American Sign Language (ASL) is a beautiful vibrant language that uses hand motions, facial expressions and body language to convey its message

​ASL has consistently been the third largest language used  in the United States. So you’ve eagerly jumped on the learning bandwagon, but several lessons later you can’t figure out why you’re not a fluent signer or “reader”.

Here’s 5 reasons why you’re lousy at sign language:

1. You expect it to be like English

You go into class assuming it’s a translation of English and it’ll be easy to learn.

ASL has its own grammar system which means there are rules for phonology, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics. A simple explanation would be the difference in sentence structure. For example, in English “The girl kicked the ball” would be signed as “Ball, Girl kick”.

It takes just as long to learn American Sign Language as it does any other language like Spanish or German. It takes even longer to start “thinking in ASL” and stop using English grammar rules as you sign.

2. You’re not meeting other Signers

You take all the lessons, but go a long while before meeting a Deaf person or another signer, then struggle to sign or understand the other person.

Simply put, "if you don't use it, you lose it." If you really want to remember how to sign you need to keep ASL constant in your life. Watch videos, movies, find a Skype or FaceTime partner to sign with, go to Deaf clubs and events. Or even try a great online service called SignOn C.P.R. which connects you to Deaf ASL experts where you can practice one on one.

Secondly, if you're not around Deaf people, you will not build up your receptive skills (watching and understanding others signing) as well as never experiencing Deaf culture in all its glory.

3. You got a lousy teacher

Whether you take classes at a college, library, or online, it’s hard to verify that the instructor is qualified and capable of teaching. Unless they’ve been certified by the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA), you’re pretty much left to the whims of a stranger.

There are also countless Youtube videos out there posted by students eager to teach, but end up showing the incorrect signs. So if they’re teaching wrong then you’re learning wrong.

Also don’t expect to get your signs right if you’re learning from a book. It’s pretty difficult to express a moving sign in a flat picture.

4. You’re not “Expressive”

As I mentioned earlier, ASL is an expressive language using facial expressions and body language.

The emotional impact of a message is conveyed in the movements, the more rapid or bigger the movements, the more excited or angry the person is. This is hard for non-signers to understand as one website’s headline states “Bizarre Sign Language Interpreter Steals Show”. If the interpreter stood still and quietly signed, that to Deaf people is akin to listening to Ben Stein speak – flat and boring.

So learn to relax and let the expressions flow, but don’t go the other extreme either and exaggerate everything either, especially with mouth enunciation.

5. You might be “Dyslexic”

There are a few people that have “Sign Language Dyslexia” as some Signers call it. They just cannot understand another signer no matter how much they study ASL.
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One way you could overcome this is to stand next to the signer instead of face-to-face. Watch them sign from behind, just like you would see your own signing.

You may also overcome this by sticking with one other signer for a while and learn their "accent" (Yes Deaf people have signing accents). This may help develop your receptive skills and then you can add another person and study them, and so on.

No matter the reason why you’re a lousy signer, please don’t give up! The Deaf Community needs more people who can understand their language, are willing to try to communicate, and enjoy Deaf Culture.

Sure, there’ll be a few Deaf people that will be harsh and critical of your signing, but just ignore them. This “ASL Police”, as we call them, are critical of other Deaf people’s signing too and do it to fill their own arrogant needs.

So be patient, keep learning, and have fun!

Tracy,
​ ​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

Do you have a Deaf patient at your medical office or hospital?

Need to know how to help them?

Need to understand their communication needs?

Wonder why they're reluctant, frustrated, skipping appointments?

Read all about it in this article.

Feel free to share this article with everyone.

Tracy,
​ ​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

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​Since the real estate market is currently in a slump, it's best to stay put and not sell your home yet. However, while waiting for the situation on the market to improve, you can do some remodeling and increase the value of your home.

There are different kinds of projects you can take up, and here are some of the best ideas.:

Kitchen Upgrade

When remodeling your kitchen, you do not have to go big and spend a fortune. Minor remodeling can greatly improve the whole look and quality of your kitchen, making it more appealing and valuable.

However, do not overdo it and make your kitchen look fancier than the rest of your home; especially do not go overboard with its size, because it is supposed to be a part of your home, not a restaurant. So, instead of expanding it and replacing already good cabinets, you should invest more in quality flooring, countertops, modest energy-efficient appliances, and home pipes. Good plumbing is always a good start. Make an effort to find resourceful plumbers in your neighborhood so that your renovation can start smoothly.

Additionally, you can greatly improve the look of your kitchen by simply repainting it. By keeping a fresh, but modest kitchen, the value of your home can only increase and you will make your stay more enjoyable.

Repurposing the Attic

Dusty old attics are never appealing and no one should ever see them. But to utilize the space in your home to its full potential you should think about remodeling and re purposing the attic.

Get rid of all the excess waste you piled up there over the years and turn this room into another bedroom or a guestroom. By giving your attic a function, you are gaining more living space in your home without having to change the layout.

If your house is a good candidate for a fully functional attic, then you will not regret having an attic makeover, since the value will increase and no one will ever be afraid of that creepy attic. 

​Add a Patio

Today, quality outdoor living spaces are greatly desirable, especially during hot summer days where you can simply relax and enjoy. Add a nice patio in your back yard which will make your entire home more comfortable and more appealing to potential buyers.

