So what do you do?

S is for Sports Medicine

I am an athletic trainer, and in the fieldof sports medicine, I have often had this conversation on more than one occasion

Them: "Oh.. you're a trainer??
Me: NO! I'm an ATHLETIC Trainer, not a trainer

There is a difference.

There are a lot of misconceptions of what an athletic trainer does, and what the field of sports medicine entails. For example:

I found this online, although I have forgotten where but if you want to know what sports medicine is about, this pretty much sums it up.

Maybe I should start including this into that conversation?

Them: "Oh.. you're a trainer?? What do you make?"
Me: NO! I'm an ATHLETIC Trainer, not a trainer
Them: Oh that's cool I wanted to do that.

"WHAT DO I MAKE?? I make an ankle sprain that some say should take four weeks to get your child back on the field, playable in a week. I can make driving in a golf cart with lights look cool. I can devise your rehab program after an ACL repair so you can run in that marathon you've always dreamed of. I can tape an ankle before your kid misses 2 mins of play. I can make saving your child's life easier by explaining "getting your bell rung" isn't normal, it can be deadly. I can help you, and your child, survive a heart attack. I can look at a wrestler's pee and tell them how much water to drink. I can make an athlete bigger, faster, better. I can translate "doctorese " from "torn anterior talofibular ligament" into ankle sprain. I went to college to EARN A DEGREE in more than just "water providing" but also injury prevention, evaluation, rehabilitation, administration, and overall problem listening. I do it because I love my athletes, and I love my profession. Today, I might ice your knee, tomorrow I might save your life. I hope I make a difference, what do you make?"

A friendly reminder to all the stressed out athletic trainers who often wonder "Why the heck do I do this again?"


As athletic trainers, we are often behind the scenes and don't always get a bunch of recognition.

Sports Medicine is much more than "put some ice on it" and "drink some water."

I am passionate about this profession, and there are no words to explain the sense of accomplishment when I am able to rehab an injury and see my athletes back on the field and be successful.

Rain, Rain Come Back!

R is for Rain-out

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Most of the time I enjoy the rain. It is calming, relaxing, and peaceful. I like watching lightning storms. I can fall asleep listening to the rain coming down on the roof, or listening in on Nolan's sleep sheep.

The rain can be fun to play in on a hot summer day, but it can also ruin an outdoor event that you may have been looking forward to for forever already.

In my line of work, I welcome rainy days. It means practices are moved inside, and the potential for injury decreases significantly. On game days, a rain-out means games are rescheduled or cancelled. While I feel for my athletes, because I know they want to play, rain-outs excite me because it means I get to go home early and spend some quality time with the family.

Today is one of those days!

The baseball game got cancelled and rescheduled. The fields were to wet to play. There was a glimpse of hope that softball might also be cancelled for the night.

But oh no!

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Instead of being able to go home early at 4:00, I have been waiting around to "see what's going to happen" for 2 and a half hours!

The game scheduled for 6, has been pushed back to 7:15. If they play, I won't even get home now until at least 9:30.

I know what I signed up for when I chose this career, but come on. This game doesn't even have determination of playoff placement.

Can't we just get a rain-out already??

Sorry for the vent. It's one of those days.

Q is for Quelf

I was struggling with a few letters when I started this challenge. What would I write about for X,Y,Z?? "Q" is also a difficult letter, but I knew that I was going to write about almost immediately!

I am a self proclaimed board game geek!

 

I love to play board games. I love family game nights. They are competitive, hilarious, and cheap family fun!

 

I am working on my collection of board games. I have Cranium, Battle of the Sexes, Scattergories and a few other must have games.

 

One of my most recent additions to my game collection is Quelf, which was introduced to me by my sister in law.



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It's a party game, and should not be played if you do not wish to have fun. This game is hilarious! 

First you choose one of these eight wacky characters: Batbileg Chinzorig, Super Monkey Ninja, The Platypus, Mr. Lugnut, Mrs. Pickle Feather, Queen Spatula, The Buscuit Farmer or The Dude


You then roll the dice and move to next color space that matches the color on the die. Draw the matching color card and obey the card. Don't do what the  card says, and pay the penalty.

The cards: Showbiz, Roolz, Quizzle, Stuntz, and Scatterbrainz

Showbiz: Show off your acting/singing/dancing abilities. Draw this card and you will be showing off your skills or lack of.

