I might be crazy, but it's not my fault

I can't believe it's 8:00am on Saturday morning and I'm awake, especially considering we just finished the first week of school. Actually, because it was the end of the first week of school I totally went to bed at 9:00 last night and that's why I'm awake this morning. I honestly don't know when the last time I saw 8 on a Saturday morning was. Anyway, that is so not the point of this post...

First things first. The first week of school went well. I definitely had forgotten how tiring it is. My class is pretty great and I have some very fun personalities. I do have one little friend that cracks me up because he has an aversion to following directions (don't worry it's nobody any of you would know :)), I don't think he does it entirely on purpose but it is constant. At one point on Thursday I had total focus from the entire class except this kid who happened to be under his desk, we waited in complete silence for over a minute until he realized he was missing something. Crazy kids. On the other hand, I have several extreme rule followers who also make me laugh, especially when they point out that I may not be following the rules exactly! All in all, it's a great class (and we know not all classes are created equally, so I'm very thankful-sorry Marcy). We're really going to get down to business next week so it should be interesting to see how they respond to that.

In other news, I went back to the doctor on Thursday to get the results from my blood work he had taken about a month ago. Remember, that was when I learned I had a circadian rhythm problem and I wasn't living up to the societal norm. They called about a week ago to ask to set up an appointment to come in and talk about the results, I would have much preferred that they tell me over the phone that I was either fine or dying. I didn't really see the point in paying another co-pay! So, I went in and most everything was fine except (and these were the Dr.'s exact words) "[my] B12 levels are in the toilet." Apparently, in the toilet is not where they should be! To make a long story short there are two potential reasons for this, one-I haven't been eating enough vitamin B12 in my diet, or two-my body is not absorbing it when I eat it. Either way, a vitamin B12 deficiency is not necessarily a good thing. This is what it says on my lab work - "Patients with values this low may experience neuropsychiatric and hematologic abnormalities." My favorite thing I learned in doing some research on the internet, because the internet lets you become your own doctor, is that this deficiency can be the cause of dementia and psychosis. So, I might really be crazy and have a medical reason for it!

The good news is that this does seem to explain my symptoms - numb and tingling hands and feet, fatigue, being cold a lot. So, for now I need to take a B12 vitamin and then have some more blood work done. If it continues to be low I may have to have B12 injections. Oh boy, I love shots!

And lastly, I was going to post the other night how excited I am that football season has returned! I love, love, love football season! And I love, love, love Baylor football (not that they give me much reason to), but I just couldn't make myself write the post after we got our tails kicked by Wake Forest. A disappointing beginning to the season, but I'm confident we'll bounce back. I'm expecting that we'll show up big time for the only game that really matters - November 15th - when the Aggies come to Waco! I can't wait!

Alright, I'm off to the Sunflower Shoppe to find me some B12.

The Best Cutter-Outer Ever

I'm not sure if cutter-outer is a word, but it's definitely one thing I'm not. My lack of ability in the cutting out and making cute little things arena is probably reason number one I never made it as an education major at Baylor. And, maybe that's why God gave me a friend who is so good at it!

For the second year in a row, I have been saved from the dark world of cutting out stuff by my good friend, Kristy. There is no telling how many things she has cut out for me, but I'm certain the number would be huge. I don't know how she does it, but I appreciate it SO much. It is because of her that my class will be able to enjoy some amazing new file folder games!

So, thanks Kristy for being the best cutter-outer ever! You rock!

My first day of school

I survived the first day of school! However, I was so exhausted that I was in bed and passed out by 8:30 - a very rare thing for me. And, now it's 5:00 in the morning and I'm wide awake. Strange!!

The day went pretty well I guess. I felt like I was rushed the whole day and while we covered lots of things, I'm not sure I covered any of them really well. I also seemed to forget that even though they're great, you sometimes have to tell/show them more than once exactly what you want, especially when all the really good kids leave the class for half the day! Oh well, I guess I get a do-over today!

