Ayn's Multiple World

Whoops almost skipped Friday ... hold Sat and Sun for a min please?

Good morning. This is me. I think we missed a day yesterday, but we'd pretty much overwhelmed you the day before. Hmm, the kitty is still playing with that roll of paper towels they captured. I haven't had the heart to take it away. They discovered it and attacked it while we were gone. Several times like now they then lie on the sheets they've pulled off the roll. They are now battling over it between them. I think it's been like their security blanket. It's got all kinds of paw and teeth prints. *Sigh* I guess this is animals being animals, hmm?

Seems like we're not concentrating too much. It's almost 7:30 am and we're still home. We're pretty much outright lying. We told Sister and Rich that we have a doctor appointment, but we're sitting at home this morning because we don't want to go to the Administration meeting. I don't think I do anything significantly there and I'm not going to be jumped for my inactivity to do CARF. Yup that's it ... pretty dismal thinking.

Yesterday I already got jumped by sister. She was frustrated with me for being gone for so much. She said she approved the two days, but did not approve the others. She said that I just left the note on her desk and didn't discuss it. As it happened though I came in with it and Rich happened to be in the office. She skimmed through it and then told me to put it in the attendance book. So, I did. I guess she should have looked more seriously. She said she'd expected me to be in on Thursday.

Then she went into this garbage stuff about not putting down we're going to be sick beforehand. So, I asked do you want me to take my doctor days as vacation days? And, she said no but that it looked bad putting in the book that we were sick a week ahead of time. She said I should only put one day - so I said but I thought you would want to know days ahead of time I was going to be gone. She couldn't provide a good argument. I could tell she and Holly been complaining together and she got into bad diatribe.

Ok, we talked to Rich about that ... I know that it will be brought up at that meeting so no matter which way he was going to go with it I wanted him to know what was up. She didn't say anything about me missing this meeting so I can pretty much guess she's planning on talking about me during the meeting. Best to let it go. I'll ask Rich what happened tonight or tomorrow ... that will be soon enough. I will be going in this afternoon and doing the Thinking Group. Yesterday I figured out what was necessary to do Circles next week. Otherwise with a half day plus the meeting with Sister not too much got done.

As to that process, I at least felt charged in doing the assignment. I skimmed through mail and had kinda put it aside - there wasn't anything direct except the few things sister wanted to talk to me about. One of them for example was a note saying my health insurance was going up again. So, I figured in general what had to be done, and I knew that Sister would also be bringing up the Circles during the meeting which she did. She'd warned me at entering the building that she was going to want to talk to me. I could tell she was "frustrated." It was like ok ... whatever.

I skimmed through the old program book for Circles to remind myself what that was all about. In the preview part there was something about 6 basic "How" questions that I hadn't done anything with the first time. So I figured we'd start with those. The questions were like, "How well do you know the person," or "How well do you trust the person." So, I went over to the computer and put them as column headings on an Excel Sheet. Then on the row section I put down all the main people combinations like self, family, friends, strangers - there were 8 combinations. I also put a rule measurment of a 1, 2, 3 rating for a lot, some, or a little. I fixed it up a bit to make it look real nice and finished it by putting headings and footings on it. I then printed it and took it to the copier to make 40 copies - one for everyone I'll be working with next week.

I thought that this would be good for the first three groups. I still want to think through specific objectives, but I have to think through that on a different plane. I wasn't there at the time. In general, I was thinking with the 1, 2, 3 rating that I could average each line across - so get to self, or family, etc across the 6 questions. The idea would be to then put those numbers on a time line to show that accordingly the people closer to you would have the lowest numbers. Maybe that is something just for my own benefit ... I might look at it again this afternoon ... I'm not sure ... we did something with Dr. Marvin last night on schedules that also has to be looked at.

