Just Because My Pickle Talks Does Not Make Me An Idiot

Help! I have a 10 year old in the house!

2010-05-13T13:13:00.002-04:00

I wrote back in April that Jonathan turned 10. It's been seven and a half years since I had a 10 year old male in the house. But I'm beginning to remember why I stopped liking my oldest son about this point in his life (although I never stopped loving him). j var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" +

Howe Household Sublime Conversations

2010-04-29T12:45:00.002-04:00

Okay, I have to get this down before I forget it. Yvar gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-10810181-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} Me: Josh, I asked

I'm Still Alive!!!

2010-04-26T19:18:00.001-04:00

Thank you, all my blogging friends, for checking in on me and telling me how you are concerned. I have to admit I stopped writing for a little bit because I haven't had time to read everyone's blogs - and I so miss that!!! Tvar gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/

What Happened Before and After?

2010-04-14T09:09:00.000-04:00

...More than half-way back in the large sanctuary, a man quietly stood. He was dressed in a simple tan dress shirt, no tie, and khakis, no belt. Although not in uniform, no one could conceive he wasn't a uniform type based upon his straight posture, his stance and his crew cut. He stood neither at attention nor at a parade rest, but something in between with his hands folded at his lower torso.

National Autism Resources - Great Resource

2010-04-13T09:21:00.000-04:00

A month or so ago, I was contacted by National Autism Resources and asked to review their Chewy Pencil Toppers. Since the school and I noticed Jonathan is playing with his mouth all day long, I thought Jonathan should try the pencil topper. I received three clear tubes which fit on the end of a pencil. To be honest, Jonathan wanted nothing to do with them. I'm not totally surprised. He's not

A Decade Ago...

2010-04-05T17:14:00.000-04:00

Scott woke me up at 3 or 4 a.m., "Are you sure you don't want me to cancel my business trip to California? Because once I'm in the air it will take another day or so before I can get home." I assured him, "I'll be fine. I'll call Dr. Tiralla this morning, he'll make me come in to monitor the baby and then he'll send me home like he always does." Scott reluctantly got up and departed for BWI for

Autsim And Alleluias - Kicking Off Autism Awareness Month

2010-04-03T17:10:00.000-04:00

Shhh! I'm still officially on Spring Break. But before I left, I agreed to review a book written by a mother of a son with autism as part of a Blog Tour from April 1 to 7. Since I never have a chance to read anymore, my break was a perfect time to settle down with this book. I'll be back Monday. In the meantime, I want to kick off National Autism Awareness Month this book review. * * * * * * *

Spring Break at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

2010-03-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

I know it is Spring time when I drive up my driveway and see purple flowers blooming from my vinca minor. How can I be so in love with a small purple bloom from wild ground cover? I don't know, but my dream is to have it growing down both sides of my driveway someday in future. Although it grows wild once it is planted, I have to harvest it from my mom's neighborhood and plant it one vine at a

Homework Battles and Campaigning

2010-03-25T12:29:00.000-04:00

The last two weeks Jonathan didn't have homework because Maryland public schools administer the Maryland State Assessments (MSA) - you know, the report cards on how well the teachers and schools are teaching our children. Jonathan: We don't have homework the next two weeks because of MSAs. Me: This is yet another proof that God is good! Jonathan: What!?!? God doesn't give MSAs! Me: No, not

2010-03-22T00:13:00.001-04:00

I'm participating with Travis, at I Like To Fish, in his Memoir Monday. The only rule that I know about is that your story has to be true. So come join the growing number of people caught in Travis' "net of discussion." Back when I worked for a company (as opposed to work for my family or myself), I had an incredible opportunity to work for my hero. I will treasure those two years for the rest

Is It The Autism, Sibling Rivalry or Both?

2010-03-20T20:20:00.003-04:00

I woke up this morning to screaming rounds of "Jonathan, give me back my phone!" Faith came upstairs to tell me Jonathan took her favorite phone. I had her send him up. He came up. I asked him to give the phone back, "No. I don't want to." This became a circular conversation. At least he was honest. Last week a quite conversation between husband and wife was disrupted by a hysterical Faith who

Thursday Tackle - First Local Business Story

2010-03-18T08:44:00.001-04:00

For my Thursday Tackle this week, I decided to "show off" my first article about a local business. For those not keeping up with my newest adventure, I'm in the process of setting up another blog strictly to "write local stories one business at a time." I would love constructive input on this. My husband called it "folksy" which was my intention. My thought is that people are more willing to do

I Didn't Stop Following You -No Matter What It Looks Like!

