Sensory issues in real life

If you don't know, I have sensory processing disorder (along with learning issues) and textures are a difficult concept for me to grasp (literally). I have to keep my hands busy, am anxious half the time with the world around me, and struggle to really feel satisfied as I am in a sensory world. If it's soft, it has to be fabric softener soft. If it's shiny, I have to touch it. If it's wet, I am there. If it has a poky texture, don't even ask me to touch it.

When I was younger, I worked with an Occupational Therapist to help me identify when I had "sensory overload issues," fine motor issues, gross motor issues, and delayed skills. From cutting with scissors to button snapping to aiding in my handwriting. I found OT incredibly important to my life and how to learn what to do when I feel overwhelmed. OT was actually very soothing and helped me in my educational and social life.

To keep my hands busy, I use fidgits, thera-puddy, stress balls, manipulatives, and anything that will calm me down. It's just a sensory thing that helps me strive for excellence in the classroom and in life.

A few websites that I have found extememly helpful are for parents looking for sensory and OT related materials:

Fun and Function Thera-puddy, figits, manipulatives, special needs toys and sensory aids.

Autism shop Not just for autism: books, manipulatives, resources, and ideas for sensory and special education.

Southpaw Anything you need as far as OT related materials.

I don't consider myself weird, I just consider myself unique. There is nothing wrong with the way I learn or if I need figits to keep me calm.

It's just me!!

Not Me Monday

Well hello Monday! The last week was L.O.N.G indeed and I am hoping this week is not as long. A girl can hope, right? MckMama created this awesome idea of Not Me Monday as a way of a spilling our guts free therapy session of what we did not do this past week. I thought I would play along this week.

This past week...

I did not "race" the clock to see how fast I could really clean my apartment. That would be silly. ;)
I did not feel guilty that I did not have time to blog as much.
I did not eat dessert and then continue to let dinner cook on Friday night.
I did not spend time just reading and not commenting on blogs.

I did not fall asleep on the couch three times this past week and just stay there instead of moving to my bed.

I did not have trouble, massive trouble, falling asleep every night this week.

So there you have it. A little free therapy at no cost. If you want to see more NMMs, just click on the button above.

Happy Monday to you!!!

Random thoughts

TGIF!!!

I am so glad that Friday is here! Time to chill, relax, get back on a schedule, do homework, watch a movie or two on tv, cook, try new things, do laundry, and just enjoy life! I am psyched for tonight's meal since I am making rosemary oven chicken & rosemary roasted oven veggies! I have been thinking about this all day! Seriously!

This week was really weird for me! I could not go to sleep on time, had early mornings, some stress, & a few (more like 100+) emails. I woke up cold two mornings this week. Texas actually had low 60s in the mornings. It was crazy!

I am still missing my family and dogs! :) Something about football just riles me up. I am so proud of my varsity, O-Line and Defense Brother!

I am starting to get nervous about taking my first EC-6 PPR certification test next Friday. I have to be at the test center at 7:30. :-o! Sure I will study and review but it's just weird already taking certification tests. ;)

I am so ready for fall!!!

Did I mention that I am so glad it's Friday!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Thankful Thursday

How's your week? Having a good one or are you longing for the weekend? Umm...I'll be honest that I am ready, so ready, for the weekend. This week has been nutso and I can't wait for a relaxing weekend.

We all have something to be thankful for-big or small. Either tell me by linking your TT post to mine or leave me a comment in the comment section. All are welcome to play along.

This week...

I am thankful for my momma who just listens to me when I need to talk things out.

I am thankful that my brother had a good start to his freshman year in high school.

I am thankful for my professors who are willing to encourage, support, and give you a shoulder if need be.

I am thankful for my rockin' good newspaper staff whom I work with.

I am thankful for the cooler weather.

I am thankful that I am breathing in and out today. :)

So there you have it. You can be thankful for just about anything.

Have a great day!!!

Are you kidding me??? Seriously?!?!

This morning, I took a cold bath. Why you ask?

Currently, I have no hot water!!!

I called my apartment office and they said it could be until tomorrow afternoon until it is fixed. Fan-flippin-tastic. You can tell I am just a happy camper right now (said in my most sarcastic voice.)

Today has just not been my day!

H0w has your day been???

First day as a Senior in college

First off, when did this happen? It seems so surreal that I am a SENIOR in college! WoW!!! I wish I could hit the rewind button and live a little more as an undergrad. It just does not seem possible that I am a senior!

