Old Class Photos

Billy-Joe's Class 2005
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I find scrapbooking these photos really difficult. This is the second one I have done in a few weeks. In actual fact, they aren't that difficult at all............. I am really happy that I have started to scrapbook a little more now, seems I have the head space again. I even spent yesterday browsing the net for layout ideas..............it was like the old days of when I first started scrapbooking.........

Beach in June

Beach in June
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I love living in this wonderful place. I think it's fantastic that we can go to the beach, even in the winter time. The kids just love the beach, the sand, the water, the chips afterwards..........

News

Last night my good friend told me that she was pregnant. I was quite shocked at my own reaction to her news. I felt physically ill in the stomach!!! It was like someone had just told me that I was pregnant. I was just totally gobsmacked……….not only at the news but at my reaction to it. It didn’t last long, then all the other emotions rushed to me. I was happy for her, uncertain for her, concerned for her and excited for her. I just wanted to look after her………. She is a great mother, and I know her and her lovely husband have more than enough love to share around, the child will be lucky and blessed indeed to have such wonderful parents. I am actually looking forward to sharing this time with her. I guess it’s my way of vicariously enjoying another pregnancy without all the drama. Although, she will have health dramas of her own, so I am going to make sure I can be there to help her………..

The next few months are going to be interesting indeed.

I made it.

Well, I made it. I survived the whole term and came out the other side smiling. My kids survived too. It was a challenging time, funny that often the weekends were the hardest, trying so hard to keep on top of everything, and often thinking that I was losing that battle.

I am working some more next term. Six days per fortnight for the first month and then probably four per fortnight after that. I am really looking forward to it, and am glad that I am looked upon as someone worthwhile to have in the school. I am learning so much all the time, I love being there.

When my return was announced at parade in the last week, I was dismayed and left with a wonderful feeling inside, seeing how happy the kids were that I was coming back. A very heartening feeling, after the rocky start that we had.
I have lots to look forward to.

At the moment I am trying to cope with the fact that there's no income for another three weeks...............aaaccccckkkkk. I have no money left, and yet I still have direct deposits to cover......... Rock on tax time, that will be very handy indeed......

I need to blog more, gosh I am slack aren't I?

King of the castle

King of the castle
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

Love the colours of the set I took today. Here' s Mickey feeling like he's on top of the world. It's always lovely going to the beach in the winter time.

Red sky at night

Red sky at night
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

I have taken this a little on the dark side, but I still really like it. The moment was so quick, that before I realized I should have increased my exposure, the moment was gone. It's not often you see the red sky with the dark clouds......

Is the glass half full?

It's Sunday evening, just after half past five! Over the weekend I
* worked a seven hour shift on Friday night after a full day at work
* hung out washing, made beds, washed morning dishes
* went shopping for new books for work
* spent five hours doing paperwork
* watched "Bridget Jones's Diary"
* Hung up washing, and took down washing
* ironed week's clothes
* tidied house
* made beds
* did six hours paperwork

I spent yesterday morning, feeling quite shitty..................I want to do everything, and I want it done right! Why cant' a man see when things need doing? Why does a man let a child go outside and play in an ironed pair of shorts??? Why does a man not notice when children are wearing their good shoes while playing outside? Why does a man let said children walk in with said dirty shoes???

Ahhhhh shheeeeetttt!!!!! Maybe I expect too much. I hate being critical all the time, but I really think that living in damage control mode, saves alot of time in the long run. I think the problem, though, is that the only person who it actually saves time and money is me........so that's why I am the only one pedantic about all the little things..........

Now getting back to whether the glass is half full or half empty. I could look over my weekend's accomplishments and feel a smug sense of achievement couldn't I? I could think I have done a shitload of work, and I am tired, but not exhausted. Nervous about the week ahead but not fretting. Apprehensive about the challenge ahead, but no longer overwhelmed!

I want to work this term and I want to do it well, I know I am capable of good things if I only set my mind to it. I want to do my utmost to give these kids a great term. I want them to see me in the future and come up to me and tell me about their lives, because they miss having me everyday. I want my colleagues to look upon me as someone who is a wortwhile team player, someone who is grateful for their help and also supportive in return. I want the school to think of me as a valuable member of their staff for in the future too.

