Competition – How to know

Competition is competing against oneself whether the ego will let self see it or not…therefore, bad sportsmanship exemplifies the ego against itself and all its faults…good sportsmanship accepts that for today the best was the best….center reflects enjoyment/thankfulness of the competition for all that it is.

Bah Hum Bird!

So let me get this straight…I have to get up at 1am Thursday morning to start the big bird, go back to bed at 2am and then wake up on the hour to baste until 5am and then start preparing 20 side dishes, 2 pies, 2 cakes…all between one oven and a small microwave, set the table to look like something from Martha Stewart’s Living, look like I stepped out of Vogue as I serve it…then do two loads in the dishwasher whilst washing all the big stuff which puts me at about 1am Friday morning and then I’m supposed to get up at 4am and stand in line to shop in over crowded stores for bargains whilst everyone else watches football games and marathon TVLand episodes????

BAH HUM BIRD!!!!!!!!!!!

What I REALLY want is my own reality show just to get this documented!

Hey Media, what does this mean…exactly?

It seems we’ve been upgrading computers and machines and downgrading our humanity and individuality for so long it is hard to spot until the finger is pointed at us.

Could any of us take the scrutiny that so many take in the media these days? 

From a mother disciplining her child in what she thought was private; to whether a FEMALE candidate should have her young family with her; to a mother so divided between so many duties, wife, mother, housekeeper, executive that she would forget her own newborn, these are ordinary people thrust into the limelight.  Being judged as if there was no humanity and that they should have never made a mistake or done that, shame on them.

Have you compared them with the Hollywood elite that all the media root for to do better, Brittany, Paris, Lindsey?  Seems they can make repeated mistakes, vowing to do something better with their lives and…well, you know the rest…they are rubber and we are glue.

Feel left out as an ordinary person?  What if it happened to you?  Which category would you fall into? 

It makes one wonder if “us worker bees” are being set up to work as computers with nary a mistake to be made and those that are deemed by the media as “queen bees” get passes for being “human.” 

Makes a difference as to how the media depits it all, doesn’t it?  Bias in the media?  Oh come on…they are all fair and balanced.

So which island will you land on?   THE ISLAND

THANKS and by the way…

First, thanks to all of you who’ve been keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  I really feel them in my heart and soul.  THANK YOU for them.  I really do sit in thoughtful prayer for you as well.  I’m a big giver so when I receive I tend to give back even more.  Your continued thoughts and prayers of support are very appreciated.  As we know more of the details I’ll share them.  Right now we are in a holding pattern but circling the airport.  ha!

I have several things that are pressing, several things that must come out, I’m compelled.

I’ve done a dozen or so posts on autism.  I think highly of so many bloggers who are autistic or parents of autistic children.  I respect them, their view of things, their frustration of things, their joy of things, their need to help others understand, agree, being able to learn and grow.  Just knowing how nice it is to reach out to each other when needed is a wonderful thing. 

In this age of “bi-polar-isms” I refuse to define my precious, sweet son by autism, nor will I.  He is smart, loving, handsome like his dad (of course), very tall, a reader, into astrology, a thinker, a dreamer, he hums happy tunes, still likes to skip (me too…like Phoebe from friends), likes routine (like his dad), sounds just like his brother (vice-versa) when he talks, has an amazing memory, adores his third grade teacher, can easily entertain himself, becomes deeply involved with things he enjoys, can’t concentrate on things he doesn’t and more, more, more.

So what am I getting at???  I’ve been holding my son’s story close (odd because I share so easily) but I’m nervous it will define him.  Or WORSE, that HE thinks that is how I define HIM.

God has been pushing gently at me from many directions and I had my AHA moment this morning, NO FEAR.  I now know I’m to post it, I’m compelled to post it.  In faith I will post it and pray that it reaches those that it is supposed to reach and help.  In faith I will post it believing that my son will KNOW that autism is only a small sliver of who he is, something to help him in his life’s journey and that I love him more than words.  Amen.  Thank you God for love, mercy, all things seen and unseen.

