Gotta Love Fall!

Last October we were able to enjoy beautiful New England in all its autumn splendor. Our daughter lives in Boston. This is a picture of our son, Christopher and daughter, Tristan (and me...the big orange pumpkin!) when we visited Ben and Jerry's Ice cream Factory - yummmm!

Is Anybody Out There?

I haven't posted on this blog for awhile because just when life was already crazy with my mom's death, my mother-in-law passed away too! Needless to say, it has been a trying summer. But now we are into my favorite time of year... fall. There is just something about the cooler days, vibrant colors and crisp air that makes me feel energized and hopeful. I hope you all feel the same.

We've had this blog going for awhile but I haven't gotten much response (maybe because I have written so inconsistently!) I've decided to have a little contest to see if anyone is actually reading this, so... the first person to post a comment to this blog will get a $15.00 gift card to Target!

Soon I'll be posting information about our next advanced training so tune in!

I'd like to share one of my favorite thoughts with you. It's by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

SUCCESS

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

And the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation

of honest critics,

And endure the betrayal

Of false friends;

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better,

Whether by a healthy child,

A garden patch,

Or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life

Has breathed easier,

Because you have lived,

That is to have succeeded.

Wishing you all true success -

Pam

I've Missed You!

I'm sorry that I haven't written on this blog for awhile. July was a crazy month. I was frantically trying to get everyone's final fiscal year billings in on time and in the middle of it, my mom passed away. Being the only daughter and the only one of my mom's 3 kids who live in Utah, everything fell on me. I was so busy that I was numb until it was all over. Then the reality hit that she is gone. To say it is hard is an understatement. She was an incredible lady. I just try to take it each day at a time.



Luckily, there were no trainings set for July but now it is back to work! Our next advanced training is scheduled for Saturday, August 14. I've decided to do something different for this training. As I mentioned to you several months ago, it has been recommended that area coordinators have periodic one-on-one evaluation meetings with all peer parents. I would like to do this in place of a regular training. On August 13th and 14th, I've reserved the Clearfield DCFS building for these short visits. I'm scheduling 20 minute blocks of time for each peer parent...the good news is that you can count your interview as a 2 hour advanced training - what a deal! I'll be emailing you the schedule so be looking for it.



Also, business is picking up as it usually does about the time school starts. Please let me know if you can take on more cases.



One final note... I don't see anyone adding comments to these blogs. It is very easy to do - just click "comments" and it will tell you what to do. I would really love to see this blog become more interactive.

Out of Town

I'm a proud grandma for the second time! Ainsley Alexandria Takos was born May 27th in Las Vegas, NV. I finally get to go see her and I'm so excited!

I will be out of town from Thursday, June 17 through Tuesday, June 22. Questions about your clients should be directed to their caseworkers. Hopefully, everything else will wait until I get back. It's great to know that I can leave things in the capable hands of wonderful peer parents.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer so far.

It's All About Attitude

Saturday's training on Peer Parent Resources was great! Becky Facer presented lots of fun examples and handouts to use with clients. We played games and enjoyed ourselves very much...thanks, Becky!

I've been feeling quite stressed and feeling sorry for myself lately so I particularly appreciated one of the handouts that Becky gave us. For those of you who were not able to attend, I'm going to share it in this blog. It's called "Attitude".

"There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'

So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

'Hmm,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'

So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'

So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.

'Yea!', she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly....leave the rest to God. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

ADVANCED PEER PARENT TRAINING

I hope you all are looking forward to our advanced training this Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 9:00. I am very excited to get some ideas from Becky Facer. Becky is a peer parent in the Bountiful area and from reading her reports, I was impressed how much she knows about great resources to use in teaching families. She has enthusiastically agreed to share her wealth of knowledge with the rest of us. I'll see you there!

Hello, again!

If you've been checking this blog, you've probably wondered why I haven't written anything for awhile. The two primary reasons are 1) I've been ill with a lingering bronchitis; and 2) My mother is very ill and I'm her primary caretaker so I've been very busy with her.

It appears that mom is nearing the end of her life. As many of you know, she has lived with me and my family for 13 years now. She and I are very close so it is a hard time for me. I am providing round-the-clock care (with the help of Hospice) so my time is pretty limited. I am keeping up on the necessary peer parenting stuff but not too many extras. I hope all of you understand.

You are such a great bunch of people to work with. It is nice to know that I can take care of the personal stuff in my life and know that the program continues in good hands. Thanks for all you do!