Courtney Sheinmel-Positively

Look at Courtney in all her gorgeousness! Isn't she beautiful? Now picture her as a 13 year old girl, volunteering for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Picture her sending her baby-sitting money to help. Picture her flying to California from New York City as a teen, to work side by side with Elizabeth Glaser during her summer vacation. Courtney's beauty is inside, as well as out.

Now picture Courtney climbing inside the head of the collective of HIV positive kids she's had the privilege to know, creating a character named Emmy, based on them, and based on what she herself was like as an adolescent.

Courtney's new book Positively comes out Sept. 13. You fall in love with Emmy on page one. Courtney pulls you in at the first sentence and does not let you go until the last. I know genres are important in the publishing world, but I think calling this book a young adult novel limits it. This is a book for everyone.

And I'm not just saying this because she named two little side characters in the book "Riley" and "Seth" and used some of Seth's actual dialogue. That has nothing to do with my endorsement. I swear.

Positively will likely make you cry. I did, more than once.

But it will leave you with hope.

Order Positively for your young adult, but make sure you read it yourself before giving it to them! You won't want to miss it.

Congrats Courtney. You knocked it out of the park with this one.

*Read more about Courtney and her other books here and here.

A "Tip" From Jenny Rough

Jenny, Jenny, Jenny.

You so craazy!

Potato Heaven

My body wants potatoes. Not just any potatoes. Red potatoes chopped up and tossed into a glass pan. Drizzled with a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Throw in a chopped onion and a couple of cloves of chopped garlic. Add a beet if you like. Then, the most important part. Rosemary and Thyme. Use it liberally. Don't forget the sea salt.

Bake the whole concoction for an hour. Mix it around half way through. I don't know what temp I put it at. 375?

I can't get enough of the stuff. I don't know which ingredient I am responding to. I'm thinking it's the rosemary or the thyme. I've made the potatoes almost every night for a week. Last night I made a small pan, saved some for HT, and then went ahead and ate the rest before he got home. I rationalized with the argument "I carried two babies, I get the potatoes."

I am adapting my concoction daily with whatever produce we have. It's the Roasted Root Vegetables recipe on page 209 of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. So easy! So delicious! Thank you Kathy for suggesting this cookbook. I love it!

Tonight I made a bigger pan. Keep your fingers crossed for HT.

The Day Seth First Rode His Bike, (and Riley Didn't)

Come read about it over at Hopeful Parents today.

Lovingly yours,

MO'N

Print This Off

If you are interested in buying food without GMO's here is a guide. Print it off and take it with when you grocery shop. We vote at the cash register.

Here's to your health(that's me raising a glass of organic wine in your honor).

Lovingly yours,

MO'N

I Beg Your Pardon Amish Kitty

On Saturday, we visited two farms who sell products at the local farmer's market. It was part of our effort to know where our food is coming from. One of the farms is run by an Amish family. They have 11 beautiful children and lots of animals. They are entirely self sustained, with no electricity!

Anyway, we were asked before entering the Amish farm to please respect the request of the Amish people not to be photographed. Taking pics of the buildings was okay, but not the people.

Riley fell in love with the cats there, and asked me to take a photo of a tiny orange kitten.

As I began focusing my camera, Seth, his face twisted with concern tugged at my elbow and whispered,

"Mom. What if the kitten is Amish?"

Sometimes a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do...

RILEY, YOU PUT THAT BOOK DOWN RIGHT NOW AND COME BRUSH YOUR TEETH OR I WILL TAKE IT AND YOU WILL BE GROUNDED FROM BOOKS FOR TWO DAYS!
Perhaps I went for the jugular, but in my defense, it was late, and I'd already asked her nicely several times.

Ask Lydia

Lydia is a young woman with autism who wants to write a book. She is thinking perhaps a question and answer format might be the way to go and is seeking questions. As a parent of a child on the spectrum I have plenty of questions and I bet a lot of you do too.

It's one thing to ask the experts. It's another thing to ask the experts. Those actually living with autism. I think we stand to learn a lot from this born teacher. Don't you?