 

The Huge Heart Award

This award when given to someone from me will come with no strings attached to do anything but know that I appreciate them, I’m thankful for them, and I think they are pretty darn special.  Once given it can be shared or held close, posted or not because it is simply my way of saying thank you for being who you are and doing what you do.

  

Mere, this award has in part been inspired by you so you will be the first to receive it!  You touch my heart with your love of family, commitment, boundless energy, compassion and openness.

To Ms. Mercedes the HUGE HEART AWARD! 

 

 

Celebrations in order!

Not just because it is St. Paddy’s Day…but by the by, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!

 More importantly several things have happened of late that deem a celebration! 

Big Boy (who is autistic) has had several leaps forward in a row!

He has learned to cope with the fire alarm sound (the latest one was his 3rd without problems).  Yippee!

Last week he turned to READ MY FACE after something  I said to see if I was joking or serious.  HUGE!

He got a joke that involved a play on words!!!!! 

Lastly, he and Young Son landed a Mario and Luigi stuffed toy (with help from Hungry Hubby) in one of their favorite games, Skeeball.

GOD, thank you…. I am so truly blessed! 

Why am I tired, sleepy, depressed, not feeling well?

Forgive me, I’ve been holding this piece for longer than I should have and I know it.   I’ve been gently nudged here and there and I’ve been lax.  I PRAY this reaches the person/people it is meant for because I am well over a two months in posting it. 

First I’m going to tell you I am NOT >>>>NOT>>>>NOT a doctor or nurse. 

I AM telling from my own experience and it is so others can recognize and ASK their doctor to check for this possibility for them.

I’m not going into a lot of boring details but I do want others to be aware of things I was not.  It took me several years of prescription drugs NOT working and one simple test to find out what was REALLY wrong with me.  I don’t understand how my doctors (several) could not have given me a simple test rather than shuffling me through ALL the depression drugs.   I do believe they were trying to help me, I do believe that they get so much pushed at them and in their desire to help they look to drugs maybe a little too often. 

Maybe because I had SYMPTOMS of depression.  So if you seem to have symptoms of depression please ALSO CHECK FOR ANEMIA OR LOW IRON!  

HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS 

Many symptoms are the same as depression.   

Other reading:

What is Anemia?

About Anemia and low iron

Consumer Reports (November 2007)  Requip is for restless legs.  But did you know that low iron can cause this????  caffeine???  alcohol????  tobacco???  cold remedies??? even pregnancy??

photo by omghawt

The Truth about Women in Despair

I’ve come across another blog via Angie’s blog  named WomanHonorThyself.  Today, she made excellent observations about how downtrodden and depressed so many women are these days.   

As it fizzled in my brain I thought and commented:

It is hard to admit that we women don’t honor ourselves.  But is it easy to see when the evidence is pointed out so clearly.

I remember a commercial that defined/predicted the onslaught of depression in women:

“I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you’re a man.  Cause I’m a woman!”

This is expected of us.  Latch-key kids weren’t included in that song…who the heck is raising the kids? 

Our society has been hypnotised by commercial personas that led/lead us to believe/desire what is dangled out in front of us as the “carrot” of life.  The essense of life is to have what the commercials tell us to have because it makes everyone so happy to have it. 

We can turn just about anything from one perspective to another making it sound so terrible or so great.  But the truth is the truth. 

NO ONE… NO ONE… NO ONE has it ALL.  There are some who would argue that statement.  But deep down we all know the TRUTH. 

Excuse me while I…

well, pat myself on the back…well, let someone else pat me on the back and then pass it on cause if feels so darn good that everyone should do it. 

But first a pause for the cause….this important break for the brainiac in me… some appreciation and thought.

There are so many bloggers that make me think,

                                                              make me stretch,       

make me realize that we all have similar thoughts,  

                                                                    difficulties, 

                                                                            fears,      

                                                                                worries, 

                                                                                           triumphs…

that we are all human. 

That maybe the most wonderful part of humanity is reaching out to each other.  That on a broader scale we are more alike than different.  We are diverse but the same. 

We are born, we live and we die. 

A complete circle. 

Circles seem to be significant.  God scattered lots of circles around. 

What significance must circles be?  

Okay, too deep for today….so on with the award!   

