JULY W.I.S.H. Challenge - Summer of Positive Change

Thank you everyone for the kind words. They helped me a lot. Sometimes I can feel like a bad mom when things go down hill with DD. She seems to be doing much better this week. She sees Molly again on Saturday. I have done some ready on what I can do to help her and more of what to watch for. In teens I read that they can fake being happy but they are not deep down or they can seem happy because in that moment they are but it can change. She is talking much more with friends right now so i think that is helping. I was telling my husband when this started that I was really happy that 3 years of therapy is paying off. This was the first time she was able to recognize what her feeling were and was able to voice them to me. We are treating her the same but asking her to do more stuff with us.

So I have 2 woohoos today. None being a weight lose thing. That has been really bad lately. But I am woohoo that DD seems to be happier right now. and 2. Today is my birthday. No plans to celebrate though. We normally go out to eat but we are not doing that yet. So just a nice quiet day working and being at home.
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"Sorry I have been MIA for a couple of days - had a headache all day yesterday. So update - is not all that much - Dr wants an MRI of brain and neck - he was frustrated that the GP did not order one back when I had the suspected TIA 20 months ago - I asked the GP then but they resisted and said wait for the specialist to order tests he wants aagghhh - health systems can be so frustrating. Anyway he seemed confident that he was not overly concerned and felt that aura migraine was more likely than TIA. In relation to current issue - he confirmed he felt muscle strain was interferring with vestibular system causing the disequilibrium. He did say that I may have been more susceptible due to hormones (peri-menopause), auras, and blood sugar fluctations. He said to do more muscle strengthening - to assist with blood glucose management - and obviously to just build strength so they can cope with the demands I place on them - but also for age as we lose about 8% of muscle each decade after 40 I think he said - so it then contributes to blood glucose and other issues."

I'm glad that your Neurologist is giving you answers. In my experience, I've gotten much more help from my specialists than my GP.

"Oh no @Summer2018 - I am sorry you are having this difficulty - it really is a hard place to be. I know over here they kept narrowing the parameters for 'vulnerable'."

Thanks. I had a long talk with my assistant. She really doesn't want to lose me and seems willing to handle the close-contact situations. The more I consider teaching in some random room in some random building in a scary part of the city, I get sick to my stomach, especially because they are not guaranteeing that I would get my classroom back the following year. If my assistant is willing to handle the hands-on tasks, I can teach from the front of the room and physically distance myself from the kids. I purchased three plexiglass screens for my desk, social distance footprint stickers, and more disposable masks. I already have face shields. I have a closet where we store the napping cots and shelves of supplies. It has a window that opens about 6 inches. I could keep a chair and table there and use it for mask breaks and lunch. We get one special a day, so I would be able to take two 30 minute breaks away from the kids in a 7 hour day. I have a window next to my desk that opens about 6 inches as well which I will leave open at all times. Since I'm not allowed to teach from home, being in my own classroom with my supplies and having the help from my assistant, I might be better off than another remote location. The survey results from my union show that 100% of teachers want to do remote teaching all year, but if we are forced to go back to school, 95% support a hybrid model, cutting our class numbers in half, with group A & B attending two days and remote teaching on Fridays. The protest is tomorrow, and I'm hoping that superintendents respond by going with the hybrid model instead of a full opening which would be immensely difficult for everyone especially the over-crowded high schools. (These teachers have a whole other level of worries dealing with gangs and drugs.)


Woo Hoo!...there's still enough summer left to enjoy and accomplish things at home before it hits the fan!

You must be feeling less stress now that you have a plan and that your assistant will be helpful. I understand not wanting to risk your place in a school you love. My daughter was considering taking the rest of the year off (without pay) after she had my grandson, but she would have been reassigned to another school library-possibly an hour away instead of in a building she loved 5 minutes from her house.
 
Thank you everyone for the kind words. They helped me a lot. Sometimes I can feel like a bad mom when things go down hill with DD. She seems to be doing much better this week. She sees Molly again on Saturday. I have done some ready on what I can do to help her and more of what to watch for. In teens I read that they can fake being happy but they are not deep down or they can seem happy because in that moment they are but it can change. She is talking much more with friends right now so i think that is helping. I was telling my husband when this started that I was really happy that 3 years of therapy is paying off. This was the first time she was able to recognize what her feeling were and was able to voice them to me. We are treating her the same but asking her to do more stuff with us.

So I have 2 woohoos today. None being a weight lose thing. That has been really bad lately. But I am woohoo that DD seems to be happier right now. and 2. Today is my birthday. No plans to celebrate though. We normally go out to eat but we are not doing that yet. So just a nice quiet day working and being at home.

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You must be feeling less stress now that you have a plan and that your assistant will be helpful. I understand not wanting to risk your place in a school you love. My daughter was considering taking the rest of the year off (without pay) after she had my grandson, but she would have been reassigned to another school library-possibly an hour away instead of in a building she loved 5 minutes from her house.
These are tough decisions, but sometimes when we weigh the pros and cons, we end up doing the unexpected.
 


Health wise, I am walking every day even though it’s beastly hot. Not as long, and not as far, but I’m afraid to get out of the habit. So that is a Woohoo!

Mental health wise, I packed a picnic lunch and my daughter and my grandson and I found a nice place outdoors for lunch and then took a walk together. Then I picked up a book at the library, came home and checked up with all of you!
 
My woohoos:
1) I’ve been sticking to my meal plan about 90% of the time for the last week and a half.
2) I’m down 4.5 pounds in that week and a half.
3) I’m loving my new exercise program! #mbf
4) The school board officially announced that our newly renovated building will be open for the 20-21 school year.
5) My classroom is all packed and ready to move back into the newly renovated building.
 


