plumlilac

So, I've been having a heck of a time getting this to work....anyway--here is what my office specializes in. There is monumentally more than just what this article describes--but it's a good start. From todays Dear Abby:

DEAR ABBY: Please help me get the word out about a common condition that severely affects children's ability to succeed in school because it inhibits reading, spelling and concentration. 

My daughter, who was obviously bright, tested at first-grade reading level in fifth grade. She had undergone all the school testing for learning disabilities, plus two days of testing at a respected university hospital. None of these tests or specialists revealed what could be wrong with her. 

My child's self-esteem suffered. Her confidence faltered; she began acting out in school. At home she was a great kid, until it came time for schoolwork. Then the battles began. She thought she was dumb. When studying, she could read for only a very short time. She often begged me to read things to her. When working on spelling and assigned to rewrite the words she missed five times, she often recopied them wrong. We thought she just wasn't trying. 

After much research on the Internet, I came across a disorder called "convergence insufficiency disorder." This visual condition is the leading cause of eyestrain. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to have her tested at the Mayo Clinic, where her condition was confirmed, and she was successfully treated with vision therapy. 

It was as though a miracle had occurred. After six months of treatment, my daughter is almost at her age-appropriate reading level. Her comprehension and retention have markedly increased, and her self-esteem and attitude about reading are much better. 

Children with this condition will not benefit from tutoring, special education or extra help from teachers until the condition is diagnosed and treated. My child had 20/20 vision and still had this disorder. It's not routinely checked with eye exams, and schools don't test for it. 

I suspect that many children out there are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and going untreated. The treatment for convergence insufficiency disorder is noninvasive, effective, and much of it can be done at home. Please help me get the word out so other families won't have to go through what we experienced. -- ANGIE W. IN MINNESOTA 


DEAR ANGIE: I am pleased to help you get the word out to other families whose children are struggling to learn. After reading your letter, I contacted my experts at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and was informed that this problem, where the eyes drift too much inward (or outward) in attempting to focus, can also be present in adults. 

The symptoms can include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, sleepiness and trouble retaining information when reading. Other symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency include a "pulling" sensation around the eyes, the rubbing or closing of one eye when reading, words seeming to "jump" or "float" across the page, needing to reread the same line of words, frequent loss of place, general inability to concentrate and short attention span. 

The good news is: Vision exercises can fix the problem in most cases, some done at home and some performed in-office with a vision therapist. Prism glasses are another option; however, they are more often prescribed for adults with this disorder than for children.

How is it that

Today, starting at 4am, we got a foot of snow.  The roads were treacherous, it was hazerdous to your health to drive.  Give me a fuckin break, you all live in Wisconsin.  Just be careful, don't drive like an asshole, go slow and you may not be able to drive the same route you normally do.  The odd thing about the city half shutting down is that even though businesses were open, ie a mall, the parking lot wasn't plowed--thus not even allowing consumers to get in.  I understand there was a blizzard and that it just kept snowing,  but isn't always a good idea to plow the parking lots.  I just started my commute when I got called to go home, and I hated it.  THere is plenty of work to do at my office--especially when there aren't patients, but oh well--not my decision.

I could keep bitching about how freaked out the city got--but it'll get me nowhere.  I'm going shopping dammit.

So, I have just been reaffirmed as to how great my friends are.  I miss all of you in and associated with my life in PGH and know that you would get along well with my MKE friends.

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and love you all!!

Hi there, just wanted to give everyone an update on when I will be coming in to town. Once again I am renting a car, so i don't need anyone to get me from the airport, I just wanted to let you all know when I'll be there.  

I'm coming in Friday at 11am and my flight leaves Sunday at 1:30.....

Can't wait to see everyone again.    I'll be back once more this year in September...

So, I have accepted the other job that I had spoken of.  I'm going part time at Pick, for who knows how long...we'll see how long it takes me to get too worn out or irritated.
I will be an office administrator and manager of the front desk staff, I am honored that one of my friends thought so much of me to consider me for such a postion at her small place of employment.  This position is ultimately to allow me to grow in and with the company and I am super excited about it.
I'm not really acting excited though, I think that I am equally as scared about leaving my comfort zone.  The two emotions seem to be causing me to be "normal" as opposed to any overflow of either.  I'm a little in denial too.  

On to other things...I will most likely be arriving in Pittsburgh Friday August 11th around lunch time.  As opposed to taking off 2 days from the first week of my new job, (a Thursday half day would have been ok from work, but the flights are getting me into pitt at the earliest 8pm..and I think it's easier to come in at lunch time on Friday.) I'll rent a car again, so there won't have to be worry about someone coming in to the airport.  I'll book the ticket in the next couple days.
  

