Back to School: The Importance of Schedules and Routines

For many, back to school means back to old, familiar routines. You know, the ones parents love and the ones  children dread:  wake up time, homework time, limited TV time and bed time. 

In attempt to get back to the grind, some of my friends have pulled the plug on summer fun two weeks before the first day of school, insisting that their kids go to bed at 8:30 every night and wake up at 7:00 every morning. Another mom I know has turned off the TV and is requiring her kids to read and do practice math problems all the live long day. Those poor kids.

At our house, we take the easy breezy approach. In fact, just this morning as I was fretting about our back to school strategy, my husband said, "We've been here before. We know exactly what to do. I don't understand why you are so worried."

I hate it when he is right.

The obsessive compulsive part of me loves schedules, routines and an overall sense of order. I suppose that's why back to school isn't such a big deal, because each member of my family knows what to expect when the time comes.

But what about those people that don't understand the importance of routines? What about the mom I met this week that was too busy texting to notice that her newborn has missed a feeding?  Well, this post is just for you! 

No matter what your circumstances, I hope to convince you that schedules and routines are both helpful and necessary for people of all ages. 

Schedules, routines and babies

A baby has two important jobs:  to sleep and to eat. Establishing predictable routines takes work, and babies needs help developing consistency from the very beginning.  

A sleeping schedule helps babies establish healthy sleep cycles and prevents them from being overtired. Schedules  can eliminate  confusion and solidify a sleep-wake cycle so that days and nights are not confused.

Schedules provide time frames for feedings so that they are not missed or provided unnecessarily. Predictable schedules for eating also allow parents to eliminate some of the guess work when asking, "Why is my baby crying?" If it's been 3 hours since the last feeding, then a baby is likely to be hungry. If the baby took a bottle just 30 minutes ago, better check the diaper.

Routines prevent melt down, help baby to cope during difficult times and promote the development of strong bonds with parents and caregivers. Schedules promote good habits that can last a life time.

I started my son Jay on a three hour schedule before we even left the hospital. Using the book On Becoming Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo, I helped him establish a routine cycle of sleep, eat, and play. The schedule I set for my baby not only made our first year together easy and predictable, it made me feel like the smartest mom in all of the land.

Schedules, routines and children

Regular schedules provide the day with a framework that orders a young child's world. Although predictability can be tedious for adults, children thrive on sameness and repetition. Routines help kids understand the importance of following  rules. Schedules provide security by reducing the fear of the unknown. 

Children learn cooperation and independence by following established routines. Parents  enable their kids to learn self control and self discipline when there is a predictable schedule to follow. Routines built around fun or spending time together strengthen relationships between parent and children. What's more, researchers have shown children following routines are happier and more confident than those that don't. 

The schedule I set for Jay continued into his second year. It was good for him but it was really great for me. The routines of the day were so well ingrained, by the time he was a toddler, things were set in stone and that little guy was on automatic pilot. When other parents were running around, chasing kids or working frantically to make a case for bedtime, Jay would come to me and ask, "Can I go to bed now?" 

Our routine made me feel like a parenting super star!

Schedules at home

One of a family's greatest challenges is to establish comfortable, effective schedules and routines that result in a happy compromise between disorder and rigidity, confusion and boredom.

While the goal is not regimentation, experts agree that some routine at home is helpful. Families can use schedules to organize and get through the things that need to be done each day, including breakfast, homework, dinner and bed time.  While every family has its own daily habits, schedules and routines help family members know who should do what, when, in what order and how often.

At our house, even our dog Ozzy follows a schedule.  He knows when it's time for breakfast because the boys have been feeding him routinely since he was a puppy. They wake up at 7:00 am, get dressed, make their beds, comb their hair and come downstairs for breakfast. If Ozzy's "corn flakes" and fresh water are not out for him by 7:30 am, he's barking like crazy. (Unfortunately, that includes Saturdays and Sundays too...so much for sleeping late.) Because of our daily routines, that dog never has and never will miss a meal.

Ultimately, a good routine caters to the needs of all family members (even the pets), teaches responsibility and builds strong family bonds. 

