My User Name Challenge

Monday, July 12, 2010

My name comes from several sources. One of my late father's favorite sayings was "I never saw a purple cow, I never hope to see one, But I can tell you anyhow, I'd rather see than be one." Well, I started saying that whenever I taught a child I couldn't understand. They were my purple cows. One of my best friends started calling me "Purple Cow" because I love the hardest to reach and teach. The "sped" part is just short for special educator. My name was supposed to be "Purplecowsped", but since I am "special" I got it mixed up when I signed up on the Spark, but decided I liked it better. It fits me, kinda different, kinda special, very unique.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CEEGIE 7/13/2010 3:58PM

Thanks for stopping by my page and leaving the encouragement. How are things going for you? I'm still lovin' Spark. It is miraculous, really, how it manages to keep me in the game. I'm always anxious to check in to see if I've heard from any fellow sparkers, and just that is enough to keep me on my program. I love it. Thanks for being a part of what is making it work for me! Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLETEALOVER 7/12/2010 12:49PM

Whenever I see your username, I always picture a purple cow running at top speed. LOL! What is top speed for a cow, anyway? Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMODER 7/12/2010 9:44AM

If the shoe fits wear it... I love your explanation. Not sure I would want my dad's sayings. Sam Report Inappropriate Comment

M_E_L_I_S_A 7/12/2010 8:46AM

That's cute! Report Inappropriate Comment

GRAMMAELLEN 7/12/2010 7:52AM

That explains some things! LOL! I love it. And I am so glad you are a part of the Angel team. Keep on sparkin' and I'll see you on the message boards. Report Inappropriate Comment

FROMBABY2BRIDE 7/12/2010 7:27AM

Great meaning!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

102633 7/12/2010 7:22AM

Each of us is unique in our own "special" way. You just happen to be one who educates us. I have seen your user name in posts previously and always wondered about the name (like I wonder about many of the user names on this site). Thanks for sharing the etymology and I think that you should keep it just like it is. It's you and it's special!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DISIZIT 7/12/2010 7:19AM

I thinks it's adorable and definitely Special, since it has a special meaning coming from your dad, and then thru friends.......it has history and it can certainly end up being a legacy, all of your own........so i'd say, be Proud and enjoy all your special Purplespedcow days ahead!! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

What Have I Done?

Sunday, July 11, 2010

I have been a member since January. I joined a few teams and tracked food and fitness. BUT this month, I joined FOUR teams including the Community Team and the Stress Challenge. I added so many friends I can't count. I am on this site so much I forget to eat sometimes. I have never been on the computer as much as I am now. I learn so much from the other members and I hope that I give help, support, and answers to others. This change has lead to other changes in my life.
Last night, I tried Fish Tacos...my DH has wanted to try them for a long time and you know what - they were good! And I could have had more if I wanted because they were fish and not beef so lower in calories.
Today we are trying a chicken salad recipe from the Cook This, Not That book. It looks so good.
Other changes: my blood sugars are down, my energy is up, and I am stress free right now. I am looking forward to the new school year and my new school.
So my advice for the day is join teams, add friends, interact, learn, teach others, give, receive, and love yourself.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MOLS626 7/12/2010 11:50AM

I appreciate all the support/encouragement you give me - THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS on your health changes. Report Inappropriate Comment

GRAMMAELLEN 7/12/2010 7:56AM

You are doing great! Interaction is key. I was pretty shy at first. Still am some days. But the days I don't put in some serious time with SP, I feel like something is missing. I need to hear from others, learn from them, and feel part of a positive force. So, Thanks for being a part of that! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMODER 7/11/2010 10:25PM

I am so happy that you are finding your new lifestyle helping. Sam Report Inappropriate Comment

TRISHP1961 7/11/2010 7:01PM

I do that in the summer, too. I have the extra time to devote to learning more things from new groups. When school starts in the Fall, I need to scale back the minutes of cardio, time weight lifting, and time spent on Spark. "til then, enjoy! Report Inappropriate Comment

SANDRAFIVE 7/11/2010 11:40AM

Good for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

TERRYT55 7/11/2010 11:28AM

I could have written parts of this post........I too am spending more and more time at Spark People and learning more and more! Great advice! Report Inappropriate Comment

SONNYG1 7/11/2010 11:20AM

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JOANOFSPARK 7/11/2010 11:14AM

you are so right.....good for you....lots of good healthy changes going on.......which is what we all need to make our lifestyle changes stick this time......we can do it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

