A Morning of Reflection

Mornin ... Mornin! Everyone doing ok? Seems we’ve been having an awfully good time so far.

Vince, Vince ... are you sitting down?? We’ve arranged to be home for today and the two days following! Yep, and what’s more?? We’re done working Saturdays!!! We looked at the calendar and figured out yesterday that we still had 4 ½ days we NEEDED to take off before June 30th, or we’d lose out on vacation and personal days. Fortunately, the sick days will carry over. So, we cancelled going in for the last 3 Saturdays, arranged to be at work the full week Sr. Will be gone, and took off a full day this Monday and a half day the last Monday.

Pretty good, huh??? Feels FANTASTIC!!! I figured I’m going to lose my special Saturday working days anyway, and it was better to be in during client hours as much as possible. But, there’s absolutely NO WAY I’m giving up FREE days!

What made everything SUPER cool ... hmm using a lot of caps ... umm anyway what’s super cool is that I got in the few books I’d ordered which included, Mortimer Adler’s book on, "How to Read a Book," which was the first book of the BIG collection that I wanted to read. I just couldn’t be more happy!

I know, I know ... it might appear that I know how to read already :)

But, this is way different.

Adler writes, "Thus we can roughly define what we mean by the art of reading as follows: the process whereby a mind, with nothing to operate on but the symbols of the readable matter, and with no help from outside, elevates itself by the power of its own operations. The mind passes from understanding less to understanding more. The skilled operations that cause this to happen are the various acts that constitute the art of reading."

Adler wrote this book, originally in 1940 and he revised and updated it in 1972. It is like a classic! Adler was the one most responsible for the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Great Books, and The Annals of America series. Oh gluttonous one that we are ... have all these books! We’re saving them hopeful for our retirement as best we can figure. If we die before 80, we are going to be majorly upset! Yep, yep it doesn’t matter what nursing home they place us ... these books are coming too ... hehe maybe by then, they’ll have instead of computer cable a filtering system where the sun powers our computer!

Very excited ... we plan to spend our next three days between the journals, reading, and writing to our web site. Oh joy of joys. Just titillated to the hilt!

Ok, ok ... calm down here :) We woke up and made it around the J-block about half way, when we decided to stop over in the park to nap on a bench. Then we walked around the rest of the block. Ok, ok ... so the bench looked more like our living room couch ... but, in spirit we were out there in the elements of shady trees and flowing breezes!

Shoot, look at the time! It’s already 10 am. I guess that all took a while :) Time for the apple, hold on. Hmm. Last cup of coffee for the day too. Pretty good, pretty good... Ahh as I like ‘em sweet and juicy :)

There wasn’t much accomplished work wise yesterday. I found the AOL site that showed the whole day of processions in honor of former President Reagan (without commentary!). I had to leave my computer for about half an hour for the client’s lunches, but Sr. Theresa had the big TV in the multi-purpose room turned on to the church service and she had the individuals not talking through the service. It was very good.

I think I was really lucky that Sr. cared. She insinuated that she had stopped working and that we might do the same to see the ceremonies about 10 am. We made a day of it. I loved the presentations given at the church ... maybe not so much the young Bush or the minister’s, but the others. I thought the ceremonies outstanding to see everyone coordinate to every moment dignity and respect and we were very, very impressed with the dignitaries that were in attendance.

I’d been watching for about 24 hours all the people coming in to say their last respects while President Reagan’s body was in the rotunda. During the early morning hours there was just one camera focused on the event, but during the day several cameras captured hundreds of facial expressions of his visitors. Very, very touching. We also read quite a few stories of his life. Just a remarkable life to have followed the footsteps of only 39 men who had gone on before him. Out of millions and millions of people, he was a chosen leader.

My favorite story read was the one where after being hospitalized, he was "caught" cleaning off the floor due to water he’d spilled rather than allow the nurse to get in trouble. Very humbling, indeed.

The part I feel dismay was that after having gotten home early to continue watching, we only made it through to about quarter after eight. We were still following along withthe helicopter the long drive to the library, but we couldn’t force ourselves to stay awake one more moment. So, goes the turning of the world’s ways.

