Everyone needs a sick day

So today I requested a sick day so I could take a day, hang out with the fam, go to the dentist, get my free training session at the gym and run some needed errands.
My dentist appointment was at 8:00am in Boise and usually Brian stays home with Alice during the day, but today he had an handyman job to finish. (And we could use the extra cash before we go to Europe). So we loaded Alice into the car, Brian left for his job, and I headed into Boise with Alice. Nana agreed to watch her during my appointment so at least that was one thing not to worry about. I was pretty worried about the fact I thought I had a cavity. I am super paronid about my teeth because I've had a lot of mouth drama in my life. But amazingly enough 45 minutes after I arrived I left the dentist with NO CAVITIES!
I decided that since it is a rare occasion that I have time without Brian or Alice with me I would stop by Fred Meyer and do some shopping. I found a killer deal on some SUPER CUTE clothes for Alice and a pair of new sweatpants for my gym visits.
I finally made it back to Nana's house to get Alice. Usually trying to pry Alice away from Nana is like attempting to remove a limb. Alice loves her Nana so much that it is ALWAYS a nightmare when we leave. Today there was no issue. She gave me a hug, held on and waved bye-bye to Nana. No problem. I can't even describe how awesome it feels to have her not scream and cry as we drive away.
Finally I got home and had about 45 minutes to spend with Brian before I needed to go to the gym. We fed Alice lunch, read her a book and then put her to bed. I changed my clothes, kissed Brian good-bye and left for the gym
When I got there I found out that my trainer wasn't showing up. He had car trouble and couldn't make it. (and i guess he couldn't call me before I showed up either) At first I was annoyed. I mean I took the day off, scheduled the whole day so I could be there and he can't even show up?. So I turned around to leave and realized that even though he wasn't there didn't mean I needed to leave. So I grabbed the closest elliptical and kicked my own butt.
This is HUGE for me!
The old Andi would have been pissed off, stomped out and gone home and ate something really bad. I worked out.
When I did get home I ate some Greek Yogurt and read a little of my new book club read.
OK maybe a took a little nap after that, but hey it was a sick day. ;)

Brian got back from work, Alice woke up, and we headed to Costco (which for some reason I LOVE). The samples were great and things I could eat (I don't eat meat so sometimes the pickins' are slim) and Brian and I scored the last box of Healthy Choice fudge bars which are AMAZING and only worth 1 Weight Watcher's point each.

Side-note: I didn't even call the school today to check on my sub (and that is HUGE for me).

We got back home, ate dinner, played with Alice and then watched some American Idol. Good Day.

This day just proves that I am changing--for the better. I'm being optimistic, focusing on my needs for once and really trying to take pleasure in the little things. I really feel like I am making huge strides to improve myself and my life so I can better serve those around me in addition to serving myself.

A Typical Monday

Today was an interesting day at work. We started bright and early with a staff book study over the book "Learning by Doing." Not my first choice in a book, but actually had some good ideas that, as a 9th grade teams, we have been working towards.After that book discussion I headed back to my classroom to prepare for the day.
First let me explain- I have a total of 10 minutes that I get to be alone every morning. I generally arrive around 7:00 am an as soon as I unlock the door, turn on the lights and power up my computer the countdown begins.
10-8 mins- I unload my belongings: put my purse away, lunch in the fridge, take off the coat and scarf and take a sip of my delicious homemade mocha (courtesy of Brian).
7-4 minutes Head to the write board. Write down daily activities, standards and objectives. Think about and add a journal topic for the day and head back to my desk.
3-2 mins- Sit down, log into on-line grade book, log into school email, and check new emails.
1 min- Attempt to drink and enjoy coffee.
Then they walk in.
A constant chatter of high school gossip, drama and profanity. I don't know why they come in, but they do. In addition, there are always the lazy kids who NEED to drop off their bags before class starts because it is absolutely impossible for them to carry the extra weight. Then the students who missed the previous day and need to be caught up, plus the one who need to finish that last assignment and from then on it is non-stop. The next 40 mins my classroom is scatter with sleepy kids, talky kids, gossipy kids, grumpy kids, and lazy kids.
Soon enough the bell rings and it is time to begin my day.
Today was really no different. Most of the class period my students were quietly (I use the term VERY loosely) writing paragraphs of significant and important life events. As they are working I call them up on at a time to check their notebooks and let them know their most current great. Not even halfway through the list one of my students informs me she is pregnant (at 15). Now I am a bit skeptic wen any of my students tell me they are expecting because last year I had a student who literally faked a pregnancy with a fake belly and all.
So this girl tells me she's pregnant, no longer living at home and she asks me for advice (which I DO NOT give). I tell her my best advice is that she needs to talk to one of the counselors and they will inform her of all her option. I spend the whole day worrying about her to find out 7 hours later (when I talk to the counselor) that the student is not expecting but has a bladder infection.
Why do they lie about these serious things?

