Winter Break 4- Post BDay

Yesterday not that bad, really.  Spent day at Asha, and then otherwise was pretty lazy.
Mom in L.A.
Bday dinner tonight with David's side.

Christmas day at Mom's.  Nice, but obligatory.
10G gift from Mom.  Planning to put half away and the other half on other things.

Getting things done around the house- slowly.  A bit too slow honestly, and have come to realize that it may not necessarily be procrastination in this case.  I'm thinking boredom, as this whole process has taken way too long and (I have) run out of steam.

Bathrooms just about done- still waiting for Nate to finish up; he is supposed to come by today.  David called the electrician and plumber, but I am going to assume that we will have to contact other people to finish those items up.

Master bedroom mostly organized.
Hallway cleaned up.
Still have the first bedroom to clean out and organize.
Flipping rooms TBA, but hopefully soon.
Paint come spring, or maybe sooner.
Will have to reorganize the basement- getting to be such a mess.

Finished the curriculum plan for Spanish.
Took a lot of time and energy, and do not know if that is what "they" wanted.
Grading finished; lesson plans to do.
Six months left of the school year- feels like it has already been six (and that is a bad thing).

Still planning to look for something else (job) for next year.
Have letters of recommendation.  Just have to find the time to ramp-up everything else and prepare for interviews.
Would be nice to find something closer and without all of the politics.

Gym schedule going good- returned to the Gethin program.
Will see how it will work once school resumes- don't want to jinx it or lose momentum.

Otherwise, feeling OK.

Winter Break 3- Xmas Eve

Hall bath trim painted, but have to go back and clean up.... maybe should have gotten stained wood doors, so I would not have to deal with cleaning painted hardware.  Ugh!  Some artwork in, but still deciding and towel bar needs to go up.  95% there!
Maybe we'll get the cabinets up in the master tonight.

Procrastinating since around 9.... mood wanes back and forth.
School work today.  Need to get it done!
Just a bit cranky.

Winter Break 2

Yesterday was kind of half-ass.
I have things to do, but laziness and procrastination had the upper hand and accomplished a minimal of things.
Today will be different:
List is more focused and limited.

Winter Break 1

Day one of winter break.....

Going back to the Kris Gethin 12-week plan at the gym; Day one this morning.
Noticed that I've gained a bit of weight for winter, not that it is good or bad, probably "typical", and that the Abercrombie workout was getting stale, or perhaps I was just not putting forth the effort.  Not that I finished the Gethin plan last time, but I did see results.
As long as I don't get obsessive about it and then crash-as-burn, I WILL FINISH the plan this time around.
It would be nice to be shirtless with something to look at.

School ended on a gernal "gotta get out of here" note.
Mind just not focused, similar to the kids I'm sure.
When I get back,  will need to be refocused and figure out what to do.  Will be doing that during break.

A long list of TTDs over break....
Getting the bathrooms in order; finishing up.
Getting the master in order.
Getting the 1st bedroom in order so we can have ONE foster child by the end of January.
Flipping the front rooms so we can have a dining area.
And then a long list of school stuff, including the curriculum plan (started a couple of weeks ago) to have completed by the end of break for an early-January department meeting.
And then getting my resume "package" ready and sent out for prospective job openings- not sure how that will pan out, but I have to see what is out there.

Mind-loop

End of year thought patterns, as is the norm.....  http://www.inspirationandchai.com/Regrets-of-the-Dying.html

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. 

What is that (true self) ?  What would I change?  And how to go about it?

I think this is something I have struggled my whole life to figure out.

Part of it is that my "true" self is not always the best- and two faces of the same coin.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

For me, I don't think it is work.  Rather, it is having quality time with others.

Life is filled with so many "obligations", that the potential quality of it (the experience) is lost.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Not necessarily problematic, but accepted the mediocre instead of speaking up.

On the other hand, sometimes when I open my mouth, the result makes things worse.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

I do miss having a circle of friends, but people come-and-go and there are reasons for it.