Throughout ... like millions of others, we were fascinated by Mrs. Reagan’s strength and courage. I hadn’t realized before how close she had been with her husband throughout their long years married. I didn’t understand much about politics during his years in office, although we followed somewhat. The same remains true to this day. We have always devoted our keener interests to psychology and human development. We’ve trusted our abilities as frail they are to be understanding human relationships, especially revolving around growth and development of the mind.

Then too, we were just at the beginning of raising our family during those 8 years of office. We were just out of college and delivered our oldest son, Macadam, the day President Reagan was voted into office. Through his first term, we had given birth to two more sons. Tanner, the second son was born within a couple of months of Prince William and Jacob, our youngest son was born the same year as Prince Henry. The next four years were our happiest. Our husband, boys and ourselves were young and on the move.

We were 21 when Macadam was born and worked from home. We felt to be a very devoted mother active in student advocacy both with gifted children and those who were developmentally disabled. We also had found our dream home ... an 18 room Victorian in need of restoration, and we bought another Victorian house made into six apartments.

Lastly, we’d lived next to a young Bostonian, "house father" who was finishing up his doctoral work in English. He encouraged us to write by giving us lessons in exchange for typist work on his dissertation. We put together our own 600 page manuscript throughout the year 1987 called, Castles and Carriage of Crystal Ayn Corey. We worked lovingly from our newly shelved library and were extremely happy with progresses made on our Apple IIe. ‘87 was a remarkable year for us, because it was our house’s 100 year birthday and we were very proud of our families part in its "history."

After that ... I don’t know ... the story line changes. I do know that those 8 years were a wondrous time to be alive. We were always cash poor, but felt connected to the world and life processes. We’d invested and were a part of the American dream ... *Giggle* still we admit, during the early years, we turned off the 10 pm news to be watching MASH. Hehe - Then I’d become groggy as my ex tuned into his favorite show, Dr. Who ... K-9 was more to my grasp.  Go figure! Together we were living the life.

Ok, ok ... enough of those thoughts. Days go by too swiftly, with always so much more ahead. It’s about time we turn to our book, all eager eyes and ears forward! Please be having the best of days today ... and drop us a note as you go by. We’ll be just --------------------->over here!

Staff Training Week #3

The Main Objective for the month is to compare if pennies and dimes are the same or not same.

Key:

Bloom’s Taxonomy

(Kn) = Knowledge

(Co) = Comprehend

(Ap) = Application

(An) = Analysis

(Sy) = Synthesize

(Ev) = Evaluate

Week 1: June 14-18, 2004 - Ann (Group #2) - Math/Money 10:30-11:30

Monday:

(Kn) Draw one circle on the board.

(Co) Label circle "1 cent/penny."

(Ap) Produce circle labeled "1 cent/penny" on paper.

(An) Compare penny with actual penny.

(Sy) Refer to penny as penny.

(Ev) Decide if peer’s penny is also a penny.

Repeat for each individual as many times as necessary. Choose order of presentation by highest to lowest functioning and peers to assist peers.

Tuesday:

Repeat Monday, but use "10 cents/dime."

Wednesday:

1. (Kn) Draw two circles on board.

2. (Co) Label both circles "1 cent/penny."

3. (Ap) Produce a circle labeled "1 cent/penny" on paper.

4. (An) Compare penny with actual penny.

5. (Ap) Produce a second circle labeled "1 cent/penny" on paper.

6. (An) Compare all labeled/actual pennies.

7. (Sy) Refer to both pennies as the same.

8. (Ev) Decide if peer’s pennies are also the same.

Thursday:

1. (Kn) Write "Same/="

2. (Co) Convert to paper.

3. (Ap) Practice drawing "=" 10 times.

4. (An) Minimize/maximize symbol.

5. (Sy) Compare double lines w/one or three lines.

6. (Ev) Choose which signs are real "=" signs.

Friday:

Repeat Wednesday’s Lesson, but use "10 cents/dime."

Week 2: June 21-25, 2004 - Ann (Group #2) - Math/Money 10:30-11:30

Monday:

Repeat Week 1 Monday lesson, but note physical, gestural, verbal cues, or if individual is working independently. Also correct behavioral issues by giving individuals who are "off" more attention by focussing lesson on them "one-to-one." 

