|
Post by TriciaF on Jul 5, 2004 11:01:45 GMT -5
You guys might enjoy this movie site if you haven't seen it before. I love the goofs section. us.imdb.com/
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on May 30, 2005 21:03:25 GMT -5
Yet another Sponge Bob - 30 points I smell a pattern here.
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jul 20, 2004 0:18:34 GMT -5
Jackie, Had to post this up.....since you posted on the book thread that you read the book. Maybe more people will enjoy it too.
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Apr 14, 2004 21:50:51 GMT -5
Hi friends, I just read a wonderful book; The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. I HIGHLY recommend it. But...what I came here to say, I found in an appendex to the book; a question and answer session with the author. Her answer relates to the book and the characters she created, but to ME, she could have been writing about Unomas and explaining why it has such awesome power and meaning for so many of us. I just had to share it. Here is the question and the response: Question: How does having a sisterhood of women make a difference? Have you experienced such a community?
Answer:
Isak Dinesen, who wrote Out of Africa, once said, " All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them." Ever since I first read that line, I've carried it with me. When women bond together in a community in such a way that "sisterhood" is created, it gives them an accepting and intimate forum to tell their stories and have them heard and validated by others. The community not only helps to heal their circumstances, but encourages them to grow into their larger destiny. This is what happened to Lily. She found a sanctuary of women where she could tell her story, and have it heard and validated--an act that allowed her not only to bear her sorrow but transform it. I have been part of several communities of women over the years. Each of them was created simply because we wanted a place to tell our deepest stories. In every case we found that there is a way of being together that sustains us and now and then, if we are lucky, returns us to ourselves. Sue Monk Kidd
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Mar 23, 2004 22:51:07 GMT -5
Yep Susan, Amy nailed it. I think she was my favorite tonight and #10 was my second favorite. I think the one to go should be the guy....with two first names....jon peter or something like that. Seems there are about 5 or 6 of them that are really strong. Tonight I think #6, 7 and 8 won't make it long term.
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Nov 9, 2004 16:02:59 GMT -5
Hey girlfriend!!! Nice talking to you last week...it was last week wasn't it? Man, time is passing me by. Thanks for telling me about the moms get together link. Do you think you might make it? We could travel together ;D
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jan 11, 2008 23:56:32 GMT -5
Hi friends! I just can't seem to make it back home to unomas Life has been beyond crazy for so long now that its the norm. I miss you all horribly and hope that before too long I can get back here regularly. I still haven't even opened the Christmas cards I received.... I posted sometime back that my Dad had passed away the end of June after many years of illness. Then, September 28th, my mother died as well. It has really been the most trying time of my life. This year still has lots of challenges as I imagine I will be divorcing (husband left Sept 06) and have not started any of the legal stuff as yet. My sister and I have got 42 years of stuff to clear out of our parents house.......have any of you ever seen the "pack rat" shows on Oprah or Dr. Phil? That's the scope of my mom's house! But, tonight, I found myself able to come here and catch up just a little and boy did it do my heart good to read Connie and Jackie and Kathleen's posts.....and Caroline in NZ.... Loved all the pictures, too. I did want to be sure to post that for anyone near me (Columbia, SC), one of the local advocacy groups is bringing Peter Wright (Wrightslaw) to Columbia on February 27 for an all day seminar. He is absolutely fabulous and the cost to parents is ZERO (which includes two great books, IDEA law and From Emotions to Advocacy). For info and links you can go to the Wrightslaw website. If anyone plans to come, give me a shout, I would love to meet up with you there. Patrick is doing well....we are having some issues, esp. potty training, but on the plus side.....he is quite the character and learning to read this year. Oh, and Connie, he is a mouth kisser....will turn your face to make sure he kisses your mouth and is so intent on it...you get the impression he has been watching "romantic kisses" closely on TV or movies. So, I have been trying to move my face to discourage this....what a hoot we have the opposite issue.
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Sept 7, 2007 23:59:21 GMT -5
Hi friends, I've been MIA so long....I can't really remember when it started. But the last couple of years have thrown me some curve balls and I would have never believed anything could break my daily uno addiction...but I was wrong. I have flown in and out from time to time...and its always been so comforting to see posts and people I recognize and know that when I was able, you all and unomas would still be here.
