Generation Gap

My grandmother use to work in a restaurant. I believe as a short order cook. I know she can decorate cakes. She makes the best whole wheat bread and rolls ever. She makes delectable deviled eggs. She also makes sure we have a banana cream pie for official family gatherings.

Recently my sister asked her to make a couple of banana cream pies if she provided the ingredients. Among the things provided for the making of the pies were store bought graham cracker crusts. To most people born from the 1980s and later this might seem like a very logical method to making a cream pie.

My Grandmother has always made an incredible pie crust. If you have ever attempted a pie crust from scratch you know how difficult such a seemingly easy task it is. A pre-made graham cracker crust, however, was new territory for Grandmother. She called my mom and asked; "Do I need to bake it?"

So you know, you can coat it with egg whites and bake it to get a stiffer crust.

First Cuddle...

This evening for a very casual gathering prior to Christmas we watched Christmas movies for FHE. Toby was excited about all the new people to meet. In the group who gathered was a young man who recently returned from his mission.

For those of you who are not aware LDS missionaries are suppose to maintain an arms length distance (two foot boundaries) at all times. They are also expected to have limited interactions with individuals of similar age in the opposite sex.

After the movies while we were trying to decide what to do next Toby was playing with this young man. At one point Toby was very excited. The young man picked up Toby and sat with him in the chair. And his comment was..."My first cuddle in two years."

Collection...2

"Relapse is not an unfortunate event that happens to you, it is a series of bad choices that you make."-Dr. Stanton Peele

I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.

Collection

"A rose in the rain doesn't bloom." -TSMHR

"In order for the spirit to grow the body needs to function correctly, and the mind needs to be positive and lead the body." TSMHR

Complements

A while back my boss introduced mee to a visitor at work. He told her I was weird because I am a teacher who thinks like a therapist.
Last week I had a visitor at work. A supervisor was giving her a tour of the facility.  When he was introducing her to mee (yeah, she was my visitor shoulder shrug) he told her that I was the Special Education teacher, but work with all of the boys and am an integral part of what goes on there.
While talking to a friend about church one day he mentioned to mee that a couple of people where discussing a question they had about the scriptures. One of them said "we should ask Malinda, she'll probable know."
Still, one of the best complements is to know that people know my first name. I have been Sister Glasgow, Miss G, or Ms Glasgow for so long it isn't often I hear people out side of my family call mee Malinda. I like to hear it.

"I'll hold the door...'

*Warning*
There are those who take offence when offence is not intended. I don't take offence easily. I would not be posting this if I didn't think it was funny.

Someone was talking politics at work the other day, which is typically a bad idea. As innocent as I am just walked into the wrong place at the wrong moment. Being the curious sort and wanting to know what is going on, as much as possible, I asked what was going on. One of the therapist, the only one left in the room, commented that it was about politics and that it didn't matter because the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket anyway.

I let him know it was not my intention to go there...

"Oh, I've heard about you,...I'll hold the door open for you..."

he he he, how thoughtful he is, it really does make be giggle.

Celebrate everyday...

Today we celebrated the 7 year anniversary of our facility. While addressing the residents our fearless leader spoke of traditions and celebrations. He talked about holidays and bad traditions vs. good traditions. He went on to says that you cannot celebrate everyday...unless your Ms. Glasgow who seems to be happy everyday.

World peace is bad...

so explained one of my students..."how is world peace bad?"

"If there was world peace then we would all go crazy."

 

"and if we weren't fighting amongst ourselves then aliens would come attack us."

 

 

....smile.....I don't think I could work with "normal" students.

"A good question..."

We have recently started a new semester at school. It was decided that I would teach a reading class. (For those who don't know I am certified for Special Ed and Reading K-12). I was have been pretty excited about teaching this class. Odd, I realize, I hate reading. It takes a lot of effort on my part. I also think have a low amount of hyper activity in mee that doesn't like to sit around that much.

back to the quote...It was the third day of class for this group. They were on time for class and go their full ten minutes of sustain silent reading. After that I gave them all a list of words relating to reading. Consonants, vowels, noun, verb, and vocabulary were included. I also included words like diphthong, digraph, phoneme, and grapheme.

