Here We Go...

Things are speeding up over here, Internet. My mind, as always, is racing in a zillion different directions. This week is going to be insane- for the ton of stuff that needs to get done, as well as my not so slow descent into a wriggling mass of nerves and excitement as this Friday edges closer. (5 days!!)

I'm thinking more and more about the non profit organization idea. It's sticking with me, and when something sticks, it must mean something. I love the idea of opening doors in our community (a very very small community) to bring in more information for the places that need to know more. There's not a lot of education regarding autism here when it comes to schools and other facilities that may be dealing with autistic children. And there should be, because if you do not know how to deal with the possibilities, the spectrum, the individuality of each case, then you as well as the families you deal with have less hope than they should. How can you properly advocate for a child, or children, that you don't understand?

In no way is that knocking the lack of education or on hand information here- we're in a place where funding doesn't allow for a lot of things, where knowledge is coming in from larger cities, and is pretty scarce. To learn more, you basically have to look for it on your own. that makes it more difficult- how many teachers, social workers, etc., have that extra time? They have their own families and lives to enjoy after their day is done. And for social workers, case managers, and CS, I know those days sometimes stretch into long evenings keeping them at work. When they finally do have a minute, they need the break.

What we need to do is bring it to them. And after going through the last couple weeks, I wonder if I may be able to help do that, even if it's just a nudge in that direction. That would be a huge movement here; the more you know, the more you can communicate with people and places that don't know, but want to. Or need to. It's definitely on my mind.

The other thing on my mind is that Cleveland is creeping up on me. There's less than a week to go, and I keep thinking about this "Face Time" we keep hearing about ;). as well as whether "I'm ready" or "Got my mind right." I don't know about ready- can you ever be? LOL I'm ready as I can ever be, is my final answer. And ready for what exactly? The concert itself? Meeting all the fans and hanging out with them? Possibly seeing, up close, the group of men who have caused all this insanity? :) Yes, yes and aw hell no. LOL That's the best I can do. there are no promises on that whole "I'll say this or do this if we happen to meet them.....". Get me through sounding semi intelligent, with little to no crying, and not feeling the need to puke? I'll consider that a success. (That puke thing is a valid concern. I have puked before. On the outer front of a tour bus, and I WAS an over anxious kid.. But, you see my concern. Being remembered would be one thing. Being remembered as the chick who pukes? Quite another. Let's have the possible memories be pleasant, shall we?)

Like I said, I will be twittering here, so feel free to add me if you want updates on the chaos as it happens. I will not be updating during the show, but before and after, you can expect to know just about anything and everything happening. LOL

I'll keep you posted, Internet, on any and all things happening this week. Meetings are still running rampant, but for different, better reasons. I feel more at ease, even as my stomach clutches at the thought of the opening chords and being asked "Are you ready for Showtime?...."
This is gonna be one hell of a week, so my question to all of my readers.. ALL of them... is this - Are YOU ready!?!?!??!

Pic-a-palooza!!! Kids, "Kids", and Pets!

**If you're looking for the sound check vids, scroll down.**

First up, the Jake man in a RARE picture... he's decided he isn't fond of the camera. So, rather than fight him, I sneak and get an occasional pic.



My favorite of Taylor so far, i think. she's so delighted it kills me!



More melt your heart from the ruler of our house. Cheeto face and all! :)



Dizzle. I always wonder why our cats run away......



My girls, chilling in a pile of toys. LOL Note the cheeto, still, on Taylor's face. She is an addict. I am an enabler... LOL.


Miss Lyss and her cat, Patrick. We **think** it's a Patrick anyway....


Lyss in her hat... we're on a hat kick around these parts lately....


Yeah, he looks thrilled about it... I made him wear the hat. Love it.


More cowboy hat!!!


Introducing Oliver! He is brand new, a little terrier mix who will not grow large, will not howl like a jackass all hours of the night, and more than likely will not cause me to sever tendons in my foot, unlike the previous dog, who did just that. By running into a darkened room- a being renovated room, filled with junk... and with my JMM CD's... one of which entered my foot. There is so a joke there, but I will let that go......

