Tossing a medicine ball with Matt during P.T.

My Wednesday morning began at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After a thirty minute stretching session, I then began to do my weight exercises. Once I had completed my workout, I then preceded to take my shower and get ready for the day ahead. After doing so, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. After a bowl of hot cereal and a toasted muffin, I had gone back to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then gathered my knapsack and lunch, thus bringing them to the door. After doing so I then sat down to wait for United to arrive. Upon my arrival to WestSide, for 9:30, I had put my things into my locker before meeting with Deb. During support session, I had worked with Deb on finding a picture of myself to post in my fit bit. At 10:00 I then went to the gym for my P.T. session with Matt. Today Matt first had me walking on the tredmill for twenty minutes. After doing so, we then went out into the hall way so as to do some side stepping over cones. First Matt had me tap the top of the cone then step over the cone. Once I had completed this five times back and forth, I then did some stair stepping with exercise pad. Then as I stood on the erix pad we tossed a medicine ball back and forth. At 11:00 I then made my way to the conference room for Brain Injury Education Group. Today we first discussed going to the Good Will store to speek to customers about our program with Deb and Michelle. We then pulled up my storty on the big screen so as to continue working on it, the entire group gave their inpur in completing this project. It has a little bit of everything, stroke, concussion, ect. We then spoke about writing a proposel to give to the administrator about going to the Goodwill store to let customers know where there money goes after they make a purchase. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat my lunch. I then had taken a shower before going back to the conference room for support group. Today during support group we played kings cribbage with Deb. There were only three clients and Deb, so we thought we'd take it easy today at the same time learn a cognitive task. At 2:00 Larry then took me home. I had arrived home at 3:30 thus putting on something comfortable and going to bed. I had slept from 3:30-5:30 before getting up. I then went out into the ktichen to eat dinner. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to blog. I don't know if I will be awake to bring in th new year or not, will have to see. 

Doing two things at once

I began my Tuesday morning bright and early at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to do my stretching. After doing so I took my weights out and begain to lift. After doing so, I then strapped on my ankle weights on and began to worked my legs. After my workout, I then I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead, I then made my way to the kitchen. I then sat down and enjoyed a bowl of hot cereal and a toasted muffin and some fruit. I then brushed my teeth, thus getting ready, I then grabbed my knapsack and out the door I went. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I had made my way to the conference room for yoga group. Today Michelle and Carol had sitting on the matts on the floor. While doing so, we worked on yoga poses and our breathing. At 10:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Alex. While in the gym today I had worked on my balance while standing in the parallel bars. I had placed on foot in front of the other, trying to maintain my balance. Once I had my balance uder control, we then started to play a game of bat gamon. At 11:00 I then went to the lobby to wait to meet with Piper. After my case management session with piper I then left for home. I had arrived home at 12:30. My father had lunch ready. Once I had finished eating, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 12:45-4:10 before getting up to take a shower. I then sat down to blog befor eating dinner. Just another day. 

Spreading pizza dough during Tai Chi

My Monday morning began this day at 5:30 a.m. by getting out of bed to stretch. After doing so I had shaved before starting in with my upper weight exercises. I then strapped on the ankle weights and began to work my legs. At 6:00 once my wortkout was complete, I had put some laundry clean laundry away that was outside my bedroom door. After doing so, I had taken my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 6:30 I had made my way out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had my fill, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my sack and lunch and I was on my way to WestSide. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I had gone straight to the conference room for Academic skills group. Today Sue and Alex watching takes on JFK and his run for the presidency. There were clips of Joe Kennedy the father. We would stop and answer questions about the clip every so often. At 10:00 I then stayed in the conference room for Tai Chi Group. Today Joe had us making pizza. This was an exercise where we circled our arms as thought we were spreading pizza dough. Along with other exercises made the workout complete. At 11:00 I then made my way to the kitchen for Baking Basics Group. Today Casey and I made the crust while two other clients made the filling with Nichole. We then combine the ingrediants to make a Cream Cheese Struesell. At 12:30 we then ate lunch. At 1:00 I then had a rehab session with Deb. Today Deb had helped me figure out more about my Fit Bit. I will now be leaving my fit bit on at night to measure my sleep. At 2:00 during my break I had eaten my lunch before taking my showr. At 3:00 I then went to social group in the dinning area. Casey and Michelle had us playing paper telephone but on paper. The first person would write a sentence then the next person would draw pictures to try to relay the sentence to the next person. Then the next person would write the sentence in words once again by making out what the pictures say to them. A few times we were able to get it correct. At 4:00 United took me home. I had arrived home at 5:15. Upon doing so I got myself comfortable before eating dinner. I then sat down to blog. 

Don't sleep the day away

My Sunday morning began at 8:00 a.m. by getting up to stretch my muscles. At 8:20 I then grabbed my weights and began to do my weight workout. Once I had completed my upper body, I then strapped on my ankle weights and began to work my legs. At 8:40 I then shaved and took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 9:00 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat and egg sandwhich for breakfast along with some fruit, hot cocoa, and a glass of orange juice. Once I had finished eating, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before calling the pharmacy to order my medication. My mother and I then left for church. We had arrived at church for 10:15. After mass at 11:30 we went to the Pierce House to visit my grandmother and to give her communion. We had stayed until 11:50. My grandmother then had to go have lunch. We then went to hannaford, so that I could pick up the medication I had ordered this morning. While there I had seen a couple of friends that live in the area. We had arrived home at 12:45. My father had made me a grilled cheese for lunch. Once I had finished eating, I had brushed my teeth and then I lied down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:00 before waking up. Once I was up, I had packed my knapsack for tomorrow before sitting down to fil my pill containers for the week ahead. I then soon called it a day. 

