More on my way to work. . . .

A few recent photos.

On my way to work. . .

One of the "weird" things that I love the most and want to photograph almost obsessively is old run down houses. With all the driving I do, I drive past many during the week. . .but I don't usually have my camera with me. I happened to have my camera with me today as I drove past this one.

Holey Moley--21 lbs gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So--for all you folks looking for my WW update. . I'm down 21 lbs! ;-) Here's me at Heather's graduation last June (Heather is David's sister).


And here are few recent photos--taken within the month.


I think you can really see it in my face. ;-)

From Ms. Mamma!

One book that changed your life:
I don't really have any books that changed my life. One book that I am really enjoying right now is, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I began to develope better managment stratagies, but I think it will help me a "better person." Probably a little cheesy I know, but I'm young and I can always work on a better me! ;-)

One book you read more than once:
I'm a sucker for ANY thing by Stephen King. Horror is, by far, my favorite genre. I have read most of his older work many times, but I've read The Shining the most.

One book you want on a desert island:
Probably one the Worst Case Senario books!!! Also, Atlas Shrugged. I read a lot of Ayn Rand when I was in high school. I used to really enjoy her work.

One book that made you cry:
Hmm--I've been reading mostly trade books for my job, so I haven't really read anything that has caused me to tear up lately!!! I read most of the Clan of the Cave Bear series when I was in highschool. There were some parts in them that made me cry.

One book that made you laugh:
Confessions of a Shopaholic. Yes--it IS 'chicklit.' But it was a good book. I'd probably read that one again.

One book you wish would have been written:
Yes, I really am happy (a gal's guide to NOT being married).

One book you wish had never been written:
So the book that I putting here is a book that I actually enjoyed, but because I was REQUIRED to read it for a college humanities course and then over analyse it, I didn't really get a chance to enjoy it. I might read it again. The Old Gringo.

One book you are currently (re)reading (again & again):
I'm sad to say that I am not rereading anything right now.

One book you have been meaning to read:
I've been meaning to read Beowulf again. Again, this was a high school favorite of mine.

Three people you will tag:
Oh my! I don't have enough regular blog readers to do any tagging!!! ;-)

Okay all you "anonymous visitors"!

Leave me a comment or something!!! ;-) Except you, Greg--Thanks! ;-)

Slide Show and Map

Weight Watchers Update and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

WEIGHT WATCHERS
So I haven't posted in sometime about my Weight Watchers journey. There has just been so much going on. School. Work. And lately, the Hedgehog obsession! But--things are going great with WW. I'm down almost 20lbs. It feels surreal. My knees no longer bother me. I can see my clavicles. Old clothes fit again. I'm just about half way to my goal and it has been surprisingly easy. I currently subscribe to Pointing My Way to a New Life, by far the best WW forum I have found. It's very positive and very supportive and has been a big part of my success so far. Anyway--if you'd like to see where I started, how I'm doing, and where I'm heading, here is my Weigh In Journal that I fill in every week.

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE
Another personal update that I'd like to fill everyone in on is my reading of , written by Steven Covey. This is a fantastic book and I would recommend EVERYONE take a small peek at it. I originally picked it up because I wanted to improve my supervisory techniques for my job, but this book is really about improving one's self as whole. I've just finished up habit number 1, "be proactive," and I am beginning to read about habit number 2, begin with the end in mind." I have been working VERY hard at being proactive but it is a skill that I need to continue to work on. I am the classic reactive person and this is NOT who I want to be.

Some blogs writing about Hedgies. . . . .

Yes, it's true. I have become obsessed! I'm on a waiting list with Hedgie Delight. See? There's my name in the number 10 slot. It's going to be awhile before my future Hedgie arrives, so I am researching, researching, and researching more.

Below are some links to some blogs of people who have apprently become just as obessesed as I have.

Harley's Bachelor Pad
The Quackometer Blog
Hedgehogs in the Wild!
Make a wheel sensor
The Hog Blog

I now belong to following Hedgehog Forums and Groups
Chins and Quills
Hedgehog World
Hedgehog Central
Hedgehog Help
Hedgehog Welfare

I am looking to join The International Hedgehog Association soon too.