Depending on how much space you have, you can make a spacious patio with a comfy couch and wooden patio chairs, rich with colorful flowers that fill the air with sweet smells.

Or you can go with a small but cozy patio where you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee every morning. Renovation project like this one can be costly (depending on the materials, space etc), but it can guarantee you a return of up to 90% of your investment.

Energy-efficient Windows

Old, shabby and drafty windows are a major turn off for everyone, not just potential buyers. Replace the old single-pane windows with ones that are Energy Star-rated, and save up to $500 a year on bills.

Make your whole home more eco-friendly and invest in Energy Star-rated fixtures. Not only do they cut the costs of your heating and cooling bills, but can also make a nice addition and a whole new look in your home. 

Bathroom Addition

If your home has only one bathroom, but you have lots of unused space, it is time for you to make a bathroom addition. Depending on the size, you will need 18 to 35 square feet for you new bathroom, which can recoup up 130% of your invested money on this project.

The price of this project can vary, but you can always look for discounts for tubs, showers, sinks and other items for your new bathroom. A bathroom addition is always useful if you have a full house, and can help you score a better price on the market.


​Turn your average looking house into a luxury home with these few remodeling projects. Until the market situation gets better, you will have an enjoyable home that worth at least twice as much.  

​As a parent of teenagers we know all too well their snarkiness, their mood swings, and their know-it-all attitudes. Dealing with these juvenile terrors can drive any parent up the wall but keeping these five points in mind will help ease the frustrations and keep you from losing your temper over them.

Stick to the Rules

Make a list of house rules and stick to them. Rules on curfew, homework, chores and the like are important for kids any age as it sets boundaries which they need for healthy growth. You will need firm consequences for breaking these rules as well.

So when your teen balks at school work and says it’s stupid and they don’t need to know this stuff for the real world, don’t argue with them, or try to persuade them to like it or see your side of it, instead just say “that’s fine, but you know our rules and consequence of not doing it” and follow through.

Stay Out of the Small Stuff

As parents we want to protect our kids from trouble, disappointments, failure and pain. Unless it’s life threatening, you should stay out of this and let them figure it out on their own. Whether it’s an argument with a best friend, a haircut choice, or disappointment in not getting something they really wanted, let them cope, learn, and make decisions on their own.

Do let them know you’ll be there to answer questions and offer advice if they need it.

Be Respectful

This might make you laugh, “I have to be respectful to them?” To a point, yes, they learn from your actions. Instead of nagging and screaming about why they haven’t started their homework yet, how lazy they are and how they’re making you feel, just go in and firmly remind them “Hey, it’s homework time, get started or you lose your gaming privileges”.

Be respectful of their privacy. Don’t snoop on their texts, online interactions or journals behind their backs. You can get programs that set boundaries on their texts and online access to protect them from predators and unwanted website viewing for their safety. Ask them about what they’re chatting about, their favorite websites and games, and their online friends. Be interested in their online presence and such, but stop the spying.

Talk with Them

Even though it may feel like you’re at odds with your teen, talking with them will help find some connections. Just chat about everyday stuff while out on a drive, after they’ve come home from a night out with friends, or around the dinner table.

Don’t ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, instead ask what they liked about the movie they just saw, how are their friends doing, or what level they’re on in their new game.

This will be the time to chat about life lessons too, but don’t turn it into a lecture, share how you feel about important issues, what life will deal them and consequences of possible choices they’ll make.
 
It’s Not About You

Too many times parents try to control their teenagers because it reflects on them. Whether it’s their teen’s choice of dress, their teen’s actions, or living vicariously through them.

Instead of banning your kid from dyeing their hair or a wardrobe choice because of how you feel, tell them how it may reflect on the child themselves. Explain that people perceive others by their outward appearances and may have negative thoughts about them instead of seeing their true nature.

Instead of pushing your teenager towards your own interests so you’d look good, or because you did or didn’t do that as a teenager yourself, find their talents and help them develop and flourish in it. So you were a star quarterback, or you never made it as a dancer, doesn’t mean your teen has to do it for you.

Despite the stereotypical negative perceptions about teens, they are often energetic, thoughtful, and idealistic, with goals and dreams of their own.  Even though it’s a time of conflict and battles, it’s an important time to help your kids become well-adjusted and mature adults.

I know all this because I have two teenagers. They are excelling in school, are excited about their extracurricular activities, have goals for their lives and are mature, respectful and fun to be with. My husband and I are not their "friend", we don't nag them, we praise them and we support and participate in their activities.

Tracy,
 ​​"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

Mountain Crafted is a family owned and operated company. They're situated between the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains in North East Tennessee. 

They create all natural candles, shampoos, and other fragrance products they make themselves in their home.

This is a unique company, not just because of the unique products, but because the owners are both blind, he from an accident and she from RP, but they don’t let it get in their way. The engraving on Barry’s business card holder--a gift from Debra—aptly says: “Limitations are self-imposed.”

​Go check them out! They'll also gladly label everything in Braille upon request.

This is why many movie theaters are reluctant to turn the captions on during their movies. It's not difficult to do as it's just a matter of pushing a button. But too many "hearing" people complain that it's annoying. Well geez thanks on making it more difficult for us!