If you have something you'd like to ask Lydia, use the link above and post your question in her comments.

Lovingly yours,

MO'N

*Riley's photos...because Lydia loves cats.

The Possibility of Everything

Hope Edelman is the author of Motherless Daughters, a wonderful book on mother loss and how it effects girls/women.

Motherless Daughters was a very important book. Women who lost their moms physically and many whose mothers are still alive but not in their lives in a meaningful way found great comfort reading Edelman's words. Her book inspired many Motherless Daughter's groups and much healing came as a result of it. I recently gave it as a gift to a new friend who shared with me how she lost her mother at age four.

While Motherless Daughters was full of anecdotes and personal stories it had a very rational journalistic vibe. My favorite parts of the book were when Edelman broke apart from the journalism and shared her own personal stories. I wanted more of that.

I think I'm really going to love The Possibility of Everything.

Pre-order The Possibility of Everything here.

We were in Canada this week...

When we first moved here I met a woman, who told me her daughter had severe crippling rheumatoid arthritis several years ago. She was eight at the time and could no longer walk. They began taking the child to a doctor of Chinese medicine in Canada, and the girl is now a teen with no signs of the disease.

Riley had been been making steady progress. I don't like to mess with her when she is in a good place so I never made an appt. I filed the info in the back of my brain.

But no one can figure out this thing with Seth. And I'm sick of it. Every time he gets sick he gets another tic. And I feel like I'm watching something slowly happening to my baby. And I don't believe long term heavy antibiotics will benefit him. And I have big reservations about IVIG, a blood product, because it may help but it isn't getting to the real route of the problem.

Sunday night as I was going to bed, Todd and I were talking and I told him about a fear I have. You see I have this area of soreness, on my left breast. Almost my armpit really. It has been there for years. It is very tender. I have had mammograms. Breast exams. Nothing ever shows up. No gynecologist ever takes it seriously. But my sister had breast cancer (though she has the gene for it and I don't) and what if there were environmental triggers that contributed to it? We drank the same water growing up. Anyway, Todd knew about the breast, but didn't know the extent of my fear. Fear that I will die of breast cancer and not be here for my kids. He listened. Tried to reassure me. We put it away and went to bed.

Monday we left for Middle Bass Island on Lake Erie. Two days there, and then we would head up to Canada, for Seth. Middle Bass Island was a disaster. We stayed at a roach motel (well not really roaches but spiders and ants), and left one day early. More on that another time. Or not. Not sure I want to give it more energy.

In Canada, we met the doctor and it was all very "alternative" which we are used to, because we have done a ton of alternative medicine with Riley. I made appts for both kids because what the hell? We were already there.

She told me Riley is not in her body. It's more like she's observing it from a few feet above, and with a critical eye. She said things that ground her, in the body, like the therapeutic martial arts she's doing and music, (and a sweet dog planting its head in her lap) are all very good things. She also very firmly told me Riley is stronger than I think.

The doctor suspects genetically modified foods are the underlying factor with Seth. I KNEW IT WAS DIET! I'm not sure if I'm describing it right but from what I understood she said antibiotics are used in the "modification" process, and they escape into the food and wreck the normal flora in very sensitive people, causing all kinds of systemic problems. She said my kids are both ULTRA sensitive in every way. But we knew that, didn't we?

Afterward, when we were talking, and the kids were playing on the floor, I asked what she thought of bio-identical hormones. Told her just the tiniest two second bit about my early journey into menopause. She was sitting at her desk, Todd and I were sitting across from her. She looked over the desk at me, then looked down with a confused but focused expression as she abruptly clasped her hand over her left breast, over the exact spot mine has been sore for years, and said, very seriously, "What's going on with your breast?"

I had said nothing about my breast.

Todd and I immediately looked at each other. I grinned. He almost fell off his chair.

She got me up on her table, and did some things. Assured me I am not dying of breast cancer. Gave us three bags of supplements to take (one for Riley, one for Seth, one for mommy). The soreness in my breast is almost completely gone two days later.

