and some of this......
Great Day!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Show Canceled.
For those of you who enjoyed the Nancy Show that was popular about 20 years ago, I'm sorry to say it has been canceled. However, it has been replaced by the Molly Show. The reviews are in and it promises to be much more eventful and entertaining than it's counterpart.
My tiny dancer; all the world is her stage.
(Molly dancing at the Akron Zips Basketball game.)
Unrelated, but important! Happy birthday to one of my best friends! Rach-- I'm so glad you chose Ed and we get to be family. You are one amazing lady, and I am truly blessed by our friendship. And.... I like it when you are as old as me (he, he).
My tiny dancer; all the world is her stage.
(Molly dancing at the Akron Zips Basketball game.)
Unrelated, but important! Happy birthday to one of my best friends! Rach-- I'm so glad you chose Ed and we get to be family. You are one amazing lady, and I am truly blessed by our friendship. And.... I like it when you are as old as me (he, he).
Lupus ..... Really?
So I have been struggling for about 2 years now with.... well just not feeling well, ever. I blamed it on many things (and so did doctors).
1) age
2) weight
3) working mother of three
4) depression
5) working in a petri dish
...... and the list goes on
Symptoms
1) exhaustion - like mono for those of you who have had it
2) low grade fevers - nightly
3) joint aches and pains
4) sore throats (strep throat aside)
The decision was that I needed to see a Rheumatologist. This was a little disheartening seeing as I was sure the I had mono again and I was thinking someone was going to tell me to take some time off work. My bloodwork showed that I had a positive ANA, which says that I have an auto-immune disorder. (Do you know how many of those there are? Lots!) Autoimmune means that you body fights itself. Funny, why doesn't my body fight the strep throat and numerous sinus infections? Nope, instead its going to kill off my blood platelets. Anyway, all of this was frustrating information. Diagnosis from the first rheumatologist was that I had 3 indicators for Lupus, and I needed 1 one to say that I actually had it. So I kept saying, so I don't have it. She said, well.... no but.... basically we're waiting for the other shoe to drop (my words, not hers). So she started treating me as she would someone with confirmed Lupus.
Something about this whole thing has never felt right. Still have most of the same symptoms, less with the medication that I am on, but they're still there. Very livable, but annoying. At my mom's request, I went to see a new doctor. He's more of a glass half full kind of guy. His outlook on this whole thing is much more what I need. He says I don't have Lupus, and statistically he doesn't really think I will get it. Now I do have some sort of auto-immune disorder, but he says it may not be anything more than the ITP (low platelet issue). Unfortunately, I have these achy joints to contend with so he is keeping me on the same medication (which is actually for malaria, go figure). Says he can't explain the sore throats though, apparently unrelated.
Anyway, it was a good day. I got a lot more information, and I am going to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop because apparently it's probably not going to.
So..... Lupus...... Really? I say NOPE!
PS-- Any Doctors who may read this (ha, ha!) My apologies for anything I said incorrectly.
1) age
2) weight
3) working mother of three
4) depression
5) working in a petri dish
...... and the list goes on
Symptoms
1) exhaustion - like mono for those of you who have had it
2) low grade fevers - nightly
3) joint aches and pains
4) sore throats (strep throat aside)
The decision was that I needed to see a Rheumatologist. This was a little disheartening seeing as I was sure the I had mono again and I was thinking someone was going to tell me to take some time off work. My bloodwork showed that I had a positive ANA, which says that I have an auto-immune disorder. (Do you know how many of those there are? Lots!) Autoimmune means that you body fights itself. Funny, why doesn't my body fight the strep throat and numerous sinus infections? Nope, instead its going to kill off my blood platelets. Anyway, all of this was frustrating information. Diagnosis from the first rheumatologist was that I had 3 indicators for Lupus, and I needed 1 one to say that I actually had it. So I kept saying, so I don't have it. She said, well.... no but.... basically we're waiting for the other shoe to drop (my words, not hers). So she started treating me as she would someone with confirmed Lupus.
