Where's My Charger?

Welcome to Wednesday!

I'm not going to go in-depth about how difficult it has been to get back into the groove of therapy (aka life) but it has been more difficult than just avoiding the Taco Bell drive-through. Something is going on with my health and energy levels that leaves me feeling completely zapped in between sessions and dreading the next. I know this blog isn't supposed to be a forum for my personal issues but I know there are probably some ladies out there who feel like their battery keeps dying. I'm just trying to figure out what it's going to take to make me feel alert earlier than 10am everyday.

I am, however, so thankful this week for the support of my boyfriend, Jake. He surprised me with this beautiful bouquet of "Pre-Valentine's" roses on Monday and has been additionally loving and supportive.

Anyways, therapy activities for this week have been largely what I included in my ever-so-appropriate post, "The Sleepy SLP's Guide to V-Day Activities". My iPad took a tumble later last week resulting ina  beautiful crack across the screen and has not been charging. So, technology free this week!

Today I also brought back the beloved "treasure chest" I used for prize "reinforcements" at the end of my sessions when I first started out as an SLPA. The kids are all like, "Candy!" and I'm all like, "That's not a choice, I'm pretty sure it's been in there since 2011."

I have four reports to write so I better get going, two of which I am contemplating discharge. In home health sometimes that decision is a combination of not only functional need but scores that Medicaid will deem "medically necessary" as well as distance required to travel to the child/scheduling. Still sorting these things out in my head but I will get them worked out.

I hope you all are having a lovely day and if you're in Texas, enjoying the first dose of sunshine we've had in days. :)

Too Many Nacho Cheese Chalupas, Not Enough Therapy Organization

Whew, the past two weeks have been something! But I return to you as LD, M.S.,CCC-SLP, finally shaking off that silly SLP-CF or CF-SLP title, whichever one it really was the past eleven months.

My ASHA certification and state licensure took a little more time to process than I expected so I ended up with a week and a half gap in therapy, which amazingly has flown by due to the fact I have started an Etsy shop and have kept myself busing crafting away. It is called "SLP Accessories" (etsy.com/slpaccessories) and I have re-discovered my love of paint and hand-stiching through designing custom SLP accessories such as keychains, pillows, and the like. My items are also great for general ed teachers and are customizable. Some of my favorite pieces include:

"The WH- Question Pillow"

"Love You" IPA Keychain/Gift Tag

And while this has all been good and fun, I am struck with the realization of how little therapy-related projects I have tackled in the meantime. Don't get me wrong, I have kept myself busy the past two weeks. So busy, in fact, I couldn't really tell you where all that time has gone, which is maybe what concerns me the most. 

I can tell you, however, that the Taco Bell drive-through has seen me at least 5 times in the past week. Nacho cheese beef chalupa, por favor. 

Despite this fact, I was able to finally set up a filing system for my articulation materials and was able to see what sounds I have the most materials for and vice versa. "/k/" won out by a long shot, unsurprisingly, as the majority of my caseload is 2-4 year-olds. "/j" as in "juice" (excuse my lack of the true IPA symbol) has gotten the least love, unsurprisingly as well, as I don't believe I have ever targeted this sound directly in therapy. 

Next up on the agenda is organizing the mountain of language materials I have stored in a huge box by my closet. As I do not have a classroom and only a one-bedroom apartment, sometimes storage is an issue. I worry that as my toy collection and printables accumulate I may find myself sleeping in a self-created preschool, which may already be happening. 

So there you have it. I am back albeit slow moving. Hey, I ditched the chalupas today and made myself a tuna sandwich. That's a start, right? I may have been stuck in a rut the past couple of weeks, but it's time I pulled myself out. 

Do you have any strategies for pulling yourself out of therapy or life ruts?  Let me know in the comments below. :)