Friday Feast One Hundred and Eighty One

Better late than never...

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

My husband, who has all kinds of ailments this week and needs TLC. Also, my two boys before bedtime.

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

I'd like to remind myself NOT to cut my hair short again.

I usually conserve my eye makeup remover pads by cutting them in half. I always curl my eyelashes too! (freaks my husband out-he thinks it's some crazy torture device) But the biggest advice is to wear sunscreen, especially on your face!!

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

Right now, those delicious "nanas" sitting atop our kitchen counter and the sunny disposition that my son has after moving the chair over to reach for the "nanas", which he runs in moments later, wanting us to open his prize.

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

People-normal, everyday people doing everyday things. Especially kids. Candids and somewhat posed, I love faces of the ones that I love best.

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

Probably one of the Harry Potters. I don't normally pick long books, because let's face it, as a mother of two-it would take me a few eons to finish a book over 400 or 500 pages. (I am saving them for my golden years!) But, my husband granted my birthday wish last year, which was to have a day of reading Harry Potter uninterrupted. A glorious day of reading might turn into an annual birthday event!

Bill 1330 Has Been.....

Held! Not as exciting as vetoed, but that means it will come back again and hopefully they are considering a different source for the money instead of arts programs.

Julie and I drove together and I practiced my speech, which I cut down furiously to meet the two minutes. Turns out 2 minutes in legal time is quite a bit longer, so that was unnecessary.

We sat listening to five other bills, related to natural resources-that was the committee. It was really interesting to see the proceedings, the formality of the speakers and then how much of the time, the senators appeared to not listen-walking around, talking to others, etc. So, after a 1:30pm start, we didn't hear our bill until after 4pm.

The bill before ours had the state mine inspector looking to fill abandoned mines with tires or anything that would be affordable and environmentally safe. He stated there were about 100,000 mines in Arizona, many from World War II.

On our bill, he stated that he needed over a million dollars over 5 years fill the mines to meet public safety concerns. Since Arizona is in a 2 billion dollar deficit, they have combed the budget and found the arts to put on the cutting board. To argue against people falling into mines and life and death situations is unfair. Both programs are worthy and the senators recognized that pitting them against each other is extremely difficult. Two of the democratic senators questioned the repeal of the Arizona Arts Trust Fund and explained the importance of the arts to the schools and the public. The chairman however was not as convinced and stated that money doesn't go to the schools. He was also concerned that schools outside of Maricopa County weren't getting money from the Commission. Not true. He asked specifically about a particular orchestra in northern Arizona, which the commission director immediately found the information and stated that they had, in fact, received commission grants. The senator also stated that many of the orchestra players could just donate their time and not get paid to perform. That's nice when your income depends on your livelihood.

Anyway, since we were at the end of the day, the senators wanted to move the process along. They asked the speakers who signed up if they wanted to speak against the bill. Several declined, but I was NOT going to pass after practicing and writing for hours. So I did speak. I included that I wrote several commission grants for northern Arizona counties to deflect some of the concern about Maricopa getting all of the money. They didn't ask questions of me, but I was really happy that I had a chance.

It might come up again and if so, I would be happy to return. For now, we'll see what the next round brings.

My special thanks to Julie and Lynn, who helped me write and revise my words and especially Julie, who was my chauffeur and is just a great friend with a common cause. Thank you.

AZ Senate, Here I Come!

Well, in a funky turn of events, I am now a keynote speaker for the Senate Committee hearing tomorrow afternoon for the Arizona Commission on the Arts. One of six speakers and I will represent arts education, Sonoran Desert Chorale, artists-in-residence and provide a parental viewpoint.

All in under 2 minutes.

My hands are sweating as I type....but it isn't about me. It's about the post below and please pass it on to any Arizona friends who can drop an email.

Please send good thoughts (unagi) about 1:15pm MST and probably through that hour. My friend Julie is going with me to be a friendly face and hopefully help me not to be so nervous. But more importantly than supporting me, send good thoughts for the arts commission's effort on our behalf.