I think I'm somewhat of a "loner" by nature.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Happier... meaning what?

Early December

First "icy drive" to work the other day.  Not bad really, as the first one of the season is always a challenge.  Snow that has come around has not stayed long.  Prediction of "the worst snow season in a decade" is yet to be seen, and I am really not looking forward to it when/ if it comes.  Thank god I bought a snow blower this year (after last year's madness).

Work is work is work, and still riding the like between love and hate.  Union is looking into some of my complaints, I have a meeting with a Board member next week and there is a big foreign language meeting on the 12th.

FLIC & MAYO... getting ready to call it quits on that.  Just not much fun.  Cookie party set for the 16th.

Movember campaign went pretty well.  Shaved it all off today.

Projects around here.... Bathrooms painted, needing another coat and some touch-up work, as well as the trim still to do.  No word from Nate to do a bit more repair, nor Bob with the shelves.  No work on the master bdrm nor the 1st bedroom (still filled with stuff).  Maybe another month.  Just not motivated.

Gym schedule going pretty good.  Seeing some rewards and weight is just below 190 (my comfort zone).  Pants fitting well and able to tuck in shirts w/o an overhang "tire". 

Otherwise, kind of tired today, and a bit cranky.  Have a list of TTDs, but motivation is not there.

Last mow?

Probably did not need it, but the lawn was covered in leaves....  thinking maybe one more before it is all over and the freeze sets in.

Not doing well lately.  Mainly school.
Just not happy and not quite sure.
Not happy enough to finally ask for recommendations from those I was somewhat avoiding the issue.

Too many projects at hand to even think about working on my portfolio, but I'll have to if I want to get something else.

Otherwise....
Nate finishing the master this weekend.
I painted the hall bath closet and DEFINITELY want to hire a painter to to the rest (just not my thing).
We'll be able to start to clean out the first bedroom (with all of the bathroom crap) next weekend.
No word from Bob about the shelves, but the mirror looks really nice- growing on David.

Gym schedule working pretty good.
Switch to a "gainer" workout this month and hope to see some things improve.  Feel the muscle, but still a lot of fat.  Next moth is supposed to be the "skinny" plan- drop the fat.

Autumn

Things better, but still unsettled. 

Work mainly- just not very happy this year and not quite sure what to do about it.  Nothing can be done, really, unless I quit or do something else in a similarly impulsive manner.  Happiness is relative I guess.

Have worked out for a month now and results are starting to show.  Have not gained much post-Spain, but definition is starting.  Do not want to get obsessive and over-work it, nor over-plan it.  Just maybe I'll have the body by summer.

Bathrooms still in-waiting.  Nate working on the redo of the master shower, finished next weekend (?).  Costing $$, so nothing left for anything else of major purchase.  Still have to paint.

Otherwise, this in-between "funk" is hanging around. 

Unease

Bathroom projects have turned out to be a fiasco....
Hired a new tile guy to clean-up Kevin's crappy work.  Of course, paid Kevin what was owed- even though not finished- in an attempt to fix this bad karma, and no word since.
New work is already over two-grand, will probably hit three.  Tearing out the shower in the master now.  There goes the rest of Aunt Jean's $.
Still have to paint and accessorize.
Going to wait a few days (maybe Kevin will come around) before planning how to destroy his business.

Still issues at work, but more settled- I guess I am used to it now.
Going to be asking for letters of recommendations before things get worse.  Not that I think I would be fired, but I do need to plan an exit and have definite plan.

Otherwise, perhaps it is the change of season, I am rather on-edge.  For some reason, I feel "death".

End of September

First month of school completed..... eight more to go!
I can't believe I am starting the countdown now; Yes, it is that kind of year.

I've been wavering a bit to classify the year, but it has been bad.  Maybe troublesome is a better word.  Nevertheless, I am really not happy, nee "comfortable", yet.
Meeting with Patty Burke last week- nothing really resolved, more of a venting really (in a nice way).
Meeting tomorrow with everyone- me, Hathaway, Wachlin, school principals and Burke- to streamline the program.  Not sure how that is going to go, but preparing for argument.

