my points and stuff. I'll report on the weight loss but it's not going to take over my life and be all encompassing like it is for some people. Hopefully I'll have weight loss news to report!

Time to actually twiddle my thumbs, if I want

Here I am. The mom of a high school graduate. Wow. He's graduated and enrolled in college and only has the summer to chill out here and then off he'll go.

He has the diploma and it's signed. He had the party and it was a success (and we have a TON of cheesecakes and cookies left, if anyone wants to stop by for a little sweet treat!)

I'm relieved. And scared. And relieved. Did I mention I'm relieved?

Not only do I have this emotional stuff- whatever "this" is- but I have an entire week off. The only firm plan I have for the whole week is to go to Northern Civilization to see Lilith tomorrow. And since I have to be there to see her, I'm going a little early to take a free class at the scrapbook store, so I can do 2 fun things in one day (and I'm hoping she might be in the mood for a visit to Half Price Books.)

The rest of the week is just up to me. I can't transport kids since I'm no longer qualified, and it's not my week to do my part time receptionist stuff. I actually have a whole week off. I've been wanting a week off for how long??? I am so excited. I don't know where to begin.

And I realize that sounds like an oxymoron- where to I begin on a week off?

I can't remember the last time I had a whole week off with pay and nothing planned.

I'm excited. I have things I'd like to do but then again I also think I'd rather not plan any thing. Nor do I have the urge to make a list. I just an chilling.....

Mags

Breathe

The party is over. We can all relax now. I might sleep off and on for a week now. It's all good. One chapter closed for Mac and now it's time for another one..............

More later
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
z
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mags

The Pre-Open House to do list...................

• Buy a gift for a student's open house I was invited to attend because I forgot
• wrap aforementioned gift
• attend aforementioned student's open house
• Attend another open house
• get gas in car to go to open houses
• make 100 mini- cheese cakes which means make then, let them sit up, fruit topping them and box up for tomorrow
• go through all pix I took at graduation and find one of Mac to make into a 5x7 for tomorrow
• order aforementioned 5x7
• pick up aforementioned 5x7
• find 5x7 frame for aforementioned picture
• also pick photos to add to slide show for tomorrow
• sync my iPod for open house music to play during slide show
• bake brownies
• pack extra batteries for camera
  
• gather all stuff for memorabilia table and put in boxes
• gather up platters for desserts for tomorrow
• make yard signs so people who've never been to Alcatraz can find their way to the cabin where we are having this shindig
• Call house parents of 2 students who are helping with set up tomorrow to confirm behavior that they can still attend
• return movies to video store so they aren't overdue
• Wash a load of laundry with my underwear in it or I'm going commando to the open house
  
• call to see if mac's wallets arrived so people can have them at the open house
• make a sign that says "cards" to hang up on the card box on the gift table (assuming there will be gifts given and cards...)

All this must happen TODAY- nothing here can wait until tomorrow. You should see tomorrow's list.... And as you can tell, I omitted things like eat, pee, shower....

So what the heck am I doing here?!?

Mags

Celebrations!

Today Mac graduates from high school!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!


Happy First Birthday to my adorable nephew Fab Finn!!!!!! Happy Birthday baby boy!!!!

Drive me away

Lilith asked me what became of my driving transportation of kids after the disaster last weekend when I drove kids to and fro.

It's funny she asked. I was sure I would get fired. I figured I would get fired outright, or get the 'quietly fired' where I wasn't asked to drive anymore- just let to quietly slide off the list. I wasn't particularly upset by the thought of either, actually.

But what did happen was... well, hang on.

I got an email, along with a bunch of other people who drive, telling us we need to have a training class on how to work with difficult kids. It's a nationally renowned program (I don't want to name it here in case someone at work would Google it and lead to here) that in mental and physical ways lets you learn to handle kids mentally and physically when necessary. The course runs 8 hours a day over 4 days. Then there are annual re-certs that last 2-3 days each.

I also need to update my first aid/ CPR through the American Red Cross.

I can't drive anymore until I complete this. This is because of our federal licensing agency. I was told in the email, and in person, that I apparently slipped through the cracks, along with several other drivers. It will be interesting to see who all commits to doing this.

