Brain Fog & Brilliance

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The Giant Monster in CVS (Spoiler Alert: It Was Me)

I know from a reader’s perspective, I seem pretty awesome. And don’t get me wrong—I am—but like everyone else, I put my pants on one leg at a time. After all, what kind of maniac puts both legs in at once? Were your parents savage beasts? Or maybe you were raised by wolves? I digress. Back to my obvious awesomeness… Like everyone else, I have things that get under my skin. Some of them are…

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Honestly? I Lack Trustness

I am a naturally suspicious person…at least I believe I am. Who knows, maybe I was more trusting at birth and too many games of “got your nose” as a baby left me this way. The good news? I still have my nose. The bad? I’m suspicious of everything and have trust issues. As my son Nick would tell me, “You lack trustness.” Honestly, he’s right. I do lack trustness. I’ll tell you about the time…

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The Pilot. Plane. Fall. Water.

Author warning: Contains unsettling discussions of reincarnation, night terrors, and tiny children saying deeply concerning things. My dad finds this type of thing creepy. So if you’re my dad—or easily creeped out by this kind of thing—this is your warning. Proceed with caution. I’ve always been interested in the topic of reincarnation. I believe souls come back as someone else. That being…

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ESY Isn’t Summer School (And Here’s Why That Matters)

Ugh. There are days I strongly dislike technology… and today is one of them. I had just started writing about IEP services when WordPress reloaded and deleted my draft. I’m guessing that’s technology’s way of saying, “Don’t write this post.”? My brain is telling me the IEP info I was working on is important and timely… but my computer is very clearly saying NO. So what is one to do? If I…

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A funny, nostalgic look back at jelly shoes—the bright, sparkly summer footwear that looked adorable, trapped dirt, caused blisters, and somehow keeps coming back for another generation.

Remember Jelly Shoes? My Feet Do

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Clowns? Trauma Included. No Extra Cost.

I’m not a fan of clowns. Honestly, I don’t think that statement fully conveys my dislike of clowns—but I also don’t think anything I write really will. I don’t find anything charming, fun, or delightful about them. There is nothing you can say that will convince me otherwise. Popular clowns people often think will change my mind? Ronald McDonald? No. Bozo the Clown? Hmm…no. The Joker? No…

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I’m a pretty honest person. Unfortunately… that comes with consequences.

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Placements, Sneakers, and Why Fit Matters

This post is based on personal experience and advocacy training. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice. Please check your state regulations and seek professional guidance as needed. I’ve talked about different aspects of the IEP process and the document itself. One important part that I haven’t discussed much is placement. Placement is where a student’s services are carried…

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Words to Live By: Don’t Yell at the Person with the Needle

I had a doctor’s appointment the other day. Although the doctor I saw didn’t need blood drawn, a few of my other doctors did, so we stopped at the lab afterward. There were already a bunch of people ahead of me, so I took a number and found a seat. Up until recently, there was a sign-in kiosk where you would enter your name. But apparently we’ve gone super low-tech, which is fine—it doesn’t…

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More Than I Expected

It’s kind of wild to think I started this blog almost 8 months ago… and this is my 60th post. Congratulations to me, right? Thank you, thank you. (Imagine applause. Maybe even a standing ovation… definitely a standing O. Feel free to throw in a few curtain calls—I’ll wait.) I honestly had no idea what I was doing when I started. And now, almost 8 months and 60 posts later? I still don’t…

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Teaching My Kid to Drive Nearly Killed Me (But Not How You Think)

I apologize for my recent absence. I’ve had a very bad migraine for about a week. It’s not the most fun I’ve had this year, but this is where I am. One of these days, maybe I’ll write about the migraines… but then again, maybe I won’t. Now, on to something not headache-related! Every so often, a memory jumps into my brain and makes me laugh. It’s statistically likely that whatever the memory…

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A personal look at becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP), what the role actually involves, and why it matters for students who don’t have anyone to advocate for them. A mix of real experience, clear explanation, and hope for what comes next.

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What would you say to your 100-year-old self? My answer involves robot bodies, telepathy… and possibly ending up as a brain in a jar.

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Honesty: Superpower or Superweakness?

I have a confession to make: I tend to be brutally honest. I don’t mince words or sugarcoat things. I’m perfectly capable of doing both—I just choose when and where to use those skills. And when not to. I’ve always been like this, so I don’t see it as a big deal. But according to the internet—which, of course, is also brutally honest and always correct—people like me are rude and selfish.…

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How to Read an IEP Without Becoming Overwhelmed

There are a lot of feelings tied up in the IEP process. The meeting can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and underqualified. As a parent, I often felt like the least qualified person at the IEP table. These feelings of inadequacy didn’t just surface at the meeting, but also when reading the IEP. The IEP document can look a lot like legal mumbo-jumbo at first glance. You look at it and…

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Ode To A Massachusetts Blizzard Ritual

It snowed earlier this week. Not just a little snow. A lot of snow. Feet of snow. In fact, just over three feet. It’s a bit excessive. And all Mother Nature’s fault. Well… hers and the groundhog’s. If that little jerk hadn’t predicted six more weeks of winter, it wouldn’t have snowed and we wouldn’t be buried under almost 40 inches of it. If you’re unsure, 40 inches is a lot of snow. A.…

Ode To A Massachusetts Blizzard Ritual

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Confidently Ridiculous: This One’s a Handful

I say ridiculous things. Sometimes, to make people laugh. Sometimes because an opportunity presents itself. And sometimes, just because I can. Some days—like today—I wake up full of mischief. And since my hubby works from home, he gets to “enjoy” my ongoing antics. My guard dog is a great example of this. Most days when I sit down to write, our doggo Faith sits—or rather sleeps—beside me in a…

Confidently Ridiculous: This One’s a Handful