I’m working on filling out paperwork for Simon’s third grade re-evaluation for services he receives through the school district. The last time he had a full range of evaluations was kindergarten. Chris and I had a meeting at the school on Tuesday with a psychologist, his program director and a special needs representative from the school district. Our hope is that through this new sets of evaluations we (and our partners at the school) will be able to help him that much more both academically and socially.
I’m working on more paintings (and working on doing more painting vs. collage this week). I’m loving the rhythm of having one painting project in progress during the week that I mess-with, build upon, and then finally call it good on Friday.
I’m working on creating space. Space to breathe, space to create, space to bring in more light. Moving things out to make more room for life (rather than stuff) and becoming more and more selective about what comes through the door (literally and figuratively).
I’m working on a SCRAPBOOK ON THE ROAD project class (PDF download + video presentation similar to my Halloween minibook project class). It will be available March 1. This will be the same class and presentation I taught last fall in Greece. A limited number of kits will be available through Cocoa Daisy. The video presentation for this class is more about the philosophy of a Scrapbook On The Road and you can definitely create the kind of project I’m showcasing with products you have on hand (and collect on your travels). I’ll have more details about this in the next couple of weeks.
I’m working on eating my vegetables.
I’m working on figuring out what’s wrong with my right leg. Something went awry three or four weeks ago and I haven’t been able to run since. I’ve got an appointment with a physical therapist this morning. I had hoped it would be something that would just go away or heal on it’s own but it hasn’t happened yet.
I’m working on getting this room, my office, in working order. Still figuring out how I want the room to flow, where it makes sense to store certain supplies, etc.
I’m working on keeping it all in perspective.
I love you wall photos Ali.
Have a great day Ali!
Good Luck with the physical therapist. I hope they can figure out what’s up with your leg.
The “working on”… It’s what keeps us so alive.Take care of that leg. As always,Thanks for sharing Ali:o)
Just concerned about your leg. This happened to my neighbor and she had fractured it and didn’t even know. She runs almost every day. To find out the problem it required a ct scan and some surgery. Not trying to scare you but she waited and the Dr. said it might have been much worse had she waited longer. Go to and Orthopedic Dr. so we don’t worry about you. I know I am not your mom!
I’m not your Mom either but I like this advice – good to cover all the bases
And Ali… as for vegetables… I hear you!! I am so ‘on’ about getting my kids to eat their fruits and veggies but I fall short myself – gotta change that!!
…and don’t forget grains! Thanks for sharing your life and perspectives with us. Ali, praying for guidance about your leg situation, know that it must be frustrating!
So sorry to hear about your leg. Hoping you’re still able to get out on walks if not runs. Loving your ‘making space for life not stuff’ philosophy. Looking forward to your class and seeing more paintings (if you’re intending tp share!)
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm love LOVE your photo wall. Doesn’t that stuff just make ya feel GOOD!!!!! Hoping your leg is ok…and I work at a school knowing how much paperwork and “stuff” that all can be with Simon. I hope he continues to grow and do his very very best…sounds like you are on a good track. Best of luck. Everyday is evolving huh???? Getting things organzied, trying to make sense of it all. Thanks for always inspiring us, and reminding us we all have allot of “stuff”….simply everyday!!!!
I hope you’ll see an orthopedist, too. I can’t run anymore because I’ve had both knees replaced, but I still dream about running. So, I know how much you want to get out there and run. Blessings.
Ok you’ve gotten it a few times but I’ll throw it out there too… see an Orthopedic doctor. I had problems running too and it wound up getting so bad they had to realign my patella and repair several tears in my meniscus. The sooner you can rule out or catch an injury the better!
Oh and good luck with Simon!
Me too! I lvoe that photo wall – this is what I have been wanting to create in my home, but it’s one of those things that keeps getting shuffled down on the “to do” list. I know I should make it a priority though… Hope your leg injury is not serious.
Try Kale chips Ali. You’ll never know you’re eating a vegetable. Rip up a bunch of curly Kale into chip size pieces. Toss in a tbsp each of olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and paper. Place in a 400F oven for 12 minutes or until crispy. E and L go nuts for these.
ah! lovely idea. going to give this a try. thanks for the tip!!