THANK YOU to all who tried to email. I appreciate your help and good efforts.

Arizona Arts Needs SUPPORT

Hi my family and friends-
Please read this and realize what is happening to the arts in Arizona. The Arizona Commission on the Arts provides grants for schools, artists and musicians to have great arts programs offered to our students, provides operating support to many local non-profit arts organizations and most of all, keeps the community involved in making life that much better through the arts. I have personally written handfuls of grants to bring local musicians into schools and to help the organizations I believe make a difference to keep going. To cut the Commission's funding by 40% would mean students missing out on artist-in-residence programs, arts organizations already strained possibly folding and our morale of our arts community sinking to further levels.

Whether you live in Phoenix or not, drop a quick email on our behalf. We have countless friends and colleagues who will be affected by this, along with thousands of school children we all represent.

Please consider your support.

Thanks-
Linda

Attention 2008 Southwest Arts Conference and Arts Congress participants:

We thank you for your participation in these statewide arts events and for your support of the health and vitality of arts and culture in our great state. As valued members of the community, we hope you will join our effort to defend the future of the arts in Arizona!

The Natural Resources Committee will hear Senate Bill 1330 on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Call and/or email Natural Resources Committee members and State Senators by clicking "Take Action!" above and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 1330 (SB 1330). This bill proposes a permanent reduction to the Arizona Commission on the Arts grants budget of 40%: approximately $1.6 million annually. SB 1330 proposes the transfer of the Arts Trust Fund (received from a portion of Corporation Commission filings) to the Department of Mines for safety issues surrounding abandoned mines. Following is an Action Alert, by clicking on the link that says “Click Here to Take Action” you will be redirected to a page that allows you to compose an e-mail message to your Senator. We also advise that you target the natural resources committee members in particular.

If you have already taken action on this issue, thank you! Please forward this message to any advocate that has not acted on this important issue.

		URGENT! TAKE ACTION NOW! Contact state senators regarding SB 1330- cuts ACA grants budget by 40% URGENT! Tell your legislators to Vote NO on SB 1330 Click HERE to Take Action! Bill would reduce Arizona Commission on the Arts grant funds by 40% Call and/or Email Natural Resources Committee members and State Senators and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 1330. This bill proposes a permanent reduction to the Arizona Commission on the Arts grants budget of 40 % (approx. $1.6 million annually). SB 1330 proposes the transfer of the Arts Trust Fund (received from a portion of Corporation Commission filings) to the Department of Mines for safety issues surrounding abandoned mines. TAKE ACTION NOW! 1) Contact state senate and committee members: Arizona State Senate Member Roster Natural Resources Committee Members Amanda Aguirre Dist 24 Marsha Arzberger Dist 25 Robert Blendu Dist 12 Jake Flake, Chairman Dist 5 Chuck Gray Dist 19 Karen Johnson Dist 18 Leah Landrum Taylor Dist 16 2)-Attend the committee hearing: Natural Resources and Rural Affairs-Chairman Flake. Wednesday February 27 at 1:30 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 109 Capitol Complex, 1700 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

Sunday Featured Poem

2C Carnaby

the puddle didn't seem so deep
when I lived at home

At least my ankles stayed dry.

Perhaps
it is I
unaccustomed to this
house

that someday I will rename "home"

the rain didn't wash the sidewalks away
where I lived before

the droplets have escaped
and come back in different form

It was comfortable there
it's a little prickly here

here, at the new place

I guess I like it though
it has potential.

Sometime in 1989

This is a little poem I wrote after moving from the home I lived in for 15 years to an apartment with my mother. While it isn't the best poem, I certainly feel my shoes stepping into the enormous puddles and coming up sopping wet and I remember the feeling of displacement before you can actually call a place your own.

