Teachers and Candles Burning

Tonight we went to a candlelight vigil in front of the Capital.  They were held in about 20 different cities all around Idaho, even little Buhl and Cascade.  It was snowing in Coeur D' Alene and schools were closed, but they were out with their candles up there.  Teachers are mourning the loss of their contracts and due process rights.  We're also pretty scared for what might happen to education in Idaho.  Two of the three worst bills for education are headed to the house.  These senators have heard from thousands - email, letters, phone calls,- 90% against this madness, but they sent it through.  Why do they want to eliminate 770 + jobs in this state so they can pay for laptops and out-of-state online courses?  Teachers, students, parents, district administrators, and school boards have spoken against these.  Mr. Luna, the governor, and 20 senators, don't want to listen to educators.  One of the senators speaking against the bill said, this is a slap in the face to every teacher in the state.  It's more like a blow to the head.  I felt sick this afternoon.  Things were better after the vigil.  We signed recall petitions for Tom Luna.  And we'll fight on.

I told Terry I would feel better if he took me out to dinner, but I'm on this diet.   

Sugar Free

I've been really good on my diet.  I haven't had sugar for 10 days.  I am keeping track of all my temptations.  Today there were donuts left over from the boys basketball party this morning, and a student brought Haagen Daz ice cream bars for her birthday treats.  I wonder how long you would have to go without before the desire lessens?  I'll keep you posted.

Rally!

How did I spend Presidents Day?  In the park across from the state capital at a pro-education rally in opposition to the anti-education bills put forth by our state superintendent.  They had intelligent speakers who spoke the truth.  It was good to hear.  Speakers included a long time member of Boise's school board, parents, Boise Education Association officers, and the one who stole the show, a Timberline student.  He must be in debate.  He must have had some good teachers.  It raised my spirits enough to keep on fighting. 

Mike looks like this except with a tall hat.

Just a side note, my teaching partner was at the rally in his Abraham Lincoln outfit.  Each year he grows a beard, dresses up, recites the Gettysburg Address, hands out pennies, and talks to all the younger classes at our school.  He said he was a embarrassed to show up like that, but it was Presidents Day.  It just called for it. 

Spiritual Decline

I noticed that on Sunday when I caught up on my posts, I didn't have anything remotely spiritual to say - no gratitude, love, service, prayers answered, good speaker, or anything that struck me during a lesson.  My problem yesterday was that I had read the morning paper which got me all fired-up and my stomach knotted-up about the lunacy that is going on concerning education in the state of Idaho.  It took any virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy thought out of my head.  For the next while, I've resolved not to read the Sunday paper until Monday.  My spirit and my stomach can't take it.  I've further resolved not to read any more full page ads from the ignorant Meleluca man on any day.  This might not completely restore my spiritual health, but with a combination of prayer and scripture reading I'll pull through.

Saturday's Decision

We went to dinner with Bry and Amee on Saturday night.  It was a nice time and the food was great.  We ended up at one of my favorite places for seafood, Fresh Off the Hook.  Now I have the inspiration I need for my Academy Award dish.  I'm going to take shrimp cocktail.  I can eat that on my diet.  It's good.  Everyone likes it.  And now I just have to think how it ties in with my favorite movie last year.  Right now I think I'm going with Toy Story 3, because all the kids at the daycare are shrimps.

Diet and Exercise

I've been whimping along with P90X.  Everyone in my family is powering through these DVDs with Tony Horton's extreme exercise program.  We have a chin-up bar, yoga blocks, and room to work out one at a time in Ty's old room.  We check in with everyone's progress.  I think Ty is probably killing all of us.  He was doing workouts like crazy during Christmas break and soon after that he started doing doubles (twice a day).  Stacey and Mike are probably in second place.  I'm definitely in last.  I do the two bonus workouts on the introduction DVD.  They're shorter than the real thing, and I modify.  I've done the KenpoX, but all the kicking and punching is too violent for me.  I've tried the YogaX twice, but I only like the last 42 minutes of the 90 minute workout.  The first 48 minutes are crazy-town; and I thought Yoga was calm.  So the only workout I really do is the XStretch, which I like.  I get up around 5 to workout whimply.

Part of my problem is that I'm dieting at the same time.  I think I need more calories and more energy.  But what I really want is less fat and less weight, so something has to give.  I am sticking with it though until I get back to my Weight Watchers goal of 2008.  I'll be ready for summer.  I think all the P90Xers in my family will stick with it too.  They'll be ripped in 90 days.

Thursday

I drove to work on a sheet of ice.  The forester was sliding around and it took twice as long as usual to make the drive.  Our company left today, but by the time they got on the road, the sun was out and everything had melted.  Reed and Carolyn were the easiest guests ever.  They brought their own special food and Terry took care of all the cleaning, bedding, and everything else.  I left before they were up each morning, so I just visited with them for a few minutes each night.

I was exhausted though by tonight.  It's hard to start the week with a big deal like Valentine's Day, have company, be evaluated, go to book club, and get-together with family.  It felt like Tuesday should have been Friday.  This has been two weeks squeezed into one.  So tonight I just sat and watched American Idol.  I didn't even try to correct some paper during commercials.

Usually  I don't like country music, but I do like John Wayne what's-his-name on Idol.  He's made the cut so far.  And on Sunday the new Amazing Race starts and my favorite team ever, the cowboys, Jet and Cord, will be back on.  So I have a couple months to watch 3 cowboys.  Yipee ka yo!