So I need a hobby. . . .

Okay-- well, yes, I know that it has been awhile since I have posted. I was told by the dbf (dear boyfriend), David, that I need a hobby. I guess engrossing myself in all things related to my field of work, going to the spa, shopping for COACH handbags, or doing the whole WW thing, are NOT a hobbies!!! Hardy har har har. All jokes aside, I think he's right. I spend a lot of time defining myself by my work and this REALLY should stop because, although I love my job very much and I am passionate about what I do, I need to take a break sometimes.

So. . . . . I have thought long and hard and I have decided to get a hedgehog. Not only will caring for this pet be a good source of stress relief, but careing for this cute little critter should be a good way to meet new people. ;-) I have contacted this breeder and I hope to get on their waiting list soon. It looks like I'll be waiting until about May to pick up my new little hedgie and until then I am reading all hedgehog related info and trying to gather my supplies.

So--watch for photos soon!

Check out this video.

Mark Leland Video

Watch this Video.

Watch this Video.

You Tube, believe it or not, has some great Autism related posts. Some are geared toward different therapy approaches and others are geared toward advocacy and acceptance. I invite all my fellow folks who support people with autism to check them out. Some may sadden you and others may enlighten you to a different perspective. Take a look.

RDI techniques
RDI 1
RDI 2
RDI 3

A different Perspective
Perspective 1
Perspective 2
Perspective 3
Perspective 4
Perspective 5
Perspective 6
Perspective 7

A parent calling out for help (make sure you read the clip on the side)
Help 1

Only in Wisconsin

So. . .this morning I woke up to a white car piled with some of that white fluff. Yesterday was the true first snow, but it wasn't sticking. This morning, however, was another story.

In bigger news. . . . . I'm getting four wisdom teeth pulled out today. This should be interesting since I have a HUGE dental phobia. UGH.

The telephone game

Does any one remember the telephone game? It's the game where you whisper something in someone's ear and that person whispers it to the next and by the end what ever you said turned into something completely different? Sounds a little like gossip right? At two of the teams I supervise, in one town in particular, there two big games of telephone going on. Gossip. Gossip. Gossip. And one very mad staff over the whole thing. It's all just rediculous. Adults should NOT act this way. At least in "rachael land" adults should not act this way. Needless to say, I am involved in a very complicated game of telephone and a whole lot of "he said, she said." Ugh. I moved away from a tiny little town to try and get away from that sort of thing.

So. . . .in tune with what I am currently experiencing here is a little info about office gossip and how to stop it (hopefully).


Where's the line between telling others something interesting about someone else ... and gossip?

We often start conversations by telling an interesting tidbit or piece of information about another person. When we do, those conversations quickly degrade into gossip.

When is conversation one of concern for another, and when does it cross the line into gossip?

Consider this conversation:

Ted: Bob, did you hear about Tim? He got a great promotion.
Bob: Really? What for?
Ted: Apparently he did a job for the boss and the boss liked it; so Tim got the promotion. I think they're friends, and that probably helped.

Gossip? Or sharing good news about a coworker? Gossip.

Do you know where Ted crossed the line between sharing Tim's good news and gossiping? As soon as Ted put in his own speculation about the reason Tim got the promotion.

Seems fairly clear cut. What about this next scenario:

Millie: Margaret, I just want to let you know that Sally isn't feeling well today; so if you have to take her any projects be patient with her.
Margaret: What's wrong? Is she sick?
Millie: Well, you know she went to the doctor the other day. Apparently, the doctor gave her some bad news. She's been feeling under the weather; I think the doctor confirmed what she suspected.
Margaret: What did she suspect? Is it serious?
Millie: I think so. I don't want to say, but ...
Margaret: What? You can tell me; I want to be able to help her if I can.
Millie: Well, I know she had her mammogram last week. I wouldn't be surprised it something showed up on that. Poor Sally. Margaret: Oh my gosh, you mean cancer?
Millie: I don't know, but...

