Happy Halloween

The first challenge of too much candy is over and I had a couple pieces. Now, I have to get back in gear and back on the program of eating healthy. I will track the damage. Back to school tomorrow and my candy-high kids.

Sue

Rest

We had a frost last night, what they refer to as a killing frost. Then it became quite a lovely day. My foot was hurting quite a bit, then was better this afternoon. I have a cold, so not feeling tip top. I think I can fight it off with a rest day tomorrow. Tomorrow I rest and maybe play piano a bit. Sometimes, you have to know when to rest and let your body fight the infection.

Sue

Review of My Philosophy

Why my title? I want to lose weight organically with the goal being to get healthy. Getting healthy is the most important reason for my losing weight. I'm hoping I'll be able to move around better and do more of the things I love to do, especially the outside things like gardening and walking anywhere I want. I want to have more energy and that will help me to be a better teacher and get through the day with more left over at the end of the day. I want to KEEP the weight off for life. That's why I'm going at it slowly and deliberately. I'm trying to change lifetime habits so I can remain healthy for the rest of the my life. Doing all of this the GREEN way, that is organically, is very important to me. I'm trying to go for quality. That's why I don't like "diet" food. I don't think it gives you the quality for your calories/points. I'm trying to put fewer chemicals/modified/engineered food into my body. I'm trying to buy local as much as I can. I'm trying to grow food myself so it will be fresher and more nutritious.

So there you have it,
Sue

Nice Meal

We found a new restaurant not too far away. It's Italian - yeah, I know, but you CAN make good choices on an Italian menu. Their food is very good.

Made it through Friday. The kids had a great time with the Pumpkin Drop and "harvest" parties (can't call them Halloween and we can't dress up). I am still fighting off a cold, so it was a rough day for me. I'm glad to have the weekend to rest and get better.

So what good choices did you make today?

Sue

Fighting off a Sore Throat

I am fighting off a sore throat. All the kids have been sneezing on me, well... not all, but quite a few. I am trying NOT to get sick. So I am drinking lots of water (trying to), getting as much sleep as I can, and being good to myself as in nutrition followed as in eating right and staying on plan. What else is effective in your experience? How can a teacher remain healthy?

Sue

Halloween

I love Halloween. I love dressing up. I especially love telling scary stories. I love making Jack-o-lanterns. I like thinking back on all the great Halloween parties. There was one where I dressed up as Charley Chapman. I put my Grandfather's huge black hat on my head, covering all my hair. I drew in a mustache and didn't speak for half the evening. Nobody knew who I was. I haven't been to a great Halloween party in years. And of course, I love candy. I am waiting until the last minute to buy some and not getting my favorite kind. Hopefully, I'll be less tempted.

Boo!
Sue

Challenges of Next Two Months

OK, the next couple months are when I have blown it in the past. I do not intend to blow it this year. Would you all help me? Here are the challenges:

- Halloween (trick or treat night) and all the candy
- Thanksgiving - overeating in general; must have family traditions of turkey, mashed pototoes, stuffing, gravy (mon dieu, this will do right there), cranberry sauce, beans, and pumpkin pie
= Christmas and holiday times - I love to bake cookies and love to give them to my friends and family; but I also love to eat them; this is the only time of year I bake
- New Years - the resolutions for the new year and the facing of those extra holiday pounds that I've put on that I determined NOT to do this year

So, let's talk about what to do differently this year. Come on everybody, share your ideas.

Sue

Some Pots Brought In

We brought in some of our biggest pots today, moved them onto the porch. Yesh, were they heavy. Then a neighbor reminded me about all the rain we've gotten - duh, that's why they were so heavy. I even slipped and fell on my padding (right hip) fortunately without mishap. My back and wrist are complaining a bit. It was very nice to get them inside and they still look nice. I enjoyed them before making dinner: salmon, green beans, and a tomato (yes, still from the garden!!!)

Day off tomorrow - yeah!

Sue

Potatoes

Are they good or bad for you? WW has the same number of points for sweet as for white. Sweet are supposed to be much better for you, as in not as high glycemic index and more nutrients. Of course fried potatoes add much fat that is not good. At school they serve prepared tater tots and various warmed up potatoes that have been fried then frozen. They can't be good for you. Also their mashed potatoes are instant from a box. I think a good potato is very satisfying. I especially like the sweet ones. I'm not sure why they have the same points as white. Something to ask at meetings, I guess. Any thoughts about potatoes? Are they good or bad?

Sue

Long Weekend

Yeah! A long weekend with Monday off. We were disappointed at dinner tonight. The quality wasn't there, but the prices were. I guess all restaurants can have an off night. Kids were fun today. I'm exhausted - danced almost all day to the Ghost Busters song. They loved it.

Sue

Holiday planning

What are your favorite recipes? I have a wonderful WW recipe for stuffing I've been using for years. It has lots of veggies in it and not too much fat. I also make cranberries from the fresh fruit (not can). I like free range fresh turkey. I thought my dad and his new wife were coming out, but now we're not sure.

Speaking of holidays... any suggestions as to something to hand out that's not candy? I always end up eating some.

Sue

Slow and Steady

That's my motto. I want it to STAY off, so I'm taking it off slow and steady. One day at at time, and eventually I will reach my goal.

Sue

Rain Forcasted

Rain is coming. Nice day today, but kids all had subs due to PD workshop for many of the teachers. I had a piano lesson. She said I had a lot of patience. I try. I have become more so over the years.

