SnowOwl

I've been off the forum for a bit, and am just catching up with you. I'm so sorry for your loss. I love the dog.

So, this challenges hasn't worked out. I will be trying again! This is were I am today. Shark week ended and it did help a lot, however, I'm still struggling with personality clashes at work. I need to focus on this as an opportunity to grow and become more confident and strong. I really need to be ok with my lessons and my teaching regardless of who is watching/critiquing me. I'm going to screw up, but I just need to be myself and keep improving as a teacher. Last year I went to counseling and let go of all my anxiety. It was not very challenging to maintain once I was rid of it as there wasn't much that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Now I'm being pushed constantly and I need to find that calm vibe I had even though things are more stressful now. I think some anxiety has crept back in and I haven't been focusing on it. I need to focus on that so it doesn't become a big issue again. (seriously, heart rate of 112 just driving down the road!) I also need to do some soul-searching and make sure I'm living the life I want to be living. I think I am most of the time, but I get swept up into things and forget where I was going. I need to decide what my priorities are and make sure I'm living them. I also need to coordinate these priorities with my husband and make sure we are moving in a direction that is beneficial for both of us. (He's struggling right now and I need to be showing him that he is a top priority to me.) Also, fitness! Currently I'm doing nothing. It's starting to effect my sleep and probably isn't helping my stress levels. It's winter, it's gray and foggy and snowy and icy and I need to just accept that I do not now have nor will I soon regain the motivation to work out. However, I could be doing some relaxing stretchy yoga in the evenings before bed. I think it would help a lot. So, time to do some thinking and acting. I'll keep you posted! I think your method for dealing with your boss is my best option at this point. (I'm pretty sure she logged into my work email and read all my emails today. Which left me somewhat speechless this morning, but now seems ridiculous and just makes me laugh. *thankfully!*) I may need to confront her a bit at some point, but I'm going to wait until absolutely necessary as I am not calm around her and probably wouldn't do it very well. Although I am going to suggest we schedule a regular meeting and try to avoid spontaneous sessions. I'll just tell her that I am usually thinking of other things when she stops me in the hall and would rather she have my full attention at a sit down conference.

I'll be right there with you. Failed challenge, failed challenge, but hey - here we are and respawning over and over is WAY better than quitting!

Just catching up as winter emotional challenges are hitting my house. It sounds like you've had some big challenges, but are really working through them! You are always so inspirational - confronting friend issues, keeping moving, working on your thoughts. You really help me keep making baby steps every time I'm ready to quit.

That made me laugh! I'll try remembering that when she's watching me work tomorrow!

We had about 2.5 feet before the rain and ice came. It looked worse in Portland as far as road conditions though, at least the bad roads seemed to last longer for you.

Warning, rant ahead. Really having a rough day today. Anyone have tips for dealing with difficult supervisors? I have a new one who is supposed to be "coaching" me. However, she is so judgmental that she puts me on edge and makes me feel so defensive and combative I can barely be civil to her. She means well, and is knowledgable, but we have extremely different viewpoints on many job-related things. There are things she could really help me with, but she riles me up so much I'm having really hard time being open to learning from her. And she keeps telling me more things I have to do. I'm not sure if I really do or not or what not following her instructions would mean as far as retaining my job next year. Although, as I write this, I'm not so sure I would care. After having to spend a huge amount of time with her today I am contemplating calling in sick tomorrow since I know she is planning on coming in to "help" me again. She actually counted how many times I said something today! And if she hadn't been standing there judging I would have been so much more together! I'm not sure how to maintain my self and my good work when I get so stressed out everytime she comes in the room. It is her job to observe now and then, I'm just not sure how to ignore the fact that she's there. I was loving my job so much! It's making me so sad and mad that she is ruining it. (and that I'm letting her) Realistically, I'll wait until shark week is over and my emotions are more even before thinking about this, but today I am feeling bad and I can't talk about it with anyone here because it's too small of a town which makes it even harder to deal with. I was talking to a relative who was sure she didn't know anyone that would be working with me out here, and then I started describing the challenges I was having and she replied "Oh, is her last name _______." Crap. So I'm sending you all my rant and hopefully no-one knows anyone I work with, lol.

I really need to follow your example and get moving again! I wish you lived near me so I had someone to drag me out to zumba and other good stuff!