Eastern medicine has been around for thousands of years.

Western medicine, two hundred.

For the most part, Western medicine seems like a cocky teenager to me.

Eastern medicine seems like a wise old grandparent.

I always loved my Gramma.

~

*Photo from Niagara Falls. We stopped there for a picnic on our way to the doctor. Riley had never seen a real rainbow before. It was something she'd been wishing for forever. Though she did make it clear she would have preferred the rainbow to be reaching across the sky rather than merely hovering above the water.

Southern GF/CF

One of my favorite readers has started a new blog in which she shares her gluten free/casein free recipes. She lives in the "deep south," and most of her recipes have a southern flair.

-Potato salad

-Pecan pie

-Chicken cornbread dressing.

Admit it. You drooled a little just now.

You don't have to be GF/CF to enjoy these recipes. You don't even have to be southern!

Run on over to visit Southern GF/CF.

Bring me back a caramel bar, okay?

Love.

10 Seconds a Day

Dr. Laura Berman, Oprah's Sexpert, says if you and your partner kiss ten seconds a day, it will add a lot of Va-Va-Voom! to your relationship.

We tried it.

She's right.

Just taking ten seconds to pause, and connect through kissing. I know we're all busy, but ten seconds a day! Who doesn't have that?

Plus, lucky for me, HT is a great kisser. Too much information? I don't think so. Tribute.

Of course if he eats onions, which he's prone to do, all bets are off.

Ya' got that tough guy?

Also, "You gonna' do something about those sideburns?"*

*A favorite quote from Seinfeld's "Sponge Worthy" episode.

**The Kiss, Klimt 1908

*** Kathy Griffen is in Cleveland tonight and we're going!

Vote for Rafe!

The tiny pup you see (under the stuffed animal's ear) is Rafe, a 4 Paws for Ability dog. The All American Pet Company is sponsoring a Cutest Dog Competition and the winner will receive a million dollars! Think of what 4 Paws could do with that money! And isn't Rafe truly the cutest?
All you need to do to help out the wonderful organization improving the quality of life for so many special needs kids by providing them with highly trained service dogs is click here and vote for Rafe. It's quick and painless. Wook at the widdle bitty puppy! Who's in?

Thanks so much.

Lovingly yours,

MO'N

P.S. 54 days 'til we meet Riley's dog!

Is That the Best You Got?

I've noticed over the past several years, the tendency of certain people to sign off e-mails and letters with:

"Best,"

Now granted, I'm not a high faluten wordsmith,but I'm sick of it.

Best what?

Best wishes? Best regards? Best friends? Best butt?

Here's hoping you have the best day ever? I best be wrappin' up this correspondence?

It's for the best if you never submit anything to us again?

And why is it mostly literary people who do this? It doesn't make sense? Yeah, yeah, I can put it in context, all the best, whatever, but I've never once had anyone outside the writing world end correspondence with "Best."

I challenge those of you who routinely use "best" to think of a new sign off. A less lofty one. I mean, "Best?" The pressure! After all, nobody is perfect.

Your suggestions for replacement sign offs are welcome in the comments. Until then...

Good enough,

MO'N

The Sleep Over

A couple of weeks back, Riley was on a play date with one of her Circle of Friends friends. The mom is a substitute teacher at the school. She is one of those very involved school moms, always there. Knows every kid, etc. She has seen Riley at her absolute worst at school, having huge screaming meltdowns.

When I picked Riley up from her two hour play date she threw out casually,"We should think about a sleep over sometime."

Riley had been dreaming of a sleep over for months. She knew all the other little girls did it, and she wanted to do it too. In my mind, when she talked of sleep overs, there was no way in hell she would be ready for one any time soon, but this situation seemed somehow different.

1) Highly involved mother. Receptive to Riley. Not judgy. Has already seen Riley meltdown and still invited her.

2) Little girl is sweet and kind, and also sometimes shy, and is an only child so there would not be the overwhelm of too many people in the form of sibs.

