My son told me a joke today

I just had a complete conversation with my three year old son. He told me he wanted some more popcorn then wanted the candy I was eating. I okayed the popcorn but the candy was mine. He whimpered a bit but understood what I was saying. Then he tried to tell me a knock knock joke. It was pretty funny too. Knock knock. Who's there? Who. Who who? Are you a owl? Then he laughed.

This may not seem like much to most people but it almost makes me cry. You see, my son has been diagnosed with autism. We had noticed he didn't talk nor did he understand basic commands by the age of two. We knew something was wrong but didn't know what. After many test a doctor told us he was autistic. I didn't believe it then and I don't now. There is something wrong and I wish I knew what it was so we could work on it but I don't believe it's autism.

If you've ever been around an autistic child there are few things you notice. They don't see you. They have blank look on their face. No sense of humor, no imagination, no signs of affection and loves routine. None of these traits describe my son. He's the most affectioned, sympathetic child I know. He can already start our computer put in the CD he wants, starts the game he wants and plays fairly well. I know I'm a bias parent but the kids got charm.

I'm scared for the life that's ahead of him. Life is hard enough without starting with one strike against you. His condition really doesn't effect me, I rarely notice it but I have to worry how it will effect him now and later.

My son told me a knock knock joke today and it almost made me cry.

Christmas Pics And Such

Just a few Xmas pics and a few others. The one with the feet hanging out is my daughter after she emptied the pots and pans on to the floor. We think she was hiding but obviously she's not to good at it:)

Big Ass Rant On The Way

If you want me to help you just ask. I might not do it that minute or even that day but I will do it. I always do. If it's not a F**KN' emergency don't expect me to cancel my plans and stop everything to make your little whims a reality. I have a life believe it or not. While we're on the subject if you do need my help I am more than willing to assist you with whatever you need or to take the lead and get the job done. What I'm not capable of doing is taking the lead and have someone supervise me. Either we do it your way and I help or tell me what you need and get the hell out of the way! The following is an example of a typical conversation that takes place in my life every day.

Hey can you come over and set up the new TV I got?

Well I'm going to the gym tonight I'll come by and do it tomorrow, ok?

Well I really wanted it tonight because it's in the way.

I would come after the gym but I want to see the kids before they go to bed.

Couldn't you go to the gym tomorrow instead?

I could but my lift partners will be there tonight (why do I have to justify this?)

Couldn't you leave early or put the kids to bed then come over? (oh no, don't let me of the hook easy)

This is the part where I cave in and do it. It's not that he didn't have a TV it's that he got a new one and wanted it NOW. So I go do it and I'm questioned every step of the way if I'm doing it right. Then later that night I get a call about how the thing isn't working. Like I got some kind of damn warranty on the help I give people. So I spend another 30 minutes on the phone teaching them how to use their remote. Ever done that? No fun at all.

So this is my life. Working 50 + hours a week and a list of favors to do for everyone. I don't mind doing them, honestly. I even like being the go to guy but damn it's a favor and that means you might have to wait for it to be convenient for me. Gasp! I swear I don't feel like my time is my own. Sometimes I'm not even sure my life is.

Christmas Miracles

The Christmas crap (tree and Decorations) are put away. Yes, I have a holiday tradition of taking down the tree the day after. This year is no different and I am happy to say Christmas is OVER.

We did however have two Christmas miracles happen. The first and most important happened to a family that lives in our community. Their 6 year old son has been best friends with my 6 year old since they were 3. My son's friend found out he had stage four cancer last year and has had a very aggressive year long battle to save his life. He is clean of cancer now but still has a less than 50% chance of living. He also has two brothers who have severe allergies to peanuts and dairy foods combine that with the fact that the dad is a doctor who is currently stationed in Afghanistan and mom is home taking care of 5 children by herself, their Christmas was going to be a very sad one indeed. But as fate would have it my wife casually mentioned them to an acquaintance who owns a golf cart dealership. The owner informed my wife that she gives away a cart to a deserving family every year and you guessed it after all was said and done this family was delivered a new golf cart on Christmas day. The kids were on top of the world and spent the whole day riding that golf cart and instead of a ruined Christmas they had the time of their lives.