I think the purpose of the lesson was to realize that we thought, felt and behaved to different groups of people differently. When it came to figuring out then what to do with the 4th group (Group III), I figured I wanted to do something similar, but they would be operating at different levels. The majority of them cannot speak or really focus well, and for sure they couldn't make choices as to something be more or less. So, after a bit we came to maybe we could work with them on being able to identify pictures of the different groups. So, we got some magazines particularly National Geographic and we collected about 50 pictures of people in these various groups. We had some time after doing this - we found 7 different groups for them to identify, and then we figured that maybe we better bring it to the simplist level.

We figured that if we can track clients over time, we will be able to develop each of their processes. This seems like more work, but if its worthwhile, then I will feel better about teaching. So, when I went back over the pictures, I got out the Excel sheet again and then down the row line, I listed out short labels for each of the pictures and obviously I added them by groups. So, the pictures were labeled like Asian family of 8 eating dinner, or older White lady in pink dress, etc. That way I figure I can have them pointing to pictures to make sure there is some communication happening as to my speaking and them thinking. I will start with just 3 pictures and ask them to choose one, maybe I will then put more pictures out if they can do that too easily.

On this last Excel sheet, we put across the top in the 5 columns Trial #1 - Trial #5. We figure that will allow us some options in counting what the clients can and cannot do. We'll write the descriptors on the back of the sheet - one per each client. Then we can analyze later what we learned. Like did the client understand colors or events like praying or sheep farming, or whether they could put together the 7 family scenarios.

As to time, I think we'll do ok. There is no rush in doing anything. It's kind of a learn and grow program. I really, really want this to be a progressive year where I know specifics on each individual and their ability to process information. Everyone will be taught as a group, but will be tested individually. Those tests will be scored and analysis will take place. When I think of the picture assignment of matching ... that would be at Bloom's level of knowledge ... just naming objects - or in this case due to low speach abilities pointing to objects. The step of grouping the different kinds of pictures would be in the comprehension level. Maybe at an application level, we would give them the group and ask them to pick up pictures that would fit ... the application part is that can you hold the concept of family and produce an example of it.

The later part of the Taxonomy would be to synthesize - and this might be done at a correction level. As they choose the right or wrong parts we can explain to them different reasons why things should be chosen. Like in the self pictures the individuals are being on their own. With the kids pictures everyone is younger than themselves - mostly toddler age. We might ask them to look for clues as to maybe their relationship to toys or being in a tired position. We will point out the fact that in the stranger pictures people are most often not looking at each other - standing in large crowds, etc. Then in the synthesis idea we can ask them to think of people they know in real life who fit into these character groups. We can ask - them to think of people in their family by reminding them outloud that families have sisters and brothers and grandmas etc, or that when they go to the store - there are many strangers. And, then last in the evaluation process ... we might ask for a general sense of feelings or thoughts in having gone through the lesson.

In general, I like this first assignment really well. As to the assignment for the smarter groups ... there is processes that will be happening there too. The lowest functioning group is meeting first - Tuesday morning at 10:30 am. So, we're going to figure out from there if we want to use the pictures for the other 3 groups as well. It might be a good idea to get a common base ground.

Looking back over the other assignment I could guess that asking the question - how well do you know that person - whether it be the self or a parent times 10-12 people in the group - could be a long stretching problem. I will need to get the group to be listening to each other to make the best use of the time. Sister has given me a group of 4 tables in a square so that the tables can hold comfortably 12 chairs. I'm hoping for groups less than 12 so, I can also sit at the table. One option - due to the dead space at the center of these four tables is to pull the tables apart so that I can sit in the middle of them - Ideally then I would have a chair on wheels. In this way, I could have better access and center ground to each individual AND I'm pretty sure there aren't more than 12 in a group.

I will let them help each other when it comes to cutting, taping, etc. but for the most part ... I want to confront each of them and not be further than the 3 feet apart. Shoot just thought of something ... if I separate the tables, then I lose the center chair on each of the four sides. I could have them sitting inside but that would mean that they have backs to each other. Maybe though if I could just have one person in the center. I would not be able to get out, but at least there would be room for everyone.

