Here's fall fest Autism

So on Friday the school had it's annual fall festival. Doodle loves it at school during this time of year because well there's no school work. We've had a busy weekend, which was a lot of fun. When I went to get the pictures this morning for Friday's school event I noticed they were no longer in color. Doodle changed them all to black and white. And because I'm still preparing for this Friday's fall party at Doodle's school I'm a little crunched for time.

This weekend is my anniversary with Doodle's father. Since we are legally separated I don't know how long we technically are married because counting for it stopped last year. But he's coming down for to visit for this time. And I will be working this weekend at Michaels craft store as I took a job there as their fine arts instructor. They were in need of someone and hey I can paint and draw so it was right up my alley. That and it puts a little fun money in my pocket. Not to mention how much I shop there already I couldn't resist the extra 30% discount tacked on! Which is making preparing for the fall party that much easier!

I'm sure you guys noticed I name dropped on the paints for Doodle's pumpkin for her pumpkin story book project. Well, Grumbacher is my sponsor and Michaels is my employer. Everything I need to teach a class is provided through Grumbacher along with all of my supplies. As we say here in the South, you can't beat that with a stick.

And thanks to the paints from Grumbacher, Doodle won 3rd place in her 4th-5th grade section. I'm very proud. She could care less. Which is typical Doodle fashion.

And on that note here are the now black and white photo's from fall fest. You guys have a great day!

Doodle's friend from next door. I was calling her Dirty Dan and him well that's Trouble.

Finally a picture with Doodle where there is nothing blurred in it. The struggle is real.

That morning out on the field is when we found out she won 3rd place, when they announced it to everyone at the school!

She was the only kid in her class to turn in a pumpkin project. So you know her teacher was pretty excited about it as well. Up next is gobblers. I think I might skip that one. Not sure just yet.

She took a picture with her favorite "Uncle". We don't create friends down in the South we create family.

Can't see her at all, but in that sun glare there is Doodle. It was a little better in color.

She wasn't happy about eating her food. She wanted candy. I however refused to give her candy until all her food was gone.

I'm furious Autism

Yep, just like the blog says I'm furious! This blog was suppose to be about doughnuts that Doodle and I work on together for the approaching Halloween festivities. But no I've got to get all angry! One of my friends is being put in a situation that really could be avoided. But yet what could it be that would effect me so much? Well, it not only effects me but it also effects Doodle. Her health and her safety. I'm as mad as a wet hen. But here's a not so funny joke for you and only people that really know me will get the joke.

The cemetery called today. My grandparents are rolling in their graves!

**Warning, foul language ahead**

So this woman moves into my grandparents old house. She's a room mate and she brings with her, her special needs son. Not a problem to me. Doodle's best friend has almost the exact same condition, wheel chair bound too. But the difference between my best friends son and this woman is parenting style. My best friend puts her son first. He is top priority no matter what. Just like I do with Doodle. My best friend is a Rock Star Mom! She makes sure that her son can do for himself except when it comes to changing his diapers cause he can't control that. She makes sure he stays clean. She makes sure that he gets exercise and is not always in bed or in his wheel chair. She picks him up to put him in his chairs or wheel chair or in bed. Never does my friends son ever get bed sores or smell bad. She's the best mother in the world. I love my best friend.

My grandmother for over 65 years took care of a son just like that. My uncle was a grown baby. Couldn't do for himself at all. And my grand parents always made sure that my uncle was taken care of. When she hung the laundry outside, my uncle was outside with her. She feed him, she cleaned him. Never once did my uncle ever get bed sores. Even up to the he passed to be with The Lord, he did not have a single bed sore on him or even filthy, not once!

Doodle can walk, Doodle has no medical issues other then autism and asthma. I, like my best friend strive to do what's best for our special needs children and not taking no for an answer.

Heck I even have another best friend who had a sister just like the best friend I just wrote about. His mother never let her daughter have bed sores or smell bad. Always had her busy with something and moving around. What do all three of these women have that one parent can't grasp. That would more then likely be common sense.

Here comes the language. If it this is not your cup of tea, exit now. And before I get nasty comments, but your a Christian. I am of the flesh and foul language to me when I get mad enough is my version of the whip in Jesus' hand at the temple. I will ask for forgiveness when I am truly repentant of it. I know how this works.