The second miracle may not sound like a big deal but it fixes a huge problem for me. My brother, who has three kids that I adore , has a wife that suddenly stopped talking to my whole side of the family about seven years ago. We have no idea why. I'm not just saying that nothing happened, nothing happened and we never could get an answer from my brother. Well I really didn't care if she talked to us or not but the limited access to the children sucks. They are 16, 14, and 14 now, one girl and twin boys. My sister in law has never met my three children or my sisters two. No cards at birth or birthdays, nothing. Then yesterday she showed up for Christmas dinner like the last seven years didn't happen. Gave us a hug, wished us merry Christmas and sat next to us while we broke bread. I have no idea why now but it was nice being around my brothers family at Christmas time. I asked myself if I should forgive her that easy but she's the one who missed out on knowing my kids and knowing the joy of being an aunt. Her loss more than mine.

Well time to look forward to the new year.

Good Gift?

Christmas is over and all went well. We even had two Christmas miracles occur but I will post more on those tomorrow. The picture above is a gift the wife and I received from an aunt and uncle. It is by far the strangest gift we got this year and maybe any year. Just thought it was kinda funny. Funny strange and funny funny.

Still not sure where I'm going to put it.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone

And a whole lot of gifts : )

Cleaning Up

I have heard more than once that some women think that a man cleaning the house is sexy. Well, I must be the sexiest man alive today because I cleaned every damn nook and cranny. Did some laundry too.

Did my wife think this was sexy? No! She told me I had worked up a stinky sweat and told me to take a shower :(

I just can't win...

The Don wins agains

Can anyone deny that Donald Trump is a true genius. I couldn't tell you any of the names of the past Miss USA winners but I know last years winner was Tara Conner.

How can the Don continually trick the press into giving him free publicity. Rosie O'Donnell fell for it too, hook line and sinker. Fools!

Day and Night

Every day I'm forced to deal with two opposing forces. Night and day, total opposites, trying to rule my world. I love the day, I can see clearly, every path is visible, it's bright and all my obstacles are in plain view. Then there is night, it's dark and confusing, I'm never sure of where I am. Sometimes I can't even see myself.

Both are aware of the other and completely cover my world. Lately the nights are shorter, shorter than they were just a few years ago but they're still there, without fail. Day being day, never intrudes into night, never makes an attempt to break in or vanquish it forever. Night being what it is, is never far away, always waiting for an opportunity to slip in. To roll the clouds and darken even the brightest day.

The truth is, night takes advantage of day. It waits until day grows long and tired and starts to forget about night, forgetting how dark night can be. That's when night takes it's opportunity and strikes, the two meet at dusk and blend together in combat but day is too tired and eventual submits. Night by itself is a formidable opponent but night has an evil brother, darkness and a devious sister, silence. I have fought them all and lost every time. There is no hope of winning. Even the moonlight cutting into night is just a tease, it is of no help. Once night has it's hold it will bring me down, then the simple act of closing my eyes allows his brother darkness to fill my head. When darkness and silence converge I have no control over my thoughts. Over and over the images replay against my wishes. I am forced to watch for the millionth time. Darkness is an evil gun and I have supplied the ammunition.

Now I can only wait for day to regain it's strength and the Battle for my soul to start again in the morning. Hoping that night has grown bored with me, that the clouds are to lazy to come out and help night extend it's reign, that the rain has had it's fill and the storms are satisfied that enough damage has been done... for now.

Future Blogs

I'm always thinking of new names I should have used for this site. I will add them as I think of them.

The Eye Of My Mind

Blogger Beware

Damaged Goods

Back Draft

Dark Nights

Twisted Logic

The Thorn Of The Rose

Where Fate Has left Me