March 31, 2008

Another Monday

Wow. That week and weekend went fast.

I worked so hard in the yard this weekend that when night fell last night I turned the lights on outside so I could see everything. I spent three hours cleaning the pool filter. I know one might not think that something to be proud of..but it was my first time doing it all on my own and I am very proud. The pool is crystal clear. The grass is perfect and even the front flower beds have a new life.

There is more to do but there has been so much progress made. Sounds like my life. :)

Have a great week.

March 24, 2008

Easter Monday

We are out of school and work today for Easter Monday. Currently we are enjoying some quiet time at the library.

My son is back home. Things are getting back into our routine. We have soccer practice in a few minutes. Tomorrow is back to school and work.

The visit with my mom was great. I love her more than I can explain. She is a strong, wonderful woman. The idea that she needs me more than I need her right now is overwhelming. I thought I might not be able to be as much support as she needs but I think I did well. We enjoyed the time we were able to spend alone together. We talked about everything.

My son had an enjoyable spring break. He is excited to be going back to school. We are planning for a field trip with his class next month and several out of town weekends before the end of his year.

The training I was scheduled for in Orlando was cancelled so we will be able to do that trip at another time.

It is spring.

March 21, 2008

Back and Gone Again

I just returned from DC. The training was fabulous. I am anxious to conduct a training and share the information.

I was scheduled to come back on Tuesday; however, the weather did not cooperate. The airport I was flying into was shut down. I stayed an extra night in DC. The next morning I was re-routed into Philadelphia, PA. Because of weather there I missed my connecting flight back home. I had to stay in Philadelphia that night. It could have been enjoyable to see a few sights but the weather was cold and rainy...so I saw a hotel room. The miracle happened yesterday. I thought I was going to have to fly to Chicago then home. I got up at 3:00 AM and got to the airport as early as I could. I got on standby for a direct flight home and I GOT IT! I have never been so happy to get home.

I unpacked, washed some clothes (that really needed washing!) and got enough sleep to get up and pack my suitcase again. Today I am at the office on Good Friday trying to get a few things wrapped up so I can head to my hometown for Easter. This afternoon I will get to spend some time alone with my mom. I really look forward to that.

I also get to see my son. It has been a week since he traveled south to spend his spring break. I know he is having lots of fun but I think it is time for a little mom time now!

Have a GREAT Good Friday and may you be blessed beyond anything you believe possible. This year Easter is more meaningful than ever.

Happy travels.

March 14, 2008

Group

I attend a group for helping professionals once a month. It is open to anyone in the helping profession that is interested in growth. I have probably let hundreds of people know about it over the past few years. There are very few who attend.

Yesterday the group was fabulous. One of the things that was a focus for us was all the positive things that are occurring, have occurred or CAN occur in our lives. The good stuff. The fun stuff. The Ah-ha stuff.

Oftentimes counselors and therapists offices are for the troubled areas. Of course, they are. Problem solving is what we do. But, isn't it okay to celebrate the victories inside the office, too?

I am in the same body but am not the same person I was when I began my journey. I have had so many motivating moments, struggles, and trials in my life. They have all changed me. I continue to change. That is a celebration to me.

I said out loud that I truly believe there are very few people who live conscious lives. Very few people who are willing to do their work. Very few that even know work is needed. This work is a given for me. I have known since birth that introspection was a part of who I was as a human being. I love everything about it.

Wishing the world could see it.

March 13, 2008

Heading to DC, again!

I will be in Washington, DC beginning Friday, March 14, 2008. I will have intermittent access to the internet; therefore, please be patient with any responses.

Sincerely

March 06, 2008

A Note from NAADAC!

Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, HR 1424, by a 268-148 vote.

Thank you to everyone who has advocated on behalf of this important bill in the past year! Legislative victories like the one last night are only possible because of the dedication and efforts of advocates like you.

Yesterday was the first time that a bill to end insurance discrimination came to the floor of the House of Representatives. HR 1424--sponsored by Representatives Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) and Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)--requires health insurance companies to cover substance use disorders and mental illnesses at the same level that they cover other medical conditions. Prohibitive cost and lack of insurance coverage are among the top reasons that people in need of addiction treatment do not receive it.

The next step for this important legislation is a "conference committee" between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The Senate passed an insurance parity bill (S.558) unanimously in December 2007. The conference committee's role is to find a compromise between the bills from each chamber. Although both the Senate and House versions of legislation aim to increase insurance coverage of addiction and mental illness, the House bill is "stronger" in several ways. For example, HR 1424 requires that out-of-network benefits for addiction match out-of-network benefits for general medical care, and it defines the set of substance use disorders and mental health conditions that insurance companies must cover.

Despite yesterday's victory, our work is not over yet! We must now ensure that the conference committee adopts the strongest possible consumer protections. More information will be circulated on this process as it becomes available. But in the meantime, congratulations for your outstanding advocacy for HR 1424!

March 04, 2008

Spring Break!

Well, here it is. The second day of my spring break. What that means in my world is no homework. There are no bikini clad beaches in my life, but I rejoice in a week without homework. The psychopharmacology and addictions class is complete. Next week starts the school counseling and multi-cultural issues class.

My son's spring break is fast approaching. We will fly together to deliver him to spend the week with dad. I have an out of state training during that week. I will be trained by NAADAC on Co-occurring disorders. I am anxious about that. Afterward I will meet back up with my son for Easter at my brothers house.

This will be the first Easter that my mom hasn't hosted in more years than I can remember. She will have just finished her second round of chemo. She is doing well with the treatments but the house full of people may be too much for one day.

Many things are changing. That is the way life is.

March 03, 2008

Spring has been pushed back!

After suffering from a sick household for two or three weeks (first my son then me) we had a fabulous weekend.

I opened the windows Saturday afternoon when I felt my antibiotics had started doing their job. Slowly I cleaned each room of my house, carefully bleaching away any germs! By Sunday we were running around at the park just after day break. I cleaned my closets and put away all winter wear. I even commented that it was getting warm enough to think of swimming.

When I woke up today it was in the 30's. We were under flash flood advisory and the weather reports possible freezing tonight.

Spring has sprung a leak....or a freeze, at least.