The boys were to select a word they didn't know and find a definition for it. We then moved into a class discussion about the finer details  of English Phonics. They loved it, most of them were engaged. One young man who typically doesn't participated asked for additional info after class. When one of the kids asked if they could leave a little earlier another one commented on how interesting the class had been. I then told them I had covered all the information I had intended to and unless they had any questions they were good to go.

I need to come up with a good question so we can stay....

...coolest toilet water...

In recent month(s) my house has become a place where some of the young single adults of Mountain Home gather. It is fun. And it helps mee to keep my home in somewhat a presentable order.

One area that I struggle with is a dirty toilet. Most people don't like cleaning them. I like them clean. I started using flush-able and disposable cleaning tools. I am more likely to clean it that way. In a part of this effort I decided to try some of those tablet things you put in the tank. Being the thrifty shopper I am I picked up the cheapest one at Winco.

The convergence of these two developments happened yesterday afternoon. I was in the kitchen. The house was full as people came to eat cake and visit after Jon's baptism. Sandy came up the hallway declaring:

"You have the coolest toilet water I've seen, purple."

A new you...

Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

Always pray and always make time to exercise.

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

Drink plenty of water. Eat broccoli, almonds and walnuts.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Clear your clutter from your house, car, desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a layman and dinner like a beggar.

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

  Life is too short to wast time hating anyone.

Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no Idea what their journey is all about.

Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear fancy clothes now.  Stop waiting for a special occasion.  Every day is special.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words:  'In five years, will this matter?'

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Time heals almost everything.  Give time, time!

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.  Stay in touch with them.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.  God provides, remember?!

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Do the right thing!

Call your family often.

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

    'I am thankful for __________.'

    'Today I accomplished _________.'

Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

only language...

Although his last name is Spanish I currently work with a young man who does not look like someone whose first language is Spanish. I over heard someone ask him if he knew any Spanish. He calmly replied in the affirmative. When they looked surprised he added..."it's the only language I am yelled at in."

...you're head strong

My visiting teachers came over on Tuesday for their monthly visit. One of them is from Guam and has learned English as a second language. She does very well. As we were visiting she was complemening mee on my independence and saying "you're head strong" and diligent. I stopped her and said I had never had someone complement mee for being head strong. We explained to her that it typically means someone is stubborn.

going on 30...

Thirty was so strange for me. I've really had to come to terms with the fact that I am now a walking and talking adult. C. S. Lewis

Idaho Woman

It was a busy day at work. I was walking across the court yard to get something off the printer. A group of boys was getting ready to go in the same door I was. One of the boys said they had found a snake. According to them it was in the Library. I didn't really think that much of it until I noticed their staff member holding a small green garden snake in his hand. I am not sure what the boys expected me to do. When I help out my hand to accept the snake from the staff member his comment was..."now that's an Idaho woman."

White Crazy Mormon

I was just standing there. I had stopped to let them pass. They, him and his therapist, stopped and were looking at me. I was a little trapped between a closed door and them.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing....mumble, mumble..."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing..."
I looked at him...thinking about what I thought I had heard.
"Did you just call me a white crazy Mormon?"
"Yes." I think he was worried he was in trouble.
"You should have been more specific by saying I am a white crazy female Mormon."
....no, he was okay with me being the white crazy Mormon...all the other white Mormons that work with me aren't crazy....according to him anyway.... I got a good laugh out of that one for a couple of days.

that could be my but

"I so love cheese cake."

I left it hanging. Apparently my tone and delivery made it sound like it was going to be followed with a "but..." That was made a apparent when the individual sitting at the lunch table with me asked "But what?"

"Nothing, that was all I was going to say."

