Christmas presents.

I'm enjoying watching on Facebook and reading through blog about the wonderful gifts my friends and family got and I think it's time to make my very own post about it.

Telling the truth, there is very little material things that I wanted this Christmas season, which is weird as I'm a person that loves to put my hands on the latest gadget (and if Santa is reading this, a Kindle or better yet an iPad, will come handy in the next months!) 

But right before Christmas I had a job interview and there was NOTHING, nothing I wanted more, than the job! 

I tried to keep my feet on the ground, but I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to have the news about me getting the job?? What better way to celebrate for the holidays?? 

Well, I didn't have to wonder much, because my wish came true! 

A lots of beautiful things will be happening in the next month....I will be going back to school to take some courses. I got my temporary teaching certificate and will take tests to make it a professional certificate. In the meanwhile, I accepted a job as an ESOL teacher to an High School down town. 

Yes, there will be some more driving and some schedule adjustment to go, some running around and some going crazy at times, but I will be finally earn a salary rather than be paid hourly and the salary start at 5 times more what I was making so far! 

What's an ESOL teacher you might ask? ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. I will be teaching basic English skills to students that, like me, came to the States from other countries and have a hard time getting to understand how everything works here in America.

I don't have words to describe how happy excited and a little bit scared I am!
But I'm ready, bring it on!

Horse riding

What happens when a little girl fall in love with horses?? She goes horse riding in the family farm of course! 

Meet my wannabe cowgirl!

And now meet the lovely horse named "Honey"

Oooops, wrong side!! 

It was a wonderful day and we can't wait to do it again!

Who is gonna tell her that she can't have a horse for Christmas??? LOL

Happy Sunday!

I woke up in the wee hours of Sunday morning and I was greeted with this image in my living room 

(Sorry for the blurry picture, as I said it was very early in the morning and I was still kinda of sleepy)  

The kids insisted on having a "slumber party" yesterday day, which means staying on the couch watching Netflix while munching until they fall asleep. 

As you can see, the couch is very tiny, so what it usually happens is that Michelle sleeps on it while Gabriel waits around for her to crash and then he will go to sleep in his bed (and yes, we do own very nice, very big and warm beds for the children in this house!) 

This time I guess he couldn't wait any longer and just crashed on the couch too, which gave me the opportunity to take this picture and be able from now on to black mail them when they fight.....it will be a sweet picture to share with their future boyfriend and girlfriend, don't you think??? LOL 

This vision also brought back memories of me and my sibling sharing tiny spaces just for the sake of fun or to stay together. I'm sure, many others can relate. 

When I think of LOVE, I think of moments like this!

Gabriel's birthday

Yesterday was my baby boy birthday!! 

I don't know when it happened, but he dared turning 9 years old while I wasn't looking LOL And as you can see from the picture he's quite proud of himself! 

I'm really happy to say that this year things are so very different from the dark period we had last year and I couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate the happenings. 

Today Gabriel is a very happy boy that shows social progress daily, works hard at school regardless of his disability. 

 He still loves Spiderman and his new interest is the Skylander video game. 

 Looking back I realized that I changed a lot too during this year, for the better to be exact and finally in a position to think that thing can only can better an forward from there. 

 A lesson that I couldn't have learned without this amazing child and the challenges around him in my life :)

Inspirational Sunday

Today's inspiration come from a pin on pinterest that I just read: 

 

 Don't forget to tell yourself that you're worth loving. 

EVERY DAY. 

NO MATTER WHAT. 

This inspired me tonight and I hope it will inspire my readers too.

Happy 2013!

The 2013 is finally arrived and I found a funny little image that sums it up! LOL 

I hope that everybody had a safe and sound end on 2012 and begin of 2013. 

Of course, now is the time of the new year resolutions and I couldn't help but going back to this same post that I wrote a year ago..... It's seem forever ago since lots of things happened and I do like to revisit old resolutions and goals to see how far (or little!) I've come. 