Why does writing this down always give one a sense of peace.......

I am sitting down, with a glass of wine, enjoying the rest of the evening and looking forward to the week ahead.

The glass is half full..........

A bit down

I am a bit pissed today............not happy at all actually. Well that's probably a bit of an exaggeration, but it makes me feel better to say that, nothing like a little self pity to set oneself back on the right track towards happiness and harmony now is there???

I went to WW today for the first time in three weeks, feeling oh so confident that I had lost a kg or even more. My WW pants which I have worn since the first weigh in, can now be taken off without even being unbuttoned, and, no, they aren't hipsters either..........so I was feeling very smug indeed. Mmmmmm, I had actually gained 100g. I was peeved.......... I need to look at my portion sizes, and I know in the last week I did go over in my points, but I didn't think it would effect the whole three weeks losses. Okay, I am over that little dummy spit, now onto the next one.

I was rung up on Saturday to see if I had any teaching commitments next term. Looks like the teacher I replaced on Friday isn't coming back for a little bit. The principal was ringing me on Monday to confirm details and arrange to get some stuff to me............well.......it's now Wednesday and I haven't heard from her. I can't ring the school, there is no-one there and I of course don't have the principal's home number. I started to loosely plan a mini unit for three days next week, but I really can't do any more at this stage. I wanted to relax this week, and plan the work for the time I was going to work for.............oh I hate being at the mercy of someone else.........

Well it's happened.........

Well it's absolutely amazing how one's life can go sometimes. Out of the last two weeks I have spent four days working as a relief teacher. I am amazed on many different levels.

* I am enjoying it heaps
* I can actually still do it
* It doesn't feel like ten years since I was last in front of the classroom
* The kids like me
* I can still cope at home
* I am not exhausted

Then this morning, the principal rang and asked me if I would be available for about three or four weeks next term, with the possibility of a contract for the whole term. I am really excited!!! Can you believe it? I am a teacher lol............. Somewhere in my dim, dark, previous life, I actually went to university!!! I have to pinch myself that I am actually a teacher, someone who is trained to plan, teach and evaluate, someone who is capable of earning good money, someone my dh and kids are really proud of. I bless the day that my dh, then very new boyfriend, encouraged me to do my degree. I was a mature aged student at the time, and university was a far cry from my life prior to then. We always said that it would be a good profession to get into, especially if we were to have children.

I am sitting here writing this with a very light and happy heart. I am so proud of myself. This has given my confidence an awesome boost...........

I find out on Monday, the exact details of my time at the school......

Still Going.

I am now in my seventh week of No count. I am still doing really well. I am enjoying how I am feeling. I love the food, so there's no drama there. Not having to count every single morsel that enters my mouth is so liberating. I can have a couple (not many) treats over the weekend, so I choose them very wisely.

I have a couple of challenges coming up in the next couple of weeks. Db is getting remarried on the weekend, and then dh's parents are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in another two weeks time. I will eat and choose wisely, and not drink too much either.

I know I can do this.........I am in for the long haul. I was wearing some shorts yesterday that I bought before Christmas. They were on special and were too tight. I knew that I would lose weight and they would fit..........well............they are too big now, I am always hitching them up................gosh that's a fabulous feeling. At another time, I bought singlet top which was bit tight, I wouldn't wear it when I first bougth it home, I felt like the michelin man in the top, too many lumps happening on my back...........!!! Now the top looks great.......

I love spending time on the WW forums, some great people there, and it's very comforting knowing there are others doing the same journey as I am.........

Look forward to weigh in on Wednesday as I haven't weighed in for two weeks, because of Sammy being sick last week..........