When I was a kid they were, but the past decade or two they have not been. This winter however has been more like the ones when I was a kid. I guess it's relative though, for people in many areas our winters would still seem short. Long enough for me though! Nov/Dec - Feb/March. (The snowy part of winter anyway.) The school in the next town over is applying for a waiver from the state so that they aren't required to make up the 8 snow days they have had this month. I'm ready to get back into running and rejoin the Hogwarts Running Club, still have a couple more months of waiting though.

Not so well, but I did get a cute new dress from eBay! I have been getting a little exercise in this week because I have to hike up and down my icy-snowy driveway everyday, but nothing else. My work hours were easy to maintain as we had another snow day and lots of delayed starts. (Although I didn't keep track and probably spent too much time online doing optional research and planning.) Housecleaning isn't happening, thankfully my husband is keeping up without me. Fun...I will try to get together with a friend next weekend, if the roads are open. She lives out here in the country too so I think she would be willing to hike in to my place for some painting or something. Maybe we need to have a girl party in town and invite some other snow-bound ladies for games and food! The problem would be how to get home after dark, hiking in the dark with lions and bears around isn't something I like to attempt. Maybe we'll have a daytime party. I keep not participating on here, but I get more motivation when I do. I'm off to read your threads! (And I'm heading into shark week.) I may just need to respawn after the ice and snow melt

So, my weekend vacation has been a miserable failure. Tons of chores and grumpiness. I have realized that trying to have a stay-at-home vacation when I don't have the house to myself is very challenging, if not impossible. But, I'm going to try to pull out of my bad mood and give it one more try! I can't avoid all the chores and things that have to be done, which feels crappy on a "vacation", but I can make sure plenty of good things are happening too. Which is actually probably a better thing for long-term good habits anyway - not either or, but a mix of fun and chores. So my to do list for this afternoon (mixed among loads of laundry and hauling firewood): watch a movie with popcorn and ice cream and possibly cookies (if I bake some) play a game maincure pedicure hot bath with a good book try 3 new hairstyles Order one new outfit online

Quidditch Practice - Hiked (and sledded) my driveway a few times, then did a short yoga practice before bed! Hogsmeade - So far, no progress with plans for this weekend. Time-Turner Ban Total for this week: 8.5+8+1+8=25.5 Today: 8 hours at school *Delayed start again. Kids are challenging after a snow day! The Burrow -

It may be spring before I can find my car again... (It's not the red one.) View from my front door. Recycling by sled.

Snow Day! My school closed for the day! My school never closes for snow, but the road crews haven't been able to keep the highway clear because so much snow has fallen recently. I took some photos and video of the snow today, I'll try to get them up soon. Quidditch Practice - I had to get gas in my truck so I hiked up and back this morning, also hauled wood, shoveled paths, and shoveled out my truck so I could drive it. Then my husband I went sledding on the driveway so I hiked up it a few more times! Hogsmeade - Emailed my cousin to cancel our visit. They are only allowing driving in the city if you have chains on, the freeway was closed again today - it just seems like a bad idea to go on a trip right now. I'm not sure what my vacation-at-home will be, but I'll figure something out! Time-Turner Ban Total for this week: 8.5+8+1=17.5 Today: 1 hour - grading papers *This goal is so easy this week with late starts and a snow day, but I really needed the extra time to get things a bit more organized (I can easily go into school and have 1.5-2 hours to get work done before the kids arrive and still not hit my limit for hours). I still have along way to go, but I'm feeling more relaxed and competent. The Burrow shoveled some of the paths, brought in firewood, made dinner, helped haul up the recycling

That is an awesome thing to be grateful for! lol I hope tomorrow is a million times better!

Ok, the snow is fun and all, but I have to drive! About 5 minutes before dismissal the admin lady came into my classroom and told me to get my boots on and go home immediately as the snow was starting to drift across the road (rural highway). There was one section where the left-hand lane (not the one I should be in) was plowed, but my lane wasn't, since there weren't any cars coming, I decided to drive in that lane instead. I came around a bend and saw headlights and slowed way down before I attempted to get back into the deep snow in my lane, but it was the snowplow and he was in the wrong lane to so we were all set! I did get my truck stuck at the top of my driveway though. I eventually got it out of the way so other cars can pass, (shared driveway) but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it out tomorrow. We had a delayed start again today so my hours are on track! Also, I am having extra time in the morning to prep so I am getting more work done too! Quidditch Practice - hiking up my 1/4 mile driveway this morning and back this afternoon in the snow; shoveling paths to the house and out to the chicken coop Hogsmeade - Given the weather, I am extremely doubtful that I will be getting into the city this weekend. So, I'm going to start planning a back-up stay-at-home vacation. Time-Turner Ban Total for this week: 8.5+8=16.5 Today: 7 hours at school and I'm guessing another 1-2 hours at home tonight (I'll update tomorrow) The Burrow shoveled some of the paths, made a fire, off to prep dinner