Hmm, just drew that out. I like that there are only 3 people at a table. It would be a lot easier to work in small groups. If I wanted to - I could work by assigning chairs. I got the sheet yesterday on who is in each of the groups. That way I could place people according to the least number of distractions and the best use of helpers. This is something that has to happen soon on so that they don't get used to something different. I like that I would be in the center and most are directing inward to me or just to 3 others at their table. It breaks things down for me to be only addressing 4 tables front on. Ok, don't want to overstep this - getting a little obsessed. I know that I will most likely have to get sister's permission because she's likely to have a fit about us moving tables, even though we're only talking 2 feet. Plus I'm going to want a special chair - most likely from the workshop. I'll address these issues with her on Monday morning.

Ok, a little harder now you ... we'll stay here until 10:30 am, then get showered and leave by about 11:30 ... Getting to the center 45 mintues before group. Good good like that idea. Whoops better take my medicine now though ... it's about 8:45 am and we've forgotten.

Hmm, ok, that's done. We also got out the new sheet that Dr. Marvin and us worked on. We didn't make any change from Plans A, B, & C. We added plan D and inferred Plans E and F. Plans A-C relate to time spent personally and plans D-F relate to time spent at work.

7:30-9:00 Group 1 Group 1 Group 1 Group 1 General
9:00-10:00 General General General General CARF
10:00-11:00 CARF Group 3 CARF CARF CARF
11:00-12:00 CARF CARF CARF Annuals Annuals
12:00-1:00 CARF CARF Group 1 Group 2 Leadership
1:00-2:00 Annuals Annuals Annuals Staff Tr. Thinking
2:00-2:30 General General General General General
2:30-4:00 Qnotes Qnotes Qnotes Qnotes Qnotes

Group 1 - 4 hours
General - 7.5 hours
CARF - 10 hours
Annuals - 5 hours
Circles - 4 hours
Staff Training - 1 hour
Thinking Group - 1 hour
Qnotes - 7.5 hours

Ok, This would be Plan D. The five columns relating to obviously days of the week. And, the week is 40 hours - no more - no less. This looks like then that 25% of my time is doing groups. I can handle that ... Just got to know what's happening. That is my most structured time. 25% of my time is CARF ... that should please someone or another ... particulary Sr. Theresa. 11.5 hours - about 30% of the time goes to finishing my client caseload work and 20% of my time is working on general issues that is also going to have to include planning for groups.

Hmm, this makes things seem relatively simple. Now though in accordance with Plans E & F we are following the plans for B & C which means E is time that remains productive - especially toward learning and Plan F is time that is less productive and more toward relaxation and includes checking things on-line. Right now all my plans seem to be falling into Plans C & F - the two relaxing modes. We need to fix that. Well of course there was a long weekend with Rich and he falls into Plan B. That's my productive (smooching) time most favored - well, when I'm not trying at least to conquer plan A.

Woohoo!! We're back! It's about 10:15 am now. We had set our calendar and we noticed that we were still in the zone that said we had to pick-up the house. So ... we did it and we did the whole thing without needing to sit down for a break! That's really something. We picked up the living room, kitchen counter and table, started the dishwasher, swooshed through the bathroom, and unpacked our suitcase. Oh ... we folded too ... Rich had left us some clean clothes to be folded. He's going to be soooo happy when he gets home and sees it is in such good shape. Last night we helped too in gathering dirty clothes, emptying the dishwasher and putting away groceries. Rich had brought the stuff up, but needed to use the washroom and then he had to go out to the laundry to bring in the dry cleaning. We felt very good that we could help so much especially ... Because we didn't need to be asked. We volunteered and didn't even whine! WOOHOO!!!

