Tag Archives: proud of myself

Recipe for a Day List

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8/18/13     5pm

This is my day list. I use it every day. Today I updated and prettified it. If you’re trying to make one and want customized bullets, use Word instead of Publisher.

Day List 8-18-13

My day list has been so helpful for me. I have memory problems and things an average person would have no problem remembering slip my mind and run away. Like somehow it’s a trap and they finally escape. So awhile back I decided to make myself a list of things I need to do every day to remind me. I put it in a page protector (clear plastic cover) and mark off each thing with a dry erase marker as I do it. I made a space on my wall to hang it last night because I keep losing it. My day list gets me through the day. 

The day list has helped me keep up with self-care when I’m really depressed and make sure I come back to basics when I’m manic or agitated. I find that when I’m doing better I don’t need it as much and when I’m doing exceedingly bad I don’t even remember I have one. Thankfully, my psychiatrist reminds me. 

I feel accomplished when I do everything, which is pretty rare. I am grateful it reminds me what to take with me. I made it. I love it. I’m proud of myself. 

Recipe for making your own day list:

Ingredients – 1 sheet protector, 1 sheet of paper, pencil or pen, 1+ dry erase markers

  1. Think about what you NEED to do every day (not what you think you SHOULD do or what someone else thinks you SHOULD do).
  2. Write those things down in an order you are most likely to do them.
  3. Place the paper in the sheet protector.
  4. Put the list in a place you’ll see it every morning, next to a dry erase marker.
  5. Use. (Do a task, mark it off, erase marks at the end of the day.)
  6. Revise as needed.
  7. Celebrate your accomplishments!

Just a note – some people think my list is stupid. My mom doesn’t get it. She hassled me about it at first. Why do I need a list? Can’t I just remember that? Honestly, no. I’m glad I kept using it. If it works for you, do it. Let me know how it goes. :)

© Michelle Routhieaux 2013

I made it rain bacon

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8/17/13     1:21am

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I’m really glad I went to my reunion tonight. There’s always a reason. 4 cookies, 2 brownies, 1 bottle of water and a cocktail glass of bacon were worth the $75. I got to reconnect with a few friends I’d forgotten about. I met some new ones. I danced the ChaCha slide.

I kept getting distracted from my need to pee and when I finally got to the bathroom there was an emergency in progress. I immediately jumped in. I didn’t know the girl. She was drunk and had thrown up in the sink and somehow ended up on the floor, unable to get up, crying, slurring her words and continuing to throw up. When her husband left the room she begged me and the staff not to send her home with him, that she had to get away. She said yes when I asked if she wanted us to take her to a shelter. When he came back he tried to convince her to just go home. They had been hitting each other earlier. His presence elicited a visceral response from her. She immediately resumed throwing up and crying, repeating over and over again, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m a bad mom,” and gave in to his ruthless and repeated requests to just take a cab home.

Thankfully, I communicated with the hotel staff and they called the paramedics. He was pissed. She really did need medical help. And I believe that she needs to get away from him. I just don’t know how.
(breathe…)

When that was over, I said goodbyes and left. Emotionally exhausted. Spent. That’s why I was there tonight. I hope she’s okay. I’d like to follow up but it might not be safe for her.

I’m tired. Tonight I made it rain bacon. Literally. It was awesome. I got it in my hair, a piece stuck on my cheek. I admired the moon. I prayed. I didn’t drink. I dressed up for me. I didn’t lie. I took the trolley home. I’m proud of myself.

A lot of people remembered me – a nice memory. Long live the queen.

Quote of the night:
“I can’t even think as fast as you can move your feet.” -Shawnna

© Michelle Routhieaux 2013

Awesome Dentist & Insurance

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6-19-13     11:36am

dental3

So, I’ve been catching up on dental work from the past few years. Bad experiences with several dentists kept me away for a good 3 years while a giant hole grew in one of my teeth. My meds make my teeth decay faster so it wasn’t a great combination, seeing as I was averse to brushing my teeth. However, thanks to the springboard motivation from BrainPaint, I am now brushing my teeth rather regularly and seeing the dentist to fix the damage.

I wanted to share my awesome dental insurance and great dentist. (see below) Since I need a lot of work done I wanted to find a policy that covered everything I need and was affordable. I settled on Blue Shield Individual Dental HMO. It’s great. I can apply online as an individual and it only costs me $19.80 a month. There is no deductible, no waiting period (except for braces), and no annual maximum. I do have to choose a dentist on their network but I found a great one so I’m stoked.

The dentist I love is Dr. Pham at Bright Now Dental in Rancho San Diego. He and his staff are kind and gentle and down to earth. He told me what I needed to have fixed without scolding me for letting my teeth go. The hygeinist, Lydia, is awesome. She did scaling and root planing for me also without ever patronizing me for why my teeth needed it. I feel welcome there and they don’t try to push anything on me or convince me to do something I don’t want to. Kathlene, the office manager, is great too. She laid out the price list for the services I need and let me choose in my own time what I’m ready for and offered to help me get Care Credit if I needed it to pay my insurance copays. So far I’ve had a root canal, scaling and planing, and a temporary crown placed with no pain. The only thing that bothered me was a filling that they smoothed out for me. They often have same or next day appointments available. I really like it there.

I’m proud of myself for taking care of my teeth again. I don’t want to lose them. And I’m so thankful to have found this insurance and a dental office that I love, that gets me. I still get anxious going there sometimes and take a Xanax, but I feel safe. I know I will be okay.

If you want to try out the insurance:

  1. Check out the Blue Shield Dental HMO overview (last column under “all ages”)
  2. To apply, go here for a quote. Click on the “Dental Plans” tab. The quote page will allow you to apply online.
  3. On the application, for provider name/number enter “Dung Pham.”

If you don’t want insurance but want to see the dentist anyway, he has a new patient special  – cleaning, exam and x-rays for $29. Just print the coupon.

PLEASE tell them Michelle Routhieaux sent you if you choose to go. It will help me pay for my dental work. :)

© Michelle Routhieaux 2013

2012 Blog Stats

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My favorite part about blogging is the annual review. Check it out. I’m proud of myself. Gotta step it up this year. :)

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,700 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

© Michelle Routhieaux 2012