Cellar Door

Does it ever seem like crazy stuff only happens to you?  I hope so because I am really starting to think some Greater Being has it out for me or something, and I'd hate to go down alone.  I'm eyeballing you, Xenu. 

I mean seriously.  Let's just look at this for a minute.
My house burns down. here
I do a botch job at cutting my thumb off with a can lid. here
I have a uterine ablation that had no success. here
I have a hysterectomy. here
I get parvo. here
My son needs surgery. here
I demand that my son stay in the school that he is currently in with his friends, only to find the new assistant principal is the old principal from the shitty-school-that-shall-not-be-named. (more on this later)
and oh yeah, I need another hysterectomy. 

Yeah, see...the funny thing about me, is if there's ever "a very small percentage..." just accept and expect that I'm in that minute insignificant group of people that bizarre things happen to. 

Because seriously who has two hysterectomies?  Oh right, people who are me.  It makes perfect sense now.   

It's like a movie.  Hysterectomy Part Deux: This time, it's cervical.

I'm pretty sure this is how wormholes are created.
If you meet your parallel self and you're way cooler than your real self- you're welcome.

Ready...set...

I have so much updating I need to do- not to mention my blog was hijacked and I couldn't get in...it's a little overwhelming, but I promise I will get there.  Pinky Swear.
But first-
You all know what today is, right?

Did you really think Jaysen was going to start 5th grade without my annual
First Day of School Freakout?!?
Hahaha....no...you know me better than that!
I am realizing, though, that The Freakouts are happening for a shorter period of time, so that's improvement...

We met the Resource Room teacher and he seems Awesome.  I'm very excited that he remembered Jaysen from ESY, and said they worked well together.  He also is kind of "tech-y", and is willing to help and encourage Jaysen's interest with basic computer-stuffs.  Double bonus there.  His Super-Awesome Resource Room teacher from The Awesome School is now his guidance counselor, so we also have that going for us.  It really looks like his year is going to start off with the right supports.  There's a couple of craperiffic things going on this year too, such as the horrible principal from the Bad School is now his assistant principal, and his parapro seems kind of clueless, but I'm hoping neither of those will be issues this year.  Om...

Jaysen was totally excited to start school today.
This is pretty huge, since for one, said child is getting bigger, with all new "big kid" responsibilities, such as *ahem* deodorant usage and the like, but also changes in our district, have now made him an "upper elementary" student.  Ooh-la-la!  This means a total change. 
New school, new teachers, new schedules, new kids, new curriculum, and holy shit LOCKERS....it's just a whole buncha NEW.  We don't usually do Teh New.  But Jaysen was excited, and that's always a bonus.  Except this year he didn't make me wait for the bus 45 minutes early.  Yay!


Here's what I think helped his new routine:

       

Awesome idea:  Morning routine written on mirror with a dry erase marker.  This way, he checks off the steps that need to be carried out to make a new morning routine. 

Smooooth, like buttah.                                 

Really, Mom....the camera?  I'm just brushing my hair. 

Give it a rest, yo.

Ta-da!  All ready for the First Day of School!  Yes, I tucked in the offending pockets. 

Also, need to work on the striking a pose.  Lookout Village People.

And here's what I think helped me:

Cheers.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

I can has red hairz?

And so I got *that* workin' for me... Lol.

Come here often?

It's been way too long since I've posted, but we've been having some slightly bizarre illness happening here.  Very high fevers and random barfing.  No other complaints, just hot n barfy. 
Anyway..
Jaysen's surgery went very well.  Thank you all for your well wishes!The procedure was a bit more involved than originally anticipated, but the surgeon was able to complete it without complication. 

Jaysen was really nervous- and by nervous, I mean he was scared out of his everlovin' mind...but once in the room, they did a good job of relaxing him (read: drugs), and it was over in a jiffy.

Going..........

........and gone.

So freakin' cute.
Recovery on the other hand....notsomuch.
Apparently, my lil guy doesn't come out of anesthesia too well.  He was really crotchety, and in a significant amount of pain.  They gave him half a vicodin, and it wasn't long before I was pushing for them to give him the other half.  The nurse was from the school of start small and increase doseage only if absolutely necessary.  Mama has had a few surgeries in the not so distant past, and is from the school of the patient should be KTFO (knocked the fuck out) the day of and the day following surgery.  Then, painkillers should be administered as necessary.



