Scheduling My "To-Do" List

Ahhhh, the infamous To-Do List, how you haunt me so! I just worked on my weekly schedule, hoping to see where I have free time. According to the schedule, there are quite a few openings this week. Too bad reality does not reflect this! I'm on spring break this week, so at least I don't have to go to class, but because we are off the following week as well due to my instructor cancelling class, I have a huge amount of reading to get done, along with writing a book review on a book about writing creative non-fiction--oh the joy! I have seriously lost interest in school at this point, and I just don't feel its benefits, so I'm leaning toward taking the summer off and seeing if any interest creeps back by next fall. As of now, I have my doubts. I had planned on getting my MA in English so I would be able to teach. Unfortunately, I've learned how unresponsive students can be to writing, not to mention reading, and how unbelievably mean they can be at times. Don't get me wrong--I've had lots of students who have told me how much they loved having me as a teacher, and I was brought to tears by one student who claims I was her favorite, most inspirational teacher. However, when you have a class of 40-some students, a month to teach composition in four-hour blocks of time two days a week and meeting online one day a week, you just get burnt out. I loved teaching and helping those who loved to learn, but once class size became so overwhelming that I dreaded reading their papers, I knew I wasn't giving it my best, and I firmly believe you shouldn't do anything unless you are going to do your best.

I digress.

This week, we'll be on starting on day 143 for DD1's school, so I'm excited to almost be finished. I'm even more excited for the upcoming homeschool convention so I can browse the other curricula available, and learn at workshops and sessions of which I'm actually interested in the subject matter. I plan on revamping my daughter's schooling so we can both be enthused more often than not about learning.

As for weight loss, I have avoided the scales the past few days. No, I haven't eaten perfectly, but I've tried to watch it more than not. I've planned out WW meals for this week, and I'm still following the exercise schedule, along with improvised walks when I can do so. I'm also going to turn into a mad cleaning fiend this week--I'm tired of the mess! It would help so much to have more space so everything could have a place! Wish me luck....no, just pray for me :)

Still Here

Yes, I'm still here. I got up early this morning and exercised on the Wii Active, which about killed me, but I did it. I am so tired, but I still have over 2.5 hours of tutoring left to do today. I also taught art lessons to two groups of kids for 30 minutes each--way too short for art! I'm sure I could have occupied them for at least an hour!

Anyway, I'm just tired and it's difficult to keep exercising when the scale isn't really showing a difference. I'm not sure what is going on, but it is a bit discouraging. Granted, I don't always eat the best, but really...no change. I only go up a couple of pounds, down a couple of pounds, and back up again. I'm starting to understand why people take diet pills! However, I've always had a fast heart rate, so I don't want to take any chances with diet pills (plus, they are a tad pricey!). I'm going to make a better meal plan this week (strictly WW meals), and go to the grocery store either tomorrow or Monday to get all ingredients. Then, maybe I'll see a difference after this week. I'm still exercising, though, because I have noticed a difference in stamina and energy (minus today).

Not Too Bad

Today was the day to pick up the kids' clothing items that didn't sell, so since we were over that way, we went to PF Chang's. I looked at the nutritional value menu ahead of time, so I ordered the salmon bowl with egg drop soup and water to drink. I loved the soup, but the salmon was a little dry for my taste. I didn't eat all the rice, either. I did have a bite of my mom's fried rice, a couple of DD2's noodles, and 1.25 pieces of chicken from DD1. Tonight, during class, I ate pretzels and a tiny (we're talking the size of my thumb) piece of the zucchini bread that I had baked & brought for class for snacks. I resisted everything else, so I feel pretty good about today.

I went on a long walk with the girls yesterday and I will be doing the next part of the 30 Day Challenge tonight...let's keep this thing rolling!

Ahhh..It's Saturday

Breathe a sigh of relief! The weekend has arrived!

