I am thankful...

I am so grateful for the education I have.  College sure wasn't easy, but boy has it been worth it.  I absolutely LOVE being a speech language pathologist.  The knowledge I have is so...so...fascinating!  I literally learn something new every. single. day.
I loved working with children in early intervention.  The children had such sweet spirits.  I felt like I was working with children straight from heaven.  It was absolutely incredible!  I miss working with the sweet kids.  I love children!
I have to say I love working with the adult population as well!  Comparing working with kids and adults is like comparing chocolate and strawberries.  Both so delicious and sweet, yet so different in texture, taste, flavor, and color.
I am grateful I went to college and learned so much.  I know the Lord had a hand in guiding my decision to become a speech language pathologist.  It has been one of the most rewarding experiences.

SLP Friends

This is seriously the easiest and cheapest method of getting ceu's.  I have taken about 20 of their courses and they are as good as any.  I really like them.  If you need you ceu's go check them out.  Make sure you access under my link.  Thanks!

http://www.speechpathology.com/cta/invite/44987

Fun Fun at the Nursing Home

One of my favorite years of college were when I lived with Jill and Leslie.  We had so many good times and so many laughs.  Jill's job was a frequent source of laughter and jokes.  She was a CNA at the time and was working at a nursing home and going to school.  (She is now a RN!  I would have her take care of me in a heart beat!)

The people at the nursing home were always doing funny things, especially at night when Jill worked. I can't remember any of the specific stories except a lady that thought there were germs or bugs all over the bed next to hers.  She wouldn't let anything of hers touch the bed.  Oh, I also remember a funny one about a a couple who were quadriplegic (Jill will remember, but it isn't really appropriate to share here).

I never dreamed I would work at a nursing home and like it.  I LOVE it!  I have learned so much and really enjoyed the therapy I do there.

I have shared a few funny things on facebook.  I have recently met a patient that has dementia (they all seem to have dementia).  She loves to play on the slot machines.  Obviously, her health doesn't allow her to go to the casinos and play slots.  So her family found a slot machine and put it in her room.  The woman sits at the slot machine all day long and pulls the handle.  You can hear "ching ching ching" all through the halls.  Everyone once in a while you will hear her yell, "I won! I won!"

Now that is the life!  Sit in a nursing home and use the same nickels over and over again.  She has her glass of tonic water or soda sitting next to her.  She probably plays slot machines 8-12 hours a day.  The family just brought in a second slot machine and she is in heaven.

It is really not that funny when it is all typed out, but now that I typed it I am going to post it.  Enjoy!

It Pays to Procrastinate! (literally)

For the first time in my life the planets aligned and everything has fallen into place. OK, so it probably isn't the first time, but it has been a really long while.

A few weeks ago I was really down in the dumps. I am a SLP and in order to keep my "certificate" to continue being a SLP I have to earn 30 ceu's (continuing education units) every 3 years. My credits are due at the end of this year. I called ASHA (the SLP organization I hate) to see how many credits they have for me. The man said, "you have 9 credits." I said, "9 credits for the year or 9 credits total?" He said, " well, 4 credits from 2007 and 5 credits from 2008."

This is when my jaw fell to the floor and I couldn't speak. This means that I have to earn 21 credits by December 31! Holy Cow! I had no idea how I was going to do this. It seemed impossible.

When I got home I got online and started looking for classes to take to earn some credits. This is when I found this awesome website to earn the credits I needed.

A few days later we were sitting in staff meeting (my least favorite thing in the world) and my boss tells us about this grant we received. If we complete some training and do a few other things we can earn up to $1500!

Yesterday, I got my ducks in a row and this is the plan. I am going to complete the 21 credits I need for this year. Then I am going to complete the 30 credits I need for the next 3 years. Make a few handouts and do a presentation. I have until June 30, 2010. Then I get $1500!
It pays to procrastinate! I am the luckiest person in the world!