Last night, I slept for about 3.5 hours. I'll admit, I was not excited to leave home yesterday but the "school excitement" hit around 10pm last night. That involved me not being able to fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. Fabulous! What also hit was allergies. Good heavens!

Today has been full of talking to people, attending class, meeting new people, and getting back into the groove of things. Today has also been extremely busy. I realize, now, that I must give myself time just to chill and blogging is that time today.

Graduation seemed so far away as a freshman but in a matter of months, it will be here! First I have to Student Teach in the spring, though!

I still can't believe I am a senior in college!!!

Happy Monday!!!

Monday. Monday. Monday

I will be back on Monday!

I am currently packing and preparing to return to collegetown.

I am hanging out with my family and enjoying my last few moments

with them. I am nervous about my senior year. I am excited, nervous,

and scared! I am thrilled to be a senior and am excited to just get out!

I love college but am ready to do my job. So now I have to take test

after test and get ready for the work world...eek!

I'll be back, in school, on Monday & can't wait to share with you!

Have a great weekend!!!

EIGHTH concussion: Game over

On Friday, August 13th, a boy went down while playing in a football scrimmage. This boy was not on my brother’s team. It did not look good as no pads nor helmet was removed and the boy seemed lifeless on the field as paramedics worked on him. On Monday, the team and parents were told by the Athletic director, via email, that the boy had had several concussions before and was in a total neck brace to stabilize his neck for the time being.

What we were told next was shocking. This was the boy’s EIGHTH concussion and the last one he had made him sit on the sidelines all season last year. This concussion was the most severe a concussion can be. His football days are over as he is now in a neck brace and the Athletic Director will not let him step foot on the field again.

My question is-why did the coach or the parents let him play after the first or second concussion? Did they not remember that football is just a GAME and it should not be a life or death call? Were they afraid of letting the boy down? Why allow this boy to shatter his life before it starts? I do not have these answers but am still shocked that this boy was even allowed to play with his concussion history.

The new A.D. told our parents that the boy would not be playing again. Football should not be a life or death sport. Football is just a game. Even my brother said, “It’s not worth your life.” Play the game and not with your life!

Life is precious at any age!!

Simply Amazing

Patrice showed this video on her blog yesterday and I thought you deserved to see it to. A 7 year old gospel singer, whom has an amazing voice, sings amazing grace!



Have a wonderful Sunday!!

It's football time & a brag

Let me paint you a picture! It was 105* in Dallas on Friday night. My brother played in a 3 hour scrimmage against three other teams. They had breaks and we got there at 6pm. He did good and is a freshman in high school! It was hot!!! I went through four water bottles. The sun was beating down on me most of the time. I did see a beautiful sunset though! The smell of sweat was in the air. Great conversation happened in the stands. It was hot! Did I already mention that?

All four teams looked great! One player, from another team, was taken off the field on a stretcher and in a C-collar! I am sending good thoughts and prayers to that family! They worked on him for a while on the field and in the ambulance. Something, the fear, I hope I never go through!

Brag on my brother-he is a freshman and one of the newest Varsity AND STARTING Offensive Line player as of 10pm on Friday night! He is 6 foot, 1.5 inches, and is all muscle! He is a stud and I am very proud of him! I don't have a recent pict of him as he despises picture taking. I'll work on that. I am sure you will be getting more info and stats as I know them.

Did I mention...
I love football?!?!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

Always say "I love you" & say it often

Life happens, we get busy, and accidents happen in an instant. Sometimes people are killed or injured therefore remember to always say "I love you." Say it over and over again.

My brother came home from a 2 week boy scout camp in DC on Thursday night. I missed him like crazy! When say goodnight, I said "good night sweet boy, I love you." He replied "love you too." We talked again and repeated "the love you and too" round. Those three words "I love you" means so much and can make someone feel special and loved.

Moral of the story-say "I love you" often and over and over again! It will make some one's day and make them feel special. Either in the car, on the bus, in a plane, or while walking down the street, tell someone "I love you" and mean it!

"I love you" is priceless!!!

Today is a new day

and I'll treat it like my last! I plan to stay out of the heat and temps well over 100*. I plan to prop my feet up and breathe in and out! I plan to blog because it makes me happy. I plan to watch a movie just because I feel like it. I plan to move forward and not backwards. I plan to love on my awesome family and accept the fact that God has a plan! I plan to be in awe of what is laid in front of me!

