Vaccines

At our staff meeting they unveiled the district's policy concerning measles.  A case hasn't been reported in the state of Idaho, but it's all around us and we rank 48th in vaccinated students.  If we can't prove we've had the measles or the vaccine, and a student at our school comes down with the measles, we have to be out for 21 days and the days are charged to our sick leave.  If another case of measles comes up, we're out for another 21 days. Students that aren't vaccinated also must stay home for the 21 days.  Most of us don't have proof.  Our vaccines were out of state, long ago, so we're all making plans to get the MMR booster.  They also want us to have Hepatitis A and B, and I need a Tetanus.  Actually, employees over 56 don't have to worry about the measles policy, because measles were so rampant when we were young, they figure we've had them or built up immunity.  I'm going to get the vaccine anyway, because I've never had the mumps.  I figure I don't want any of those diseases so I'll start getting everything caught up.

That evening, Ty called to say he needed the meningitis vaccine because of cases on the U of O campus, and one death.  By the time I figured out that he was already vaccinated, he had gotten another one.   At least the two of us will feel disease protected.    

Charles Dickens

I always liked Tale of Two Cities and A Christmas Carol, but I never thought I'd read David Copperfield.  It was way too long, but I ended up with a free Audible copy whispersinced to my free Kindle copy, and I gave it a listen.  I read parts of it at night, but most of it I listened to as I was getting ready in the morning.  The narration is 33 hours and 54 minutes!  That's a long book, and I loved every minute of it!  I guess I'll have to take on Oliver Twist and Great Expectations and Bleak House.

End of Meltdown Challenge

We finished our online Meltdown Challenge and both of us were winners - just barely.  I had to wait until the last possible day to weigh out.  I was down 6% plus about a pound, but the Oscar party had set me back about 4 days. (One night off and four days to rebound, but it was worth it.)  I'm glad I'm back on track.  I'm sticking to the 5 small meals and one lean and green.  I'm really not hungry, which makes it easy and I'm losing!

Terry almost didn't make it because he was trying to maintain, but ended up losing 5.9 pounds, and they allow you to go up 1 pound or down six.  He's excited to be fitting in pants that he hasn't worn for a few years.  He's also excited to be coaching.  He's planning on going down to Salt Lake to attend a conference or some training with his cousin.  He's excited, and so am I.  I always love a couple days alone, and I'm behind on reading and Downton Abbey.  

Oscar Party - 2014

It wAs THe bESt !!

It's the 75th anniversary of Gone With The Wind, which is Lydia's favorite movie. Decorations, games, food, and prizes all followed the Gone With The Wind theme.  It was big, and extravagant, just like the movie - and long.  We started at 4:00 and I crawled into bed at 11:15.  

This was our Scarlett O'Hara invitation.

Our Oscar surprise and swag bag were the first awards of the night.  It left Lydia speechless....but she did come up with an acceptance speech. My piano took 2nd place to some very yummy Cuban sandwiches, but I don't remember what the movie was.  I won a Southern Taste of Home cookbook. I also won a biography of Margaret Mitchell, two bottles of peach soda (non-wine drinker), lots of movie theater candy, and I now know a lot of Gone With The Wind trivia.  I also knew more of the words to My Own True Love (from Gone With The Wind) because it was the theme of my sister's Jr. Prom - 1972, and I went.... with a guy named Curt.  I can't remember his last name, but I do remember that they had covered the high school gym with red, ornate, flocked wallpaper.  But I digress.  Brit had the most popular boyfriend, and Marsha's ballot had the most correct.  We talked about all the dresses, make-up, hair, speeches, presenters, music, stars, and movies.  And we all wore feather boas!  It really was the best party yet. 

 

Here's my loot.  I forgot to mention my Audrey Hepburn playing cards.

Prep-Stress

The Oscars are this weekend and I have a big party to go to.  It's one of my favorite days of the year - definitely the best party - but it's also stressful.  Besides our fill-out ballots and our choice of an Oscar boyfriend, we have to bring a food that represents a movie.  I've won twice in the past, but this year is hard because you have to narrow down your favorite movie, and then come up with a food.  I was between Casa Blanca and The Sound of Music, but found a piano for Sam, in Rick's Cafe, easier to deal with than a guitar or a mountain range.  I think it will be great.

Who knew they made white chocolate Kit-Kats?

Adding to the stress, this is the 20th anniversary of the party, and we decided at the last party that we needed to make this year special for our host.  One person ordered a replica of the Oscar online and has it inscribed with her name for Best Oscar Party Hostess.  The rest of us are bringing (nice) things to put in her own swag bag.  Every year we leave with bags of movie candy, necklaces, funny purses, DVDs, books, wine, movie tickets, and more.  This year we're going to fill a bag for her.  The problem is that we didn't get on it until Thursday, and since I sent the e-mail, I'm now in charge.

Today I went shopping with Mary at Cost Plus.  We found a great travel journal and special trip tags.  (Lydia is a world traveler.)  We put together movie concessions for the stars: French lemonade, Lees fine chocolates, and some very gourmet, non-GMO, vegan, popcorn. Then we found a big Virgo coffee mug with all the stars on it and special coffees. The party theme is all southern, so we put in special magnolia hand cream, a Southern Comfort peach cobbler candle, and a gift card for a mani/pedi.  Others are bringing good wine and a wine journal, and real bling.  There will be more surprises too.  Thank heavens everything is coming together.  I've devoted my whole weekend to my ballot, my cake, and the swag bag.    

A Healthy New Year!

Of course, being healthy and losing weight were part of my New Years resolutions.  My sister-in-law invited Terry and I to take part in an online Meltdown Challenge.  It was a six week challenge and we're on the last week.  I've earned all the points that I need and I think I'll make the 6% weight loss goal, plus a little.  It's helped me get back in a good exercise routine in the morning, and I've learned a lot because each day there are little videos and readings on the website.  You get points for keeping a food journal and an exercise journal, reading and watching things, getting 7+ hours of sleep, drinking enough water, and checking in with your health coach.  

I didn't know in the beginning, but most of the people (and there are thousands of them) doing the challenge are working on the Take Shape for Life program.  They have certified health coaches, and special food.  Our health coach is Terry's cousin, who lost 50 pounds, six years ago and kept it off.  You're suppose to eat something every 2-3 hours like a shake, a bar, or some meal replacement, and have only one lean and green meal each day. We signed-up and this is our first day on the new program.  Every meal and snack are a balance of carbs and protein.  They're also formulated to keep your blood sugar level low. You're not suppose to be hungry or crave things, and everything is healthy.  

I'm excited about using this program to get all of my extra weight off.  I think by summer I'll like myself more and feel better.  Terry doesn't need to lose anything, but he's interested in all of the health stuff.  He'd be a great health coach.  We'll see what the next few months bring.

High Councilman

Terry was called to be a High Councilman in our stake today.  He's never done that before and I think he'll love it.  The timing is just right.  He's been feeling like he'd like to do something new.  

He's also been doing a new kind of scripture study for the past few years. It's like the P90X of scripture study.  It's become something that he loves to do, and he's had the time to do it a lot.  He merges reading the scriptures with his Gospel Library notes, with everything tagged, labeled, and highlighted.  The speaking part will be easy for him, and I know he'll love preparing.

It's good timing for me too, since I don't have a calling where I need to be there on Sundays. (I do compassionate service/humanitarian service for the Relief Society.)  I'll be able to go with him and listen to his talks.  I'll make sure he keeps them interesting.