3)They live two streets over. A five minute walk.

4)RILEY WANTS TO GO.

When we presented the idea to Riley she literally jumped for joy.

So the day of the sleep over arrived. Riley began counting down the hours and minutes as soon as she woke up. I was worried she might just wear herself out before the event with all the lead up stress.

There was a bit of a snit when it was determined I would not be running out and buying her another sleeping bag (her old Care Bear one is for babies),as she would not need it in the 90 degree weather we were having.

We packed her bag. Killed an hour putting her in the shower and giving her a pedicure. I let her and Seth watch extra TV to distract her.

On the walk over, she reached for my hand. Gave it a squeeze. She was nervous, but she was doing it. She'd made a decision. She was going! She let go of my hand. A few steps later, she grabbed it again. She let go again.

I dropped off my daughter at 5:30PM and would not be picking her up until the next day at 10:00AM.

After one on one with Seth, I put him to bed, and then I cried. Tears of joy for her and pride and relief, and how could this be? I zipped off a request for pep talks and felt soothed the second I pressed "send." Even before the replies from my sistah's came rushing back to me. Thank you ladies.

I woke in the night, tossing and turning, missing a limb. How could she be "out there" dangling in the world someplace without me? Without Todd? Without Seth? She is so vulnerable.

She is safe.
She is safe.
She is safe.
She is safe.

