Colorful Critic No Spoilers Here

 Colorful Critic

The babes was gone for the weekend! I spent some time with my middle son, Iz to let him know just because he doesn't have Special Needs, he's just as important! We went and saw Karate Kid!

 The movie was awesome!! Just as good as the original! I love watching Jaden Smith on film! He's definitely got his dad's (Will Smith) charisma, and his mother's (Jada Pinkett-Smith) determination. I felt so sorry for him being bullied. He definitely took the stomp to the gullet like a full grown man. It's a great family film... I suggest you go see this one! I'd pay movie prices to see it again... and that means a lot to my cheap ass! Definitely for all ages. I give it a two thumbs and a.........

Next Movie... Alice in Wonderland, by Tim Burton... we saw this at home...

I absolutely loved the White Queen. I was convinced in the movie this character was on the Autism Spectrum. The White Queen stimmed through her whole part, and I loved it!!!! I was a bit bored at the beginning of the movie but it got better once Alice fell in the hole. Mad Hatter was awesome as usual. However, to me, a mom of a kid who stims, the White Queen, played by Anne Hathaway, stole the show! I wish she came in earlier in the movie though. All in all... it's a must see! If your kid is prone to nightmares or gets scared easily I wouldn't let them see this. Maybe over age 8 or 9.

Next Movie... I watched this late Saturday night in bed (by the way, i'm off the floor and I have a futon now.... yup I'm bad ass!!) okay next flick... Valentines Day...

I was pleasantly surprised! I was prepared for a bummer of a movie. I just felt there were way too many big Celebrities to make a good story my mind could follow. Wow was I surprised!!! I loved this movie!! Seriously, am I having good Movie luck or what? It was hilariously sweet. Taylor Swift was very funny.. her character cracked me up... luv'd her whacky dance moves. I could go on and on but don't want to spoil it for you. But it's definitely a must see. The most important thing is it doesn't make you depressed if your Single.

Next Movie.... Meet The Browns...watched it on Showtime.. somehow i missed this one. I've seen all of Tyler Perry's movies and I've watched the t.v. show.. how I missed this makes me question my sanity....

Okay first of all I have two words: Sofia Vergara.. luuuuuuuuuv her!!! She plays Gloria (Jay's *Ed O'niel'* wife) on Modern Family. She is so phucking funny my sides hurt watching her in action!! In Meet The Browns, she plays Cheryl, Brenda's (Angela Bassett main character) Best Friend. She cracked me up the whole darn movie!! As Wendy Williams says, she's my bff in my head, Sofia Vergara is that funny on screen! Her character had that same swagger as her Modern Family Character. If you haven't watched the T.V. Sitcom Modern Family.. you've gotta! Seriously, even if you don't watch t.v., watch it for me...Ok, anyways.... Angela Bassett is lovely as usual. Does she even age? She is absolutely gorgeous. She plays a strong, single, and poverty stricken mother from the projects. She goes back home after her dad dies to meet her whole family. Very funny and heartwarming. Good Family flick... I wouldn't let kids under the age of middle school watch this.. some violence.

Last Movie... watched it yesterday morning on my DVR. My friend told me to run a movie search for it, and its showing this month on Showtime... this one was deep.... and not for the weak hearted....

Life is Hot in Cracktown

The movie opens with a gang rape, has drugs, abandoned and abused children, elderly abuse, sex, guns, and violence in it. I wouldn't even watch this while the kids were playing in another room. I only had one child home at the time and Iz was asleep.  Evan Ross (Diana Ross' son) plays Romeo. His character is a scary non-remorseful gangsta. The worst part of the movie (which I kept covering my eyes) is when he leads his gang in abusing and extorting an elderly man. Overall, it was good. It was Raw and Real and I held my breath and shed tears all the way through.

I can't believe I had a weekend full of Movies 

and I loved them all!!!!

Sunday Stealing, Books and Chocolate

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)

A Library. With big beautiful handcrafted bookshelves and Oversized Comfy Chairs.
 

2. What is your dream car?

VW Bus. Painted Light Blue with Silver Hubcabs and Silver VW Sign.
 

3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog?

http://www.theautspot.com/

4. iPhone 4 or Droid, which do you want?

 Wii Fit

5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?

