You're Being Too Loud

Sunrise,

Sunset.

Hello all and welcome back to the blog! 

It's been a minute and I decided that since it has and I don't have much else to do that I would update the blog. So to all those still reading, welcome back!

Did I miss anything??? Oh, that's right. A worldwide pandemic virus took over and shut shit down. And now that it's May and warming up outside and some are wanting to get their hair cut and work on their golf game. And in the case down here in the Ozarks, coming down to the lake potentially bringing this virus here in greater numbers (we're at 35 cases reported locally in the county). I am by no means trying to start a political discussion or speak on the economy; we're all on Facebook- we know where everyone stands on those topics. I am just saying be smart and do what is best for your family, community, and loved ones. And I know money doesn't grow on trees- though I wish it did.

I am still working. I am essential worker- but not like super-essential like a nurse, doctor, CNA, etc. I'm just a therapist who is working very short days on my own and trying to file partial unemployment. This work week starts my 4th week of being a therapy department of one as our building's corporate offices has decided to reduce foot traffic for therapists in and out of facilities. I won't elaborate on that because I don't give names of companies or employers on here or Facebook. Anyway. It's been about a month since I've seen my PT, SLP, PTA, and program assistant and I can't go to other buildings right now (CMS guidelines).  So I work less than a half day, go home, do whatever, and take a nap. That's kind of the daily routine. I am thankful to not really have to care for anyone other than my dog right now though- God bless you all homeschooling your children and taking care of your loved ones who can't work or who are sick.

I don't have too much to say since I don't delve into anything deep on here. I'm good. Bella and I are trucking along trying to take walks daily and just do our thing. I've been reading a lot (as usual) and working on some embroidery projects- I make a mean French knot and can cross stitch like a boss.

I wanted to share some photos from the last two months just because. I realized the other day that it's only been 4 months that I have been working at this job and it feels like an eternity with no certain future.

Bennett Springs State Park 2/29/20

Was a nice day on the Leap day and little did I know the next day was the first day of trout fishing season.

While she looks reluctant here, Bella did have a good time.

Also, we did go to the WORLD"S LARGEST GIFT SHOP right off of Highway 44 because it was nearby. 

Definitely a bust. Nothing you should drive out of your way for. 

However, right next door was the Candy Factory. Of course I got some yummies but they had the BEST bathroom I'd seen in a while. So G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S (I hope you sang that like Fergie).

This weekend we went to Ha Ha Tonka State Park near here and did a hike (Bella in her backpack) with me trying not to slip and kill us both. Beautiful day. Lots of people out? Also today we walked down by the lake some. 

Try to look cooler than me. Just try. 

I forgot. The title of this post is dedicated to my hatred for apartment living. It is still MUCH better here than my apartment in Wildwood because i live in a townhouse therefore there are no wildebeasts stampeding above me at all times- maybe they liked to reneact that song from The Lion King? The short version is just I hate living in apartments probably because I have lived in so many different places in the last two years. It's better here but I still have neighbors next door on both sides of me and the walls are thin. 

We're off to walk and roll in the grass (at least one of us...)

Peace, love, & Social Distancing,

ME and Bella

Pinch Your Cheeks

Hello all. Now that I have a permanent job I don't have as many interesting 'travel' stories but I'm still here. I can share events as they happen for my faithful readers- for example this past weekend we (dog and I) went to a state park. But today that is not the topic. 

All my therapy friends can relate and 'YASS QUEEN' to this post. It's about productivity standards in our workplace and how it is BULLSHIT. Plain and simple. If you like productivity its probably because you conveniently 'make' yourself productive on the clock or you're higher level management who is forced to like to so we can meet our budgets. blarffff. 

Feeling the PINCH.