... and the conversation goes on, with Sally getting sicker by the minute. And poor Sally doesn't have a clue she's become the target of someone else's gossip.

Learning to tell the difference
To determine whether a conversation is degrading into gossip, we need to decide upon the motives of the participants (us and them) for sharing the information.

Is our motive to attract attention and to feel the center of it all for a moment or two? Is our motive to promote the best interest of the subject of the conversation ... or to promote our own self-interests?

If our purpose is to promote ourselves, to get a bit of attention, to feel center-stage for a moment or two, then we are gossiping rather than having a conversation. And isn't that exactly what Millie is doing in this case? Are her interests really to help Sally?

No. Millie is merely using Sally - and what she speculates about Sally's situation - as leverage to gain attention for herself. It is a power play.

Why should we be concerned whether we slip into gossip on occasion?
Isn't it okay - every now and then - to talk about other people? In a word, NO! When we participate in gossip, we run the risk of damaging our credibility.

And our credibility is the one thing in business and personal relationships we should strive to protect at all times. Our credibility determines how much others are willing to trust us: with information, assignments, responsibilities.

If we think that a little idle chitchat won't hurt, think again.

Consider for a moment: do you know people at your job you'd never trust with a confidence? Why is that? What did they do that damaged their credibility and trustworthiness in your eyes?

Was it gossip, perhaps?

How, then, can we test our conversations to ensure that we are not participating in gossip?
By asking ourselves our true motivation for participating in conversations about other people ... and by being honest with our answers.

When we honestly assess our motives, we'll discover that most of the time when we're talking about someone who isn't present-we are gossiping.

How can we protect against participating in gossip?
A sure-fire way to stop gossip in its tracks is to guard our tongues before speaking to anyone about anyone else.

Ask, "What is my motive for telling what I'm about to tell?" If it's to get attention or to make ourselves more popular or important, then our motives are wrong and we should refrain from speaking.

What about when others start gossiping to you?
Simply ask them why they are telling you whatever it is they are telling. If they say they just wanted you to know so you'd understand why Sally is a little down these days, politely say "I'll talk with Sally right now and let her know you told me about her situation. Perhaps she needs some comfort."

You'll know right away if the person who told you about Sally's situation is uncomfortable with that. And then you'll be able to surmise the real motive behind why they wanted to talk about Sally.

Stopping gossip in its tracks
When you find yourself in a situation where you suspect gossip is about to take place, try some of these lines to extricate yourself:


I'm uncomfortable talking about Tim when he is not present to tell his side of the story. Lets hold this conversation until he can be with us.

Is this something Sally specifically asked you to tell me? If so, I'll be sure to let her know you filled me in.

When I hear you talk about other people and their situations, I wonder whether you talk about me to others.

Can we wait to talk about this until (Tim/Sally) can be with us? Thanks.

Is what you are about to tell me something you would say if (Tim/Sally) were here?

You may not be too popular with the people who like to gossip when you start using these lines with them. But your main concern should be protecting your credibility-and your privacy. You will quickly learn to whom you can safely tell your secrets and from whom you should steer clear.



Dr. Tracy Peterson Turner is an expert in both written and verbal communication. She knows the traps most professionals fall in to when attempting to communicate with those in their work environments, and provides her clients with proven strategies to avoid them. Within the framework of her highly-acclaimed company, Managerial Impact, Dr. Turner brings her expertise to those corporations who want their managers to communicate more effectively and to individuals who want to get their messages heard. She is the author of 5 Critical Communication Vehicles, a book that helps managers communicate more effectively every day.

Here are a few links for ideas when dealing with work place gossip:
Healing the Harm of Gossip
Gossip Issues
Office Gossip

A favorite of mine

Come to Your Senses - National Sensory Awareness Week - October 25-31, 2006!

The first National Sensory Awareness Day in October of last year was a huge success! Now, let's build on that with a whole week of awareness.

Sensory Spotlight


Sensory Buddies, Unite!

