On This Day...

1732 - Benjamin Franklin began publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac"

1843 - Charles Dickens' classic Yuletide tale, "A Christmas Carol," was first published in England

1933 - Actress Cicely Tyson was born

1960 - Fire aboard USS Constellation, under construction in Brooklyn (50 die)

1963 - Actress Jennifer Beals was born

1972 - Actress Alyssa Milano was born and Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, ending the Apollo program of manned lunar landings

1980 - Actor Jake Gyllenhaal was born

1996 - The school board of Oakland, Calif., voted to recognize Black English, also known as "ebonics"

1998 - President Bill Clinton was impeached

"Everybody - Just Pretend To Be Normal, OK?"

I just finished watching the movie Little Miss Sunshine. Finally. I recorded it on my DVR close to a year ago and just now found the time to sit down and actually watch the entire film from beginning to end.

It has, without a doubt, become one of my favorite movies. It's quirky - without a doubt - and there are some uncomfortable scenes (a heroin-snorting-Grandpa Edwin) and crude language. I loved the messages it subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) purveyed about family, differences, acceptance, stereotypes and just life in general.

It was inexpensively made (for approximately $8 million) and not widely seen until a company purchased the rights to it (a la the Sundance Film Festival) for $10 million. It was released in the U.S. on August 18, 2006 (my birthday!) and out on DVD in December of the same year. As of February 2007, it had made over $59 million in the U.S. and over $94 million worldwide - amazing!

2007 Academy Awards won:
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alan Arkin)
Best Original Screenplay

2007 Academy Award Nominations:
Best Picture of the Year
Best Performance by an Actres in a Supporting Role (Abigail Breslen)

Christmas Card For Wounded Soldiers

I've been saving an e-mail that was mailed to me weeks ago by a friend. It suggested that, in December, holiday cards be sent to "any wounded soldier" at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I loved the idea and knew right away that it was something I was going to do.

As I was starting to finally address my cards today, I pulled up that e-mail and decided to look online to verify the address. It didn't take but one simple Google search for me to learn that sending cards to that address was not suggested. Apparently, for safety and security reasons, any card or package addressed to "any wounded soldier" and not a specific patient would be rejected by the hospital and returned as undeliverable. Instead, this is what they suggest:

Walter Reed Army Medical Center cannot accept packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier'. The U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

However, through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc., communities across America are invited to mail cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country.

With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. For security reasons, the Red Cross will be able to accept only holiday cards but not packages. Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards, which will be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at the medical facilities will distribute the cards throughout the holiday season.

Please address your holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to the sender. Again, senders are reminded that "care packages" are not part of the program--send only cards and notes. Also, please refrain from using glitter or any other inserts that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment.

I've addressed mine and hope that anyone who reads this blog will do so as well!

How Do YOU Smell?

Just in time for Christmas!

The site Fragrance.Net has the best prices I've seen - lots of hard-to-find brands there too!

Enter the coupon code "fox" when checking out and get a 10% discount - free shipping on orders over $60 too!

Our Turkey Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The four of us (along with my sister and another friend of ours) volunteered serving Thanksgiving lunch for a few hours at a local homeless shelter. Last year was our first experience doing this and we have decided to make it a regular part of all of our future Thanksgivngs.

Afterwards, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at my Mom's house and a rousing game of Scene It! (Disney edition) with the kids. A friend brought it and the children enjoyed it so much, I bought it for them for Christmas.

I was in charge of dessert this year and made a Pumpkin Pie and a fantastic Caramel Cheesecake (recipe below) that was a surprisingly huge hit!

Caramel Cheesecake

1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust (I prefer and used a homemade crust)
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup caramel topping
12 pecan halves, plus 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well. Pour into crust.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set. Cool to room temperature.

Warm caramel topping in a small saucepan and heat for about 1 minute, or until spreadable. Spoon over the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly. Decorate the edge of the cake with pecan halves and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m Thankful for You

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.

By Joanna Fuchs

A Gift From My Little Sweetie

My son came home from school today bearing a handmade gift! He made me a "Harvest Candle" and I love it and will display it proudly.

More Gift Ideas

I'm on a roll! It's unfortnate that there are 2,387 much more important things that I should be doing...

License Plate Flash Frame - I can't believe I've never seen these before... Doesn't seem like they'd be legal!

Treat Laucher - For the lazy dog owner...

Ride a NASCAR Experience - Oh what my boy wouldn't do for THIS one!

Fill Me With Love Cheesecake - For the girl who already has everything!

Pop Art Toaster - Hysterical!

Cyber Monday

Oh it's definitely a good thing my internet activity is not monitored by an employer!

Monday November 26 is Cyber Monday - "the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, "Cyber Monday" symbolizes a busy day for online retailers" according to Wikipedia.

Cyber Monday Official Site

Cyber Monday Message Boards

Holiday Shopping

Am I the only one who has started? If you haven't, GET MOVING! December 24 will be here before you know it!

Some cool ideas I've come across...

Andy Warhol Pop Print - Fantastic if you have the perfect picture...

Starbucks Customized Gift Card - I love that they're doing this! There are a dozen people on my list who would get a kick out of this!

Personalized Rubik's Cube - A cool twist on an old favorite...

Digital Photo Keychain - Holds up to 31 photos on it - amazing!

Leg Lamp - Anyone who has seen the movie A Christmas Story (one of my husbands' favorite movies!) will recognize and appreciate this one!

Play-Doh Cologne - Maybe I'm a freak - but I've never liked the smell of play-doh! Fun gift for someone who does, though...

Custom Postage - Too cute - but doesn't it cost enough to send a letter in the mail these days?

On This Day...

1927 - Josef Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party

1929 - Grace Kelly was born

1954 - Ellis Island closes after processing more than 20 million immigrants since opening in New York Harbor in 1892

1987 - The American Medical Association issued a policy statement saying it was unethical for a doctor to refuse to treat someone solely because that person has AIDS or is HIV-positive

1966 - David Schwimmer was born

2001 - An American Airlines flight crashed near New York's Kennedy airport, killing 265 people

History Of Veteran's Day

1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.



1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.



1920
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.


1921
Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.



1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.



1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.


1941- 1945
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.


1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.



1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.


1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming



1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.



1978
Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.

Can You Believe It?

That means it's time to start getting ready for...

Black Friday

Black Friday Ads

The Official Black Friday 2007 Site

Happy Halloween

From my little Vampira and Army Ranger...