And now for something completely different...

So I am really good at worrying about everyone else and their choices in life. Today I started to think "Why do I care so much?" And the truth is- I don't know. Maybe I think I can fix everyone, maybe I think they need to be fixed when in fact they don't. All I know is that I seem to care too much about everyone's life when I should be focusing on mine.
Take work for example. It bothers me when teachers let there kids use their phones or ipods in class. There is a strict rule that these devices are not allowed during school hours. So when I see or hear other teachers allowing it I get pissed. I don't run and tell anyone, but it really bothers me. (But see the hypocrite in me lets students eat in the classroom which is also a no-no)
Dress code too. Most teachers won't call kids out on their inappropriate attire and yet I feel like it's me vs. the entire study body, and only a few staff members have my back. It bothers me when teachers show up late and leave early. (I have done this once or twice). It bothers me when teachers don't do what is generally required of them (duties, logs, after school activates, paperwork, ect.) And yet I myself have been known to slip up too.
So why am I bothered?
I think it's because I feel like I do so much and work so hard and receive little appreciation or recognition for it.
Or maybe it's because I am a hypocrite.
Either way that needs to change.
Outside of work I find myself in the same situation.
Why should I care that they spend money all the time going out to eat, going out of town, getting coffee and yet complain about money being tight? Why should I care that she cheated on her husband and yet they are still together? Why should I care that she checks her boyfriend's email/facebook/and phone all the time and complains he doesn't trust her? Why should I care that they can't get over petty drama? Why should I care that he makes no effort to see his granddaughter or still finds ways to cheat his only daughter. Why should I care that they choose to live life unhappily when happiness is out there for them to find. Why should I care if they gave up on our friendship along time ago?
Why should I care????
I shouldn't.
And either shouldn't they.
That's the whole point isn't it?
I really shouldn't care about how you chose to live your life.
I know, I know-- listening to myself I sound crazy, but I feel like my whole life I have been let down by so many people that now I need to help fix them. But the truth is I shouldn't care and I am sorry that I did. I'm sorry I care so much about the decisions of others when it in no way affects my life.
What's to say that the things that bother me are bad for those people? Maybe those decisions are actually the best things those people can do for themselves.
Who the hell am I to judge them or you or anyone for that matter?
I know that in the long run I don't care what others think of me so why would they care what I think about their decisions.
I am happy and content (for the most part) with my decisions and my life so why should I care about the choices of other people?
I just can't believe it's taken me this long to realize how petty and judgmental I have been.
So here goes...
I am sorry for judging you all and I promise to stop.
From now on I am going to attempt to not let the choices of those around me have any affect on my mood or feelings.

Now is the time...

Today I officially signed up for the Canyon County Weight Loss Challenge here in Caldwell. For a long time I've been slowly putting on weight (40 lbs since I met Brian). I have become so comfortable in my life, with my amazing husband and beautiful daughter, that outside of family the only thing I give any major effort to is my work.
I am teaching 3 different preps: Freshman English, Creative Writing I and Creative Writing III. In addition to course work, lesson plans, grading and our new staff book study. I am also the advisor of the C-Town Rowdies (CHS Pep Club), The Literary Magazine and The Freshman Student Council. I am leading a group of students on a 10 day trip to Europe over spring break and to top it off I am in charge of the staff book club.
I do alot.
I do a lot for everyone I know: friends, family, colleagues, students even strangers. The problem is I don't do much (if anything) for myself.
That all changes today.
I singed up for this "challenge" to bring some focus back to myself. I know it sounds selfish , and maybe it is, but the truth is I stopped caring about me a long time ago, and that needs to change. Brian has been so supportive of this plan that he has even started to help. We are both eating right and holding each other accountable. Today he was really proud that I went through with this whole CCWLC event. I am too.
So far this year (all 22 days of it) I have lost 8 lbs. I have been eating better and working with a makeshift/stolen version of Weight Watchers and it rocks. I have been working out on the Wii Fit, walking around the school on my prep period and I plan to start hitting the gym next week. (I was given a FREE 6 month membership under the condition I go twice a week--now there's some motivation!)
I can do this. I really truly beleive that.
Now I just have to prove it.

Trying Again

OK so I spend the last hour trying to set up this crazy thing called a "blog." And by set up I of course mean I spend the entire time making it pretty (for me not you). So with that said I will now (well maybe not exactly right now) attempt to keep a current blog.
But honestly who do I expect to read this crap anyway? ;)