Sinking information onto my laptop so as to use my fit bit as a tracking device of my daily activity

I began Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. I jumped out of bed, first thing shaving the hair off my face. After doing so, I had gone to the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some ffruit. I then returned to my bedroom at 8:35 to take the sheets off my bed. After doing, I had returned to the kitchen at 8:40 to eat breakfast. My mother had made Crepes, YUM!!! My sister and I then sat downt to eat breakfast with our mother while Dad was at work. As we sat there eating, we had reminissed about Christmas Day. Once we had finished eating, my sister and I had returned to my bedroom, so as to sink information about my fit bit onto my computer. This will make it possible to record information as I am using it, so as to be able to bring it up as a visual at the end of the day. We did so until 10:30. I then said good-bye to my sister for she had left a little early so as to go visit our grandmother on her way home. As my sister walked out the door, I has called my grandmother. At 10:50 I then began t do my stretching. At 11:25 I then brought out the dumb bells to start doing my weight exercises. Once I had done so, I then strapped on my ankle weights and began to work my legs. At 12:00 I then went out into the kitchen to have a bowl of soup for lunch. I then returned to my bedroom to at 12:25 to brush my teeht before laying down. I had slept until 3:30 before getting up to go out and talk to my parents. At 4:10 I then took my shower before going on my computer to see how my fit bit is tracking my activity. My grandmother had called at 4:40 to chat before she had dinner. I then went to have a bowl of soup myself at 4:50. I then returned to my bedroom to enter my daily blog entree, thus calling it a day. 

Testing out my fit bit for the first time.

My Monday morning began on this day after Christmas at 5:00 a.m. by getting up to workout. Once I had finished stretching and my weight routine, I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 6:00 I then found myself out in the kitchen eating my breakfast. After a bowl of hot cereal and toasted english muffin, I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. After doing so, I had grabbed my things and off to therapy I went. Upon my arrival to WestSide, I had put my things in my locker before going to the lobby. The walking group then went to the Auburn Mall to walk with Mat and Casey. While walking I had my fit bit on tracking my exercise and every step I made, calories burned, and the distance I had gone. Being the day after Christmas everyone was soon tired before the walk even began. At 11:00 I was back at WestSide in stretching group with Michelle and Matt. We stretched while listeneing to clasic rock. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat lunch. After doing so, I had taken a shwer. At 1:00 I then had my recreational therapy session with Casey who was filling in for Tobie. We first downloaded the app with information about my fitbit. After doing so, we then played a game of cribbage, of wihich I had lost. At 2:00 I then left for home. Upon my arrival I had spoke to a friend. I then put on something comfortable before speaking to grandma. At 4:05 I then ated dinner with my family. After doing I had gone to my bedroom to blog. I soon went to bed. 

Merry Christmas

My Christmas morning began this morning at 6:00 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to first make my bed before doing my stretching exercises. Once I had done so, I had gone back out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. I then had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. After doing so, I had put some clean laundry away. At 9:15 I then took my shower, thus getting myself ready. I had left for church with my mother at 10:00. Once mass had let out at 11:30, we went to the Pierce House to pick my grandmother up for Christmas. We had arrived back home at 12:00 noon. Once inside, we had sat down by the Christmas treee. Then starting to feel tired, I lied down to rest at 12:30. I had slept until 2:00 before waking up. I then opened the gifts my grandmother had bought me, she then opened mine. At 2:10 I then took a showern. At 3:10 my parents, sister, grandmother, and I then opened up our stocking stuffers. At 3:40 we then took a break in the action before resuming at 3:45 with our Christmas gifts. We opened gifts unitl 5:00. We then went to the dining room table for Christmas dinner. My mothers home made lasagna. Once we had finished eating, we had picked up the kitchen. I then called United Wheelchair to see what time I would be picked up tomorrow to go to WestSide. I then returned to my bedroom to enter my daily blog entree.  

Christmas Eve Plans

My Wednesday morning began on this day at 5:00 a.m. by getting out of bed to stretch. After doing so, I then turned to my weight exercises, first upper then lower. Once I had completed my workout, I then preceded to shower and get ready for the day ahead. At 6:30 I then made my way out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat my breakfast. After doing so I had returned to my bedroom at 7:00 to brush my teeth. After doing so, I had gone to laundry room with my laundry basket filled with laundry and started a load. After doing so, I had folded laundry that had dried to make room to hang some more to dry. I then put it away. At 8:00 I then hung the laod before starting another. United soon arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for 10:00 a.m. I had made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Matt. Matt first had me using the agility latter in the hall way. As I was doing stepping exercises it was challenging for me to keep my balance with each step. We then went back into the gym. Here I stood on the erix pad set inside the parallel bars. Mat and I then through a ball back and forth. from different angles I would catch it so as to challange my ballance. At 11:00 I then went into the conference room for Brain Injury Education Group. Today our group focus was to try to get a presentation in the works. We also spoke about a lunch and learn at WestSide. We also talked about Diversity days taking place in schools for our group to be part of. We also spoke about setting up a table at Franklin Memorial Hospital  for educational purposes. At 12:00 I then went to the dinning area to eat my lunch. After taking a shower, United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 2:15. Upon doing so I had gone strait to bed. I had slept unitl 4:30. I then got up and sat with my family in the kitchen eating odderves and talking. At 5:30 we then sat by the Christmas tree to open a gift. We soon then called it a Christmas Eve Night. I then went to my bedroom to brush my teeth, before sitting down to blog. 

