Monday

Wow - what a day. I just finally got a chance to sit down. The day was full of meetings and my last one ended about 30 minutes ago. Good news that I left work at 4pm, so I had a couple of hours off before the Pathways mtg started at 6pm. Bad news, those 2 hours were spent lecturing Caleb on his grades & making supper.

Just to explain a bit about Pathways, it is a local non-profit advocacy group for parents of young adults with disabilities. I serve as the Center's representative on the group. There are over 30 members in the group, but they typically only get about 10 people to show up at their monthly meetings unless the meeting includes a training - then they get almost everyone + other community members. This group is currently focusing its efforts on establishing a SD postsecondary education program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. There is a significant push nationwide & Congress even included funding for this in the recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. So, exciting to be part of a grassroots effort to see this happen in our state. I'm not sure that it will be that successful, though. With the pending budget cuts for the public universities & other administrative issues, I'm not sure that Presidents will see this as a worthwhile effort. At the very least, I can say I was in at the ground floor even if it take 10 years to make it happen :). Oh, one other interesting note - I was voted in as Secretary for the executive committee tonight. Not necessarily a plus (more work!), but a nice honor.

As I mentioned earlier, Caleb is continuing to struggle with school. I'm to the point where I feel the only option is hire someone to help. I'm going to look into a tutor for Algebra 2 & also call one of those education help places (sorry, totally blanking on what it is called right now!). Either option will cost big bucks, but I just don't see any other way right now. If he keeps going the way he is, he will never get into college based on his grades. I just wonder if his brain isn't wired right to get what he is learning - I've read a lot lately about neurodevelopment in teenage boys & some of the stuff talks about him having to learn the right way to learn. I wish I could help him, but everything I try to do seems to fail. And, I can see that it is hurting his confidence, too.

Here are my positive things for the day.

1. no drama at work!
2. Gilmore Girls - this one is written in advance, after the blog is posted, I'm off to watch my episode that taped today!
3. I got to drink my entire cup of coffee this morning at work before anyone came in to bug me.

Healthy Living Update

Today wasn't that great for eating - my portions were too large & I snacked on mini tootsie rolls all afternoon. I was writing & I tend to nibble when I write - I think a nervous habit. Maybe I should start smoking again...ummm, no... Here is the good news - I absolutely did not want to walkwhen I got home about 45 minutes ago, but I made myself do it because I would be embarrassed to come on to this blog and tell everyone that I couldn't get my butt out there. Even though it was only a 6 minute very brisk walk around the neighborhood, at least I did something!