Routines at work

Routines at work provide a sense of structure that enable you to focus your time and energy during the work day. When you are focused, you are more thorough and more productive which saves you time and enables  you to accomplish more. Schedules can also greatly simplify your work day so it doesn't become overly chaotic or complicated. 

One of the most convenient reasons why structure at work is important is because it negates the need to regularly schedule your days ahead of time. You already know what you are doing each and every day. How convenient!

Most importantly, routines at work put you in control of your day, instead of putting you at the mercy of incoming requests. When you have a working routine, you have a great way for saying "no" to  tasks, to websites or to the people that want your time.

Routines and you

Personal routines allow you to organize your life so that it makes sense to you. You can actually wake up with a sense of ownership, order and organization. The predictability of a routine can help you feel much calmer and in control of your life. In fact, it's been proven that routines help you  manage your time, decrease interruptions, improve your health, increase your willpower and even reduce stress. 

Because a routine is something you do over and over again, it eventually becomes a habit. At that point, you don't need to think to act. The automation  increases your efficiency and enables you to do things without consciously thinking about it. You can automatically get things down without having to remind yourself to get things done. How cool is that?

Understanding that the first 60 minutes of the day can set the course for your mood, your energy, your focus and your entire day, I decided to begin a new morning routine this year. After all, if you want the day to be amazing and extraordinary, you have to focus on how the day begins. 

I heard about Hal Elrod's book The Miracle Morning and immediately started implementing his routine. Of course, you will want to read the entire book, but his basic six minute morning routine (silence, affirmation, visualization, exercise, read, scribe) has been an excellent way for me to start my days.  Check it out and see for yourself...it may be just what you need.


This week, as you go about your work, think about how schedules and routines impact your daily life. Do you need to make any adjustments? Do you know someone who does? Be sure to share this information with family members and caregivers that can benefit... there may be a hungry baby out there who will be glad you did. Good luck!

Thanks for reading...have a great week!  


You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.
John C. Maxwell

Mobility in America: 10 Very Simple Ways Older Adults Can Be More Active

In a study recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five adults in the United States has a disability. That's a staggering statistic if you ask me.

The researchers also found that the highest percentages of people with disabilities are generally in the Southern states. 

The report did not determine why differences occur by state. However, states in the South tend to have the highest rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes, which are typically associated with disability. 

I wasn't too surprised by that news, because, for two years in a row (2010 and 2011),  Corpus Christi was the Fattest City in America. What was alarming were the actual percentages:  31.5% of adults in Alabama and 31.4% of adults in Mississippi and Tennessee are disabled. What's going on y'all?

The report indicated  the most common functional disability, which was reported by one in eight American adults,  was "mobility limitation." 

Extreme heat and summer vacation laziness have combined to cause "mobility limitations" for my children this summer- I practically have to push those kids through the door to get them outside. But, that's not what the CDC is talking about. Rather, they define a mobility limitation as "serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs."

Like so many things, mobility is one of those things most of us take for granted until we begin to lose it. That's usually the point in time when we realize that even a simple, relatively uneventful day requires a great deal of strength, balance, coordination and stamina.

So, what are we to do?

Experts agree that the single most important thing you can do to remain mobile and independent is to engage in regular physical activity. We need to be active and to stay active. Aging Americans, including the patients on your caseload, need to be told: Never Stop Moving!

Some may say, "It's too late. I haven't been physically active in years. What good would it do if I started now?"

For the vast majority of people, it is never too late to start. Evidence shows that starting a regular exercise program even after decades of inactivity brings great health benefits.

Of course, people who are older and out of shape will need to start slowly and increase their exercise program incrementally, but come on everyone...let's get moving. 

We've all heard that it's smart to take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park  a little further and walk a little more. But, let's be honest, most of our patients can't handle such heart pumping activities.