Get a new Book

6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.

Reality Shows and Iced Coffee Black low Ice
 

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Well seeing that I'm 42, I consider myself grown up so I will answer that as if I'm younger: A Librarian.

8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?

Funny you should ask that one. I was given information on a new show coming up featuring an Autism Family, and I'm considering it. I'm sure there are a million families doing the same so the chance may be slim. Any other type of show my answer would be no. But, raising Autism Awareness is a subject I live and breathe.

9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up. (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)

Ms. Gail Helm. She believed in me wholeheartedly and told me every chance she got.
 

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?

Neither, I've grown to much to believe there are no consequences in life. You, or Someone else will always suffer from your actions.

11. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Moving from the San Francisco Bay Area Back to Long Beach. Escaping a violent abusive relationship.

12. By this time next year, I ...

....will be even more Educated on Autism and my son's needs.

13. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing?
 

 After Obama, I believe anything can happen. I never thought I'd live to see a Black Man/Black First Family in the White House.

14. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime?

Travis Sanders (Morris Chestnut) in the Game Plan also Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) in Not Easily Broken... you see where this is going... Morris Chestnut, he's a fine big chunk of Chocolate... yummy!!!

15. What is your greatest pet peeve?

Repetitive Noises, which I've been force to work through having a son with Autism who likes to stack 8 Mega Legos into sets of 2 then 4 then 8 then seperate them into two stacks Smack them together with a loud bang, then start over. I've gotten to the point I've been able to handle his repetiveness (if I can't redirect him). However it still secretly drives me a bit batty.

16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?

 Just got back from The Bay Area. Went to San Francisco, Alameda, Pleasant Hill, and ended up in San Jose for the Bay Area Autism Walk. It was really great because we met another online Autism Family for the first time and joined them in their walk for their son Jesse.

17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

Both about the same, i have a tendency to recheck myself to make sure I am using the correct grammer, my mom was an English Teacher. If my blog post is full of slang... it's not by accident.

18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?

 African, given to me by one of my best friends Brandi (i call her Samoan) and it stuck at my old job

19. What are you dreading at the moment?

 I don't really dread to many things. However I am stressing a bit on the picnic I am hosting.

20. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?

Ummmmm No! Only God can Judge Me  I love me some Tupac!

21. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.

  Too Soon

22. What were you doing this morning at 8am?

 It's not 8am yet but I will be on my morning walk.

23. Do you have any famous relatives?

 Not that I know of

24. How many different beverages have you drank today?

 Two, water & iced coffee

25. What is something you are excited about?

 The Picnic that has me Stressed, LOL!

26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?

 Last Monday. I had to get up in front of 2 Autism Classrooms & their parents friends and family at our Field Trip to tell them about the picnic. I stuttered and ummmmed a lot.. I loathe public speaking.

27. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

 I may be a fat ass but my face is flawless (it's my daily self-esteem affirmation)

28. What were you doing at midnight last night?

 Sleeping

29. What’s a word that you say a lot?

 it's whatever... the whole thing though "it's whatever"... it's my passive aggressiveness if you don't care, i sure as hell don't word.

30. Who is your worst enemy?

Myself, so I've worked very hard to turn it into my best friend... i'm doing pretty good at it if I do say so myself *brushes shoulders off*

Join Judd for more Sunday Stealing!

Weekend Warriors #12

Click Here to see how it works:

WEEKEND WARRIORS

There are no rules...(feel free to post an old or new post!)
This meme is for both Special Needs and Non-Special Needs Families
Educate yourself and your children about ours
this will run through the whole weekend
(Friday evening posted by 9pm PST
thru Noon Monday, PST )
so that Special Needs Families
will have time to participate..
we never know what any day is going to be like..

This weeks Question:

How old was your child, yourself, or your loved one 
when first diagnosed.

What was the diagnosis?

My Post:

My Answer to this Weeks Question:

I answered this Question Here 

My Pic of the Day:

Toys R Us Booth

Please link directly to your Weekend Warrior Post
(feel free to link posts with Special Needs Giveaways 
and informational links, but please, no links 
to ads for expensive items the average household cannot afford) 

Email Next weeks questions to KnottyLbc@yahoo.com

F is for Friday... Facebook Flaws, Follow 40 Friday, Follow Friday, & Faaawk u Friday,

I have a Love Hate Relationship with Facebook. 
There are a few things that drive me crazy.

