News at Home: So Stressed!
This week was SO stressful! We had a staff meeting on Tuesday and the amount of work added on that has to be done by the end of the month was just, whoa! And then within the next 24 hours we had like 3 more emails with MORE things to do. Plus we have mid-year testing going on. AND this upcoming week we have ANOTHER staff meeting on Tuesday and a Parent Make & Take Night on Thursday. It’s too much and I’m stressing out!
On the positive side, one of the things causing some teacher’s a lot of stress did not cause us (Kinder) any stress. The principal made of list of non-negotiables that she’s going to have to start writing people up for. And there’s not a thing on that list that I – and my team – don’t already do. The only thing is the changed the deadline for lesson plans, so I have to get them done earlier in the week. But that’s doable.
They also started doing these school wide awards – golden awards for great behavior. 1 class each week will win a golden shoe (for PE), a golden record (for Music), a golden paintbrush (for Art), a golden spatula (for Cafeteria), a golden book (for library) and a golden keyboard (for computer). They announced the first week’s w winners on Friday and Kindergarten dominated! My class got the golden spatula, and then kinder also got the golden record, the golden shoe, and the golden paintbrush. As in – 1 for each Kinder class. My kids want to win 3 golden items next week LOL! But it just reinforces what we already know and find really frustrating, Kinder has the best behavior, hands down in the school. And it doesn’t happen by accident, it’s hard work. But we’re consistent with our kids and do not let them get away with shit. It was nice to see that so evident by the golden awards š
I also have to share a little about how impressed I was with my kids this week with our lesson on Martin Luther King. We’re out of school on Monday for MLK day and so we spent Friday really learning about who Dr. King was and why he had to do the things he did. My kids were so introspective and kind of blew me away with their thoughtful questions. For example, one student asked “what would happen if a brown person fell in love with a white person? Could they get married?” and when I explained that, no, it was against the law. I had several kids get very upset because they come from families of mixed race. Another student asked “What would happen if a white mom had a brown baby?” I’ve never had that question and I LOVED it. They were so thoughtful.
After we talked about Dr. King’s I have a dream speech, a student took me exactly where I wanted to go by saying “but he died before he finished.” I asked them what they thought Dr. King would want and they agreed that he would want people to keep working on his dream to make the world a better place. I told them it was their job and my job. One of my students got this very serious, kind of stressed out look on his face and raised his hand. “But Mrs. Carmona, that’s a BIG job.” It was like he’d taken the weight of fixing the entire world onto his little shoulders. But we had just readĀ Martin’s Big Words and one of my other students said, “but one of Dr. King’s words was together. So we can do it together, right?” Y’all they so didn’t need me… they were teaching the damn lesson all on their own! It was one of those beautiful moments as a teacher where you just get out of the way and let them drive the ship.
To end the lesson I let them each write about what they wanted to do to make the world a better place.. we called it their “I have a dream” speeches. Again, I was blown away. The room was about as silent as it ever gets because they were so focused on writing their dreams. And as I circulated and had them read to me I saw things like “I have a dream that I had 1000 monies to give to the poor people” or “I have a dream that I had a lot of shoes to give to people who can’t afford them” (she had seen something on the news with her mom about people not having shoes in the cold), “I have a dream that Dr. King didn’t die and we could work together.” and “I have a dream to be together with everybody and for everybody to love each other.” And this is why teaching is the best š
That being said, I’m off tomorrow and I’m so happy! According to one of my more precocious students, “we can’t just have fun on Monday. That’s not why we’re off. It’s to remember Dr. King and think about him.” She was very firm about it too. So I’ll be sure to do some remembering while I’m relaxing in bed reading!
Blog News
I’m starting to knock out some February posts and am staying about a month ahead. Feels great! I kind of fell behind on my visiting this past week… sorry! Hoping to get back on track with it this week.
#COYER Winter Switch Update
We wrapped up the list phase on Friday at midnight and I’m really pleased with how I did! This was my list:
Note:Ā Turns out I donāt have Captive at Christmas like I thought I did, so I switched it out for A Christmas to Remember.
Here’s what I read:
- Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy
- The Accidental Human by Dakota Cassidy
- Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy
- Snowed In by Sarah Title
- A Christmas to Remember (collection of short stories)
- Crimson by Tielle St. Clare
- Accidentally Catty by Dakota Cassidy
- Amore pt 1 by Bella Jewel
- Amore pt 2 by Bella Jewel
So I made it through 9 books! Not too shabby! My next phase is the Strict, which is definitely not the easiest. But I do have lots of cheap books, so I think I’ll be okay.