Riley had a great time. The two little girls slept in one big bed, and stayed up late, giggling. They had pancakes for breakfast. She totally did it.

~~~

The light of God surrounds her;
The love of God enfolds her;
The power of God protects her;
The presence of God watches
over her;
Wherever Riley is, God is,
and all is well.*
-Amen

*Unity prayer for protection

"I thought this night couldn't get any better, and then it did." - Seth

Seth and I came home, and he played with the Light Bright while I did the dishes. Then, we made cookies together. He mixed with the big wooden spoon and rolled the dough in his freshly washed hands. He snuck as much batter as I would allow. Dropped a cookie on the floor and obeyed the ten second rule.

As I was putting the supplies away, I came across a box of glow sticks I'd meant to give the kids on July 4th, but somehow they got stashed away and forgotton about. I let Seth stay up late, and we went for a night walk, just me and him. We walked for a solid hour, in the dark, adorned in neon glow sticks and Seth talked non-stop. He told me it was hard for him to adjust sleeping in his new room when we moved here. He told me all about an episode of Chowder he'd seen recently. He thanked me fifty times for taking him on a night walk and letting him stay up late. He told me he wanted to do this every night.

When we got back to the house, we chased fire flies in the front yard. We took turns running across the yard with the neon bracelets, marveling at how they look like Slinkys when you run. He told me, "I'm so glad you let me see the night, because now I know I don't have to be afraid of the dark."

He said, "Mommy I really love one on ones."

Then, he said it again.

Tucking him in he said, "When we were making cookies I thought this night couldn't get any better, and then it did."

He is sound asleep in his sister's bed right now. All comfy cozy amongst her pillows and blankets, with a bunch of his own stuffed animals thrown in for good measure.

I love this boy with all my heart and soul.

Riley is on her first sleep over at a friend's house tonight.

I'm Saving My Urine, Don't Judge

We've got a stinky varmint problem here. Skunks. A skunk (or maybe a whole family of them) is living somewhere on or around our property, and at night it is spraying near the driveway, just below our bedroom windows. We wake, choking on skunk fumes. No matter how hot the weather, we have to close the windows. We're dying here! Not only have we lost sleep, but the scent lingers throughout the following day. This is happening once or twice a week.

Bleary eyed, 4:00AM, I'm on the "I"nternet, googling HOW TO GET RID OF SKUNKS.

Fox urine. You can buy pellets, and sprinkle them all over your yard. Skunks are afraid of fox. That's what it says. I'll do it. I'll order some.

They have chat boards dedicated to the topic, and someone says human urine works too.

Skunks are afraid of humans.

Obviously not too afraid to camp out on their property, but perhaps afraid of being peed on by them.

HT, not being a team player, simply refuses to go outside and tinkle around our property line. So, while I wait for the fox pee to arrive, I'm also collecting a 24 hour urine. Late at night, all stealth like, when the neighbors can't see, I'll be pouring it around our perimeter.

Take that skunks. Let's see how you like it.

I like to cover all my bases.

~

*photo calgarywildlifecontrol.ca

John and Jeanie Fly

Are you lucky enough to ever have had one of those flying dreams? I did, back in 1994. I was flying with Riley. She wouldn't be born for another six years. I didn't know her by name, but whatever, it was her.

A couple of days ago, I had another flying dream. This time I was flying with Seth. We were lifting off, and the acceleration was profound and exhilarating. I was still his mom, but he was older. Full grown. A healthy vital young man. We had deep love and respect for each other.

I've had at least one other flying dream that I remember. The most recent dream was inspired, I'm sure, by the book I was reading, a novel filled with suspense, about a couple who masters unassisted human flight. Their new ability takes them on quite an adventure, weaving Law of Attraction concepts throughout. See why me likey so much? John and Jeanie Fly is also a love story about two people who found each other later in life(not elderly, but after previous relationships, children, etc.) and use Law of Attraction principles to maintain the balance of their current relationship and their lives.

If you like Richard Bach's stuff, (Johnathan Livingston Seagull), or The Celestine Prophecy, you might enjoy it.

This is the author's website. I especially enjoyed reading his "About the Book" section and his decision to self publish. I plan on staying tuned to see where this goes. The Abraham-Hicks books have been one best seller after another. It isn't like there isn't a market for this stuff. The publishing industry seems kind of broken or at least in transition. At the Omega writing workshop I went to recently, one of the commercially successful and published panelists made a point that while the baby boomers are the big readers, she was shocked to discover most industry decisions are being made by a bunch of people in their twenties and thirties. There is a disconnect. There has to be another way.

It may not be by conventional means, but I believe John and Jeanie Fly, will fly.

In the meantime, I wonder if I can figure out where I was in the book the night I had that dream? Maybe if I read it again, I'll have another flying adventure in my sleep?

