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Weekend Task Analysis

Good mornin! I’m not sure how long she’ll be today, because truth be told ... I have really not much to talk about, ... but, I figure ... when did that stop me before?

Whoops little relapse, fell asleep ... and now we are up again.

It is already half way through the day. I guess I needed a rest. I had been up writing fairly early for the Masters’ program. if you would like to see a concise summary of where we are at really ... Click on this link over to the latest entry in the masters’ Journal. Eh, I’ve had enough of conciseness and editing for the day. In this journal, I will look at it just a couple of times and there are rarely editing changes. AND, I can be loose in my grammar structure. YAYYYYYY, YAYYYYY that I can write YAYYYYYY!  Let's through in a few smiley's too :) :) :)  Hehehe and a *giggle*  Being so formal sometimes drives me nutty!  Letting down boundaries ... yep back to my silly script and all.  i am rambling plenty good ... umm, oh yeah ... this script is looks more like my handwriting than any other ... that's why I like it :)

Let’s see anything I want to add from this week yet. Hmm. Worked all week. Went to my doc appointments, stopped phsyical therapy, Worked. School. That’s about it.

Maybe we should zoom ahead into the rest of the weekend planning. I have like most of you the long weekend for Memorial Day. I have no "real" plans. I’m not invited to go anywhere or spend time with anyone. Sometimes McAdam will call last moment ... I think Jacob is booked. He’s planning a weekend marathon Dungeons and Dragons. I guess you gotta be into games to understand all of that. I do know the boys have their passions, like my passion for writing and computer usage. I respect that.

The prof has set out already the homework that will be due on Wednesday. I will get a jump on that for sure, but maybe tomorrow. I know that it is going to take some reading to accomplish the objectives. I know I also should read the newest book we have on Precision Teaching. It is only about 140 pages, but should be taken slowly in a studied approach. I want to make sure I have it straight, because it is the foundation of all this work I want to be doing. Perhaps, I will work on that next after this journal. Kind of late in the day to start that project, but I’ve still got a substantial time block.

I don’t think I brought home anything directly from work. Yesterday, was a real hodgepodge. I started the day early enough, but was catching-up with straggles of information the first period. We had said our good morning in each of the rooms and gone back to the office, but we were called back to one of the rooms because one of my clients was having an outburst. Hehe the sneaky DSP who IS loved, but regardless, she snuck out the door for chapel while I was left with her mess ... for 45 minutes!

That was, of course, back in shape when chapel was over and I had a scheduled meeting with this staff in 20 minutes, so I let her reorganize her room and snuck out! I stopped by in one of the other rooms and listened to a presentation, but was called out by a staff who needed to tell me there was a tow truck out front and my car was preventing him from access to the booted car. So, I messed with that.

Just enough time to stop in the washroom and grab my notebook. I was observing group IV. That went pretty well. Everyone got comfortable and the DSP seemed eager to talk about one of my client goals that wasn’t working. So, I said, "Great" let’s do it!

I wasn’t expecting what I saw, but I am on this new track. All DSPs are wonderful, but sometimes they need special attention! HEHE. After she gave two paragraphs of information to the client on how to do a simple task, she turned to me and stated, "See, she doesn’t do it1" I tried not to chuckle ... I thought, Hmm, I have my work cut out for me. So, we took apart the task which is a process called, "Task analysis." We simplified an over-abundance of confusing statements to four precise statements. 1) Look at the card, 2) take the card, 3) Put the card here, and 4) "Good." We also cut down on the number of cards the client was dealing with so she only had six identical cards. We weren’t anywhere close to sorting.

It was fun work, and it was good work. We then watched similarly another client being taught to put wooden puzzle pieces in their slot. This was broken down to (No verbal) 1) pick up the knob, 2) place the piece on the board, 3) slide the piece and 4) drop the piece in the board. Soon after that the DSP had to leave to help her clients set up lunches, but I used the time to create a chart which was typed up before I took over my lunch room duties.  Usually that means I rush people through lunch for sister so they can get outside and relax for 15 minutes. 

The chart had blankcolumns to include which steps were being used 1) - 4) or 5). Anything more is too complex. Then in the rows we wrote Independent, verbal, gestural, or physical. This has to do with the kind of prompts or cues a client might need. Then in the actual grid the DSP writes the number of successful trials over the number of trials completed. Like if the client successfully looks at four cards with only verbal prompts (no gestures or physical) out 6 the DSP would write 4/6 or 67%.  Then I turned the paper to portrait and copy/pasted the form, so there would be rounds could be repeated 5 times and summarized in the last form. 

I next got stuck covering the front end for a while so the secretary could get her lunch. Both Sister and the other QMRP (who have offices up front) usually cover, but everyone was gone. So, I’ve since then installed musicmatch Jukebox in both the front computers so I could enjoy being up there as well as in my office. It really makes a difference. Both the boss and secretary got new computers ... beauties! I heheh picked them out, but man ... their mouse and keyboards are something. When my boss complained of how fast the mouse moved, I just groaned , "Trade Down to me!" But, she didn’t Respond to that. Shoot!