Surviving the EEG

Thursday night went smoothly. My kids go to bed (and wake up) very early. Staying up until 10-11 PM proved to be quite a chore for my little man. He didn't once ask me to go to bed (he understood what we needed to do) but he'd look at me every few minutes with these pitifully sleepy eyes that were just BEGGING to close. He went right to sleep when it was time and I think it's safe to say that 3 AM came much too fast for both of us. We had blankets and cuddled on the couch until 5:30 AM - watching Yin Yang Yo (gag - one of his new favorites) and a cute 30-minute HBO special about the new Bee Movie. I think we each inadvertenly dozed off at one point - but not for more than a few minutes. We dropped my daughter off at school at 7:45 AM, hit Starbucks and got a car wash before heading to the neurologists' office. The tech was 45 minutes late getting us in! I'll just never understand that... Chase was so tired in the waiting room - it broke my heart not to let him sleep a little. I worried if I did, though, that he wouldn't sleep during the actual test. The wait was long - but a number of armed guards and a handful of handcuffed and shackled prisoners in orange jumpsuits (apparently there for some type of testing of their own!) certainly kept us from being bored.

The tech was a funny little man who had an odd way with kids. We survived, though, and Chase did manage to fall (sound!) asleep right on command when the tech needed him to. An electrode cap was used for the EEG instead of individual nodes. The prep for the cap took about 35 minutes. I was told that it would've taken 3 hours were it not for the cap! The actual EEG took about half an hour. We have an appointment with the neuro next month to discuss the results. I asked the tech if he saw anything unusual but he told me he couldn't give me any information. The test was very interesting to watch. The only thing causing me concern now is that the tech mentioned initially that he would have to have Chase hyper-ventilate (a practice used to induce seizures in people prone to them) at one point during the test. He never did, though and I can only assume this is because he either 1.)forgot or 2.)didn't need to because seizure activity was observed without it.

I'll post the results when I get them...

A Boys' Brain

Last July (per the recommendation of our school psych), I asked my sons' pediatrcian to evaluate him for ADD/ADHD. She explained that she would need to refer us to a neurologist and we went to see him just after school started in August. After what appeared to be a thorough physical examination (and an extensive Q & A with me), he didn't seem to be convinced that he had ADD or ADHD. Instead, he asked me to have an MRI and a Sleep EEG done on my son. The EEG will be done first and has finally been scheduled to take place on Friday October 26. I'd be lying to say that I wasn't nervous about it. I was instructed to keep him up hours past his usual bedtime the night before and then to wake him at 3 AM on the day of the test. He apparently has to be very fatigued (asleep, preferrably) during the test. The neurologist is wondering if he's having petit mal seizures and apparently this EEG will determine whether he is or not. I'm not certain what the MRI will tell us - I've often read about brain-mapping in Autistic children, though, and am curious to see the results.

Thankfully, my boy is a brave one and he's actually excited about the tests. (He especially likes the fact that he's going to get to stay up late on a school night - hah!) What a little trooper!

Day Camp Promotes Acceptance

I love this story... It hurts my heart but makes me smile all at the same time.

For five days, 20 children, some with disabilities and some without, will learn about one another.

By Kristin E. Holmes

Inquirer Staff Writer

Five days. Teddy Willis and Tyler Voelker are hoping they make all the difference.
When their weeklong day camp starts next week, it won't be just a place for summer fun. The five days, called the ETS Experience, are a time when campers such as Willis and Voelker hope to find the thing that often eludes them: acceptance.

Willis and Voelker have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Their struggle with social interaction is the Goliath that the ETS Experience is tackling for the first time.

The free five-day camp in Wrightstown was the idea of Teddy Willis and his mother, Irene. The ETS Experience (ETS stands for Everyone's The Same) is not just for students with Asperger's syndrome. It's also for students without Asperger's.

"The main reason for the camp is so that all kids would learn not to treat people differently," said Teddy Willis, 11, of Newtown.

In Willis' case - as is the case with other youngsters with Asperger's syndrome - "differently" often means being teased and ostracized. ETS Experience will offer a weeklong program for fifth and sixth graders with a goal of fostering understanding, Irene Willis said.

The camp will be held at the Delaware Valley Children's Center, a mental health agency in Wrightstown and the camp's sponsor. Conventional day-camp fun and games will be interspersed with exercises and interactions designed to enhance disability awareness.

Asperger's syndrome is a less severe form of autism, a developmental disability characterized by difficulty with communication, social interaction and behavior. A 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in 150 8-year-olds in the 14 U.S. communities included in their research had some form of autism.

"One of the things we know is that while these children really need staff and treatment, and programming that is specific and appropriate to them, they benefit tremendously from being around typical children, because most of these children [with Asperger's] are very bright and capable," said Kerey Ruggiero, executive director of the Children's Center. Both groups of youngsters will benefit, she said.

While most camps for children with autism are inclusive, their numbers are few, said Marguerite Krist Colston, spokesperson for the Autism Society of America. "The kids go to school and get services, and the summer starts and there is nothing to do," Colston said.

The Children's Center is developing an Asperger's program that will tentatively launch in the fall, and there are hopes that the inaugural session of ETS will lead to a two-week overnight camp next summer.

So far, ETS is nearly a sold-out experience. Nearly all the spaces in the camp for 20 were taken as of last week. The daily sessions are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp will include games, eco-friendly activities, movies, arts and crafts, and peace-oriented exercises provided by the Peace Center in Langhorne.

Beth Voelker's hopes for her son Tyler's ETS experience are simple: "I'm hoping that he will walk away with a friend."

The camp is the culmination of a year-long coming out for Teddy Willis, who began talking about his autism in classes this year at Goodnoe Elementary School in Newtown. After that, a classmate's parent invited Willis to come to a birthday party.

"Teddy said, 'Maybe we should tell more people I have autism. Maybe they'll understand me better,' " Irene Willis said.

Teddy Willis made other attempts to talk about Asperger's, but was discouraged by school officials because of privacy issues, Irene Willis said. Undeterred, Teddy Willis and his family decided that if they couldn't do it at school, they would do it at a school board meeting. Teddy Willis made a four-paragraph speech.

"I would like more people to understand my disability," Teddy Willis said before the school board. "If they did that, then I wouldn't be the least popular kid at Goodnoe and I would be like everybody else."

Meg Townsend's son Riley, who has Asperger's, will be one of the students sitting alongside Voelker and Willis next week. Meg Townsend works in autistic support services with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, and had previously investigated camping activities for her son. One cost $5,000 for two weeks.

When Townsend heard about ETS, she jumped at the opportunity not only because the camp was free, but also because she wanted her son in a camp that wasn't just for students with Asperger's. She is now the camp's codirector and is helping plan activities for campers such as Tyler Voelker, who can't wait for the experience.

"I think it's cool because it will be kids who have the same thing that I have," said Tyler Voelker, 10, "and the other kids that don't have it can learn about it."

Anticipatory Anxiety

My son's IEP is in just under 90 minutes. The anticipatory anxiety I am feeling is almost overwhelming. I just took a xanax (rarely have a need for those anymore!) and am hoping that my heart will stop pounding and my hands will stop shaking soon.

Things shouldn't be this hard.