• Sing a song of your choice EXCEPT in a foreign language (First person to guess correctly, moves ahead. If no one guesses correctly, pay the penalty
•  Pick an opponent. Tell that opponent you will be humming 3 different songs, and that they must guess what your are humming. Song 1: Theme to Sesame Street. Song 2: Outkast's 'Hey Ya'. Song 3: Elvis's 'Hound Dog'. You have until the timer runs out.

Roolz: Draw this card and the rule effects any or all players, and remains in play until another rule card dismisses the rule. Talking roolz require you to say something either on your turn, or on an opponent's turn. Action roolz require you to do (or wear) something. Global Roolz apply to the entire group.

• Every time you draw a card, you must like your teeth and say "Willy Wonka has arrived"
• Go find anything that normally is considered jewelry, and wear it as a necklace for the rest of the game

Quizzle: The person to the right of you will ask you a question that you must answer correctly in order to advance. Some are "traditional trivia" questions, and others are completely absurd.

• At which national park would you find the "Old Faithful" geyser?
• Does a chicken have lips and if he did would you smack 'em?
• Give the middle name of each player

Stuntz: These yellow cards will require you to do some sort of stunt.  Scatterbrainz: Choose a category and everyone provides an example of that category. Keep going around until someone can't come up with an example. The person who can't provide an example or repeats an answer already said pays the penalty.

•  Balance a book on your head and walk 20 feet backwards
• Put your forefingers in your ears, your thumbs in your mouth, and your pinky fingers in your nostrils. Once everything is in place, you must say the following three times, at the top of your voice: "Feels good, don't it?"

• Things you wear on your hand
• 'Ways to get your leg out of a spring loaded steel trap' OR 'Types of insects most people find annoying.' You choose the topic
• Things that would taste disgusting if covered in onions

Basically this game is just a really fun time. The hubs is not about games or being silly, and even he had a fun time.

It's a great game for folk of all ages. I have played with my in laws, as well as with my parents and my brother. Everyone has had a great time and lots of laughs while playing this game!

Played before? What's your favorite Quelf moment?

Haven't played? Are there other party games that you have fun playing every time you play?




 

The Purpose Driven Life

P is for the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

My husband attended mass on Ash Wednesday with his mom and the babies. He came homes and told me about the interesting homily. He told me that the priest was talking about preparing for Lent, and how instead of giving something up in the traditional sense, that maybe people could work on taking something on.

Not taking something on like more responsibility, or increasing those bad habits that we have, but taking on something that will increase your spiritual relationship with God.

Daryl that's a great idea.

We talked about things that we could do, and we agreed that we would look into finding a daily devotional book. I have never been one to feel comfortable with bible and scripture studies. Maybe it is lack of knowledge in how to do them. 

We went on our monthly date night, and stopped by the book store so we could find a devotional book together.

The books were a bit over priced, and we left empty handed.

I talked to a coworker about any recommendations for a book, and he handed me his copy of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.



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I was excited, as this is exactly what I was looking for, a reading, and then discussion questions that would help you reflect and guide your discussion.

We read the book together, and that didn't work. We then tried to read the book separately and then discuss it together, but it didn't exactly work out for us. I would ask the discussion questions, and our conversation would come up short. They lacked depth. Daryl participated with the first few readings, but then sort of gave up, as this was not "a Catholic devotional" book.

I wanted to continue and at least give it a go. I wanted to have a better spiritual relationship with God, and was on my own in reading the book.

I have read a lot of it, but have yet to finish.

I was able to find additional reflection questions to supplement the readings. Even though I have been reading the book alone, I feel I am really able to reflect and think of things in a new light.

This is the first devotional book I am reading. I am enjoying the spiritual growth, even if it's not a "Catholic" book. It's a start.

Is there a devotional book that you have enjoyed? Are there any devotional books you have found to be beneficial to read as a married couple?

My biggest question is how do you get the depth in the discussion? Daryl comes off as being a bit reluctant at times, and I'm not the greatest at coming up with questions. I would like to attempt to go through another book with him, but I also want him to enjoy it and actually discuss.

Opportunity ... it's now official

Opportunity has knocked on my door, and I have answered.





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My coworker has been training me for the past few years to take over whenever he decided to leave.

That time has come, and it has left a huge career opportunity on my plate. Next fall, with the hopes that things go according to the plan, I will be up for a promotion as a Head Athletic Trainer.