Created by Sophia516

pro·duc·tiv·i·ty

1. the rate at which goods are produced or work is completed
2. the rate per unit area or per unit volume at which biomass consumable as food by other organisms is made by producers
3. measure of productive efficiency calculated as the ratio of what is produced to what is required to produce it
4. having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance
5. effective in bringing about
6. yielding results, benefits, or profits
7. yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities
8. producing or able to produce something especially in large amounts
9. advances in productivity stemmed from a number of innovations, including assembly lines and automation
10. raising mucus or sputum from the bronchi <a productive cough>

Ok. So there are MW's definitions of productivity. I personally feel like this topic feels more like definition #10 than the others but I highlighted the ones more associated with this instance.  Some people like to say 'efficiency' instead of productivity but it's still the same bullshit. It's like euphemisms for puking- you can say you 'lost your lunch' but you still barfed, hurled, or ralphed. 

for you non-therapist readers- we are held to productivity standards to account for our billable vs. non-billable time - ideally our billable therapy time (direct treatment) divided by total time in the building ranges from 85-95% when do you do the math. Those numbers are roughly average but are NOT realistic. Standards varied for different therapy disciplines, positions, and higher if you are a third-party contractor (most therapy companies are if they are in long term care).  

Here is my main thought on this rigamarole: 

IT IS HARD TO BE A PRODUCTIVE THERAPIST AND A GOOD THERAPIST. 

In my experience and clinical opinion it is hard to provide actual good therapy and patient care while at the same time completing your note with them point-of-service AND getting your next patient within the next 3 minutes or so.. This gives you zero time to talk to a nurse, go to the bathroom, breathe, check your work email, talk to your boss, etc. So if you are a super therapist and can HONESTLY make your productivity standard everyday, more power to you soul sister or brother- I salute that. 

Now add in addition to those tasks being an evaluating therapist like myself- you now have evaluations, progress notes, re-certs, orders, and supervise your therapy assistants. 

Now add in being an evaluating therapist and management role (I'm not a PD) where you have meetings and additional paperwork. 

In my position it is VERY frustrating and stressful to me- I am very hard on myself, have control issues, and am type-A. So throw all that together and you have a hot flippin' mess. You want to do your best, help others, lead others, and maintain your productivity. This is where I nearly fall apart when I get emails or calls about this crap- no insults intended just the general frustration that comes with this topic. Now add in Diet Coke on an IV to keep me going. I told one of my co-workers that my name tag needs to say : "NAME", Occupational Therapist, I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN. 

its' so hard y'all. I know my therapy friends get it. I don't know when or if we'll catch a break. PDPM changes did not help this mess. I get it that it all goes back to finances and budgeting but it is NOT realistic. This is why you lose people and why people work in different settings (i.e. schools) where productivity isn't an issue. And for those who work the clock and manipulate it to their advantage- you're not helping those of us who are actually working our tails off. 

I'm off this soap box. I have others but I won't go there. Just don't ask me about exercise, puzzles, tracing, teaching shoe tying, incontinence training, and DEFINITELY not 'sensory diets'. 

Thanks for reading! That's all for now. Next post on Bella and I's latest adventures. Keep on livin' the American dream. 

Peace, love, and crockpots,

ME

2019: No Regerts

happy new year everyone! Its the 20's again.

                             

I couldn't speak about the 1920's without mentioning one of my all-time favorite movies starring Dame Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, and MaryTyler Moore; Thoroughly Modern Millie.

So, here we are in 2020. I'm about to start my 4th week of work since I started right before NYE here is South Central Missouri in Osage Beach. To say the least, I am EXHAUSTED and living off of Diet Coke. The good part about working long days (the only good part) is that I'm sleeping better at night. The other reason I'm sleeping at night is that I don't have a herd of antelopes living above me. i have a townhome and use my second bedroom upstairs (Bella's bedroom really) to work out so I don't have to worry about any neighbors below me. Anyway. Work is good, but tiring and stressful. Hopefully, like Stella, I will get my groove back and find my happy medium where I'm not exhausted nearing a burn-out. 

I live south of OB in Camdenton but whole Lake area is pretty much in hibernation this time of year. I've never been down here in the winter but it's like Branson, except more dead because there don't appear to be any hometown feel-good shows here (common themes including I love America, Jesus, the Armed Forces, and good 'ol family fun!) and an attraction like Silver Dollar City. Even the outlets are in sleep mode. But in the summer come on down for Big Surf waterpark and lake fun- it'll be on like Donkey Kong. Bonus is anyone wants me to go on their boat with them. I'm a great (and safe!) passenger. 