My parents have been very ill and homebound for several years and my sister and I and other family members have been caring for them in their home. Dad had a year and a half of surgery after surgery, aneurysim, 2 back surgeries, kidney stone, trach and feeding tube etc...and finally was diagnosed with lung cancer that spread to the brain. He passed away at home on June 30 at the age of 84. He was some kind of fighter. This was my boys only grandfather and they were extremely close to him. Patrick was the light of his life and no matter how horrible he felt, and he had some horrible days, Patrick could always make him smile. He loved to hear anything Patrick said. When Patrick was born, Daddy was so worried that he would not speak, that he would call Patrick on the phone to "talk" just about everyday....although we live in the same town. The day before he died, I told him what Patrick said on the way over in the car. Connor and I were talking or cutting up and Patrick said; " Mom, Connor, be quiet, you're annoying me". Daddy loved it. He would tell Patrick that he was his best buddy, that he loved him. He bragged about all Patrick's accomplishments to everyone.
I read the other post about a funeral of a grandparent...Patrick did well at Daddy's funeral...he didn't want to get close to the body in the open casket...and we have buried pets, so he knew the concept. However, at the cemetary after the funeral, we left while the casket was still on top of the ground. When we returned the next day, it was buried with the flowers lying on top and Patrick ran over and said "Granddaddy disappeared, he's not here"! We laughed and told him he's right...had the whole body/soul discussion. He will tell me, especially at night before bed, "I miss Granddaddy". Sometimes its "I need him". I'm so thankful my boys got to know my Dad and I hope that Patrick is old enough to hang on to some memory of him. I was so proud of Connor, he asked to play his Granddaddy's favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, on his violin at the graveside ceremony. He had remembered me saying years ago how beautiful it was on violin and how when Dad passed away I would like to find someone to play it. I never knew he was paying attention that closely. The violin wasn't even in his life back then.
Mom's health is fragile, she went into kidney failure twice last year and now has dialysis 3 times per week. Also, diabetic and heart and some confusion issues. She wants to stay in her home, so she now has the lifeline button and my nephew is staying with her some. A day at a time!
My husband left last September for greener pastures and I can hardly believe its almost been a year. Things have been too hectic to deal with divorce issues...so thats all still seeming like a huge mountain to climb. The boys seem ok...I have tried not to make any changes in their lives as there is enough to deal with. They see their Dad every other weekend and on Tuesdays and are both back in the same school as last year. I think I reached my stress limit and just had to let everything pretty much go and realize that was just life at present. I have found a great Divorce Care class/group at church that has been a real blessing.
School started back here three weeks ago and we got off to a bumpy start with Patrick and his placement. Last year was so crazy...I let some things slide that were to have been dealt with in the previous IEP. But, I was determined to get it back in line this year and the spring IEP was not pretty. A week ago, I was so frustrated, angry, etc.... I was just in tears at home over the aggravation of it all. But, we had a meeting on Tuesday, they actually listened to my suggestion for his schedule and behaviours and agreed to changes. He started the new schedule on Wed and the last three days....all the communication and behavior reports have been great! Can we all say AMEN! And we now have a new IEP scheduled for next Thursday to discuss other issues/problems with that spring IEP. So, as tiring as I know that will be....I am relieved that we seem to be making progress and finally working together.
Patrick is 7 (birthday late April), but we held him back so he is designated as kindergarten this year. He is now going to the regular kindergarten from 8am through lunch (at 10:30 if you can believe it) and then going to the special ed class from 11 til 2:30. In the morning he participates in homeroom, recess, globals (pe, spanish, library, computer, art, rotates each day) group language arts and lunch. Then in sp ed, gets individual math and language/reading on computer. We were having awful transition problems (always his biggest issue). Not coming in off the playground, locking himself in a bathroom stall, etc. etc. etc. But things are looking up! They were having him go to sp ed homeroom, then reg home room, recess, sometimes back to sp ed, globals, back to sp ed, then back to reg kindy in the lunchroom. Wayyyyy to much back and forth for a kid with transition issues. So, for now the frustration is at bay and I am hoping for the best.
Thanks for being here....I have missed you all terribly. ~Tricia Boy....if I had the money....I would say its time for another unomas Moms trip to Vegas!!!!