I hate feeling like I have to "prove" to these teachers that my son does not deserve to be classified as a "bad child" or a "behavior problem" simply because he's Autistic. I am not one of those parents who is blind or oblivious to the faults and/or weaknesses of her child. I'm totally - PAINFULLY - aware of the areas in which he struggles. He is a good kid, though - he loves school and enjoys learning and he is entitled to benefit from a regular-ed classroom with teachers who are supportive, tolerant and patient. I hope that their attitude towards him is just because they aren't knowledgeable about Autism spectrum disorders and that, once they learn a little about kids like my son, they will open their minds a bit and be more understanding and accepting. If they are not, however, I hope that the principal will work with me to find a more appropriate classroom for him. He deserves to be viewed by his teachers as an asset to his class - not as a burden. (Thank you, Kerry, for so effectively putting that into words for me!)

Orlando Pictures

The Darkest Day

Never forget.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

My son (who, for those readers who don't know, is Autistic and mainstreamed into regular-ed) has been in 2nd grade now for almost 3 weeks. He is doing well - the transition from Summer vacation to school has been easier this year than it's been in years prior. I have learned that his new teachers, unfortunately, are apparently having some issues with the presence of a "special needs" child in their classroom.

I guess I've been fortunate until now - his Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers were amazingly communicative and helpful and as determined as I was to make sure he had a good year with them - which he definitely did.

I requested yesterday that both of his teachers be present at an IEP meeting (which must be held, by state law, within 10 days of the date of my letter) as well as his speech pathologist, the school psychologist and his previous teachers. I am hoping that these women are just not knowledgeable about children like him and that once they're made aware of what an Autistic child is/isn't and what an Autistic child can/can't do - and given tips and strategies for teaching such a child - that they will be more accepting of him and we will be able to have a successful school-year.

I found something today, written by Ellen Notbohm, that I think I may copy and bring to the IEP - it's simple, but has good information and, I think, is a must-read for any teacher who has a child with Autism in his/her class.

Here are ten things every child with autism wishes you knew:

1. I am first and foremost a child. I have Autism. I am not primarily "Autistic." My Autism is only one aspect of my total character. It does not define me as a person. Are you a person with thoughts, feelings and many talents, or are you just fat (overweight), myopic (wear glasses) or klutzy (uncoordinated, not good at sports)? Those may be things that I see first when I meet you, but they are not necessarily what you are all about.

As an adult, you have some control over how you define yourself. If you want to single out a single characteristic, you can make that known. As a child, I am still unfolding. Neither you nor I yet know what I may be capable of. Defining me by one characteristic runs the danger of setting up an expectation that may be too low. And if I get a sense that you don't think I "can do it," my natural response will be: Why try?

2. My sensory perceptions are disordered. Sensory integration may be the most difficult aspect of autism to understand, but it is arguably the most critical. It his means that the ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of everyday that you may not even notice can be downright painful for me. The very environment in which I have to live often seems hostile. I may appear withdrawn or belligerent to you but I am really just trying to defend myself. Here is why a "simple" trip to the grocery store may be hell for me:

My hearing may be hyper-acute. Dozens of people are talking at once. The loudspeaker booms today's special. Musak whines from the sound system. Cash registers beep and cough, a coffee grinder is chugging. The meat cutter screeches, babies wail, carts creak, the fluorescent lighting hums. My brain can't filter all the input and I'm in overload!

My sense of smell may be highly sensitive. The fish at the meat counter isn't quite fresh, the guy standing next to us hasn't showered today, the deli is handing out sausage samples, the baby in line ahead of us has a poopy diaper, they're mopping up pickles on aisle 3 with ammonia. I can't sort it all out. I am dangerously nauseated.

Because I am visually oriented (see more on this below), this may be my first sense to become overstimulated. The fluorescent light is not only too bright, it buzzes and hums. The room seems to pulsate and it hurts my eyes. The pulsating light bounces off everything and distorts what I am seeing -- the space seems to be constantly changing. There's glare from windows, too many items for me to be able to focus (I may compensate with "tunnel vision"), moving fans on the ceiling, so many bodies in constant motion. All this affects my vestibular and proprioceptive senses, and now I can't even tell where my body is in space.

3. Please remember to distinguish between won't (I choose not to) and can't (I am not able to).

Receptive and expressive language and vocabulary can be major challenges for me. It isn't that I don't listen to instructions. It's that I can't understand you. When you call to me from across the room, this is what I hear: "*&^%$@, Billy. $%^*&^%$&* ??â€--"? ??â€--"? ??â€--"?" Instead, come speak directly to me in plain words: "Please put your book in your desk, Billy. It's time to go to lunch." This tells me what you want me to do and what is going to happen next. Now it is much easier for me to comply.

4. I am a concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very literally. It's very confusing for me when you say, "Hold your horses, cowboy!" when what you really mean is "Please stop running." Don't tell me something is a "piece of cake" when there is no dessert in sight and what you really mean is "this will be easy for you to do." When you say "It's pouring cats and dogs," I see pets coming out of a pitcher. Please just tell me "It's raining very hard."

Idioms, puns, nuances, double entendres, inference, metaphors, allusions and sarcasm are lost on me.

5. Please be patient with my limited vocabulary. It's hard for me to tell you what I need when I don't know the words to describe my feelings. I may be hungry, frustrated, frightened or confused but right now those words are beyond my ability to express. Be alert for body language, withdrawal, agitation or other signs that something is wrong.

Or, there's a flip side to this: I may sound like a "little professor" or movie star, rattling off words or whole scripts well beyond my developmental age. These are messages I have memorized from the world around me to compensate for my language deficits because I know I am expected to respond when spoken to. They may come from books, TV, the speech of other people. It is called "echolalia." I don't necessarily understand the context or the terminology I'm using. I just know that it gets me off the hook for coming up with a reply.

6. Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented. Please show me how to do something rather than just telling me. And please be prepared to show me many times. Lots of consistent repetition helps me learn.

A visual schedule is extremely helpful as I move through my day. Like your day-timer, it relieves me of the stress of having to remember what comes next, makes for smooth transition between activities, helps me manage my time and meet your expectations. Here's a great website for learning more about visual schedules: www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/structure/str11.htm .

I won't lose the need for a visual schedule as I get older, but my "level of representation" may change. Before I can read, I need a visual schedule with photographs or simple drawings. As I get older, a combination of words and pictures may work, and later still, just words.

7. Please focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can't do. Like any other human, I can't learn in an environment where I'm constantly made to feel that I'm not good enough and that I need "fixing." Trying anything new when I am almost sure to be met with criticism, however "constructive," becomes something to be avoided. Look for my strengths and you will find them. There is more than one "right" way to do most things.

8. Please help me with social interactions. It may look like I don't want to play with the other kids on the playground, but sometimes it's just that I simply do not know how to start a conversation or enter a play situation. If you can encourage other children to invite me to join them at kickball or shooting baskets, it may be that I'm delighted to be included.

I do best in structured play activities that have a clear beginning and end. I don't know how to "read" facial expressions, body language or the emotions of others, so I appreciate ongoing coaching in proper social responses. For example, if I laugh when Emily falls off the slide, it's not that I think it's funny. It's that I don't know the proper response. Teach me to say "Are you OK?"