I’m working on getting new evaluations with my son, Adam, too! He will be in 3rd grade next year. I’m anxious for the results because I know it will help us parent him more effectively and help him get the help at school that he needs.
I’ve seen so much growth and improvement from Adam in the last year. Like Simon, I know he will be just fine. But still, the testing is such a long process, and it always brings up a lot of emotions for me that I don’t always think about from day to day.
Best of luck for continued success in your journey with Simon!
~Jen
Love your wall of photos and can’t wait for more info on your new class.
Wishing you the best! I hope everything your working on works out for the best and that you are up and running soon! Looking forwarding to that project class!
it’s easy to get overwhelmed…don’t forget to work on these one thing at a time! as a fellow runner i’m sorry to hear about the leg! p.t. is wonderful and you’re smart to go that route. most people i know who have gone through it come out on the other side healed, more knowledgeable about their body, and stronger then ever!
I so feel for you with the injury! I have been a lifelong runner, and I have been sidelined since August with some mystery injury. I hope you get yours straightened out and are back on the road very soon. I love your photo wall!
I, too, am working on trying to keep everything in perspective. Love this post, Ali. Rings so true for so many of us.
I know you are the kind of person who’ll do her homework, so hopefully the PT will get your leg back into healthy mode. I love sweet potato chips from our Amish market. It’s those dark greens that I tend to balk about eating.
To you and the teachers and Simon’s evaluaters, I’ll just quote someone I hear ..Go Team!
Best wishes on a good diagnosis and prognosis on your leg Ali!
My other half hurt his leg playing badminton before Christmas, and he still can’t walk properly. He hasn’t seen a doctor, he’s just hoping it will heal in time, but it really is dragging on. Hope yours gets better quickly.
Good luck with Simon’s new psychological testing and evaluation. I worked in the disability field for 25 years and am still there now that I am retired (volunteer). I worked with adults but know many of the children. You will be amazed at how much Simon will grow and develop thank’s to your attitude and your team approach. He will live a full life thanks to you and his sweet personality. Love your conscious attitude towards life, your on the right track. I am a past runner, get that leg checked out so you can run again. thanks for your daily inspiration and your on line class.
I’m working on changing up the pictures in teh living room to make room for more family photos. I love what you shared above, and I defintiely want to fins some more visual inspiration online.
Love this paragrapha, Ali:
I’m working on creating space. Space to breathe, space to create, space to bring in more light. Moving things out to make more room for life (rather than stuff) and becoming more and more selective about what comes through the door (literally and figuratively).
That’s something I really want to accomplish this year – which is why I must FOCUS (my OLW) on doing what I need to do to get there.
Hope your leg problem is something easily remedied.
i love that you are working on all your “stuff” life throws at ya!! I am working on staying motivated for my kids. working on keeping myself out of this “hole ” new meds have thrown me into. i am working on being the best mom i can be fighting “R.A.” so… thank you for your post you have made my day.
I’ve completed a new photo wall for my livingroom, Just need to hang it. I love your post today, very motivating for me. Good luck with your leg. Hope that you can get back to running soon.
Hoope they find the cause of the leg pain Ali.
Have a good day
Love it! You inspire me daily!
Hi Ali,
My vote would be to go to a chiropractor. I’ve been running almost 30 years and my chiropractor has been able to help me the most. In my next life, I’m planning on marrying a chiropractor. Love your blog. Can’t wait to hear the details on your travel album!
I love love love the photo wall!! we are slowly doing that w/our hallway, great to see it in someone else’s house. I had tweeked a knee last fall & thought I was done running until I started seeing my chiro that practices the Gonstead Method & am happy to report no further issues
good luck w/your therapist& Simon’s school!!
I love your photo wall too! I need to get some of my photos off the computer and out onto the walls to be enjoyed. Thanks for the inspiration.
That wall is awesome oh I am trying to get my veggies in too I just made this shake that I said HMM I could do it again It even had Flax Seeds which well this was the first time using/eating them. Pretty good if you want to give it a try here is where I got it from
http://www.friendsforweightloss.com/featured-recipe-of-the-week-tropical-banana-berry-smoothie/
OH I took some AWESOME pics for my OLW so if your ears were ringing it was me saying I’m channeling Ali today ha..
I am working on a wall collage in my bedroom. I love the way it looks and makes me feel good. What about everyday pictures if your children are grown and live far away? What are some suggestions for those everyday photos b/c I, too think they are the coolest!