Something about this whole thing has never felt right. Still have most of the same symptoms, less with the medication that I am on, but they're still there. Very livable, but annoying. At my mom's request, I went to see a new doctor. He's more of a glass half full kind of guy. His outlook on this whole thing is much more what I need. He says I don't have Lupus, and statistically he doesn't really think I will get it. Now I do have some sort of auto-immune disorder, but he says it may not be anything more than the ITP (low platelet issue). Unfortunately, I have these achy joints to contend with so he is keeping me on the same medication (which is actually for malaria, go figure). Says he can't explain the sore throats though, apparently unrelated.
Anyway, it was a good day. I got a lot more information, and I am going to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop because apparently it's probably not going to.
So..... Lupus...... Really? I say NOPE!
PS-- Any Doctors who may read this (ha, ha!) My apologies for anything I said incorrectly.
Ten on...umm... Wednesday: Lent addition
So Lent..... I have in the past on more than one occasion given something up for Lent. Last year it was soda. Those who know me, know that was quite an accomplishment. Forty days with no Diet Dr. Pepper. I did it, though. I think I was hoping it would help me cut down.... it didn't.
Anyway...... so my ten. I thought this year I would try something different. I want to try to "do" things instead of give things up. Some of these things aren't easy for me, but they are things I feel need work. And yes, I do know I am a week late.
1. Smile more.
2. Have a positive attitude when I go into work, and focus on the good things about the day.
3. Play more games with my kids. (This one isn't hard, finding time is.)
4. Tell my husband how much I love and appreciate him (instead of just thinking it).
5. Move everyday at least a little bit (and be satisfied with a little bit, because it is better than nothing). --However, if you look at the previous post it really needs to be more than a little bit.
6. Post something two or three times a week.
7. Create something-- anything (big, small, for school, for home, or for me) every week.
8. Pretend to be a morning person (for awhile anyway).
9. Practice patience and restraint.
10. Live in the moment, and to borrow from my sister-in-law - enjoy the simple things.
Kind of a tall order, but I'm going to try.
Anyway...... so my ten. I thought this year I would try something different. I want to try to "do" things instead of give things up. Some of these things aren't easy for me, but they are things I feel need work. And yes, I do know I am a week late.
1. Smile more.
2. Have a positive attitude when I go into work, and focus on the good things about the day.
3. Play more games with my kids. (This one isn't hard, finding time is.)
4. Tell my husband how much I love and appreciate him (instead of just thinking it).
5. Move everyday at least a little bit (and be satisfied with a little bit, because it is better than nothing). --However, if you look at the previous post it really needs to be more than a little bit.
6. Post something two or three times a week.
7. Create something-- anything (big, small, for school, for home, or for me) every week.
8. Pretend to be a morning person (for awhile anyway).
9. Practice patience and restraint.
10. Live in the moment, and to borrow from my sister-in-law - enjoy the simple things.
Kind of a tall order, but I'm going to try.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Putting it out There
Well, I'm putting it out there. I'm going to "run" a 10K. Now this may not seem like a big deal to some, but I've always had a mental block against running. However, I've always really admired people who could do it. My dad began running marathons in his thirties and into his forties. He ran 12 in all, and I was so proud of him at every one. I loved going to his races, and not just because we usually got McDonalds for breakfast after the start of the race, but because it was amazing. The amount of people, all the excitement and commotion, and the anticipation of dad crossing the finish line. Really awesome! No marathon for me..... 6.2 miles is about all I can wrap my brain around right now.
I'm "running" it with my friend Rachel (who is amazing herself by the way). She has recently lost over 100 pounds and is accumulating many miles every week. I hope she doesn't mind me putting that out in blog land, but she is truly inspirational.
I added a countdown clock for myself because I need to get on track (no pun intended.) I haven't been doing any training because of my constant strep throat (or at least that is what I keep telling myself). Now it is out there. It's not easy to go back on something that you put out there for all the world to see. So wish me luck!
