The Plan of Choice Is...

I have spent hours (literally) researching which diet plan I am going to use. I have tried Weight Watchers, and while it worked, I got sick of counting points everywhere I went. I've tried counting calories. Again, I got sick of keeping up with it. I've tried no carbs. It made me sick. It feels like I've tried it all. But this diet seems to be the PERFECT one for me! It's the Low Glycemic Index Diet. It makes so much sense! I've always thought for me that it wasn't so much what I eat, but the combination of foods I eat. When I'm hungry, I don't typically crave a candy bar or something that fattening. I crave Wheat Thins, Cheezits, etc. What I have learned so far, is that my body burns and digests those foods so quickly, that soon after I am hungry again. My blood sugar rises and falls and causes me to feel tired. Another good point was that today, packaged snacks such as the ones I mentioned above are so processed that there's really not much for our bodies to do once we eat them except chew! Just think, 50 years ago the majority of food people ate came straight from the garden. It wasn't processed or preserved in factories. That's why people weren't nearly as heavy back then. Bottom line, this diet is all about choosing wisely. I can have carbs. I just have to choose the good carbs and not those that will turn into sugar quickily once I eat them. Whole grain pasta and bread, nuts, non-fat ice cream, are all allowed. I can handle ice cream on a diet for sure!

I could go on and on, but I PRAY this is the plan that will work for me. Click the link above if you're interested in having more information. The book is great, too! There are lists of foods you are allowed to eat and not allowed to eat during this phase. It's very simple to understand, also. I'm motivated!!!

Again, I'll keep you posted. One week from Monday will be my first weigh-in. I promise I will report via this blog as soon as I can. Keep those fingers crossed!

Jumping on the Wagon again...

Girls, girls, girls- I'm about to jump on this stinkin' diet wagon again. I know. How many times have I blogged about a new method of weight loss I'm trying or a new fad diet I've heard about? Well, all I can say is I've tried. I can't remember a day in my life that I've not been on a diet or been thinking about how much I need to be. I promise, my metabolism is in the negative range evidently. I really think I could eat dirt and not lose much. It's just so incredibly hard for me. Nonetheless, I'm trying again. I'm sure many of you read Haley's blog. If you don't, you should! We are partnering up to help each other lose ten pounds by September 25. TEN POUNDS! That's certainly maintainable, right? I hope so. Because if we reach our goal, we're rewarding ourselves (BIG TIME). Once we reach our first goal, we can set another...and of course, reward ourselves once more. Obviously, she has much, much less to lose than I do. She will reach maintenance long before I will. I can only hope that I'll stick with it for as long as it takes. I can't think about it that way though. One day at a time. For now, ten pounds is my goal. I think I can do it. I am going to report, IN PUBLIC, on this blog. Haley is doing the same. I'm going to weigh in on Mondays, and I will report how much I've lost that day. Look for my update next Monday. In all honesty, I'd appreciate prayers of encouragment, determination, and motivation. It's really difficult, especially when your skinny friends sit beside you with a Dr. Pepper and candy bar while you eat Sugarfree Jello Pudding. Not fun. But, for now, I'm willing to try again. Wish me luck!

Lately

Yes, it's been a while. I have just honestly been struggling to keep my head above water lately. With school starting back and my attempting to get adjusted to the "going to bed early/getting up early" mentality, I've rarely had time to even read blogs, much less write one. Nothing earth-shattering happening, but I thought I'd update on what's been going on recently.

* I GOT A BLACKBERRY! I was so tired of my EnV2. I was on number three. I had it for a year and it kept breaking for one reason or the other. I wasn't due for an upgrade for another YEAR, but decided to just call and ask if I could possibly get an early one. To my surprise, not only did she say I could, but that I could get the exact phone I wanted (Curve) for $149.99, with a $100 rebate. How could I beat that? I'm still learning how to use it, but I'm absolutely in love. I never knew that having facebook and email in the palm of my hand...literally...was so awesome. I will never, ever go back!

* My class is amazing! It's rare that you, as a teacher, get a class that is overall really, really good. I feel like this year I have one. They behave really well and are so respectful. They're adorable (for the most part..ha) and I can totally see myself getting attached to these little munchkinds.

* I never posted about what I ended up doing about my car. It was definitely totaled. I decided to use this to my advantage and get something less expensive and finance for a less amount of time and save money. I got a 2005 silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. I like it okay, but am really missing my other car. I was attached to it for some reason. It was the car I had wanted for years before I ever had one. But, the Jeep gets me from point A to point B, and most importantly the downsizing if you will, is helping me get out of debt. That's the main goal.

* I'm painting canvases again. I surprised my sister with a canvas to hang on her door in her new office. I thought it was pretty cute, but didn't expect to get four orders within two days of her hanging it up! Here's a picture. Anyone can do it. It's really simple. Check Paige and Brooke's blog soon. They will have step by step instructions.