Tuesday:

Repeat Week 1 Tuesday lesson, but note physical, gestural, verbal cues, or if individual is working independently.  Also correct behavioral issues by giving individuals who are "off" more attention by focussing lesson on them "one-to-one." 

Wednesday:

Repeat Week 1 Wednesday lesson, but note physical, gestural, verbal cues, or if individual is working independently. Also correct behavioral issues by giving individuals who are "off" more attention by focussing lesson on them "one-to-one." 

Thursday:

Repeat Week 1 Thursday lesson, but note physical, gestural, verbal cues, or if individual is working independently.  Also correct behavioral issues by giving individuals who are "off" more attention by focussing lesson on them "one-to-one." 

Friday:

Repeat Week 1 Friday lesson, but note physical, gestural, verbal cues, or if individual is working independently.  Also correct behavioral issues by giving individuals who are "off" more attention by focussing lesson on them "one-to-one." 

Week 3: June 28-July 2, 2004 -Ann(Group #2) - Math/Money 10:30-11:30

Monday:

Repeat Week 1 Monday lesson, but have individuals who can do the lesson independently teach the lesson to peers, while staff assists slower group if not directly, by modeling correct attention given to the lesson (sit next to individual as if a peer).

Tuesday:

Repeat Week 1 Tuesday lesson, but have individuals who can do the lesson independently teach the lesson to peers, while staff assists slower group by modeling correct attention given to the lesson (sit next to individual as if a peer).

Wednesday:

Repeat Week 1 Wednesday lesson, but have individuals who can do the lesson independently teach the lesson to peers, while staff assists slower group by modeling correct attention given to the lesson (sit next to individual as if a peer).

Thursday:

Repeat Week 1 Thursday lesson, but have individuals who can do the lesson independently teach the lesson to peers, while staff assists slower group by modeling correct attention given to the lesson (sit next to individual as if a peer).

Friday:

Repeat Week 1 Friday lesson, but have individuals who can do the lesson independently teach the lesson to peers, while staff assists slower group by modeling correct attention given to the lesson (sit next to individual as if a peer).

Week 4: July 5-9, 2004 - Ann (Group #2) - Math/Money 10:30-11:30

Monday:

1. (Kn) Draw two circles labeled "1 cent/penny" on paper.

2. (Kn) Draw an "=" sign between two "1 cent/pennies."

3. (Co) Discuss if the "1 cent pennies" are the same.

4. (Ap) Practice writing 10 times "1 cent = 1 cent."

5. (An) Compare written "1 cent = 1 cent" with peers.

6. (Sy) Join two other like objects and write formula, such as "paper = paper."

7. (Ev) Determine if dissimilar objects are the same, such as "girl = pencil."

Tuesday:

Repeat Monday’s lesson, but use "10 cents/dime."

Wednesday:

1. (Kn) Write symbol for "not same" (= sign with line through it).

2. (Co) Convert to paper.

3. (Ap) Practice drawing 10 times.

4. (An) Minimize/maximize symbol.

5. (Sy) Compare double lines with one or three lines.

6. (Ev) Choose which signs are real "not same" signs.

Thursday:

Repeat Monday’s lesson, but use "1 cent/penny" and "10 cent/dime" in the two circles and draw a "not same" sign between two circles.

Friday:

1. (Kn) Draw 2 balloons on board that are similar or different.

2. (Co) Add proper symbol.

3. (Ap) Practice on paper.

4. (An) Relate drawn balloons to real balloons.

5. (Sy) Categorize same or not same.

6. (Ev) Contrast same or not same rule by breaking balloons and concluding each broken balloon is same or not same.

 

 

 

Thinking Group Assignment - Friday

Assignment Name :

Foundations of Arguments: What is a Critical Thinker and When Do You Need to Be One?

Notes / Instructions :

Lesson #1

1. (Knowledge) The individual will recall a time where they had to think.

2. (Comprehension) The individual will cite a time when he/she wasn't thinking. For example: Blaming

3. (Application) The individual will demonstrate thinking. For example, Relate what you ate for breakfast this morning.

4. (Analysis) The individual will classify which food group the food item belongs in.

5. (Synthesis) The individual will create a more healthy breakfast menu.