Do any of you fly in your dreams? I'd love to hear about it.

I'm off to bed. Wish me luck.

Letter to BD

Dear Dog,

I'm sorry to be so informal but since we don't know who you are yet, Dog it will have to be. Wait, Beautiful Dog is better. Yes, yes, much. Ahem.


Dear Beautiful Dog,

I'm writing to let you know how much we are looking forward to meeting you in October. We are aware you have been working so very hard, training for hundreds of hours to be able to help our sweet Riley when she is overwhelmed. You will find Riley to be an extremely loving person, and very smart, like you.

I stumbled upon this today and it gave me so much hope. Beautiful Dog, I appreciate your willingness to come into this time/space continuum to co-create with my child. You don't have to do it. Lots of dogs don't make it through the service dog program, but you will, because it's who you are. You want to help. I take you seriously, Beautiful Dog.

You will like it here. Cleveland is really beautiful. Lots of wonderful things to sniff. We'll take good care of you. If the cats are rude at first, don't take it personally. You'll win them over. I know you will. We'll be stocking up on toys for you, and we are in the process of installing a privacy fence for the yard. We have a big yard and you'll have lots of room to run. We also have a great neighborhood for walks, so you'll be getting lots of those. All the neighbor dogs are getting excited to meet you as well.

Well, just wanted to let you know we're thinking of you. Thanks for your determination to get through the program. Make sure you are getting enough water in this heat. Be strong Beautiful Dog!

We already love you.

The O'Neils














~
*photo from the fund raising concert back in Dec. 2008.

Ruth Rocks!

I love blogging. I love connecting with people through blogging. See the little kitty cat rock above? Poopsie's daughter Ruth, who has sensory processing issues, sent it to Riley. I actually am buying it from her for a dollar, but she made it especially special for my girl. Look at the intricate detail! All the stripes. The ears. The nose and mouth! The pink base color. Riley was thrilled to receive a package, and even more thrilled to get Ruth's cat. A cat! But wait, there's more!

Poopsie sent us inspirational coins. One for Riley. One for Seth. One for me.

Riley's says, Just believe, and on the back it says, Live by faith. One day at a time.

Seth's says Spread joy, and on the back it says, Life is fun. Live it with a smile.

Mine says, Inspire others, and on the back it says, Plant hope, grow love.

We can just keep them in our pockets, and every time we touch them, we can think about the good and kind people in the world, who do nice things. They are the perfect texture for using as a sensory worry type of thing. Nice and smooth, but with variations in the flatness. I LOVE them.

I love that Poopsie and Ruth thought of us. I love Ruth's creativity. I love how people are so kind. Did I mention I love blogging?

Thank you Poopsie, so much!!!

Just believe.

Live by faith.

One day at a time.

Spread Joy.

Life is fun.

Live it with a smile.

Inspire Others.

Plant Hope.

Grow Love.

Shirley You Jest

Shortly after we moved here, the kids were having fun on a local playground and a little girl came up to Riley and asked her name. When Riley said, "Riley" the little girl made a horrible sneering face and said, "That's a boy name."

This has added so much to Riley's social anxiety. She dreads telling anyone new her name for fear of a similar reaction. She talks often of plans to change her name, as soon as she can. Maybe when she's 13. On a walk recently we were discussing it, and I asked why 13? Her response floored me. Her idea is, when you are a teenager you start having boyfriends, and it will be important to have a pretty name by then, so boys will like her.

Holy, holy, holy, what?

Why don't you just stick a knife in my heart and twist it? Apparently I have a lot of work to do, teaching about valuing ourselves, and putting our relationship with ourselves and our Source before caring what any boy thinks of us. I've given up convincing her Riley is a beautiful name. She won't hear it.

I gulped, biding my time, trying not to show my horrified reaction, and asked, "So have you decided on any names?"

"I'm thinking Shirley," she said.

Smelly Cat

One of our daily rituals is the family sing along of Smelly Cat as I change the litter box. The kids don't know much about a show called Friends, but they know the words to Smelly Cat by heart.



We fit it in during our morning routine.

One time I complained, "Uck! This litter box stinks!"

Seth looked at me sternly,

"Mom. They can hear you."

Let it be known...

Seth O'Neil learned how to ride a two wheeler for the first time today. So proud of you buddy!

xo

Mommy

Food,Inc.

Just heard an hour long interview with the director of Food, Inc. on XM radio with Dr. & Lisa Oz. The message is hopeful. Demand good food. Buy organic. With each purchase you are voting.

Love.

Camp

Riley has been attending a day camp this week, put on by her therapeutic martial arts school. She's been meditating, creating art about what she saw in meditation, doing yoga, learning emotional freedom techniques, dancing, cooking healthy food, working on social skills, doing martial arts, and much more I probably don't even know about.

I am envisioning a similar camp for moms of kids with special needs. We'd do all of the above, but with manis and pedis, and massage.