* Football season is almost here! I'm so excited. I could care less about NFL football, but college...in particular AUBURN FOOTBALL??? I don't like to miss a game. I'll always be proud of my alma mater...even if we might not have a winning season. If you see me out during the season I'll for sure be sporting some orange and blue. War Eagle!

Just humor me...

I'm very well aware that this is semi-ridiculous, but I'm pretty smitten with this guy...

I follow him on Twitter and noticed today he posted his real facebook account. Of course, I go straight there and send him a friend request. He accepted really quickly, and I've been sitting here for the last few minutes looking at pictures of he and his wife, Sophia, before she died. Their wedding pictures were on here, and lots of other ones from years ago. There's just something about him that intriques me. I love that he loves God and was a worship leader. He's adorable! And he's so vocal about how much he loves his wife.

Go ahead and think I'm crazy, but you know you've had a celebrity crush before, too. Plus, what else is there to do on a Friday night when you're at home alone??

My home away from home beginning...WEDNESDAY!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? It's that time folks...time for school to begin! My first official day was today, filled with teacher meetings and more time to work in my classroom. I've actually been there for days now trying to get my classroom just the way I want it. Let's face it: teachers spend more time in their classrooms during a typical day than they do at home or anywhere else. It has been my priority this year to get extremely organized and clean. If this place is going to be my home away from home, it definitely has to meet certain criteria. It needs to be colorful, bright, organized, clean, and that refrigerator better be stocked with some Diet Mountain Dew to get me through the really tough days! :)

I try to always stay organized, but this year there were a few things I had to change. All of my supplies were stuffed into this extremely unstable wire stack shelf. Things had already fallen off the top of it, on top of ME. If you touched it just the right way, it would wabble. Plus, it took up lots of space. So, I threw it out and replaced it with a small bookshelf that's hidden in a corner. Now, I have much more space and it's hidden, which is the best part. I also had tons of pieces of construction paper stored on top of a cabinet, which I attempted to keep straight but it just didn't happen. I went to Wal-mart and bought lots of rubbermaid clear tubs and stored all my paper and other supplies in those. Now I have nice and neat bins on top of my cabinets instead of random things spread out in not such an orderly fashion.

Here's a pic. I think I put one on here last year but this is the new and improved classroom number 4!

Speaking of being organized, check out my round table right at the door when parents come in tonight. There's a bouquet of fresh flowers in the center, with all folders, car stickers, forms, etc, that they need. I was pretty impressed with myself!

Wish me luck, friends! I want to be a more patient teacher, one that smiles a lot and provides an environment that feels comfortable and that encourages students to do their best and be their best. I want to see them as God sees them, and not get frustrated when they aren't perfect. I want to love them as He does and be an earthly example of God's love, especially for the ones that may not see that at home. I have some big goals for myself and only God will help me be this kind of teacher, because it's going to be a challenge for sure. I'd definitely appreciate your prayers!

Gulf Shores 2009

It's been a fun vacation. I always look so forward to spending time with my family, especially when it's at the beach! All 16 of us (We missed Ben, Anna, and the triplets this year!), left Friday night to head south. We got off to a rocky start, as my aunt and uncle's car broke down and then someone rear-ended my car on the interstate. We found out a couple days ago it was totaled, so I'll be going home to look for something else. Thankfully, no one was hurt and that's the only thing that matters.

Once we got here, we've had a great time. We've been to the beach, the pool, Waterville (in which they got me on a roller coaster...that I DO NOT typically ride), riding go-carts, bumper boats, skee ball, and eaten lots of "throwed" rolls. It's been so nice to get up when we want to, go to bed when we want to, swim as long as we want to, and not have to worry about a schedule. However, all good things must come to an end. We check out in the morning and head home. Back to reality for me, as I have a classroom to get ready for 20 little 4th graders that will be headed to me in a few short days.

Praise God for summer, for family, and even for the job I have to go back to. Life is good. Enjoy the pics!

Another Idea...

Hi friends-

I need your help! I have another idea for a craft (aka- a desperate way to make some extra cash). I'm still thinking on it and pondering exactly how I want to do it, but wanted to solicit your advice.

Once I have time, I will make a sample to post for you to see. My question to you is this...If it looks decent, what is the best way for me to advertise and possibly sell it? I know ebay is a possibility, but I just don't think it's the best avenue for which to sell this sort of item I have in mind. I have considered etsy, but am not familiar with how it works at all. Are there any other ideas? I've seen a friend put her work on facebook to sell. That is a good way for lots of people to see it, but is that tacky? I like to think it's not, but I just don't know. What are your thoughts my fellow bloggers???