My company is offering a class next week and will pay me but I'm not doing it. I don't know if I want to drive anymore anyway. And to be honest, I got a down and dirty training course because I work at the school and I understand what I'm to do; the down and dirty version doesn't count for drivers, though. Also, this training is NOT geared to take place in a car. If I have to use these skills, I better be pulled over on the side of the road and calling for help. AND next week is an entire week off with pay from the library- my first week of summer vacation that I've worked hard for, I think. I am NOT giving up all all 4 days of vacation for this nonsense.

It's utterly ridiculous. There are a bunch of people who aren't going to drive anymore because of it.

I'm going to wait this one out and see if the company will stick to it or not. I think they'll be in such desperate need of drivers they'll find a loophole.

So I wasn't fired, nor quietly ignored. I'm just told I don't have the "right" credentials to do this. Yeah, right.

Maggie

Just a few more days and I can sleep and sleep and sleep...

I'm meeting myself coming and going. I can barely think straight.

I promised Mac he and I would have mom and Mac time, just the two of just. And he decided this is the week that is to occur. It must be the "senior" thing because he was throwing a fit until I committed. So............

Monday:
Got up an hour early for school because I had to be there early because of an athletic award program. Went to school early. Went to program. Worked at school to teach AND run the library. Graded stuff. Got roped into filling in for the night receptionist at my weekend job (I told the boss I would cover if the lady was still sick. That was LAST week. She was still sick. I'm stooopid.) Worked that job until 10pm. Came home and did 2 loads of laundry. Argued with Mac because I was supposed to have "our time" on Monday but explained to him why I HAD to work. Did dishes. Picked out 100 pictures for his open house grad party. Worry about needing to make slide show. Slight relief when ITSam volunteered to make slide show. Fell into bed sometime after 1 am.

Tuesday:
Worked at school to teach and run the library. Gave up on grades and attempting to teach kids who are either going home for good tomorrow so they don't care about school or angry kids who are not going home, and showed a movie. Made some business calls. Made a shopping list of what I need to get for Mac's graduation. Made phone calls about stuff for Mac's graduation open house. Discovered Mac's shorts for open house don't fit and need to be returned to JC Penney's. Went to dinner with Mac. Laughed & made fun of Mac because waiter thought I was his girlfriend, not his mom. Saw a movie with Mac. Went to Wal-Mart and stood in line behind 4 people because only 1 lane was open and I only had 1 item. Came home. Did laundry. Confirmed Mac senior picture order while I cleaned bathroom. Had a cleaning boo-boo in bathroom (daddy-), don't ask). Cleaned kitchen and dining room. Fell into bed sometime after midnight-thirty.

Wednesday:
Got up 90 minutes early because I had to be at school for academic awards program and in my haste of trying to do 2 jobs yesterday I forgot to run my report for the program of reading stats. Went to school 1 hour early to run report. Copier broken and have to hand write report. Pissed. Burned mouth on coffee. More pissed. Got to awards. Have all 6 class periods shortened for the day because of program and afternoon graduation. Leave work. Get gift for baby shower tomorrow. Drop off illegally procured music to friend for HER graduation ceremony at her school that she's in charge of. Come home. Clean living room. Pick up 22 pair of shoes from beside front door. Do more laundry. Help ITSam fix bathroom boo-boo from last night. Confirm Mac has all his chores done. Buy stuff for graduation open house. Buy gift bags for baby shower. Give up on having enough energy to fix dinner and drive thru McDonalds. Eat. Text brother because had panic attack that I was supposed to get Daddy-O at the airport tomorrow and had forgotten. Breathed because Bro is getting Daddy-O. Write this blog post. Plan on wrapping shower gifts. Plan on scanning pictures to finish slide show for Mac's open house. Plan on coloring my hair. Plan on sleeping.

I so want this week to end. I'm exhausted. I cannot remember ever being this tired. I really can't. I am so glad that Daddy-O is coming home because 1) I missed him; 2) he's calming; and, 3) I'm hoping he'll help with small stuff because things are more fun with him and two heads and hands are so much better.

I need more than Calgon.............
Maggie