Izzy McBusy, the official representative of National Sensory Awareness Week, knows what it's like to have sensory issues - she's a sensory kid, too! Izzy says, "Sometimes when we're out with our parents, shopping, traveling, or at a restaurant, movie, or party, we can get really overwhelmed and even uncooperative. Our moms, dads, friends, or relatives get some really weird looks when people don't understand how hard it is to avoid or control how we are feeling."

"Let's tell the world we are 'sensory kids.' Maybe people will 'get it' about what's going on in our world."

To learn more about how you can promote Sensory Awareness Week go to the Sensory Awareness Week website.
Sensory Resources

You'll find information about a special t-shirt, designed by Izzy, that helps promote sensory awareness; information that you can print out and pass out to doctors, therapists, teachers, and family members to help educate them about sensory issues; and much more!

Feeling a little thoughtful again

So today, once again, one of my poor kiddos is sick. There is really something going around. This usually does happen for the first few monthes after school starts. Hopefully everyone will start felling well soon!!!

I've been doing some thinking this morning and, wow, I am lucky. I am so lucky to have job where I can take time off if I need to for what ever reason. That I can arrange my schedule as needed to suite my needs and my family's needs. This is a nice thing. Now--I'll be honest. I'm not rich by any stretch of the American idea of wealthiness. My salary is nice, but not huge or anything. But you know what? In my mind I am rich. I am able to get up and go to a job that I love. I am able to do something that is my PASSION. How many people get to say that?

From my MYSPACE blog. . . .

gettin' old
Current mood: thoughtful

So. . .I'm feeling pretty old these days. I mean--I feel YOUNG (much younger than most folks my age I guess) but my body feels like it should starting feeling OLD. Gettin' closer to 30. I know my brain is feeling old because I OVERTHINK everything. UGH.

Not married. Same man for N-I-N-E years! Okay. . . so I really like that part. I mean, he and I have our ups and downs but 99% things are awesome. We balance each other. He's quite and reserved. I'm LOUD, outwardly PLAYFUL. . . . . . .we're a good fit.

Anyway, I look back on my life and I think about all the things that I am thankful and happy for but I also think about all the areas where I don't have closure. Things that I started but got lost along the way. I had so many visions of what my life SHOULD have been and I can't help but see what it isn't. There are so many things that I am grateful for.

So many things that I love. David. My Dad. My career. My educational goals. I'm breaking free from a LOT of debt that I accumulated. My friends.

But there are so many things that are still nagging at me. Did I make my mother proud? Will my brothers ever connect with my dad again? Will always be stuck in the middle? Have I done enough to help the children I serve? Will I ever get out of this county and see what is REALLY out there? Ph.D? Have I made enough mistakes in life to REALLY learn my lesson or have I made TOO many? Do I REALLY "sweat the small stuff" as my dad says? Can I make myself stop that?

hmmm. . . . . I guess that's enough thinking for now! Don't want to hurt myself! hardy har har har har

Currently listening : The Dutchess By Fergie Release date: By 19 September, 2006

What a week.

It has been quite the week already and it's only Wednesday!!!! Monday I spent 90% of the day at the doctor trying to get some new answers with my knee issue. I'm hoping that I as I continue to loose weight my knee issues will decrease. Looks like some sort of knee surgery is going to be in my future.

Then on the work end of things--all of my client's teams are short therapists! There must be something in the water!!! My line therapists are dropping from teams like flies. I'm not sure what's going on. The only thing I know right now is that I have several sets of VERY stressed out parents because they are worried about getting their state required amount of hours in each week and not having staff to fill those hours. Of course, because they are stressed, I am feeling tons of stress too.

That brings me to the other icky thing this week. I went over my points BIG TIME on Wednesday. I pretty much blew them all on breakfast at a conference I was attending. On a postive note, I made very healthy choices the rest of the day, but I still ended up way over. UGH. I guess every day can not be fantastic! Overall, I am really happy with how things are going with WW. I pretty much have lost or maintained everyweek, which has really kept me motivated. I know that I won't loose every week and I'm sure I'll plateau at some point, but for now it's going great.