 Bathrooms still not finished.  I think Kevin is planning on skipping out this week.  We've consulted a tile guy and fixing things (sloppy work) is going to be $$.  Kevin wants a check, but not getting it until we come to an agreement.

Getting estimates for painters.

I think something is going on- chi or karma is bad.  Too much negative energy around here.  Too much to be a coincidence, and thinking "cause and effect".  Maybe it started with sending Tim and Jessica back... (?)

DCFS (Patty) inspection last week.  With the new IL law that all agencies that receive state funds must allow GLBT foster/ adoption, religious-based agencies are dumping kids on the State.  Patty asked that we hurry it up- they are getting bombarded.  I'm thinking a month, but it will probably be longer to get things back in order.

New snowblower and rototiller and paid off a lot of bills (Aunt Jean $).  Mom told me that whenever Aunt Jean goes over 10 million, she sends checks out.  Thus far, for me, 125G- which I am absolutely appreciative, being able to get things done around here.  Still, a bit of jealousy with Mom getting 100G per my 25G.  If I received that much, these projects would come to completion much quicker.

Once the bathrooms are done, we have to get the master bedroom back together (still sleeping on the sofas) and then move to the kids rooms.  IKEA is coming to measure the kitchen, but that project is going to have to wait.  Originally wanted to tile the entry through the kitchen, but I think we'll have to wait.  Still have to flip the rooms (got IKEA dinning room table I wanted).

Next year landscaping to finish the orchard and begin the east yard.

School year begins.....

First full week down, 36 to go (?).

Applied for a last-minute position at Honnenegha, but did not get it.

Chaos would be both an understatement and overstatement- but either it is or I'm fussing too much about nothing.

1. Back and forth between FMS and CSMS.  Getting tiresome.  Mainly because I end up remembering tht I need something at FMS and have to stop there before school begins and race over to CSMS.  I only have one set of materials.
2. Sharing rooms is not totally bad, but I have no space to be during my planning time, which is bothersome.  
3. Still missing books and the CSMS librarian seems not to know how to take care of things.... In general, I am making requests at FMS for things as CSMS because I know they'll take care of it.
4. No one told me that the Board voted not to continue the IB program at the middle school level, so the work I did to develop the program was for nothing (not that it was finished anyway).... So that makes Spanish an elective.  At CSMS, it has been cut to 30 minutes.
5. 5th graders are a bit too immature for me.  Although I have accepted their limitations in many arenas, I am probably spending 1/3 of the time correcting behaviors.
6. Not much in the mood for FLIC, and have heard nothing from the HS kids about MAYO.  Going to start FLIC up next week and see how that goes (last year was bad!), and then deal with MAYO.
7. Classes are HUGE this year, particularly 8th grade.  Of all my classes, only one under the upper 20s, with a 31 and 32.  Crazy.

8th graders this year seem pretty good, actually better than years past.  The first test is next week, so we'll see if it is all an act or not.

Otherwise.....
Bathrooms still not finished, and got to the point where we were going to fire Kevin.  His attention to detail is bad, not thinking things through, and he seems to not have a grasp on the guys he pulls in.  Problems with the plumber and electrician not wanting to come back to finish/ fix things.  A lot of delays.  But, the end is in sight; I'm crossing my fingers to be done in another couple of weeks.

Aunt Jean sent another 25G.  I think that is 125G total over the last couple of years.  Very nice, but I find myself selfishly expecting it and, with the last check, actually expecting a bit more since Grandma died.  Very bad.  Paying bills with this set, including the car.  Whatever is left, I'll put towards the house plan.  IKEA is coming in October to measure the kitchen.....  Mom is in Montreal now.