1. The Random Friend Request

This is the person that scours friends of friends and sends friend requests for absolutely no reason at all. Or they just spend the day stalking pages and since yours is closed they try and add you. The only time I add someone I don't know is if they have more than two mutual friends. The reason I add them is because that is my clue they have a mutual interest in Special Needs. My facebook consists of four Catagories. The IRL friend whom I not only know, but actually like, a family member, a blogging friend whom I'd like to stay in contact with, and Special Needs Families and groups.

2. The High School Friend Request

Seriously?? You hated me and made my life freakin' miserable. You teased me about my friends, my race, my multi-cultural family, you made me insecure. I tried many things... being nice, avoiding you by walking the long way to class, and sometimes ditching to avoid you all together. Now because Facebook has been invented I am suppose to forget these things and consider you a "friend"?  Oh and my how the table has turned YOU WANT TO BE MY FRIEND... hahahahahaha um NO.

3. The Security Settings

Everytime I figure it out Facebook changes them!!! What the heck???

4. The Insecure Postings

Really? Your showing your ass all over Facebook? Why is every shot of you from behind, is that how you walk into a room? Oh you have kids.... hey dumb ass do you know they and their friends can see your CFM look? I hope you never have to go to court with their dad because a printer is all he needs to win his case. Lets not forget the dumbass that Smokes Weed in their pics. Did you really ask me online if I smoke Pot? Are you serious, you didn't notice my mother on my friends list?  You do know that it's still illegal right? A Medical Marijuana Card does not fully protect you sweetie. Um, hello you have kids too, seriously?, so....... you want them to think smoking pot online is smart? Class and Discretion go along way.

5. Comments  (This goes for blogs too by the way)

So you don't agree with what I think on MY page..... get the phuck outta here!! It's my page for a reason. Freedom of Speech is a wonderful thing when used correctly. Here is my idea of respect. Stop by my page. Give a few FACTUAL sentences why you disagree, then get the heck outta here!! Here's a good idea go to your wall and continue your Freedom of Speech. It's like walking into someone's house and debating on their decor... hello... the world doesn't revolve around you... its called your opinion for a reason. It's yours.

A little Stressed

I knew this month would be fun, but stressful. 

The first weekend of June I went to meet another Autism Family that I met through The Autspot. I posted pics yesterday, we had a blast. This Sunday is the TACA picnic. I've stated before I am not a huge supporter of Autism Speaks or TACA, but I am big on meeting new families on the Spectrum and participating in Autism Awareness events. The Following Saturday I asked The Autspot to join forces with me and I planned an Autism Picnic at the park near my home so that Local families on the Spectrum can meet and find support within the community. The following Saturday (last Saturday in June) I am having a Lemonade Stand (with help from Lemonade4Autism) to raise money for an Adult Aspergers Woman who wants to move back to Ohio, and for The Autspot (an online community for families on the Spectrum).

Whew!

The picnic has me slightly nervous because my flyer calls for RSVP's. I've begun to realize people just don't RSVP anymore! I've gotten a lot of  "oh that sounds good", "hmmm sounds fun", "we will try to make it". That is not an RSVP folks! I need to figure out food!! It's totally stressing me out. I gave flyers to 4 Autism Classrooms, posted flyers on a local online Autism forum, handed some at Events, and gave a few to friends with Autistic families. So far I have 4 families confirmed and a million "oh gee sounds fun". So, how much food do I order? Is the Jumper, a coloring table, food, and the ability to meet other families in your area enough for activities? I only put a three hour timeline.. 12-3 and if all works out, i'd like to make it an annual event with an extended time limit. Well the good thing is, I was able to get a bunch of donations from Authors, Friends, & Family to provide an Awesome Gift Basket for our free Raffle. 

Whew!

The Lemonade Stand should be fairly smooth (crossing fingers). It should be a really hot day, and on hot days Lemonade usually sells itself. I just hope people are buying! I've worked so hard on the donations for the picnic I feel a little funny going back out again for donations for the Lemonade Stand. So I'm gonna put that one in gods hands too.