A visit with my sister

I began my Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. by getting out of bed to stretch. After doing so, I then strapped on my ankle weights and began to work my legs. I then grabbed my dumb bells and began to work my arms. At 5:50 I then shaved before sitting down to fill my pill containers for the week ahead. After doing so I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day. At 6:30 I then sat down to eat my breakfast. I then brushed my teeth. United Wheelchair soon arrived to bring me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I went straght to the conference room for Yoga Group with Michelle. Today Michelle and Carol had us following an hour long yoga workout working on our breathing and balance. At 10:00 I had met Alex in the gym for a P.T. session. Today Alex had me working on my balance. In doing so I first did some tandum stepping. I then stood in the parallel bars in tandum postion. Alex and I then played Bat Gammon. I had to take a break every so many seconds, doing the best I could to keep my balance. At 11:00 I then met with Piper for a Case Management session. We spoke about how my programming is going at WestSide and how things are going in general. At 11:20 United Wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 12:30. Upon doing so, I had made myself some lunch. Once I had spoken to my grandmother, I then lay down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:15. before getting up. I then went out into the kitchen to sit witih my parents and sister while drinking some egg nog and some party mix. I then took a shower before sitting down to blog. I then ate dinner before going to bed. 

 

WestSide Christmas

My Monday morning began this day at 6:00 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so I then began to do my weight exercises. Once I had finished my workout, I then showered and got ready for the day ahead. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had finished a bowl of hot cereal and a toasted english muffin, I then precede to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my things and out the door I went. Upon my arrival to WestSide Neurorehab for 9:00 a.m. I did not have to be there until 10:00, so I had sat in the lobby to wait, after I had put my lunch and knapsack in my locker. At 10:00 I then went to the conference room for Tai Chi group. Today Joe the instructor had us stretching and moving in every way possible, focussing a lot on balance. At 11:00 I then went to the kitchens for Baking Basics Group. Today I first reminded the group that we had to frost the Racotta Cookies Tobie and I had made Friday. We then made a batch of cookies of our own We then had lunch. As we were eating corn bread chille stacks the group had just made we looked over recipes for next weeks group. At 1:00 I then had my rehab session with Deb. We continued to work on things dealing with my email. At 2:00 I then had a break. I had taken my shower and got ready for the Christmas party. Once I was ready I then sat down to eat my lunch. At 3:00 the Christmas Party began. We first made snow globes placing a little charactor inside the globe. We then made angel ornaments. At 4:10 I then went to the kitchen to dip pretzels in chocolate. At 5:15 We all then sat down to have lasagna fro dinner. Once we jhad finished eating United then took me home. I had arrived home at 7:15. Once I had slipped into something comfortable, I sat down to blog. 

Another restful Sunday

I began my Sunday morning at 7:15 by getting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. Once I had shaved I then went to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. Once I had my fill, I then showered and got ready to go to church. At 9:30 I then left for church with my father. After mass, my father took me to the shop to give me a haircut. Once I had my ears lowered, We then went to Hanaford so as to pick up some medication. We then had arrived home at 12:30. After a bowl of soup, I then lied down to rest. I had slept from 1:00-4:00. Once I was up I had written out a few Christmas cards before making my lunch for tomorrow. At 5:25 I then spoke to my grandmother before sitting down to play a game of cribbage with my mother. At 6:30 we then ate dinner. I then soon called it a day.

Picking up the pieces

My Saturday morning began at 6:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink a cup of hot cocoa while eating some fruit. After doing so, I then preceded to have a bowl of cereal with a toasted muffin. Once I had finished eating, I the picked up the kitchen, thus washing some dish's. Once I had returned to my bedroom at 7:10 I had brushed my teeth and shaved. After doing so, I had made my way to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. At 7:30 I had made my way back to the kitchen to start the dishwasher. Once I had wiped the dish's I had washed earlier, I had put them away before going to my bedroom to make my bed, thus putting on clean sheets. After doing so At 8:10 I then hung a load of laundry to dry. After doing so, I had started another wash at 8:20. At 8:25 I then vaccuumed my bedroom. After doing so I had dusted the furniture. At 9:20 I then hung the next load of laundry to dry. After doing so, I contuinued by emptiing the dishwasher, thus putting the dish's away. At 9:50 I then finished dusting my bedroom before giving my mother a call. We had spoke briefly, I then called my grandmother. My father then called to let me know what time he'd be coming home from work. At 10:35 I then spoke to a friend on the phone. After doing so, I then began my daily workout. First stretching, followed by my weight workout. After my daily workout, I had gone to the kitchen to eat some lunch. Then feeling a little tired, I had brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:00-3:00 before getting up, I then turned on a movie. At 4:15 I then took my shower. I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner with my father before sitting down to blog at 5:15. What a day indeed. 