Also- heads up to those therapists that are traveling or planning to; it is crucial to remember your location when you are discussing meal times with your patients. Anywhere close to or below the Mason-Dixon Line the evening meal you eat is called 'supper'. That's it. No other options. You say 'dinner' and you confuse folks. I was corrected on this by a patient in Virginia - "I already HAD dinner." The meal you eat in the middle of the day can be called lunch or dinner. 

Snow last weekend

Snow last weekend

Ha Ha Tonka State Park 2 weeks ago- Castle Ruins

'Natural Bridge'

Don't look at me. Look at my dog in her backpack. 

In closing, we're going to break down 2019 with some numbers and highlights. Let's do it (said in Tone Loc's voice).

2019

• Worked 4 different travel contract jobs in 2 different states
• Quit first job in California in February 2019 due to HATING it and very strong suspicions of medicare fraud
• Hit a doe in Cali, car ruined (not to mention the deer)
• Lived in 4 different locations; the most beautiful being Kelseyville CA 
• Read 27 books this year
• I became an Aunt again to my sister's baby, born in October 2019
• worked at a total of 10 different nursing homes! (several with each contract)
• Came home end of July, spent time with the fam and had some time off before contract started in September
• Quit my long-time PRN OT job (I won't miss the bullshit my friends have to deal with but I will miss all my friends)
• Visited FIVE new National Parks this year- Redwoods, Joshua Tree, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia, and Canyonlands
• 2 cross-country road-trips with my Mom and dog as main companions 
• My priceless movers (Dad and his assistant, Mom) moved me to THREE different homes
• Got to spend Christmas with my family this year (did not for 2018) 
• Sent countless postcards
• PDPM started for SNFs- thank God we don't have any more RUG levels. 
• Explored SO MUCH in California and loved it (refer to previous blog posts for photos of those adventures)- Cayucos, Morrow Bay, Monterey, Carmel, Bodega Bay, Point Arena, the Sequoias, beautiful countryside, etc.
• BELLA is still alive and living her best life- went on special Rx food over the summer in CA due to crystals forming in bladder. Loved the NorCal house best. She got to spend some QT with her grandparents this year, most importantly. You can never have too much attention in her mind- make that adults only, still wants kids to leave her alone. 
• Worked with some AMAZING co-workers in 3/4 jobs this year (Fresno, you're all assholes) and made some good friends. I hope I instilled in all of you to be your best in patient care and RECYCLE to reduce your carbon footprint. 
• Took a full-time position here in Southcentral MO as a Rehab Clinical Leader for my building. 

I'm off like a dirty shirt! Enjoy your evening and keep on livin' the dream! 

Peace, love, and Magic Shell,

ME (and Bella)

                             

Unsung Heroes

Hello all and greetings from chilly St. Louis! If you're reading this and not from STL we had quit a bit Sunday and Monday- I'm wondering if now we won't have any for the rest of the season.

So I'm staying at my folks' house in Webster Groves prior to officially moving out of town for a new FT gig (more on that later). I am cleaning out my apartment and enjoying sleep without an elephant clomping around upstairs and bowling, playing bocce ball- doing God knows what. Needless to say, I'm not happy with this apartment complex due to their lack of doing nothing about these idiots. Anyway, Bella enjoys being here and watching the world go by one bark at a time. She loves my parents and they love her too..

I am finished with my work contract here in Missouri. I have met some very wonderful and caring people including co-workers, staff members, and patients. It has been a great experience which is now leading me to a FT job with the company- hopefully a move in the right direction for me!! We've had some good times and laughs together my therapy team and I will miss you all. Even you Dan with your LOUD music. :)  If nothing else I hope have left you with the knowledge that you can recycle (!!!!) and can think OuTside the box for therapy!!! 

So, the title of my post. I've been thinking about this past week or so with this topic stewing in my head. Here are the definitions courtesy of Meriam Webster (valid) and Wicktionary (questionable). 

unsung

 adjective

Save Word

To save this word, you'll need to log in.