6. (Conclusion) The individual will determine whether or not he/she would change their breakfast meal if they could.

Lesson #2

1. (Knowledge) The individual will name a time when he/she thought during the program.

2. (Knowledge) The individual will name a time when he/she thought while at home.

3. (Comprehend) The individual will explain the differences in thinking.

4. (Application) The individual will apply a thinking skill to a problem. For example, "When I'm bored, I ..."

5. (Analyze) The individual will distinguish whether this was an "at home" problem, or an "at program" problem.

6. (Synthesis) The individual will compare the boredom from having been in high school to being an adult learner.

7. (Evaluate) The individual will decide whether it is better to be a child thinker or an adult thinker.

Each individual of the 33 or so who are present will be required to address at minimum, two objectives in one hour's time.

Pretty Ho-hum

Mornin... You all ok? We’re runnin short of time this morning. About a half hour left. We were up earlier, but still lagging, so we went back to bed. I think its just the weather. The living room air isn’t working proper so we’re going to need to do something about it. Just that means we have to clean up here first. I don’t know ... maybe by the weekend?

Yesterday went only sort of by plan. The major accomplishments were that we put things in order at our desk, went to the meeting with the State inspector, snuck in another meeting for south side of Chicago executive directors, and finished all the letters to the intake families. That’s about it. We left work early at the 8 hour mark so we could go out and have Chinese with our friend.

The friend is planning a couple of fishing trips. He’s going to a Bass tournament this weekend, then the following weekend, he leaves for a week fishing trip up in northern Canada. What a life! I think he’s really due. He seemed pretty tired out with work stuff.

The meeting with the State inspector went pretty good. We had to go over to a different Center which was pretty big. He was in a large conference room. We were there in enough time to be the first on his agenda. Mostly, I just remained very quiet, answered a few questions, but let the charts speak for themselves. Afterward, I’d been told to call our friend so we could attend the executive providers meeting with he and sister. It was only a couple of blocks away.

That meeting was kind of like, umm I’m not sure. The leader of the meeting was the Chicago south side Network. She’s only had the job a year or two and is doing pretty badly. After introductions, she spent 10 minutes apologizing, but that seemed to be upsetting to her too. I guess there have been many provider agencies complaining about her work to her higher-ups. The meeting was "chilly." I took notes as is my habit, but there really wasn’t too much learned that hadn’t been known already. And, afterward I had to listen to a lot of Sr.’s and our friends thoughts. Sr. made faces throughout the meeting indicating that she was holding back scathing anger. *Sigh*

I felt accomplished with the intake letters. We had to design one more "form letter." The one from the day before was for the families that had made it though registering through the state for adult services, and the next letter was for people that had registered. There were a few interruptions and we read a bit moreof object relations, but for the most part, we worked straight through. There were 11 letters in all for 3 hours worth of time. Pretty good.

They were left at Sr.s desk for signatures and to be passed on to the secretary for translation. We’ve got a little more to do with the financial letter, but pretty much we through with that project, except to talk to people who are accepting the program and for support with the high school.

So, that’s it of our day. We figure to finish that financial letter first, then work on staff training. We have a 1 pm meeting. Then after that ... not sure, we’ll have to look back at our schedule. Maybe we’ve cleared it up enough to be doing some CARF work? Hmm, maybe ...

One way or another, about now, we’re looking forward to being in air conditioning. It’s already 76 out of the expected 86. I know for some of you that would be a blessing, but we’re feeling pretty heated up. Ahh, then there is the thought of a cool shower immediately ahead. Yeah, that ought to help! Til then... take care of your day!

Visiting Freud ... This Shall All One Day Make Sense

Mornin ... How’s everyone? We’ve been out and about, but primarily still lurking. Eh, a comment here or there. Not sure how this works in our minds. We’ve long since abandoned the idea that we need to comment for all the entries. It’s more like I need just to check in with how everyone is holding up.

I find myself thinking ... is this person ok? Might be how I manage the time with the clients too. If time allows a moment or two, we’re looking into their faces to see that they are ok. It seems a bridge of sorts. I realize that my actual time is reserved for the matters that press most strongly. On average, our clients are able to handle the day to day fare through their other relationships.

