mmg19

Making a real effort to keep gratitude in my head and heart. I've found when I do my ability to cope and be positive is better. Not that I don't have to search for it sometimes. Using a gratitude journal so I can look back and remind myself to not take for granted the daily blessings in my life. I'm grateful today for the mentor/s who have helped me this summer in preparing for teaching.

This is a helpful link. Thanks Lisa. I found my children were able to find help in being with their friends and the routine/structure of school.

I can understand your feelings. Trying had a good suggestion. I do hope you are able to see your friend and you get assurance that your daughter will be safe. I have a hard time understanding the lack of social amenities with the use of phones, texting, etc. Try and enjoy the day.

Bumping up this thread. I've been overwhelmed this week with school starting and excitement and stress of new job. I'm trying to keep gratitude in perspective. I'm grateful my boys are healthy and have a good school. I'm grateful to have a job. I'm grateful for the family and friends who have supported and loved us through the worst of times. The "what if's" have been draining me and it is time for the "what is" to move forward.

Glad you clarified he's incognito. lol

Trying - made a good point on the issues involved when our children reach the teen years. My boys are 12 and 14 and get along well together so I have no problem with grocery shopping or running errands. Grandparents have been more than generous in keeping them when I'm working and one of them is sick as well as other work related events. An out of town event or a long evening just isn't in the picture unless they are with grandparents.

Oh my Helen. My knowledge of Margaret Thatcher is limited. Guess I made a bad comparison. Carly Fiorina was impressive in the debate but ability to govern is an unknown to me. I'm embarrassed that I made the comparison but will certainly do some research on the real "Iron Lady".

No. I don't think Trump will be the next President. Don't know who the nominee with be for GOP. BUT the winner in my opinion of the debates was Carly Fiorina. She was on the 5 o'clock debate. I'm sure there is a lot of researching this former HP CEO going on today. Could be our Margaret Thatcher. Refreshing, bright, articulate, and not a politics as usual woman.

Hello to you swimmer. So enjoyed your positive update. Love the 99% you used. Not there yet but working on it. Validated my belief that life marches on and time is on our side.

Does this count as a social life? I'm taking a quilting class this fall. I've always wanted to do this and I'm excited that I signed up.

Thanks for bumping up this thread. Got me motivated to purge bags of clothes that I no longer wear, outdated, don't fit, etc. Freezer is purged. Shoes will be sorted and purged today.

The principals and counselors at our elementary schools have always welcomed concerns by parents but the final decision is up to the principal. There are usually parental requests for certain teachers but that does not mean the request is granted. Only once did I have a concern about a particularly teacher and after the meeting with principal I felt much better. My child flourished academically and socially in that class. Sounds to me this principal is practicing and using the recipe for creating problems. Sorry you are dealing with this and hope this is a good school year for your kids.

Goals for next week: 1. Yearly physical for both boys. 2. Eye appointment both boys 3. Dental appointment both boys 4. Annual GYN appointment for me. Every day I will be in a doctor's office. Good news is that I'll start the school year all caught up with medical appointments. Bad news I have large co-pays and savings will take a hit. Better insurance with new job that kicks in Sept. 1.

1 week until school starts for my boys. They've been staying up later and sleeping later in the morning and tonight we start the plan to reset our internal clocks. Trying 15 minute increments of earlier bedtime and earlier rising. Each night it goes back 15 more minutes until we adjust. They will be leaving for school at 7:30 so morning rise and shine will be 6:30. Hope this works. What do others do? My boys need 9 hrs. sleep to do well and this summer has totally screwed up their sleep time. Up until 11 some nights and not up until 9 most mornings. Any tips? My schedule will be changing too so that may help. I'm now reporting to school at 7:15 and old job was 8:30. I'm shooting for 10 bedtime and 6 wake up. Working on 9 to 9:30 for them. Now wishing I had started this plan a week earlier.

Thanks Donna for bumping up this thread. I'm really being intentional with spreading kindness but this thread helps me keep it focused. I cleaned, repaired, and got 4 school bags looking like new and took to our church school supply pantry this week-end. Bought a few supplies to add to what was needed.

Sending condolence MS. So sorry for your loss.

You've made a good decision. There is a reason your heart led you back to hometown and family. My guess is it is your children. When I think about mine loosing one parent and I'm the one now to help them become successful adults, I know having the security of family is the choice I would make. I starting a new career path in 2 weeks. I've never taught school and my degree is not in education but after the loss of LH and needing to support myself and children, I prepared to take the leap. The security of family close by and the life/work balance of education is the best choice I could ever make. Money, prestige, and travel will never be possible. But...there is a peace and contentment in my head and heart that makes it all worthwhile. I'm sorry for all the illnesses you are dealing with and you sound like a woman on a mission to have accomplished this goal. All the advantages you stated for the kids living in a small town are enough to see why you made this decision. Good luck on the bar exam.

Week-end fun with boys is my goal. They have their choice and have picked out things to do. Only restriction is they must be free. Bicycling, hiking, picnicking, and home tonight for movie fest. I'm excited about this goal.

I am so sorry. Sending ((hugs)).

Thanks for responses. I feel so much better than I did when I first posted. ieh21 - The light bulb went on in my head as I read your response. My kids like routine, stability, and home. They go to church camp, science camp, beach with grandparents every year. They have adventures daily that do not involve travel, spending money, etc. and are happy. Why was I thinking that they were missing out. Three lashes with a wet noodle for me.lol

Making decisions alone about something that was a part of your life together is so hard. I'm sorry for the circumstances. Selling the house last month nearly brought me to my knees. I had to really work on my head and still do. Just last night I had to keep thinking how nice it is to be debt free and money to buy again and downsize. Of course if K were here we would be in the house and maintenance and upkeep would not be a problem. I'm sure I'll need quite a few reality checks this year. Hugs Donna.

imissdow - You are 100% correct. The parents love traveling, siteseeing, restaurants, shopping, etc. The son does not and since my son and their son are very compatible they felt this was a great solution. DH and I never did road trips with the boys. We always liked our feet planted at a destination. Actually many years we stayed home and did fun things when the boys were young that did not involve more than a 2 hr. drive and in our home at night.

On my way to new career. I've noticed several teachers on this board and most are confident and experienced. My friends are supportive and tease and laugh (at me or with me) about my compulsive personality. Probably a flaw but I can't stand to leave an ?i? not dotted or ?t? not crossed. So this week after work each day I will be spending time at the school where I will be teaching learning the computer system and going through the online teaching materials available with the textbooks I will be using. The principal has been so willing to give me access to these tools. There is a new teacher orientation but not until teachers return prior to students. My workload right now is minimal and consists of training my replacement so I wanted to take advantage of any help in preparation for teaching. My computer expertise(or lack of) is not education oriented. Once school starts I want to focus on learning the individual students and not be overwhelmed in the mechanics of technology. Mantra still in effect. ?I can do this. I will succeed.? Grief moments hit but survival holds them at bay. ?K? I miss your calming influence and gentle touch at the end of the day. Will I be the only 45 year old new teacher?? Yes, I know the other new teachers will be so much more tech savvy.

Hate it when I second guess myself. Virgo I agree with you. The older my boys get the more practical they are and I think that is good. We talked last night and I realized it was me not my son that was feeling he was missing out on an adventure. It was not an opportunity for him to enjoy a trip but a need to pacify his friend who did not want to take the road trip his family had planned.

Posted out grown bikes and other sports equipment on local bulletin. SOLD within 24 hours. Boys founds used bikes and had enough money to get them from their sales. 3 happy people in this house tonight.