I have to say that adding this poem feature actually forced me to go into the garage (see, Pup, that's why I was in the garage!) and dig through my old letters, cards and find where I have put my poems. I buried them for almost 20 years! Unearthing them, I feel like I am returning to a world I have long forgotten. I even found a short story that I wrote! I'll have to ask my mom find all of the poems I wrote as a little kid-there were a ton and I think she kept them....(she is a lurker-hi Mom!). I remember one about clouds and I think I even read one in church once.

By the way, Raven has posted an intriguing challenge for writers, a great exercise for sure. Dianne has also posted her response to a writer's picture fiction challenge, another way to get the creativity moving. Of course, tonight was our Chorale concert and I am paying FULL attention to that this week because I don't want to get fired. But after tomorrow night, I should have more to say.

3 Words or Less

I found this on Michelle's blog which is courtesy of Jules at Our Life and Stuff. Thanks for letting me borrow!

You have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It’s harder than you think.


1. Where is your cell phone?
happily charging away


2. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/hubby?
my sweet pup


3. Your hair?
fine, unruly, mess


4. Where is your father?
in South Carolina


6. Your favorite thing to do?
family stuff, write


7. Your dream last night?
I don't dream!


8. Your favorite drink?
sangria with fruit


9. Your dream car?
in my garage


10. The room you’re in?
the living room


12. Your fears?
losing my boys


14. Who did you hang out with last night?
Ian, Connor, Thomas


15. What aren’t you good at?
cooking, drawing, confrontation

16. Muffins?
???


17. One of your wish list items?
SLR Digital Camera


19. The last thing you did?
answer previous question


20. What are you wearing?
black comfy clothes


22. Your pet?
No Pets Motto


23. Your computer?
Dell Inspiron Laptop


24. Your life?
hectic, overscheduled, undersocial (not a word)

25. Your mood?
Tired, quiet, content

26. Missing?
My NY family


27. What are you thinking about right now?
Need to meditate

28. Your car?
2004 Pontiac Vibe


29. Your work?
music teacher, adminstrator


30. Your summer?
scorching Phoenix heat


31. Your relationship status?
married with children


32. Your favorite color(s)?
black, black and red


33. When is the last time you laughed?
Ian's Grandma Tarkin


34. Last time you cried?
overwhelmed last week

35. School?
Many music degrees

Jules said:

I don't know why there are no questions for #5,11,13,18 & 21.

Friday Feast One Hundred and Eighty

Appetizer

Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

Yes, back when I worked in the jewelry store with my mother, we played a trick on my boss, Alice. Alice was probably the nicest lady on earth, mother of six, grandmother-not a mean bone in her body. I had gotten a speeding ticket awhile back (at least I think that's what I did) and I told Alice about it and asked advice on how to tell my mom. My mom and I talked and I don't even recall if she was mad (probably) but it didn't seem to be too bad. I decided to color one eye with dark blue-black eyeshadow and pretend like my mom had punched me. I went into work the next day with my sunglasses on. Alice immediately asked how things went with my mom and I removed the glasses dramatically. She was horrified, to say the least-so much so that I had to tell her it was meant to be a joke. I washed my face and came back out and it took her all day to get over that. The other ladies thought it was funny and my mom still tells it once and awhile.

Soup

What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

I have one salt shaker that matches my Pfaltzgraff dishes (the pepper broke) and I have a Woodstock pepper shaker. I also have the Snoopy salt shaker somewhere and a cute little bear set that my sister-in-law gave me awhile back.

Salad

Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

Hawaii?!??!

Seriously. Probably Michael and Terri's in CA if we can figure out some free time. (ha, ha, ha) Also, we were interested in going to Wyoming, but it looks like not this year. I'd like to take the boys back to San Diego to the zoo and Sea World at some point soon.

Main Course

What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

I really don't use much hand cream, although I should. I use Cetaphil or whatever fragrance-free brand is out.

Dessert

Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

I will just pick one of Cindy's awesome creations, have her make it, have Trevor over and he will declare it mine.

This is not my strong point, friends. Sorry!