There was one individual last week that stopped by and stayed about 45 minutes. This was unusual because she has had a tolerance before for staying about 10 minutes. We worked through a 12 minute exercise that she enjoyed enough to ask if she could repeat it. Hehe, the time was granted. I still believe that most problems the clients have can be resolved with attention. So, when it is called for, we usually yield.

Whoops, it works for kitties too. They can go on an on with the fulfilling of normal routines, but periodically they ask for some special time and attention. I think they are playing some game with us though. It seems if I give a little attention here, the other one wants some there. *Sigh* You give as best you can ... keeping in mind the real competition is that my fingers seem most often in want of returning to the keyboard. Ahh, what a romantic relationship that is!!

Yesterday, was a little different in that Sister was out of the building for the majority of the client’s day. She went with Group 1 to take in the sights of Navy Pier. It’s been arranged so that this whole month one group goes every Monday. I’ll find out today what they all thought of the Omnimax theater’s presentation. Not sure even which show they watched. It is always an experience though they enjoy repeating.

Due to this adventure, we had the other three groups on our own for lunch. We’ve often proved an ability to get everyone’s lunch through the microwaves, but it took a little adjusting to get everyone happy. Kind of wonder what has happened to them prior to coming in that they are so on top of each others nerves. We are likely to hear, "She’s looking at me, he’s laughing too loud, or she is bothering me!" Hehe, most often this is resolved by spreading people out more favorably. Sometimes they get bunched up and appear to be sitting in each other’s laps.

It’s not hard to discern the one that needs the most attention. After the food is all heated, there is an allowance of time to just be sitting next to the person with the most needs. We like to be present to them to offer reassurance that everything is going to be ok, while they regain their composure and ability to self control. As this occurs, we step back while keeping a watchful eye. Hehe - the other eye is usually kept on one of the lower functioning client who likes to sneak the food and drink of his less watchful peers. Eh, it’s a vocation!

Usually, Sr. Tess takes the group who finishes first outside to the courtyard that is spacious and with chairs, tables and plenty of room for basketball. We stay back and watch over the stragglers. Yesterday it seemed we needed another solution since I couldn’t be at both ends. Even with those gone, there are about 25 people remaining.

So, I announced we would be staying in. One of the individuals suggested after a moment that sometimes they get to play music and dance. We thought, "Great idea!" She had with her a CD of Michael Jackson that we slipped into the machine. It turned out to be a very good bit of time. If there is one thing that the majority of individuals at our Center like, it is to dance. I liked the casualness of everyone paying attention to movement rather than each others behaviors. They appeared to enjoy the change of pace.

On Mondays we get into the center about quarter to 10, so there is not much chance of getting too much done before 11:30 client lunch. We figured that after 3 days of being off our schedule that we’d concentrate on getting that back up to par so we could know our real priorities and challenges. Then too, Sr finds herself sharing whatever it is that she needs.

I thought it kind of funny, but both her and our friend had done the same thing. Neither of them gave me a direct copy of a letter/request from House Speaker Madigan, but independently each decided I should read and understand the letter and help in editing the Center’s response. I think of it as having hands in many cookie jars :) Actually, its more I’m afraid of patting self on back. After so many years, people must think my opinions count for something!

I was grateful for having been given the opportunity to have attended a couple of legislative sessions during thatlast convention. I could grasp a few concepts of our State leadership. It’s kind of exciting to know that you are a part of a bigger pond. The minute changes that occur from one of their decisions to the next is expansive to one’s mind, albeit from the view of being a very small minnow.

I can imagine meetings held behind closed doors and public that give way to change. Every interest of each issue needs address. Reputations are made and lost. There are sharks out there! Best we support Madigan ... he’s the one responsible for money to build my office and purchase my wonderful computer :) Gotta just love the guy!!

After we’d gotten back to noting about 3 dozen tiny post-it notes to the schedule, we printed out a copy of what was immediately relevant. Two projects stood above the rest as far as urgency for the day. The first was to sort out issues toward introducing parents to the upcoming annuals and the second was to accept the new intake people to the Center and update them on criteria needed to be completed before a start date could be scheduled.

