The Mother Bear Syndrome

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh! I observed a little boy in class. He had voluntarily isolated his desk from the rest of the students. He was upset when someone accidentally bumped his desk. He wouldn't go to Vehicle Day, which looked dang fun to me! He was upset by the sirens from the fire engine. He was very perfectionistic with his work. In short, he demonstrated a few Aspergers characteristics. His teacher thinks he's an Aspy, too. But I didn't want to do Autism testing without the parent's knowledge. So, I did what any self-respecting School Psychologist would do. I called the mom. "Mrs. So and So. While I was observing your son, I noticed that he did a few things that are typical of Aspergers Syndrome and I didn't want to do any testing without your permission." Silence. I knew by the silence that I had not taken a soft enough approach when I said the word "Asperger's", so I did the best I could at damage control and she seemed OK at the end of the conversation. But she didn't want testing. And she wasn't OK. Today she came in fuming mad and observed her son in class, steam coming out of all head orifices. The teacher did the best she could to comfort her and heal the wounds inflicted by the evil witch psychologist. I'm embarrassed and regret not being more empathic when I called her. I, of all people, know that when discussing a woman's child, you step lightly. Damn!

Counting Calories

Today I did not eat a 240 calorie Hershey bar, nor did I go to a baby shower at work where I peeked in and saw 1000's of calories glaring back at me in their luscious,chocolate costumes. I jumped back, slammed the door shut, with my back to the door, and breathed hard at such a narrow escape. Later, George and I went to an amazing quilt show (some of which were more amazing than the Mona Lisa)(Yes, REALLY!) and did not buy a $15 bag of sugared cashews. I will estimate this bag at about an additional 1000 calories. So if one pound equals 3000 calories, I only have 260 more calories to lose one pound. Using this sort of logic, I have gained exactly 10 pounds.

The More You Give 'Em, The Less They Appreciate It

Lori is an aide at Silver Crest where I work. She and her husband had one son and then couldn't have anymore children so they adopted a little girl at birth, Jenna. She has been nothing but trouble. When she was 14 she ran off with an older teen age boy to California to carry out a suicide pact. By a miracle, Lori drove down and retrieved her before it happened. They took her straight to a program for troubled girls where she stayed for a year. Jenna has been home six months now and Lori just found out that she called her old dysfunctional friends and they have been smoking pot at lunch time. She also had bolts screwed into her hip bones and they got infected. The other day Lori lost it and started screaming at her. Lori is the mildest person you can imagine, but she screamed everything she had been thinking for the last few years and more. The daughter just sat and looked her with no emotion. Lori hit bottom and said that she finally realized that nothing she did, was going to help Jenna. She came into my office crying yesterday and I was able to share some of my insights. But right now, Lori hates Jenna. It is painful to watch what Lori is going through.

Saag, Chapter One

I go to Indian restaurants and eat Saag and just love it! Even if it is ugly. Then I go home and make it following a recipe (I wonder if I have ever in my life actually followed a recipe with no deviations)and it is so ugly I can't eat it and no one else will either. Here I go again. I'm going into the kitchen to make Saag.

Gratitudinizing

I have been interested in positive psychology lately. Shawn Achor maintains that there are five simple things to do to improve one's happiness quotient, 1) Write three things you are grateful for every day, 2) Write and describe in detail one positive experience every day, 3) Meditation, 4) Do a random act of kindness, and 5) Exercise.

This is April 28, 2011. Today I am grateful for Shanone, who rode to Idaho with me to visit our mothers last weekend. We had such a wonderful time soaking at Lava Hot Springs, eating and talking. I am also grateful that she is on my team at work and that Sheila and Jessica, who are also on the team, are on the team. Also, I am glad that I am at two beautiful, new school, where I have very nice offices and bright surroundings.

Something good that happened today: Miss Obrey stopped me in the hall to give me a "hall referral" and I asked her to email me so I wouldn't forget. When I took her the Permission for Counselling, she said, "Thanks, you are awesome." Also when I told KP that we had a parent meeting set up for Monday for an at-risk student, he said, "Perfect." Made me feel good. I enjoy working for him.

Minutia

I had such a pleasant day today. When I got up I started writing a list of possible things to do. At the time of my first interruption, I had one thing on my list: Clean car. I accomplished this task at 4:30 p.m.

George bought an airplane today. An airplane with a history. A couple of months ago we read in the news that some guy had been killed when he wrecked his homemade airplane into someone's yard. Yes, that is the airplane George bought.

Go for the Gold!

No pun intended, but when I made the uneducated choice to go to Midas Creek Elementary, I struck gold. It is a beautiful, new school, with a wonderful, supportive principal (who told my supervisor that he couldn't say enough good things about me)(love that guy), and I have a big gorgeous office. But best off all, my team rocks! We are all from Idaho, three from the Blackfoot area and me. Sheila is the resource teacher and team leader. She is about my age, funny as hell, we even weigh the same! Best of all, she loves buying clothes! I can't believe my luck! We shop together and create outfits to show each other. The other day when we were lamenting our middle age middles, Sheila came up with the idea that whoever lost 8 pounds first could have something from the other's closet. We have been tormenting each other ever since, mentioning the most very expensive items in the other's wardrobe as possible rewards. This has had such a motivating effect on me. I have gained 3 pounds.