News at Home: Too much for 1 week!
This week wasn’t bad, but man was it loooong! On their own, the things going on weren’t that rough, but compiled into 1 week, it was just too much.
Monday we had parent-teacher conferences. I was at school until 7:30 PM. It was long and exhausting, as parent-teacher conferences typically are. But on top of that, Tuesday was Halloween. Me and a couple other teachers on my team dressed up as the characters from If You Give a Dog a Donut, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, and If You Give a Mom a Muffin.
Wednesday was the day after Halloween. Think back to any experience you’ve had with a super tired kid, who stayed up too late AND ate a ton of junk food. Now multiply that by 22. That was my day.
Thursday we had a district walk-through. Honestly my approach to it was, “If they have a major problem with what I’m doing I can go somewhere else.” Because seriously, the people who come on these walk-throughs rarely are people who could EVER do what we do. So it wasn’t that big of a deal, except no matter how much you’re determined to not change because of them, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to have 7 adults walk into your room while you’re trying to teach and pull out their clipboards and start taking pictures and videos. Thankfully, I’ve already heard that I did great, that they too pictures and videos because they want to share what I was doing with other kinder teachers that are struggling, and I even got a couple notes from them in my box Friday just saying how impressed they were with the Kinder’s independence and enthusiasm. So yay!
Then Friday I had a meeting during my planning period, that ran over into my lunch, meaning I had no break all day. And then after school we had our Fall Festival, which is a night for neighborhood families to come and play games, shop local craft vendors, shop the book fair, and just have fun. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year so it’s a big deal. Well I spent from 4-6 helping setup, from 6-8 painting faces, and from 8-9 cleaning up. It’s stuff like this that people don’t seem to get about being a teacher when they talk about all the time off we get (unpaid btw). It was fun, honestly, but exhausting after such a long week. I came home and crashed.
It wasn’t a bad week, like I said, just way too much for 1 week. Hoping next week will be a bit less eventful… although Friday is our Fall Field Trip, so that’s unlikely. LOL!
Blog News
We kicked off our Can You Read a Series in a Month Challenge and I’m happy to report I’m already almost done with my first book! Woo!
Besides that I realize I’m a sucky blogger and I’m truly sorry for not having the time to do it right. I’m still trying to do better though, I swear! Don’t give up on me 🙂
#FitReaders Update
First a rundown on my main goal for October – losing 20 lbs. I did it, barely. I lost 21.4 as of October 31. Phew!
And it’s time to recommit for November, so here are my November goals:
- Do yoga every morning for 10 minutes (minimum)
- Drink 64 oz of water daily
- Eat 70g of protein daily
- Go to the gym 3 times a week (Sunday – Saturday)
- Walk 8000 steps a day
- Do 1 5k walk with Buffy each weekend
- Lose 20 lbs
For the most part, I’m off to a good start with my goals. Here’s a rundown on my start to November:
- Wednesday: 10 min morning yoga, 64.9 oz water, 80g protein, 45 minute Zumba class (2nd time gym for week), 13385 steps
- Thursday: 10 min morning yoga, 81.8 oz water, 93g protein, 30 min Hump Day, 55 min Turbo Jam (3rd time gym for week), 15635 steps
- Friday: 10 min morning yoga, 81.9 oz water, 86g protein, no gym, 8240 steps
Weight lost this month (goal 20lbs): I’m up 2.2 pounds so far this month and I couldn’t be more furious or discouraged. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to and the scale is not going the right way!
Days since surgery: 88
Total weight lost since surgery: 62.4 pounds
Last Week on the Blog
- [30 Oct] The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare ★★★★½
- [31 Oct] Happy Halloween from Because Reading! @Limabean74 @BerlsS
- [1 Nov] Can you read a series in a Month! Challenge! Starts TODAY!!!
- [4 Nov] TBR Voting November 2017
- [4 Nov] My To-Be Read List November 2017 ~ Lets #Vote & Link Up!