Here's a short list of practical things anyone can do at home:

• stand or pace while you talk on the phone- it puts you on your feet
• play with your pet- it's good for both of you
• do a little dance- find a partner and sway along with the music
• dust, sweep, mop, or clean something- anything
• wash dishes- bubbles can be so much fun
• fold clothes- score bonus points with this one
• exercise while you watch TV- pedal a bike, use bands or light weights
• assist with or prepare a meal-  set the table while you're at it
• stretch- you could even try yoga
• wave your hands in the air like you just don't care- that's really fun

This week, as you go about your work, in addition to all of the other guidance and recommendations you provide, when appropriate, consider encouraging your patients, friends and family to get moving using some of these simple, functional activities. 

Share this post and spread the word...limited mobility leads to disability! 

If you have any other ideas for senior appropriate physical activities, please leave your comments below. I would love to hear from you.

As always, thanks for reading...have a great week. Now, get out there and go move that body of yours.

A body in motion will remain in motion. A body at rest will remain at rest.
Sir Isaac Newton

Bread + Butter + Cheese = Happiness!

August is National Sandwich Month!

That's right...there's an entire month of every year dedicated to the celebration of the sandwich.


How cool is that?






Love them or hate them, Americans eat 300 million sandwiches each day. That means we consume as many sandwiches each day as we have people to eat them. Wow!

Here are a few more sandwich fun facts:

• The sandwich as we know it today was popularized in England in 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that Montagu had a substantial gambling problem that led him to spend hours on end at the card table. During a particularly long binge, he asked the cook to bring him something he could eat without getting up from his seat...the sandwich was born. Montagu enjoyed his meat and bread so much that he ate it constantly, and as it grew popular in London society, it took on the Earl's name.

• The first recipe for a sandwich appeared in an American cookbook in 1815. Upon arrival, the most popular version of the sandwich wasn't ham or turkey, it was tongue.

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches first appeared in the 1920s. Up until then, peanut butter was viewed as a luxury product. You were likely to find peanut butter and pimiento sandwiches, or even peanut butter and watercress tea sandwiches. Once the price of peanut butter decreased, it stopped being seen as an indulgence and started to be used by moms as a filling way to feed children at school.

• The iconic New Orleans sandwich, the po boy, came about in the Great Depression during a streetcar worker strike. Two brothers, once streetcar operators themselves, owned a sandwich shop nearby, and promised to feed any down-on-his-luck striking worker for free.  When a hungry striker walked into the shop, the clerks would yell, "Here comes another po' boy."

• The Sloppy Joe also came about during the Depression. It was the invention of a short order cook named, you guessed it, Joe.

• The Reuben, a wonderful combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, appeared not in  New York deli as you might imagine, but in Omaha, Nebraska. The sandwich was named after one of the participants in a weekly poker game that took place in an area hotel.

Of course, most Americans today wouldn't dream of eating a tongue sandwich, but that's okay because we've come up with some pretty excellent sandwich ideas since then... including the grilled cheese sandwich.

The precise origin of the grilled cheese sandwich is not clear, but food scholars speculate that it was in the 1920s that some enterprising mind came up with the idea to combine bread and cheese and grill it.

The grilled cheese became a mainstay meal during the 1930s as citizens could usually afford this relatively inexpensive sandwich. During World War II, the grilled cheese was a favorite of the armed forces, with official Navy cookbooks containing recipes for making these hearty meals. Before long, school cafeterias and moms across the US were making grilled cheese sandwiches a part of their meal planning. 

Today, I want you to consider the clinical importance of the incredible, edible grilled cheese sandwich. 

15 Reasons SLPs Love Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

1.  Cheese is a good source of protein- so many of our patients don't get enough of it; it's better to eat gooey cheese than take a shot of Pro Mod any day (if you ask me)

2.  It's easy to chew and swallow- you don't even need teeth to enjoy this grilled goodness; your patients won't wear themselves out with bolus preparation like they might with other types of sandwiches

3.  They're high in calories- which is a great selling point for most of our older adult patients who are experiencing gradual weight loss; it sure beats drinking an Ensure for lunch!