Monday: We had a delayed start today so I didn't go in until 8am and I left right at 3:30 so I could get in a quick cross-country ski at home with my husband and dog. I then worked another hour at home in the evening. My husband was home today so he took care of most house-things today. Quidditch Practice: cross-country skiing Hogsmeade: Everything is set for a weekend in the city (Portland, Oregon), it's now just dependent on the weather and the roads staying open. Time-Tuner Ban: 8.5 hours The Burrow: I'm off to clean the bathtub and then relax in it.

I'm trying to come back, but teaching is taking all my energy! So last week I met my Time-Turner Ban goal and am on track to meet my Hogsmeade goal (assuming the freeway is open next week - it's been closed almost weekly lately due to winter weather). I did not do well with The Burrow. I think I need to push this goal to weekends, it's not realistic for me to do more than the minimum afterwork. So, I need to pitch in and help with regular chores afterwork (fire, dinner, dog, chickens) and then put in at least 2 hours of creating a welcoming and peaceful home on the weekends. I am finding I have zero motivation to do fitness. Part of this is busy-ness, but part is also the time of year - it's dark when I leave, dark when I get home and there is about 2 feet of snow covering everything. I need to stop fighting this and try to work with it. So my new fitness goal is to do some form of fitness for at least 20 minutes each day, and 1 hour minimum on non-school days. (The minutes have to add up, it doesn't have to be all at once. So, if I do gonoodle.com with my kids a few times each day I can count all those minutes!) I think we'll call my new fitness goal Quidditch Practice!

Oops, not doing so well at posting. Wingardium Leviosa On Tuesday I attempted a half-pull-up, twice. I’m having second thoughts about this goal and am thinking daily yoga might be better for me right now. I need to decide before next week begins… Hogsmeade No progress on the dinner plans, but we have confirmed a date for our weekend in the city! Time-Turner Ban M- 2 hours (no school) T- 9.25 W- 10 TH- 10 *I got a lot of work done today which feels good. The water pipes at school froze and all the kids got sent home 3 hours early! Then the water immediately started running again so I stayed and got lots of work done, but still made it home early. My dog was very happy - I took him for a mini-cross-country ski around the yard (.5 mile) since I got home before dark! The Burrow Totally forgot this goal. I’ve done 15 minutes in the last three days. I need to get moving on this! Friday: Nothing to report except work hours - 9.25 So, my work goal is looking good this week. I have 21 stories to edit tomorrow and some planning to do, but since there was no school Monday I should be able to do this and still stay within my limit. I have a mountain of firewood to stack tomorrow so that should help me catch up on "The Burrow" goal. But I still need a plan to keep up with it next week and figure out my fitness goal.

Monday update: Wingardium Leviosa No progress today, although I did hang from the bar and I think I may not be able to start with half pull-ups right away. I'm going to try though. Hogsmeade Emailed my cousin/friend in the city to start scheduling a mini-vacation at her house. Also started looking for possible dates for dinner with one of my husband’s friends. Time-Turner Ban I worked around an hour and a half at home today. We go back to school from winter break tomorrow. The Burrow 30 minutes done! I cleared the table, took out the extra leaves, and did laundry.

I have a spaghetti squash sitting here and I had no idea what to do with it! Now to actually make this...

Following for relaxing home inspiration! Will you be sharing progress photos with us?

I know! I saw it and was excited and then ended up needing to take a forum break. I hope it went well for you. lol, hmmm I'm not sure if I'm brave enough, but that sure would hold me accountable! Things are rather out of hand right now. I think I will go take before pics right now before I have time for thinking and making a better decision.

Wingardium Leviosa I will practice top-half pull-ups three days each week. Hogsmeade I will take a vacation at least once each month. I will do something fun with a friend at least once each month. Time-Turner Ban I will work 50 hours or less each week. ( I will document all time spent on or at work.) The Burrow I will spend 30 minutes every day creating a relaxing home.

I opened my gift today! (I didn't even think that it might have been a gift, I've been so busy) I was so excited!