Sue

Another Monday Done

And I made it through once again. Eleven classes is just too many for one day. And so it's on to Tuesday and the rest of the week. It was a pretty day with sun and cooler temperatures.

Speaking of bad grammar. I heard someone on an ad on TV say, "It's funner." That is NOT a word. There no hope for people learning to speak correctly with TV blasting out made-up words like funner. Yesh.

Sue

Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns, hot cross buns, 1 a penny, 2 a penny, hot cross buns.
If you have no daughters, give them to your sons,
1 a penny, 2 a penny, hot cross buns.

That's what a day of folk dancing and learning rhyming songs will do to you.

Yikes, tomorrow's my 11 class day. Wish me luck,
Sue

Dancing

I spent quite a bit of today moving and dancing in an Orff workshop. I can't hop, but I can move. Hurting feet be damned... it was fun. She was funny and had some good ideas kids would love. Did the shopping at Kroger, stopped and got some local apples. Yum - love them.

Happy Sunday,
Sue

Dr. Oz' Transfornation

If you join by visiting his website and signing up at WW, then you can win a million dollars. At the very least, his site has some good hints. Check it out.

Sue

What I've Tried, feet-wise

So long as I've been talking feet... I thought I'd tell what I've tried. I've tried warm soaks, ice, massage (feels good, but I can't talk B into it), endless different shoes, orthotics in my shoes (I currently wear them), Birkenstocks around the house (according to podiatrist - never go barefoot), Aleve (two in the morning with a cup of water first thing works pretty well until about 4 or 5 pm), aspirin at night for aching so I can sleep, voltarin gel rubbed on before sleep for same, at least a half dozen podiatrists (they say you have to live with it), family doctor (basically the same thing - stay off your feet -- RIGHT, no can do since I teach and am on them all day; non weight bearing exercise - bike works great, but when? sleep is important too; they say lose weight -- well, I'm working on that and that doesn't happen overnight, I've made progress, but my feet hold back my exercise; almost everything I like to do involves feet, standing or walking on them, that is. So, what else? My doctor doesn't think I'm ready for the oestero-arthritis doctor. I'm trying Celebrex, but so far I'm not impressed. I'd try replacing them if they could do this. They can replace hips, knees, and other joints, but not feet. Feet are very complicated with lots of bones, tissue, etc. I have pain at ankles up over the tops and at the right arch, right worse than left. Also very stiff in morning and after I sit down more than 15 minutes. Any hints anybody?

Sue

veggie burger

We had Morning Star and it was pretty good, that is for dinner. I had a very tough feet day, as in hurting bad. It is difficult to teach with hurting feet. Hopefully they will be better tomorrow.
Arthritis ... wish I didn't have it in my feet.

Sue

Wisdom

Well, I made it through another monster monday. Plus we had a rally after school. I think we should have them in more populated or busy places. We did get some signs distributed. It was strange seeing my name on the chopping block. Hopefully, our district will see the wisdom of supporting the levy. There were some people who were frowning when they drove by. Crazy.

Sue

Raking Leaves

It was a nice afternoon to rake leaves. I also walked Essi and cooking a nice dinner. I got quite a bit done, but I wish Sundays were longer. I need about 4-5 more hours.

Tomorrow's the tough day.
Sue

your nose

I found out today that your nostrils work independently, that they sort of compete with each other. You learn something every day.

The Buckeyes are ahead at the half. This is good and unexpected (after last week's offensive performance, no pun intended).

I did a 3 mile walk today. It was a glorious day and Essi and I enjoyed it. I am paying now however.

Sue

It's the Weekend

Well, my 10 class day is done. Yeah! The kids were tough this afternoon. The more tired I got, the more energic they became. But we made it. I got all the recorders passed out. I'm ready for the weekend. The weather is very pretty - very clear and sunny. Yeah!

Sue

Wednesday

It's half-way through the week. I had some great classes today who are really getting into the RC techniques. Nine classes with a 30 minute break for lunch. I had a quick salad and that's about it. I need to drink more water.

Keep on target. Got a flu shot after work. It hurt. But I guess it's worth it if it keeps me from getting sick.

Sue

Essi's Adventure

So B's fixing dinner. I'm watching TV. We have the porch door open because the evening was so nice. Essi is on the porch and we hear her bark. Next thing we know the front door bell rings. It's our neighbor WITH ESSI. As it turns out she went right through the screen chasing something. We didn't know she was out. I open the door and she comes in. Good thing Betsy was enjoying the evening and spotted her in the yard. Yikes!

And the kids were having tests today, so the afternoon was a six in a row.

Sue

Win a Million

Dr. Oz is teaming up with Weight Watchers and they plan to give away a million dollars. Check out his website.

Pots Begin the Come Back inside

And it's now time to start to bring pots inside. We had a light frost in some spots last night. Fortunately, I had brought some especially sensitive plants on to the porch. I decided today that Sundays aren't long enough to get everything done I'd like to do. I need another Sunday. I always have a long list only some of which gets accomplished. I did get a nice walk with Essi - very pleasant. I would like to get in another walk or two during the week on top of the walking I do at school which is considerable. Tomorrow is my tough day, so to bed.

Sue

Blog Fix

I think I fixed it. There was a button that was pushed to reduce spam (of which I haven't noticed on my blog) to make you type in a secret word before posting. I turned that off.

Cold cloudy day with wind. I hope it's nicer tomorrow.

Sue