tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210162172024-03-07T16:15:16.020-05:00Our Winding (and Sometimes Twisted) Journey to Better...."Confessions straight from the fox hole"; our wild and wacky journey (mine and my two boys, 11 year old Salamander with Celiac's disease, metabolic dysfunction, Asperger's Syndrome and several LDs; and 6 year old Potatey with Celiac's disease and metabolic dysfunction) to "I don't know where". Perhaps the journey is a destination in itself? WARNING - my stories are definitely NOT of the schmalzy 'life with two kiddos with challenges is a Trip to Holland instead of Italy' variety..Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.comBlogger827125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-55125282371452549072010-01-21T10:00:00.002-05:002010-01-21T10:35:55.487-05:00PLEASE, Our Kids Need Your VoteYes, emerging from a long silence. Explanation for all of that will have to wait.If you are easily offended, or if you think that my frustration and anger, in light of the terrible events in Haiti, is misplaced, then I strongly advise you to get off this blog now and not read this post. For those of you that do continue to read, I hope you can see my frustration for what it is - a mask to hide a Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-44560824110339386012009-12-09T17:35:00.000-05:002009-12-09T17:38:19.306-05:00Oy Vey.... Still...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.. (but please, don't do an early school release or cancel after school programs just yet....)###Dang.. work project did NOT get completed last nite.. I gotta go back in.. Oh well....$$ in the bank..###Today everything is just f$#king HARD!!!!!! Swimming against friggin grade 10 (if there is a grade 10) rapids.. I need sleep, seriously....###Rapidly Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-40800675755422708192009-12-08T20:33:00.000-05:002009-12-09T17:36:29.889-05:00Oy Vey.. Again....Woohee!! Worked until midnite last nite. Started again at 3 am, worked until 5 am. Now working on supplements, breakfasts, lunches etc for the boys. Once P is on the bus around 8.15 am, I'll be back on the work stuff. Yeah, I'll be *punchy* by about 9 pm tonite. 11.5 h away from deadline....###ROFL.. P can spell alright.. "Mom, if you take the word Buckaroo, and you replace the B with an F you Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-11953326135438731722009-12-07T23:45:00.000-05:002009-12-09T17:33:09.584-05:00Oy Vey...Boys & I are doing good. LOOOOONG day ahead for me (so much paying work to get caught up on... well, $$ in the bank, eh?)Wondering if anybody ever attempted plasmapheresis to switch out blood plasma with a straight caffeine solution. Am sure gonna need it to keep going today (caffeine & adrenaline & sheer pig headed stubborness is what is keeping me going at this piont.. ain't nothingPetrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-59435246981964726402009-12-05T20:20:00.000-05:002009-12-05T20:22:39.379-05:00Day 2/Round 2...Am gonna need your positive thoughts etc today. Today is gonna be hard (it already is). Yesterday was just me and the XTB. In a one-on-one, XTB turns weepy, whiny. Today the boys are here (they will be leaving with a dear friend around 11 am for a few hour), AND XTB has recruited my neighbors to help him move sh#t.So... now XTB feels 10 feet tall and the manipulating is in full force..I need to Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-75753827645215007542009-12-04T15:00:00.000-05:002009-12-04T15:06:25.646-05:00Moving Out.. (and Moving On)First things first, many happy birthday wishes from me and my boys to my mom. Sorry that a proper celebration will have to wait a bit....So today is the start of moving out (and moving on) - a random collection of observations...There's a student at Salamander's school who's gonna be EXTREMELY sorry that he ever decided to stick his grubby paws in Salamander's lunch box... [I am BULLSH#T, Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-13525268587300847152009-11-29T15:45:00.003-05:002009-11-29T21:57:36.963-05:00And We Are On Our Way.....Will be telling my friend C.R. in person later today how HAPPY and THANKFUL I am that she's in my life. She took 4 phone calls from me yesterday as I was working thru yesterday's 'now I have no choice but to tell my boys what is going to happen' situation.Without EVER making me feel that I was bugging her. She listened to me, gave really great advise and didn't hesitate to kick my ass when I Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-6357376343522865092009-11-28T23:45:00.001-05:002009-11-29T15:49:04.528-05:00The