Jack flies to the O.C.

We're in Southern California for a much needed vacation.

So far, so good! I'll keep you posted!

Today we venture to the happiest place on earth ... or that's what they tell me

Autism: The Dreaded Santa at the Mall Visit

Sometimes

there are simply

no words....

To read more about our Santa Saga, visit my real Autismville blog on Parents.com. Speaking of the Parents.com blog, they fixed the RSS feed. Merry Christmas to me and all four of my subscribers!

Holiday Meme

Posted this on my Parents.com blog, but thought I would post it here too.

***

Seems I’ve been memed by Maddy at one of my favorite blogs, Whitterer on Autism. Even though she hates messing with the technical challenges of interacting with my blog, she actually described me as “lovely.” Her kind-hearted comment made me feel sort of misty-eyed... and totally gave me the initiative to go take a shower and put on some lip gloss.

So, ho, ho, ho, here goes!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Both, but I’m a horrible, horrible gift wrapper. I once cut my bedspread in half by accident while wrapping a gift.

2. Real tree or artificial?

Pre-lit artificial. It’s just easier and it doesn’t make my eyes itch.

3. When do you put up your tree?

Try to the weekend after Thanksgiving. I just finished decorating this year’s today.


4. When do you take the tree down?

First week of January or sometime before Valentine’s Day, depending on the year.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Ick…

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

The entire set of Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books. I’ll never forget it. I bought a set for Amy. She didn't care.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?

Somewhere…

8. The hardest person to buy for?

Jack. Have no idea what he wants. Fortunately, some of my blog buddies chimed in on the last blog entry and gave me some fabulous suggestions. Target here I come.
9. The easiest person to buy for?

Amy. She wants everything.

10. The worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Toenail clippers.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?

Mostly mail. Although I still haven’t mailed this year’s. Yikes


12) Favorite Christmas movie?

Tie.

Love Actually/It’s a Wonderful Life.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Generally the second week of December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Not that I recall.

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas?
Cookies!

And breakfast. We eat a hearty breakfast (pancakes, sausage, banana bread ... the works) on the Lenox Christmas china every Christmas morning. Then we hang out in our pj’s all day.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

That’s tough. Don't hate me, but Fa-la-la-la-la, I love so many!

John Lennon’s “So This is Christmas” is tops right now for me. Another year over ... a new one just begun ... gets me every time.

On the flip side, if I hear one more version of “Little Drummer Boy” I’m going to go completely ballistic.

Stop it. Please.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

I feel so very exotic answering this question. TRAVELING this year to Disneyland and Palm Springs!!!! First time ever traveling with the kids on the holiday. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, may the travel gods be with us.

19. Can you name all Santa’s reindeer?

Rudolph et al.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Sparkly, silver star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas morning. There's that whole waiting for Santa, leaving him cookies, following his sleigh on the internet tradition.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

The holiday promos starting before Halloween. I hate that! Also, see question 17 "Little Drummer Boy" rant.

23. What is the “corniest” family tradition you do or miss doing?

We drive around and look at Christmas lights. Is that corny?

24. Ugliest Christmas decorations ever invented?

Wreaths that are too small for the door or window they embellish.

It’s all about scale, people. Scale!!!

25. Which looks the best…theme trees or homey trees?

Homey … but Target-meets-Pottery Barn homey.

26. What does Christmas mean to you?
Ignoring all distractions and just being with those I love the most...my husband and two children.

Being the stranger who provides a needy child a little Christmas miracle.

Putting a dollar in the Salvation Army kettle every time I pass.

Giving.

Smiling.

Reaching out.

Loving.

Believing that peace on earth, goodwill to men is possible.

Let's hope it's a good one ... without any tears...

***

Since I’m a virgin memer, I’m tagging any blogger (translation: all three of you) who might actually read this blog. Please post on your blog and send me your link at Autismville@gmail.com. I’ll add the link info to my original post.

Happy free publicity to you!

Oh ... and how about my fellow Parents.com bloggers. Talk about a no-brainer post. My holiday gift to you.