As easy as this might seem it wasn’t really. Both letters to parents had to be succinct, yet informative of the new rules due to a change in State requirements. After your couple of "master" letters are written, approved and translated, then they are used for the other 30 families with only minor adjustments. It takes a while and many, many edits. I spent the next five hours between the two.

The annual letter was approved when I caught Sr. Tess outside during one of our breaks. So we completed the four outgoing letters for July Annuals. We left the Intake letter on her desk for approval. Sr. is usually very good of reading over things before I get there the next morning. After the intake letters are approved, I will complete the next 10 and submit them to the our representative that helps over at the high school. Between us, we’ll make sure that all families complete the paperwork involved. Lots of work to be done before the new clients start in the fall.

Sister Tess pulled a little surprise. She hadn’t told us that she’d talked to the school principal and that the principal convinced her to take a problem client for a 30 day evaluation. I was brought up to speed by the rep. *Sigh* I hope Sr. knows what she’s doing. This is the individual that ran disobediently through the building during her intake appointment refusing to leave rooms she’d raided along with snatching up mailfrom the secretary’s and Sr.’s desk. Eh, what’s life without challenge :)

Then too, there is some consolation that all the new Intake clients (11 or 12) are going to be going to the other Q’s caseload. She’s putting on a big show, but the reality is that for the last three years, we had all the new clients on our caseload. Just the same, I left four weeks open during that time to assist her in getting everyone past their 30 day reports if necessary, after that each will need to have a meeting to establish goals for the upcoming year. It is a lot of work! This was the expected tradeoff for her not doing Staff Training.

So, a short story made long ... that covers me for the majority of time up to 7:30 pm. Sure do hope that Sr. gets the new teacher soon. It’s a change/increase of over 24% the Center’s "normal" functioning level.

I would hope today would be as productive, but it is already starting with glitches. Arrangements were made to meet the State inspector from the week or two previous at another Center to gain approval for funding of four more individuals who now have psychological reports completed. We put up a pretty big stink of not wanting to drive through the city looking for this place, so it was finally arranged that since Sr. And our friend had a meeting a block or two away, that I would travel and be "dumped" off by them with the necessary client files at 9 am. I will be picked up again about noon.

This only allows an hour to get something done. Hmm, arrangements will have to be made for the client’s lunch ... Sure hope the other Q is in for the day! This afternoon we’ll need to be progressing the letters started yesterday and preparing for the Staff Training that will be held tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be much more efficient after we get started. Hmm, if I have a late day ... will be able to work 5 more hours. It would stand to reason then that 1:00- 3:30 pm be spent on the correspondence and 3:30 to 6:00 pm be spent on Staff Training. The last half hour is reserved for re-organization of the following day.

No problems here, right?

The only other thing that happened was that we accomplished another meeting with Dr. M. That went pretty good, we think. Casey was out the first 10 minutes with an additional shadowing of Annemarie. Then afterward I was out, Ann, was out, Kelsie was out, and Kate was out. Casey needed to be resettled on normal account and in addition accept the changes of Dr. M. Having painted one of his walls. This is chaos building material! Change is hard.

To each of our own abilities the remaining parts (all adult) discussed the events leading up to and around our small crises of Friday. The situation was progressed with each one. With the exception of Kate ... she was out at the end to gain more knowledge. She’s been progressing our psychological abilities with new concepts learned from Dr. M. He’s re-introduced object relations and began work on a concept of "mentalization."

He gave us a copy of an article written of object relations from the American Journal of Psychiatry. Since this looks like a pretty complicated 7 pages we figure we should take a few moments here to check this out. We’ll be right over here, k? ---------------->

Hmm, ok ... this is the introduction ... "This paper provides an overview of the theory, indicating the contribution of object relations – such as a basis for individual psychotherapy of severe disorders and a more effective understanding of countertransference – and its shortcomings – such as lack of an explanation for the effects of physical and cognitive factors on object relatedness." It appears to be "an addition to drive theory and ego psychology within psychoanalysis."

No problems here! Hehe, yeah right, ok ... lets try again.

Ok, so it seems its about "how individuals develop in relation to the people around them." Cool!

Key issues: 1-2) internalizing and externalizing relationships, 3) attachment and separation, 4) introjection and projection, 5) transmuting internalization ... transmute - to change to a higher form..  Seems like we'll have to better define differences between internalization and introjection, and then between externalizing and projection.