9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns. Meltdowns, blow-ups, tantrums or whatever you want to call them are even more horrid for me than they are for you. They occur because one or more of my senses has gone into overload. If you can figure out why my meltdowns occur, they can be prevented. Keep a log noting times, settings, people, activities. A pattern may emerge.

Try to remember that all behavior is a form of communication. It tells you, when my words cannot, how I perceive something that is happening in my environment.

Parents, keep in mind as well: persistent behavior may have an underlying medical cause. Food allergies and sensitivities, sleep disorders and gastrointestinal problems can all have profound effects on behavior.

10. If you are a family member, please love me unconditionally. Banish thoughts like, "If he would just...." and "Why can't she...." You did not fulfill every last expectation your parents had for you and you wouldn't like being constantly reminded of it. I did not choose to have autism. But remember that it is happening to me, not you. Without your support, my chances of successful, self-reliant adulthood are slim. With your support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you -- I am worth it.

And finally, three words: Patience. Patience. Patience. Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me.

Mystery Shopper

I'm so excited! I've been hired to be a mystery shopper and I have my first assignment tomorrow! The jobs don't pay much - usually from $5-$30 plus reimbursement for what is purchased (up to a certain amount) - but it should be fun. Lord knows I love to shop! I am good with details (you should see the forms that need to be filled out afterwards!) - I like to write and am always appreciative of good customer service - sounds like a perfect job for me, right?

On This Day...

1957 - American Bandstand, hosted by Dick clark, made its network debut on ABC

1962 - Marilyn Monroe (age 36) was found dead in her Los Angeles home

1995 - I married my husband in Las Vegas, Nevada

Trip Report In The Works

We've been home from Orlando for about a week now and I'm still working on the trip report... The mountains of laundry I had to face upon our return and the illness and sudden death of my precious cat have really thrown me for a loop. It's been 72 hours since she passed but I'm still feeling blue about it and not very motivated to complete any of the things on my "to do list"...

I'll definitely get to it - just not sure when!

Rest in Peace, Sweetheart

February 14, 2003 - July 27, 2007

So Hard To Say Goodbye

We are about to lose a beloved family pet and it's more difficult than I ever imagined it'd be. My cat, Peaches (a.k.a. Peenie McFeenie, Peeper, PeePee Dirl, Peenie Mu-Cha-Cha, Chicka, Peenerator etc.), was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. Her abdomen is filled with masses and there isn't anything that can be done. I was given a medication (ciproheptadine) to stimulate her appetite in hopes that we can make her more comfortable over the weekend. (She hasn't eaten in a few days and is weighing just 4 pounds after losing 10+ pounds in recent months.) The medication is working but I'm not sure I'm going to continue to administer it to her as the nature of her cancer (stomach, liver, bowels etc.) is making the elimination of what she is eating difficult and painful.

I am trying to prepare the children (ages 7 and 8) but it's hard when I don't feel prepared myself. Their questions - my daughters' especially - are so difficult to answer.

Peaches has been a wonderful pet and companion for almost 14 and a half years. She has always had a sweet disposition and a kind, loving nature. She will be terribly missed.

The picture above was taken back in 1993 when she wasn't even a year old yet. She is the one on the counter - my other cat, Bo, is the one in the sink.

Trip Planning #2

To follow up on my pre-flight hotel post from a few weeks ago...

We're again flying American Airlines. I participate in their frequent flyer program and try to fly them whenever possible. Too - they offer a non-stop from LAX to Orlando which is preferable for me. The kids love flying so I don't worry too much about it. I usually try to pack various activities into the backpacks they carry on-board - workbooks, reading books, markers and paper... We also have a great portable DVD player that they can use to watch movies. That little thing helps tremendously with these 5-hour cross-country flights! For this trip, I recently bought them Bridge To Terabithia and Akeelah and the Bee keep them entertained.

I love that AA lets you check-in and print boarding passes online. This makes arriving at the airport so much easier. We've flown half a dozen times in the past few years and security (even at large airports like LAX) hasn't ever been a problem.

Stay tuned for a massive trip report later this month!

July Already?

What happened to June?!

The kids celebrated their last day of 1st grade on Thursday May 31. They had one day off before starting Summer School on Monday June 4. We're already almost finished with the 6-week program and they are doing wonderfully. Their last day is the 13th of July and, save for swim lessons, they have nothing else planned until school starts again in August.

We just finished up a months' worth of tennis lessons thrugh our local park & recreation program and I am so surprised at how well they did and at how much improvement they showed with just 8 lessons. They both loved it and will definitey continue playing.

The countdown is on for our Disneyworld trip! The kids are so excited. Mom is too, honestly!

Dodgers vs. Cubs

My Father has been a Dodger fan for as long as I can remember. My husband was born and raised in Chicago and has been a Cubs fan since birth. We always try to make it to a game when the Cubs make their way out west and this year was no exception. The two teams only play once this season and we were fortunate enough to get 8 tickets for a suite at the Saturday May 26 game. Even more exciting than the suite tickets, though, was the opportunity we had to actually go onto the field beforehand for some pre-game festivities. The kids participated in an autograph gathering and my Dad (celebrating his 61st birthday May 30) threw out the first pitch!


Such a beautiful park!


My sister, friend, husband and Dad posing with the Dodgers' relief catcher.


My girlfriend and I in the suite before the game.

Greggy Girl

I discovered this fabulous line of little girls' clothing a few months ago and have found two adorable outfits for my daughter to wear on our DisneyWorld trip/cruise later this Summer - one is nautical and the other, Pirate Couture. Visit Charlene May's site to locate stores that carry her line or check on eBay!

Lumpy's Run To The Wall

Someone I know is making his way from his home in California to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. He managed to somehow pack a digital camera and his laptop onto his hog and is updating a blog when he can - check it out and support him on his journey!

15 Years Ago...

...my husband and I went on our first date. It was a Sunday and he took me to the White Horse Inn in the San Fernando Valley. I believe it was at the corner of White Oak and Roscoe but have heard that it has since closed down. We moved in together exactly 6 months later and married three years after that. It's gone by so fast and - here we are - 12 years of marriage and 2 kids later...

Happy birthday, Debbie!

Have a great one, my friend!

29, right?

On This Day...

1889 - Adolf Hitler was born

1941 - Ryan O'Neal was born

1948 - My Mommy was born (Happy birthday, Mom!)

1949 - Jessica Lange was born

1971 - the United States Supreme Court upheld the use of busing to achieve racial desegregation in schools

1972 - Carmen Electra was born

1999 - 2 students went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher before taking their own lives

Oklahoma City National Memorial

It's hard to believe it's been 12 years...

Trip Planning #1

I love going on vacation. I love planning for vacations almost just as much. Maybe I'll look into becoming a Travel Agent in my next life...

