Dyslexia

Today I am helping my little brother with dyslexia do his homework. He has a really hard time with reading. Dyslexia is characterized by not having the ability to process or recognize symbols. My family has known that Clayton is dyslexic since he was about 7 years old, he's now 11 and in the fifth grade. I'm so proud of him.

Because I am helping him with his homework today, I noticed that he doesn't have a "routine" for doing homework. I know when I do homework I have certain things I do that make it easier to focus. So I've been trying to help him focus.

For his dyslexia, we made him a bookmark that he can use while doing homework or at school to underline the line he's reading to make it easier to focus and not skip words. It is purple and green on one side and blue on the other. Certain colors can make it easier or harder to concentrate. Cool colors seem to work best for Clayton.

To avoid distraction while he read, I had him get a pillow and a blanket and sit in the bathtub while he read. When I was little, reading in the bathtub helped me have less distractions.

When it came to actually doing his worksheets, we moved to the living room. I turned off the TV and while he was working we tried figuring out whether music with words or no words helped him focus more. No words seems to work best for Clayton.

I've been abusing the relationship I have with my little brother here lately and I'm hoping that tonight we have renewed some bonds that we used to have. Have you ever lost the love and respect of a sibling for not treating them right? If you're dyslexic, do you have any tips for my brother and I?

The Holidays

Many things happen around the holidays, whether they be good or bad. Friends and family get together and renew love that is always there for each other, dormant. Or are they?

My family seems to be at a time where we seem split, almost down the middle. In comparison to when I was young, I feel as though my family has grown apart more than closer together. I know that each of my mother's siblings have started their own families and have been expanding, but it just doesn't seem right to not have everyone together for the holidays. I wish my family would solve their differences.

As my boyfriend, Joseph, and I become closer and more serious in our relationship, we have began to try and equally divide our time so that we spend time with both of our families. It's kind of hard to do, I must admit. He's going to Kansas next weekend to have his Thanksgiving with the larger part of his family, but I am staying in Oklahoma. He came and had dinner with my family on the actual day. I don't know what we are going to do for Christmas though, I bet we figure it out.

I have a confession to make: I hate meeting my significant other's family. I've had bad experiences in the past and so I just don't know how to handle the situation now.

With that confession out of the way, Joseph and I are going to be spending New Year's Eve with his grandparents in Sulpher, Oklahoma. He adores his grandparents so much and I really can't wait to meet them, I just don't want them to be disappointed in their grandson's choice of girlfriend. I'm so afraid of judgement. Ugh.

The holidays have much in store for me, it seems. I will just have to wait and see how it all pans out. I hope your holidays are all fine and dandy. Hopefully your turkeys were plump, your deer will be large, and your Christmas will be filled with much love and the joy of giving.

In with the New, Out with the Old.

Football season is over. We ended with a record of 6-6. I'm really sad to see the end of the football season, seeing as it was my senior year. It was a sad night. Enough of the football talk.

I've decided to come up with a goal list for my next year of life.

"18 before 19"

1. Graduate High School
- I know I'm going to do this, I just want to make sure I'm motivating myself throughout the whole year.
2. Lose 10 Pounds
- I want to feel better about myself.
3. Get a Tattoo
- I've already had it drawn up, I just need to grow the balls and do it!
4. Try to Dress Vintage
- I want to change my look for a new chapter in my life. I think it will help me accomplish a fresh start.
5. Meet New People and Make Life Long Friends
- I feel like I haven't really done this at all in high school. I need new, positive people in my life. Although I don't want to lose the few good friends that I do already have like, Abi and Morgan. I love them so much.
6. Get a Job
- I've went all through high school without a job, I need to be mature and start taking care of myself.
7. Start my Collage
- It's going to be awesome, if I ever do it.
8. Convince Abi to Attend OSU with Me
- She's my best friend, and I want her to be with me through this new experience.
9. Make an Afgan
- I've been wanting to do this for awhile, maybe this will motivate me.
10. Teach Abi How to be Crafty
- She really wants to learn how to knit, crochet, quilt, french braid, and other things that I just so happen to know how to do.
11. Take an Awesome Senior Trip that has NO Exact Destination
- I just want to go on an adventure. I am so tired of this tiny town.
12. Go to College
- Once again, I know I'm going to do it... I just want to make sure I'm motivating myself.
13. Eat Healthy
- I think everyone needs to do this...
14. Get Some Culture in My Life
- I don't attend plays like I used to. I want to see more plays and see more art.
15. Learn How to Play an Instrument
- I want to learn how to play guitar... We'll see how this one plays out.
16. Get a Vehicle in My Name
- As of now, I am driving my grandparents' car. I really need my own vehicle.
17. Write in my Diary More Often
- I have a diary, I just never have time to write in it. I love being able to look back and see how crazy I was.
18. Complete my Graduation Gift for My Mom
- I will not divulge details where she could find out, but I do want people to encourage me to finish what I started.



Well here is my list. Hopefully it all gets accomplished. Maybe I will have some people to help motivate me. Wish me luck!

On another note, I'm super ready for college. I have only officially applied to one school. I need a get a move on that. I'm sure I'll get it all done eventually.

If anyone is reading this... If you're in high school, how are your college plans going so far? Tell me in a comment. I'll try and reply.

Hope your days are happy and prosperous!

Brrrrrr!

It is so freezing cold in the land of Oklahoma. If you haven't heard, Oklahoma is now home to the Quakenado. Unfortunately I haven't even felt ONE of the earthquakes. I'm so angry. My mom even felt one when we were both in the house together. Somehow, she felt it at one end and I didn't on the other.

It was recently my 18th birthday. I had an amazing day thanks to my friends and family. My mom wrote on the bathroom mirror, "Look who's 18!" and decorated my bedroom door. My friend, Morgan got me a card with a sexy cowboy on it. She knows me so well. It was awkward though when some people that I didn't know told me happy birthday. I didn't get any gifts but that's not what being happy is about.

It was also Senior Night last week for football. Which means we got to walk the field with our parents and show our appreciation to them. We also got tons of gifts. My basket included: various gift cards, candy, a picture frame, magnet board, decorative cross, laundry basket, cookies, a keychain, and many other things. We pretty much made a huge haul of stuff.

Aren't me and my mommy cute? :3

This week is Round One of playoffs. It's time to see what the Boomers are made of. Wish us luck!