My first goal last year was to get both my kind in the same school. It took me almost 8 months to accomplish that, but I can finally say that it happened! As I foresaw, it's not been smooth sailing at all. Although Gabriel is very happy and holding up some good grade in almost everything, he's failing reading comprehension which is required to pass in order to move to forth grade. We are going to consult a doctor to see if we can help him with his attention problem, but it the meanwhile, it might be that he will have to repeat 3rd grade. Even in light of that, I still think we made the right decision last year and that makes me more confident that we can conquer all the other bumps that will appear on our road. 

My second goal was to find a better job (better hours and/or better pay): Last year I had to work through New Year Eve and the 1st of January which didn't make me very happy. Also in light of the fact that the company did little to find me new customers when my lady passed away. But I'm pleased to say that I love my current job at the school, I love what I do, I love the kids and the coworkers....how many people are lucky enough to say that??? Now the pay.....well, that's another matter! But still, I can't complain. 

My last goal was an attitude change about smiling more just to piss off the people that want my smile gone. I think I successfully reached that goal and I plan on keep on doing it. There is no price to see the look on the face of people that will tell you mean things just to ruin your day when they realize....they can't! 

So now it's time to set new goals!! 

• As a mom, I hope to be able to help Gabriel through his attention problem and reach a point where he doesn't have to struggle so much. Hopefully as soon as possible. For Michelle, I hope to be able to instill in her some leadership skills that she's lacking at the moment.

• Personally, I want to keep working on my weight loss, but more importantly on an healthy lifestyle independently if it translate on a weight loss or not. I guess what I'm saying is that I want to focus on the journey rather then the result as I think I will get the results I want without stressing about it. I foresee another 5k soon, possibly 2 and I intend to have fun at it.

• Hopefully buying a house this year: I really really want to!!!

• The trip in Italy: it's happening and I'm not hearing reasons or rhymes.

• Lastly, I want to challenge myself more, to learn new things and get out of my comfort zone a little, because when I do I grow more, I have fun and I have more confidence in myself when it's done. 

I'm looking forward for the many things happening  this year. The first thing up is my interview for the citizenship.....talk about learning new things!! I just realized that I have less then 2 weeks to learn all about American history and politics........ekkkkk! Then there is Gabriel's birthday, Michelle's birthday, the end of the school, a baby coming in my family in July and my brother's wedding in September......sounds good so far.....what about you???

Help Henry!!!

This hits pretty close to home because as some of you know, we went through it recently with signing up my son Gabriel to the local public school. 

You might remember my rant from a while back..... 

Please help Henry by signing this petition. 

Please help me STOP AUTISM DISCRIMINATION!!!

Speaking of Autism......

Since I was prepping for the 5k, I was inspired to make this videos about my kids and of course Autism. 

I know that it's not Autism awareness month yet, but I thought I will go ahead and make them up so I'd have them ready for April. 

Nonetheless, I hope you all will enjoy them 

Weight update #5

It's been a while since I checked my weight, being busy and sick and having the procedure, I really didn't watch what I ate or bothered with walking anywhere. 

I was really dreading the idea of weighting my self and I avoided the scale like a scary disease LOL 

But the other day I got all my courage together and went for it, so here it goes. 

And this wasn't a measure that I took in the early morning after starving the whole night like usual, but I went for it in the middle of the day and still, 1 pound less from my latest update. 

 I'm honestly proud. 

I think my job plays a good part on it, as I walk up and down the cafeteria for 3 hours straight every day, 5 days per week. 

So, I'm doing something I like and gain a nice figure in the meanwhile....what else I could ask? 

Although is ONLY one pound and sometime I wish I was doing better, I have this picture to remind me that I'm on the right path! 

This is 1 pound of FAT! When you think that you ONLY lost 1 POUND, remind yourself of this picture because it's a great accomplishment!

I wouldn't want THAT up there still being on me!

Got a job!

Seems forever since the last time I posted on here, 10 days to be exact. 

I haven't forgotten of all of you, just life it's been crazy busy and got some great news. 

Just like the title says, I got a job!! Like a real, with salary, job! 

I will be a lunchroom monitor to a local school for the next 9 months.  