Take good care of you, ok?
Marilyn
attended a re-eval of my own today (i’m a teacher). i love the way you embrace the process and the team aspect of drafting an iep. sounds like you’re in a great school system!
and the photo wall is gorgeous!
I am also working with my child….working on learning the foreign language of IEPs. We just recently got a diagnosis of Aspergers for my 5 yr old and have been doing the tour of doctors and psychologists and school testing and all those lovely things. I hope things get a little less stressful and smoother by the time mine is in 3rd grade.
Thinking about you Stacy -
Ali-
I too have an issue with my knee and leg. It happened about 3 weeks ago and i am so bummed, because i am to start getting ready for a 5k. (i am new to running).
Sounds like your road of planning out education for your son is going smoothly. For us it is rough at times.
Q: did you ever get the email i sent you, i just wonder if you did or if it went to your spam?
Hi Jamie – just found it in my junk folder – will respond in a few (thanks for letting me know).
Jamie – I tried to email you back (to the address you emailed me from and the one you used here to comment) and both were returned to me.
I hope the dr appt went well – glad you are getting this checked out. I spent a morning in guidance at school – “one of those days” at first, but my daughter got to class and her day got better. I love when a rough start eases out. And I love that her IEP accomodated us getting to school 10 minutes late without getting a lunch detention for it. It’s the little things that sometimes make the biggest difference in a kid’s day. Hope Simon’s evaluation goes very well. Hugs.
Love the wall photos!
Simon is one very lucky little young man!!
Good luck with your leg and reorganization………I’m constantly rearranging trying to figure out what works best, but still haven’t managed to figure that out! I think I just have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!! (working on getting rid of that too)
love that photo wall Ali- just gorgeous!
I love the wall photos too!
I just wonder how do you stick them on the wall?
Love that wall too. Thinking about working on the neglected areas in my life. Somehow my creative room is always a neglected space. Think I’ll start with a collage on the wall. Strenghth to you!
Prayers of healing for you.
Wondering where you had the unframed pics on your wall made and what they are called? Love the way they look with assorted frames.
I love your photo wall. I am in the midst of creating one myself on the wall leading to my basement. However, the layout has me a little stumped.
I am on month two of OLW and get inspired by your blog about how your word is moving you in different directions.
Hope the physio appointment went well!
Take care.
I am so sorry about your leg Ali! That happened to me last year and I couldn’t run for a couple months. Luckily my husband is an athletic trainer and he worked on me a TON. My best advice is ICE and FOAM ROLL! (For prevention sake.
I don’t know what injury you have.)
Great post, its fun to document what your up to.
Best of luck with everything that your’re “working on”.
I’m anxious to see the new class. We will be taking trip during Spring Break and it would be awesome to try it out during that trip. We will be driving to Branson, MO while our 15 year old will be going to Italy with her classmates. Wish I could travel along with her!
great post – makes me think of everything i am working on as well! with two kids and full time job they sure add up!!
one thing – you had posted an etsy link a while ago for the vintage metal letters and i was wondering if you still had that kicking around and could share with me? I couldn’t find that post anywhere. Thanks!!!
I have just started the process of an Autism diagnoses with my 3 yr old little boy. It has felt like a bomb has gone off in our home, even though we knew it was coming. It was so hard to see it on paper. It is nice to be able to read your HONESTY of your Simon and know I am not alone in this journey with my baby.
Thanks for you.
Aimee
I’ve been picking up my running mileage (up to about 12 mile runs on the weekends and then shorter during the week) after doing 2 sprint tris last year. I struggled with major hip pain earlier this year and last fall – I finally tried ART (Active Response Technique) and it’s helped tremendously for the soft tissue injuries I’ve had. It’s worth a look if you can find a practicioner in your area.
Like reading about what you are doing and it gives me ideas about what I could be doing. Arranging a room for flow is not easy. Guess I need to do some diagramming on paper to get a better feel. Good luck with your leg and thanks for the inspiration!
I really like the different frames and textures used on your picture wall.
Two of the photos (Family photo from Italy?) and Simon and Anna look canvas-like with black sides. What processing do you use (Shutterfly etc.)? I like how they look slimmer than the gallery wrap usually offered – 1.5″ or .75″.