I was bestowed by Maddy, whom I hold in high regard for more than a couple of reasons (she’s my Wonder Woman link), the ROYAL BANANA award, I slip you not!!!!

     She thinks my blog is yummy!!!!  The feeling is mutual!

I’m going to pass this on to my entire blog roll (see right column under Brain Waves) of blogging buddies that have yummy blogs to me.  Please add these as you can if you want to your blogs!

Have a wonderful day (24 hour cycle, you know that circle thing).  Ta Ta!

A Blogger Friend Award…it stole my heart!

 My blogger buddy FXSMom sent me an award on Valentine’s Day and it is so very cute!  Thanks so much!

Autism Stories – Paths

A special series about autism.

Sunday:  Brothers with autism.

Monday:  Patrick

What’s behind the increase?

What you should know about autism.

Types of autism.

The Girls in MY Circle

THE GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept  of one best friend,
and then I started to become a woman. 
I  found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
You will be shown the best, in many friends.

One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your partner.
Another friend when you’re going through things with your parents.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend  will say, “Let’s cry together,”
another, “Let’s fight together,”  
another, “Let’s walk away together.” One friend will meet your spiritual need,
another your shoe fetish,
another your love for movies,
another will be with you in your season of confusion,
another will be your clarifier,
another the wind beneath your wings. But whatever their assignment in your life,
on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day,
or to hold you back from making a complete  fool of yourself …
those are your best friends.

It may all be  wrapped up in one woman,
but for many, it’s wrapped up in several…  
one from junior high school,
one from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
on some days your mother,
on some  days your sister,
on others, your aunt, cousin or a neighbor,
and some days a blog buddy.

Author Unknown

Thanks so ALL the GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE!

An award…who ME???

Well I can hardly pass up an award from a friend of mine now can I???

My friend and blogging buddy Mercedes at Mercedes World has bestowed upon me the following award:

 

Started by Colin

As part of this award, I gather, I must bestow it upon others and so I’d like to award a few of my favorite blogs:

Fighting Windmills for her commitment, thought and kindness to others!

Whitterer on Autism for her wit, wisdom and kind, kind heart!

Hawty McBloggy for her energy, fun and dedication to girls in gaming!

Mother of Shrek for teaching others to view things differently!

Teaching Tommy for sharing your adventure with Tommy!

Each of these women have shared something that has touched my brain, heart, spirit more than a time or two and I thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart! 

That goes for you too Mercedes!!!!

Judy, Judy, Judy! In my memory…always!

Another loss to cancer, a lovely lady who I’ve always admired.

She was a beautiful woman inside and out. It would be hard to forget so many good times!  I will enjoy her infectious laugh and vitality of life in my memories always. I still cherish the memory box made by Judy and hubby for my graduation (it is on my dresser, it has been ever since).  I’ve enjoyed the company and friendship of their two lovely daughters. 

One of my favorite memories of Judy:

Just after dinner most every night Judy and Mom would set the mood.  Cup of coffee, cigs (they smoked back then), pitch black basement with only the black and white glow of an old TV set.   Suddenly a snowy screen with rows of obscure aliens marched down, down, down.  Dit, dit, dit, dit; dit, dit, dit, dit.  Judy and Mom would become hypnotised.  Complete and full concentration would fill their brows.  The old joysticks with the caps coming off and uncertain response would fly into action.  Feet would fly, lips would pucker, beads of sweat would grow….down, down, down, faster, faster; dit,dit,dit,dit…the aliens would come.  Groans would turn into screams of terror as their tushies danced all over their chair to prevent the inevitable from happening!  Watch out for the flying joysticks, watch out for the wildly swinging cords!  Oh, oh……ohhhhhh shoot!!!! The aliens got to the bottom of the screen!  “Let’s get ’em, Mer!”  she’d growl through clinched teeth and off they’d go on round two, three, four, late into the night.

Judy had one of the most infectious laughs I’ve ever encountered in my life.  I wish I could emulate it!  We would watch them play for hours and hoot and holler with laughter.   Little did I know that this would fuel my enjoyment and passion for a lifetime of gaming.   