(Click here to post your own answers for this meme.)

✓ I miss somebody right now.	✓ I don't watch much TV these days.	✓ I own lots of books.
✓ I wear glasses or contact lenses.	× I love to play video games.	✓ I've tried marijuana.
✓ I've watched porn movies.	× I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.  (unless I'm missing something....)	✓ I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
✓ I curse sometimes.  (somtimes??)	✓ I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.	× I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.

( it goes on... )* * * * *

× I have broken someone's bones.	× I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.  (I think I've revealed them all to someone at sometimes.....)	× I hate the rain.
✓ I'm paranoid at times.	× I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.	✓ I need/want money right now.
✓ I love sushi.	✓ I talk really, really fast.  (I can...I don't on a regular basis)	× I have fresh breath in the morning.  (who does???)
× I have long hair.  (Not for me...maybe to some other people, or in comparison to how short my hair has been)	× I have lost money in Las Vegas.	✓ I have at least one sibling.
× I was born in a country outside of the U.S.	✓ I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.	× I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
× I like the way that I look.	× I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.	× I am usually pessimistic.
× I have a lot of mood swings.	× I think prostitution should be legalized.  (ummm......)	× I slept with a roommate.
× I have a hidden talent.  (hidden?)	× I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.	✓ I have a lot of friends.
✓ I have pecked someone of the same sex.	× I enjoy talking on the phone.   (I enjoy talking....)	× I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
✓ I love to shop and/or window shop.	× I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.	× I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
✓ I have a mobile phone.	× I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.	✓ I've rejected someone before.
✓ I currently like/love someone.	✓ I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.	✓ I want to have children in the future.
× I have changed a diaper before.	× I've called the cops on a friend before.	× I'm not allergic to anything.
✓ I have a lot to learn.	✓ I am shy around the opposite sex.  (If i like them...)	× I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
✓ I have at least 5 away messages saved.	✓ I have tried alcohol or drugs before.	✓ I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
× I own the "South Park" movie.	× I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.	✓ I enjoy some country music.
✓ I would die for my best friends.  (Isn't that why they are your best friends?)	✓ I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.	× I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
× I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.	× I have dated a close friend's ex.	✓ I am happy at this moment.
× I'm obsessed with guys.	× Democrat.	× Republican.
× I don't even know what I am.	× I am punk rockish.	× I go for older guys/girls, not younger.  (I go for guys :-))
✓ I study for tests most of the time.  (I did...Maybe not a lot, but I did...)	× I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.  (ummm...)	✓ I can work on a car.
× I love my job(s).  (I LOVE parts of my current job, but not enough to say bye-bye...)	× I am comfortable with who I am right now.  (I'm not uncomfortable, just not comfortable enough to check the box)	× I have more than just my ears pierced.  (used to)
✓ I walk barefoot wherever I can.	× I have jumped off a bridge.	✓ I love sea turtles.
× I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.	✓ I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.	× I am proficient on a musical instrument.
× I hate office jobs.	✓ I went to college out of state.  (current state? or state at the time? hell, I'll just check the box)	× I am adopted.
× I am a pyro.	✓ I have thrown up from crying too much.	✓ I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
× I fall for the worst people.	✓ I adore bright colours.	× I usually like covers better than originals.
× I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.	✓ I can pick up things with my toes.	× I can't whistle.
✓ I have ridden/owned a horse.	✓ I still have every journal I've ever written in.  (I'm sure they're somewhere...)	✓ I talk in my sleep.  (I've been told I do at times...)
× I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.	✓ I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.	× I wear a toe ring.  (sometimes...)
✓ I have a tattoo.  (2, and thinking of the third)	✓ I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.	✓ I am a caffeine junkie.  (I hate to have to check this one....)
× I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all.	× If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder.  (I'd contemplate it...but I'd be too freaked out for the rest of my life after...)	✓ I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.  (Pack Rat that's me!!!)
✓ I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.	✓ I'm an artist.  (I'm an artist in some way...I think everyone is.)	× I am ambidextrous.  (that'd be fun!)
× I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed.  (I used to, but I gave a bunch away.)	× If it weren't for having to see other people naked, I'd live in a nudist colony.	✓ I have terrible teeth.  (I think they are too yellow...damn coffee, smoking and red wine.)