- [4 Nov] Sunday Post with Berls | Too much for 1 week!
- [5 Nov] It’s NOVEMBER…ALREADY?!?!~ WIR & SP
Coming Next Week From Me
Saturday
Berls’s TBR List Voting | November 2017
The Sunday Post with Bers | Too Much for 1 Week!
Monday
Just a Few InnKeeper Chronicles Books I Read #audioreview
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!
I just finished…
I finished A Promise of Fire and wow when it ended I was like, “WTF, that’s it! NO!!!” So I’ll be reading the second book soon!
I also finished Miracle Morning and OMG y’all this book! You have to read it! It’s transforming my days and I can’t wait to share more about it with y’all.
Reading Now…
I’m listening to Clutch by JA Huss my first book in the Read A Series in a month challenge.
I’m reading Murder of Crows, book 2 in the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series. I’m enjoying it but I think I’ll switch gears after this.
Up Next…
I just finished Miracle Morning so I need to pick out my next self-help book. My next audio will be the sequel to Clutch. No idea what my next physical read will be.
I’m so glad that you did well with the people who came to visit. Honestly, I’m not surprised. I know how dedicated you are to teaching those kids. I think there are a lot of things that people don’t realize how much teacher do. I know that I didn’t know until I had a few friends who were teachers. I hope you have a less hectic week this week.
That’s so true, I think the majority of the world is clueless to what’s involved with teaching. And it’s only getting harder, thanks to politicians who really need to get their noses out of public education. But it’s a great job, I love what I do.
Hope you had a great week!
Parent teacher conferences the day before Halloween? That is not cool! I love your costume! The Tornado’s elementary school had a character parade where the kids can wear a costume but they have to bring a book with that character in it. I have a feeling a LOT of parents were searching through bookstores looking for books with their kids’ costumes. Then they do a big parade through the school for the parents which was so fun. That’s fantastic about the walk through though that does sound disconcerting. Good luck on the field trip and hopefully there will be some calmer days soon!
Thank you! Who came up with that?! The second I saw it on the schedule I was like WTF?! But we survived. Yeah, our costume day requires a book as well, but honestly if a kid shows up without the book we don’t care. I mean, can you imagine telling a little kid to go change because they don’t have a book?! That would be just awful. My old school did a parade and I thought it was so fun, I wish our school did it. I’m glad Tornado got to have so much fun 🙂
*HUGS* What a crazy week. It was like that here, except we had a huge wind storm Sunday night and so no power all day Monday (10/30). So the kids were off, then went to school Tuesday and had Trick-or-Treat that night. Crazy!
Have you talked with your doctor about your weight frustrations? or someone else who has had the surgery? I’m glad you are still motivated and working on your health and fitness.
Question…. you wrote “m reading Murder of Crows, book 2 in the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series” But I assume you meant book two of the Others Series? If so… just so you know, I think book 2 was the hardest to listen to and my least favorite of the series. It gets amazingly better after this one!
Ha! No I actually did mean twenty sided sorceress, I guess they have the same name. I do plan on doing more Others though too, though. So good to know about the listening.
I’m going to be going in for another follow up this month so I’ll bring up my frustrations then. Felicia says she lost slower than I am when she did the surgery. So I’m trying to not get too frustrated. It just really disheartening to be working out so hard, eating so healthy, and still! Grrr. But I refuse to give up 🙂
Sounds like you had a crazy week too. Here’s to a simpler week! Hugs!
Oh I have conferences Thursday night. Its gonna be SUCH a long day. We end at 8, then I have a 40 min drive home 🙁 Thats awesome that you had such a great visit from the higher ups. I always get nervous when people come into my classroom. I can’t help it!
Hope this week is easier!
Ugh I feel for you, for sure. 🙁 it’s impossible to not get nervous when a ton of administrators walk into your room.
Thanks! I hope you have a great week!