4.  A perfect finger food- whether you cut them in half, in quarters or into bite size pieces, these delicious sandwiches require no utensils and minimal fine motor skills

5.  Easy to prepare- you can have a warm, crispy sandwich in a matter of minutes; they're on the table before you know it...great for busy caregivers

6.  Available on most kid's menus- even if your patients are eating out, they can enjoy these easy to chew, easy to swallow sammys

6.  Available on most alternate menus- in nearly every facility I have worked, the glorious grilled cheese is available as an alternate for an otherwise dreadful or difficult meal

8. Yummy in your tummy- they're considered by many to be the ultimate comfort food

9.  Endless options for upgrading- add extra protein by topping your cheese with bacon or ham, add veggies with slices of tomato, fresh spinach,  sauteed mushrooms or onions

10.  Requires only 3 simple ingredients- use any kind of bread and any kind of cheese; chances are, all of the ingredients are on hand...no special shopping trips required

11.  Enjoy at breakfast, lunch or dinner- everyone agrees, you can eat grilled cheese any time of the day or night

12.  A terrific transition food- it's a perfect bridge between a mechanical soft and regular diet, and, depending on the patient, between purees and mech soft foods; use this sandwich during therapeutic trials in consideration of diet advancement or upgrade

13.  Even the pickiest of eaters love them- that's true for both adults and children; there's no need to poke or prod your patients to "keep eating"

14.  Happy plates!- your patients are likely to eat the entire sandwich and earn a 100 under the % of meal consumed column of the patient flow sheet

15.  They are familiar and recognizable- you can't always say that when your diet is restricted to pureed, finely chopped or ground meats



So, does that make you want to jump on the grilled cheese bandwagon?  I sure hope so!

As you go about your work this week, remember the functional and clinical importance of this simple sandwich, and imagine how grilled cheese can benefit the patients on your caseload. 

Now...LET'S EAT!

Thanks for reading. Hope it's a great week!


Life is like a sandwich, you have to fill it with the best ingredients.
Unknown



PS:  Are you doing it all wrong when it comes to making grilled cheese sandwiches? Check out this video on how to make a grilled cheese sandwich the right way...it's pretty entertaining and demonstrates an excellent technique. 

Preparing for Chart Audit- Documenting Skills of a Therapist

My mom came down for a short visit a few weeks ago. Because it's always a big deal when Grammy comes to visit, we spent the afternoon preparing:  the boys  swept the floors and cleaned the bathrooms, my daughter changed the sheets on the bed and I had straightened up things in the playroom, office and living room. Coby, Jay and Mike put on fresh t-shirts, Meredith  brushed their hair, I dabbed on some lip gloss and my husband was wearing his best baseball cap.  We were looking good...or so I thought.

All of the sudden, I looked at things from my mom's perspective- it was a completely different picture!

Because we were preparing for our trip to Arizona, there was significant disarray:  the kitchen table, bar, living room, dining room, foyer and hallways were stacked high with boxes, bags and totes. There was even a wagon parked in my office! Upstairs in the playroom, the kids sat like zombies, glued to the tv, there were laundry baskets full of clean clothes and someone "accidentally" pulled the curtains down.

Mom didn't have to say a word, but I knew she was thinking, "Oh em gee!"

All I could  say is "Please don't judge me. It's not always like this."

She gave me a very polite smile and a sympathetic pat on the back, "I know."

Maybe this has happened to you... you think you're doing a good job, but when you look at things from someone else's perspective, you realize maybe you're falling short.

Well, that same thing can be true when it comes to the documentation of therapy services.

Let me explain.

One of the agencies I work for requires all therapists to assist with chart auditing. It's just a few hours each year, but it's a great opportunity to look at documentation from a different perspective. Until I participated in this auditing process, I never really knew how evals, recerts and visit notes were being  judged. 

Well, come to find out, there is only one  thing that really matters:  the documentation of the skills of a therapist. 

To be more specific, Medicare guidelines state that "all therapy services must be medically necessary and be provided at a level of complexity and sophistication that requires a speech-language pathologist to perform the tasks."

So, if you're not writing about the things you do that no one else can do other than you, the therapy professional, you are falling short. An auditor could deny payment on a claim if these things aren't abundantly clear.

Keeping that in mind, I thought I would review some of the components of skilled services...those complex and sophisticated things you do every day that make your job so great.

Here we go! 