It might not seems much for some, but for me it's a ENORMOUS deal and I'm so very excited!!! 

So the past week was filled with job interviews, orientations, training and phone calls and of course with motherly duties with prepping the kids to go back to school. 

It will all happen on Monday, way too fast, way too soon. 

It seems yesterday that it felt like this day was far away. 

 On top all the excitement for the job, I'm also really happy about the kids new teachers that we met today: I just know, it's going to be a terrific year!!!! 

Please stop saying that!

Note: The following post regards a controversial issue. If you're easily offended by fool language, skip this post and come back tomorrow. 

Remember the 1st Amendment and love and peace to every one.

Dear 50 cents and Joe Scarborough, 

please stop saying that! 

Stop talking about things you don't know about. 

Some of you might have read in the news about these 2 celebrities that recently got under fire for their infamous comments about Autism. 

That's what happened with the rapper 50 cents. One day, someone sent him this tweet:{Quoting} "Release the album or get shot again." The rapper allegedly tweeted back, "yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic." And, he didn't stop there. "I dont want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else," he posted later. 

You can read the whole article HERE 

Alright then, let's see. How do I and my son look like? We have 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose, 1 mouth, hair on our heads and teeth on our gums. Oh wait, wait! We miss the scars from a bullet due to someone shooting us. That's you sir, not us, my bad!! Go search "Autism" on Google and inform yourself, maybe you have a symptom or two. Don't give me wrong, I'm not saying that the person that tweeted him to get shot is any better, but I don't think it's because he/she is autistic.

Here it is, what Joe Scarborough said in his show: {Quoting}  

"As soon as I hear about this shooting (referring to the mass kill in Aurora, CO), I knew who it was. I knew it was a young, white male, probably from an affluent neighborhood, disconnected from society -- it happens time and time again," said Scarborough. "Most of it has to do with mental health; you have these people that are somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale. I don't know if that's the case here, but it happens more often than not." 

 Nice uh? Basically since I'm autistic, I'm so messed up and crazy that one day I will wake up and go off and shoot everybody in sight. NOT!! As an autistic person, I never have, and never will think of hurting anyone. I know it's wrong, you know? I'm not crazy, I'm only autistic. 

 Of course, this statement moved the read of other people with autism like me and their relatives, to the pint that Mr. Joe Scarborough had to take 5 minutes out of his busy day for an half-assed apology: {quoting}  

"During a debate regarding the recent Colorado shootings, I suggested that the Aurora tragedy should make Americans focus more on mental health in this country. I also stated that my own experiences raising a son with Aspergers made me keenly aware of how important strong support systems are to those who might otherwise be isolated. The growing Autism epidemic is a tremendous burden for children, parents and loved ones to endure. My call for increased funding and awareness for Autism and other mental health conditions was meant to support the efforts of those who work every day to improve the lives of Americans impacted. Those suggesting that I was linking all violent behavior to Autism missed my larger point and overlooked the fact that I have a wonderful, loving son with Aspergers. Perhaps I could have made my point more eloquently. I look forward to continuing my work with wonderful organizations like Autism Speaks to provide badly needed support to millions of Americans who struggle with Autism every day." 

You can read the whole article HERE 

  Hmmmm. No sir. You get brownie points for trying to cover your ass because, seriously, in your position it's all you can do, but don't piss on me without even bothering to call it rain, ok? 

1. Next time you want to bring awareness on the autism cause, please, please, please, do not put the word autism and mass kill in the same sentence, because they are NOT related to each other. 

2. As for you kid......I feel for him. He looks up to you to know that he can and to learn how he ca function in this society, and you just called his conditions "a tremendous burden for children, parents and loved ones to endure". Nicely done. 

3. And Autism Speaks???? Really??? Sir, you have to go and search on Google for Autism Speaks and inform yourself of the facts, about how much money the organization makes and how much of that money really reach people who can give these kids a chance. 

Please, inform yourself before farting stuff like that from your mouth, learn a thing of two about the "issue" that you're so strongly trying to bring awareness too. So strongly, that you used the attention that this horrible tragedy is getting to speak your shit in public. 