I just learned that word searches are high on the list of what kids like to do on the first day of school so I'm going to get busy making one. Happy second day of school everyone!

I don't really know what I am

Well, tomorrow is the big day. The first day of school. I have been trying for several days to figure out what exactly I'm feeling. I am a little nervous, somehow, no matter how many years you've been teaching this happens. I'm a little anxious, just ready for it to get here already. I'm a little worried, what if the kids think I'm a dork and don't buy into my philosophies? I'm a little excited, it will only take a few minutes until I'll be so stinkin' glad that school is back.

So, as you can see, I'm not really sure what I'm feeling. I guess it's just a little of everything. What is especially strange to me is that I don't remember ever feeling this way before school started. I honestly think it's because I've never had this much time to sit around and think about it! Last year at this exact moment I was still at school trying to pull my class together in time. I believe I left the school at 8:00 pm that night. I guess I can easily choose being nervous/anxious/excited instead of being totally overwhelmed and afraid that I would run out of time.

Here's a little glimpse into how teachers deal with all their beginning of the year stress - we drink! For me, Diet Coke does the trick, but some people like something a little stronger - like Dr. Pepper!

How many glasses did you have that day Deneise?

I better go decide what color polo shirt to wear tomorrow. You didn't think I would dress up on the first day, did you?

If only there was proof

Several weeks ago I challenged my good friend, Kristy, to a challenge through the Nike+ website. The challenge was to see who could run the most miles in two weeks. After running hard for two weeks, I simply couldn't do anymore and Kristy beat me. I believe I documented her win here.

I was so worn out from all that running that I took an entire week off from running. Kristy was apparently determined to make me run again and this time challenged me and Shellee. You might remember all the cursing Shellee was doing. Once again, the challenge was to run the most miles in about two weeks. I was absolutely determined to win the "trophy" this time. It's just a picture of a trophy that goes in your "trophy case" on the website, but still, I really wanted it!

There really wasn't anything we wouldn't do to win! Running in the heat, running twice a day, running away from scary people, running crazy distances, anything it took. So, we're all running our hearts out and enjoying some friendly "trash talk" (a fun component of the Nike+ website) when we realize Shellee will be leaving for vacation a few days before the challenge ends. Being the fair people we are, we all agreed the challenge would end last Thursday night. I was thrilled to see that at the end of the night on Thursday, I was the winner! All the blood and blisters was totally worth it! I believe my total for two weeks was slightly over 56 miles. Amazing! 56 miles in two weeks AND I get a trophy! It was enough to make me feel like I won the Olympics.

Since we were ending the challenge a few days early, we decided to go ahead and press the "End Challenge" button. What we didn't know was that the "End Challenge" button actually means "Remove Your Challenge from Existence." So, just like that, two weeks, 56 miles, and MY trophy, are all gone! And, I find that absolutely hilarious. Irony at it's finest!

I'm hoping that maybe Kristy and Shellee will agree to a medal ceremony, you know, in the spirit of the Olympics!

Yours, not mine

It's amazing to me that I can spend an entire day (or days) going through life and at the same time doing battle with myself on the inside. I've found that I think way too much and much of it quickly turns to worry...will I get everything done in time? Will this be the year that nothing goes right? The questions and thoughts go much deeper of course, but there are too many to share.

This evening I found myself a bit overwhelmed by all my thoughts and finally took them where they should have gone the moment I first thought them. To the feet of Jesus. I've wrestled with what to pray and how to pray for the last several weeks when James preached from Matthew 6. I don't want to just pray my long list of "needs" or worries and ignore that the God who created the universe, the God who knows every star by name, the God who holds the whole world in His hands - already has it all figured out. So, I'm choosing this prayer...while short, it says everything it needs to...Your will, Jesus. Not mine.

Ouch

I've run quite a bit in the last couple days. Perhaps, too much. Check out my sock when I took my shoe off tonight...

That's blood, and that's no bueno.