15 Activities That Require the Skills of a Therapist

1.  analyze medical and behavioral data

• complete a thorough chart review
• obtain past medical history
• consider physical, social, emotional, cultural influences

2.  evaluate and assess using appropriate tools or protocols

• select assessment tool
• administer test
• score and interpret results

3. determine diagnosis and prognosis

• assign diagnosis
• record severity of impairment
• make a prognostic statement

4.  use terminology that reflects technical knowledge

• showcase any professional, discipline specific terms
• incorporate appropriate medical terminology

5.  design plan of care 

• establish functional short term goals
• create functional long term goals
• define criteria for discharge

6.  develop and deliver treatment based on progression of complexity

• select appropriate materials, activities, strategies, etc.
• incorporate hierarchical methods for delivery of tasks, cues, etc. 

7. facilitate success

• modify tasks or activities, as needed
• provide encouragement or praise, as appropriate
• share documented progress with patient, family

8. guide practice during selected therapeutic tasks

• provide demonstration
• use prompts and cues as needed

9. provide discussion of rationale

• give information about how the intervention:
• relates to a functional goal
• improves safety
• increases independence

10. use objective data that supports progress toward a goal

• accuracy of response
• speed/ latency of response
• frequency of occurrence
• number of cues
• type of cues
• level of independence
• physiological changes

11. use feedback

• verbal
• visual

12. explain decision making

• modification of treatment plan
• change of treatment activities
• addition of goals or activities

13. provide patient/ caregiver/ family training or education regarding:

• diagnosis
• plan of care
• goals
• progress
• barriers to progress
• strategies, techniques
• precautions
• facilitation of carryover and generalization of skills

14. make professional recommendations

• compensatory techniques
• safety strategies
• diet texture
• liquid viscosity
• communication alternatives
• carryover activities

15.evaluate and assess education provided

• patient, caregivers, family members verbalize understanding
• patient, caregivers, family are able to return demonstration

Often times, I begin visit notes using the easily identifiable phrase,  Skilled intervention this session included...

Here's an example from a note I wrote last week. In just two sentences, I detailed quite a few activities from the list above that only a therapist could perform:

Skilled intervention this session included: demonstration, instruction and guided practice through various AROM and PROM exercises for increasing oral strength, movement and agility- min visual, verbal and tactile cues; demonstration then guided practice though laryngeal elevation, glottic closure, voicing and deep breathing exercises- min verbal prompts; guided practice through speech production tasks, naming activities and picture description tasks- mod phonemic cues and binary choices;  guided practice with swallow strategies and safety techniques- SLP provided demonstration and min verbal cues. Education was provided to patient and caregiver regarding rationale and functional importance of each speech, language and swallow task- understanding verbalized. 

Granted, these were two pretty long sentences, but I'm sure you'll agree, there was no question about what I was doing as the SLP to provide skilled intervention during this session. This is not the entire note, and this is not the absolute only way to document your skilled interventions, but...upon review, I'm fairly certain this claim will be paid!

So, this week, as you go about your work, think of exactly what you are doing to offer complex, sophisticated therapeutic skills to your patients, their caregivers and families. Then,  be sure to write it down, because if you don't write it down, it never happened! 

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.

John Wesley

It's Go Time!

Today was a huge day!

After four months of intense focus and massive action, I'm in Phoenix, Arizona for the American Speech Language Hearing Association's Healthcare Business Institute conference...ready to introduce Spontaneous Speech Therapy Tools to the world.

Watch out, here I come!

The morning was frantic and started with a game of  slip and slide in the shower. Then, it was last minute preparations with device charging, app loading, bag packing, spur of the moment problem solving and painstaking decision making. It was so stressful, at one point, my mom, who is also my travel partner and marketing constituent, commented, "You're killing me!"

I just laughed at her, and I'm pretty sure she rolled her eyes at me. There's no time for drama or dying, I thought. We've got to get over to the convention hall...quick, fast and in a hurry!

We got things situated at our booth just seconds before the doors opened- whew! People began pouring in. There were SLPs everywhere you looked- marvellous!