No sir, please stop trying to help the autism community because if this is the "help" you can give me that I don't want anything from you, please. 

Let's stop being disrespectful and remember the victim of this crazy act appropriately, without having to put a dump on it by the crap that comes from your mouth, please. 

The animal that did kill of these people, might be autistic or might be not, but this is not why he killed: obviously he's so deeply troubled that anyone can begin to understand. Enough said. 

These happenings struck a nerve to me. You won't believe how many times I hear people saying: "That kid....he has problems, issues, you know it's retarded or crazy....how do they call them??? Oh yeah, autistic, that's it!! His/her mom did drugs and was parting when she was pregnant, so what do you expect???" 

 It hurts and I tell you why. 

My mom didn't do any drugs while she was expecting me, or my brother or my sister. And yet, here I'm. I'm on the "autism scale" somewhere, so what? I'm quirky and weird, totally antisocial if I get my way and sorely socially awards when I don't. I can't be that bad, because I have a husband (almost 10 years!) and I have friends and coworkers. They seem able to tolerate me! So how bad can I be? 

When I had my son I was 21. I was healthy, exercised every day, watched my diet, hold down 2 jobs to pay tuition for college (In Biology and Nutrition, mind you!) and of course I had a little fun with the guy that became my husband. Healthy young sex with one partner, what a party girl!!! 

Hubby was 22, enrolled in the Navy for 4 years. 

We had little money, a broken car, bills to pay and a kid on the way. No way to pay for drugs or even cigarettes or buz. Let alone parting! 

As a matter of fact, I never saw my hubby drink, even at our wedding, he couldn't stand 1 inch of champagne, just the smell....go figure. 

But even so?? 

 People that do drugs, of sleep around or drink don't get babies with autism. 

Mothers who drink get babies with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, not Autism. 

 Mothers who do drugs during pregnancies, make babies with drug addictions or drug withdrawal, no autism. 

Mothers who sleep around get STDs that can be dangerous for babies, not autism. 

What I don't need is the judgements of people, more so of famous people, that without be informed make ignorant statements potentially dangerous for people like me and my son. 

Please, inform you self about what AUTISM really is and stop saying THAT!

My weight

Some of my followers might remember that I while ago I started a journey about losing some of my weight as a New year resolution. 

For those that don't remember, here is that very first post, where I was complaining about being 140 lb. 

After seven week, I was able to report a slow process that helped me loose 2 lb, read it HERE. 

Then it happened that I had to move to another house, I started working and lots of other changes and suddenly my weight wasn't a priority anymore. I figured that I was being active and that I would get healthier and I stopped keeping track of my intake. 

So, 1 year and half later, I'm 148 lb. 

Nope, I'm no kidding. 

See for yourself. 

I feel very ashamed and also angry about it. I walked my kids to school every day and added another hour of walking, taken tap dance classes, introduced my self to running, swimming and weight lifting and drank all the water I could during the day.

But nonetheless, something went wrong somewhere.

I think the emotional roller coaster of Gabriel school situation played a role in my emotional eating, but I'm no kidding my self, this is not excuse.

Yes, I did put on some muscles on arms and legs, but the middle part of my body it's another story and it comes only and purely from eating.

Here you go, I present you my belly rolls and my fat ass

I took and posted these pictures just as a motivation for an "after" better looking ones

(But I also wanted to show off my totally cool purple sport bra lol)

It's time for some crunches and I'd love to post daily a list of exercise that I'm taking in the hope that someone out there is willing to share the burdens and joy of this journey with me while I reach my goal of 130 lb (BMI=24.6)

30 years old

Few days ago was my birthday and, as the title suggest, I turned the big 3-0. 

I must confess that this year I really dreaded my birthday because it made me think of the dreams I had 10 years ago and what I accomplished so far. 

I know I have 2 wonderful kids and a husband that loves me and that more that other people have, but I also know that I'm still 20 pounds overweight (more on that in another post) and so far haven't been able to find a part time job that really work for me (aside for my online business of course). 

 The other day I was talking with hubby on how is seems that around here "part time job" means you get PART of the money lol But I digress. 