Obviously no kids due to the bathrooms.  I'm on the line with it.  Not sure if it is something to continue.  We just want to provide a place for a couple of good kids- yes, every child has issues, but we just can not deal with chaos (at least, I can't).  So, we'll see.  I'm thinking we have to find a new contact, as I believe Patty does not have our best interests in mind- she has the kids', which is her job, but knowingly not making a good match just makes things bad.

Sadly, I think the end is near for Eva.  She is not as bad as Candi was, but slowly getting there.  Today was the first day I really felt it.

The beginning of the school year always brings that need for change and organization.... and here it is.  A bit tired of it, procrastinating and things are not getting done.  I think a lot of it, even over the summer, was the FB habit.  I would hesitate to say addiction, but it is something I do everyday- now why can't I say that for the gym?!  So, no FB this weekend so I can get things done.

Where did summer go?!?

Just a couple more weeks, and then classes begin.....

June- Spain.  Barcelona- Granada- Seville-Cordoba-Toledo-Madrid-Segovia.  Was a fun trip, although soon into the trip I realized that I am now too old for a "family vacation".  Mom, Adam and Martina, and even me, were crabs every now and then.  I don't want to say the trip was ruined, but I will say that various experiences did ruin the moment.  A lot of hic-ups as well- someone tried to steal my bag at the market in Barcelona (Fay caught him) and somehow Martina's airline ticket was never changed to the correct dates before the trip (so she had to fly solo for one leg on the return).  I enjoyed spending time in Barcelona, although I did not feel it was very "Spanish".  Travelers liked the activities- mosaic class, cooking, flamenco.  I visited Ana and Antonio in Seville, and ran into Manny (NETC) in Madrid.  Went to Aventura amusement park outside of Madrid, a number of cool bars that Adam & Martina scouted, drag show in Seville.  Bought a very cool Lladro.  Submitted trip for 2013.  Skipping 2012- I need a break!

Mona painted the new faux door while I was away.  Very cool.

July & Aug- Home improvement projects.  New landscape, driveway and garage doors.  Created an agricultural area in the west yard- orchard area, raised veggie and strawberry beds.  New blueberry bed, raspberry area and two trellises for grapes.  Weather has been hot and dry and then horribly humid, so plants are not fairing well.  And Fred's redbud was toppled in a storm.  Driveway looks good- a steal really (the Hartman's did it, former Freeport student) at a couple of grand less than local estimates.  Dealt with Sear's again for the garage doors- thinking that is probably the last time I do business with them.  Bathrooms gutted, and as of this post, are not finished (a month in), so we are still showering at the gym.  The project has become more involved than Kevin expected, and we had to wait for parts, so we are way behind.

Everything (Aunt Jean $ and what Mom gave me when Grandma died) is spent.  Even over a bit, but that is OK.

David and I became 'engaged', as the marriage law changed in Illinois.  We are thinking 2013, at the house- so it needs to get done!

David got a new garage door opener (a very good one) from Mom for his birthday, and he and I have been putting it up together.  More involved than originally thought, but slowing getting it together- should be up by the end of the week.

Mom bought a house in Oro Valley, AZ.  She is planning to spend most of the year here, with winters there.  Eventually, she'll move there.

The first week of the Spanish summer class has been fun.  One more week, then off to Vegas.  Workshops when I return and then the school year begins.  Nuts!

Otherwise.....
This summer has been the summer of procrastination and wasting time.

Worked on the curriculum project off-and-on.  Still not finished, but will be soon.  A lot of procrastination there.  Stacy never made herself available to me over the summer, so I've been writing it myself.  I want to get it done before the school year begins, so I basically have a week +.

Not so happy with my schedule for next year, traveling between CSMS and FMS.  I have a shared room in both buildings, but the one at FMS is "mine."  Plus, I still do not have an exact schedule yet.  There is an extra 8th grade Spanish class and I offered to give up my planning, which will become a union issue.  So the 8th grade schedules are also not finished.

Gym cycle way off, although I'm OK with it.  I found a new plan that I will begin once I get back from Vegas and will have a more-scheduled schedule.