Sunday Poem: Tiny Pebbles and Beautiful Shells

I walk along the shore

Scooping up tiny pebbles and beautiful shells

The water calm, serene enough to wade

As I move through, the water laps at my ankles

It ripples at my calves, but never more than a gentle touch

And I wander deeper because I feel no fear, because what has there been to fear?

Even as the horizon appears endless and I see no other shore

The hidden currents, with strong reach and grasping motion

Swift in their approach and my feet slip from under me

And in the eternity of a second, I am under

The cold hits my face

My mind and mouth are sputtering and I am gasping and swallowing

Choking and holding my breath all at once

My arms are flailing. And this is what fear feels like.

I think for that second how I might not breathe or live again.

But my body is strong and it begins to work and move.

My legs begin to kick and tread the water.

They fight for control and my arms raise my body up to breathe precious air.

And I breathe.

I realize that in my hand

Are those tiny pebbles, beautiful shells

Protected and trusting me, not noticing my plight

I carry only my heart as a guide to find the shore.

I have to gain the spirit of a survivor even when I am tired, when I cannot tread,

when the currents return to take my life away.

When my feet do not touch the sand, I must still survive.

Sometimes I move with awkward motion, splashing, pounding.

Sometimes I move with gracefulness, with detachment and peace.

I realize that I must strengthen my resolve, work harder.

I am not alone.

I am called upon to save little lives who don’t know how to call for help.

A tiny pebble, a beautiful shell floating to the ocean floor.

I uphold these little wonders with burning arms and waterless tears.

I cannot know moment to moment,

but among the stirring waves and suffocating fears,

I am holding tight to my tiny pebbles and beautiful shells.

2007

This is the hardest thing to do.....the publish post button was patiently waiting for me to swallow my fear and just click. Forgive my terrible poetry punctuation. Back to my "Woe is I" book for a refresher.

A Tale of Two Friends

Trevor, Ian's best friend, stayed with us Friday evening and all day Saturday. Friday consisted of Star Wars Lego games, pizza and this:

Saturday morning was spent making pancakes, hanging with Uncle Thomas (I got a gracious sleep late ticket-which I took complete advantage of!) and going to the park. The rest of the day was devoted to playing with the Galactic Hero Star Wars figures. For those not up on toddler boy toys, these are little versions of Star Wars figures, looking extremely cute and mostly safe for 3 year olds. Although, Hasbro.....for all of the cute figures, why are the spaceships so crazy expensive?? Good grief. The Millenium Falcon for $250?? Get real, Hasbro.


The boys played in Ian's room for a good hour, door closed. They had serious reservations about Connor taking any of the SW guys. Connor is smaller than both of them, yet manages to get the upper hand every time. Connor was lurking outside the door for a bit, but he was content to play with me for much of the time. Trevor was especially concerned with Padme and Anakin-at one point, Padme was misplaced and Trevor was unable to continue play until Padme and Anakin were reunited. "Where's Padme?" was repeated five million times. This kid knows all of the characters and storylines, though and it is impressive how much he enjoys the back stories.

The boys allowed me to sit in the room with them while they played and even let me take some pictures, provided they could look at them when I was done. The lighting by the window wasn't too bad. My son's expressions were the hardest to work with-he has this Muppet face every single time. He is also wise to not looking at me when he knows I have a camera in my hand.


I love this picture of Trevor, if my little goose would just cooperate.....







The Star Wars guys were lined up on the bed. I was allowed to be Padme, but basically since I am a girl, the rest of the characters were off-limits.


Talk to the hand-no more pictures.
No naps were taken by any child. So, the very best part was the 7pm bedtime...followed by silence and zero procrastination on Ian's part.

Friday Feast

Appetizer

Name one thing that is unique about you.

I have a very weird ability to focus on one task for hours at a time. Even boring tasks! At my mom's jewelry store years ago, I used to spend hours a day entering jewelry information into their new computer system. She actually had to ask me to take a break.