This new room mate is the type of woman that I see when the news pops up of neglectful parents getting arrested for such deplorable living conditions and their kids are either rescued or they have died. To me it's called shitty parenting. Yep I'm going there on my unicorn who farts rainbows. Plain and simple it's shitty parenting. This woman's son has not left his hospital bed since she moved in next door. She told me in confidence that he has bed sores. And her excuse of not getting him out of bed is due to the fact that he doesn't have his 5 thousand pound wheel chair because it was left at her previous place that she got evicted from because of her husband that she is split from wouldn't pay the rent. Shocker she has drama. My question is if she is collecting a check for her sons disability why wasn't that going towards the rent? I know she's broke and has no money right now, but seriously. Get your priorities straight!

Life is hard I get it for some. My life isn't all roses but you can be damned sure that Doodle would never be left in a situation like that. And by situation like that. The woman is freaking nasty. Leaves her kid all day in bed. Doesn't try to move him. Doesn't change his diaper. He can't help it that he can't change himself. It's our job as parents to take care of our kids if they are that way.

Today with my encounter with her she just wanted to sleep. She's home and her son tells me that he's hungry. I tell her and she goes back to sleep. It's 8:30 in the flipping morning! If you have a kid that's suppose to be in school and you aren't working nights at a JOB you have no right to sleep all day if your kid is at home, needs his diaper changed and is saying he's hungry, he's 16 by the way. I was there to babysit a toddler not babysit for a special needs child whose momma is at home. She got attitude with me and since I wasn't making any head way with her I called my mother over hoping that maybe she could get the flipping nutter up.

I was right. Having my mother come over got the woman up. I seriously doubt that she took care of her son, because every time I see the woman she's outside smoking cigarette's and playing on her phone, or she's sleeping. And that right there my friends is the whole reason I don't carry a phone. I hate the darn things. It takes my attention away from Doodle. If I have my head buried in a phone my kid could wander off. It only takes a split second to lose Doodle. Believe me I've lost her in stores plenty of times just shopping for groceries until I asked her fantastic teacher how she was able to take Doodle and the entire class shopping and not have any issues for their field trips. The secret was the wanderers were placed in the buggy to ride. Grant it Doodle is getting far too big for sitting in the buggy but darn it, I will still put her in one to this day! There is a great invention to a buggy out right now that I can't wait for more stores to get and use called the Caroline's cart. It's made for parents of special needs children. I can only find those at Publix right now in my area. If more stores get them I wouldn't dread shopping with Doodle so much.

Back on subject. Of course this woman cussed my mother out and that was it for me. I took the toddler to my house cause I was done. Hell, the pee smell that can be smelled even outside in the yard was just too freaking much for me. And this is why I call people like that woman shitty parents. She made up every excuse as to why it was okay for her son to stink and for her not to make sure he stayed clean and was taken care of. S H I T T Y parenting!!!! Face it there are not any other words for it.

And before anyone asks, yes DHR is getting involved. That's uncalled for out of a parent. As far as I'm concerned the only thing she cares about is collecting a check. I pray that's not the case but that's the way that it looks. Why anyone would do that to their kid and cause another person's house to smell that awful I have no flipping clue. I can't think for other people. People have to think for themselves. But that was my day.

By the time you guys read this I will be enjoying Doodle's fall festival with her at school. The next day just moves on. I'm pissed and you can't blame me. I've tried getting it through clueless' head and her room mate has done the exact same as me. But she thinks she knows it all and that we are the ones in the wrong. We will just let the State sort it out for her. Don't try to make yourself look like a victim parent when really all you are is a shitty parent and clueless to boot.

So how was your day? I was going to post the pictures that I took of Doodle for fall but I just don't have the time to edit them right now. So instead here's two pictures of Doodle and her friend. We are headed to fall fest this morning and I know Doodle is looking forward to it. Unfortunately for me because of what transpired above I'm nursing a migraine that can't figure out if it wants to stay or go.

Cowboy project Autism

As you guys saw on Monday was the pumpkin story. It's the project Doodle school is participating in this week. And of course Doodle did participate. Well, this Friday at her school they are having a Fall Festival. I will be attending that event with Doodle as with so many kids in her class, I don't want someone loosing my child. She's my main responsibility.

Yesterday I was on the hunt for her a cowboy hat. Now I've already spent a good chunk of change on the pumpkin project. So money is starting to get tight with her line and school events/functions. So I did what any parent would do. I headed to the Dollar Tree and picked up a black foam cowboy hat. of course the PTA is selling cowboy hats for $5.00. And well, $1.00 verses $5.00 you can guess why I opted for a foam hat that may or may not get lost at school. I also headed to Michaels Craft store and not only did I get a bandanna but I picked up some ribbon for $1.00 because I can customize this hat to not look so cheap.