The state of the Nation is a mess.  I feel that Obama's puppeteers have really screwed up.  Pre-campaigning has already begun for 2012.  Going to be interesting come this fall when campaign season really begins.

And....
I wish I were more motivated to get things done and able to do it- be a "do-er".

Final Week

Final full-week of school next week; teachers finish the following Monday, 6th.
MS finals last week, HS finals next.
Not quite sure how it is all going to end up, but I'll be glad when it is over.  Quite a tiring year.

Mood is really off this weekend.
Tired.

Spain departure on the 12th, so not much time to get ready.
A lot of projects plans already in the works- landscaping, bathrooms, new driveway.
Other projects TBA, but on the agenda.

Going to be a busy summer.

Countdown

Just over two weeks left of classes.
Finished quarter exams this past week; final exams for MS next week, with HS exams the week after.  Glad to have the year over.  Not that it was overly stressful, but I am tired.  Already started cleaning up the room.  Just tying up loose ends really, and 'closing shop' for the season.
Not quite sure what next year will bring.  As far as I know, I will be going back-and-forth between the middle schools, but Ms. Meyers told me that I may be staying at FMS and the CS students will be bussed over.  That would be ideal, but I do not believe the logistics are realistic.
As for my HS students, I feel bad that I will not be around, but then again, if there was really a problem, more students would have come to see me.
Final meeting of FLIC yesterday, ending on somewhat of a sour note- not many attendees for the fiesta.  Need to rethink that whole thing, revamp it so it is not so much of a 'geek' club.  I appreciate the students that stick around, but, again, I am tired.
Went to the 121 Studio dance recital last night (skipped S&R last weekend).  Wonderful program, with two of my fav students.  Very impressed.

Still feeling the pangs of last weekend.
No one has contacted us; One would think that Patty would have called to talk about what went wrong with the placement or just to see how we are doing.  It is nice to have time and some peace and quiet, but it is lonely and I have been second-guessing the decision.  Feels like someone took a thorn out, but did not mend the wound.

Spain in almost three weeks.  Excited and nervous.  Final pre-departure meeting tomorrow, which I am not prepared for, not quite sure what to talk about, but I am sure it will be fine.
I know it will be a fun trip- I love the travel and I have good kids (Brian, Ally & Cassidy) and adults (Brian's dad, Mom, Adam & Martina) going, so I am not that worried.  I wish David would have signed up, but with Eva, it is really not a possibility for two-weeks.  Maybe next time.
I have permission to organize a trip for 2013.

Summer looks to be busy- landscaping, new bathrooms, new driveway, and a slew of other projects that I need to get going (painting, organizing, etc.).  Typical, I guess.

Tim & Jes

Our first placement lasted just over three weeks.....  Tim & Jessica, siblings.  Somewhat of an 'emergency' placement, and a bit more than we expected/ were told to expect.  Jessica was 'special needs' due to a brain injury caused by the bfriend of the mother, and Tim was special needs as well (behavior) with ADHD, ODD and probably HD.  We were trying to finish the school year and did what we could, and David was truly amazing, but eventually the wear of constant struggles and tantrums were to much (at least for me).  We gave notice a couple of weeks ago, and then yesterday, I just called it quits and demanded that they get removed, sighting once again, that we are not prepared for special needs.  Arguments on the phone, trying to give me a guilt-trip was really the last straw.
When Tim realized that he was not coming back, it was really heartbreaking.

Not sure if/when we'll do it again.  If so, not for awhile. 

On-Off

Busy week, and now off-cycle once again!!

I find myself exhausted beginning mid-week, and then it snow-balls from there. Bed by 8 last night, asleep just after 9.

Projects moving, but slow.
It is a fight between energy and desire.

If I really wanted it (whatever the "it" is), I would do it- which makes me question everything.

Not a good way to start the weekend.

End of break

Saturday.