Making Christmas cookies with Tobie during my recreational therapy session

I began my Friday mornig at 5:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. I then had a bowl of hot cereal with a toasted english muffin. Once I had finished eating I had returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave before starting in with my exercises. Once I had stretched and done my weight exercises, I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. After doing so I had sat to weight for my ride. Upon my arrival to WestSide, I had put my knapsack in my locker before leaving for the Auburn Mall witih the Walking to Wellness group with Casey and Matt. Upon our arrival with had walked for fourty-five minutes with rest breaks in between before heading back to WestSide. We had arrived back at 11:00. I then went to the conference room for stretching group with Casey and Matt. We all took turns naming stretches for the group to do. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area for lunch. Today Cafe was serving beef stroganauf. Once I had finished eating I then went to the lobby to wait for my recreational therapy session with Tobie at 1:00. I had met Tobie back in the kitchen. Today Tobie and made Roccota cookies. We were able to mix the cookie dough and start to bake them, but Tobie had to finish them. I had to leace at 2:00. Monday we will be frosting them in Baking basics group. I had arrived home at 3:30. Upon doing so, I had lied down to rest for a while before getting up to blog before dinner. 

Talking to Grandma on the phone

I began my Thursday morning at 7:45 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to eat some fruit while drinking my hot cocoa. Once I had done so I had fixed myself a bowl of cereal with a toasted english muffin. At 8:30 I had gone to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. After doing so, I had returned to my bedroom to make my bed. I then shaved and brushed my teeth. At 8:45 I then began to do my stretching. After doing so, I had hung the laundry to dry. I then went back to my bedroom to put clean laundry away that had ben left outside my bedroom door. At 9:30 I then watched my Thursday cooking show with Jimmy Dean. As I was doing so, I had taken notes to show tobie during our recreational therapy session tomorrow. At 10:00 I then recopied the notes, so as to more easier to read. At 10:30 I then filled my empty pill containers for the week ahead. At 10:45 I then grabbed a shovel to scrape the deck of melting ice. After doing so, I then called my grandmother. I then took a showe before sitting down to eat my lunch at noon while watching the news. At 12:25 I then brushed my teeth before speaking to my father on the phone. I then started another load of laundry. I then layed down to rest. At 1:30 I then got up to hang the laundry to dry. I then layed back down at 1:50. I had slept until 3:45 before getting up to go on line to play word trick. My had arrived home at 4:30. He and I then sat downt to eat dinner. I then packed my knapsack for tomorrows therapy. I then recieved a call letting me know what time my ride would be picking me up tomorrow. I then took it easy for the night.  

Doing balance exercises while standing on the erix pad

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. Laying off the weight exercises for a couple of days do to some back pain I have been having. After taking a shower I then went out into the kitchen at 6:15 to eat my breakfast. At 6:40 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my knapsack and lunch,   i was then on my way. Upon my arrival to WestSide for 9:30 I had a counceling session with Maria. We discussed my weekly frustrations. At 10:00 I then met Matt in the gym for P.T. I first walked on the tredmill. I did so for thirty mimutes, taking time not holding on and then holding on. I then went into the parallel bars to do some balance work standing on the erix pad. While doing so I looked up, down, and side to side. Matt and I then passed a ball as I stood on the erix pad. At 11:00 I then made my way up to the conference room for Brain Injury Education Group. We first spoke about personal stories. We then spoke about Brain Injury Awareness Month and what we plan to do during March. Deb and Tobie then had us look at the trifold. We then spoke about going to the goodwill stores to give out information to the customers on brain injury. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area to eat lunch. Once I had finshed eating I then went to the conference room for support group with Deb and Maria. It was nice, one of the clients brough in a snack as we talked. I then left for home at 2:00. Upon my arrival home at 3:30 I lied down to rest. I had slept until 5:30 before getting up to eat dinner. I then sat down to blog at 6:00.

Following a seated yoga workout

I began my Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so, I then began to do my weight exercises. At 6:15 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 6:30 I then made my way out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of hot cereal with a toasted muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then gather my knapsack, then went to the door to wait for United to arrive. United soon arrived and I was on my way. Upon my arrival to WestSide for 9:00 a.m. I had put my knapsack into my locker before making my way to the conference room for yoga group. Today Michelle and Carol had us following a seated yoga workout off line. It lasted thirty minutes before we were given time to relax. I have to say the yoga and tai chi really challenge my breathing. At 11:00 we then had a fire drill. I am always warned ahead of time to get out of the building before the alarm goes off so as not to cause me to have a seizure. There are a couple of other clients that are on that list too. Once the fire drill was over, I then went back inside to meet Alex in the gym for my P.T. session. Today Alex had me standing on an errix pad in the parallel bars to work on my balance. We then played a game of cribbage in the art room to end the session. At At 10:45 I then had met with Sally, do to some head pain I was having. She had taken my blood pressure 132 over 82. At 11:00 I then met with my case manager Piper before going home. I had arrived home at 12:30. My father had lunch waiting for me. Once I had finished eating, I had brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:45-3:20 before getting up. I then spoke to a friend before pulling up my blog at 4:45. After doing so, I then went to the kitchen to eat dinner.