In general, that whole thing went without incident. But, the secretary has a terrible habit of taking long 45 minute lunches. So, I missed mine. I grabbed at least one smoke before going into thinking group. I had decided that we were going to work on task analysis there too. I had started to prepare the DSPs during the training meeting the day before that we were going to be changing the structure of our goals. Now, I had the opportunity to work with the group. They weren’t so sure after the first introduction sentences on what we were going to do, but they are usually pretty interested in figuring it out. They sort of think as a group.

I said, "Ok, someone give me one of their goals." They looked blank. I said, "No one knows what there goals are?" (Each have three and they are to one degree or another same or different). So, we rephrased, "Can someone tell me what they would like to learn?" One of the clients (my usual - first hand puter-uper-er) said she wanted to learn helping. I thought, ok ... good. What kind of helping? Apparently, she had seen some of the girls from one of the other groups going in to help with group IV. Thought interesting. I bet she could do the job too!But, for the time being we had a room full of people, so we took the next step.

Ok, who in the room works with that group now? Five people volunteered their hands. I asked them, if one could tell the group what they did while they were in the room. One of the individuals explained she used a particular "manipulative Board." So, we broke that down into four tasks. But, that hadn’t gotten the attention of the many. They were looking confused. They needed something more hands on. We tried another route. We asked one of the brightest though quietest in the room who I know is paying attention, because he sits each week in one of the front chairs.

I said, "Can you tell me what you would like to learn?" He said clearly, "Money!" Pshwoo ... tough crowd, "What kind of money, coins or cash?" "Cash." "Do you know what each of the bills look like?" "Yes" (He’s not a big user of excess words) "Ok, cash. What would you like to do with cash?" He said, "Count it!" (Our people are being brain-washed, yeeks). "Ok, can you count 1-100?" "Yes," "Can you count using 5's?" "Yes" And so forth. "Ok, what else would you like to do with it?  It seems like you have counting down already? What else can you do with money or cash?" He said, "Sort-it!" Ok, ok ... all of this we could do task analysis on, but I was already pretty analyzed already. I was looking for something more profound, I couldn’t describe. I said, "Ok, Ok let’s say you have all the money sorted and counted, What do you want to learn next?" "Spend-it!" Oh man I just chuckled and chuckled.  His clarity is brilliant!

I said, Ok, let’s do this. We’re going to break down the steps of spending money, is that good? Everyone had been following along and listening laughing at the appropriate times. I’m pretty animated in front of this group, so we’re encouraging groans and cheers. I took a piece of legal paper I carry with me and divided it into the 8 sections. "I held the yellow paper in the air and I said this is our money." Then I said, "we need something to buy. Look around the room, what would you like to purchase?" They are pretty neat folks ... the first thing on their list was the TV! It’s a big black beauty of a TV. I said, "Great we’ll sell the TV!" YAYYY! Everyone was happy. "What else?" They pretty quickly named off eight items and I quickly calculated a price. I figured the TV was 5 bucks, the VCR was 4 bucks, the boombox and microwave was 3 bucks, the table and Exercise equipmentwas 2 bucks and the big ball and games were each 1 buck.

Then I invited the first client who had been helping me come up and purchase items with the eight bucks I gavehim. He made his purchase, then I said, "Who next?" And, we learned from each other ... (need to figure out one’s pacing and terminology), Thebetter majority raised their hands, soI figured I’d really caught their attention. So, I said we were going to make a game of it and figure out who our best shoppers are. So, systematically, we had almost everyone come up to the board and with eithermore or less assistance purchase the items. They had to both choose and count, and they had to spend only, but all the $8 bucks.

They had a great amount of fun picking out "THEIR" items and there was a lot of group transference so they were learning from each other how to make the purchases (or have a turn) and they were into the spirit of the game, because we kept score between rounds that so and so was faster than so and so, but not as fast as so and so. The scores were dynamic and the people moving up or down the scale were changing. The group likes movement. The group cheered on their favorites or encouraged the quieter ones to give it a try. They are very supportive of each other.

It didn’t take too long before the time was used up. The girl that had Won the contest (By the way first, second and third all went to girls) had figured out which items she wanted before getting up to the board. Hard as I could, couldn’t convince most of them to think ahead and it ate into their time ... Rounds were from 7 seconds to 2 minutes. Most though were 45-50 seconds so things were moving along pretty quickly.