The problem is multi-tasking. Apparently that is a big job requirement lately and for me, it takes a lot of mental brain capacity to do many things at once. My biggest fear that I don't do something really, really well if I don't put all of my energy into it.

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.

My favorite reading is short stories but I like non-fiction too. I love poetry and quotes too. The short story format has always intrigued me because I think it is one of the hardest to write well and it is probably the least read nowadays.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

We have an eclectic mix of Target, Craigslist and IKEA. Hee, hee.

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

My husband or maybe Cindy. I am a much better e-mailer than phone caller.

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

Depends on the job. For teaching, I am expected to be there, teach and do a great job. As a traveler, I don't have to be at staff meetings and I don't have duties. However, I do have to take a lot of classes in order to move on the salary scale, which is absolutely ridiculous. Merit pay needs to be subtracted from school systems, honestly. We never had it in New York and everyone did exactly what they were supposed to and everyone learned. Now, teachers are being stretched too thin trying to jump hoops for some extra money. I am juggling a million schedules to take these inane classes. Whoever the next President is NEEDS to reform the education system before my children go to school. Ooops, I got on a tangent there....sorry!

For the chorale, I have a LOT more responsibility-I have a lot of different tasks that need to be completed in timely fashion, as many people depend on it. Actually, this time of year is the busiest and I feel like I could use an extra day in the week. Other months are quiet. I love this job though.

Valentine

Valentine's Day has evolved over the years for us, from romantic dinners, flowers and all, to flowers and funny cards, to funny cards and dinner and now we are down to funny cards. And dinner at almost nine o'clock. Doubly romantic when you have two children still NOT asleep at nine o'clock ("Mommy, I just need a drink of water!" "Mommy, I just have to go potty!" "Mommy, I just love you!"). That is quite a romantic soundtrack.

The truth is that I don't need gifts because it's Valentine's. I don't need chocolate (trust me, I really don't need the chocolate!) and I am not too keen on flowers unless I can plant them in the ground (ha, ha, ha.....it just prolongs the inevitable a bit longer, sorry flowers!). Not a jewelry fan, unless it is another variation of silver earrings, which he got me a pair that I have worn almost every day (not quite).

What we really need is that 15 minutes of conversation. No tv, no children, no distractions. Just talk. Whether it's politics, goals, school, boys, us.....that 15 minutes is precious time that keeps us bonded. It's been our goal to keep this 15 minutes and we haven't been as true to it this week. So, I am really looking forward to 15 minutes with my husband.

I tend to be a person who isn't very huggy-less so now that I have a full plate 12 hours a day. My husband tends to be last on the list because sometimes I think he can understand he's being there. But, he really should be at the top. Because I need him all the time, in my life, in my mind, in my heart.

So, Valentine's Day should be every week. Some time to connect and remember how much you love and care. Some time to listen. And maybe some kissing too!

Pup, I love you!

Ooops!

I linked the wrong blog.....here's the right one!!!

Team Wines

Mid-Air Collision

You need to go to my friend Cindy's blog for this story about Ian and Trevor. The only thing I would add is that these children were actually airborne.

Six Unimportant Things

My blogger pal Laura from the Safe Harbor tagged me for this meme.

Here are the Rules

Link to the person that tagged you.
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
3. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
4. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
5. Let your tagger know when your entry is up

Six non-important things/habits/quirks about myself:
1. I like to sleep with my feet outside the blanket.
2. I listen to talk radio much more than I listen to music in the car.
3. I almost never reread books, especially fiction.
4. It usually takes me several attempts to watch one movie because I fall asleep
5. I like to say the words "yeah, yeah" and "great" way too much.
6. I have to follow a set routine in the morning or I get very cranky.

Okay, now to tag 6 other folks…hope I can find enough: (or 4...sorry, I am getting sleepy!)
Michelle
Cindy

Katherine

Dianne

and anyone else who would like to play. Enjoy!

