One of the best things I've ever done was to see a Registered Dietitian (found in the yellow pages, or through a diabetes treatment center) and get an eating plan designed just for me. In my case, I am prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if I don't eat often enough, or if I eat too many high-glycemic carbs. I also have diabetes in both sides of my family. At the time I saw her (5-6 years ago), I was about 30 lbs. overweight as well, not sleeping well, sluggish, and at high risk of diabetes in the future. She gave me a 1600 cal/day eating plan consisting of 3 meals + 3 snacks. It incorporates the diabetic exchange eating plan and exchange lists but tailored for hypoglycemia. Following this way of eating (I don't like to call it a "diet", since "diets" are typically a temporary way of eating with the single goal of losing weight) teaches proper portion sizes, meal planning, and a good balance of all the nutrients. What's more, anyone can do it; it's not just for diabetics or those like me prone to hypoglycemia, but for anyone who wants to learn to eat healthier to control their weight, whether to lose, gain, or maintain. Therefore, it can be followed for the rest of one's life. It incorporates wholesome, healthy foods including nuts, potatoes, grains, rice, and other foods that people think they need to avoid like the plague just to lose weight. But again, it's not a silly, crazy, fad diet. It's just the way we should eat. Eventually, it becomes second-nature, and it is now "just what I do" without giving it too much thought. It is also important to eat often enough that the body doesn't get too hungry, at least 3 hours apart, and to make healthy food choices, nutrient-dense foods packed with vitamins and minerals. In addition, I've made regular exercise a part of my life. I ALWAYS take stairs (unless I'm with someone who won't), and we ride bikes and walk most days of the week. I've lost 45 lbs., and I feel stronger and better than I have in years. I have more energy than I did 15 years ago, and I'm over 50. My hormones don't bother me anymore. I sleep very well (prior to this I woke up every night and didn't get back to sleep). I'm no longer overweight so I just continue the same way of eating, but adding some foods to maintain my weight, or adjust based on increase/decrease in exercise. Again, it's not a diet... it's a way of life. I do it one day at a time... I make healthy choices today, and pass up temptations (like fries) by saying "maybe next time". Next time, I do it again. I do eat those foods but only on rare occasions. And, I don't view them as "fattening" or evil foods... just not healthy ones, and I make a healthier choice instead. It's all about health and nutrition, not weight or clothing size. The weight will come off and the clothes will fit better over time, but the individual daily choices should be made with the goal of better health. And another good thing about regular exercise, especially vigorous exercise such as cycling, is that it requires high-glycemic carbs for energy. That's when I eat those goodies, just before, during, and after a ride. Otherwise I limit them to just occasionally, and just one. Like gibby3000, after years of eating this way this is now my preferred way of eating. I automatically reach for healthy choices, not junk. I eat what I should, then stop. It's not a diet -- it's just the way I eat now.

Eandhl, that sounds a little bit like a christmas ornament? Am I visualizing it correctly? Bumblebeeze, Deee, Yes, if you don't have kids youve probably never heard of it but duct tape is big! Thanks for the link. Deee -- all the traditional stuff I can think of, I don't think they will find too exciting. ANd without language skills to give in context, not sure ... Bumblebeez --- beads, great idea!!m ooh and glitter! Maire -- yes, i thought I should do that too. Patty -- I see your point, but perhaps they already do enough of that. ANd frankly it takes more skill to pull that off! At this point, I am thinking I will give my school contact a choice of four from: Origami (my son is really good at this so I think we will def do this) Duct tape pencil flowers (my one daughter has done these and they are cute and functional) Beading Marbleized paper, maybe for bookmarks Snowflakes with glitter Baseball hat painting Thumbprint painting Thanks all!

When I was in school, 30-40 per class was very normal. And I feel fortunate that I was in large classes. Teachers cared about teaching and we came out able to read, write, punctuate and construct at least a semi-coherent sentence, add, subtract, multiply and divide, and all without having to use a computer or calculator. Oh, and you'd better show your work! Unfortunately I'd lose credit because I could add two or three two-digit numbers in my head. Today it seems like, unless they had a calculator, kids would have to take off their shoes and drop their pants to count to 21! I worked for a school district for seven years and watched the decline of education. It was disgusting. Seems to me we need to start cutting education funding. Make them do more instead of have more. Concentrate on teaching instead of babysitting. An analog clock was a teaching device in years past, but can't do that anymore. Can kids tell time unless it's digital? A GOOD teacher is worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately, there's getting to be so few. And of course the lack of parenting further complicates things and makes for a vicious circle. I can forgive teachers being frustrated when they're not allowed to teach, or when they're expected to do things they shouldn't have to be doing. But when they're more concerned about more time off (from a six month job), than doing what they're supposed to, I start becoming annoyed. And yes, drugging the kids because they refuse to parent. Everyone has to have an excuse these days. They're not brats, they're ADD, and so on and so on. And I'm so sick of this I'm not going to raise my kids like my parents raised me... I got (insert discipline here)... Better stop here before the FGs throw a temper tantrum.

Slight tangent: she has tried for *three* *years* to get a HS history teaching job??!! Oh dear, this has me very worried. My own daughter graduated in May with a history major and secondary teaching certification and her dream is to teach exactly that. She has been shocked and dismayed that although she has been diligently applying all over, even hand carrying personalized application packets directly to schools and has at least had several interviews, she hasn't gotten a job. School starts here a week from Monday and she is feeling devastated...I'm puzzled that the field seems so incredibly difficulty to enter. I didn't dream she wouldn't be hired somewhere by this point. She says once school starts, and she doesn't get a permanent position (which seems likely), she will try to substitute but at this point we're worried nobody will even deign to give her that chance. And she graduated cum laude from a well regarded university! Is it really that tough to get hired as a teacher? Seems all one hears is that the pay is bad, teachers are overworked, disrespected etc, leaving the profession in droves....so why is it impossible to get a job? Semi-facetious, but only semi. Any experience or thoughts welcome. Ann