The next few weeks are going to be VERY busy as I try and fill kiddo schedules. I have a feeling I am going to be working a lot of overtime (without compensation since I am salaried). That's the way it goes though. Some weeks I'm way under so I guess it's time to balance things out a bit!!!

I took the plunge

Did I get married? Nope. Sky dive? Nope. Hang glide? Nope not that either. I did something 9 weeks ago that was just as scary and brave for me though. I joined Weight Watchers. So that might not sound like a scary thing, but for me it really was. It might sound vain because I'm not satisfied with my weight or happy with my appearance--but this was something that I needed to do both for myself and for my loved ones. So. . . one might think, "Why not just regualar diet and exercise?" Well--for me WW is giving me a huge support network and accountability in a SUPPORTIVE, non-critical fashion. For me--the support is the most important thing. I thought that I WAS doing everything right. I exercised. I was pretty good about my diet. But now. . . I exercise and I am FABULOUS about my diet!

I was shy at first. I thought that only morbidly obese people belonged to ww. I was afraid that if I told people they would be like. . oh so you think your fat? I don't think I'm FAT but I do think that I'm not at the weight that I should be at for my frame size and I need a little extra help getting there. Also--my knee has REALLY been bothering me. So much that I am on a prescription anti-inflammatory drug to help keep the swelling at bay. I still have pian some days though. This was the big one for me. I NEVER had as much swelling and knee issues until I got to the weight that I was 9 weeks ago. For me, this was my body's way of telling me, "whoa there Nellie! Time to start thinking about being a little healthier here." So. . that was what did it for me. So. . . here I am today, a little bit thinner and working toward my goal.

I must say that I love being apart of WW. Not only am I already having more energy and decreased knee swelling, I feel like I really can meet my goal. Besided attending my weekly meetings--I get support from two other places, both are online communities. The first is Pointing My Way To A New Life. I love this place. I get lots of great info and lots of great support!!! I also belong to a MYSPACE WW group that I find very helpful too. Both are just extra support. Some people probably don't need quite THAT much support, but for me it is the key thing to my success so far.

Sunday. . . .

It's a little after noon here in Wausau. The sun is blazing and it's rather warm already. David is snoozing in the other room. Rough day yesterday. He won't admit it but I'm pretty sure it was. His Grandma Joyce is in the hospital and didn't look good. She repeated herself a lot. Blood pressure wasn't so hot. No catscan yet 'cause she won't drink all of that dye stuff. Doctors are thinking it will happen tomorrow. We came home about 6 yesterday and I napped until 10am this morning. I woke up about 3am from a horrible dream and had come out to the living room while he was watching Rambo. David woke up at 11:30 to catch a little wwe and try and find some local car shows to put the 'stang in.

So today I'm just "chillin". I'm finishing up my paper on systematic instructional design (exciting, eh?) and catching up with friends. I think we may go see a movie later, but I'm not sure if David feels like getting out of bed. .

Well Paint Me Green and Call Me GUMBY!!!

Okay, I've been absent. It's not you, it's me. Life has been B-U-S-Y and I have been trying to slow down but with no avail. Okay. . .well, I did go to the spa for hours last week. . . so I guess I have to count that! But otherwise it has been crazy around here. Just finished up one of my action research classes. I was certain that was going to go horribly wrong, but I did fine. Work has been nutty too. I picked up three more cases on opposite ends of the state so I am driving all over the place. 800 miles on my car last week. 800. I think I'll put more milage on in one year than some people put on the entire life of their car before it gets traded in for the shiny new model. Any way--today I want to talk about MYSPACE. Yes, I will admit it. Like oh so many I am pretty much addicted to MYSPACE. For me, it has been a great way to connect with people that I lost touch with for YEARS. In the last week alone I have been in contact with five different people who I have not spoken to for at least 5 years--some it's been more like ten or 11 years. I love being able to catch up and see what everyone has been doing. . . . .

ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog: April 2006

ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog: April 2006

Well--I've been looking into brushing for some of the kiddos that I work with. I've heard good things about it, but the more I look into the less information I find! I found this blogger who wrote on the topic and I guess I'll go from there. . . . . .