The New Sunday Feature: Poem of the Week

My friend Katherine has begun a fun blog feature that I am going to work on myself. She calls it the Poem of the Week. I am going to put mine on Sundays and it will force me to dig up a bunch of poems that I have conveniently hoarded away for years! Thanks for the inspiration, Katherine! (and believe me, I will probably need the encouragement!) By the way, because I enjoy coming up with acronyms, this will be called POW from here on out.

This is a recent one that I wrote on my lunch hour last August, back when we were not sure who my son was overnight. But I realized this really isn't about my son, it's about making peace with the past and with what you are given to bear and keeping eyes ever in the moment and looking forward. The ending still doesn't make me happy, but I am posting it because someone in my life (it's on the down low, sorry-not at liberty to divulge right now) is working something truly astounding and adventurous and I want to lend my unwavering support.

How do we move along

When uncertainty stops us in our tracks

When fear beckons and threatens to shadow our path

How do we move along

When tomorrow feels wrong

When tomorrow might not be what we think

How do we move along

When yesterday was hopeful

When yesterday was beautiful

How do we move along

When our minds are mired in confusion

When our hearts are full of worry

How do we move along?

We face the fear we are handed

We look the unknown in the eye

And combat it with knowledge

We sweep up the broken dreams

And put them back together

Though they might not fit the way they were before

We move along and make tomorrow

What we know it can be.

Today is yesterday’s today and today’s tomorrow.

And we might as well get started

Yesterday taught us

How to live for today

8/27/07

How Did We Lose These Two to Houston??

For those who read regularly, you will catch little nods here and there to my good friends Jesse and Tewlyn-usually Friends quotes and inside jokes. They are Houstonians now, even though they vowed to love Phoenix forever. (It's okay, it happens.) Apparently, Houston is much more picturesque than I thought. It still feels like an armpit when I visit (sorry guys). Of course, coming from Hell, Phoenix doesn't fare much better.

These two have golden touches, especially in the kitchen ( I am still missing mac and cheese, Cholula, salmon, chocolate matzos, homemade ice cream cake and guacamole). They can read a medical textbook or analyze a rock with the best of them. But, surgically attach a camera to Jesse's hand and you get this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyoburn/

This is beyond golden.


Look down, look down, look down-LOOK UP!

I, who have no sisters or brothers, look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends. ~James Boswell

My beautiful little boys. The chin clefts, the miles of eyelashes, the slight and mischievous point in the eyebrows. And outshining all of that, golden hearts who love without boundaries. Tiny hands waving goodbye at the door each day. Little voices that remind us we belong to them and please don't forget.

For the IF in life

My happy friend Snoopy was riding high in the sky last Friday afternoon, presumably for the Super Bowl festivities. We happened to be outside for Connor's occupational therapy appointment, playing parachute and on the swingset with our OTs. I raced in for my camera and took a bunch of shots. T commented that one or two pictures was probably sufficient, but again-I take a ton to get one or two decent shots. The OT even asked me to email her the photos!

Sorry the blog has been a bit ho-hum lately.....the boys in the house are once again dropping like flies. Tom (yes, family members will be happy to know this) went back in for a check up and another chest x-ray, but he is feeling very worn out. I am hopeful he is taking a day off tomorrow to rest. Ian also ran a fever yesterday and all day today. I suspect an ear infection because there are "bugs in his ear" and he kept fussing with it tonight. Connor also had a fever this afternoon, but again no fever really keeps them down. They were happily playing tonight, but were asleep within a few minutes of going to bed. Right there is a serious clue-my children are learning the art of procrastinating bedtime, but not tonight. We are supposed to go and see "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me"-the NPR show tomorrow night, but it is looking bleak due to ill husband, children and babysitters!

Other than that, I am working on chorale work in my spare moments-it's a very busy time. The instrumentalists are particular this time around, so I am having quite a time with that, but I am remembering to breathe deeply and stay in the moment...