What had happened and was clearer after the shopping than before the shopping was that clients, or at least one client had been able to figure out his goal. The goal could be taught to many, and each of the clients had one trial out of one. Each had unique problem in completing the task. If I were to do this goal in a formal meeting, I could list (have picture) different kind of real items, perhaps go to stores, compare brands, include real prices, and set up break-down objectives. It is a lot different shopping for eggs and tooth brushes than clothes and cruises to the Bahamas. We could set up the objectives as items .25 cents to $10, $10-50, $50-100, $100-500, $500-$1,000, 1,000=10,000, $10,000-50,000, $50000-100,000, and 100,000 and more ... (houses & super fancy cars). That is at least for the upper two groups, we’d have to narrow down the scope for group III.

now, utilizing the technology gained this last month, we could get pictures of say 100 items and establish costs for each put them in the PracticeMill program which makes flash cards and computer quizzes and tests. The cards and quizzes could ask, "How much for each item?" Then you could set it up to say which is more expensive? Then because it is the program that it is, you could build up fluency by having the client compete against himself in time it takes to get throughstacks either each category separate or all categories together. It would be a great goal! Hmm, maybe for the flash cards, we would use some form of a tape measure with amounts on it indicating moreor less. Could be, could be ... hmm.  We could also place on the cards according to minimum wage how many days, weeks or years it would take to earn each amount.  Interesting.

Anyway, soon after the thinking group was over, we had a meeting with one of the staff, then went up front to release the secretary. There were still three clients waiting for cabs and the front end to watch until four. We figured out the musicmatch and turned up "Prince" per client choice. Hehehe turning up music isn’t something that might happen if Sister were in the building!

We went out with our friend afterwork and had yessss, the secret word, "Margaritas!!!" YAYYYYY!

And, that pretty much brings us up to now. Maybe we should be moving along soon to working with the Precision teaching. I want to really know that information. One of the things I found this week working with staff, beside it takes a while to record everything! Is that the more well founded the information is in my head the easier it is to teach. Somehow, I seem to be able more now then ever before to come up with solutions to problems. That’s a pretty neat feeling ... again, like with the clients that things are moving. Maybe I will coin a new term. We’ll call it "Thought surfing!" Yes, I like that.

BUT, we still have a little more figuring to do. We need to set up a three day weekend ... wouldn’t want the time to go to waste. Let’s see ... this afternoon start and conclude by tomorrow afternoon the material on Precision teaching, then do the next assignment, then ... Hmm ... I know I’m going to go ahead through the rest of the weekend pre-studying the work on up ahead.

I would really like to start soon the big final project. I’m much, much better using at home time for school and work time for work, but I want to get the big project done, so I can start clearly with the other two classes at first of July. See week 4 completed now ... so the goal is to complete the project by end of week 8 or end. Maybe this weekend I should then break the task into four equal tasks. Hmm, that seems good ... with any luck at all, the fourth task will just be editing. We takea long time with that.

Ok, ok ... good, good ... feel the weekend is being used well. I’m paced! Dishes? They can wait until the dishwasher gets here. It shipped sometime this week, looking forward!  YAYYYYY!

:)  

Oh and one more thing we need to do over the three days ... We need to learn how to operate our new chopper upper thing.  We just discovered how fast you could puree strawberries or mushrooms.  Although that wasn't our first intent!  Hmm Strawberry smoothies, YAYYYYY!

Morning ... Time to Start Things Off

Good mornin! I missed a nice relaxing Saturday post, but I figure I have some time this morning. I’ve cleaned up the living room and organized the dirty dishes ;) and have taken my shower and cleaned the bathroom. The occasion? Delivery of groceries today! YAYYY!

They are expected any time during the next two hours. I can do that. I would still like to clean off the kitchen table AND wash some of those dishes after they soak a bit. But, otherwise, I have no other plans for the next two hours.

Yesterday, I finished two assignments that were due yesterday, and I went ahead on one of this week’s assignments. So, I’m feeling pretty safe there. I would like to do some grant work after 9 am. I am behind on that venture. The big goal though is to get ALL the dishes washed before the end of the day and to have the rest of the house picked up ... Basically, that means I need to do the bedroom too. Sure be nice to be on-track on that score.

Part of my cleaning is due to over-excitement of a very neat purchase we’ve already made this morning. We broke down and ordered a portable dishwasher. She’s a beaut ... top line maytag with six year warranty. I can’t tell you just how excited this purchase makes us. It’s the most sensible thing we’ve done for the last year. And, I’m pretty sure our friend is going to bless the decision. I ran into him earlier though ... his first question was, "Who is going to load her?" YIKES! I have some reputation building to do.

I think in general if I could get a handle on this cleaning thing again, it would make a world of difference in self-confidence. I could feel good about my work area and time designations.

I made this decision actually, two other times. The first time was after having moved into the victorian and the other while we were still living in an apartment with the boys after just getting divorced. I had been a client at a service for disabilities. I was working on learning computers and the last marker was that I’d been skipping days in the program because I was overwhelmed with the program and taking care of three boys on my own. The day after we ordered the dishwasher, we got a job offer that changed everything. We think of that decision as one of life’s blessings. We’re at that point again, especially, with school and work responsibilities being so heavy, AND the back being as it were.