Choosing our next topic in academic skills group

My Monday morning began on this day at 5:30 a.m. by getting out of bed to stretch. After doing so, I then preceded with my weight exercises. Once I had completed my workout, I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 6:30 I then made my way out into the kitchen to have a bowl of hot cereal and a toasted bun, along with some grapes and banana. Once I had finished eating,I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my knapsack and lunch, United soon arrived, and off to WestSide I went. Upon my arrival I had put my lunch and knapsack into my locker before making my way to the conference room for Academic skills group. Sue and Alex had us on line looking over the next class we wanted to take. The decision was soon made, Intro to public speaking. We then watched the introduction. At 10:00 I then had  Tai chi. Joe had us stretching and exercising to while trying to remember to breath. We then ended in a meditation. At 11:00 During baking basics group Casey and Nichole had making canolli cake. Once the cake was made, we then sat down to chose a meal for next weeks group. As we were looking through cook books a decision was soon made. At 12:30 we then had lunch. At 1:00 I then went upstairs to meet with Deb. Today she and I worked on deleting and putting email into folders. At 2:00 I then had an hour break, so I had taken a shower while waiting for social group to be held in the dining area. After my shower, I then sat down to blog, So as not to have to do it once I get home. 

Writing my yearly Christmas letter

My Sunday morning began on this day at 7:45 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so, I then followed suit with my weight exercises. At 8:30 I then took my shower, thus getting ready to go to church. At 9:00 I then went out into the kitchen to eat some fruit and a toasted blueberry muffin with jelly along with my hot cocoa and a glass of O.J. At 9:10 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then cleaned my bathroom before sitting down to read some Christmas cards I had received in the mail. I then went out to shovel my little deck before leaving for church. Father Joe was on time today coming from his early morning mass, so we had a normal length mass today. Once we were out of church, we then went to visit Grandma at the Pierce house. At 12:00 we then went to grocery store to pick up a few things before going home. Upon our arrival home at 12:30. My mother had made me a sandwich, I then sat down to eat. After doing so, I then returned to my bedroom to sit down to write a Christmas letter to stick into a couple of Christmas cards. At 2:00 I then filled my pill containers for the week before laying down to rest. I had slept from 2:15-5:15. I then got up to pack my knapsack for tomorrows day at therapy. I then pulled up my blog and began to type.

spending time shoveling the deck and baking cookies, all in one day.

I begaan my Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some grapes and raspberries. After doing so I then toasted a muffin and spread some jam on it for breakfast. Once I had finished eating, I then preceded to return to my bathroom to brush my teeth and shave. At 10:00 I then had taken the dirty sheets off my bed and put clean ones on for the week ahead. After doing so I had pur my clean laundry away before going outside to shovel the main deck. After doing so for thirty minutes I had gone back inside at 11:00 to roll out some cookies with my mother to be baked. Coconut kiss cookies. The dough is rolled into round balls and placed on a cookie sheet. Once the dough is baked, you then take the cookie sheets out of the oven and place a hershey kiss in the middle while the dough is still hot. Once we had finished with the cookies, I then had some lunch at 12:00 before laying down to rest at 12:30. I was so tired from shoveling this morning, I had slept until 4:05 before getting up to take my shower. after doing so, I had gone out into the kitchen to eat dinner with my parents. I then returned to my laptop to enter my daily blog.

Making cookie crackers during Recreational Therapy

My Friday morning began this day at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. At 5:55 I then preceded to to do my weight workout. first my upper then strapping on my ankle weights I worked my legs. After taking my shower, thus getting for the day ahead, I then went out into the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal with a toasted blueberry muffin. Along with some fruit of course. Once I had brushed my teeth I grabbed some money for todays cafe meal and my knapsack, quickly saying good-bye to my parents and out the door I went. Along the way we had to pick up two more clients to make the trip to Lewiston. Upon my arrival to WestSide, I had put my knapsack into my locker before going back to the lobby to wait. We soon left for the mall with Dan and Casey to do some walking. While walking I had talked to Dan. We had returned to WestSide at 11:00. I then went to the conference room for stretching group with Michelle and Alex. We each took turns naming a stretch thus working on our memory as well as our strength. At 12:00 we then all went to the dining area for todays cafe group. On the menue was two anchelata's, Mexican rice, and a whoopie pie for desert. Once I had finished my lunch, I had taken a shower before carrying on with my day. At 1:00 I had met Tobie in the kitchen for my recreational therapy session. Today we made cookie crackers with nuts, keebler crankers and hot melted butter. My assignment is to go home and pick out another cookie recipe so as to bring in Monday so that the ingredients can be shopped for so that Tobie and I can bake next Friday. At 2:00 Don from United wheelchair took me home. I had arrived home at 3:30. Upon doing so, I had folded my laundry and put it away. I then slipped into something comfortable before sitting down to blog.

Calling the Taylor Brook Middle School to try to organize a presentation for the Brain Injury Education Group to do a presentation.