A Horrible Dinner Out

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Fridays, we got out to eat. Usually it is a time for us to talk and catch up with each other. Last night, my husband chose a new restaurant. It was a Caribbean cuisine. Hubby ordered the lamb curry, I wanted chicken BBQ - they didn't have that yet so I went with Jerked Chicken as did my son.
Okay, first clue was they didn't have half of the things on the menu yet. Waitress came back and said they were out of lamb, would goat do. My husband agreed.
We were told it would be 20 minutes. There were no salads or soups to begin the meal. That should have been clue number two.
Finally, the meals arrived. My husband had more bone and grizzle than meat and he said that was tough. The jerked chicken turned out to be three chicken wings in some sauce. I had a sweet potato with no flavor. My husband got white rice instead of the brown rice he ordered.
Cost: $40! We won't be going back.
In fact, we all had more to eat when we got home. I was proud of myself that I had a sandwich with some soup.
Lesson learned: We should have left when we learned that they didn't have half of what we wanted. We should have told the owner how bad the food was. We should have complained about the amount for the price. We could have, but we didn't. We paid the bill and left a tip. And my husband doesn't get to pick the next restaurant. I didn't stress out over this, just made good choices when I got home.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SCENIC_ROUTE 7/10/2010 4:35PM

Thank you for the story as its is a learning experience for all of us to stand up for what we want and need. Ven Report Inappropriate Comment

MRE1956 7/10/2010 4:13PM

I would make sure your spouse never gets another chance - a bad meal can ruin a person's day, and perhaps more than that.....glad to see that you handled it well (I'm not sure I would have)..... Report Inappropriate Comment

MOLS626 7/10/2010 3:24PM

That sounds like a horrible experience. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Good for you, though, for making healthy choices when you got home. Report Inappropriate Comment

CEEGIE 7/10/2010 3:06PM

Yuck! That sounds horrible. Grizzly goat. That's a shame that they were open for business when they clearly were not ready to be. Caribbean food can be very good. The good part is, you go out to dinner every Friday with your family. It's fun and great for family relationships. The other good part is, you didn't get upset about it and make it worse. Where are you going to pick for next Friday? Report Inappropriate Comment

TRISHP1961 7/10/2010 3:00PM

That happens sometimes...I find it makes you appreciate a good meal the next time you go out...Good job on not letting a bad experience result in overeating later. Report Inappropriate Comment

LILIGRAC 7/10/2010 2:56PM

Sorry you had such a bad night out! Glad you didn't stress, and made good choices later. Hope your next night out will be fun and exciting!! Report Inappropriate Comment

THERAPIST2 7/10/2010 12:52PM

We would have done the same thing- eat, don't complain, pay and tip. Sorry you had such a bad experience. When you look forward to you night out, it is disappointing. Seems you have put it in perspective and moved on. Good for you! Hope the next dining out experience is better. Report Inappropriate Comment

I am Grateful

Friday, July 09, 2010

Today I am grateful for:
blood sugars going

my granddaughter

my job

my family

15 months of being smoke free

Spark friends

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

REDSKNU2 7/10/2010 2:14PM

Great thoughts! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRETTYBLKGYRL 7/9/2010 10:06PM

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ACIMPEGGY 7/9/2010 12:30PM

We have so much for which to be grateful. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit provides all my needs. Report Inappropriate Comment

JOANOFSPARK 7/9/2010 10:37AM

Good for you we all need to take the time to think about what we have to be grateful for each day..... *angel hugs* Report Inappropriate Comment

CANDILEA 7/9/2010 10:15AM

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DMARIE1181 7/9/2010 10:12AM

Love it!! And way to go on being smoke free!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOLS626 7/9/2010 10:07AM

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NANALD 7/9/2010 9:49AM

Great things to be thankful for! for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

FROMBABY2BRIDE 7/9/2010 9:46AM

Woo-hoo!!! You have a lot to be grateful for!!! Keep up the great work on your new healthy lifestyle!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Bragging on my children

Thursday, July 08, 2010

I have three wonderful adult children.
My first daughter, and the oldest, is a special education teacher here. She used to teach 3rd or 4th grade. When allotments for her grade level were reduced last year, she volunteered to take the open special educator position since she has her Master's in special ed. She was hoping to save another teacher's job at the time. She was very nervous about this move but she did very well and ended up enjoying the job. She will return to that position again ths year.
My other daughter is working on her PhD in Baltimore. She has published two articles during her work. She just returned to her work after having a baby. She should be defending her thesis this May.
My son is working on his Master's in the Arts of Teaching. He has decided tha he wants to teach science in High School. He is working hard on this while he works part time. He just found out that he is now also published. His work as an undergraduate was published.
I am so proud of my children that I had to brag on them.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HDHAWK 7/8/2010 10:28PM

Wonderful! Sounds like they are all following in your footsteps by going into education in some way! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAMODER 7/8/2010 10:19PM

That is wonderful and you have every right to brag. Sam Report Inappropriate Comment

CEEGIE 7/8/2010 8:21PM

Your children sound amazing. Congratulations on an outstanding job of parenting. That's what life is all about! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRISHP1961 7/8/2010 7:50PM

You have the right to be proud! Report Inappropriate Comment

CANDILEA 7/8/2010 11:42AM

Wow! Congratualtions you have some wonderful children! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOLS626 7/8/2010 10:57AM

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KATIE781 7/8/2010 10:33AM

Congratulations! Those are amazing achievements and you are entitled to brag. Great job to all of them. Report Inappropriate Comment

TORN_EDGE 7/8/2010 10:24AM

You have raised wonderful kids. I can't wait til my kids are a little older to brag on them Report Inappropriate Comment