✓ I hate my toes.  (I hate feet)	✓ I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me.	× I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
✓ I have lived in either three different states or countries.	× I am extremely flexible.	✓ I love hugs more than kisses.
✓ I want to own my own business.	✓ I smoke.	× I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
× Nobody has ever said I'm normal.	✓ Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then.  (Trickle...I have a new nickname...Buckets)	× I am proficient in the use of many types of firearms and combat weapons.
× I like the way women look in stylized men's suits.	✓ I don't like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me.	✓ I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds.
✓ I have played strip poker with someone else before.	✓ I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help.	✓ I believe in ghosts and the paranormal.
× I can't stand being alone.  (At times...but I enjoy "me" time)	✓ I have at least one obsession at any given time.	× I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again.
× I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment.  (I have before...)	× I'm a judgmental asshole.	× I'm a HUGE drama-queen.
× I have travelled on more than one continent.	✓ I sometimes wish my father would just disappear.	✓ I need people to tell me I'm good at something in order to feel that I am.  (I can think I am in my head, but affirmation is necessary.)
× I am a Libertarian.	× I can speak more than one language.	✓ I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be.
✓ I would rather read than watch TV.	× I like reading fact more than fiction.  (I just like to read)	✓ I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
× I have no piercings.	× I have spent the night in a train station or other public place.	× I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
× I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night.	✓ There have been times when I have wondered "Why was I born?" and may/may not have cried over it.	✓ I like most animals better than most people.
× I own a collection of retro games consoles.	× The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver.	× I have hit someone with a dead fish.  (what?)
× I am compulsively honest.	× I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired.	× I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
× I have gone from wishing I was a girl to revelling in being a boy to feeling like a girl again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex.	× I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders.	✓ I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to.
× I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on.  (Iprefer low music to sleep)	× I dislike milk.  (mmm....love it)	× I obsessively wash my hands.  (maybe more than the average, but not obsessively)
✓ I always carry something significant around with me.	✓ Sometimes I'd rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair.	✓ I've pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others.
× Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother.	× I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document.	✓ I've liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird.
× I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time.	× Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed.	× I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won.
× I do not 'get' most comedy acts.	× I don't think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing.	× I don't like to chew gum.
✓ I am obsessed with history/historical things and can't wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it.	✓ I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car.	✓ I had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years.
✓ I wish people would be more empathic and honest with each other.	× I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly.	✓ I love to sing.
× I want to live in my mother's basement when I grow up.	× I have a custom-built computer.	× I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there's a 0% possiblity of ever achieving it.  (That's an odd question)
× I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human.	× I've gone skinny-dipping.	× I've performed in three plays.
✓ I enjoy burritos.	× I'm Irish and loving it.	× I have a thing for redheads.
× I am a twin!	✓ Most of the times, I'd rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically 'fun'.	× Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else.
✓ I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes.	× I sleep more than 12 hours a day.	✓ I wish I could be prouder of what I've accomplished, but it's never enough.
× I need more time to myself.  (If I need it, I have it)	✓ I wish I was more open-minded.	× I hope that I go really prematurely grey.
✓ I download songs from the internet.	× I've just reenacted chapter 58 of Death Note with my best friend.  (ummm...)	✓ I say random things to freak people out.
× I'm still a little mad about the ending of Death Note.  (ok...)	× I love playing Truth or Dare.	× I love listening to slow music, but I hate singing to it.
✓ Music helps me remember that I am not alone.	× Playing my favorite sport makes me temporarily forget my problems.	✓ I think this survey is particularly long.
× I prefer my LJ friends to my real-life ones.	× I can only hate someone that I love.	× I've ordered an extra two shots of espresso to an Americano at Starbucks.