I was able to spend a lovely day with my friends and my neighbor got me this feet pampering set 

And the amazing peeps at SweetChoiceBakery made me this amazingly heavenly YUMMY cake 

My mother-in-law send me a cute cupcake card....it's musical too 

 And also some new sparkly yarn that was the inspiration for these 

 

Golf tee mini flower pin cushion, $5 on Crocheted Little Things

 

Some thank yous.

This is another emotional post, but this time it's not a rant, but filled with (mostly) positive things.

Do you see the picture above? I know it blurry, dark and probably the worse quality picture I've ever took in my life, but it's extremely important to me. It shows Gabriel receiving the Outstanding Effort Award at this school.

A little recap: Gabriel has ASD (Autism Spectrum disorder) and 2 years ago we had to pull him out of the public school and enroll him in a private school specialized for autistic children, the Emerald Coast Autism Center. After a year in this school and with intensive ABA therapy, Gabriel was able to graduate from the center last December and was ready to get back in the public school system. The joy of such major accomplishment was soon drained by the sense of dread that we received by dealing with the Okaloosa County school district. No matter how we asked and to whom we talked too, it was decided that my son was "not ready" and "unfit" to go to his home school and was instead sent to a school in another town (the same school we had so many problems with that we ended up pulling him out and go to the private one) for a "90 school days probation time" to prove that he was indeed ready to get back to his home school.

I don't have enough words to describe how that felt to us. A slap in the face? A blow in the groin? Doesn't really cover the feeling.
I personally felt like I failed my boy while once again we were bullied in sending me in a school where he didn't want to be.

But May 29th 2012 something magical happened. Gabriel receiving the award was just the beginning of it. In a new IEP meeting was finally decided that Gabriel showed some major improvements and progress and he is finally allowed to go to his home school next fall.

So here are my thank yous, and I hope I don't forget anybody. I probably said them already in person, but I thought to put them in writing as well.

• To the Emerald Coast Autism Center staff: without your therapies and the love from everyone, this story will never be written.
• To my neighbors, Aggie and Eva, for entertaining my on Friday evenings, let me vent, bringing me out of the house and giving me laugh when all I wanted to do was hide under the bed and cry. 
• My fierce and unstoppable friend, Brandi Marino, for showering me with her strength and all the legal tools I needed to fight this battle. Thanks to you, I can now inform other parents about the things I learned, the gift that keeps on giving. 
• All the POMs (pissed off Moms): all the meetings with you on Wednesday mornings are things that I looked (and still do) forward too. Talking with people with my same struggles that don't open their eyes big with judgement at the things I say, it's a blessing that I count every day. Jodi Vetter in particular, I fell so close to you as our experience are so painfully similar. I wish that you can see the end of it, as I am today. 
• From CARD, the sweet and classy Debbie Gunter that stood beside me at IEP meetings while everybody was telling me "NO", squeezing my hand to change that to a "YES": we did it! 
• To my daughter teacher, the friends and school personnel that I have at my daughter school and the parents that heard of my predicament and gathered around me, giving me words of love and encouraging me to keep my chin up. 
• To Mrs. Hart, the teacher that welcomed Gabriel is her classroom and loved him for what he is, showed him better ways and giving him the confidence that he can accomplish things. 
• To Miss Dana, the bus driver that every morning for 4 years now? Blessed both my children with her smile and easy going attitude.
• To Mrs. Cadena, the staffing specialist of Lewis school that heard my complaints and concerns and helped me reach the solution I wanted and that my son deserved. 
• And to the nay sayers, the people that looked at me and told me that it's wasn't possible, it's wasn't doable and put obstacles on this journey rather that listen to my words. I thank you too, because with your closed minded stubbornness you taught me and my son the amazing lesson that no matter how difficult something is, it can be archived if you put your back into it. Thanks to you, the taste of this victory is sweeter, the proud in our hearts is 10 times more over whelming and we stand a little taller of our believes. 
• To you, that for months read my words, offering hugs and prayers, enduring my sufferings as they were your own. 
• And finally, to Gabriel: you did it, son. You put a goal in your mind and you archive it. Don't you ever forget, that no matter what everyone says, you CAN DO whatever you want to do. I hope you can use this lesson in the future wisely and don't get too cocky, please :)

Goodbye

I had a fun and light little post planned for today, but truth is that it's a very sad day for me as I received a bad news from my family in Italy: my grandma (my dad's mom) died. 