Apparently I give a hoot

I had every intention in posting a happy and loving post but that will have to wait for another day. I have hit several walls this summer and have been stabbed in the back more than once. Apparently I give a hoot, unlike a few others, about decisions that affect me and my future. Tonight, at almost 10pm, I was emailed and told I was not needed on a committee. This is something I really wanted. This is something that I could be on and voice my concerns.

If this were my first time not being picked, I would understand. But this is the third or fourth time this summer someone has made a decision for me that impacts my future. I honestly do not know why I try so hard and get my hopes up to be let down. I, apparently, give a hoot about my future and who I impact along the way!

I am upset, angry, and frustrated that this decision was made at the cost of me. I am angry that I was not picked for this committee. I am frustrated that I received this news at nearly 10pm on Friday night. Who does this? Apparently, the committee head. Not professional or courteous at all. I will be following up with this person and letting him know that I would have appreciated until after the weekend or in a letter format. Almost 10pm on a Friday night is not my kind of let down, tyvm. A letter would have been more appropriate! I would have loved to have been told next week so it would not have ruined my weekend!

I will try to not let this get me down but it is difficult because one, I have trouble accepting & letting things go, and two because a change, that I could have brought up, in how the “big picture” of things was looked at needed to happen.

Five Question Friday

Mama M thought up this little post and I thought I'd play along this week.

Q: Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
A: Most of the time I am a neat sleeper. I just slide in under the covers and wake up on my side just like I fell asleep the night before.

Q: Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.
A: I wish I was more accepting. I have a hard time letting go and accepting whatever fact is thrown my way.

Q: What is something that you wish you had been warned about?
A: I wish I would have been warned about how some people, at work, can completely drain you of all your energy because they just can. Case in point, I was told I could not do something for financial reasons but was the only one told about this. I will not go into specifics as I LOVE my job but felt the need to be warned and not completely shattered and stabbed in the back.

Q: What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?
A: I don't do garage sales. Granted I have given one with family. But I just don't do other people's things well. Call me crazy...but I like going to Target or Walmart and finding a bargain there.

Q: If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?
A: Fresh from the farm black eyed peas and allergy-free cornbread! I am a southern girl and have a source for the best black eyed peas around.

Want to see more 5 Question Fridays? Click on the button above!

Happy Friday!!!

Best part of my day...

included seeing my brother after two LONG weeks of Boy Scout camp come through security and give me a hug! Welcome home, brother!!

It's almost the weekend!!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday and has been one HOT and busy week. I hope you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend! I know, I sure am! I don't know about you but the HEAT and over 100+* outside just makes me feel blah! Anyone else feel that way? This week, tell me what you are thankful for by either linking a post to mine or commenting in my comment box. All are welcome!

This week...

I am thankful for the opportunities that have come my way.

I am thankful for sweet and caring people.

I am thankful that my brother, who has been in DC since 7/24, comes home late tonight. I have missed him!

I am thankful for my family & friends!

So there you have it. Another week is almost gone and it has, in my opinion, just flown by!

Happy Thursday!!!

Holy Smokes...

Senior year is almost here!

19 days left of summer.

I have come to find out

I have 5 tests to take

for real this semester.

To even take these tests

I have to get 85's on the

practice tests.

The tests include:

GRE

TExES (Generalist)

PPR

Special Education

&

ESL!

My goal is to be

certified to teach before I

student teach in the spring!

Would you keep

me in your prayers

this fall?

I don't like tests

and stress

myself out!

Thank you

&

I'll keep you

posted this fall!

Happy Birthday to...

Happy Birthday to...

Savannah-your three and full of spunk! You are so precious and can definitely stand your own against your brothers! Happy third Birthday, sweet girl!!!

&


Ethan-your smile is worth a thousand words. You can light up a room in a blink of an eye. You are so sweet and kind. Happy third Birthday, sweet boy!!!

&


Drew-you ROCK my world and are so sweet! I loved hanging out with you and watching your face light up by playing with my phone. You are one special little guy! Happy third Birthday, sweet boy!

&


Sweet Ben, you are so sweet and gentle. Your such a cool little dude! Happy third Birthday, sweet boy!!!

&


ME! pictured with the quads' mama, Suz!!!

Have a great Sunday!!!