Break is nearly over with not much feeling of accomplishment.
Did a lot, but not really on the tasks at hand.
Shopping, a lot of shopping- new closet system, lighting, new tires for David, lawnmower. Saw dentist and doctor.
David and I went to IKEA, so we have some agreements. I at least know the direction he wants.

The actual organization, cleaning, painting, etc. is not done. Goal was to get the first bedroom done over break. What happened? Where are the priorities?

Home study received and sent out.
Waiting game begins. There is a sibling pair I am hoping to match with.

About 9 weeks left of school, last quarter. Ready for the year to be over.

Continued

It is now Wednesday, and not much accomplished. Well, some things accomplished, but the things that I really needed to attend to are pushed by the wayside:

No gym.
Home projects not done.

At least my school stuff is done.

The next few days will be a testament of what is really important in my life.

Spring Break

Finished yesterday..... the whole week has been somewhat of an unsettled blur.
Not quite sure what is going on, but it is the cusp of something.

Early Spring

Spring break just a couple of weeks away- snow is nearly gone.

Ups and downs, really.
Feeling good and together, then somewhat overwhelmed and not sure.

Pretty much in the "off" cycle, trying to get back- more like clawing my way back.
Frustrated, tired, and unsure.

Home

I'm OK, but a bit unsettled- just trying to soak it all in w/o over-analyzing everything.

Slept for nearly 11 hours (which I needed)- unsure what to do today, as I have plenty to do.

Movers arrive on Saturday.

Returning Home

Moved out tonight.
Movers lost and very late- but nice and I think tried as hard as they could to make up the time.
Apartment clean.
Not quite sure how to feel yet.

Long day tomorrow home the wee hours on Thursday.
Gonna hurt.

Monroe

So, Grandma died.
Wednesday night; I arrived on Friday.
Adam and mom already here getting things done.
Adam left yesterday; Mom and I leave on Wednesday.
Movers tomorrow (I have my fingers crossed).

Cleaning, organizing, errands.
Lots of Louisiana food- who knows when/if I'll be back.
Apartment pretty much finished.
Tomorrow, last full day.

Off for two weeks, but not sure when I'll return (earlier).
Maybe a week from today.

Quick

I do not understand what happens over the weekends- I am always swamped on Sundays. Need to stop!!!!

HeartArt went well- painting sold for $105. Drank a bit much, but felt good. Slept very well.

Body project going well, although not progressing as much as I had hoped for this week. Skipped two days- and facing it now, and was already behind from the previous snow days. Nevertheless, I WILL be caught up by end of next week- and will push to FAILURE, or I am never going to get the gains I want.

School is school- getting tired of it. Desire to find something else- which is not there- and creating drama- which is NOT GOOD. Next week, I am just going to be quiet.

Otherwise, Spring is starting to poke a bit. 35+ this coming week.

Home project moving slow, as is the DCFS.

Grandma not doing so well- Mom was there earlier this week. Need to get down there over Spring Break.

120 days +/- until Spain. Getting excited.

Post-snow

Back at school yesterday- +/- day.

Back to gym- still a couple of days behind.

Weekend here- gotta get moving!

Another day off

Arctic cold overnight and this morning- -20 to -30 wind chills. We are still under the warning (until noon). Fine with me.

Didn't really matter anyway- called in sick for two days. After seven hours shoveling yesterday- I needed another day(s). Back is still reeling. No painting done, which is priority today.

Snow Day!

Blizzard warning through 3pm- but it looks like it is pretty much over (10AM).

13.9" fell though the night (NOAA stats), started early afternoon yesterday. Wind continues, but I believe the storm is over. City is pretty much shut down, some of the highways as well. People are told to stay home- specifically, not to drive anywhere. (But, you know the idiots.)

Early release yesterday. Big freeze supposed to hit tonight (wind chill warnings), so maybe another day off- would be nice!

Going to get the Heart Art painting finished- that is the plan.

Otherwise- feeling fat, fat, fat. No gym on Monday PM (meetings and grading), yesterday at all, and today is blown. Appetite still high. Way over calories for the week (in thousands) and it is only Wednesday.