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Sept 7, 2007 22:11:06 GMT -5
Hey there lady!! I hope too that you are VERY PROUD of yourself. We all want to be the mother our children need, deserve, can depend on...etc... But when something like Ds....or any other type of challenge comes along, it takes that responsibility to a new level. It can seem so daunting, not being sure in the moment that you are doing the best thing...hoping that if its not...there will be no major consequences. Chosing what to invest the time and energy in, at the expense of something else. Trying to maintain a balance and get the really important stuff in those little brains while theres still a window of opportunity.
I think at this point in Emily's life...you can enjoy some of the fruits of the labor....hers and yours. Her Ds changed your life, too. It put you on a road you would likely never have gone down....but not only did you take the plunge....you savored and enjoyed the walk. And that says it all to me. And if that weren't enough.....you came back to help us down the pathway and have acted as a tour guide....pointing out all the interesting beauty and warning us of the pitfalls. You make us excited about the next bend in the road, and dare I say, somewhat sorry for those people who will never have our experience. It is a rare and precious thing and you are generous to share yours with us. And you have done it all with the greatest of humility. So....Miss Jackie....be very proud of yourself and Emily....cause I am so proud of you both.
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Aug 27, 2006 0:18:50 GMT -5
Very interesting! I have a friend whose daughter has been tested at least 3 times for Ds because of similarities in her issues....but nothing. She has also been diagnosed autistic...but they know more is going on then that. She has had issued over the years with seizures, curved spine and had heart surgery after she was born. I am going to mention this post to her right away. Found these sites: www.chromodisorder.org/ghr.nlm.nih.gov/chromosome=6Wow...this just gets wilder and wilder...this site shows a link with ADHD... www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/listdiseasecards.pl?type=chrom&search=6
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jul 8, 2006 14:53:26 GMT -5
Susan, This is interesting....here's the link. I was curious to see if I could search her site for any info on ADD....cause many of those "soft addictions", procrastinating, being late, messy, etc.... are also signs of add. Didn't see anything though. www.softaddictions.com/Here's some add info: www.help4adhd.org/guides/dsm/WWK9
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jul 9, 2006 1:21:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jun 27, 2006 16:14:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jun 27, 2006 15:04:18 GMT -5
Jodi, I know the meeting would be over by now, but I guess as with an IEP, you can always add/change things. My first thought is whether or not there is a really good DS clinic nearby that your uncle goes to or could attend? I think it would be helpful for someone with good knowledge of Ds and neuro stuff to give him a physical or refer him to a specialist. I know there are some things that can mimic alzheimers also....remember that commercial of the guy on TV that is normal now and is spiced into the video looking at himself the way he was....head down barely shuffling? He had been diagnosed I believe with alzheimers incorrectly and actually had Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, anyway fluid on the brain. Good luck and thank you for being there for your uncle....he's lucky to have you on his side! Here's a link to the commercial: www.lifenph.com/Oh, another thing that is much more common than people know...vitamin B12 defeciency.....called pernicous anemia. If you have it, and you can have a family disposition (my grandmother, mother, her brother, his daughter and grandson all have it) you can't just take vitamin b12. You lack something called intrinsic factor that I think is produced in your stomach that has to bind to it to be absorbed. So, after your liver runs through its approx. 5 year store of b12, you begin to get extremely more anemic and very disoriented and can be diagnosed or suspected of alzheimers. It used to be fatal until the scientists figured out what was going on. The fix is simple.....you have to get a shot of B 12, which I assume contains the intrinsic factor, usually every month. But you will have to do it throughout your life. Here's a good research site: www.medline.gov
|
|
|
Post by TriciaF on Jun 26, 2006 2:31:32 GMT -5
Allisa, Thanks for sharing this precious moment with us....these are the real "times of our lives". Can't wait to see the album! By the way, I know we don't talk much autism here, but the mom's night out group I belong to is multi special needs and lots of mom's with kiddos with autism. There is a new computer product about to come out that was co-developed by Mark Shelley, a guy I went to high school with, who still lives in my area. The idea is to take the "social stories" taught in books and convert them. I will go see if I can find the info. Ok, there is info on the social stories author site. The product is listed as this week's featured resource.....Storymovie. www.thegraycenter.org/
|
|