Day The Boys Were Told....Had to force a family meeting about an hour ago to tell the boys officially what is going on. They are taking it HARD, especially Salamander. But after XTB decided to make the boys active participants/co-conspirators in his *grand scheme of double life fibbery", I had to decide that *enough is enough*. XTB's move out is starting next week.Things happen when they are supposed to happen.. there is Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-44041515420697063292009-11-27T16:15:00.001-05:002009-11-29T15:41:39.954-05:00The Day After....Collection of thoughts from the day:Post excess glutamate, protein, sulphur, oxalate hangover here. Salamander is a mess, Potatey is doing OK (just very zippy and slurred/hyper drive speed), I'm OK too (as I didn't eat that much). Anybody who has a hard time *believing* that autism could be a manifestation of a brain/body chemistry/metabolic disorder, feel fee to stop by today and observe for Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-42482882787717387622009-11-26T23:59:00.001-05:002009-11-27T16:12:17.406-05:00Thanksgiving Thoughts..I do apologize for not posting much here on the blog as of late.. At the moment, I am finding it easier to post quick blurbs on Facebook...Here are a collection of thoughts I posted throughout the day:NOT a good start to today. Major headache, nausea. Let's hope it passes soon....Something's up.. Potatey is having the exact same symptoms.. especially the headache is highly unusual for him.... Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-9372133787581029442009-11-06T08:30:00.000-05:002009-11-06T08:43:50.619-05:00Piggy Sniffles..I haven't exactly been shy about expressing my opinions regarding the Swine Flu mass hysteria.This about sums it up. Enjoy!!!!Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-72366201647274699692009-11-01T16:30:00.004-05:002009-11-01T21:20:23.554-05:00Creepy.....Man, the web searches that people use to land on my blog are getting increasingly creepy. And then there are a few folks that seem to be checking my blog for updates about, what, every hour ? That sounds a bit stalker-ish to me.So be warned, creepsters and stalkers, I am going to find and install software that allows me to track (and BLOCK) IP addresses.Now that we're on the creepy topic, Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-23217243044282271552009-10-22T20:30:00.001-04:002009-10-22T20:36:46.971-04:00Just Another Day....Call from Potatey's 1st grade teacher about an *incident* involving Potatey (yes, Potatey!!). Incident was substantial, we're working thru things. But boy, the combination of 1st grade and incident was enough to throw this momma right back into some really *difficult* (terrible, awful, no good, etc) 1st grade memories involving Salamander.The joys of a pre-teen with virtually no filter on what Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-42226199114122106882009-10-16T12:50:00.000-04:002009-10-16T13:02:32.868-04:00The Winding (and Sometimes Twisted) Journey has turned into *Spinning wheels and ever so slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the muck*.Meh..Must.Find.Planks.To.Lay.Over.Mud.Hole....[am working on a 'this is where I'm at' post. Post won't be brave, won't be 'I'm hanging in', won't be 'I'll survive.", won't be "Things will get better.", won't be "the Silver Lining.". It will be on what is. Warts Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-4234869586459281172009-10-09T16:00:00.000-04:002009-10-09T16:14:58.232-04:00Sorry for not having posted much.. I have plenty to write about, plenty to say, but just not enough time to put cohesive posts together.Boys are doing OK.. settled into school... Salamander is doing really really well, Potatey is having a bit more trouble getting adjusted...which surprises me, and is something I need to keep an eye on.Me? Hanging in. The boys keep me going, they are my reasons Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-47278291793873302092009-09-24T10:15:00.002-04:002009-09-24T10:36:34.695-04:00Originally posted on September 18, 2009Haven't blogged in FAR TOO long. Sorry. Just too much going on, too much 'trying to survive', too much dealing with the latest thing blowing up in my face.That being said, the boys are doing well. They are settling back into the school routine. Sure, we have our hiccups here and there. But hey, who doesn't. It's all been very manageable.In my personal life? Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-53010335146538787022009-08-29T16:15:00.001-04:002009-08-29T16:17:55.045-04:00We're BACK!!Boys and I had an awesome time. They did so very very well (above and beyond my expectations) - we had so many fun experiences together and made some really precious memories (I'll write about all we did and experienced when I am a bit more organized and not so tired..)Today's homecoming ROYALLY SUCKED tho.. for many, many reasons..Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-68342247777751812852009-08-22T06:35:00.000-04:002009-08-22T06:35:45.588-04:00Off to The CapeBoys and I are leaving town today, for a week stay in a beach house on the Cape (yes, we'll get to see the ocean swells generated by Hurricane Bill.. that will be soooo COOL. And no, we won't be going into the water when the waves are like that.. that just would not be safe).We'll be back next Saturday. It'll be good to be away from all the B... S.. for a bit (no, boys' dad is NOT coming along. Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-43917117186216742082009-08-15T16:15:00.003-04:002009-08-22T06:31:41.244-04:00I AM TIRED!!!!Am I gonna say it?Hell yes, I AM gonna say it...I am tired, tired of having to be the grown-up ALL THE TIME,tired of having to be the ROCK ALL THE TIME (and then being presented by another person as "cold, unfeeling, no compassion, controlling, un-trusting, etc"),tired of always having to keep on the *happy, positive, things will come together* face/mood/spirit in front of the boys [and of coursePetrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-10175776461932591352009-08-10T14:00:00.002-04:002009-08-10T14:13:37.605-04:00MEH......So I had my 4 month "post discovery of lumpy bumpies" check up this morning.Mixed bag.Blood pressure up (from my typical "low-normal" range to "high normal"). Well, no sh#t on that one eh? I guess you could say that I am experiencing an eensy teensy weensy bit of stress and that I wouldn't be human if that didn't have some type of effect (and I sure as heck ain't no Zen Buddist..)..One of the "Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-39528371384224773832009-08-08T17:00:00.000-04:002009-08-08T17:04:36.592-04:00Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.... Happy.....Thank you all so very very much. A friend told me yesterday "Ask and you shall receive". Another friend told me today "The Universe gives back what you put into it". A third friend said "What goes around, comes around". I have said these words, I have used these expressions, but never truly believed, as in "Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-29948395586008584622009-08-08T07:45:00.003-04:002009-08-08T13:00:57.326-04:00I Need Your Help. No, Let Me Rephrase, My Boys Need Your Help..Well, I didn't think it was ever going to come to this.. but it did.. I need your help.Not for me, but for my boys.It feels incredibly weird to do this (you all know how well I do with asking for help), but for the sake of my boys, I will swallow my pride and reach out.I need to make some decisions regarding what parts of the boys' current treatment protocols I may be able to taper down on a bit Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-82076405570667456982009-07-28T12:00:00.001-04:002009-08-22T08:42:48.666-04:00Careful What You "Wish" For....I've commented a few times in the past that things possible couldn't get crazier (worse, deeper in the pit, whatever phrase I may have used), that the only way to go from here would be up.Well, I was WRONG.Boys' dad lost his job this morning. Good news is that he did get a bit of a buffer while he's looking for a new job. Bad news is that of end of next month, my boys will be without health Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-84581462618949242432009-07-17T15:25:00.001-04:002009-07-17T16:05:34.938-04:00Yeah.. What She Said..I was going to write my own story/commentary to this particular piece by Julie over on Age of Autism. But I don't have it in me right now.. It's been kind of a rough day.. I had a real estate appraiser coming through my house, and the realization hit me HARD that some time soon I am going to have to uproot my kids out of the only home they've ever known (let's hope I can convince a certain playerPetrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21016217.post-50543936969125002542009-07-16T15:30:00.001-04:002009-07-16T15:35:41.575-04:00Leaving You, For Now, With These..I do not know WHEN I'll be back.. just THAT I'll be back..In the mean time, friends and family, you know where to reach me....Petrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725871498573838663noreply@blogger.com