And seriously, why should Doodle get a hat that other kids will be wearing? She should have a better option then looking like everyone else. She's unique and that's what makes her special.

And since I still have doughnuts to make and a fall festival to attend I'm stretching myself a little thin. But I can do it I know I can. Don't worry I will share the recipe. And don't think doughnuts are so unhealthy. These are as healthy as I can make them. Stay posted for that.

So on with my small crafting project to get Doodle ready for her school's fall festival. Enjoy and you guys have a great day!

All pictures are out of order because I'm in a rush. I cleaned Doodles boot's because they've been left outside for about 2 years and that dirt has been left on there for that long. And look how nice they came out.

Its a school project Autism

So as you guys noticed last week appeared to be crafting week after the funeral that I posted about on Monday. Well, I am taking the crafting on to this week. Halloween is fast approaching and it's the time of year for fun artsy fartsy crafts. Yeah, I just said artsy fartsy. So last Tuesday a paper came home that announced the entire school was to participate in a pumpkin craft. The kids are to turn a pumpkin into a fictional book character and it's to be a book that is elementary school appropriate. There goes Harry Potter. Admit it, a Harry Potter pumpkin would have been awesome!

But Doodle has an obsession with frogs. And it's not a good obsession.  As you know a kid with ASD and their obsession can be costly. I know Doodle has thousands of dollars wrapped up in stuffed fish. And don't get me started over everything stuffed and Muppets. Do you know how hard it was to find a Gonzo, before Amazon was the go to online shop???

Well, Doodle had a book she wanted to turn into a pumpkin. The Frog who wanted to be a Singer. Yep, she turned a pumpkin into a frog. And it was pretty much a cake walk! I was surprised as to how easy it was. It was suppose to be a real pumpkin, but what parent in their right mind is going to send a real pumpkin for an elementary school student to drop at school. Don't answer that one. As I know there will be lots of kindergartners dropping pumpkins the moment they hop off the bus or get out of the car today. Maybe I should just stand back at the breezeway and watch the little faces drop as the pumpkins fall. Nah, I have more important things to do today. And it just wouldn't be right to watch children's faces fall because they dropped a project they worked so hard on. But this was a topic last week with my friends while waiting for the the kids to get out of school.

And on a side note, Doodle was not having it this morning. Just didn't want to gt dressed. She fought me every step of the way to get ready, so needless to say she was late getting to school. We did arrive before the tardy bell, which is always good, But battling with Mohammad Ali is just no fun in the mornings. No she didn't hit me she just refused to get dressed. And I felt like I was going rounds in the boxing ring.

But enough about my morning. Let's get on with the images. You guys have a great day!

The start of the project. Painting the pumpkin from orange to green. I used Grumbacher paints and paint brushes.

 She glued pipe cleaners to foam that I helped to cut out of legs and arms. I think we should have used more pipe cleaners so the legs and arms were more pose-able.

Here is Doodle adding both the arms and legs and the sticky spots.

I poked holes in the pumpkin so the pipe cleaners would be able to make sure the legs and arms stayed attached to the body. And from there she added all the spots of the frog.

Here is Doodle adding the spots. This project was a breeze with the stick on foam.

Finished project!

For a project I think the frog turned out great!

Ta Da!

Side view!

Cupcake soaps and regular moms Autism

Yep, the title says it all. I am far from regular. I'm the type of parent that when it comes to my child every single moment of the day is like a theatrical event to me. I'm either observing or I'm apart of the show. Because I'm always preforming. With either wrangling Doodle, helping her to become extraordinary in all that she does or I'm working for myself. To me life is an event and I have front row seats.

So someone told me a couple nights ago they thought I was just a regular mom with an autistic kid. Regular? Regular? Really??? What am I a plain burger with nothing on it but one little pickle? I had just helped Doodle finish her project for school and preparing for the thing she wants most in this house. Cupcake soaps. Yeppers, Doodle and I are making cupcake soaps. Great little kit from Michaels Craft store. Hint hint, awesome coupons in the Sunday paper and you too can be mom or dad of the year!

Crafting with Doodle is a way that she and I can bond. It helps her with listening skills, Occupational skills and helps with sensory. So to me it's a win win all around! And what cupcakes wouldn't be complete without glitter? Thankfully the kit didn't come with cherry toppers, though we would have done those with pride!