Oh ... one more thing ... we took our shower too! We're looking up. I can hardly believe how much we got done without sitting down. I feel so accomplished. Part of that enthusiasm was that we got on the scale this morning and had dropped some weight. we are now at 245. This is 2 pounds lower than before, but 6-7 pounds lower than we'd been over the weekend with all that eating out. That made me feel fantastic. Rich said that he has to go in tomorrow for a all day testing thing for his sports. I think he has to be there at 8:30 am. So, I'm going to put a few goals into my Saturday while he's gone. I am going to want to get my bills set up to be paid and I'm going to want to get to the gym. Beside that? Just reading and writing. I might have a load of clothes to fold if Rich does the whites, but there shouldn't be too much. There is one more thing we should do. We need to check on our computer. Something has to give there. I know the guy does his work from home, but I'm not sure if he works on weekends so maybe I better try to get a hold of him today. I am not up to it now, but maybe later.

Thom gave me a call a little while ago. He is working on lowering his phone bill. He says that if he switches from AT&T over to Nextel, he can lower his bill from $200 to $60. He's going to get the family plan and put both he and Alexis together so they can talk on the network for free and then he will still have 700 minutes which is about 11 hours of talk time. He says that he talks to me the most, so I'm feeling pretty comfortable with that number. It's going to cost $150 to get off his contract which is something I am willing to pay to stop that whole deal. I will be saving $200 a month which can obviously be used elsewhere. I will pay the current bill over the next 2 months - but in the long run it will work out for the better. I was happy that he was the one to come up with the plan and do all the running around.

Thom said he had a field inspection but after that he would look for the school deferment sheet I'd sent him. If he could just get that taken care of he will save money in not paying for school loans for a few years. That will take some more pressure off things. He said that they should have some money in their account by the end of the month ... I was real happy to hear that. He said that it might be too much coming home for Thanksgiving as he'd planned and he wasn't sure if he'd get off over Christmas, but I'm hoping more for that. It will be a longer period of time and especially nice because the holiday is a favorite. We also talked about him getting a new computer. He sold his old laptop to Joe - so that should work well for him. I think Joe already has a standalone, but this gives him more options. It's always a good deal when they work things out together.

There were a few other loose notes, but these few things were the top of the list. I think that Thom and Alexis is having a smoother time, so I'm happy for that. I didn't ask any questions other than are they talking and getting along. He affirmed that. I felt a sigh of relief.

Last night we were at Dr. Marvin's. It was an easy relaxed meeting. We talked about our vacation and about the problems with Sr. yesterday ... and then while we were there, we spent the last 20 minutes going over our schedule that we'd listed above. One of the things he said that made a lotta sense was something I am now ready for. We talked about simplyfying the Qnotes and Annuals so that we could get those done. That gave me a glimmer of hope in thinking that we could somehow get through all this.

Hmm, we only got so far with that ... we were working on putting in the calendar for the week and then repeating it, but I couldn't figure out how to get it to take some of the days without taking all the days - such as Monday - Thursday Group 1 & Friday General - now repeat that every week. I think what's going to happen is that I will be able to do it when I get my computer up and can use the Outlook program. I'm pretty sure I can define time better then - because it had happened with some of the other days I was changing ... like house keeping every other day. Otherwise the iPod in itself is only taking broader suggestions like every day or every week. Blah!

I think I'm going to take a moment here and get dressed. About now the Administration meeting is getting over. I would like to leave here about 11:30 - or in 20 minutes. Ok, hold on.

Hmm, not much time left now. I stopped to eat lunch. Rich left me some steak and vegetables from his dinner last night. We had eaten the left over omelett from the night before. I don't really want to go, but then there is this other part that says ... let's just get on with this and get it over. We are going to want to reach our weekend. Not sure where Rich is going to be at tonight, but I might bump into him today at the center. We planned about 15 minutes to talk to him if he doesn't leave early and I stay on time. He'll give me an idea of the Admin meeting if there is time. Ok, not much else to do then ... better get this posted and head on out. SOON we'll be home, right?!

posted by Ann Marie @ 11/10/2008 09:07:00 AM Comments: 0