cleejh2002

 For the last three days I've been on an online training for DBT (Dialectic Behavioral Training) from 8 am to 5 pm.  My brain is dead.  DBT is also not my thing, but I've always been a bit interested in it.  It does use a lot of mindfulness, which I do use.  I also think I can use the Chain Analysis skills with clients.  

I got new glasses yesterday, just in time for Ireland.  I wear progressive lenses now.  Yup, I'm old.  

In three days I'll be in Ireland!!!!!

Last night while making dinner, I tried to make my thumb a scallion and trim the tip.  Ouch.  You don't realize how much you use your thumb until it has an ouchie.

It's finally summer here, but it came with a vengeance.  70 to 80 is fine, but this mid 90s stuff is a bit too high.  Yes, I guess I am picky.  I looked up the weather in Ireland this time of year and it is very similar, but in the 70s.  Perfection!  

I have no plans for the fourth.  Lynn has to work a double.  If it's not a thousand degrees, maybe I'll go hiking or golfing with a friend.  We shall see.  This will be our first July 4th with Maizy too, so I'm curious how she will be with the fireworks.  I think she will be fine.  Marcus was pretty good last year.  But I have anxiety medicine on hand for either one if they need it.  Rupert was a gem.  We actually used to walk around the neighborhood while they shot off firecrackers with Rupert.  I miss him.

This week and next week are packed to the gills with appointments since I'll be gone.  Hardly have time for lunch.  It's going to be a long couple of weeks.  But who is counting?  THIS GIRL!

Now my sister Laura has Covid.  I was briefly around her for graduation, as were my parents.  Hopefully nothing develops from that.

I'm still waiting for approval on the new medication that may help me lose weight.  I don't know what the hold up is.  Probably on insurance.

My stomach is a bit icky this morning, but some mint tea is helping.

Vegan night was fun.  I always enjoy hanging out with Tom and Gay. They have a real partnership.  It's rare and beautiful to see.

My guitar playing is going well.  The callouses on my left hand's fingers are building up to the point it's difficult to check my blood sugar!  I have two songs down pretty well now.  I might talk to Pastor Eric about listening soon, and maybe I can play them at church, but we will see.  

I am going to be a presenter at the Ireland Conference. They asked me because I'm an LPC with a private practice, and it will look great later to say I was a "presenter at an international conference."  I'm going to talk about Basic EMDR.  Which reminds me, I should work on that!

 I'm getting more and more excited for my trip to Ireland.  I'm even excited I'll be going on my own.  I mean, it's a work convention so there will be a lot of other therapists there, but when it comes to free time, I will be able to go where I want to go, do what I want to do, and see what I want to see.  I've already got a couple things planned, but I also left myself free space to do whatever comes to me.

The way this country has been going makes me sometimes wonder about moving to another country.  But would it really be better?  I mean, is grass greener on the other side, or just different grass?  And it's got to be so difficult to move and learn a new culture and customs or language.  With my job, I would want to pick a place where they can speak English.  

I won't ever move.  It's just thoughts.  But this last school shooting yesterday... I'm just done.