So, I was offered a job at a vision therapy clinic.  I would first be doing reception, then learning more and more along the way.

It would pay me a couple dollars more than I am making and give me so much more experience and use of my brain again. As much as I'm so ready to leave 'Pick', I'm not looking forward to leaving the comfort zone it as made for me over the past 6years.

Now is the hard part for tomorrow...I have to tell the other person in my department(the manager) that I will be taking another job to start  in the first 2weeks of August.  Then I have to talk to the personnel lady about going down to part time...this way I can have the monetarily wonderful insurance that Pick gives me, and make a smoother transition out of the store. 

Hopefully this will all go well.

More on this major life development tomorrow.  Wow, this is a wierd feeling.

So, I had an interview today for a job.......

I have a second interview tomorrow....

More about it later...
I'm nervous...not just for the interview, but because if I get the job, I'll have to leave a place I've worked full time for 6 and a half years; I'll stay on part time for a while.  I'm ready to leave, don't get me wrong...

I'm so excited for this weekend!  I'm going to volunteer for Special Olympics on Friday, with Rose and Mel, as I did earlier this year.  It is such a wonderful experience that I don't have the time to get into right now.  The best part of all is that  where SO is held, is 2hours from my family lake cabin, just east of Eagle River.  This is my favorite place to be, it is peaceful and tucked away.  It will be nice to "get away" from life for a couple days. 

I will post a pic when I get back, and maybe i'll be able to explain the experience of SO. 

Hope everyone is doing well...to my Pittsburgh "peeps", I will see you soon.  I'm coming in for Leah's wedding Friday(30th) early afternoon, leaving Sunda(2nd) early afternoon.

I'm soooo excited to see you all!!

I should be packing. Monday morning seems so far away, but with my work schedule during this past week--and my work schedule this weekend, it seems like tomorrow.

I'm flying to PGH via Philly. I'm so very much looking forward to a 6am flight after a night of work, then a layover and partially backtracking my route.

All will be worth it in the end--if I don't pass out.

My 3 1/2 year old niece called me today, this in itself would not be odd as I have had conversations with her on the phone before, but with my sister in law Jen in the background. But today there wasn't any sign of Jen being near the phone.

Kiley is going on about her a dinosaur show they got at Blockbuster so she could watch it(not sure if that's true or not, she's a little imbellisher)...and the ovaraptors and how Aiden wants to talk to me but she won't let him...Then she asks if she can give me to her mom.

Jen is oblivious to anything of the situation, she was finishing loading the dishwasher in the kitchen, while the kids were in the living room. She asks Kiley if she called me, she says yes, that she wanted to tell me about the dinosaurs. But how? I know her name has a Y like mine, so I called her.

it's snowing Pittsburgh snow! Usually the snow here is fluffy and not much fun to play in; today brought the heavy, slushy snow that I am used to! Shoveling my parents walk way (with my nephew making snowballs and "throwing" them at the car) brought me back to the days of shoveling the driveway...all morning, then most of the afternoon and pained by it the next day. Good thing they don't have that much of a surface--and yes they have a snowblower now--but I just can't get the damn thing to work. I'm just very happy by the snowfall!

Its already February 2nd...
Time to think about travel plans for this year!

I need to be in PA: July 1st and August 12th at the least.
I was going to take a vacation for one of those.

I get a week, Sun-Sat...I can take more days on each end, just can't push it too long. And I'm thinking of driving--about 9 hours each way of travel.

First thought, taking vaca for Leah's wedding in July. Then coming in for the weekend for Ren's, flying in Friday-Leaving Monday.

Does it matter when I come for the week? Would one be preferred over the other? Is it easier to end vacation with a wedding (as opposed to starting with one)?

Seems like I'm asking silly questions...but I could use the input.

I thought I'd share the story as it is as heartwarming as it is sad.  It started on the front page of the paper today.


( A bond so strong, held fast by paper... )

1) Was 2005 a good year for you? In some ways yes, In some ways no. Verdict is still out.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year? Walk for the Whisper weekend :-)

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year? How about moments...fighting constantly with Brad.

4) Where were you when 2005 began? Ummmm...

5) Who were you with? Couldn't have been too good, I don't remember.

6) Where will you be when 2005 ends? Not sure.

7) Who will you be with when 2005 ends? Probably Amber

8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2005? If I made one, I don't remember it

9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2006? Not yet, well a serious one

10) Did you fall in love in 2005? In what way?

11) If yes, with who?

12) If yes, do they know?

14) Do you regret it?

15) Did you breakup with anyone in 2005?

16) Did you make any new friends in 2005? A couple

18) What was your favorite month of 2005? Oooh, with consistent goodness, not sure

19) Did you travel outside of the US in 2005? No

20) How many different states did you travel to in 2005? IL, PA, does being on a layover for a few hours in Atlanta count as travelling to?

22) Did you miss anybody in the past year? Yes

28) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2005? Not as much as '04

29) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2005? No

30) How many people did you sleep with in 2005? Ummm...

34) Did you treat somebody badly in 2005? I was told I did

35) Did somebody treat you badly in 2005? Yes

39) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2005 and change something, what would it be? Spend more time in PA

40) What are your plans for 2006? Go to PA again is the biggest one.

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In July I farted in an elevator (-6 points). In February I donated bone marrow to melmel777 in a life-saving procedure (300 points). Last month I gave sgtmickeysgirl a kidney (1000 points). Last Sunday I signed my organ donor card (28 points). In March I pushed wizard593 in the mud (-17 points). Overall, I've been nice (1305 points). For Christmas I deserve a shiny red ball! Sincerely, plumlilac

Write your letter to Santa! Enter your LJ username:

Kinda hard for me to push Jim in the mud, I haven't seen him in years!