We slapped on a smile, grabbed flashcards, business cards, pencils and magnetic bookmarks and got to work.  We met people from Iowa, Oregon, California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland and even Canada!

We met:

• 2 university professors- one from Dallas, the other from Arizona
• a university dean- I think she was from Michigan?
• Joni, the director of speech and language product development from Attainment Company
• Justin Goldstein- the ASHA sponsorship manager
• The Speech Guy- I think his name was Jared
• Sandra, THE expert in Orofacial Myology- OrofacialMyology.com
• numerous rehab directors
• SLPs working in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabs, outpatient clinics and schools
• Eric- app developer
• 5 of the SLP Bloggers:  Lauren at Busy Bee Speech, Jenn from Crazy Speech World, Danielle with Sublime Speech, Allison from Speech Peeps  and Jenna from Speech Room NewsSpeech Room News
• several researchers
• a couple of graduate students
• a girl that presented a poster session on Evidence Based Practice using Constant Therapyapps
• 2 women starting private practices
• a couple that offers online speech therapy services- Reach Therapy (I want to try that!)
• an awesome lady from Dripping Springs, Texas that let me use the hotspot on her cell phone to sell her an flashcards

And that was just day one...we get to do it all over again tomorrow! Yay!

I'll update you on the neat people we meet on day two. In the meantime, meet my colleagues by visiting the links above. Great people!

Thanks for reading...have a great week

We don't meet people by accident. They cross our paths for a reason.
Unknown

Easy Breezy for the 4th of July

As  a toddler, my son Jay loved the 4th of July. He appreciated the red, white and blue decorations around the house. With great pride, he helped hang a crisp new American flag on the front porch. He clapped with each and every flash, bang and  pop of the fireworks. It was marvelous!

He called it "America Time."

Whether you call it America Time, Independence Day or the Fourth of July, it is a great time of year to have a little fun: 

10 Easy Breezy Things to do This 4th of July

1. Watch a movie...like The Patriot
2. Go to a baseball game...or watch one on TV, and while you're there-
3. Eat some Cracker Jacks...play with the fun toy at the bottom of the box
4. Light up the grill...cook up some hot dogs and hamburgers
5. Line your sidewalk with American flags...do your neighbor's sidewalk too
6. Make some ice cream...use it to create the perfect banana split
7. See a really great fireworks show...or hit a roadside stand and make your own magic
8. Have a water balloon fight...a water balloon launcher will take the fun to a new level
9. Slice open a watermelon and get juicy...seedless varieties, of course
10. Wear red, white and blue...a classic, all-American choice AND it looks great in pictures

But don't save all of your fun for the weekend...you can have a little fun at work too!

Whether you are leading a group or looking for an activity to use during a one-on-one session, check out these links below.  I've pulled together a few puzzles and games that are sure to provide some holiday fun for you and your patients.  Because I've done the searching, you don't have to. You're welcome.

Easy patriotic crossword puzzle

4th of July trivia quiz

Word searches, mazes, word scrambles and more

4th of July bingo game

All puzzles and games are free and printable, so enjoy! With all of the time you have saved, you can stir up a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade and enjoy and easy breezy America Time weekend.

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true. 
Wendell Wilkie

My Life in Boxes

Have you ever been excited about a box?

I have!

My parents brought me home from the hospital in a box. That's right, a cardboard box. Can you believe that? I can't say that I actually remember that day, but I bet my parents were excited about their box.

They also kept that oh so special box and, until I was 3 or 4,  I loved to watch TV inside of it. That's right, I would get a pillow,  my cold blankie, my favorite Raggedy Ann beach towel and my box and I would watch Planet of the Apes. I got to stay up late on those nights- exciting times!

Life was great in the box!

As I got older, boxes were exciting because they usually meant moving. 

We moved from Texas to Louisiana when I was 8, and once in Luling, we packed all of our stuff into boxes and moved four more times. 

As far as I know, all of the boxes made all of the moves, but I try not to remind my mom what happened to the TV armoir during that last move. 

Hint:  It flew out of the back of the truck and broke into splinters!