You have to know that I'm the oldest of my siblings and I've been away from my birth family for over 5 years now and of course when I was told that my grandma was really sick with Alzheimer, the scenario of receiving this news crossed my mind several times and I told myself that I was old and strong enough to receive the news with grace and without too much emotions at least the time necessary to end the phone call with dignity. 

And I did. 

For about 2 nano seconds. 

Then tears, gulps and sigh took over and I had to tell my mom a very quick: "Can I call you later?". 

Without dignity. 

Of course, having hubby standing right behind me asking what the hell happened over and over, helped me to pull my self together. 

For about 2 more nano seconds. 

Just enough to give him the news than dive to cry on his shoulder. 

 I'm crying so much my head hurts. 

For my grandma, for my dad, for my aunts and uncles (my grandma had 8 awesome children, 4 males and 4 females). 

Because I'm 10K miles away and, for reason I don't care to explain publicly, I can't even make a quick run over there to see her one last time and give her a good bye. 

So, I'm crying some more. 

Then I picked myself up and thought to write about all this, as writing is therapeutic and always makes me feel better. I realized with the most hurt in my heart that I have nothing about the woman, not a picture to show, just old memories of my childhood closed up in my head....

except: MY NAME. 

Well, my maiden name anyway, it's the same as her married name as I was born in the core of the South of Italy where the tradition to name the first born after the dad parents is still going strong.

 You also have to know that growing up, every time I've heard of my friend's grandparents dieing, I always imagined the day my grandma would and in my preteens years I always thought that I wouldn't be able to attend the funeral as I would be creep out to see my name on the headstone. I remember vocalizing this concern to my parents and never in a million years I would have thought that I wouldn't be attending her funeral after all. 

Be careful what you wish for I guess. Meh. 

 Maybe it's better this way, it's better that I remember her still happy and busy in the kitchen, where she made the most delicious meals for whomever happened to show up at her door. Happy to open her door to children and grandchildren whatever we needed, happy to listen to us, to spoil us and every time we left just say: "The important thing is that you're ok". Never tired, always putting herself after everybody else, she lost that joy when my grandfather passed away more than 10 years ago. 

Now, at least, they are reunited for ever, while I cry for a little while longer....

Randomness Saturday: Personal post

It's been a while since I've done a personal post from my "Randomness Saturday" series and I thought to bring it back, what do you all think?
Let's see what I can come up with this time....

♥ Gabriel started a new school 2 months ago: even tho I loath the whole situation around his school placement, I'm happy to report that his doing quite well, better that we ever expected. The teacher is very good and he's working very hard....spring forward to June to see if we can win the battle with the school district and have him in the school I want!

♥ Michelle is doing quite well too: her last meeting with the school teacher went very well and she's almost ready to start first grade (yes, she's in the school I want!). She's going to have a recital as a flower and we worked on her dress today: I will make sure to post pictures.

♥ I was a busy lady since Holiday season: literally didn't stop crocheting one day! Thank you all for the support and the patience while I got around your orders.

♥ I no longer have a part time job outside the house: my client passed away before Valentine's day and the agency hasn't been able to find me another person to watch in my available hours. So, here I'm, a stay-at-home-crafter-mom again and I don't mind it!

♥ I'm trying to get my products into local boutique for wholesale or consignment. Easier said that done, but I'm trying. Was already able to have a table to a local event the past weekend where I sold a cupcake pillow.

♥ I found a very awesome site to improve my picture quality: fotofuze. Seriously, you gotta try it! I'm slowly fixing all my pictures.....see a difference already?

♥ Don't forget to show my friend Kim some love and enter her giveaway!

Happy 2012!

Happy New Year Everyone! I wish to all of you reading this, much happiness and prosperity.