My Thursday morning started off this day at 8:00 by going out into the kitchen to drink my hot cocoa and eat some fruit. While listening to the morning news, I then toasted myself an english muffin. Once I had finished eating, I then preceded to go back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and shave. At 8:35 I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. After doing so, I returned to the kitchen to start the dishwasher. My mother had left me a note asking me to wrap some gifts to be put into my grandmother stocking, so I did just that. At 9:00 I then washed some dish's in the sink. After doing so, I had scraped some remaining snow off my deck. At 9:30 I then sat down to watch, Home for Dinner with Jamie Dean. As I was doing so, I had taken notes, as my weekly assignment for my recreational therapy session tomorrow with Tobie. At 10:00 I then spoke to my mother on the phone who had called to let me know that she would not be home until 4:00. At 10:05 I then hung the laundry to dry. After doing so I then began another load. Once I had cleaned my bathroom, I then called my grandmother. At 11:00 I then emptied the dishwasher thus putting the dish's away. At 11:20 I then hung the second load of laundry to dry. At 11:50 I then sat down to recopy the notes I had taken on the cooking show I had watched earlier. At 12:10 I then watched the weather report before going out into the kitchen to eat my lunch. I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept from 12:30-2:30 before getting up to call Taylor Brook Middle School to try to schedule a presentation for the Brain Injury Education Group to do. I got as far as leaving a message in the guidance counselors voice mail. At 3:00 I then helped my mother make coconut kiss cookies. At 4:30 I then stretched. After doing so, I then took my shower at 5:00. After doing so, I then packed my knapsack to go to therapy tomorrow. I then went out into the kitchen to eat my diner at 5:30, as I was doing so, grandma called. We spoke briefly, I then continued to eat my dinner. Once I had finished eating, I had gone to my laptop to blog.

Sharing in support group

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by geting up to stretch and do my weight exercises. At 6:10 I then took my shower thus getting ready for the day. At 6:30 I then made my way to the kitchen to eat a toasted blueberry muffin and half of an english muffin. At 6:45 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. After doing so, I grabbed my knapsack and my lunch and brought them to the door. I then took two Advil for some head pain I was having in the back of my head where I received my concussion in the ski accident I was in one months prior to my stroke. United then brought me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for a 9:30 appointment, I had put my lunch in my locker before meeting with Maria to talk about my weekly frustrations. At 10:00 I then met Matt in the gym for my P.T. session. Today Matt first had me walking on the treadmill for twenty minutes. I then went out into the hallway. Matt had sett up some cones. I then sidestepped over the cones. We then went back into the gym. I then stood on an errix pad in the parallel bars. working on my balance as I looked up and down in every direction with my feet together and one in front of the other. Matt then tossed a six pound medicine ball back and fourth while I was standing on the pad. At 11:00 I then made my way to the conference room for Brain Injury Education Group. A new client first told us her story and what she had gone through after her brain injury. We then spoke about places to do presentations in our community. At 12:00 I then took a shower before sitting down to eat my lunch with others. At 1:00 I then went to the conference room for support group. "STAY POSitive!" We then spoke about our Christmas plans. After doing so we spoke about the quote of the day. We then spoke about how religion helps us when we are frustrated and what else we might do. At 2:00 I then sat in the lobby to wait for an hour to ride home with a client that lives in my area. I had arrived home at 4:30. Upon doing so, I slipped into something comfortable before sitting down to blog.

Clearing the decks, preparing for a snow storm on its way.

I began my at 5:30 a.m. by doing my weight exercises and stretching. After doing so, I then went out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. as I was doing so the telephone had rang. It was Kevin the dispatcher from United Wheelchair letting me know that he would not be sending a van to pick me up today do to the snow storm that was on it's way. It was not snowing yet at 7:00 a.m. but it was on its way. I soon sat down to eat my breakfast. After doing so, I then washed some dish's. At 8:25 I then called grandma. After doing so, I then dressed up to go out on the decks and shoveled existing snow, so as to clear the decks for the snow storm on its way. At 8:45 I then went back to my bedroom to fold some laundry. Once it was put away. At 8:50 I was then back out shoveling. At 9:20 I then went to the laundry room to start a load of laundry. At 9:25 I then went outside to shovel the small deck thus getting ready for the snow storm. At 9:30 I then took out the vacuum cleaner to vacuum my bedroom. At 10:00 I then dusted the furniture. At 10:45 I then reviewed my personal story for Brain Injury Education Group at rehab. I will be reading it when we do presentations out in the community. At 11:00 I then had a bowl of soup for lunch. After doing so, I then brushed my teeth before going to bed. I had slept from 11:20-3:20. I then got up and took my shower before sitting down to type my daily blog entree.