Growing up, grandparents, aunts and uncles sent boxes full of Valentine's treats, Halloween goodies, birthday and Christmas presents. No doubt, there was maximum excitement when those packages arrived!

When I was in college, my grandmother was totally in to the Home Shopping Network. She called, late one night, and told me that she was sending me  Dr. Allen's Wonder Baker. 

What in the world?

She assured me it would change my life. The anticipation was almost too much- I thought the box containing the Wonder Baker would never arrive. Can you relate?

As I got older, I excitedly packed my own boxes and moved: from Baton Rouge to Fort Worth to Houston and finally to Corpus Christi.  Each move meant more and more boxes. 

What can I say, I love stuff!

In 2002, I was expecting my first baby and, no matter how hard I tried, I was not able to find all that I needed for a cowboy themed nursery at the local Babies R Us. So, I took my first shot at Internet shopping. 

I ordered cowboy bedding, cowboy curtains and coordinating bandanna fabric to make a diaper stacker and matching pillows. I ordered a hat/coat rack in the shape of a big green cactus and a little table and chairs with...you guessed....cowboys!

Needless to say, the nursery was going nowhere without these things and I could hardly wait for my big purchase to arrive so I could get to work pulling things together.

With absolutely nothing else to do, I kept careful watch for that big, brown truck. Finally...

The day arrived. 
The truck pulled up. 
The boxes were delivered.

Maybe it was those crazy pregnancy hormones, or perhaps it was sheer excitement, but when that UPS man knock on my door, I went nuts.

I gave him a giant hug. 
I invited him in. 
I even took his picture.

 I bet he still talks about me to his UPS buddies- that wacky lady on Sutherland Drive,  waiting for her boxes.

Once that precious child arrived, there were even more boxes in my life, and as the children continued to arrive, so did the boxes. Joy!

Months and years go by but some things never change- there will be boxes.

In fact, I am focused on boxes now more than ever!

Since Spring Break:

• searched the world over for the perfect box size and box shape
• created a mock up box out of scrapbook paper
• worked with designer to create professional box design
• searched the world over to find someone to make my box
• decided Hong Kong has the best box making capabilities in the world
• converted measurements and colors for desired box specifications
• arranged payment for boxes via international wire transfer (scary stuff, I assure)
• received color proof of box from Hong Kong
• returned color proof of box to Hong Kong
• arranged for a split shipment of boxes to meet deadlines
• 100 boxes now via UPS Express
• 400 boxes later on a slow boat from China
• hired a customs broker to clear my boxes through the Port of Houston
• hassled above customs broker to complete shipping forms for boxes by deadline
• waited for boxes

Whew, I'm exhausted!

Well, last Monday, June 15, I received an email from UPS: 

Your package has been sent and will arrive by the end of business, Tuesday, June 16. 

Those nice UPS folks even gave me a tracking number so I could obsessively watch my boxes move around the world-  from Hong Kong to Anchorage, Alaska, then on to Memphis, Tennessee, over to San Antonio, Texas, to down to CORPUS CHRISTI! 

Everyone in the house and neighbors up and down the block were on watch for the big, brown truck...waiting for the boxes. 

Now, unlike the previous UPS experience, this delivery was uneventful, and actually pretty sweaty and gross.

It was 5:52 pm when the dolly was flung out of the back of the truck. The UPS man removed 5 boxes, stacked them up, and, with great effort, pushed them straight through the middle of my front yard. (I still can't figure out why he didn't use the sidewalk.)

Anyway...

I greeted him at the door.

He plopped the boxes right in the middle of the foyer.

He left.

He did not smile. I did not want to hear about the exciting journey my boxes had taken. He did not care about my new business. He did not even let me sign my name on his little brown computer thing.

 He left a few drops of sweat on the front porch and he was a gone pecan. 

Nonetheless, the boxes have arrived, and nearly one week later, I am still excited about it!

Take a look at my beautiful boxes...

For most people, boxes come and go without event, but not me- my life, past, present and future, are in these boxes !

I want to show you and tell you more about my boxes, but that will have to wait, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

Most people think in the box. Some people think outside the box. I want to create the box. 
Solly Tomari