Living this life is not regular. If you have a child on the spectrum you know the only thing regular that you will find in your life is the poop smears you will have to wipe off the walls at some point in time during your day. And even then some kids grow out of this, some don't. Doodle did grow out of this phase, which made it a phase. 5 years of this phase but she did grow out of it. How could I be a regular mom? Oh I know! I don't share my life on social media. So it's easy to dismiss the fact that I barely share anything on there minus the Bible verses, which I do look forward to sharing daily if I happen to be around a computer or internet to share them. It's not hard for me to take a long break from social media as God first then Doodle and lastly myself. So where in there would I be able to fit in social media? I don't really. It's just something to pass the time away with in the mornings and to catch up with friends who live far away. And of course to those who seek help with their own children on the spectrum.

Some days as you guys know it's even a struggle to share our life here in this blog. Yes, I understand that finding parents who have accomplishments with ASD are very hard to find. When they do have blogs you had better believe that most of the time they are working their tails off to get their kids up to par so that they can have well paying jobs and can better take care of themselves when they become of age. Our jobs as parents with ASD kids are non stop. Heck most of the time our kids don't even sleep. So we are barely functioning. Kuddos to the parents with ASD kids who don't need extra help getting their kids to sleep. Heck it wasn't until just recently I learned a trick to get Doodle's melatonin to kick in 5 minutes after I give it to her.

Our lives are far from regular. Maybe the word regular is something that is just a bitter word for me now as my life is as I would put it extraordinary.  So on that note, here are the pictures of our newest craft project that Doodle has been looking forward to getting and using. As for the project for school, those pictures will be released on Monday, as it is the day the pumpkins get turned into the school for judging.

You guys have a great day.

The base of the cupcake soaps was the easiest to do.

Doodle putting on the sprinkles. you see her little pinching fingers?

Yay! Glitter everywhere! I looked like a Twilight Vampire by the end of this project.

And even though glitter was everywhere! They turned out perfect! Ready to use.

I love October Autism

Bet you guys thought you wouldn't hear from me today. Well, here I am. So it's the middle of October. This year is flying by. Just like Doodle's childhood it's passing by quickly. We have a project for school due next week. There will be more about that in the next blog. I'm still very much refreshed and I am getting tons of things done. I used to be one of those moms other moms hated. Oh she can make anything. I'm so sick of her and her crafting projects. Well, it's official! This crafting Queen is back!

Doodle and I have been very busy. So busy in fact a person I know is sick of this great mom. I can't help it even when my husband flipped his wig and kicked us out I was still there to make sure Doodle got to school on time. And no I didn't rely on anyone to help me out. I am her care giver I have to be there for her. She's the only child that I have. Don't hate on me because even when I was in the deep darkest parts of depression I still took care of my kid.

So what have we been busy with? Here is today's project. The dreaded trimming of a child on the spectrum's' nails. Yep, I trimmed her nails while she was wide awake! It's a miracle!! No, not really. I conditioned Doodle by taking her to nail salons for about a good 6 months. I let them deal with the head ache while I got my mommy time and doting over Doodle for being such a good girl. That changed the way that I could trim her nails.

Today, since it's been awhile. I think the last post I did on doing her nails, it was in this blog, was the last time I trimmed her nails. I even did my nails today and I am feeling great. Not only did I get to trim her nails but I also took the time to paint them too.

Anything is possible when it comes to children on the spectrum. You just have to keep at it. You guys have a great day!

The finished hand

One of the steps

The other finished hand

The start. Dirty filthy hands with long long nails

One of the steps

Here we go! The start, washed cleaned hands and trimmed

The color I needed on my nails

It's funerals and sea glass Autism

Yeah, I know. You guys haven't heard from me in awhile. I'm here and this morning it would have still been on a sad note but now as Doodle likes to say, "Feeling much better". So why does the title of this post say funerals and sea glass? Well, that's an easy and a sad one. I have written several posts but I haven't posted them because for several weeks I'v been just so busy and I haven't been able to keep up with everything.

My aunt passed away last Monday. Hard to believe that she is gone. She was the life of the room. Everyone would gravitate towards her no matter where she was or who she was with. She was fun loving and great to be around. She just went to sleep one night and didn't wake up the next morning. The peaceful sleep. She left behind 3 children. 2 are grown the baby of her family is 16 years old and it's hard for her to be without her mom, I'm sure.

And Monday was not my best day at all. As I was walking around the neighborhood I was told to go home because my mother needed me. Some would call that an Angel and others would say intuition. Me, I know it was the voice of my Lord. By the time I got back home my mother was in tears and that's when I learned the horribly sad news that my aunt, my mothers little sister had gone to be with The Lord. By the time lunch time rolled around the school was calling to say that Doodle had an ear infection and needed to go home from school.