Spending the weekend with my sister Barbara

Saturday December 6, 2014 My Saturday morning began this day at 7:30 a.m. by getting out of bed to stretch. After doing so, I then preceded to take my shower and get ready for the day ahead. After doing so, I preceded to go out into the kitchen to eat my breakfast. We then packed up and were on the road to my sisters. We had arrived at 11:30 a.m. Upon my arrival, I had a plate of spaghetti for lunch with my parents. I then said good-bye to my parents who were spending the weekend on there Christmas shopping spree weekend. At 12:00 I then brushed my teeth before laying down to rest. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up to watch the Christmas movie "Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," with my sister. After the movie, I had taken a shower before sitting down to eat dinner with my sister. At 3:25 I then continued to watch a movie with my sister. At 6:00 we then called my grandmother before going to bed at 6:00 p.m. Sunday December 7, 2014 My Sunday morning began at 8:00 by getting up to stretch. At 8:30 I then made my way downstairs to eat breakfast with my sister. At 9:30 I then shaved and brushed my teeth. At 10:00 I then sat down to watch a movie, As you probably can tell it was nothing but a relaxing weekend for the both of us. I did so until 11:30. My sister had started to make a blanket. About that I time I was feeling tired. I then went to bed at 11:45 and slept until 2:50. I then got up to eat an early dinner with my sister. At 3:25 Barbara and I then called our grandmother. After doing so, I then spoke to a friend five minutes before taking my shower. I then found myself in bed at 5:00 a.m. thus calling it a day. Monday December 8, 2014 My Monday morning began bright and early at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so, I then took my shower at 6:00 thus getting ready for the day before going downstairs, to eat my breakfast with my sister. After a bowl of cereal and a chocolate chip muffin, I had brushed my teeth, thus getting ready to leave for therapy. At 7:15 United had arrived. I then said good-bye to my sister who just leaving to go to work. I had arrived to WestSide at 8:45. Upon doing so, I brought my lunch downstairs to put in my locker. I then went to the conference room for academic skills group. Today we first discussed, What to do over vacation Items. How to post these separate from regular upcoming to do list items. Alex then gave us the review quiz. We had completed phase one of the course. We then spoke about 1. mind your energy level 2. Batch simular to do's. 3. Plan out bite sized tasks. 4. maximize small pockets of time. 5. Plan for loose moments. At 10:00 during Tai Chi Tobie filled in for Joe. She had us exercising and breathing as we did stretch's. We then ended the group in a relaxation. At 11:00 I then made my way down to the kitchen for baking basics. Today Casey has myself and another client making a stew and dumplings while the other group made a baked apples. Once we had prepared the meal, we then sat down to eat lunch together. At 1:00 Alex filled in for my rehab session with Deb. Today alex and I explored Pandora Radio. We then played a game of cribbage. At 2:00 during my hour break, I had taken a shower before resting until 3:00. I then made my way back to the dining area for social group with Casey and Michelle. Today we answered trivia questions while drinking hot cocoa. This helped create conversation with the group. At 4:00 I then left for home. I had arrived home at 5:30. Upon doing so, I had put on something comfortable before having a bite to eat. I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth before sitting down to work on my blog.

Down loading Pandora Radio so as to listen to Christmas music.

I began my Friday morning at at 5:30 a.m. by getting out of bed to do my upper weight exercises. After doing so I then stretched all the muscles in my body. Once I had done so, I then preceded to strap on my ankle weights and began to work my legs. As much as I would like to be able to run again, prospects of doing so do not look all that promising. Right now I am hoping for a miracle. Once I had finished my morning workout I then took my shower, thus getting ready for the rest of my day as I drank my hot cocoa. I then went out into the kitchen to have pancakes for breakfast. At 6:53 I then returned to my bedroom to brush my teeth. I then grabbed my knapsack and off to WestSide I went. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I had put my pack in my locker before returning to the lobby to wait. At 9:30 Walking to Wellness group went to the Auburn Mall to walk. While walking today Lydia my Physical Therapist at WestSide was covering for Dan. I had spent the time walking with her. She had pointed out a thing or two as I was doing so. We had returned to WestSide for 11:00. I then went to the conference room for stretching group. Matt and Michelle had us naming off stretches to do, while listening to Pandora Radio. At 12:00 I then went to the dining area for Cafe. Today they were serving spaghetti and meatballs with a piece of garlic bread. For dessert a rice krispy treat. Once I had finished eating, I had taken my shower. At 1:00 I then had my Recreational Therapy Session with Tobie. Today we met in the dining area. We first went over the notes from the cooking show I had watched this week. We then checked the refrigerator for my cookies I had made two weeks ago. "THEY'RE GONE!!!" Some one had eaten my cookies!!! Oh well, We then finished making the rest of the cookies, this time marking our names on them. Tobie then down loaded Pandora Radio for me on my I Pad so that I can listen to Christmas Music. At 2:00 Larry from United took me home. I had arrived home at 3:15. Upon doing so I had put on something comfortable before packing to go to my sisters tomorrow. I then sat down to blog before dinner.

Packing to go to my sisters

My Thursday morning began this day at 8:00 a.m. Being my day off from therapy, I had first gone out into the kitchen to eat some fruit and drink my hot cocoa. After doing so I had toasted myself an english muffin and fixed myself a bowl of cereal. Once I had finished eating I had gone back to my bedroom to make my bed. Once I had brushed my teeth, I then began to exercise. I first stretched for thirty minutes. I then strapped on the ankle weights and began to work my legs. After doing so, I then grabbed my dumb bells and began to work my arms. Once I had finished my workout, I then put my clean laundry away. At 9:45 I then sat down to fill up my pill containers for the week. At 9:55 I then gathered stocking stuffers and wrapping paper, brought them to the kitchen to wrap. At 10:00 I then called my grandmother to see how she was doing. I then continued to wrap gifts. My mother then called to let me know what time she would be home from work so as to bring me to the gym, so as to do some walking around the track. Once I had washed some dish's, I then continued to wrap stocking stuffers. At 11:45 I then made myself a sandwich for lunch. At 12:00 I then watched a cooking show for my homework tomorrow for rec therapy. I then went to bed to rest. I had slept for an hour before getting up. I then got ready to go to the gym. My mother had picked me at 2:00. Once I had done some walking, I had called my mother up for a ride. I had arrived home at 4:10. Once I was settled, I then began to pack to go to my sisters for the weekend. At 5:10 I then took my shower before eating dinner. I then went to my laptop to blog.

