Teen Autism

From time to time I receive e-mails from readers asking how I’m doing, often about things that don’t necessarily pertain to this blog, which is totally fine. Here, I write mostly about my experiences raising my two boys, one of whom has autism. I don’t go into much personal stuff because I think of this blog as a resource for other parents. But then I realized that when I read other blogs, one of the things I truly enjoy is a post on a more personal level.  I feel like I get to know the blogger a little better, identify with him or her, and often learn something new. And since I usually enjoy reading the personal bits, I figured that some of my readers might like that too.

So, in that vein, I’ve decided to occasionally write some personal posts to address those “touching base” e-mails that I receive. For example, I am often asked how my writing is coming along, especially since I’ve been threatening to publish a book for over a year now. Well, as with everything else in my life that doesn’t have to do with work and raising kids, it’s coming along slowly. I’m close, though! Really close! I just have a few more things to iron out, and then it’s off to the printer! I had considered having another editor look at it, but I gave it some careful consideration and think that I just need to bite the bullet and get it out there. It’s time (almost).

Here’s another popular question - am I dating now? And the answer is no. I have not dated for a year. For a while now I’ve been telling myself that I don’t have time to date, which is mostly true. But I’m also not that impressed with the caliber of single men I’ve met lately. And here’s a little story to illustrate that point. Okay, so Saturday night I go out with a friend of mine, another full-time single mom. It’s been weeks since either one of us has gotten out of our homes other than for work, errands, or appointments. A band is playing at a local pub, so we sit down at the bar and have a drink. After a few minutes, the guy next to me starts chatting me up. He seems okay, apparently a recently (by my standards) single dad whose kids are the same ages as mine. He’s even from the LA area, as I am, so I think those are pretty cool things to have in common. We keep talking, and my friend joins in. The three of us talk about our six collective kids, we make jokes, we’re having a good time. And then - brace yourselves - the guy blurts out, “Yeah, I’m really over the whole kid thing.”    

Really? You’re hitting on a single mom of two kids, and you think a line like that is gonna get you anywhere?

I was so shocked that I couldn’t even say anything. My friend, however, had a few choice words to say, including, “How sad for your kids” as we turned on our heels and walked out. I mean, it’s not like I’m expecting to meet a great guy in a pub. I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone that night, nor was I wanting to. I just wanted to go out and kick back with my friend. Instead, we meet a jerk who’s been a single dad for three years and thinks he’s going to impress me by complaining about it and insulting good parents everywhere. Next!

In other news, I recently received the Friendly Blogger award from my friend Nicki at Slow Down, Gym Shoe. Nicki was a recipient of the Lemonade award that I passed on to her for her positive outlook. Thanks for this cool award, Nicki!

One of the rules for accepting the Friendly Blogger award is to post the most recent photo of yourself, so again - brace yourselves:

And that’s the lowdown - not much success in the writing, dating, and portrait-taking departments. Tune in for the next episode of Personal Posts, in which I’ll discuss convalescing cats, workplace gossip, and file cabinet organization! (Kidding, but who knows?)

Whoever came up with this Lemonade Award, I salute you. What a lovely idea to honor those who make a habit of making the best of things. And I am honored to receive it, even though I think that the person who gave it to me is far more deserving than I! Thank you, Alicia! Alicia writes Welcome to My Planet, a blog I love to read for her thought-provoking, emotion-filled posts as much as the humorous ones.

As all awards do, this one comes with a few rules:

- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

But with this award, I’m going to bend the rules a little - ‘cause 10 is a lot of typin’ and linkin’ (although Alicia did a magnificent job with her list)! Frankly, in my opinion every single blog I read is worthy of this award. And so are all my friends who don’t have blogs. I learn so much from all of you, and you enrich my life immeasurably (I think I wrote about that recently). That said, I would like to nominate five blogs in particular that come to mind for this award.

First, to Tera at This Is My Reality. I’ve been reading her blog for quite some time, and she has such an enjoyable writing style that draws you in with her gracious words and insightful observations. She writes about her life in Belgium with her husband and two sons, one of whom is a teen with autism. Tera so eloquently and honestly shares her joys and fears, the ups and downs, and doing the best she can with all of it.