Anyway - those of you who have visited me here for a while know that I like "detailed" trip reports and I'm sure I'll write one once we return in July. I thought it'd be fun to post here some of the pre-trip goings on as well and, today, I booked the hotel that we'll stay at the night before our early morning flight out of LAX.

A few years ago, we discovered the Renaissance Montura - a Marriott property very close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and perfect for the night before those early morning flights out of town. We get a Park & Fly rate there (with our AAA discount) of less than $200. (I booked our room for July at $169 and will continue to check their site for the rate as, if they lower it, they'll adjust my reservation accordingly.) The Park & Fly rate includes a fabulous room (with amazing views of the airport runways but literally no airplane noise!) on the Club Level which allows us access to the concierge lounge that has beverages, cocktails, snack foods, hors d'ouevres, desserts and breakfast as well as 7 days of free valet parking while we are away! The parking alone is $21/day so the rate is incredibly reasonable! Also included in the rate is a limo (towncar) ride to the airport the morning of the flight. Can't beat that!

Mickey Mouse Here We Come!

It's official - we are taking the kids to Orlando this Summer for a week! We are all so excited. Our children have never been to Disneyworld and my husband and I have only been there once for a short period of time and, while we did spend an evening at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney and enjoyed a nice dinner atop Disney's Contemporary Resort at The California Grill, we did not have any time to really explore the city or any of the Disney Parks. I am all about "memory-making" for my kids and I know this trip will be fantastic!

We are going to stay at the airport in L.A. pre-flight as we usually do when we fly out early. We'll then enjoy 2-day park-hopper tickets early in the week before catching a shuttle from our hotel (The Disney Yacht Club) to Port Canaveral where we will board the MS Disney Wonder for a 3-Day Bahamian Cruise. More details to come...

Spring

I love Spring... I have many azaleas and other plants that are so pretty this time of year. I thought it'd be fun to share some pictures from around the "casa de OnlineMom"!

In Memory of Dana Fisher (August 21, 1953 - March 23, 2007)

When my husband and I purchased our very first personal computer, it was October of 1992. We were so excited to finally have access to the "world wide web". We subscribed to Prodigy (Classic) when it became available and I immediately became hooked on their message boards. Dana was the first person I met online - my very first "online friend".

He was a chemist and computer-know-it-all who helped me with everything from e-mail to HTML and beyond. We made the switch from Prodigy Classic to Prodigy Internet together and stayed in touch even after they were long gone (bought out by SBC Yahoo in 2001).

We exchanged e-mails, instant messages, photographs of our families, online jokes and websites and even Christmas cards through the mail for over 10 years. We loved to chat about our families, NASCAR, technology, bowling, his job and their beloved puppies.

In early 2006, he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) - news that stunned and deeply saddened me. He suffered tremendously and had to give up all activity very quickly once he lost use/mobility of his hands and arms. He passsed away on March 23, 2007 at home in West Virginia with his wife and family at his side.

On This Day...

1889 - Eiffel Tower Opens

1945 - Don Sutton (L.A. Dodgers) was born

1992 - John Gotti found guilty in death of Paul Castallanos

2005 - Pope John Paul II dies

Video From The Masters

They have live cameras set up Monday-Wednesday at the driving range and tournament coverage starts on Thursday.

I love Masters week!

212 Yards

That was how far I hit my drive on #2 today - my longest drive ever!

The weather here has been wonderful and I've been taking full advantage of it (hence my absence from the blog!). I've been golfing three times/week and absolutely loving it. It's so great to be at it again!

FORE!

I've started golfing again.

It's a sport that I spent time around my entire life. My Father has played (every Saturday and Sunday) for as long as I can recall and my husband plays once or twice/week as his schedule allows. I first picked up a club in 1995 - right after we were married. I was instantly hooked. I wasn't great - but I did seem to inherit my Fathers' natural swing and I definitely discovered a passion for it.

For a few years, I played regularly with a girlfriend - two or three times during the week. In 1998, though, once I became pregnant for the first time, I gave it up. I lost that pregnancy (as well as a few others) and my priorities changed as my husband and I struggled to start our family. My children were born in June of 1999 and June of 2000 and I didn't get back onto the driving range until 2002. Even that, though, was short-lived - life was just too hectic with two toddlers for me to get out and play with any regularity.

My kids are finally in school full-time (5 hours/day), now, and I have been thinking about picking it up again since last Fall.

Recently, I dusted off my Callaway irons and my Big Bertha driver and started visiting the range again on the days when I don't work in the classrooms. It's great to be back out there again! Starting next week, I hope to start playing at least two times/week. God help me! As much as I enjoy the game - it makes me absolutely nuts. I expect a lot of myself and have high expectations that I can't consistently meet!

On This Day...

1944 - Carole Bayer Sager was born

1945 - Mickey Dolenz

1963 - Kathy Ireland

1976 - Freddie Prinze Jr.

1971 - Joe Frazier beats Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden and retains heavyweight boxing title

1974 - Charles de Gaulle Airport opens in Paris France

1986 - Martina Navratilova is 1st tennis player to earn $10 million

On This Day...

1913 - Federal income tax takes effect (16th amendment)

1920 - Harry Caray was born (Chicago Cubs baseball announcer) GO CUBBIES!

1932 - Charles Lindbergh Jr. (20 months old), kidnapped in New Jersey

1944 - Roger Daltrey was born in Hammersmith London England, (The Who rocker/actor/producer)

1969 - Jim Morrison arrested for exposing himself at Dinner Key Auditorium

1988 - Pontiac announces the end of the Fiero automobile

2007 - At least 8 people at a high school killed when a tornado touches down in Enterprise, Alabama

Sunday NASCAR

We had a great time at our 2nd NASCAR race (The Auto Club 500) last Sunday. We didn't stay the night (like we did last September) - just going down for the day. The kids did great (despite the two long drives and all of the excitement) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves once again. The race was great and the weather was much better - 40 degrees cooler than the 115 degree temps we dealt with over Labor Day!

My son was thrilled to meet Kasey Kahne and drive around the track with him once before the race started. He has yet to meet his favorite driver (Tony Stewart) but we're hoping to make that happen for him eventually!

I never would've dreamed - just a year ago - that we would ever have this much fun at a race! We really look forward to the two times each year NASCAR comes to southern California and are already making plans to go again in a few months!

On This Day...

1940 - Mario Andretti was born (race-car driver)

1979 - Mr Ed (talking horse) died

1983 - Final TV episode of "MASH" aired on CBS; record 125 million watched

1997 - North Hollywood Shootout at a Bank of America in California (I can't believe it's been 10 years! I lived just a few miles from the bank back in 1997 band will never forget how wild and scary the event was - with every minute televised for the world to watch.)

Bury Her, Already!

I'm sickened that a Mother would allow her deceased child to lay in a cold morgue for three weeks. I am sympathetic to Virgie Arthur's situation and her loss but she is the one holding up Anna Nicole Smith's burial and I am of the opinion that it has been more than proved that Anna Nicole wanted to be buried with her son in the Bahamas. To stop that from happening, like she is (there is talk of taking her appeal to the Florda Supreme Court now!), is just the most selfish thing I could ever imagine anyone doing.