Hey!!! Grocery people are here! I guess, whatever situation ourhome is ... it is going to have to be good enough. YAYYY!! Potato salad! That is the first thing we get into after the delivery has been made. It’s our treat supreme! Ok, ok ... we’re going to be calm here. Sure hope we don’t get a grouchy delivery person due to the amount of groceries and the stairs. V has convinced us to be a "little" more generous with the tip. He’s sure a good guy!

Hmm, beside myself with excitement now. GROCERIES!!! We hadn’t ordered them since the first of April, although we were supplemented from our friend a couple of weeks ago. Fridge sure has looked bare!

Whew! That’s done ... groceries are all up ... it took him four trips, yeeks! The order has filled up the entire inner kitchen floor ... Going to have to work on getting everything in slowly. First, our treat!

Little worried though ... it doesn’t look like we got canned cat food. We thought we had, but instead it looks like "Packets" of something. I’m not sure if that is what our kitties had in mind. I thought I was careful, but obviously misunderstood something.

AHA! It’s almost like canned! It must be new ... it is canned typed food, maybe a little more sauce, but it comes in packets! Pretty good deal. It’s already been kitty approved and maybe with a smaller amount ... Chief won’t become so lethargic after eating. YAYY!!

Whoops, Missy missed frozen yogurt. Bet she would have liked that. Well, at least we did. Never had frozen yogurt before ... smooth and creamy ... umm, that was the treat for, umm having carrots and spinach veggie dip before frozen yogurt! I’m sure I’m stacking up the health points. Hehehe. Maybe, I should have found something for breakfast first ... It’s been like being a kid in a candy store.

Suppose, we should figure on putting some of all that away? Yeeks, been almost an hour. Where did the time go? Hmm, this is going to take a while ... Need to sit down again due to back problems.

Trying to reconstruct

Mornin. Just a quick note here ... cuz, I’m running late today. Everything is going pretty good, but I wanted to leave a marker as far as last night’s Dr. M. Appointment. We’re thinking it was a pretty tough one, but until I am able to slow down and reconstruct I’m not sure why it was so important.

I know that Casey and Annemarie were out again. Not sure why this duo over all the other parts is so important. I remember right now the sense of being pushed. Maybe this is something Dr. M. Said to us?

Thinking it had something to do with Casey over all these years not being able to look directly at Dr. M. I don’t have a track of Annemarie so far ... something only about her being out, feeling kind of bad maybe, and not saying anything ... but, somehow it was different the third time. Can’t remember though.

Shoot, shoot ... feeling pretty frustrated with it. WHAT HAPPENED!???

I remember Casey looking at the clock and there was still 10 minutes left. Something more happened ... not remembering though. Damn! This is hard on the brain...

Think Casey was picking up something from Annemarie ...

Oh ... there’s something ... grandfather was sitting in the room with Annemarie and Casey was picking it up as something she was seeing. Dr. M. Was trying to tell her something about it not being real ... and Casey had a lot of trouble with that ... couldn’t process it.

Hmm, we’ll that’s something at least. Have to figure out what that means to the rest of us. Time is though short this morning. AGAIN, it has to be put on hold. BUT, good job so far girls. That’s pretty good remembering!

Oh oh ... something else ... grandfather got mad at something ... something to do with Dr. M. being there.  Maybe cuz we were listening to him?  Not sure, but whatever ... I know that he got up to leave.  Not sure of that affect on the others. 

Ok, now work to do ... need to take shower now!  C'mon ... you can do it!

 

The Passing of a King

    My oldest son just called about 20 minutes ago to let me know that his grandfather had died five minutes before.  I feel devastated for the boys and the families' loss.  The family has only known of his cancer for the last year.  It was too late to give him treatment.  It had spread throughout his body.  He died at home as were his wishes.  The last few weeks he was only up for 15 minutes at a time, but he held fully to his mind and heart's ability.       

Mr. Garvey, was my son's namesake.  My son is the 5th.  The boys have always been very close to this set of Grandparents.  They are everything known of being a proud, strong close-knit  Irish Catholic family.  Mr. Garvey, like his father, were attorney's.  The boys grandfather, prior to retirement had been one of the top four malpractice lawyers in the United States.  He defended doctors specializing in heart and brain.  At one point, he was the President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and known in Springfield.        

He was survived by his wife (Marie), six children, and thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren and has left homes in River Forest, Illinois, St. Joseph, Michigan, and Marco Island, Florida.  For 15 years, I had loved him as my father-in-law and felt more respect for him than my own father.  But, divorce is terrible in that it tears families apart.  I saw him last at my son's wedding four years ago.  He was always a gentleman and loving toward me.  His passing is an understated loss.   

Peace be found ...

Weekend Wrap-up

Good mornin ... almost missed the whole weekend, figure it’s time ... We’ve got about 1 ½ hours before Dr. M’s appointment and work. Not enough time to get into grant work, woke up too late. BUT, I really do have to do something there ... way behind. :(

This weekend was a pretty quiet one as things go. The last trip out was stopping by at the bank Friday night. We’re still waiting for money to clear, so weren’t even able to order groceries. Maybe by tomorrow though. Will be nice. There’s been stuff to get us through weekend, but lunches at work are terrible without yogurt and apples. Hmm, well we still got apples, maybe bring a few to work this mornin.