Log In

un·​sung | \ ˌən-ˈsəŋ  \

Definition of unsung

1: not sung

2: not celebrated or praised (as in song or verse)an unsung hero
WICKTIONARYNoun. unsung hero (plural unsung heroes) One who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for them.
So, working in a nursing home you see and learn so much. You work with folks who are at or nearing their end of life and require a lot of care at times. It can be very trying and very rewarding. 
Unfortunately, not everyone gets appreciated or lauded enough for their abilities, skills, dedication, and generally showing up to work every day. You don't get paid enough, you work long hours, and you're typically under-respected by the powers-that-be. Unsung Nursing Home Heroes:CNAsNursesHousekeepingMaintenance
Without y'all these buildings wouldn't run and keep people alive. I understand that everywhere there are people who don't work as hard as others (and we all know who those people are) but the vast majority of these individuals who I've worked with work their tails off and are constantly being called to do 5 things at once. They're like Stretch Armstrongs. As a therapist, I try to do my darndest to make sure these people know that I appreciate them. 
What's unfortunate is that generally all fingers point back to Administration leaders not being supportive enough or understanding of their employees. They can't see the forest for the trees, you know? Your building cannot make money if you don't have staff to run it and you won't have staff to run it if you treat them like shit. Now this is NOT TRUE for everywhere as there are good people out there. I'm just speaking in generals here. If you've worked with me somewhere before you can draw your conclusions from there. I've worked with some super amazing DONs too (but I'm talking specifically administrators here). As a therapist who cares a lot about her patients and building acquaintances; it is frustrating from our end when people don't know what we really do. I'll leave it at that or we'd be here another hour. 
On that note, to my SP friends- I'm quitting PRN as I'm moving out of town for my new perm job and do not wish to keep my status there. I have LOVED working with all of my friends there but unfortunately, things aren't the way they used to be and I hate that for all of you... I'm hoping that this job will work out wonderfully and would not have time to come back to work PRN. I love you guys and I know we'll stay in touch because most of you I've known for 10+ years. Keep the dream alive. 

1st Grade Lindsey is the best Lindsey

That's it for now. Peace, love, and GOOD QUALITY CARE FOR SENIORS,ME

Where in the world?

Hello readers! I'm everyone is just chomping at the bit to know what I've been up to! I'm actually out here in Colorado visiting a travel friend but still working on a contract in Missouri More on my trip in the next post for pictures and anecdotal stories. 

I've been working west of St. Louis is 4 nursing homes- 2 mainly both those in Union and Sullivan MO. I am covering a maternity leave until mid-December. I will be jobless for about 2-3 weeks but new job plans are in place that I'm not going to divulge yet. 

Anyway, I actually like the nursing homes I work at and the colleagues with a few issues here and there that come with working in a nursing home and dealing with all that entails. It's been fun and nice feeling like I fit in, like I did when I was in California (Northern California). Nursing home therapy has been SO much easier since PDPM began October 1st. Click the link for a better explanation of PDPM if you'd like. 

I'm living in an apartment in Waildwood which is closer to my work. My apartment complex is not as great as the rent is but its clean and I have a washer/dryer. HOWEVER, the Achilles heel is that my upstairs neighbors are inconsiderate assholes. There's no way to sugarcoat. They are super young (not like my ripe old age of 35) and despite repeated notifications of noise complaints- nothing changes. Its the guy who must be seriously iron-footed to make that much noise when he walks and does everything. Maybe he's like an Animorph who is secretly Bigfoot? Either way I'm actually going to move my bed to the living room because it sees the noise is mainly coming from the bedroom (not what you're thinking...)- all thanks to my Carmen Sandiego skillz. 

PICTURES

We got a couch! Or rather, a 'chofa'

We got a new Lambchop toy- meet Spooky Lambchop

 

Wes and I before Cousin Ashley's wedding reception

Outfit change for the reception. No dogs invited. 

Wedding reception selfie!

Nursing home cat Smokey seeking pity for her new hair cut

Other nursing home puppy Billie Jean who although cute- whines too much

THANKS FOR READING! 

Until next time when I update on the CO trip-

Peace, love, & blanket scarves,

ME