Plus, I just got a text that perhaps my friend Shannon and husband Ryan will be welcoming a new arrival any time now! I am sending them (especially her!) my good baby thoughts for a safe and healthy delivery.

Foodscout!

My amazing friend Diana has launched an outstanding resource website called foodscout. The list of food includes nutrients and health benefits and I personally love how easy it is to navigate this site and create my Sprouts shopping list. (Sprouts is the rockin' produce store in town) Make sure to dive in, look around, bookmark and pass it along if you love it.

Amid all of the buzz on autism and all of the possible things I could do to help my son, the gluten-free, casein-free diet is one that many parents try. For some children, there are significant gains in language and engagement. For others, the diet doesn't seem to make much improvement. I knew that Diana was allergic to gluten, so I turned to her for advice to see what to do. After her emails, I never felt so well-prepared to walk into a grocery store. She gave me products right down to specific brands and flavors. She also considered our busy lifestyle and gave me a few options of quick snacks and easy meals to find. I am indebted.

So, do I follow a completely gluten-free, casein-free diet? No. It is much, much harder than it looks. But I have made some changes in our meals, especially in the fruit and vegetables department. I always try to include a vegetable and/or a fruit. My boys are keen on fresh fruit-Connor's best word is "nana"-for banana. He also goes into the refrigerator for handfuls of fresh grapes that I keep on a shelf in his reach. Ian will eat green apples with peanut butter for lunch. Vegetables are harder to get by him, but I manage every so often with some tricks here and there.

The biggest change we are trying to do is keep the sugar low or out of their diet. That is easy at home, not easy at daycare. Ian loves the chocolate-strawberry milk that all the daycare kids get, but we are limiting what he can have. The effects of too much sugar on him are diabolical. He cannot do anything without frustration and crying if he is loaded on sugar. Now at home, he is enjoying Tofrutti ice pops as a treat and lately I have been making him unsweetened chocolate almond milk with agave syrup for his chocolate fix. He is a very agreeable and easy-going kid without all of the sugar. He still has some actual treats, but much fewer and far between. Connor actually prefers fruit over sweets, plus he really enjoys the brown rice crackers I found that are gluten-free. We haven't cooked much pasta-occasionally. We have pizza once a week. I make brown rice over white. It's just better eating for us, even if we don't follow the diet as strictly.

So, I really hope you will pop on over to foodscout and see all of the great things Diana has to share. She has really helped me tremendously, so definitely check it out!!!

Also-for those who haven't read in a bit......be sure to read the post before this and donate your few moments of time to watch a video for those adorable kids who happen to fall on the autism spectrum. They are people like all of us and the littlest ones need and deserve the best start they can get. Your time equals extra money donated to Autism Speaks. Do it now.

What Kind of World Do You Want??

I am going to make a simple request of my family and friends. My sister-in-law sent me this link to Five for Fighting's website called "What Kind of World Do You Want?"

They are raising awareness and money for charities, including Autism Speaks. Simply follow the links and click on a video to watch. Every time you watch a video, money will be donated. Amazing children and stories abound.

Let me also say this.....my son is a very fortunate little boy. He has made tremendous gains in language and engagement because he received early intervention. Early intervention is helping ALL of us, not just Connor. They are teaching us how to teach him. They are helping us loosen the grasp. I cannot imagine waiting years for therapy or having to fight to get the care your child needs at the start.

Just promise me you will watch one.

Friday Feast One Hundred Seventy Eight

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?

I actually enjoy the bran cereals, my favorite being All Bran Yogurt Bites. I haven't been eating cereal much this month, but I really like having it for dinner too.

Soup

When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

We purchased new blinds for the living room and the kitchen last week. They are going up tomorrow! Now we just have the bedrooms left.

Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

Just when I cannot think of any. I am not a huge TV watcher, but I used to love all the fake commercials on SNL years ago.

Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

Garlic Gecko (is garlic technically a spice?? If not, then Cayenne Coyote)

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't run a marathon since 1998! Ten years ago!

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