I think we went to bed right away on Friday and Saturday I don’t remember ... maybe slept in? But, through the day we worked on a spread sheet with all the school people. We arranged to put some of the details down and summaries of work so that we could remember people better. Took us through most of the day, but I’m happy to say ... we’re more aware than we had been. :)

Sunday though we went through a series of 3-4 headaches. We were able to take them down with medicine, but they kept coming back, especially after laying down which was often because the medicine made us sleepy.

We did do some reading. We’d looked ahead with school references and found a downloadable book on writing objectives. So started that ... will help for work, school, personal, and such. Not very exciting? Hmm?

We did do something fun on Friday that carried over the weekend ... We decided to put some money down on Music Match Jukebox. I think most people get the free version with their computers. We’ve used it off and on over the last couple of years both at home and at work. With money down though - Wow! Great service. Think it cost about $60 though.

What it allows is you to play, "On demand," radio, music, library, or CD’s. Their features are Wonderful. They claim having about 800,000 songs ... and thing is they’re accessible without d/ling from other peoples music which is big drag and leaves your computer open and vulnerable. Musicmatch Jukebox has a search feature by song or artist, but it also has a feature in the new 10 version where you can add a name or two for the search and it will give you a list of like 50 artists who sing in the same area as your favorite, so it allows me to learn new people. And it does this too by keeping track of the music you request in your own library. Or, you can do radio search by a couple of favorites and you get ongoing songs of your favorite types. Every once in a while you are just listening and come up with a new favorite. Like yesterday we tuned into "David Lanz," so then we added his name to favorites and we get like either a dozen albums to listen to or can add to the playlist like 200 of his songs.

Just in general, the greatest service. I loved it! You also have the option of buying for d/l songs at 99 cents, but there’s so much music out there to listen too, not really necessary for most.

Hmm, Kitty just decided to sit in my arms. He’s hugged up against my chest now watching me typing, though it’s a little harder now because he’s stretched over my arms. Silly kitty. He is trying to remind me that we’re out of canned. There is still dry food, but my kitties been kind of spoiled. Hmm, that wasn’t as much fun as one might thought ... let him down. *Sigh*

That was really about it though of the weekend. I think on Saturday night we watched about three Law and orders ... that finally got me away from the computer. And, I talked some in IM, but not as much as we’ve usually do. Didn’t hear from the boys either. Hmm.

I guess about the only other thing in the news is that we’re waiting for the return of our favorite fisherman. Our friend went out for one of his once monthly trip with a big group of guys. They go out in about a 3 or 400 mile radius, stay at small hotels or lodges, sit in small boats all day and ummm fish! I’m thinking this weekend was kind of cold and rainy to be out, but I guess that’s kind of a guy thing? Then at night ... maybe a couple of beers, or somethin and some poker playing. Hmm, thinking Ok, that might be fun? Hehehe, but not for Us. We’re much to inhibited and introverted to thinking being out in the elements with all kinds of people to be much fun. But, I don’t mind our friend doing what he wants.

I usually get some pretty good guy stories when he gets back. Hehehe what a guy will say when under the spell of a nice backrub!

So, we’re pretty much caught up until now. Whoops, we forgot we’d started to write a couple of days ago ... Maybe the 13th .. That would have made it Friday ... We’re going to insert that in here ...

Good Morning, Just Me! Still wiping the sleep from my eyes. I thought we were like on top of things, but I turned around and sitting on the top of the couch inches from my rightshoulder we’re to dissatisfied kitties. They were like both facing each other one higher, the other lower. But, both were looking at me with almost disgust in their eyes. Was like ... whoa, you don’t like me anymore? What did I do wrong? Then, if by cue, Chief hopped down and said, "That’s better, I’ve got your attention. Guilt works!" He guided me back to you know where! FOOD! Absolutely, the only reason kitties get up in the morning! Hmpf!

Pshwoo, that was quite the eye opener!

It’s just that were at crunch time here. We have no more canned or dry cat food left. We used the last this morning during the "forced feeding!" Something is going to have to be done. Now, was I complaining to them that we are also out of coffee!!!! No, I should say not!

Relief is around the corner. Today is most likely payday since the 15th lands on a Sunday. AND, Macadam dropped an IM last night saying that he’d gotten his estate check ... It should be enough to pay off the computer and put my check payment status back to groceries at the beginning of the month, not middle, and rent waiting at the middle of the month, not when it is due at the first of the month. AND, it should pay for KITTY FOOD! Dear... Hmm, brakes and air too? Sure would be nice to have some new dresses. Oh dear, dear ... here we go again! Saving is not our forte!

New key word: sloooooooooooooow Down!

So ... anyway...

