Update from on the Beach

It’s been one week since Ken and I began Phase 1 of the South Beach diet. Things are going well: Ken has lost 5 lbs and I have lost 4. I am amazed at my own willpower — I actually GAVE AWAY a piece of chocolate cake that was brought me at school for a going away party for one of our paras. I GAVE AWAY a packet of M&Ms from my secret pal to my kids. The question is, will I be able to pass up on my own birthday cake tonight at my parents’ house? I will admit though — I sure miss chocolate!! But not to worry! When Phase 2 begins in another week, I can even have that (in moderation, of course!)!!!!

Bible Math in the Alphabet

This was too awesome not to pass on!  Thanks to pal Christine who emailed it to me!

“What equals 100%?  What does it mean to give MORE than 100%  Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?  We have all been in situations where someone wants to give you over 100%.  How about achieving 101%?  What equals 100% in your life?

Here’s a little mathematical question that might help you answer these questions:

If:  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
 and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L- O- V- E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you
there, it’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!”

It’s time to hit the beach . . . again!

Ken and I have decided to give the South Beach diet another try.  We endured the snow and ice today and headed to the grocery store with our South Beach book in hand, stocking up on lots of protein, cheeses, V8, salads, and more and more veggies.  Phase 1 is the strictest but fortunately it only lasts for 2 weeks   And to think those Girls Scout Cookies will be arriving soon . . .

The Five Love Languages

For those that know me, I love to take any type of quiz that tells me what my strengths are, what my personality is, and lately, what my love language is.  To tell the truth, I actually bought Gary Chapman’s book a long time ago but only read bits and pieces of it.  Since the teachers did this a workshop thing at the beginning of the school year (tha I missed out on), I recently asked the principal for the questionnaire so I can find out what my love language is.  And of course, I HAD to have Ken take it too!

The Five Love Languages are:  Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.  My top love language is Acts of Service with Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Physical Touch tying for 2nd place.  Ken’s top love language is Words of Affirmation with a tie for 2nd in Physical Touch and Acts of Service.

What are we going to do witht is information now, you might ask?  Per the profile, “armed with this new information of your spouse’s primary and secondary love languages, begin to express love to him/her daily.  As his/her love tank begins to fill, your spouse will likely reciprocate and start speaking your language.  If so, your marriage will be re-born.”  Okay, so now Ken and I joke about filling our “love tanks”, but actually maybe our marriage will be re-born, just like they said it would.  Or maybe not, after all, we’ve been married nearly 15 years and been just fine! And if not, then I can always refer to Chapter 12 in the book.

It’s (not quite) official!

A copy of my unofficial transcript from IQWeb. . .

Name Deborah

Program/Curriculum/Degree Undergraduate/BA/Elementary Education

Graduation Date December 30, 2006

Update: I picked up my diploma from the post office Saturday! I have officially graduated!!!!!

Couldn’t pass it up!

I laughed so hard in JCPenney’s that I had to get this for Ken. So did Taylor and Jocelyn! Fortunately, he found the humor in it too, and has since worn it!

Grading and more grading

I love my job.  No, really.  I LOVE my job.  I should have been a teacher a long time ago.  It’s such a challenge to put together lessons based on standards, go to way too many meetings during your plan time in the week, and then grade everything the students turn in.  It’s the eve of Martin Luther King’s long weekend and my stack of grading papers followed me home.  Hmmm. . . maybe Jocelyn will help me.

Going to the zoo, zoo zoo, how ’bout you, you, you . . .

Today we braved the cold weather and headed to the Sedgwick County Zoo.  We practically had it to ourselves, which was nice, although some of the animals decided it was too cold to be outside!  We didn’t get to see the lions at all and the elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes and gorillas were all inside.  It was nice to be out in the fresh air for a change and the kids had fun running around!  I think we stopped at just about every statue thing for a picture, so here’s one with all three of them piled on the lions.