Also, to Nicki of Slow Down, Gym Shoe! Nicki is an exceptional writer (her fiction is incredible) and a caregiver for her nieces and nephew. She is currently doing an amazing Totschool program with the kids and is starting her own preschool. She also writes about special needs issues and inspires me with her positive outlook, no matter what’s going on in her life.

The next three are some blogs that I only recently started reading, but when awards like this go around, I usually like to highlight blogs that are new to me. I certainly look forward to reading more!

• Kim at The Roc Chronicles, who writes about her son on the spectrum and has had some exciting positive reports lately!
• Corrie at Just Because My Pickle Talks Doesn’t Make Me an Idiot, who writes about her son with Asperger’s and various special needs topics in an enjoyable, conversational style.
• Brenda at Mama Be Good, also an autie mom, who writes beautifully descriptive anecdotes about life with her son.

Here’s to lots more lemonade!

Just last week I was thinking that lately I hadn’t seen any blog awards floating around out there. And then, the very next day, Maddy of Sandwiched Genes (and three other blogs! Did I get them all?!) was kind enough to bestow upon me this charming award:

Thank you, Maddy! I hope some of your industriousness will rub off on me! In the meantime, I am pleased to pass this award to the following:

•  –Kate of Chocolate, Music & Hope, for her insight into the Aspie mind
• –Chapati of Skipping Down the Lane, for her “general musings!”
• –Pweshes Mama of Our Peaceful Journey with Autism, for her positive outlook
• –Mom’s Baggage, for her beautiful photography
• –Goldie of My Platypus Life, for blending fun and functional
• –Barbara of Awalkabout, for her interesting commentary and great stories
• –Kia of Good Enough Mama, because I don’t think she has this award yet!

Best wishes to all! Here are the rules, should you choose to follow them (I usually don’t, but I’m on good terms with the blog police):

‘Copy, save and add the blog photo to your blog, share the love with 7 of your favorite blogs and be sure to mention who gave it to you’

Yay - I’ve received another blog award, and it’s a pretty one! 

Approximate translation from Portugese: “This blog invests and believes, the proximity!” Closeness, maybe? Anyway, big thanks to Hellokittiemama, my advocacy hero at The BonBon Gazette, who has kindly bestowed this lovely award upon me. I am honored to pass it on. First, a required description:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

And now, my picks:

• Fearless Females, whose outlook and parenting wisdom I admire
• Building Common Ground and A Panoptic Life, two insightful blogs with Aspie points of view
• Alone Together and Café Autism, for hands-on parenting on the spectrum
• AutismBlessingsChallenges and Dear Noah, two blogs that are new to me and will be visited often
• Faces of Autism, Casdok’s inspired new blog showcasing some beautiful people, including Nigel!

Hats off to all!

I am truly honored. Mama Mara at Mama on the Edge has bestowed upon me a most prestigious award: Arte y Pico! Thank you, Mama Mara! The title of this unique award (pictured here in all its glory) apparently does not translate well to English (pico de gallo, anyone?), but it’s the recognition that I appreciate, especially from a writer who can cover the difficult events as well as the laughable ones. Her balance “on the edge” is remarkable.

Now, more about the award! The marvelous thing about it is that you pass it on! Here are the rules, per the official Arte y Pico site:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award, creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award-winning, has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winning and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) To show these rules.

With that in mind, it is my pleasure to pass the torch (it sort of looks like one, don’t you think?) to the following:

Outta the Coop: where The Chick takes the ball-of-clay metaphor to new heights but also reminds us that there’s more to life than autism (and she’s got great taste in books).

Autism Family Adventures: where Bonnie wrote an informative and touching article on planning ahead. I appreciate her insight and ideas.

My Life with Autism: where Karla eloquently describes how the R word is like the N word. I also like how she posts tons of links to interesting articles on other sites.

The Quirk Factor: where Mommy Dearest has a category, called Jaysen-ish, of endearing/funny things her son says. Just like my Nigelisms!

Last, but not least, to Movies ‘n Stuff, where those of us who enjoy movies and TV shows can read great reviews about what’s worth seeing! I especially liked her review of Wall-E.

Best wishes to you all! Keep on doing what you do!