We went to see Dr. M. Last night. We weren’t exactly just one, but that doesn’t seem to be the goal. There were concerns, because he was wearing something different ... A BLACK EYE! Hmm, what comes to a patient’s mind at a time like this? Bar fight? Fight with the significant other? Walked into a door? Hehe, well you can see where this is going! So, we bit the bullet and finally asked. Well ... unbeknownst to me, someone had decided to pick up a puppy a couple of years ago. Patients ... we’re the last to know anything! From what I understand now, said puppy head-butted said doctor. *Giggling furiously* There’s obviously things that a good education just can’t buy! I guess Dr. M. Was the only one stunned, injured and forced to a sitting position hehehe. nope! Puppy wasn’t hurt!

You might imagine that not often do we get to hear about our doctor’s personal life. So, the event of this is major! Hmm, a dog! We’ll have to reconfigure our entire understanding of life! It might take another year of readjusting. Usually, when we ask a personal question,we get something like, "So, why are you asking? Hehe, no I’m not going to tell you!" It’s very frustrating. So now ... the scoreboard is again even *maniacal Laughter*

Ok, ok ... enough of that!

There were other things ... Let’s see we talked about medicine at the end for a few moments. Need to take care of that ... maybe in a few days when a check clears. AFTER KITTY FOOD! I know, I know!

I think we talked about work and a couple of other problems like being able to comprehend compliments and being able to sloooooooooooooow down. Lots to go on here.

As far as work, there was a little concern yesterday because of the staff meeting. I had gone into the meeting with a list of topics that were all business straight down the line. I figured I’d been gone a few weeks and should get caught-up. Somehow in the process, I got knocked in the noggin! It turned out to be a meeting of what they thought I could do better. Thought, Hmm, ok ... I think though at Dr. M’s we were coming out of stunned and feeling a little like it had been murky business!

But, I like a couple of the changes and I think they are win-win situations for all around, EXCEPT my time! Everything in my life seems to cost time. :( So basically, the new thing is we’re going to start stopping by to say, "Good morning" to all the clients and staff. Usually, we go straight to the office and sometimes we don’t do much coming out. It’s going to be a transition. That’s a lot of people contact for me, but as we were saying it will be good all around. This change came about while we were going over another change. Sister wants me to be checking in the rooms ... sitting around for bits of time. So, we’re going to take some time, about a half hour to see each of the groups. We talked about the reasons I would be in the room. Lot of different ideas there. In general, I figure we’re in this for at least 3-4 more hours of time. But, I like especially getting more involved with the clients. Sometimes ... it really does seem like I’m missing them entirely.

After the meeting was over, there was one more situation. One of the DSPs, the one I have the most trouble appreciating, wanted to talk about "stuff." I think we were both trying to come to a different appreciation of each other. I’d been stuck with the view that she doesn’t care about work much and spends most of her time off-track and I’ve been very frustrated with her, because of her not doing any of the paperwork required of her position. She’s been gun-shy of me one because I’m so stand-offish, and two, because she like many of the others has gotten into their heads that "I’m sooo smart." Well, that doesn’t make me feel too bright in the least! I also picked, up that chord over the last couple of days with my school peers, and heaven knows what I’m doing with you as the journal group. Back to that not much of a following problem.

Thing is that I spend so much time on my own, I don’t know really how I am doing something not so good . But, I thought always that communication is about the most important thing. I don’t want to go into much more detail at the moment. I’ve got some figurin to do, but that’s the kind of thing best left to Saturdays.

Ok, ok ... back to being Monday morning. I guess that kind of catches up things a bit. Would have hated for you to miss the story of Dr. M’s black eye. Hehe, maybe by this time he’s forgiven the pooch!

Going to turn out being a fairly decent size entry this morning :) Sorry, about that!

We had a chance to think about some of our big school writing project ... we’re going to be working on stuff called, "Precision Teaching." I found out that the book we ordered ... binder really has got information on how to do the "celeration Charts." But, that is not really where we want to start. Ordered another book telling us more about the teaching part. Think it better we go through that before the actual recording part. I’m kind of excited about learning new teaching means. This is the basics of our Masters program.

Last night we got excited about the doctor’s part again ... Hmm, someone’s kitty just stopped in again. I think they got used to a little extra petting over the weekend.

Hmm, ok ok .. Where were we? Ahh, the doctor’s part. Just it seems, at least in this program that even in the first couple of weeks they are getting you set-up mentally to be going through the whole deal. Kind of make a career of this schooling stuff. I’ve learned in the last couple of weeks also, that I’m about as qualified to be doing this as anyone. I’m pretty proud of getting a couple of excellents already. You never know ahead of time really, at least I didn’t, if we were in the ball park.

I started to get intimidated by one of the students who turns out to have his first PhD already. He’s back in the Masters level working on a different area. Seems between him, a few others and the teacher, we’re going to figure out this getting smarter thing! The teacher’s comments to me have been pretty good so far. He seems though to leave only one or two clues at a time. Maybe that’s so as not to intimidate, but makes you figure, given the time, there is always something to be improving. Hmm, could you believe I’ve already been nailed for not being concise? Hehehe

I’m going to be working on that, but it might take a while before I bring that concept over to this journal. Sorry folks.