Good memories, good times, GREAT WOMAN! 

Another update on the Mary Kay Bus Employee Scandal 12/19/07

     http://www.dailymail.com/News/200712190404

I’m a spiced nut!

My Christmas tradition for about 24 years now is making SPICED WALNUTS or SPICED PECANS or both.  Pop some into a tin or decorative jar and it is a nice gift for anyone. The smell will bring you delights for days!

The BEST thing about this recipe is that I’m giving you the basic recipe and then you can tweak it to your own taste.  I imagine you could do this with most nuts. 

1 1/2 cups your preferred nut for spicing (about 6 ounces)

1/2 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of water

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground clove

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a heavy skillet (non-stick or well seasoned) over medium med-heat and heat to boiling stirring constantly until ALL the liquid is evaporated, nuts are coated and sugary.  Transfer to a non-stick cookie sheet and break apart while still warm.  Let cool and enjoy.

MY TIP:  I prefer to put all the dry ingredients (NOT the nuts) into the pan, add the water and boil until beginning to thicken THEN add the nuts.  I do this because the nuts remain crisp (is that the right word, ha) as opposed to soggy. 

Play with the spices until you find the right mix for your taste!

***COULDN’T RESIST ANOTHER PIC OF THEM; THEY ARE SO PRETTY!***

Gearing up for gluttony!

I’ve never noticed so many gloomy faces during the most festive time of year.  Maybe because I’m paying attention.  A nice smile on my face is met with pert lips and a quick glance away. 

Why?  Why are so many  running around with such gloomy faces?  Are they on a sugar induced crash from tasting too many of their Christmas treats they made last weekend?  Are their pants too tight?  Are they in the midst of the financial strain (been there done that)?  Then it dawned on me…they are starving themselves!  Gearing up for the gluttony that will begin this coming weekend!

I’ve already warned Hungry Hubby that we are going to tone it down this year on the goodies.  I’ve only made some banana bread (frozen) and my traditional spiced nuts (hidden).  I had made oatmeal raisins but um…they are gone with the wind.  Surprise! Surprise!  That is why I’ll wait until this weekend to make one more item that I know won’t keep very long. 

My last item will be the least healthy but more into the Christmas tradition.  Some people call them Russian Teacakes or Danish Christmas cookies, others call them Mexican Wedding cookies, we call them YUMMY!  I like to put food coloring into the mix for white, green and red (although it looks pinkish) with a healthy dose of powdered sugar over top. 

Here is a peek at my spiced nuts (pecan). 

 

I also do walnut but prefer pecan because they hold up better and look pretty.

These are SUPER easy and I’m going to share the recipe in my next post. 

Online Shopping DEALS!

AVOID THE SEA OF HUMANITY!

SHOP ONLINE AND FIND SOME BARGAINS!

Can I just say EBAY??!!!  Wow if I had some extra bucks I’d be pulling in some deals right now.  Some EBAYERS are offering free shipping…check it out!  

Here are some other links to consider when shopping for bargains online this year:

 http://www.fatwallet.com/  Online coupons, deals, cash back and comparison shopping!  YES, I want a fat wallet after Christmas!!!

 http://www.rebateshare.com/  Rebates, deals, offers, you can’t afford NOT to check out this website! 

http://www.ebates.com You must join to find out the offers but the kicker to join is a $10 card to one of the following:  Best Buy, Target, Sephora, Office Depot or iTunes OR you can opt for $5 CASH! 

Hope these are helpful to you.  I LOVE BARGAINS!!! 

As Wilma used to say to Betty, “CHARGE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

Well, as a former banker I have to say DON’T charge it.  DO start a Christmas account that pays out in October for NEXT year. 

I’m done now.  😉

Supporting the troops!

Why not take a minute and send an uplifting message to the troops?  Some troops are here keeping us safe.  Others are abroad doing the same but away from family and loved ones.  Send a thought, prayer or a word or two their way today.

Autism…think about it.

           

If autism is a subject that interests you; if you follow the autism news; if you know someone or love someone on the autism spectrum; you may want to read this. 

The link:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/the-autismvaccine-debate_b_74853.html