For me I do have a few new resolutions, but before I get into that, I will like to review the resolution I had last year READ HERE

• I wanted to lose wait and sorry to say folks, I kept my promise up until March, then I just fall back into my old habits. Didn't gain any from last January tho, so not too bad.

• I wanted to find a part time job and guess what?? It happens! Now to find a better one.....LOL

• Trip in Italy didn't happen and will not for a while :(

• My wish was to get 300 sales on my artfire shop my the end on 2011....well., I guess 274 is close enough, what do you think??

Many things happens, some very good (Gabriel graduation just recently), some a little bit less good (like moving, car troubles, etc).

For next year I have something I want to accomplish badly:

• On top of the list, getting Gabriel in the same school as Michelle.

• Found a better job (better hours and/or better pay)

• But mostly an attitude change: I'm gonna smile all the time, just to piss off the people that are trying to bring me down :D I pledge to just smile bigger when someone will say something rude or offensive and to complain less and send people to (insert bad word here) sooner....and all with a smile.....who's with me?

What's going on?

For months now my posts have been very sporadic, impersonal and now come down to barely nothing.

I know you all that used to read me are wondering, what's going on and what happened to me, so today I'm gonna asnwer those questions.

A lot it's going on.

♥ Michelle started Kindergarten this year and I thought that would give me a lot of time for my self....Boy, was I wrong. Between meeting, field trips, school activities, homework and volunteer, sometimes I barely have time to breath.

♥ Gabriel is about to graduate from the Emerald Coast Autism Center. This coming December 15th to be exact. It's huge, it's all we ever wished for, that the therapies he was receiving there would work and make him better. They did. Along with this fantastic news, a fight started with the public school system that want for Gabriel to go back in the same school he was before, where he was mistreated, neglected and regressed so badly. All he wants is to walk to school with Michelle in the morning *sigh
This fight is literally consuming all my energy, I had to study countless law books, local laws, schools policies and county policies....well, you can imagine. The fight is not even half way over and I'm still in my position making phone calls, pleading his case, coordinating teachers, social workers and attorneys.....fun fun fun NOT!

♥ Thanksgiving is here. I don't know how that happened. Was Halloween just yesterday, no? I guess not. At least this year I have all my shopping done, all I have to think about is the cooking and today is the last day of the week of having any kind of obligations. Then I'm gonna hibernate in my kitchen and come out on Friday.

♥ My shops are doing ok but not as well as I wish they would. Normal consequence of being so all over the place lately and not being able to promote. But I'm still here, alive and crocheting.

Just wanted you all to know. Better things are coming :)

Time for a personal post

I realized it's been a while since I did an overall personal post, so I thought today might be a good time. It's raining and gray outside, weather like time brings me to sit and think about things.
I think I'm pretty much on a sweet spot right now (well, craft show failure aside lol)
My birthday is coming up Sunday, and that will make me 29 years old.
I have a new job, 2 wonderful children, a husband that loves me, a business that is growing (thank you all so much for that!), moved in a better place and got to know lots of new people. Some of them even think I'm awesome (they don't know any better lol)

Gabriel's recovery is still going forward and strong. Yesterday he surprised me with prepping the table for dinner and clean it up afterward.....I didn't even ask!
And again this morning he announced to me that he's too old to be walked in school by mommy, he wants to do it himself.
The teachers explained to be that these behaviors are normal for a "typical" 7yo (one without autism that is), so basically Gabriel conquered some new milestones and put his foot a little be more forward his recovery.

Michelle is growing taller and beautifully sweet! She will go to kindergarten in August and I still can't believe she's old enough for that.
She's growing a love for Barbies, so watch out for crocheted Barbie's clothes on here soon, 'cause I'm sure she will ask some customized one! She has a lots of fantasy and I'm sure she will come up with some wonderful suggestions for me.

And I actually have to run to crochet now. My dream of waking up with nothing else to do other than crochet is being a reality lately and I'm loving it any minute of it. So if you see me blogging less, it's just because I'm crocheting, without a worry in my head for once....