Found through the work over the weekend that there are about 14 students left from the original 25. And, of that amount, at least 45% are in the services. I think that is pretty good. Our little group is represented by the Navy, Army, Marines, and Air Force. Still not sure why this is so exciting to us ... but, just real cool.

10 of the 14 are female, everybody works, also 10 of 14 or 71% of the individuals have kids. The biggest part of the group (57%) are going into counseling with a variety of specialities. Three are going into business psych, one is going into forensics, and then there is a couple going into school and a couple into education (like me!). I know the school offers a few more fields, but this is how our group is represented. It seems like a lot of the group has gotten into psychology, because growing up there was either some kind of problem, or they were always interested in trying to figure out people, themselves, or the mind.

We also evaluated what we thought to be quality of work handed in and communication patterns amongst the individuals in the program. I’m not sure why this is all so interesting to us, but I figure it’s a part of getting to know people in cyberspace. I like the size of the group now. And, I can’t say that there isn’t a person in the group that isn’t amazing, or at least interesting in some format or another.

Shoot, shoot, feeling all of a sudden sort of sick again and tired. Cold ... We’ve draped a small blanket over our shoulder and am eating the first cough drop of the weekend. There is really not enough time to go back to bed now. Better try to just slow it down. Maybe, hit the shower a few minutes earlier than scheduled? Hmm, warm blanket helps.

Yep, yep ... going to get heated up ... sorry for the abruptness. Take care!

YAHOO!!

We've just been listening to the most wonderful song (Click here).

Try this one

 

It'll be Margaritaville Tonight

Good morning! I’ve been reminded that its been a couple of days since I’ve updated my MPD journal. Yay, for all those little robins sitting on our shoulders keeping us up to date with worms left to yet catch!

I have a little break in the action, because for one, my physical therapy appointment has been canceled for the day, but I am not expected into work until about 8:15 am. Hmm, that means I should be in the shower in about 45-60 minutes. YAYYY shower break! The second thing is that for the moment, we are all caught-up on our assignments YAYYYYY for being AHEAD!

Wow V! Guess what?? Chief’s up! All I had to do was turn off the air and open the door. Wow! *Giggle*

So, let’s see anything up?

I guess the worst news is that I’ve had a cold for about a week now. I think it is getting better. There is far less coughing and my throat doesn’t hurt as much. Maybe that’s not a good thing. I can’t really feel too much of my throat. But, for the last four days I’ve had laryngitis. Whoops! The nice part was that for a few days, I had the secretary taking my calls. Ahhh… Peace!

We’re going to need concentrating more on work the rest of the week. I know, I know … you’ve heard me say that before! BUT, it’s true! Hehehe, well, within limitations. I’m planning today to conquer those new chrononotes and start the CARF work again. It would make me feel sooooo good to get these things out of the way. You know … old fashioned productive nose-to-the-grindstone Lutheran hard work ethic?? I’m so pumped up now, I think I could manage to even start some more grant work. I just have to remind myself where I left off. You will know I’m really on target when I feel so much ahead I’m washing dishes again. Hmm, not to push it.

Hey, Kitties are frisky again … just ran behind me from outside to the kitchen. They are so quick; I never know whose chasing who. I love to hear the sound of their little paws "romping."

We had a wonderful outing with the boys and my granddaughter over the weekend. Yayyyy Mother’s DAY! I even received a carnation. Well, two actually. I shared one with my granddaughter, because she said her mama needed one. Awe, that girl is going to break someone’s heart!

We went out for brunch and did some good catching up. Both Macadam and Jacob were there. Let’s see any news? Hmm, well Macadam says that Tanner is doing better. That was good news. The bad news is that they are expecting the boys’ grandfather to lose memory of people by the end of this week. They are quite sure that he won’t survive another three weeks. There is a lot of mental preparation and other arrangements being made. Both my ex-in-laws were very close to one another. I know my ex-mother-in-law is a very emotional woman when it comes to love and adoration of her husband. I feel very bad for her and the loss the family is going to feel without him. He’s been the head of a very strong family for quite some time. He’s always held a special place in the hearts of my sons. God Bless him.

There was some loose chatter about other things such as the boys’ school and work, but I don’t think people were focused too deeply. It felt really good though in being together. Everyone was pretty relaxed. Maybe a little tired. Macadam feels so strongly toward his grandfather … he’s always been Macadam’s namesake … and it doesn’t help that Jacob is in his finals week. Hope everyone will Be ok.

Hmm, seems like my friend was right … big thunderstorm. There is terrible wind and rain out there now. We had to shut the doors, because it made my curtains stand on end, AND it was very cold. Yeek. Better get in the shower in 15 min. Rain always slows traffic when using the expressway. Sure does make my nice cup of warm coffee feel good!

