Just got Home and I'm STARVING

What a day I had today.  Nothing horrible happened.  There wasn't an incident.  But it was still A DAY (if you know what I mean)

Let me back up.

I may or may not have told you that I quit my job 2 years ago.  Two school years ago because I'm a classroom teacher and that's how I measure time.  By school years.  You see I'd been a teacher for decades before we moved to our new house in a new city.  I accepted a job at the same school where my youngest daughter would be attending.  Everything was fine the first year.  I didn't love it, but it was fine.  And being there with Alison made life easier for the fam.  The second year was a 180.  I was miserable.  No time to go into those details later.  I'll save that story. (stories)  In November I told the director that I was considering my resignation at the end of the school year.  Then in March I told her I was definitely quitting.  I stayed until the bitter end.  And let me tell you, it was bitter.  It was like a train wreck and the vultures were circling my beat up carcass.  Yes, it was that bad.

Again, I'll save those stories for another time.  It's in the past now.  Bitter much?

So last school year (2013-14) I was unemployed.  I did not have a job that paid money, yet I really wasn't unemployed because technically you're only unemployed if you are SEEKING a job.  And I wasn't.  I needed a break.  We could swing it financially for a while........ but I knew there was absolutely no reason for me to not be out there making money. 

And so at the first of this school year I pulled into a school year my house.  On a whim, really.  Marched right in and asked to be put on their substitute list.  I was welcomed with open arms, told to go get a drug screening and fingerprinted and whammo - I was on the list.

And let me tell you, I've been working 3 or 4 days every single week.  I've substituted in the preschool all the way up to the 7th grade.  The calendar on my phone is filled with days I've already committed to working. 

It has been so great.  I've met so many nice people.  

Then there's today.  The school secretary called me at 8:30.  This morning.  Said a teacher had gone home sick.  Already!  "Are you available to take her class today?" 

There was no reason to say no.  I need the money.  I also need the brownie points I'd get for coming to the rescue and taking the class for the day.  Oh alright, I'll do it.  But what?  It's fourth grade?  UGH.  I hate the fourth grade department schedule.  It is SO BORING!  So today was boring.  The click tick tocked slowly. I'd have one section of fourth graders come in, drop their stuff off and then go to P.E.  The next group came in, stayed for about an hour (we played Jeopardy as a class on the smartboard) then they left for lunch and spanish.  The last section of the day came in, stayed an hour then went to science lab.  Ugh.  So I sat in the classroom alone most of the time.  Why didn't I bring my knitting?  I sure will next time.

After school I stopped by the grocery store because I was starving!  I grabbed grain fed beef, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, apples, grapes, cheese crackers (for Alison), tuna and chicken.  You've probably figured it out - I'm doing Whole30.  Up until a month ago, I didn't even know what Whole30 was!  It's an eating plan you commit to for 30 days.  That's right, just 30 days.  It's so much more than just what you eat.  It's sticking to a committment.  It's reaching a goal. 

The "rules"?
You eat fruits, veggies, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds
No grains
No dairy
No legumes
No weighing.  No cheating.

It's only 30 days.  Today is Day 12 for me.  I feel GREAT!  Except for the fact that I'm hungry. 

I'll let you know you in on some recipes I've discovered.  And some others I've invented.
But first I'm going to throw some sweet potato fries in the oven.  I'm STARVING