The funeral was on Thursday and almost all of the family was in attendance. At least the ones that mattered. You know how it is with family. Some you want to see, others you pray you don't run into. And as you can imagine a funeral home is not autism friendly. The lighting was not in Doodle's favor, which is why we spent so much time in my minivan. She had her crayons and markers, drawing papers, movies with a fold down screen and snacks in the car along with plenty of water just in case she were to get thirsty. The emotions alone in the funeral home had poor Doodle's head swimming. It was really confusing for her. Some were laughing because my aunt lived a happy funny life and some were crying because they would miss her so much. That's just too much of an emotional roller coaster for her and she didn't know which way to go. She couldn't be just regular Doodle because the room was charged with confusion to her.

I was relieved when my best friend finally arrived and was promptly walked around to meet everyone in the family. My best friend has attended every single family funeral for as long as he's been my friend and that's 18 years worth of funerals. My best friend who is also Doodle's Godfather has known my family way before he and I became best friend. He's the only one that can truly handle Doodle and her emotions. He sat in the car with us for about 30 minutes and was able to get Doodle out of my minivan when it came time for us all to go back inside to pay our respects one last time.

So how did Doodle do at the funeral. Pretty good for the most part. When we first walked in around 10:15 that morning Doodle promptly tried to clear the room with screaming out, "She's DEAD!?" Then she discovered the little break room and the fact she didn't want to be there. Which is why we spent so much time in the minivan. At the last call to pay our respects and we went back inside Doodle went straight to one of the couches and laid down, sticking her tongue out of her mouth and pretended to be dead.

After the grave side service was finished, Doodle was back to normal with her emotions. So the rest of the day was pretty typical and normal for Doodle. But for the rest of the week and the weekend it's been an emotional roller coaster for me and stressful as there is so much work that I have to do for Doodle's line and stores that I've lined up to carry her line.

Today, the following Monday I have just been very stressed out with work and poor Doodle and her autism just weren't helping. This past week she's been obsessed with frogs. So I took this time to say we needed to go to the beach. Straight to the Sea Lab, since there was no school today as it's teacher work day. Doodle enjoyed the day and I enjoyed being with her. I was a happy loving mom with not a single responsibility to deal with. Just enjoying Doodle and her child like wonder. She even picked a fight with a crab. And it was hilarious! There was this huge tank with lots of fish swimming around in it. At the bottom of the tank was a crab. One lone crab. And Doodle went back and worth beside the crab who was behind the thick glass. Back and forth for a good 15 minutes. And this crab was getting so hot under the collar with her following him/her. At one point the crab looked at her and put it's claws up as if to say let's fight. To see her face light up at each one of the tanks was such a wonderful experience. Getting to touch some of the sea creatures and seeing Sea Horses and the different colors that they come in.

Seeing the alligator or as Doodle used to call them Alli-da-dor. We watched for a bit as it pretended that he wasn't real. You know those alligators can hold their breathe for a long time. And his throat moves like a frogs does before it starts making noise. After we left the Sea Lab we went to the beach. After we took our shoes off and started to wade in the water is when I noticed the jelly fish. They were washing up on shore. They weren't as big as they were when I was a kid but you still have to keep an eye out for them as they can still do some damage to you, dead or alive. We collected sea shells and little sea rocks and we found a few pieces of sea glass. It was a perfect day. And how do you top off a perfect day? Late lunch at Dairy Queen. Doodle and I's favorite restaurant. We love it at Dairy Queen but only eat there once every 4-5 months. It's cheaper to eat at home.

She loves it at the Sea Lab and we can't get out there enough for her to enjoy what she loves most during her childhood. She'll only be a child once and it's time I need to remember that. She is growing up so fast. And childhood only lasts in the blink of an eye.

I'm going outside to spend the rest of the day with Doodle and of course be an adult and do laundry. You guys have a great day!

Photo opportunity with Ojo from Bear in the Big Blue House

Not the crab she got in a fight with. This one wasn't interested in her shenanigans as it was busy eating his buddy.  

A photo that Doodle took of the beach

The crab Doodle got in a fight with. The fight ended when she turned her fanny to it and tried to sit on the glass. At that point he figured it was time to head for the cover of the sand.

Touching the Sting Ray's and sharks

Just hamming it up

I really liked these fish chilling in the barnacles.