We’ve been over a week without Dr. M. appointments of late. The first one was missed because the cold and coughing was so bad, and the second one we figured should be canceled because the stress talking would have put on my lame voice. It doesn’t matter though, because whether the voice comes back or not, we’re going to be there on Thursday.

Hmm, some really big thunder. We just saved our work. We’re a little too excitable to turn off the computer. Wouldn’t know what to do. Rain is coming down hard now. Makes me feel like wanting to grab my big white down blanket.

Shwoo. Lucky we saved. AOL messed up and froze the computer. It seems like the worst of the storm has passed. I don’t hear the wind and rain and the thunder is at a distance. I guess we’ve survived … so much, for asking sr. for a rain delay!

Let’s see time for one more thing … what should it be?

How bout we say just a "littttle" thing about school?

Well, mostly … what we’re thinking is that it is really, really cool to be seeing other students’ work beside your own. AND, it is really cool that you are required to comment on the work of others, cuz it gives one a really good excuse to look for good stuff in others’ work. This time it took us a little longer to get our work in, and we’re pretty sure he’s going to say we wrote "TOO much!" But, while I was doing the work (which seemed pretty darn hard), I had the feeling that it was one of those things that was "good for us." Because this last big assignment included work on history, it made me really consciously figure out what each of the different era’s meant toward the field. I’d never put all that together before, even though I’d had a history of Psychology course during the last semester of the BA program. Kinda stuff that makes you feel gosh darn good!

Hehehe, well that’s about it for now. We’re going to count on it taking us at least an hour to get there. OH, one more thing! If I play my cards right, there is a chance my friend is taking us out to Margaritaville tonight! YAYYYYYY for friends with credit cards! :)

Course Schedule for Graduate program

Click here to look at the schedule document due next week for PSY7012.

On the Run

Good morning, good morning … we have not too long to write at this time.  Maybe about a half hour.  We have physical therapy this morning and then a stop over at the nutrionalist afterward.  Hope that goes ok.  I know he’d wanted me to join some group for “bad diabetes people.”  Umm, that didn’t happen!  We’ll use for our excuse, of course, we’re BUSY!!!!  Though, not sure if he’ll appreciate that.  Hmm

 

We’re caught up for the moment with our school work.  That is a relief.  Yesterday, we were looking through an excellent dissertation.  Shoot, shoot, shoot, sure am going to have to get on the ball before something like that could ever happen.  My hat is off to anyone who has ever pulled off that Herculean type effort!

 

There is not too much going on other than school right now.  First week and all is pretty exciting.  My world feels very different already.  Maybe holding my head up about two inches higher!  

 

I haven’t talked to the work people about it much.  I told people at the staff meeting that we were doing it.  It got a null response.  Not sure what that is all about.  I did figure out that for some people, it makes them think out loud, “I would like to go back to school too!”  Well, I say the more the merrier!!!  This is the “good stuff” of life!!

 

It seems to have made me more interested in what I could be doing at work.  This last couple of days though, it has been hard to focus on doing traditional work tasks.  But, that will have to be accomplished.  Can’t afford to get too behind.  I noted yesterday that when anyone rang or knocked, I would tense up … felt too busy to be getting additional work or problems.  Maybe that wasn’t so fair for me to be doing?

 

I haven’t mentioned yet, but we had another very good visit with our son, Macadam, and his family over the weekend.  He invited us over for a barbeque.  When I arrived, my granddaughter was just getting home from church school.  She had in her possession a little plastic container for her new friend.  His name was worm.  God bless Spring!  And, good luck worm!  

 

The food was great, but Macadam may have over-indulged.  There were polish sausages, hamburgers, chicken shiskobobs (Hmm, no spell-check hints?)  We also had potatoes, and a vegetable medly of asparagus, carrots and onions.  WOW terrific dinner!  Lee had been scheduled to work, but she came home early due to excess hours, business too slow … something like that.  We enjoyed the conversation.  Yesterday, was lee’s birthday.  She is now 24.  YAYYYYYYY Lee Happy Birthday!

 

My friend came over the day before.  We had Chinese … and as luck would have it, he inspected the contents of the fridge.  Hmm, it was pretty empty.  Last night when I came home, I discovered he’d done an “emergency food shopping trip.”  WOW!  We’re definitely blessed!  It will be enough to hold me over until we run out of cat food or coffee.  

 

Hmm, maybe by the weekend?  We’ve been a little tapped for the bucks of late.  Rent and bills went out, but after shopping for school books,there is not much left over.  We’re thinking we’ll get some financial support from the school next week if we take care of a few small paperwork details this week.  Let’s see, I need to find the receipt from the computer, find a blank check, and hmm, anything else?  Think that’s it.  

 

Yeeks!  Not this morning though … Gotsta go!  Almost forgot we were supposed to be in car by 6:15!  Take care All!  Thanks for the "going back to school thoughts!"  and for the one who left the CARF message, YES!!! Please let us get together.  I know of no one else going through it, but CARF takes up a lot of our mental energy!

Yep, yep ... thanks V!