#FitReaders Update
Speaking of stress, my weight was probably the biggest source of stress for me this week. As of Friday I was up 6 pounds since the start of the year. Despite eating right, working out, doing yoga, getting my water, yada, yada, yada. And no exaggeration, I sat down Friday morning after weighing myself and cried for 5 solid minutes. And then I cried while doing my hair. And gave up on doing makeup. And cried while driving to work (couldn’t focus on my audio book).. cried a bit before school started. It was a bad emotional day. The thing is I’m scared – I’ve got this 15 year history where I go on doctor supervised diets and lose weight pretty well for about 3-5 months. And then it suddenly stops working and I start gaining. And they say things like plateau and shake it up and then 2 months and 20 pounds gained later, they throw in the towel and start me on a new plan. 15 years of this … and they have consistently told me that gastric bypass is the answer that would work for me because it would change the way my body processes food. And yet, here I am about 160 days post surgery ( 5 months) and I’m starting to inexplicably gain weight. So my tears were not for 6 pounds, but for fear that I have hit that same wall – but this time after massive surgery and spending more than $10,000. I don’t know how I’ll cope emotionally with that kind of let down. But, the good news is I spoke to my surgeon’s nurse practitioner and she’s advised me to go back to a liquid diet for about 2 weeks and then see where I’m at. If it’s still not going well, I’ll go in and talk to the surgeon. Finger’s crossed please, I NEED this to not be my body doing it’s old tricks!
Last Week on the Blog
- [8 Jan] Just a Few Books I hardly remember it’s been so long…
- [8 Jan] Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost ★★★★
- [8 Jan] Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton ★★★★
- [8 Jan] Things Good Girls Don't Do by Codi Gary ★★★★
- [9 Jan] Wild Wicked Scot by Julia London ★★★★
- [10 Jan] Bubbly Berls is Babbling about: Miracle Morning
- [10 Jan] The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod ★★★★★
- [11 Jan] Grilled Cheese and Dragons #1 by Nancy Krulik, Ben Balistreri ★★★★
- [13 Jan] My TBR List Pick for January 2018
- [13 Jan] My To-Be Read List Jan Winner! Thanks for Voting!
- [14 Jan] Sunday Post with Berls | So Stressed!
- [14 Jan] Making sure this year is the best year ever! ~ WIR & SP
Coming Next Week From Me
Sunday
Sunday Post with Berls | So Stressed!
Monday
Just a few Random Fun Reads
Tuesday
Kissing Santa #review
Saturday
Books from Kinderland | Daily 5 and Leader in Me
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 listened toĀ Amore pt 1 andĀ Amore pt 2 this week and loved them both! Bella Jewel is fast becoming a favorite author.
Reading Now…
I’m listening toĀ Fleeting MomentsĀ by Bella Jewel and it’s so different from the Amore books, but yet so good! I’m still readingĀ This Side of the GraveĀ by Jeaniene Frost, but I’ve set it aside for a moment to readĀ Little & LionĀ by Brandy Colber for book club on Monday – so far, really good!
Up Next…
For physical reads, I’m not sure. It’ll be a while before I need to give it much thought. For audio, I’m going to start on next month’s book club books, starting withĀ A Wrinkle in Time. It’s a reread and I’m super excited to give it a listen!
*HUGS* I know we talked about the weight concerns in FB group – but reading it again just now… I feel your fears. I understand more why the tears – it just really hit home this fear you have. So, I hope some of the suggestions will help and the change in diet does as well.
And *HUGS* again… every time I read about your mad teaching skills, I wish you were here so I could be in your class! š You rock!
Thanks Jen, I really appreciate all the support. I’m down 2 pounds from Friday, so I have hope that it will keep going in the right direction. I don’t care if it’s slow, I just want it to be moving forward.
Ha ha thanks! That MLK lesson was all the kids, though. I just had to get out of their way because they already had it. Which was awesome to be part of as an observer š
Have a great week!
You have the best kids. I really enjoyed hearing that story. Thank you so much for sharing.
I wish I knew how to help you with your weight problem. It is so hard when you’re doing everything right and it just isn’t working. I hope that you and your doctors will figure something out. {{hugs}}
Aren’t they!? I just wanted to give them the biggest hug Friday because they showed just what great hearts they have. And it was on such a rough emotion day for me, with the weight – their timing couldn’t have been better!
I appreciate the support. Since starting the liquid diet again I’ve lost 2 pounds so I’m cautiously hopeful it’s going to get things back on track. Have a great week!! {{Hugs}}
I totally understand the tears! Its about so much more than 6 lbs. I hope that it turns out to be something you can conquer!
Congrats on having such a great group of students! I dread professional development/faculty meeting days because they always stress me out so much. Its like INSANE. We have one coming up Friday. several of my coworkers took a personal day. I am beginning to think they are genius!