But as I was envisioning, I thought about another camp. This one for the dads of kids with special needs. HT works long hours, and lots of overtime, to pay for everything our kids need. For a few years, he came home only to be greeted by a crazy lady who would hand him the kids and run. He'd get desperate phone calls in the middle of the work day and have to talk me off the ledge. I know the pressure I'm under, but I don't really know his. What's it like to balance the financial responsibility, watch your kids struggle, and also watch the love of your life fall apart? And men. What's with them? They basically talk to no one. Stay at home dads face their own set of challenges and stigma. Do they talk about it? I don't know. There would be forced talking at my camp for men! We won't put that on the brochure. The men definitely need a camp.

Therapeutic camp for families. My wheels are turning.

Who's in?

Allow Me Tell You About My Rack

He picks up the phone and I whisper into my cell as I walk out of Macy's,

"I have something important to tell you."

"What?"

"I have big boobs."

"Huh?"

"Did you know this, and if so, why didn't you tell me?" I ask him.

He has nothing to say for himself.

I hate bras. They are the first thing to go when I enter my home, sometimes before shoes. I unhook it and slip mine off through the ole shirt sleeve, toss it at HT and say, "Woo-hoo! Free & easy!"

And we laugh!

Bras are just so darn uncomfortable. But the kids are getting older. It's a bit uncool to walk around braless once they start noticing. And they have. Trust, my kids are not subtle. Stare much? Anyway, Carrie said I needed to be properly fitted. Oh Carrie. What would I do without you?

All my life, I'd been walking around minding my own business, smallish in a B cup, and whattya know? I'm a fricking D now! No wonder the discomfort?

So, I hadn't been fitted properly in about 13 years. So, I've had two kids. My feet started out at 6 1/2 and I now wear a 7 1/2. Why wouldn't a change in bra size occur to me?

I'm in my D now, feeling comfy. Supported but not squished.

Ladies, say it with me, "Bras should not hurt."

Go get fitted.

No need to thank me.

Thank Carrie.

Babymouse

Just home from the book store with her dad, Riley is beaming. She has in her possession the two Babymouse books she's yet to read. There is a whole series and she is absolutely in love with them. They are graphic novels.

"Mom. Maybe you could put Babymouse on your blog!"

"Sure, Honey."

"And maybe you could say, "My daughter is crazy about Babymouse."

"I'll do it."

She grins.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Babymouse. My daughter is crazy about her. Therefore, so am I.

Now a looky through the boy's lens...

Testosterone anyone? Not a fluffy kitty to be found.
Of course we have a photo of his clay collection from summer day camp. What's this? Clockwise we have a guitar that looks like a fish, a red music shaker, a giraffe, a mug, a bell, and of course, a burrito. Why wouldn't he have made a clay burrito? Just because he wouldn't eat one if you paid him a million dollars doesn't mean he has no appreciation for Mexican cuisine.

GRRRR.

Death.

Destruction.

Don't let him fool you though. He's a softy.

I don't recall the girl I spent 26 hours birthing taking any shots of her mom, but whatever. They've taken over a thousand pictures in the last couple of weeks.

~

Remind me to hide the digital camera.

No Words Necessary

Lisa Oz on Paul Offit

Last week, Dr. Mehmet Oz interviewed Dr. Paul Offit on his XM radio show. Offit is the most outspoken MD in the U.S. on alleged vaccine safety.

Dr. Oz was able to speak to Offit in his own language, and disarm him quite a bit I thought. He got a lot of good questions in, and Offit had his canned answers at the ready, but it didn't get heated, and both men seemed to respect each other.

Dr. Oz's wife Lisa is usually there for the show, and though she was not part of the interview, she made her opinions known during the "post-op," which they have after every show. These are the points she made:

-The idea of "trust me I'm a doctor" is the height of arrogance.

-There is no transparency in the vaccine industry, and Offit has a big financial interest in vaccines (he's made millions and millions off of them).

-The idea that parents who say their child had an adverse reaction to a vaccine in reality just didn't recognize their child was always autistic is INSULTING.

-Parents are smart enough to make informed decisions regarding which vaccines are appropriate for their children.

-The Oz children are all vaccinated (though according to her remarks on a previous show, it didn't happen according to the AMA schedule, and they don't get flu shots).

I really hesitated to write this, and I'm turning my comments off for this post. I don't want to start a heated political autism battle here. What I do want to say is this,

If you are a parent concerned about vaccines, do your homework. If you decide to vaccinate, do it on your terms. Don't be bullied by arrogant doctors. Do it if you are 100% committed. Do it on your schedule. If you have doubt, do more research until your doubt is settled. If you decide not to vaccinate now, you can always do it a little later. Understand what is in each vaccine. Look at the ingredients. Investigate the true need for booster shots, flu shots. Own your parental authority.

1 in 150 kids in the U.S. has autism today.

1 in 84 boys.

I think it's worth noting the wife of "America's doctor" has questions.

Love.