 
 
 
Saturday, 11/20-I'm having a thinner Thanksgiving!Sunday, November 21, 2010
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MORTICIAADDAMS
11/21/2010 8:19PM
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I loved all of your Thanksgiving tips and advice!! You are doing wonderful. Have a great Thanksgiving!!
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DAWNWATERWOMAN
11/21/2010 6:26PM
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Happy Thanksgiving to you my dear friend!  Glad that you decided to "delete" the other blog. I sometimes write to get out my feelings and then just delete it. I used to write my feelings on paper and then would burn them so that it felt healing. It helped me get through some pretty horrible stuff in my past. Glad that you DID find some very positive things to blog about. It feels so good to look at the positives! You're a good friend & I love your blogs. Sorry that you're always in such pain. I keep you & yours in my prayers. Love, Dawn
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WALKZWDOGZ
11/21/2010 4:00PM
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YOu've made wonderful, inspiring progress! Thank you for such a relevant, inspirational post! I hope your Thanksgiving really is the best one yet!
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SHELLPRO
11/21/2010 3:38PM
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Glad for such a Brighter View of Life- I didn't have any Event at 9 AM yesterday:( I did have a Great Day- a lot like my old self, and now Crashed with a Vengeance:( Have a Great Thanksgiving if I don't make it back here- Dr's Apt. everywhere for the next few days. 
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MUEHLBBO
11/21/2010 12:56PM
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Great blog! Some good advice for all, not just SPers. Congrats on getting things in order for yourself and on the weight loss. Keep up the good work.
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JHADZHIA
11/21/2010 11:30AM
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As I am from Canada, I have already had my Thanksgiving in October. I had only one small plate of food and NO seconds. A first to be sure. I know I could have had more if I wanted it, because I work out hard and can easily make up for it, but I did not want to feel 'stuffed'. I simply don't like that feeling anymore. I didn't have gravy or mashed potatoes, but I do have a weak spot for stuffing, and unfortunately, that IS the highest calorie item on the menu! I eat healthy 90 % of the time and can afford the indulgences once in a while. I have successfully maintained my weight since February in spite of being limited with my bad right arm and elbow (the wait to get it fixed sometimes seems like infinity), so I know I am doing something right. In spite of your limitations, you are doing something right as well, as you are still losing weight. So you, too, can afford indulgences once in a while as well. Enjoy your Thanksgiving feast and your family. Here is to a couple of old cripples showing the young generation that they have no excuses for living a healthy lifestyle! Just Do It!! Keep up the fabulous work!! {{{gentle hugs}}} Linda Report Inappropriate Comment |
Hello everybody,
Today is the day... I had a tough night and woke up with incredible back spasms at 12:30 AM--and I still haven't been back to sleep. I could go on and on about my pain and my issues, but I think I've come to realize some good comes from everything, even if it isn't great. We learn and grow as people with each event in our life. I shared a quote from Emily Dickinson on one of my Spark Teams and it has given me the courage to think out of the box about some of the less pleasant things in our lives. ("We turn not older with years, but newer every day.") I want to thank my friend Jan (Rollingstonemom) for getting me to see the real potential in this statement. 
We wake up each day as a person changed from the day before--and if we take advantage of our gifts and talents, that new person is wiser and more experienced with more love to give and share. How about that--I can be better each day simply by trying and thinking positively. I can control the person that I am when I wake up with some effort. I love this idea and it happened to me today without me really thinking about it. 
It could have been a really lousy Monday--I went to work and to serve some 45 needy students in groups ranging from 3 to 6, back to back without much of a break on less than 2 hours of sleep. I was in inexplicable pain as well, and I couldn't take my heavy duty pain medicine because quite honestly, it would have put me to sleep. However, even though our youngest son fooled around and missed his bus, my day unfolded pretty nicely. I start my day before school tutoring one of my younger students 1 on 1. He really put his heart into things and did some incredible work this morning and I was so proud of him, I bragged about him to the principal. My first two reading groups were enthusiastic and every child came on time and prepared to work. I was really enjoying my day. 
I am planning to do a book study with my parents in a couple of weeks and I sent a note home today to get some input on what times that parents would want to come and if they are interested. (I ordered 50 copies of a government published book on helping children to read--they are excellent and were no cost to me, double "yay") My boss supports this activity and I have a friend in the district who said that she could lend a hand as well. I am excited to do this kind of work because it helps impact families in positive ways. I am of the belief that most parents (like 99% of them) are doing the best with what they have. If we can give them more, then they can do even better. Since my children are all students below grade level in reading, their help can make a big difference. I am looking forward to this and have some time tomorrow to organize everything because my 1st and 2nd graders will be gone all day on a field trip. 
Time for paperwork!! 
Time is always an awesome gift and I have some built in a few times at work this week. 
I had a problem with one of my students who just isn't doing anything and it has went on for a while. He didn't give his parent the note I wrote on Friday and had the nerve not to do the work I have been trying to get him to do since October 25. I finally sent him to the office after I kept him for recess and led him through work he could do easily. This is a frustrating thing, because it ties my hands in helping the child to grow--but after I yelled (and shocked everyone in the room because that's not my style,) he was different. I hope that this is for the better and that I have some long term change. He is trying to wear me down so I just let him do nothing, but that would be dishonorable of me. The easy way isn't the right way in this case. This young student needs to know that I am like Lassie and he isn't going to throw me off track. 
I owe him this much. We are doing a group project and he is going to do his part--and there is no easy way out for him. I hope to get him to enjoy this activity before all is said and done. Anyway, my very shortened break got lost in all of the drama with this child--so I didn't get to eat or go potty all day. Arghh--but I didn't snack and there was some kind of food in the staff room that I didn't get into either. 