Hmm, ok contrasts Freuds drive theories ... Hmm, reduction of drives to Anna’s protection of integrity (defense mechanisms) hmm, something about self-and-object all-good and all-bad "camps" after having internalized and identify relationship of primary caretaker ... Yeeks ... that’s about a page and a half, but we’re out of allowed 15 minutes time. To be continued. :)

Relax now ... Relax

Hmm... Mornin ... *Giggle* we’ve been "car shopping" for Free. Not sure if she’ll appreciate it, but we had some fun comparing a couple of vehicles she's favoring. We definitely came up with our favorite although we forgot to tell her even without the ratings, we’d most often always prefer Honda over Toyota. Eh, she’ll go with her best common sense. Shoot, forgot to tell her about the nifty folding picnic table that comes with it ... *Sigh* Probably knows... Relax, relax...

Anyway, it’s clearly morning here. The air wasn’t doing so much, maybe because I only had the living room one going. Should have turned on the kitchen air too. We have this "conflict" with the kitties. Because they’d rather have the balcony door open so they can listen to the morning birds. So, we compromised ... they can have the door open now, but shoot ... as soon as we come home ... it’s so all my turn!

Hmm, James says its 66 now and will go up to a sunny 85 degrees. He forgot to mention ... muggy. Hmm, seems like its going to be a warm week with the coolest days on Thursday and Sunday. Oh yeah and 30-40% chance of thunderstorm whole end of the week with less chance next weekend.

That James, he’s right on the money.

Not much happened yesterday. I did go out for a few minutes in the morning to do some banking and laundering and for smokes. It wouldn’t have been so bad, but I didn’t have the resolve to go in without getting the candy bar. There’s more work to be done. We’ll have to pick up clothes tonight.

I talked to a few people during the day, IM’d with a few more and emailed yet another couple. That’s pretty good in our estimation. Enough, at least, to keep me in my small loop.

For the most part ... we just, read new journals. This was highly satisfying. We’re now out of the C’s and into the D’s. Takes awhile, especially if you find one that’s more interesting to you and you go back to the beginning. I don’t know what it is about journal reading that makes it so cool, but we’re all for it. I was grateful too that a few people stopped by to read our journal. It gives one the feeling of having company.

We’ve added two new people to our list. Brian is someone that we’ve met before and enjoyed. Need to tease him along, because the only reason he wasn’t up on our list before is that he doesn’t always update regularly. Hehe, not that he isn’t busy. He’s a wonderful young volunteer firefighter for Leesburg, Virginia and talks sometimes about the duties. Hehe - plus a full time job to boot! Brian has a heart of gold and real concern over his community, but no nonsense while he's working. He is also working this summer on having the ultimate perfect lawn and has a "thing" for another prettier firefighter than he even! Her name is Kathleen. Stop over to visit with him some time - oh and ask about the new snazzy automatic vacuum cleaner. She’s a beauty! :)

The other new person added to our list is another young person by the name of Maria. Maria is currently deciding whether to live with her mother or father. Hmm, the choice might be hard, either way ... she’s taken on a lot of responsibility with them, her siblings, and grandparents. Maria is a heartfelt person who self-claims to be passionate about her beliefs and boldly expressive. She also likes to have fun! We’ll back her up on those thoughts. Have we mentioned yet, she is an Itallian originally from Jersey? Bill wasn’t that your old haunt? We’d like to be a facet of her life that says, "Hey, Maria ... you’ve a lot to offer life, go with the psychology degree, you’ve already half earned it!"

That’s about it for that day ... now on to the next!

This morning we have an appointment with Dr. M. We’re looking forward to that. I think some time has to be devoted to talking over this last emotional upset on Friday. And, Vince, we’re not even going to think the name of our instigator of turmoil, til then!

Not sure what we have lined up on the immediate docket this morning with the exception of getting our scheduler back on track. The last three days were terrible with it. I think we need to take care of a couple big projects like furthering some annual work for the clients, some performance analysis work, and check processes of the Annual Report. Might need to make some decisions eventhough our actual work is done.

There, that is enough of work thoughts for now. It’s been a fairly relaxing weekend. Thinking now we might get 1-2 more journals read before work? Hmm, pure indulgence on our part. The secret is to relax, right?