Got to shovel!

Workout: end of week 2

Feeling good, actually.

Less about losing weight and more about looking and feeling good.
I mean, I do need to lose, but I am not going to go into some 'starvation mode' to do it.
Still hovering 212, broke to 211 yesterday (but back up today).
Would like to break 200 if possible, which I believe it is without compromising the program.

Otherwise,
so much still to do this weekend- way, way, way behind!

Transformation

Well- One month no smoking.
For the most part, easy, as the major craves are gone. Although every once in a while, I feel a pang. Down to one pill a day as well.

Diet- three weeks.
Lost approx 8 lbs thus far.
Weight goes up and down, and seem to be hovering around 212 for the past week. Need to break it. I would like to be as close to 200 by the end of next week as possible.
Don't think that loseit.com is necessarily the best site, but it seems to work OK. I think the calories are off a bit, as I've expected to lose more weight.

Workout- two weeks.
Going good, nearly habitual. Following the bb.com workouts. I could probably do a bit better, be more focused, but I think I am doing OK for first-timer.
I see changes. I need to decide that weight is not the be-all. Do I look better? Are clothes fitting? I guess that if I knew that I was losing fat, but gaining muscle, I'd be more OK.
In that "puffy" stage- muscles hurt a bit, somewhat soft.
Back on realjock.com- but not for games. Good site for info, music (free), etc.

Otherwise-
Feeling better (which always happens) with working out. Focus (procrastination) around the house is still an issue, but will come around.
Lots to do this weekend- errand weekend, cleaning, bbsitting, paint (due next week for Heart Art), plus work stuff.

End of First Semester

Thank God!

Pretty easy week actually and every was graded by the end of the week. Mainly Cs for my 8th graders (need to go back to the basics, I think), B-Cs for my HS II (not close to what I expected), and HS I is pretty much finished- I think there will be eight on Monday (?- at least I hope).

1/2 day on Friday, 1-3, so had no classes and got a lot of work done. Still there until 3 or so, but did not have to take so much home.

Otherwise-
4th week no smoking- getting easier.
2nd week diet- gaining weight, so a bit disappointing. I need a real strong fat burner and readjust my diet.
1st week gym- serious plan, going well.

Opposites

Parallels this weekend:

On the +
Still not smoking.
Lost some weight
Back at the gym
A bit of play

On the -
Procrastination on EVERYTHING else.

Lots and lots to do, and obviously not enough time.
Thank goodness today is off (MLK), but too much wasted time this weekend has really gotten my behind.

Lots to do, lots to do.

First Week of 2011

Somewhat of a whirlwind, really.

Pretty much the 'WORK' week thus far, will finish the week over the 60-hour mark, which is quite too much. Grading and more grading- up until midnight Thursday, making Friday was somewhat off-kilter (but it worked). Revamped schedules (once again), so it will be a bit easier- basically review and exams for the next couple of weeks- but very accountable.

The week did go by pretty quick though.

I need to re-approach second semester from a different direction, as I am not getting the results I want. Not sure yet.

Two week mark of not smoking- feels like longer. Driving is getting much easier (chewing gum), but mornings, in general, seem to be the worst until 11 or so. Especially on days off. Once I hit 4-5 o'clock, I have no cravings at all. Meds working as well as they should, I guess, although I wish there was something to deal with the cravings (and subsequent eating).

Gym is on during the week, but still fighting the afternoon workout and weekend. Do not understand why it is such a struggle.

No movement on DCFS- still waiting for David to have his med physical. No rush really, as nothing will happen until post-Spain, but we need the homestudy to get the license to be able to get more info.

Bathroom on the agenda right now- need to make some changes, and waiting for another estimate. Going to be somewhat expensive, but it needs to be done before any kids come. Also working on the first bedroom.

It is all so slow and sporadic. I just need to focus and get stuff done.

2011

New year begins.
Not sure how it is going to end; Changes, many changes.