I am extremely excited about this new career move. I feel like I am ready to head my own program. And I could definitely use a pay raise.

While my coworker and I have talked about this transition for a majority of this school year, it hasn't really hit me yet. Well, not until the past few days.

A letter of resignation has been officially submitted. The job has been officially posted. The posting was just approved today, and I am already having resumes being submitted.

I am not going to lie, I am a little overwhelmed with the resumes. I don't even know what to look for. I mean there is a lot of pressure. Will this person be knowledgeable in their skills? Are they motivated to build the program? Are they going to be on board with my ideas? If I have a large pool of applicants, how will I be able to weed out the ones I'm not interested in?

Oh my goodness the questions are racing through my head! If you are in a position of being in charge of hiring, do you have any tips for going through and evaluating resumes?

Even though I'm stressing overwhelmed nervous anxious excited about the interest in the job, I don't even know where to begin.

This is an excellent career opportunity! I can't say that enough. I am excited about building the program, student interest, and I do have big plans for the sports medicine program! I have tons of ideas, and can't wait to make them become a reality.

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What opportunities have been knocking on your door lately?

NO!

It's funny how we often times don't realize we do something until it is pointed out to us. Perfect example- those things we do or say when we are nervous- like saying "um" "uhh" "OK" or "like" when we are giving a presentation.

There was an incident that happened in one of my classes, and as a result, I am in complete lock down mode in all of my classes, and will no longer allow my students to leave class. It was brought to my attention by one of my lovely students who said to me "Coach, why are you not letting us do anything anymore? Why do you always have to say no?"

I of course gave this young man the "I have the best students" speech, complete with "my expectations are way up here, and I know that you will be successful, because I have the best students."

While I know this young man was mostly complaining about doing the assignment for the day, it really got me thinking about the number of times I say the word NO throughout the day.

I probably say this word at least 1,000 times a day. And even that might be underestimated.

Classroom Examples

Student: Coach, can I go to the restroom?
Me: No

Student: Coach, can I go to see my AP?
Me: No
Student: But it's really important
Me: I'm sure it is, but no.

Student: Coach, are we turning this in?
Me: No. Not today

Student: Can't I just have my phone out, just this once?
Me: No.

Student: Coach, do you have our test graded?
Me: No, but I'm working on it.

While having technical difficulties with the computer: NOOOO!! What are you doing??

Home Examples

Me: Madeline, NO!

Hubs: Did you check the mail?
Me: No, I forgot

Hubs: Did you work out today?
Me: No. Well not yet. I haven't had time. I have been taking care of the babies all day
Hubs: Michelle....

Me: Madeline, I said no!



Oh. My. Goodness!

Every time I said the word No, I am now fully aware of increasing frequency at which this word comes out of my mouth. I'm not trying to be Negative Nancy or anything, but it sure sounds like I am by always saying no.

I don't like to be told no. I don't like having to say no. I am really starting to hate this word! Sometimes I feel like that NO is all that comes out of my mouth. I can't be the only one. Are there any words that you say too often, and hate that you say them?

Make Me Laugh

There were so many "M" words that I was thinking of writing about, Michelle. Madeline. Mother. The list goes on. I didn't want all of my posts to be about my adventures in motherhood, and I recently shared some fun facts about myself, so it seemed those choices were out.

I love to find funny stuff on the internet, and actually, one of my former students and I love to share funny videos with each other.

Laughing is really the best medicine, as it offers tons of health benefits.

Physical benefits:

• Lowers Stress Hormones
• Decreases Pain
• Boosts Immunity
• Relaxes Muscles
• Prevents Heart Disease

Mental Benefits:

• Adds Joy and Zest to Life
• Eases Fear and Anxiety
• Improves Mood
• Enhances Resilience

Social Benefits:

• Strengthens Relationships
• Attracts us to others
• Enhances Teamwork
• Helps Diffuse Conflict
• Promote Group Bonding

I'm taking a little break today from all the serious posts I have been writing lately, and will be sharing some of the things that Make Me Laugh.

The following videos are meant to be offensive to anyone, they just make me laugh.



I read on the Dating Divas about a Youtube date, and I could totally spend a night with the hubs finding funny youtube videos. 

Did any of these videos make you laugh?  Which one was your favorite? It's hard for me to pick my favorite, as they all make me laugh every time I watch them. What other videos make you laugh?