Mel's Box of Chocolates

I've been battling an awful head cold with an annoying cough for the past week and half, which has caused me to consume two bags of cough drops. What does this have to do with me shrinking or should I say not shrinking ? Well this week my weigh in looked like this... WEEK 3 / -0 / -4 I couldn't figure out what was going on. I stuck to my points (although I did use every single one) and even got in a couple workouts while I was coughing up a lung. Why did my scale let me down? As I started thinking about the week and what may have happened the cough drops kept coming to mind. Do cough drops contain points? Sure enough, when I checked the ingredients what did my eyes read, but sugar! If they had sugar then they most definitely had calories, and where there are calories there are Weight Watcher points. So even though I thought I had stuck with my points I was probably over by many thanks to the cough drops. So what have I learned this week...when coughing, buy sugar free cough ...

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Today we had an early dismissal due to...are you ready for it? SNOW! After many disappointing weather forecasts today some snow finally fell. So what if it was a whole 1/2", it was snow and we didn't waste anytime heading out to play.

Yep. That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling! I just watched my recorded LOST and boy am I confused. I sure hope that I am enlightened in the coming weeks because right now everything is about as clear as mud. Did you watch? What did you think? Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

Good to know I'm not an Elephant. Here I am in the middle of my third week of Weight Watchers (take 2) and realized I never posted my second weeks Saturday weigh in. I did meet my goal last week to stay within my points. I even tried not to use too many of my weekly allowance points either to help boost a loss. Here are my results. WEEK 2 / -1.5 / -4 Now unfortunately, I started the weekend off traveling which resulted in a croissant breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, McNuggets at McDonalds, a Brownie Sundae, and then French Fries coming home. I did great while visiting my brother and sis especially since my sis is doing Weight Watchers and made sure to make point friendly meals. It's the dang car ride and the food stops we make. My choices though!! So this week so far hasn't been too great. I'm all out of my weekly allowance points and even used some of my activity points from working out with hubby on Tuesday. One more day to go so hopefully today and tomorrow will b...

This is what I saw in Target the other day... Noooooooooo... Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

You may know that in November I found out that I had passed my National Board's . It was something that I worked very hard for. I put forth many hours of teaching, typing, and crying, along with a pocket full of money in order to earn the prestigious title of being an Accomplished Teacher. I don't think I have ever felt so proud of accomplishing anything in my life before. OK, yes giving birth to my kids may just pass it...by a fraction though! After I received notification that I passed, my mentor presented me with a pin and a silver key chain that had NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher) engraved on it. I received many congratulations and celebrated with family and friends. It was good times. Rcently I even received my first paycheck with the raise from the additional certification. However I had pretty much put the celebration to rest so nothing prepared me for what I received in the mail this week. After a long, hard day at school I came home to find a thick package from...

No, I didn't vote for him. But, the people spoke and I'm grateful that I live in a country that allowed my voice to be heard. Today a new President will take office. A President with big dreams. A President filled with hope. A President who wants to make America an even better place. Today, I will witness history being made. I will watch intently as our new President takes the oath and receives the keys to the White House. As an American I will support my country's new leader. Because together we stand, but divided we will fall. Congratulations President Obama. You and your family are in my prayers. Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

We're off to North Carolina. Me, the kids, and my mom. I already miss my hubby. Or maybe I'm jealous that he is alone and I'm not! Not sure if my brothers has his Internet up and running in his new house so I may pop in or I may not. If I don't talk to you...Have a great weekend!! Be back Monday. Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

I'm not really a huge bullet person. I usually go for the full sentence, whole paragraph, thing, but there is a first for everything. Let's recap. So far this week I... Froze my butt off in record low temps (it's only supposed to be getting colder) Thought a student died on my watch (no worries, he's still alive) Was told I didn't play well with others...by an adult...TWICE Exercised with hubby even with an upset stomach (that's dedication) Have two days left and 3/4 of my weekly allowance points left to use Had a 13 point snack Received two certificates from the State. One for Merit and one for Excellence. Don't worry cause you know you will be hearing more about this. Went three days without blogging or answering emails Twittered everyday at least twice Started a "Biggest Loser" Challenge at work Enjoyed lots of hugs and kisses from my kids Still have to... Get through the half day at school tomorrow (trust me, sometimes half days can feel like...

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Digging into the past was so enlightening. Just one more reason that blogging is good for you! I figured after sharing my story from the past, the least I could do is to talk about my future. After reading all my published posts about my journey I came to realization that my actual weight loss only happened during 10 months. I lost 40lb between January and October of 2007 and really since then have just maintained. Sure I've gained some weight here and there, but I have consistently also lost it. I am only 7lb heavier than I was at my lowest weight and we did just get over the holidays in case you didn't notice. Not too bad. I almost feel successful that I have been able to pretty much maintain my weight loss. But still. I haven't reached my goal weight. Not such a great feeling. For the past year I have fooled myself into thinking that I was continuing on my journey. I would half heartedly track points, exercise, and post about my weight every now and then. Wh...