DAY OFF FROM THERAPY DO TO A SNOW STORM, YEH OR NEY, HA HA!!!

I began my Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so, I then preceded to do my weight workout. Little did I know that I would soon have the rest of the day to do what I wanted to do, let alone workout. At 6:20 I soon then took my shower, thinking that I would soon be leaving for therapy. At 6:30 I then went out into the kitchen to have a bowl of hot cereal with a toasted english muffin. As I was finishing up breakfast, I received a telephone call from United Wheelchair canceling my transportation, do to the snow we were in the middle of receiving. At 7:15 I then went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and clean my bathroom. My parents had left for work, so I then began my day off at home. At 7:45 I then wrapped my grandmothers gifts my mother had asked me to wrap. As I was doing so, My father had called from work. We spoke briefly. I then spoke to a friend on the phone about the snow storm. I then continued to wrap gifts until 10:15. Once my gift wrapping was complete, I then put on my boots and winter coat before going out onto the deck to shovel a foot of snow. Before doing so I had started a load of laundry. I had taken a brake from shoveling at 11:00 to hang laundry to dry. I then started another load. At 11:15 I then continued to shovel the deck. I did so until 11:45. I then hung the second load of laundry before sitting down to eat my lunch. I had watched the news at noon as I was doing so. At 12:20 I then washed my dish's before laying down to rest at 12:30. I had slept until 3:00 before getting up. I then spoke to a friend before taking a shower, thus getting comfortable for the night. I then sat down at my laptop at 5:00 to blog before having a bowl of soup.

working on my balance with Alex during P.T.

My Tuesday morning began on this day at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so, I began to do my upper weight exercises. AT 6:00 I then preceded to strap on my ankle weights and work my legs. After doing so I had taken my shower, thus getting ready for the day ahead. At 6:30 I then made my way into the kitchen to eat some and then two blueberry pancakes for breakfast. I then brushed my teeth before gathering my things. I then hopped unto United Wheelchair as they transported me to WestSide. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I had put my lunch into my locker before making my way to the conference room for Yoga Group. Today Michelle and Mat had us exercising on the matts. We did some cat cow and other strengthening and balance moves. At the end we the lied down on the matts to relax. At 10:00 I then made my way to the gym for my P.T. session with Alex. Today I had stood in a tandum position in the parallel bars while on an erix pad, while playing cribbage with Alex. Alex stood on a bosu ball. This made it even more difficult to play while trying to keep my balance. Although difficult, I still managed to pull off a win. Alex then passed a ball back and fourth while I was on the erix pad. Making it difficult throwing it to the left and to the right, as I reached out to catch it. At 11:00 I then met with Piper for case management. After a fifteen minute chat, I then took a shower before meeting with Sally for nursing. At 12:00 I then went to the kitchen to eat my lunch. After doing so, I had met with Deb for a support session. Deb had pulled my storty up on the computer that I am working on in Brain Injury Education Group. I then read it allowed. It took me thirty minutes to read. At 1:00 Everet from United took me home. I had arrived home at 3:00 after taking two other patients home first. Upon my arrival home, I put on something comfortable before sitting down to blog.

Riding home with Rockie

I began this first day of December at 5:30 a.m. by getting up to stretch. After doing so I then took my shower and got ready for the day. I then ventured out into the kitchen at 6:30 to eat my bowl of hot cereal and half of a toasted english muffin and fruit. Once I had brushed my teeth, I grabbed my knapsack and lunch and off to WestSide I went. Upon my arrival for 9:00 a.m. I went into the conference room for Academic Skills Group. Susan and jim first had us first review the assignment of keeping a weekly journal. We then talked about creating a worksheet/ comprehensive calendar, for appointments. We then spoke about the five attributes, ferm dates, and consistently reading and using the worksheet. We were given an assignment of reading the worksheet and high lighting important points. I then have to put important dates on calendar for December. At 10:00 During Tai Chi Group with Joe, We spoke about four important points before exercising. 1. Smile, 2. Tai Chi Master, 3. Breath Relax Yin Yan, 4. No expectation. At 11:00 I then made my way down to the kitchen for Baking Basics group with Casey and Mallissa. today we made cinnamon streusel coffee cake. At 11:45 we then sat down to look up recipes for next weeks group. We will be making a chicken soup and dumplings, with cranberry stuffed apples. At 12:15 we then broke out our lunch's and began to eat. At 1:30 I then took a shower before social group at 3:00. Michelle and Casey had us playing Uno while talking to one another while drinking hot cocoa Michelle had made for us. We then played Mind Your Marbles. At 4:00 Rockie from United took me home. As tired as I was Rockie and I talked all the way home. I had arrived home at 5:15. Once inside I spoke to gram before getting into some comfortable night wear. I then had a bowl of turkey soup for dinner. I then wen to my bedroom to watch the movie " Most Wonderful Time of the Year."