And as long as I'm on a roll, I wold love for you, my loyal readers, to post your answers in the comments section. Answer any/all questions you have time for your nimble Parents.com-loving fingers to type.

Tag! You're it!

Autism: The Surreal Life

I sat down across the table from Amy's teacher, Mrs. Y.

"Well" she said, looking at me somberly, "I'm not exactly sure what to say..."

I caught my breath and she smiled.

"Amy is absolutely wonderful. I honestly can't think of a single area where she needs improvement..."

We spent the next luxurious twenty minutes talking about SuperAmy.

Her handwriting is exquisite.

Her reading well above grade-level.

Her behavior impeccable.

I drank the compliments in like a luxurious glass of red, red wine.

Ahhh...

***

Had I known what this whole motherhood deal was going to entail, quite honestly, I would have been scared. It's been such a roller coaster ride.

On one hand I have a daughter who is at the top of her game. Not a single challenge to deal with in the classroom. On the other I have a son who is challenged to the extreme. He doesn't just have one teacher, he has a devoted team of experts.

Not exactly what I imagined when I held the swaddled little creatures post-birth. It's insane.

And it's also insane how much I love each of them for their unique traits. They keep me on my toes. No lazy, phone-it-in mothering. They bring out the best and the worst in me.

Mommy-muscle strength training every single day.

Care to arm wrestle?

***

Visit my real blog Autismville on Parents.com

Autism: An Autism Mommy Swoons

Wonderniece Erin recently returned from a weekend in NYC and commented about all of the John Mayer Gap ads plastered all over the city.

What?

John Mayer?

Gap ad?

Note the SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughn) tattoo. Sigh...

Let's see.

Guitar player.

SRV tattoo.

Merry Christmas to me!

Don't forget to check out my current Autismville post at Parents.com.

I promise it's much better than this.


Peace and love.

Autism: The Photos

Here's our Christmas card photo for 2007. The FIRST time we've been able to use a photo of the whole family. We are all looking at the camera and smiling. Talk about a Christmas miracle.

Still messing around with this, my alternablog. I'm not sure anyone actually reads it. I'm not sure I actually want anyone to read it. Just blogging random thoughts and directing traffic to my blog on Parents.com. (They still haven't fixed the RSS feed problem. Ggrrr...)


The success of the blog there is a personal mission for me. If you surf around on the blogosphere for anything autism related, there is SO much negativity. People have very strong views and it's understandable that they want to express them. Heck, that's what the blogosphere is all about. But I for one need some love. Some companionship. Some empathy. Some virtual friends. And not those that are on the bitter patrol. Just some happy, middle of the road place to support each other. My hope is that the Parents.com Autismville can be that place. Sorry. No haters allowed. Bitterness banned. This is my happy place.


I added a "Links I Love" section to this blog. In it is a link to "Life with the Ursittis." It's a collection of photos I've put together using a software called Phanfare. I LOVE this software. It's easy to use. Just drag and drop your photos. The biggest plus is that you can use your MP3's with it. SO cool!

Peace and love!

Grownups Say The Darndest Things...

I read a couple of comments online that really made my blood boil this week:

A comment from the Dallas Morning News:

"Special education has become the cancer that will eventually kill public education. Times are changing, the U.S. can no longer afford to spend more resources on those who will never be productive in society. It sounds harsh, but less resources make for difficult decisions, but our leaders refuse to take on Special Ed. because of fear that it is not PC. I applaud Coppell for standing up to the Sosa family, and spending the money on educating those who will contribute to society."

And a quote from an article written by Julie Obradovic found on the Age of Autism website:

"No offense, but some of the stories you send me about these kids? Well, if they were horses, they'd be put down just to ease their misery. What parent can watch that, or live with that? What child deserves that?"

What kind of world do we live in where people actually think this way?

Note to self: Avoid the internet!!!

Oh ... but that would mean no Autismville. That wouldn't work. If you haven't been to Parents.com recently to read the Autismville blog, go now. Escape the insanity. Focus on the love.