On a side note...about the Disney masks...has anyone also tried the masks from Target? If so, I’m just curious how does the Disney sizing compare to the Target ones? I got S/M from Target and they were too big for me. I’ve been meaning to order the Disney ones and just hadn’t gotten around to measuring...until reading the posts on here. According to my measurements, I’d be a large for Disney. But thought I’d ask about a size comparison first, just in case someone has tried both.
 
Good morning, happy Thursday, and happy belated birthday!! :cake::flower1:

For today’s thankful question, how about “Thankful Opposite”? - Choose two opposite things that you are thankful for at different times, or two opposite settings, and what you are thankful for in each.

My examples would be:

I’m thankful for connecting with people...until I get really tired, and then I’m thankful for quiet time.

or

During the day, I’m thankful for warm sunshine; at night, I’m thankful for cozy blankets.
 
I got some really sad news today...unfortunately this isn't the first time and won't be the last. When you teach young children, you never think that you may one day have to attend their funeral.

Myreke was a very happy kid with a winning smile. When I think of Myreke, all I can see is his smile. He was a sixth grader with behavioral issues...mostly impulse-control problems...never malicious. He probably had undiagnosed ADHD. He met with me every day before and after school to check in and check out. My job was to listen to him, counsel him, and get him ready for the day. Sometimes he didn't want to talk. He just wanted a hug and a sharpened pencil, then he would give me that amazing smile and go to class. Other times, it was hard to get him to leave at all. In the afternoon, he would tell me how his day went, and we would problem-solve. Did he make the best choices? What could he have done better? The next morning he would start fresh, all his mistakes made the day before were forgiven. This went on all school year. Then he moved, and I never saw him again. Six years went by.

Myreke was shot and killed. He was only 18. All his hopes and dreams are dead.

My heart is broken. He is one of many students that I have lost to the violence in the city or neglectful parents.

All I can see is his big smile...
 
On a side note...about the Disney masks...has anyone also tried the masks from Target? If so, I’m just curious how does the Disney sizing compare to the Target ones? I got S/M from Target and they were too big for me. I’ve been meaning to order the Disney ones and just hadn’t gotten around to measuring...until reading the posts on here. According to my measurements, I’d be a large for Disney. But thought I’d ask about a size comparison first, just in case someone has tried both.
I haven't bought any from Target so can't compare, but the sizing on the Disney ones is so problematic I don't know if I can recommend ordering them. I chose the size based on the dimensions of the masks I'd made, but the Disney ones that came where about 2 inches smaller than what they said they would be. People who have bought them in the parks don't seem to have the same problem and Disney has changed the sizes/dimension on-line, but if they had figured out the sizing issue why didn't they send me the right size?
 
I got some really sad news today...unfortunately this isn't the first time and won't be the last. When you teach young children, you never think that you may one day have to attend their funeral.

Myreke was a very happy kid with a winning smile. When I think of Myreke, all I can see is his smile. He was a sixth grader with behavioral issues...mostly impulse-control problems...never malicious. He probably had undiagnosed ADHD. He met with me every day before and after school to check in and check out. My job was to listen to him, counsel him, and get him ready for the day. Sometimes he didn't want to talk. He just wanted a hug and a sharpened pencil, then he would give me that amazing smile and go to class. Other times, it was hard to get him to leave at all. In the afternoon, he would tell me how his day went, and we would problem-solve. Did he make the best choices? What could he have done better? The next morning he would start fresh, all his mistakes made the day before were forgiven. This went on all school year. Then he moved, and I never saw him again. Six years went by.

Myreke was shot and killed. He was only 18. All his hopes and dreams are dead.

My heart is broken. He is one of many students that I have lost to the violence in the city or neglectful parents.

All I can see is his big smile...
514613
 
I got some really sad news today...unfortunately this isn't the first time and won't be the last. When you teach young children, you never think that you may one day have to attend their funeral.

Myreke was a very happy kid with a winning smile. When I think of Myreke, all I can see is his smile. He was a sixth grader with behavioral issues...mostly impulse-control problems...never malicious. He probably had undiagnosed ADHD. He met with me every day before and after school to check in and check out. My job was to listen to him, counsel him, and get him ready for the day. Sometimes he didn't want to talk. He just wanted a hug and a sharpened pencil, then he would give me that amazing smile and go to class. Other times, it was hard to get him to leave at all. In the afternoon, he would tell me how his day went, and we would problem-solve. Did he make the best choices? What could he have done better? The next morning he would start fresh, all his mistakes made the day before were forgiven. This went on all school year. Then he moved, and I never saw him again. Six years went by.

Myreke was shot and killed. He was only 18. All his hopes and dreams are dead.

My heart is broken. He is one of many students that I have lost to the violence in the city or neglectful parents.

All I can see is his big smile...
I’m so sorry. Heartbreaking. :hug:
 
I’m thankful to be retired (especially now) but miss talking books with high schoolers.

I’m thankful living in my semi rural community-until I need clothes or household items (and I don’t want to shop at Walmart or Home Depot) and I have to drive 45 minutes.
 
I'm thankful for vacations (in normal times). In my old life I had only 2 weeks a year and 10 holidays, but as a teacher the days off are a huge perk. But I am thankful to be able to work with young children. Nothing is more rewarding than when you see a struggling reader finally start to "get it". The words, "I love reading!" are music to my ears. 2nd Grade is perfect for this, because it is their last big chance to learn how to read and I am pretty good at it if I do say so myself!
 
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Closing in on the end of the month, so time to set hosts for August. The available weeks are:

Monday, 8/3 - Sunday 8/9
Monday, 8/10 - Sunday 8/16
Monday, 8/17 - Sunday 8/23
Monday, 8/24 - Sunday 8/30

(We'll say 8/31 is part of the first week of September.)
 

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