If you have been following me for awhile you know that in January 2007 I joined Weight Watchers in an effort to lose some fat. Here's my story. I went back and forth whether or not I would share my journey on my blog, but in February 07 decided to finally talk about it . By March I had lost 20lb , was exercising regularly and feeling pretty darn proud of how well I was doing. After a few ups and downs I finally lost 10 more to make my total over 30lb by July . I then got stuck in a rut until after the school year began where I jumped back into losing mode by counting the points and doing all the right stuff and made it in the 140's ! Finally, in October I recorded my 40lb loss . By Thanksgiving 07 I was down to 140 , but then the holidays came around and in January I was up 7.5lb . (I heard that groan...thanks for the sympathy!). I am happy to say that I did end up getting most of it off, but then got stuck in a rut losing a half pound this week, gaining it the next week, losi...

Zoe's best friend wasn't at daycare yesterday since she was sick which made Zoe very sad. Her teacher, being the awesome teacher that she is, suggested Zoe make her a get well card. When I picked up Zoe the card was the first thing she wanted to show me. She came running up to me and with a huge smile and said, "Look at the card I made Anna. I'm giving it to her tomorrow because today she stayed home because she had a bug in her belly. " Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

Today the kids had their well visits at the pediatricians office. Both of them are doing just fine and dandy! At least today. When I picked up Zoe from her daycare though, I was informed that one child has been out for two days, another one was home sick today (this was Zoe's best friend so it was sad day at school), and one left early (Zoe informed me that he "throw up everywhere, mommy"). Guess I'll be making some emergency sub plans tomorrow? Do you think we have a chance? Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

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One thing that I wanted to make sure to tackle before going back to school was the kids rooms. I had gotten everything to their rooms a few days after Christmas, but there it lay in piles. So Saturday I wrestled the kids upstairs and we dove in to the mess. Finally, after a few hours of sweat, tears, and threats that everything was going into the trash (yep, that was me) we found a home for everything. Some old toys even found a new home in the trash and yard sale pile! By the time we were finished the kids rooms looked like this... and then naps were taken by all! Don't forget to visit 5minutesformom to see what everybody else has been tackling. Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

While you all are probably reading this post I will be in the classroom with 20 exhausted students. Being off for over 2 weeks has been awesome. I've enjoyed sleeping in, staying in pj's, taking naps, random blogging and twittering...oh yeah and celebrating Christmas and New Years. Now it is back to the blackboard, well actually whiteboard. Today will be a loooong day. One in which I will be begging for a nap before lunch I'm sure. On the flip side it will be nice to get back to a routine, be forced to get dressed, listen to my students Christmas stories, and begin to enlighten their minds. Remind me again...when is spring break??? Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter

In case you haven't figured it out... I love blogging. I enjoy the writing. I enjoy the sharing of pictures. I enjoy talking about life as a mom, teacher, woman. I enjoy meeting new bloggers. I enjoy getting products to review. and I especially enjoy hearing from all of you in my comments. Since the New Year is a time for making resolutions I thought that along with my regular and fashion resolutions that I would also like to make some bloggy resolutions too. So here are 5 goals I have for my lil' ol blog for 2009 Attempt to post daily providing me with an "out" and hopefully sparking conversations with you all. By writing thought provoking and entertaining posts earn more readers. It would be fantastic to hit the 300 subscriber mark by the end of 2009. Attend at least 1 blogger conference. I would love to attend Blissdom09 and/or BlogHer. Get my feet wet with some advertising on the blog. (If you're interested in advertising over there on my sidebar, email me...

With the coming of the New Year always comes those resolutions. Never one to miss out on setting some goals though here is what I will be doing for the New Year. I WILL spend daily time with my Father through a devotional and prayer. If you have a devotional that you enjoy tell me the title because I'm on the search for one. I WILL spend more time having fun with my family. No longer does daddy just get to be the fun parent. Cleaning and laundry can wait, I'm going to enjoy life with my kids! I WILL spend more ((ahem)) quality ((ahem)) with my hubby. That's all I'm saying on that subject. I WILL become more financially responsible by NOT be using credit cards for purchases. I WILL reach my goal weight and STAY there for the rest of the year. (I know, cliche, but I'm determined!) Did you make some New Year resolutions/goals? Leave me the link to your post so I can come cheer you on. Happy New Year!! Subscribe in a reader Follow me on Twitter