My first day

Well what a day! As luck would have it, the day that I had an organized volunteer day was also the day that Tracer called, and I would have had a paid teaching day. Nevertheless, I was really taken with everything at the Special School. I learnt so much on my first day. The setup there is fantastic, they are well resourced, it's clean, well organized and has the loveliest people working there. The teachers that I dealt with today, was just the most pleasant and amazing people. The work they do is great, their dedication to the kids is inspiring. I'd love to be like them one day. I think I did really well today, nothing that happened today repulsed or shocked me. I was well prepared mentally, and for that I thank the power of prayer, and my own ability to adapt to new situations.

I worked in three different areas. I also had the privilege of working with young kids and then with teenagers. All were different, but also very similar too, as their needs are all the same basic and fundamental needs of us humans. Caring for these individuals is a huge part of the job, and I that appeals to the part of me that always wanted to be a nurse.

I can't wait to do more volunteer days there, and I definitely am looking forward to doing a supply day there.......

Melbourne

Melbourne
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

A new stage in my life begins.......

Tomorrow I spend a day at the Special School as a volunteer. I have taken this on with the view of being considered as a relief teacher in the school. I am very nervous and also very excited. Last week I bought some 'Rescue Remedy' because Mickey still carries on like a banshee everytime I drop him off at preschool, so I thought a couple of drops of this would make him feel a little less anxious......hasn't worked yet!!!! Maybe I might take a hip flask with some in for me tomorrow lol.............too funny...............

I know I can do this, and I know I can be good at this............I know I can do this, and I know I can be good at this...................... wonder how many times I need to say that to actually believe it lol...............

Victoria Market 2

Victoria Market 2
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I could have spent hours and hours here, and spent alot of money. The food was a highlight for me.......oh how I miss the variety of food here.........

Victoria Market

Victoria Market
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

My Three boys

My Three boys, originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I was so sick this last Christmas. I am really happy that I have any decent photos at all. I guess when you take a gazillion, you got to get the odd good photo, even if it's only snapshot quality like this one. cute photo though, as it really depcicts their personalities.

Melbourne

Melbourne, originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

This was our first full day of our holiday. I so badly wanted to visit the markets again. My only regret is not buying more things. I could have bought myself a new pair of ugh boots, as my current pair were purchased from here twenty years ago. I of course at a souvlakia...............delicious!!!

Long time no see...........
I am slack aren't I? I really should spend more time writing in my blog. I enjoy reading those of others, but sometimes struggle with exactly how much info I want to publish in mine.

I am currently on my sixth week of Weight Watching. I am following the No Count programme, which I am really enjoying. I am never hungry, something I always felt on the points system. It suits the way I like to eat much better. To date I have lost 2.5kg, not huge amounts, but I am losing every week, something which I don't normally do so I am happy about that. Last weekend we had a scrapbooking retreat, it's usually a food disaster, but I continued with my No Count, and resisted all the temptations.

I am feeling really tired this week, I feel like all I want to do is sleep. I have alot on my mind too which doesn't help.

I have recently re-activated my teaching status, so I can do supply teaching. I am finding this really stressful, because I haven't been called in yet. In the mornings I feel so tired, worry about being called in, and, then later in the day, am sorry I didn't get called in. In all honesty I didn't think I would get called in until second term, as that's when everyone gets sick. But on the other hand, I am hoping they don't forget me.......... Later this week I intend to visit some more schools, probably add Mapleton to my list. I have also contacted Cath Ed, with the view of getting into the Catholic school system.

Stay tuned, for more frequent entries.......hope to upload some of my layouts too.

Jenny

Going to re-commit.........again!!!

I have decided, after the last few months of eating too many goodies, that in the New Year, I am going back to WW. I have just had the weekend where I have eaten a few non healthy items, and, even though I didn't eat too much, I felt like crap. I couldn't believe that my stomach could feel so bad after eating the wrong things. Today I have gone back to whole grain bread, and will eat steak and yummy vegies for dinner. The new WW program sounds intersting, I know I will succeed this time.

Look forward to learning all about the new program.

Beautiful flower

Beautiful flower
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

I have always loved sunflowers. Ever since I was a child, and saw the huge fields of these magnficent flowers all facing and following the sun. I have tried to grow them without great success. This one is beautiful, although, not as large as I was hoping it would become. I love their huge, yellow brilliance.