After school today was mine, I don't see my ten first graders after school on Monday. That was a real positive because I needed time to prepare lesson plans and select new books for my reading groups and define my lessons, vocabulary, letter sound work etc... My husband showed up to pick me up from work early--about 3:45 and we had time to chat and reflect as I worked until about 4:45. It actually was a nice time, we have so little time together. One of our sons showed up about ten minutes before I had everything tidied up to leave for home--to borrow money of course, lol. I don't get to see much of him these days (girlfriend) and it was nice. I also didn't really have any money, so that had to work out for me for the moment.
By then, I had 15,000+ steps on my pedometer. I came home to a prepared chicken dinner (yummy) and after having time with my kids, I went to the pool. That was the first time all day that I was able to move around without terrific pain and I took advantage of that. I did stretches and my regular work out. I also did some water jogging and aerobics, along with some extra core exercises (belly busters-- 
!!) I worked out so long that I didn't get to go to the hot tub, but I did get 20 minutes in the sauna. I left the fitness center feeling the best that I had felt all day--and it had been a pretty good day in so many ways. I never, ever would have guessed that the best pain med for me would be exercise and that I would enjoy it so much. The pool is a blessing. My sore right shoulder makes freestyle and back stroke both a bit difficult, so I limit how much of that I do. (I'm not so good at them in all honesty anyway.) 
Another milestone--My swim suits are all getting pretty lame--stretching out and becoming transparent. I have ordered some and they are coming, but I remembered one I had gotten in May. It is a pretty blue flowered halter style tankini with a little skirt. It was too small for me, so I put it away. I don't know what made me think of it tonight, but I got it out and guess what? Yes, it fits now and is unlike anything I have ever owned or work. 
I came home for my Spark time and have been reflecting on my day. I realize that I could take a lot of what went on today and give it a negative spin quite easily. I am not thinking that way though--because everything from today has changed me, as will everything from tomorrow and the next day and the next... If I want it to be good, I can have it be good. I am getting ready to retire today with confirmation that I am a very good teacher and that I am making a positive difference for each and every one of my students. I am aware that I can manage my health issues and still be productive. I can maintain the climate and not even let a sleepless night and extra pain get in the way of feeling good. I have a wonderful husband and family who allow me to do what I need for my health and my happiness. We work together pretty well for the most part. I do a good job of handling issues and do not let them cloud what i the most important goals that I have. I have such a great store of energy these days that I can be successful with whatever comes my way!
Who would have ever predicted these things? I am OK--and that is truly wonderful. My ending number on my pedometer today is 17, 836 steps. That's not too bad for a disabled gal with a walker who was in too much pain to sleep well last evening. I also got in 2 hours of work at the pool and it helps me so much. I am still losing weight in a healthy way and can wear smaller clothing. I never guessed this and am so glad that I didn't give up and retire last spring. I have a lot to offer and I owe SP a big thank you for this attitude and understanding.
Life is good and "We turn not older with years, but newer every day." is a wonderful quote. to Emily Dickinson for all of the reflection her words have given me. 
Gentle hugs,
Sylvia
Member Comments About This Blog Post:|
MORTICIAADDAMS
11/21/2010 8:05PM
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You always manage to make lemonade out of lemons. I hope your pain improves and you can get some much needed sleep.
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DAWNWATERWOMAN
11/16/2010 10:11PM
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Excellent blog! OMG... your fitness steps are AWESOME! I am really proud of you! Great job on fitting into your sexy new bathing suit. I am jealous. Love you, Dawn 
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BLESSED2BEME
11/16/2010 1:33PM
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You are so right - we can decide to let events in our day bring us down or we can go with the flow and keep our spirits up. It is our choice! Thanks for sharing.
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JRSWHIMSY
11/16/2010 12:29PM
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What a wonderful blog :) You really are an inspiration!
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JHADZHIA
11/16/2010 10:31AM
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Well done pushing through your pain and lack of sleep and getting your job done in the best way possible. There is no question you are a great teacher. Those children are very lucky to have you in their corner. I hope the parents cooperate with your plan with those books.. 17,000 steps is just incredible!! Keep up the wonderful work! You are a great inspiration!! {{{gentle hugs}}} Linda Report Inappropriate Comment |
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SHELLPRO
11/16/2010 8:19AM
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Hon, U just put down the sum of living with a Chronic Health Issue or Disability- its always One day at a Time. Plan for the Best and hope for the Rest. U also put down the reason for your Back Spasms, U skipped the important part of your Therapy- your bad:) But you still benefited by thrashing through what is on your mind and heart. And go U- losing those pounds, but even more important your growing stronger and getting healthier.
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60SIXTY
11/16/2010 7:13AM
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Love your Emily Dickinson quote.
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WALKZWDOGZ
11/16/2010 1:07AM
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Those children are so lucky to have you! You're
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I spent some time off and on throughout the day here at SP 
and then, I went to the pool. 
It was fairly calm there until that one family showed up. They haven't been coming as much, but tonight they had their 2 kids and they also had 2 other kids who they bring with them a lot. I cannot enjoy my workout when these people are there who don't watch their kids. That boy was spitting water and spitting water and spitting water--the woman ignored him and sat on the bench just writing in this little book. The lifeguard walked right by him doing it and didn't even notice when he almost spit right on her. I finished my exercises and then walked my final 6 laps followed by 6 laps of swimming. The pool was perfect temperature tonight and I could have stayed longer, I just couldn't quite stand it. Oh well, enough of that, those people are never going to watch their kids and that particular life guard is never going to pay attention to anything important. 