2010-03-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

Did I get your attention with my title today? Or did I get your attention when it looked like I stopped following you today? D var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Let me tell you what's going on in my real life

Supportive Blog Friends - Success; Attemp to be Snarky - Fail

2010-03-13T23:09:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your wonderful and supportive comments on my last post. I was attempting to be snarky, not looking for an outpouring of encouragement. But I'll take it! T var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Just

Stay At Home Mom Returning To Work -Reclaiming An Identity

2010-03-11T22:15:00.000-05:00

I used to be a person with an identity. Now I'm not a person and my identity is tied to my husband. Nothing brought this reality home faster than applying for a signature loan. Let me back up. Before I married Scott a decade and a half ago, I was somebody. I had my own credit history. I owned my home. In fact, I had owned two different homes. I had an excellent job. I worked directly for a

Jonathan and The Great Children's Shoe Adventure

2010-03-09T17:30:00.000-05:00

Remember when I posted this story about Jonathan and buying shoes? Well, as life would have it, Jonathan needed new shoes. * * * * * * * * * rvar gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Me: Jonathan, which would you prefer?

Training and Support for Mommy Blogs - SITS

2010-03-07T18:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all your encouragement and support for my one day boot camp in Baltimore, Maryland. If you have a chance I recommend staying at Pier 5 Hotel. It was a wonderful experience. I checked in about 4 pm Friday evening, had my car valet parked (the valet brought all my luggage up to my room), and received an invitation to come back down for Crabby Hour in the lobby. This lovely and very

I'm Going On A Bear Hunt....

2010-03-05T09:02:00.000-05:00

...okay, not really. But I am going camping this weekend. It's called SITS Bloggy Boot camp. Some of you might be familiar with SITS (or The Secret Is in The Sauce) networking site for women bloggers. They are holding a camp in Baltimore, Maryland Saturday. I'm driving up today. This is the kind of camping I love. I'm sleeping in a premier hotel, eating flounder stuffed with crab (I'm not eating

Purple Man Returns

2010-03-03T22:58:00.008-05:00

For all those new to this blog, let me answer a few of your burning questions. First, "Just Because My Pickle Talks Doesn't Make Me An Idiot" is a phrase my son, Jonathan, used to say when he was a preschooler. He has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a high functioning form of autism. He has this diagnosis because he has issues with language and social skills. No one knew what Jonathan was

I'm Absolutely Gitty With Excitement

2010-03-03T09:18:00.000-05:00

Travis, at I like to Fish, has invited me to come play in his pond today! I'm excited because Travis is allowing me to guest post on his blog. If you already follow him, you know that his followers become cult-like in their inability to leave or disobey him. Imagine how thrilled I am to be noticed by The Man! I won't even hold it against him that he called me "ma'am". What am I, his mother? Okay

Memoir Mondays - Don't Yell, I Can Hear You!

2010-03-01T12:58:00.001-05:00

It's Monday! Like a brain-washed cult member, I'm dutifully obeying Travis and posting a true story, displaying his new button and inviting ya'll to join us. (Because he's from Oklahoma and I'm from Texas.) The above picture is a typical sight for people with autism, at least those who have" hyper-sensitivity" (over sensitive) to noises. This picture happens to be at Disney World during the

Preempting Thursday Tackle for Letter to School Board

2010-02-25T05:59:00.004-05:00

Besides the fact that I didn't have a chance to research my Thursday Tackle this week, I wanted to bring you a letter Jonathan wrote to the school board. Longtime readers know the fact Jonathan WROTE anything on his own initiative is a miracle. Recent readers haven't read about the homework battles in the Howe household. I think Homework Battle #5 was in November. pvar gaJsHost = (("https:" ==

He Provides the Play by Play, I Add the Color

2010-02-24T06:05:00.001-05:00

I var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); As a result of his sports knowledge, especially in all things football, Scott often calls the play by play during sports, like Al Michaels. In fact, Scott will say a split

Looking Ahead to Buying First Communion Gifts

2010-02-23T07:36:00.003-05:00

Ivar gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Our family lives in Maryland, one of the original established colonies from England. In fact, we live about 40 minutes from St. Mary's City. Englishman Leonard Calvert and about

Memoir Mondays - Blanket Wars

2010-02-22T12:29:00.002-05:00

Brian Miller, you have won the 18x24 digital poster from Online Poster Printing.com. They will be contacting you about how you can collect your prize. Congratulations, your name was mixed up with eleven others and drawn by my daughter. It's Monday! As a brain-washed cult membe, I'm dutifully obeying Travis and posting a true story, displaying his new button and inviting ya'll to join us. ('