I'm "running" it with my friend Rachel (who is amazing herself by the way). She has recently lost over 100 pounds and is accumulating many miles every week. I hope she doesn't mind me putting that out in blog land, but she is truly inspirational.
I added a countdown clock for myself because I need to get on track (no pun intended.) I haven't been doing any training because of my constant strep throat (or at least that is what I keep telling myself). Now it is out there. It's not easy to go back on something that you put out there for all the world to see. So wish me luck!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ten on Tuesday.... maybe
This is my first 10 on Tuesday. The way I understand it, is it's purpose is to be .... whatever I want. Random or connected thoughts about life, daily or generally, that I feel worthy enough to be noted on this particular day. Here goes ....... we'll see if I can make it to ten!
1) We've had a ton a snow and still had school. I'm done. I have no use for snow that has no perks for me.
2) I think I may have strep throat for the THIRD time since early January. I will wait until tomorrow and see how I feel, before venturing for the wonderful throat culture. (I swear I finished my antibiotic this time!)
3) I'm really tired of defending my profession! I'm tired of reading negative letters to the editor about teachers. I'm tired of working as hard as I do, and being accused of making too much money, getting too many "perks", and getting the message that anyone could do what I do. (Do you know that there are people in the world (in my close world) that don't even know that teachers are required to get a college education, let alone a master's degree?) I'm tired of being an easy target, because the public thinks they know what I do every day. I'm tired of never being finished and having hours of work to do every night. I'm tired of being frustrated because what I do never seems to be enough. I'M TIRED!
4) Better look for my smile again!
5) I love my new computer, but I wish I had more time to play with my pictures. Does anyone know how to use masks for PSE?
6) I'm looking forward to a big family road trip this summer, and I need to start planning. I have to decide what sights an 9 year old, a 6 year old and a 3 year old will be impressed with (besides the two families we're planning to visit. I know they will be excited about that).
{E -- if you read this check your FB messages.}
7) It's funny that the hundredth day of school has become a celebration. Mason took in 100 toothpicks which he put in groups of 10 and then skip counted. (I was impressed.) Molly made arrays of stickers that equal 100. (They are working on factors.) My students are.... doing nothing to celebrate the 100th day. There is no fun in fourth grade.... or so I'm told.
8) I'm excited to start reading Charlotte's Web with my class. Some have read it already, but many have not. Some said, "I've seen the movie!" (I think there should be a law... no seeing the movie unless you've read the book.) It has a lot of figurative language in it which I love, and they have to be able to identify simile and metaphor on the "big test", so I think I can give those who have read it previously a new appreciation. Cross your fingers!
9) Wow this post is really job focused today. Boring! (Throat is still really hurting, do you think it really could be?)
10) I took Molly to see Percy Jackson yesterday. I'm not sure I recommend it for the under 9 set. It was pretty scary for those of us who prefer to brush our teeth rather than stay in the room during suspenseful parts of movies. However, we went because Molly read the book. She wasn't any better than I was at watching the "scary" parts, but it was funny that she knew exactly when to cover eyes. I kept asking, "What's going to happen?", and she would tell me. Unfortunately, she also learned the lesson, that the movie is never quite like the book. I hope that she will always be encouraged to read the book first. Again, I'm not necessarily recommending the book or the movie for third graders (content is a little iffy, but great for older kids). Although if you ask her she will tell you, "The movie was so awesome!" (at least the parts that she saw.) Live and learn!
1) We've had a ton a snow and still had school. I'm done. I have no use for snow that has no perks for me.
2) I think I may have strep throat for the THIRD time since early January. I will wait until tomorrow and see how I feel, before venturing for the wonderful throat culture. (I swear I finished my antibiotic this time!)
3) I'm really tired of defending my profession! I'm tired of reading negative letters to the editor about teachers. I'm tired of working as hard as I do, and being accused of making too much money, getting too many "perks", and getting the message that anyone could do what I do. (Do you know that there are people in the world (in my close world) that don't even know that teachers are required to get a college education, let alone a master's degree?) I'm tired of being an easy target, because the public thinks they know what I do every day. I'm tired of never being finished and having hours of work to do every night. I'm tired of being frustrated because what I do never seems to be enough. I'M TIRED!