Hypocrisy?

Got a good laugh out of this one...

POWER: GORE MANSION USES 20X AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD; CONSUMPTION INCREASE AFTER 'TRUTH'
Mon Feb 26 2007 17:16:14 ET

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through free market policy solutions, issued a press release late Monday:



Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.

“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.

For Further Information, Contact:
Nicole Williams, (615) 383-6431
editor@tennesseepolicy.org

Britney

I know that most are probably tired of hearing about Britney Spears' head-shaving/tattoo-acquiring escapade last Friday night. It's been on my mind, though, and I have decided to post (briefly) about it... I was very upset when I heard about what she'd done and mortified when I saw those first few pictures.

I do not think there is anything amusing or funny about what she did. I do not think her behavior was part of any "publicity stunt" and I do not think she's doing it because she is an "idiot" or "looking for attention".

My gut feeling is that she is a girl who is in desperate need of help - vulnerable, out of control and, most likely, under the (heavy) influence of either alcohol or drugs (or both). She is self-destructing.

Someone very close to me went through something similar a few years ago (although obviously not as publicly) and it was horrible. Most facilities will not keep someone against their will so - unless the person with the issues wants to, they cannot be forced to accept help. We were told that there was nothing we could do and that waiting for our loved one to "hit rock bottom and ask for help" was our only option. I feel for Britney's family right now - especially those two precious baby boys. I have no doubt that - despite her behavior - she loves her children. Whatever she is under the influence of is rendering her completely incapable of making sensible decisions and taking reasonable care of her children and even herself.

There are reports this afternoon that she has, once again, entered a rehabilitation facility voluntarily - Promises (in Malibu and not far from the home that she, probably hastily, put up for sale yesterday). I hope she is really ready to admit that she has a problem and that she is prepared to put forth the effort to get and stay clean and healthy.

Feeling "Lonely" on Valentine's Day?

Cutest thing I've ever seen! I love YouTube!

1 in 150

Washington, D.C., Feb. 8, 2007 -- This morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released, through its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the latest revised prevalence figures for autism. The report indicates that the prevalence of autism is now 1 in 150, up from the 1 in 166 figure reported by the CDC in January 2004.

Today's report states, "Findings from this first U.S. multi-site collaborative study to monitor ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorders] prevalence demonstrated consistency across the majority of sites, with prevalence statistically significantly (p<0.001) higher in New Jersey. Average ASD prevalence across all six sites was 6.7 per 1,000 children aged 8 years. These results indicate that ASDs are more common than was believed previously."

Speaking at a Capitol Hill briefing about the new data, Dr. Gary Goldstein, Autism Speaks' Scientific Advisory Committee Chair and President of the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins said, "These new numbers provide a much more accurate picture of a disorder that has undoubtedly become a major national health crisis. Our dedication to finding critical answers about autism -- potential causes, better treatments and, hopefully, a cure -- must become that much more urgent today."

These new prevalence estimates are the first to come from multiple sites utilizing the same methodology for the same points in time. (Previous prevalence estimates have been from single sites and have relied on differing methodologies). According to the CDC, these data represent the most comprehensive effort to obtain accurate prevalence figures for Autism Spectrum Disorders to date, and offer important information about the prevalence of these conditions in multiple parts of the U.S.

As part of this study, six ADDM sites evaluated the prevalence of ASDs for children who were 8 years old in 2000 (born in 1992): Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina and West Virginia.

An additional eight sites determined ASD prevalence for children who were 8 in 2002 (born in 1994): Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin.

Anna Nicole Smith Has Died

I wasn't surprised when I heard at lunch today that she had been rushed to the hospital. The news of her death, though, absolutely shocked me. Poor Dannielynn... My heart aches for that child.

Vegas was a BUST

Our trip to Vegas for the Super Bowl was a bust. The man I married is ethical, hard-working, dedicated and fiscally responsible - all good things, I know - but, in this instance, they got in the way of my party weekend! (I'm kidding, of course.)

Caesar's Palace was great about cancelling our reservations at such late notice. I know they'd been sold out or months so I'm certain they had no problem finding someone else to stay in our room!

Going to the Grammy's Again!

Yessssssss!

We scored another invite to the Grammy's this year - I am so excited... Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Gnarls Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Police are all scheduled to perform at the Staples Center February 11. I can't wait!

Super Bowl XLI Commercials

The ads are such a fun part of the Super Bowl... This year, a 30-second space is reportedly being sold for $2.4M!

There is a video at YouTube (put out by Budweiser Media) that has snippets of all of the Budweiser Super Bowl commercials. My son is going to love the Mad Max (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) one but I think the "But He Has Bud Light" spot is going to be hysterical!

The much-hyped K-Fed commercial for Nationwide Insurance is actually pretty funny.

This one from GoDaddy.com was supposedly banned - too funny.

And, lastly, the pitched idea that won the NFL Super Bowl contest - I can't wait to see it!

Barbaro Euthanized

Such a sad story...

Autism on The View

According to my TV Guide, The View is going to dedicate an hour to Autism today. Toni Braxton (whom I believe has a child recently diagnosed) will be a guest. I don't usually watch the show but will certainly tune in. I am always happy to see the disorder receive attention in the mainstream media.

It looks like I'm going to have to tune in to Regis & Kelly as well - Rockstar Supernova is performing!

In My Thoughts And Prayers

Kelley Tuthill is a young Mom and television reporter in Boston who has taken her battle with breast cancer public. Read her diary and follow her progress as she fights for her life.

SAG Awards

Did anyone watch it last night? (Isn't everyone an awards show junkie like me?!) Anyway - Chandra Wilson won (deservedly so) for best female actor in a drama series for her role as Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy and her acceptance speech was absolutely adorable - I literally laughed out loud!

Weekend Ramblings

Well - it look like Tiger Woods is going to win the Buick Invitational. Again. My husband was down in La Jolla for most of the week beginning last Friday night (the night of the previously mentioned birthday party). He played in practice rounds at Torrey Pines (south course) on both Saturday and Sunday and then came home for a day and a half of work before leaving to go back down for a round in the official tournament pro-am on Wednesday. He was paired with PGA professional Ryan Moore who we were pleased to see made the cut Friday and, when he finished today, was tied for 16th!

We had a rather nice, quiet weekend at home. We leave for Vegas on Friday so I have been busy with laundry, lists for Grandma, house-cleaning, etc... We're looking so forward to the trip. We were invited to a Super Bowl party at Jet nightclub in The Mirage but haven't decided if we'll do that or watch at our favorite sportsbook in Vegas - Caesar's Palace. Regardless - it'll be great. I still don't think it has sunk in for my husband that his much-loved Bears are going to be there!