I spent the day cleaning at my mom's house for her Easter company preparations. I vacuumed blinds, curtains, under beds, dusted a huge, hateful curio cabinet filled with anything that could possibly get a chip or a broken wing/beak/staff, etc., and there will be more to come. I came home and did day 5 of my 30 Day Challenge, and proceeded to play four games of tennis, all of which the computer won because after all, computer people with a skill level half of mine automatically win, or so it seems.

Wow! Am I cantankerous or what today? Ok, in addition to all of this, I ate at the Mexican joint again, but I have started giving half of my enchilada to my DD2, not that she needs it, but she's always hungry and she apparently expends a lot more energy than yours truly. Tonight, I ate leftover chicken 'n dumplings, sin the dumplings, which somehow got lost in the mix, along with grapes and a Lebanon balogna & cheese sandwich. Quite the mix, eh? After consuming such oddities, I got on Facebook and saw that my cousin has now lost 30 lbs by doing 'bootleg' Weight Watchers (not going to meetings, but following rules) and exercising. Well, here's my attempt at it, although I STINK at measuring (which is why I hate sewing). Why can't I just look at someone thin and lose the weight?

Pizza'd Out

Wow...I'm actually pizza'd out, something I never thought could happen. I made another pizza tonight from Whole Foods, but I added some extra seasoning and a little Asiago cheese. It was all right, but I think I'm getting sick of it, which is a good thing, I'm sure.

I got up this morning and burned I don't know how many calories on the next portion of the 30 Day Challenge. It went well and I'm noticing my legs aren't ready to fall off quite so easily by the end of the running sections. Tonight, I did two warm-up exercises on my cardio boxing, the sandbag, and dodging punches. Then, I played three games of tennis and went four rounds in boxing--beating all of my opponents! What a rush! j/k Next, I did some skateboarding on the Wii Active and finally made it all the way through the course! I must be in better shape if I was able to do that! I did a few other unmentionable games on there (I did so poorly at them, I can't mention them), so I'm a little impressed with how much effort I put forth today. Gooo Meee! haha And then I ate pizza...

Day of Rest

So yesterday was a day of rest, and boy! did I need it! According to the 30 Day Challenge, I exercise for two days, then I take off one day. For some reason, I felt awful yesterday: tired, sore throat, and pounding headache. However, I went to bed early last night and I woke up feeling SO much better today! I'll be exercising tonight (I had errands to run and tutoring to do today, along with homeschool--day 136 YAY!). I didn't eat that wonderfully today, but I've rejected Coke/Rootbeer for the day, I ate mashed potatoes without gravy...that kind of thing.

I had to go to my graduate class yesterday afternoon, which posed the question: can blogs be considered creative non-fiction? At first, I had no response, due to the lack of brain synapses occurring in my haggard health state, but I continued to think on it as my fellow students rejected even reading blogs (I know they all secretly blog under the guise of anonymity). I consider my blogs to be creative non-fiction; I think about what I write, I'm trying to make order out of chaos, and I reflect on what it all means. I try to provide some type of construction to my thoughts, despite any real evidence of resolution. Therefore, I'm writing almost every day, which is the nonsense famous writers tell aspiring writers to do, even though they themselves don't follow it. Maybe this will build the better writer in me. Go figure.

How Do They Do That??

Ever met someone like this? Ever been friends with someone like this? If that's not frustrating enough, I'm married to someone like this! Grrr...the other day he was complaining about gaining too much weight. Next thing I know, I look at him this morning and ask, "Honey, did you lose weight? You look thinner." His response: "Oh, ya. I went hiking yesterday....it was pretty mean. I lost eight pounds." And then he continues to fry umpteen strips of bacon for his breakfast.

Don't get me wrong; I'm happy he is so blessed. But talk about making it hard on a woman! I was happy because I got up, tutored, then exercised for 30 mins., doing the Wii Active and burning 201 calories. Then, I see him. Oh, well--I'll just keep at it!

Oh, and please forgive me for my first attempt at drawing a cartoon. I couldn't find one suitable without mean copyright restrictions....maybe they'll get better over time!