and I teach English too!

Very exciting news / development ... I am going to be filling a long-term sub position in an English / Speech / Drama class starting next week until probably the end of the year. I'm really tickled about it, and feeling a bit overwhelmed too. I met the teacher yesterday and will be sitting in on his classes to "shadow" him on Monday. Tuesday is my first day officially teaching! Wahoo!

This will be a great test to see if I really do want to go back to school this summer to take English classes to finish that certificate. (I'm a little better than half way to having it. It would really help me to be more marketable if I'm certified in both.)

I'll post again on this once the ball is rolling!

**things are going well in the weight loss arena ... lost another 1.2 pounds this week--and that's with Easter dinner in there!! :)

This little piggy went to the pantry

My hormones were working against me in a horrible way yesterday. I couldn't seem to stop eating! I had a hankerin' for something (I wasn't really sure what) and apparently thought the best way to deal with it was to try to eat anything that sounded like it might be good to see if I could quell the desire to eat. Not the best strategy, particularly with the holiday weekend here ... I know there will be some Easter treats that I'll want to splurge on, but at this point I feel like I've done all the splurging I can do for the week.

It will be interesting to see how this little evening of self-sabotage plays out on the scale next Tuesday.

I get by with a little help from my friends ...

Anyone who knows me at all is well aware that I am a social creature. So, it shouldn't have taken me so long to realize that I operate best (and achieve the best results) when I am in the company of others. Therefore, I have joined Weight Watchers and got a membership at a women's only gym here in town and have been doing well attending classes and working out there this last week or so. My first weigh-in was a good one--losing 5.2 pounds. Already, I'm feeling more motivated and wanting to stick with this, knowing that I get to do it all in a social setting.

I am fully aware of my body's (in)ability to drop weight very quickly ... so, I believe that the first week will not be a regular kind of thing. I'm more a 1-2 pound per week kind of loser. Having said that, I'll take the first week's loss and just see what comes my way as I progress.

I feel dedicated to this whole process ... I want to shed my "cushiony layer" and feel fit and comfortable in my own skin again. I was doing really well when I belonged to the Y and was working out regularly and taking classes and I have decided that in order to achieve success with this, I need to get back to that.

So, here I go ....

PTA

When we moved here about two years ago, I became pretty active in the kids' school. I have been volunteering in their classrooms, teaching Spanish to basically the entire school and have been involved with the PTA. It's been rewarding (for them and me) and I've enjoyed the activities and connections I've made quite a bit. It was really exciting and very flattering to have been selected by the PTA this year to receive the Distinguished Service Award for our school at the district-wide Founders' Day dinner. And it was also flattering to have so many people (on the current board for PTA, teachers and other members) nominate me for the office of President for the next two years.

Being on the board of the PTA is definitely something I would enjoy. Leading and working with other people are strong suits for me. And, honestly, it's hard to come up with a more worthwhile way to spend my time than working to provide good opportunities and solid support for my children's education. Having said that, I also would like to land myself a paying job and I'm a bit nervous that I may be spreading myself too thin if I could find said employment. There's also the little bit that I just don't know how long we'll be here ... Tim could be promoted and transferred any ol' time and I'd feel bad to leave that office vacant.

So, when I was formally asked if I would accept the nomination for President, I kindly declined explaining that I would definitely stay involved, just not as President because I didn't want to get myself in a proverbial pickle if I were able to land solid employment or end up moving. The nominations committee and current board said they understood but occasionally asked if I would reconsider, noting that being President doesn't mean that I would be doing everything on my own. They reiterated that the entire board works to organize, lead and delegate responsibilities to various members of PTA. I said I'd keep thinking about it.

As the election neared, no one else had stepped up for the President's position. Several other women were interested in other positions on the board, but felt that with young children still at home, they would rather not undertake the larger role. Knowing that the other people who were likely to be elected onto the board are reliable and involved, I decided to go ahead with the office for President and last week it was made official.

I'm really happy with the board we'll have in place for the next two years and look forward to continuing the excellent programs that are so beneficial for my kids and all the students at their elementary school. As for the job and / or moving, I decided that I don't want to put good things on hold while I'm waiting to see what happens ... I have never been and don't want to be someone who will regret not having done something because the journey is uncertain. I prefer to forge the path and take each day as it comes. And, so I will.