Keeping it Lite Today

Mornin ... How are all today? We’ve been down and around the block, still with few comments in between. Hard to explain this ... Maybe a little sad ... and still a bit disconnected. Ok, girl ... chin up...

There is a new girl (WHOOPS GUY) on the block discovered by Bill. So far, we know of her (HIM) name only as Knoxhugh, (ACTUALLY NAME IS HUGH ),but maybe we could nudge a little more from her (HIM)  :). We’re always very happy to see members of the social service field. Her (HIS) speciality is in drug rehabilitation counseling. Welcome, Welcome!!  (SORRY - About faux pas foot in mouth!  Umm, Hugh ... next thing you do is create an "About Me!  *Grin*)

Well, that may be the highlights! *Giggle* Ok, maybe not ALL, but a nice proportion!

Actually, we had a visitor last night. Our friend stopped over, so we could talk and be nice to each other again. And, no it wasn’t just because he brought with him pizza! Maybe the hard lemondades? Nah ... that wasn’t it either. Maybe after you get to a certain age, you realize that it is really no fun to be mad at people ... I figure 24-36 hours top. Then the feelings of wanting for things to be "normal," come back.

Pretty much, I think our main point to him was "Sometimes, I want you just to listen!" His main point was "Sometimes, I want you just to move on with things!" We tried to get an agreement that it was fair to have at least 10 minutes of anger, before I "needed" to calm down and be moving on. But, that may or may not mean I'm going to be real happy for a while as we are processing the offense and the hurt from it.  There was a lot more discussion than that ... maybe 45 minutes, but that was the important stuff. After 10 or so years, ya know basically ya kinda are better at getting along with each other, than not.

Funny things emotions ... I know that we were feeling them real strong. First the anger, then followed quickly by the depression. We’re hopin for another good day today, though I think it will be quieter. I know ... we’ll have to go out, cuz we’re short on smokes, yes I knoooww, we should take the dirty laundry with us *Sigh*. Just that part doesn’t seem so exciting. We’ve committed ourselves to not be getting our traditional candy bar along the way. Just one day, and sometime one moment at a time. This is how change comes about.

Hmm, we’re not going to say much about the pizza. Well, maybe one thing. Does it help that it was a vegetable pizza? Hmm, thought not, but figured we’d ask anyway...

Hmm, we skipped right out of the commenting on emotions. Sneaky, sneaky ... Maybe we’re not feeling very profound.I know we have strong emotions. I suppose with all our happier feelings it would be natural that the pendulum falls back to the other side? Just hard.

Anger feels like having lost control - maybe of control, we never had. Try as I might to calm Sr. Tess’ raging at myself or others ... seems as if we’re all just destined to be her targets. That just seems so hopeless. I wonder if Sr. feels when she gets mad that she is "losing control." I think we’re coming up against a torrential hailstorm this next week or so. We’re thinking both Sr. And our friend are scheduled for vacations by about the 19th. Hmm, reminds me we have some days we’ll need to take off too. Maybe 5 more days before July 1rst. Better check the calendar on Monday.

Still don’t know what to do with her trashing my one year project of much time and effort. Think we’re way past wanting a thank you or good job. We know that CARF thought we did good work. Shoot, they wanted to hire us, right? 98% accuracy isn't supposed to feel bad!  And, they made no qualms about giving the 3 year accreditation. Just the hard part is having to deal with Sr.’s anger over CARF for the next 3 years. Not sure how we’re going to be handling that. Seems like we’re going to have to start the project at many deficit levels. What will be our motivation if we’re expecting all along that "A" type, or exemplary work will not hold her favor, and worst yet, makes her angry?

I don’t know ... starting to feel depressed again ... think we need to switch gears here.  Too much, too much ... let's stick to our precautions, Ok dears?

Mmm, went in to the kitchen to take our medicine. Figured that be a good start and in the process opted for a nice juicy apricot! This is the good life :) Maybe we’ll take a small break from the writing and do some journal reading. I think we’ll do as we did yesterday in coming back to be making additions. It worked well for us. And, a second cup of coffee too? Yeah, maybe that’s what we’ll do.