4) Better look for my smile again!
5) I love my new computer, but I wish I had more time to play with my pictures. Does anyone know how to use masks for PSE?
6) I'm looking forward to a big family road trip this summer, and I need to start planning. I have to decide what sights an 9 year old, a 6 year old and a 3 year old will be impressed with (besides the two families we're planning to visit. I know they will be excited about that).
{E -- if you read this check your FB messages.}
7) It's funny that the hundredth day of school has become a celebration. Mason took in 100 toothpicks which he put in groups of 10 and then skip counted. (I was impressed.) Molly made arrays of stickers that equal 100. (They are working on factors.) My students are.... doing nothing to celebrate the 100th day. There is no fun in fourth grade.... or so I'm told.
8) I'm excited to start reading Charlotte's Web with my class. Some have read it already, but many have not. Some said, "I've seen the movie!" (I think there should be a law... no seeing the movie unless you've read the book.) It has a lot of figurative language in it which I love, and they have to be able to identify simile and metaphor on the "big test", so I think I can give those who have read it previously a new appreciation. Cross your fingers!
9) Wow this post is really job focused today. Boring! (Throat is still really hurting, do you think it really could be?)
10) I took Molly to see Percy Jackson yesterday. I'm not sure I recommend it for the under 9 set. It was pretty scary for those of us who prefer to brush our teeth rather than stay in the room during suspenseful parts of movies. However, we went because Molly read the book. She wasn't any better than I was at watching the "scary" parts, but it was funny that she knew exactly when to cover eyes. I kept asking, "What's going to happen?", and she would tell me. Unfortunately, she also learned the lesson, that the movie is never quite like the book. I hope that she will always be encouraged to read the book first. Again, I'm not necessarily recommending the book or the movie for third graders (content is a little iffy, but great for older kids). Although if you ask her she will tell you, "The movie was so awesome!" (at least the parts that she saw.) Live and learn!
Friday, February 12, 2010
A Scarcity of Smiles
The past couple weeks my smile has been absent more than it was present. It's been hectic, stressful, snowy, and difficult. There isn't any particular reason, just everything. So I decided it was time to find my smile, even if just for a little while. How, you ask? By way of a list, or reminders, of some of the reasons I have to smile.
1. Sister-in-laws who listen to all of the ridiculousness of life, and sympathize, laugh, cry or do whatever it is that I need.
2. Surprise Valentines that come in the mail!
3. Dinner out with my husband, or my friends, or just dinner out!
4. Fourth graders that ask really interesting science questions that make me say "I'll have to look that up?"
5. Pizza and Ice Cream!
6. Friday nights with five on the couch watching a movie. (The oldest of the five always fast asleep.)
7. Colleagues who "get it".
8. Listening to bucket stories at dinner time. (What has filled your bucket today?)
9. Taking pictures, looking at pictures, hoping to develop pictures.
And......
10. These smiles...... make me smile!!
Ahhh! There it is...... my smile! I hope it sticks around for awhile!!
1. Sister-in-laws who listen to all of the ridiculousness of life, and sympathize, laugh, cry or do whatever it is that I need.
2. Surprise Valentines that come in the mail!
3. Dinner out with my husband, or my friends, or just dinner out!
4. Fourth graders that ask really interesting science questions that make me say "I'll have to look that up?"
5. Pizza and Ice Cream!
6. Friday nights with five on the couch watching a movie. (The oldest of the five always fast asleep.)
7. Colleagues who "get it".
8. Listening to bucket stories at dinner time. (What has filled your bucket today?)
9. Taking pictures, looking at pictures, hoping to develop pictures.
And......
10. These smiles...... make me smile!!
Ahhh! There it is...... my smile! I hope it sticks around for awhile!!
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