What i got today... and yes, that IS my screensaver. Ahhhh, life is good.......

Because You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up...

I know, I know. I've been a bad blogger and a worse commenter of late. I'm still reading, I promise, but the last few weeks have been insanity around the zoo here. First the sickness, then the added craziness of Jake's school field trips- one a week for three weeks running (this will be week 2)- and trying to get back on track with the house stuff and now the outdoor stuff, since spring is finally (did I mention FINALLY!!!!) here.

But, to make us all even nuttier, this has been my week. First, we acquired this guy, which you guys know already. His name is Bart. And I am already reminding myself several times a day that we got him on purpose. Seriously, it isn't as bad as I make it sound, but he is a puppy, after all. And puppies tend to get into stuff, and have very little control over bathroom issues. They truly are harder than toddlers, to me, because you have to watch them more closely. They can choke, or eat something that will make them sick, or crap on the floor if left alone for any amount of time. Thank God for the crate- it has been amazing. That and the fact that Bart does actually enjoy being on his leash, and using the bathroom outdoors. We're working on keeping him "down" though, because he does like to jump, and while he isn't going to be a big dog, I think it's rude and annoying when people let their dogs jump all over you. That and I don't want him jumping on Taylor. But, little annoyances aside, all is well there.



A few nights after Bart, however, Jim was getting ready to run to a friend's, looked out the door and saw this:
He was simply sitting on the porch, eating some cat food I leave out for the strays. A bad habit, I know, but I refuse to let them go hungry, and I also refuse to call our local cat shelter. I've been there before, got our very first cats from there, not knowing better, and it's not a place I'd send my worst enemy, let alone a cat. Besides, this little guy is identical, except in color, to our Tom. Markings, walk, stature, the way he looks at you... he IS Tom except he's orange where Tom is the dark tabby. So, I of course nabbed him. His behaviors tell me he'd never been indoors, or around people, and that he was starved (most of his weight is a heavy, fluffy dense fur... again, like Tom). I've never seen a cat eat the way he did that first night- I had to keep taking it from him. He was shoveling it in, not really even chewing, and I was almost positive he'd choke or puke everywhere (another trait he'd have inherited....). So we were all siting on the couch when Jim came home, blinked a few times, said some interesting things, sighed and shook his head.

I feel for Jim. He knew going in that I love animals (especially cats). He didn't know I can't turn away a stray though. I've fed strays off and on for years, income and circumstance permitting, and have always been the first one to run out and grab a kitten or cat if and when I can catch one, lol. We've had several, because cats do run away, get ill, etc., and because when I see so many ads in the papers I think of that animal shelter and the kittens I saw there. But I have never just happened upon a small kitten on the porch that way before- not one that small. And certainly not a relative!

He's adjusting (and nameless right now). He's pretty skittish, but he's started cuddling up to me on the couch in the evenings and even got in my lap last night for awhile. He really likes Duncan and follows him everywhere. But he's little too, so we're having to watch where we walk a lot more than we used to!

So that's where I've been- potty training and cat catching. lol In between taking care of the baby, the house, and running the kids back and forth to school, Jake's therapies and appointments. Is it bedtime yet????

Puppy Love

Finally, we have gotten a puppy! As of yet, the little guy has no name (we just got him today). He's nine weeks old and a red beagle- his daddy was a red tri beagle and mommy a bluetick beagle. This is the only pic blogger was cooperative enough to upload right now, and it isn't the best one. You can't tell, but the darker red on his head (as well as his back) is more of a chocolate brown. The light almost looks like a caramel or peanut butter. He's got the ticking on all his white parts, except the white of his tail... and his eyes are a pale green!!!!

More pics as blogger allows, promise!

Any training tips? He has a crate and puppy pads, but will not pee on them.Poop yes, but not pee. He's going out frequently, but is more into looking around and being afraid of his leash....