How much time

is realistic to devote to one client?

Especially if you have a full caseload, a ton of paperwork and the tasks that this person is throwing your way could easily fill up 40 hours per week?

How do you set your boundaries with clients like this?

I've been struggling with this lately.

P.S. This is also the type of guy who is quick to claim "neglect". I already document everything.

Guess what?

It's Friday!!! Made it through yet another week (almost, it's not 5:00 yet).

The past several days have proven quite challenging, again, and I also did not get in nearly as many yoga classes as I wanted (thank you weather!), however, it's over---done with.

Tommorrow DH, DS and I are also headed Upstate for the weekend. Rest, relaxation and change of pace.

Next week more work will be there.

I hope

I can get out, and into the office today.


We have had yet another snow/ice storm here overnight. Most of the area is shut down completely.

But I have a ton of paperwork due, and I know I am not going to get much done if I work from home with a 2-year-old running around.

*Le Sigh*.

So glad

I dragged myself to yoga class tonight. I had a new teacher who not only sang, but also barked during class. It was an extremely challenging time for me this evening. I didn't eat or drink a lot today and had quite a few thoughts weighing on my mind, so I don't think I was really focusing on my breathing correctly. In fact, I know I wasn't because I became panicky at one point.

I managed to get through most of the poses but the end of class was hard. I had to sit out in camel.

Anyways, my point was it was such a fun time though. This new lady really caught me off guard in the beginning when she started barking, and in our final savasana, when she sang to us about counting our blessings instead of sheep, when we go to sleep.

I also would like to think she was speaking to me directly about not beating myself up too hard for not being able to complete camel.

So glad I went!!!

Well, it's Monday

and I have so much to do, as usual. I am headed into the office shortly, and totally hoping no one will find me so I can get at least half-way through my to-do list.

At least I have yoga later, though. I am planning to go to the 6PM class. One of my fave teachers leads it. If I make it there tonight, this will be my 14th class of the month. Go me!!

BTW, check out this blog if you are a lover of hot yoga (or just curious in general). She is trying to attract new followers, and it's just a great blog IMO.

Hope Monday is friendly to all of you!

I hate health care

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I hate health care.

I pay $357.00 a week for our family plan and it just makes me sick since that is pretty much HALF my paycheck each week. And I WORK in health care! (My employer doesn't cover family plans though).

Yesterday I went to refill my birth control pill that I love, and it's NO LONGER COVERED in the new year.

F'in figures. But they tell me they have a generic that is $4.00. Or, I could pay $75.00 for the one I love. I will go with the $4.00 one!

Personality disorders

How do you deal with certain clients who have personality disorders?

Narcissistic, paranoid, borderline.......perhaps all 3 at the same time?

What do you do when you have no choice but to *try* to work with them, but they tend to make it downright impossible?

I had a meeting with someone like this earlier this week and it's tough........really, really tough.

The word rotten in fact comes to my mind over and over when I think of this individual.

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. My favorite quote is one I heard one of my yoga instructors say in a class once many moons ago. Be Mindful..........

Be mindful of your thoughts; your thoughts become words.
Be mindful of your words; your words become actions.
Be mindful of your actions; your actions become habits.
Be mindful of your habits; your habits become your character.
Be mindful of your character; your character becomes your destiny.


2. A bad habit I have is grinding my teeth. I always catch myself doing it. I also often think the worst about what could happen with a situation, when in reality, it often turns out not being that bad at all.

3. The first time I felt like a "grown up" was probably when I first moved out on my own, had my own apartment and lots and lots of bills. I also really feel like a grown up now each month when we have to pay our mortgage and taxes.

4. Weekends are the best. Time to relax, catch up on everything I put off during the week, and most of all, snuggle time with my son!.

5. When I was a child I wished my name was...........hmmmmm? I really don't know. I do remember in 7th grade though with my girlfriends, we all pretended we were the members of The Babysitter's Club. I was Claudia.


6. I wish certain people in my life could just be happy and appreciate all that is in front of them.

7. A secret I have is something that will remain a secret because it's too painful to share. :(

Client perceptions of us

I currently work with a client who was clinically depressed BEFORE their brain injury. The TBI has only exacerbated their psych diagnosis. They are now anger, gloom and doom X a million. Anyways, at a meeting with their team today, this client focused right on me and said, "You will never have to worry about being in my financial situation since you are married. I know your husband can support you and you never have to worry about working or having money."

Ha!!! If she only knew about the reality of DH and my situation.

She also then went on to say to the rest of the team, "You all never will have to worry about being unemployed like me since you all have degrees".

Yeah, right. That's why I know SO MANY social workers who are unemployed, or underemployed.

Time to kill

Well, I did end up falling asleep halfway through Big Love last night, surprise surprise. Oh well. It gives me something to look forward to tonight after my yoga class.

Right now I am killing time at a local coffee cafe. I have a transition meeting later this morning with a client I am taking over from another agency. After that, I have a team meeting with another participant, and then just a routine monthly visit with one of my other people.

Since I have the time this morning, I am going to try to get started on some of my treatment plans that are due next week. I welcome a quiet, relaxed Monday morning like this one. They tend to be so few and far between these days.

I hope everyone out there in Socialworkerland (and elsewhere) have a quiet and relaxed week as well.

It's on tonight........

BIG LOVE!!! This show is fantastic. I re-ordered HBO again today so I can watch it. I only hope I can stay awake though.

I feel so honored

My blog has been mentioned here.

There are some other pretty awesome social work blogs mentioned as well, that are definitely worth checking out. Lots of interesting, insightful stuff.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. It was my goal to make a 7AM yoga class today but I don't think that's going to happen for various reasons. Maybe I will aim for the afternoon instead.

Do you ever feel

like your boss gives you ALL the "difficult" clients?

I know that I should feel flattered, however, I often feel like beating my head against a wall instead.

That is all. TGIF!!!

Fill in the blank Friday

(because I am so not original these days. Stealing from Lauren's blog).



1. Winter is perfect for staying in, watching lots of nonsensical TV like Jersey Shore, and my fave....warming up in nightly hot yoga classes :).


2. Summer is my favorite season. So much to do, and it stays light out late.


3. If it were summer instead of winter right now I'd probably take my son down to play in the park by the water. And maybe plan a beach outing.


4. My favorite thing to do in winter is eat grilled cheese and tomato soup.

5. My favorite thing to do in summer is BBQ on the grill every night, and stroll around outside.

6. The ideal outfit for a sunny summer day is a light sundress or spaghetti-strap tank, light flow-ey cotton-ey pants or capris, my big black sunglasses and flip-flops.


7. The ideal outfit for a frigid winter day is either boots over jeans/leggings and a long sweater, or thin layers and lounge/yoga pants and my Uggies.

Dragging ass this morning........

it is so, so, so hard to get back in the groove again after being off from work for 3 days.


I'm sure....no POSITIVE...that once I get my coffee, and am in the office for an hour though, it will be like I never left.

AND I am looking forward to going back to yoga tonight. I haven't been in almost a week. YIKES!

Happy first Monday of the New Year all!!