And to update on my sons' little "meltdown" at the birthday party a week ago... according to his teacher, not one child in attendance mentioned his behavior at s chool on Monday! I was so pleased - for him. He was so certain that he had "ruined" the party yet that definitely doesn't seem to be the case. I know that some kids make fun of him and have been less than kind but, the majority of them seem to accept him for what/who he is - for now.

Report Card Time Again

The year is already more than half over - hard to believe!

Report cards were sent home last week. We didn't have parent-teacher conferences this time around - they just sent them home with the kids in an envelope that we were asked to sign and return.

My daughter received an absolutely perfect report card. No tardies, no absences and no deficiencies. She received a + in every area. (Letter grades aren't done here until 3rd grade. Until then, the kids get a + for "meets standards", a checkmark for "needs assistance meeting standards" and a - for "does not meet standards".) I'm so proud of her - the only comment her teacher made was that she was a great student and a hard-worker. Such a good little girl...

My son received a super report card as well. I'm very proud to say that three areas in which he "needed assistance" last quarter have now been changed to "meets standards". They were: follows directions, completes work in a timely manner and works independently. Good for him! Three other areas where he "needed assistance" 1st quarter remained the same but they are all things that we are aware of and working on - handwriting, creative writing... Some of the math concepts introduced in the 2nd quarter earned him a "needs assistance" as well. That was a little upsetting since he had met all of the standards in math 1st quarter. The pace of the work has picked up a bit in the 2nd quarter, though. Some concepts they've introduced were giving him trouble until just recently when we (finally) discovered a method of teaching them which works for him.

Meals On Wheels

A friend of ours (whom we met through the local Rotary) found out that his wife has an advanced stage cancer in mid-December. She had surgery on her bile ducts before Christmas and will start chemo after she has recovered from that. A fellow Rotarian got a calendar out and assigned a night to those of us willing to make dinner for the couple. Our night is tonight and I've been cooking a new soup recipe (to bring over with some fresh french bread) all day.

The Lady's Chicken Noodle Soup
Courtesy of Paula Deen

Stock:
1 (2 1/2 to 3-pound) fryer chicken, cut up
3 1/2 quarts water
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 bay leaves
3 chicken bouillon cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Soup:
2 cups sliced carrots
2 cups sliced celery, with leafy green tops
2 1/2 cups uncooked egg noodles
1 cup sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup cooking sherry
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup grated Parmesan, optional
3/4 cup heavy cream, optional
Seasoning salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Crusty French bread, for serving


For the stock: add all ingredients to a soup pot. Cook until chicken is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and set aside to cool. Remove and discard bay leaves and onion. You should have approximately 3 quarts of stock. When chicken is cool enough to touch, pick bones clean, discarding bones, skin, and cartilage. Set chicken aside.

For the soup: bring stock back to a boil, add carrots, and cook for 3 minutes. Add celery and continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg noodles and cook according to directions on package. When noodles are done, add chicken, mushrooms, parsley, sherry and rosemary. Add Parmesan and cream, if using. Cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning, if needed, by adding seasoning salt and pepper.

Super Proposal

I just heard a story on FoxNews about this guy...

Interesting! Gotta love the internet!

Rumors of New Dancing Stars

Rumor has it that Ian Ziering (Beverly Hills 90210), ex-NSYNC member Joey Fatone, Billy Ray Cyrus and Laila Ali (Muhammad's daughter) will be sparticipating in the next Dancing With The Stars season (starting March 19). A girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to attend a taping of the first episode last season and would love to go again!

XLI

Well - it's been decided! Bears vs. Colts for the Super Bowl in Miami - cannot wait for the game!

I look forward to the next two weeks - curious to see what the spread is and who is favored.

I love Vegas during Super Bowl weekend!

Birthday Party = Disaster

My beautiful son (who is 7.5 years old and Autistic for anyone who doesn't know) went to a birthday party for a classmate this afternoon. He's been incredibly excited about it since the minute the invitation arrived. I was excited for him - eager to get him some peer socialization (something we struggle with right now) outside the confines of his classroom.

The party was at a local warehouse that contains huge rooms full of blow-up bounce-house type toys. The place was great - very clean, well-staffed and organized. When we arrived, his eyes started spinning like a cartoon characters' might. He has had a tendency in the past to get easily overwhelmed but we haven't seen him in such a state in months. It's probably something we should've predicted - the excitement and anticipation of what he was about to partake in, the colors (red, purple, yellow, blue and green walls), the noise (children screaming with joy, music) and the brightly-colored mosaic tile floors and carpets were making even the most typical kids explode with excitement.

We stayed for a little while and reminded him about things like visiting the bathroom when necessary, not crying when the party was over and it was time to go, adhering to the rules of the facility etc... He was semi-receptive but definitely eager to break free and get to the fun. After about 10 minutes of watching him jump around like a monkey and feeling comfortable that he was safe and enjoying himself, we decided to take our daughter (6.5 and not invited to said party) out to dinner.

The little party-goers spent 40 minutes in one room with 5-6 play "bounce" areas, 40 minutes in a second room with more fun bounce toys and then the final 40 minutes in a private room for the actual birthday party (pizza, cake, gift-opening etc.).

We returned about 10 minutes into the third (party) session to find our son sweaty, discombobulated, red and crying his eyes out. He was not terribly coherent and obviously overwhelmed. The busy bustle of the party was going on around him as he cried in a heap on the floor. I went to him to find out what was wrong and he said that his balloon had popped. Seconds later, an employee of the company approached him with a replacement. He stood up but contined to cry. When asked why, he replied that he wasn't done playing. I explained that that portion of the party was over (an hour and 20 minutes wasn't enough for him!) and gave him a few minutes to try and re-group. The irrational and uncontrollable tears continued to flow so we decided it was time to leave. He was upset about missing the cake and even said to me at one point that he "knew (he) ruined the party".

..Oh how my heart hurts for this child..

I assured him that he didn't "ruin" anything and that his friends understood. He did not resist our early departure - as much as he might've wanted to stay, I think he knew that he was out of control and could take no more.

We didn't talk about it much after we arrived home as I didn't want to dwell. Perhaps tomorrow we will discuss what happened.

He's almost 8 years old and it's so disheartening to see him doing things that other children did at ages 3, 4 and maybe 5. I've learned that there are lots of things I can help him with (academics, sensory issues, social stories etc.) but what can I do to help him mature?

A few things upset me about tonight. Firstly, it's hard to see him act like that in public. It's been a long time since he has been this out of control. While I'll never enjoy it, I've grown accustomed to the stares and the (mostly) sympathetic looks from other parents and have learned to not let them upset me. (Reminds me of a t-shirt I came across online once that read "My child is Autistic - what's your kids' excuse?" Hah!) More bothersome, was the fact that I think he really realized that his behavior was out-of-the-norm. Until now, he's always been seemingly unaware of his odd behaviors and differences - and it's been a bit of a blessing. He was not oblivious last night, though - he knew nobody else in the room was acting the way he was but he just couldn't control himself.