KTFO.



Add in a reaction to one of the medications and some unexplained chronic barfing....it was a rough few days there. 

New belly button under construction:

The kid is tough.

Blondie was onto something...

I have to interrupt this surgery recovery to bring you a veloci-RAPTURE post. 
Mainly because I have not gotten to transfer my pictures from my phone to my computer yet.

Okay, so if any of you happen to get Swept Up In Glory this evening, I will miss you.
You should have a Rapture party. 
All you need is some Heathens, some Virtuous Ones, and some eats and drinks. 
Oh and music.  In the event of a Rapture party, I put together an End of The World playlist. 
Cuz I care about you like that.
And I have a child recovering from surgery, so I can't get all Rapture-riffic myself.  Boo.

Here is my gift to you, a Rapture playlist:

Nothing is Keeping You Here - A-ha
Apocalyptic Sunshine - Acid Bath
Now I'm Feeling Zombified - Alien Sex Fiend
Jesus Chrysler Suicide - Anaconda's Child
Heaven or Las Vegas - Cocteau Twins
We've Got a Bigger Problem Now - Dead Kennedys
Blasphemous Rumours - Depeche Mode
Can't Go Back - Descendents
Reality Check - Genitorturers
She Floated Away - Husker Du
I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked - Ida Maria
Risen - KMFDM
Wheel in the Sky - Journey
Bring the Pain - Mindless Self Indulgence
This is Your Last Chance to be Famous My Love - The Mint Chicks
That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate - Mission of Burma
Disappointed - Morrissey
99 Luftballons - Nena
Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam - Nirvana
Oh Lately it's so Quiet - OK Go
Another Girl, Another Planet - The Only Ones
So Stark - Pavement
Learning to Fly - Pink Floyd
A Million Miles Away - The Plimsouls
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Countdown to Armageddon - Public Enemy
You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby - The Smiths
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) - UB40
I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow - The The
The End of the World as We Know It - REM

Enjoy.
And tether your asses down, 'cuz I really will miss you.
Haha....who am I kidding...you guys ain't goin' nowhere...
*muah*

Meh.

Jaysen has surgery tomorrow.
Am nervous.
So is he.
Wish us luck. 
Will check in.

~xoxoxo~

I heart lampposts

Finally.

I was given the opportunity to review a film called Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic.  Todd Drezner takes an interesting, and refreshing approach to gain knowledge about his son's diagnosis.  I say refreshing, because this is honestly the first time I have ever seen the topic presented in a 100% unbiased, non-judgemental, and eyes fully open approach.  Drezner spends time seeking knowledge from both "recovery" and "neurodiversity" movements, presenting both sides equally, and straightforward.  And neither side presented Autism as a devastating apocalyptic disease that steals your children's souls. 

This is a really good film, peeps.
The title is personal, and reflects Drezner's son's special interest in lampposts, and his affinity for them.
It's personal and heartfelt.  The parents in this film have so much love for their children. 
I would be willing to bet there are a lot of newly-diagnosed parents out there, whom would feel much comfort and support from just this knowledge alone.  Why?  Well sure, because it has Estee and Kristina in it :), but also because it presents options.  As parents, we love options.  We may have a strong feeling toward a certain side, but as long as that option is there...we are hopeful.

Not to mention the kids in the film are downright adorable.
I think this film should be stockpiled and handed out to parents of newly diagnosed kids.
It's that good.  And that informative.
Really- that's what our goal is as parents.  We just want to make the best decisions for our children, and the way to do that is to make informed decisions.

Lampposts.
Love em.

**UPDATED**  I have received a few inquiries as to how people can obtain a copy of the DVD of their own.  I was given the following information from Cinema Libre:

For people who are interested in purchasing the DVD for private use, they can go to our website.  Here is the link - http://store.cinemalibrestore.com/lovinglamppostsdvd.html.

For people who are interested in screenings or the educational DVD, they can also visit our website – http://www.cinemalibrestore.com/educational_grassroots.html

If they have questions they can contact sales@cinemalibrestudio.com


Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation for this review.  Should anyone feel compelled to compensate me, feel free.  I would love an alpaca, or perhaps a nice garden gnome.