Hope you have a great week!
Yes, a personal day would be a genius move! I hate staff meetings as well… Typically we’re going over stuff that doesn’t apply to me – either because I teach Kinder or because I’m already doing it… Etc. Thanks, I’m hoping going liquid does this trick. Have a great week!!
Berls, your kiddos are amazing and so insightful. It is hard for them to imagine a different world than theirs today. I am so glad your MLK lesson went so marvelously. Glad you are not on the long list of write ups coming down the pipe. I don’t think we’ve ever had any issues on my campus in the time I’ve been there. I am sorry you’re seeing pounds coming back. That does sound very frustrating and in line with your historical medical history for all those years. I hope going back to liquid diet will do the trick. We’re all rooting for you!!
Aren’t they? I was so impressed. I love my campus, but we do have a LOT of teachers who just are not good at what they do. The classroom management seems to be beyond them š the weight is frustrating, but I’m keeping my hopes up now that I’ve had my cry. I don’t want negative thinking to derail me. I appreciate the support! Have a great week!
Sorry to hear that you are so stressed I hope things get better. With weight loss there are always those ups and downs. Do you think that you are gaining more muscle so therefore you are gaining a little weight? Fat and muscle weigh the same but look different so sometimes it’s best to concentrate on inches more than pounds. I know it’s frustrating but hang in there! *hugs*
You did great with your list! I did the list too and read/listened to 12 so I was pleased but I am also glad that phase is over…lol. I hate going by list, I am just not good at it. š
Have a great week and happy reading!
Stormi
Thanks Stormi š I know it’s possible it’s muscle, but it seems unlikely that I’ve gained so much muscle that I’m actually gaining weight. I did take measurements at the start of the month and I will again February 1. So we’ll see.
Nice job with the list! I struggle too – I did good, but I’m ready to have lots of reading freedom.
Wow! You do have a lot on your plate, Berls, and I can understand why you are so stressed! I hope things calm down some soon. I love your lesson on Dr. King. I asked my daughter if they talked about him in her 1st grade class this year, and she said they didn’t. So, she and I talked about him and what he did and stood for. I would have thought maybe they would have done something at her school, so I’m a bit disappointed.
You did great with your list for COYER! I am now in the list phase, but haven’t yet started one of my List books. Hopefully today. I need to get caught up with Les Miserables. I’m doing a year long read-along for that and am a couple chapters behind. Luckily the chapters aren’t too long.
I am sending you a giant hug for all your recent troubles. I have struggled with my weight for a long time, and so can feel your frustration to some degree. I haven’t had the surgery though. I wish you the best. We are here for you and will support you 120%. Have a great week!
That’s too bad that they didn’t discuss MLK day in your daughter’s class. I feel like we don’t do enough to talk about “other” (non white) *races and cultures as it is in school, so whenever I have a chance I go full throttle ahead. We spent a whole month in holidays around the world so that the kids would know about more than just Christmas and Hanukkah. I’m glad you filled in that hole for your daughter.
Have fun with les mis – I read it in French class in high school (in French) and would love to read it again.
Thanks I really appreciate the support š have a great week!
sorry you are so stressed. Maybe you are not eating enough and your body is slowing down to survive. I would totally change things up a little and see if that works. Don’t lose hope you are doing so well and it will take time. You got this! I know you do!
Kids are amazing and its wonderful how smart they are. It shows that most of their issues with this world is taught by the parents.
I remember Julia doing the I have a dream project. It was when Ryan was having so many issues and her dream was for him to have a good day at school. I still have it hanging on my door.
I hope you have a great week and awesome job on all the reading. I wish I could read that quickly! Enjoy the week and your day off! Happy Reading! Miss you lots and lots!!!
Thanks Michelle. I’ve started full liquid diet again (yesterday) and the scale is down 2 pounds today, so yay! I’m trying to stay positive and now that I’ve had my cry focus on the positive… I’ve come far and I BELIEVE deep down that this time things will be different.
Aww I just love Julia’s project! Kids are great, it’s days like Friday that make me love my job š
Hugs, muss you bunches! Have an amazing week!
That’s so frustrating about the weight loss Berls. It’s so hard to focus on doing the right thing even when everything is going to plan, but when the scales are acting the maggot, it’s even harder. I really hope the liquid diet will get things moving again for you. I think you should throw all your energy into believing the surgery will continue to work, and remember that weekly changes are not the overall picture.
Thanks Trish, I appreciate it. I’m trying really hard to do just that. I had my cry and now my energy is on BELIEVING. I don’t want to let negative feelings pull me down and stop the progress. I know thoughts have so much power! Hope you have a great week!