My Weight Loss Journey

OK, some of you might be saying, what does weight loss have to do with homeschool blogs? A lot actually. As my journey continues my children learn about good nutrition, proper portion sizing, control of impulse eating and importance of some kind of exercise. So, why the MS book? I have mentioned in the past that I felt I had MS. I am almost 100 percent certain I do, now. As I get older, and some of the symptoms, change or I get flare ups of the symptoms, I have to adjust to my activity schedule. Because MS is a disease that can be debilitating, it is very important to me that I stay active and keep as much strength and endurance as I can. Two school years ago, we began a walking regime, three times a week, nothing hard just getting out and walking. I lost 15 pounds that first year. Doesn't sound like much, but I believe in baby steps. I am not someone who wants to drop 50 pounds in six weeks. Since that time, I have added portion control, less carbs not no carbs, a more intense walking workout twice a week, and some yoga. Yoga is quite wonderful for stretching and relaxation. It helps control pain and anxiety. Yoga is not easy, however, and you have to ease into it. I have lost almost 40 pounds in two years. And while I am not at my goal yet, I will get there. Plus, my kids are training for their very first mile run race in July. This has been very good for all of us. Now if I could just convince my husband to be more active. I don't write this for pity, I don't believe in such things. I write it for knowledge and strength of my inner self. Plus, to hopefully help someone else struggling with a chronic illness. You don't have to beat the illness to live with it. You do however, have to be willing to change your lifestyle and choices, in order to avoid living at the doctor's office, or living on medicine.

I Am On A Mission.... Because I Am Irritated

I renewed my Florida nursing license this morning, and I actually considered not doing it. I have been a nurse for 23 years, this year. Why do you think I was not going to renew it? Because I am irritated with an incident that occured this weekend at my job. It sort of directly involved me, but more so one of my coworkers. She ended up being scolded for something she was not comfortable doing, and did not feel properly trained and or unable to do due to the laws of Florida. Now I went home before I knew what the outcome was, but it has been bothering me since Saturday. So I am on a mission to read the entire Nurse Practice Act for the state of Florida, and any other document to find the info I need to arm myself should the incident occur again. My employer is fully aware, that I will not put my license in jeapordy for their own benefit. This has caused me to be in hot water with them in the past. I am not the type to be bullied, and I have no intentions of starting now. I will guard myself with the info I need to protect myself, as I believe in the end knowledge is power. I have to renew my NY nursing license as well, within the next 30 days. On a plus note the new local hospital finally got their funding, after four years, and construction will soon begin. I can not wait, hospital nursing is my true love, and I hope to return to it soon.

Lesson Plans for 6/09/09:

Early release day
Spelling: review
Language Arts: Compound sentences, word order, poetry time
Math: Division with remainders
Science: Our changing earth

Even The Dog Is A Steelers Fan, Free Rice

The Pittsburgh Steelers, clinched a playoff spot, and a first round bye on Sunday. Who cares you ask? Only every single member of my family, even the dog. All but me. I am a lowly Bills fan, who of course crash and burned yet again this season. My husband has kindly offered to purchase me a Steelers jersey, so I would fit in, and I told him it would burn my skin lol. Congrats to the Steelers, and to the Bills please, please get rid of Losman.

In my Family Circle magazine, I just purchased they had some cool websites you can visit for charitable causes. Want to give, but do not have extra money? Then visit http://www.freerice.com I tried it this morning, and you can test your knowledge of grammar, math, geography, and others. Every time you get a correct answer, they donate a specified amount of rice to countries in need. I will be having my son give it a try, later today. It is a great way for them to learn, as well as give. The questions you miss, are repeated thereby reinforcing learning. I love it!

Lesson Plan for 12/17/08:

Writing: Book report for Sunset of the Sabertooth
Social Studies: Kentucky, St Nicholas http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23
Spelling: Lesson 13- Write each spelling word and circle the consonants
Vocabulary: Lesson 13- Write a synonym for each vocabulary word
Language Arts: Adverbs, capitalization
Math: Place value, multiplication, division
Spanish: Food and utensils part 2

New Jersey Law Requires Flu Vaccine For Young Children

The state of New Jersey, has passed a law requiring, children be vaccinated with the Flu Vaccine. If your child needs to go to preschool, school, or even day care, you will be required to give them the Flu shot, in New Jersey. I know there is a lot of controversy over vaccines, in general. Some people feel, the Mercury, in older Vaccines caused such illnesses as Autism, Asthma, Developmental Disabilities, ADD, etc. While all reports say Mercury is no longer in current vaccines, the controversy still exists. Most studies, also show that Mercury could have never caused these conditions. However, there are parents who are still reluctant to get standard vaccines, such as MMR, HIB, Prevnar, etc. How do I feel about this? My children, both have had the basic standard vaccines, such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, and Chicken Pox. The Chicken Pox I did not want, but was made to believe it was mandatory, which at the time was not. My children have not received Prevnar, nor will my daughter get Gardisil, and definately not the Flu shot. The Flu is not a deadly disease, it is treatable. Not only that the vaccine, is not accurate. They never know for sure, which strain will actually be the strain that makes people sick. Sometimes you just have to let your body deal with illness, naturally, not by man made resources. If your body is never exposed to an illness, it will never learn to respond naturally to one. Children under the age of 6 months, should not receive the Flu vaccine. Pregnant women, or anyone who is allergic to eggs, should not receive the Flu vaccine. Be sure you are aware of these things, before you accept a Flu vaccine. I would never tell someone not to vaccinate their child, it is your choice, and that is my main argument here. No state should have the authority, to tell you that you have to have a Flu vaccine. The major illnesses, are a different thing in my opinion, because they are severely deadly, should you catch one of them. One more note, people who are already immuno suppressed, are recommended to get the Flu vaccine. The reasoning, is because they already have a decreased ability to respond to infection, and the vaccine may help them to not get the Flu, which for them may cause severe illness, or even death. Be knowledgeable, know what you are being given, and then make a decision, based on what is best for you.

Tomorrow, is test day, so I have no lesson plan to post. Tomorrow I will be adding contest updates, review of our first 30 days of school, and a cute pumpkin cake that is easy to make.