I hate that for him. I worry about his self esteem and wonder if it might not be time to start talking to him about his Autism - making sure that he understands that certain things he does are not his fault and that a neurological problem he has is to blame. As much as Autism is a part of our lives (in my head and in my heart every minute of every day), it's not something we have ever really discussed specifically or at length with him. How will we know when it's time? What do we say?

SNAP

Finally - my 7.5 year old son can snap his own pants.

Despite years of private occupational therapy (from which he has graduated - hmmm...), he has a number of fine motor problems (zipping, handwriting, buttoning etc.) and has not been able to do his own pants until just recently. He didn't even want to try - getting frustrated after just a few attempts. Over Christmas break, though, he showed initiative - wanting to do it himself (despite being thin enough to pull up most of his pants without even un-doing them). It took a few days but his little fingers have finally figured it out. Now, he will un-do and re-do them ad nauseum - he's so proud and we are too.

I hate that things that come so easily to my daughter (and other "typical" children) are always such a struggle for him. Boy do we celebrate as a family when he passes another milestone, though - no matter how "late" it is!

We're hoping to tackle shoe-tying next...

Brrrr!

California is in the midst of a major deep-freeze at the moment. We've had temps in the 20's every night for a week - breaking 20-40 year old records. Every morning, we are waking to stories of burst (frozen) pipes at area restaurants, homes and apartment complexes and the devastation to local citrus crops has been horrendous. I read somewhere that citrus in California is a $1 billion/year business and estimates are that 80% or more of crops have been destroyed.

The temperatures haven't bothered me as much as I'd have thought. I do worry constantly about my next PG&E bill (I'm conservative with the heater in our home but gas prices are high here right now) and, at night, I wake with every little sound - wondering if one of our pipes is getting ready to burst. The kids (neither of whom are accustomed to such temperatures) haven't minded much either. They'd love for some snow to accompany the cold weather but we haven't seen a single flake!

This is just going to make the arrival of Spring that much sweeter!

Heartbreaking

Nikki Bacharach, daughter of Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson, committed suicide, the songwriter and actress said in a statement Friday.

Nikki Bacharach, 40, suffered from Asperger's Disorder, a form of autism. She killed herself Thursday night at her condo, said Linda Dozoretz, a spokeswoman for the family.

"She quietly and peacefully committed suicide to escape the ravages to her brain brought on by Asperger's," the statement said.

Nikki Bacharach died of suffocation using a plastic bag and helium, said Mike Feiler of the Ventura County coroner's office.

Born prematurely in 1966, Lea Nikki Bacharach studied geology at Cal Lutheran University, but could not pursue a career in the field because of poor eyesight.

"She loved kitties, and earthquakes, glacial calving, meteor showers, science, blue skies and sunsets, and Tahiti," the statement said.

Nikki Bacharach was the only child of Burt Bacharach, 77, and Dickinson, 75, who were married from 1965 to 1981.

It was the second marriage for both Bacharach, the Oscar-winning composer of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and "What the World Needs Now is Love," and Dickinson, star of the film "Dress to Kill" and the TV show "Police Woman."

Bacharach has three children from other marriages.

No More 25-Cent Martini Lunches!

From the Las Vegas Review Journal:

In a day of surprise announcements, Mandalay Bay said it plans to close "Mamma Mia!" in late summer of 2008, and Commander's Palace, a spinoff of the New Orleans fine dining icon, said it will shut down Jan. 16.

"Mamma Mia!" is the third Broadway production to call it quits in Las Vegas, but the ABBA-based show will have lasted 5 1/2 years and 2,300 performances. "Avenue Q" lasted nine months at Wynn Las Vegas; "Hairspray" had a four-month run at Luxor.

It was not immediately clear whether Commander's Palace, which opened shortly after the new Aladdin's rebirth in 2000, was heading for another location, as rumored. Chef Carlos Guia confirmed the imminent closure of Commander's Palace in an e-mail.

Also announced Thursday, but not unexpected, was Celine Dion's end date at Caesars Palace. Her 4 1/2-year run will end Dec 15.

I've seen Mamma Mia! and am not upset (or surprised) about the fact that it's closing. I'm absolutely crushed about the closing of Commander's Palace, though! It is THE most amazing, wonderful restaurant - I love everything about it and am certainly hoping that it will just be relocating and not leaving the city completely. I have wonderful memories of their 25-cent martini lunches from the past 2 Summers. It's something we look forward to all year long!

Vegas-bound

We are going for the Super Bowl again this year. We did it a few years ago and had a blast. We're staying at Caesar's Palace this time. I'd hoped to see Celine Dion - she announced recently that her show there will be ending later this year - it appears that she is not going to be performing the weekend we're there, though - bummer. I hope the Bears make it through the playoffs to the Super Bowl. If they do, of course, my husband will have to make a decision between Vegas and Miami for the weekend!

Are you KIDDING me?!

Right after Thanksgiving, a neighbor of ours began preparing for what was obviously going to be quite a large holiday party. We live in a neighborhood where large parties (political fundraisers, company parties etc.) are thrown frequently and it's not uncommon to see rental companies, caterers etc. driving up and down the street. Preparations for this particular get-together, however, were the likes of which I have never seen before. They started the Monday after Thanksgiving and continued all week long - dozens of trucks and vans daily handling tent installation, generator set-up, decorating... Most of the companies (rental agencies, party planners) were from Los Angeles - a bit unusual - and I drove by every day just dying of curiousity. I had hopes that the resident (new to the neighborhood) would kindly invite his neighbors (customary, isn't it?) - but no such luck.

The party was held on Saturday December 2nd. We saw a tour bus with music equipment pull up and unload early in the day and then limousines, caterers (Wolfgang Puck) and VIP transport/protection busses later on. We had tickets to a Lakers/Clippers game that evening so we missed out on the actual event. When we returned home just before midnight, things were breaking up and we never did hear what exactly went on.

I had mentioned the party to the lady who does my nails at my appointment in mid-December and she was as curious as I was. At my next appointment - just after Christmas - she couldn't wait to tell me that she had spoken with a client who was there (or was it a client who knew someone that was there?)! Apparently, the story was that the music guest at the party that night was none other than INXS - a band I have loved and followed since I was in high school! I didn't believe her at first - it was just too bizarre. The more I thought about it, though, the more plausible it seemed. They were back in the U.S. after touring in Europe - even in California on the Thursday before (House of Blues) and in Indio (2 hours from here) on Friday just the night before. I came home (stunned) and did a bit of research. I couldn't find any specifics but it was common knowledge on a few of the online fan bulletin boards that they were at an "invitation only private party" Saturday night.

Oh. My. God.

What are the chances of that?!

J.D. Fortune, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Beers, and Tim, Andrew and Jon Farriss - right across the street from my house! And I wasn't there! I will forever be annoyed by that fact... Note to self: GET TO KNOW THY NEIGHBOR!