I continued to enjoy my cheese cake as others came to join us at the table. Others at the table comment on how good the cheese cake was. I then made the comment that I can only eat so much cheese cake in one setting. I then turned to the original man I was eating with and said "That could be my but." He look a little confused and then made the connection. I so love cheese cake..but I can only eat so much in one setting.

Apparently leaving an oral "that could be my but..." can get interesting reactions...

...can't get a date...

Last week I took Boyd to school to help with a lesson. On Friday one of the boys noticed the picture on my door, "I met him," he said pointing to Boyd.

"Yep," I said, "and that's his cousin Claire." As I turned to return to my desk I heard him say... "I know why you can't get a date...you worry to much about your cow and his family."

Cheese stricks in a Waffle Cone?

"Treats on the Beach" is the place in New Smyrna, FL for ice cream. Being our mother's daughters Bonnie will always go for ice cream. Being of the practical mind set we got a 3 scoop order, chocolate peanut butter (for mee) rocky road (for Bonnie) and chocolate (for Ally), rather than 3 1 scoop orders. With that we also ordered mozzarella sticks. The girl taking our order asked if we wanted in a cup or waffle cone???
With a confused look we asked her to repeat that. When she said it again we told her we clarified our request for mozzarella sticks.
"Oh, I thought you said twist." Oops.
After finalizing the order, and I am sure feeling a little silly, she looked at us and said..."I wonder what cheese sticks would taste like in a waffle cone?"

...as brave as you are.

I once had the opportunity to work with a young man with Autism. He struggled with change, and needed time to prepare for new routines. It was decided that this young man who had been prepped all summer by him mom to go to one room should move to my classroom.
We started with small steps. First, one out of eight classes. Then, three out of eight. He gave him a cubby in my room for him to move all of his stuff to my classroom. Then he started beginning and ending each day with us.
He wasn't very aware of other people or how his actions affected other people. We worked on helping him to be quite while all of the students, including himself, were working. One day, towards the end of the school year he was making enough noise to distract his classmates while they were suppose to be working. While I walked by his desk I reminded him that I needed him to be quite for at least 10 more minutes.
"But, Miss G. I am just trying to be as brave as you are."
Ah...


Do we ever realize how hard life can be some days.

What, its over...

As previously mentioned I am assisting with doing some of the groups at work. One of the group members has not been shy about his desire to not be in one of the groups specifically for those who are "lower functioning". He had talked to his counselor, talked to the group counselor, and even been disrespectful towards peers to the extent of being excused from the group for a period of time.
One day something happened as we were going to group and he wanted to refuse to come. He came. Once we got there he sat by the far wall rather than join the circle. Given the option of joining the circle or leaving all together he decided to join the circle. Upon joining the circle he participated without distracting peers.
On this particular day group had to end early. I had lost track of the time. Upon noticing movement from the adjacent room I asked if some one had the time. It was time to be done.

"What, its over, I don't want it to be done." When I looked at the young man who said it all I could say was... I am going to quote you on that.

...so when YOU were in school.

It had been quite a week. Everyone was struggling with their behaviors. I sat down to talk with the class. All of the students recognized there were things we could all work on to do better. I was actually very impressed with how willing everyone was to give suggestions concerning a possible positive behavior plan.
One of my students had stood up in the back of the room, wondering a bit. We wasn't distracting anyone. He was still able to participate in the conversation. All of a sudden I realized he was raising his hand patiently waiting (this was impressive) for mee to call on him.
When I did he informed mee that he was going to take down the chalkboard behind me and replace it with the whiteboard in his hand. When I asked why he said, "A chalkboard was so when you were in school."

That one got a good laugh....a really good laugh.

She likes teaching...

I was in one of my first groups. We were all sitting in a circle talking about feelings. The therapist leading the group asked us to share something we enjoyed, or made us feel good. The best thing I could think of was people. The resident sitting to me left said, "She likes teaching."

Wow, I do like teaching. And I am grateful it is obvious to at least one of the boys I have the chance to work with.