Wow, what a busy week. That’s a lot going on. And I don’t envy you trying to teach the day after Halloween. Ack! I sure hope this week is a little more low-key. It sounds like you could use it! 🙂
Lol yeah day after Halloween should be a holiday – it’s just one fight after another! Fingers crossed! Have a great week 🙂
That’s a crazy busy week. Hoping next week is easier on you. And such a cute costume!
Thanks Laura! Hope you’re having a great week!
You and Michelle both had crazy-busy weeks, it seems! Way to go on the district walk-through. I’m not surprised they were impressed. Everything you’ve told us about your teaching, your approach, and your class shows me just how much love and creativity you put into what you do. And you three teachers look really cute as those book characters. I’ll bet the kids loved it.
I’m also so impressed by your efforts to take good care of yourself and your health. You’re an inspiration. I really need to exercise more and eat healthier — and I’ve been saying that for years now. [sigh]
Have a wonderful and hopefully a less jam-packed week!
Yeah crazy busy! Thank you, that’s very kind. I often doubt myself in the classroom, I just want to be so much better than I am. The kids did love the costumes 🙂
I’m doing my best with the gym and eating right, but it’s so frustrating when the scale won’t budge!
Hope you’re having a great week!
Who has parent conferences the day before Halloween? Seriously bad idea. All schools should have a 3 day holiday during the week of Halloween, dependent on which day of the week it falls on. Nothing good happens the day of or the day after. I hate walk-throughs. We have MANY on our campus. We’ve had up to 12 adults (yes, together, in one group) push into classrooms for walkthroughs. The kids freeze and freak out. Twelve scary people trying to distract them, ask them questions, look at their stuff at their desk. It is nerve-wracking for them and for us. I’m glad yours went so well!! I’m trying to do better with visiting, too, but honestly it is relegated to the weekends when I’m doing EVERYTHING else including actually caring for myself.
We should write a book about what it’s like to be teachers. People do not believe you when you tell them things, and then there are the large majority who don’t understand how contracts and pay works, and time “off” versus mandatory training off-contract that you aren’t compensated for, and my district doesn’t honor those days as comp days, either.
I hope you have a great week and your field trip goes well!
We really should. I was just joking with someone that I could write a book called “Don’t lick me! And other things teachers have to say” lol!
Yes! Seriously no school the day after Halloween at the least!
As for walkthroughs, I will NEVER understand how they think sending a ton of adults into a room will produce a good reading of what’s happening in a classroom. *sigh* just another part of the joys of teaching.
Hope you’re having a great week!
I love your costumes! It was a busy week for you but it’s great you got the recognition you deserve. I hope you get some relaxation time this coming week. Have a great week!
Thanks Kathy, it was super comfy 🙂 I do have some relaxing on the agenda, fingers crossed it sticks lol! Have a great week!
Sounds like a super busy and long week. I love your dog costume!!! The other ladies costumes are cute too. Hope this week isn’t as busy!!
Stormi oxoxo
Thanks Stormi, it was comfy (but warm)! So far it’s better, for sure. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Have a great week!
Busy week! Mine was super crazy and it seems like it never ends! You look so cute and comfy! 🙂
Awesome job with the walk through!
Have a great week, Berls! Happy Reading! MISS YOU!!!! ox
This is why our calendar doesn’t look quite as complete… We’re too busy! Still better than on our own. BTW that cover… It inspired me to write something. I may just have to buy it. Just saying. Of course you still need to invoice me for the other.
Hugs!!!
Yes I know. I will once I get stuff organized. I’ll invoice this weekend! 🙂
Hahaha okay 🙂
The day after Halloween is the absolute worst! Always! And yet I was dumb and scheduled a doctor’s appointment for both kids the very next day. Lol. I feel you!
Lol oh I bet that was fun 🙂 yeah day after Halloween should just be an automatic day off school. No point fighting it!