I'm just a little Stressed. It will all work itself out and I will probably have lovely pics to post.

Pray for me! If you don't pray, burn a little Sage! If you don't pray or burn Sage think of me on those days and send me mental well wishes... i will need it!

Special Exposure WW Bay Area Fun and Autspot Families Unite!

So I went to the Bay Area with the kids... which was awesome because I lived there for 10yrs... and I miss it soooo much!! We went to San Francisco, Alameda, San Jose (Autism Walk, where we met with an Autspot family for the 1st time and walked with Team Jesse), Pleasant Hill, and Oakland... and we Rocked it!!

Thank you Java!

I got a new award from Java @ Never Growing Old.

I love her blog! 

I just stumbled on it last week and she Rocks!

She also has a fab Follow Friday 40 and over....

Per her instructions, I am to write 10 things that I love.  
Then I will pass it on to 10 great bloggy buddies.

• God
• My Kids
• Parents & Family
• Onion Rings
• Beer
• Books
• Peanut Butter
• The City
• The Autspot (www.theautspotfoundation.org)
• Being Single

Now I get to pass on this award to 10 wonderful bloggers....some I've recently started following, others I've been a fan of for a while.   If your not on the list...no worries!  I'll get you next time! Also feel free to go to my Awards Cloud on my page and grab my YOU ROCK Award.   

Keeping up with the Schultz Family
Loco YaYa 

Serendipity 
Blog O' Cheese
Amundsen House of Chaos
A Nut in a Nutshell
Angel Believes 
The Daily Dribbles
And then there were three
Wonders of Life (Rose)

Thanks again Java!

Raising Awareness Thursday HPV & Weekend Warriors

Weekend Warriors will be canceled this Week. 

I am leaving to the Bay Area for an Autism Event 
until Sunday Evening.

There is a new Carnival/Meme that is called Raising Awareness Thursday. I would like to thank Angel for informing me about this, as Raising Awareness is a subject that I wholeheartedly believe in. 

Today's topic is about HPV. I am embarrassed to say I am quite clueless about this. I am glad that Hearts Make Families and Headaches Hormones and Hotflashes has explained it in depth today! I definitely feel more educated. If you would have asked me before I read both of their blogs if I would get my daughter Vaccinated for this Disease, I would of said Oh Hell Naw! I am very wary of Vaccinations. For several reasons, and most are due to my son's Autism. Let me start first by stating I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT VACCINES ARE THE CAUSE OF AUTISM. There I said it. So I don't need a whole bunch of freaking out comments on my blog and infighting within the Autism Community. Enough is Enough. Lets respect each others beliefs. This is not about raising Autism Awareness, the subject is HPV. 

However, as a mother of an Autistic son there is no way that I cannot bring up MY son, and MY journey with Autism when a Vaccine Issue is raised. My son was verbal, waved hi and bye, ate whatever was given to him, and played with other children until a few months after a big dose of Vaccines. I took him to the doctor and he was behind in two shots. So the doctor said no problem we can do them all at once. The nurse brings in like 5 needles and some liquid for the mouth. My jaw dropped. I was like your gonna shoot up my lil boy with all that? She was like yeah he will be fine. I hesitantly said okay. I didn't go to med school, their the doctors right? She shot him up, he screamed, I cried, we left. A couple weeks later. My son was in the corner flapping his hands, completely non-verbal, refusing to eat, and drooling (thank goodness that stopped I was living a very soggy life). I definetly believe VACCINES ARE A TRIGGER. I believe Some children are born with Autism and I believe that SOME children are predispose to have Autism and there are triggers. Environmental, Diet, Vaccines, whatever the trigger may be. I also feel that Vaccines if given appropriately, mainly spaced apart and with as much information as possible are safe for most children. I have three other children who were vaccinated at appropriate times with appropriate doses that are neurotypical.

So that is my reason I am nervous about Vaccines.

With that said... after reading the above blogs, I think I'd be more nervous not to vaccinate for HPV. The Statistics are nerve wrecking. My daughter is 24 now and has her own doctors appointments and takes care of her own issues pretty much. This weekend we are doing a road trip to San Francisco, and this will definitely be a great time to bring up this topic. Thank you for Raising my Awareness.

Jane

Special Exposure WW Grandma's House