Sparks and Butterflies...

But aside from that, she's still completely normal

Punctuation on Forums

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I read a lot of forums. For the most part, I’m a lurker, not a participant. Every once in a while I need to stop, though. Not because of the content, but because of the lack of punctuation. I’m not saying you need a degree in English – but common punctuation is good. It gets your point across with clarity, and gives the mind the natural places to pause. For example, here’s the former paragraph in the form I run into:

i read a lot of forums for the most part im a lurker not a participant every once in a while i need to stop though not because of the content but because of the lack of punctuation im not saying you need a degree in english but common punctuation is good it gets your point across with clarity and gives the mind the natural places to pause for example heres the former paragraph in the form i run into:

Throw in spelling errors and your eyes bleed. Here’s the bottom line… If you’re not willing to make it legible, it degrades the credibility of whatever information you’re trying to get across in the forum. You sound illiterate and ignorant. Am I just being snobbish? I don’t care about the odd type, or the odd misspelling. I know there are words I struggle with. Like “exercise.” I NEVER spell that word correctly the first time. But that odd run-on kind of thing with no punctuation? It makes me feel like I’ve got a stream of consciousness thing going on – but it’s not MY stream. Annoying.

My Poor Longsuffering Husband

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I apologize for any weirdness or spelling errors. I’m currently on muscle relaxants and they make me fuzzy.

Before we got married, I informed Poe about my bodily idiosyncrasies. In short? I am a freak. I’ve written about it before, so I won’t go into the backstory too much.

Warning – If you are male, or hate discussions of bodily functions – stop reading. I’ll continue below the fold – but the fold doesn’t show on my feed, so stop reading now if you’re squeamish.

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Wild Wonders of the Momma Bear

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I hate the fact that I have to be a momma bear. But hey, what can I say? If I don’t advocate for my kids – who will?

Joseph is on something through the state called AB3632. What that basically means is that the state recognizes that my kid needs more help than an IEP can give him, and so the state pays for his therapy (a certain amount of hours). A lot goes into the decisions as to what’s in the programs. What I mean by that is, it’s not rubber-stamped.

Every other year a social worker and Psychologist come in and have meetings with Joseph and us to determine if he still qualifies. They will also meet with his teachers, psychiatrist, and therapists, all separately. So far, they’ve never denied him the program. Then, every six months or so, his teachers, his therapists, the principal, and the lead of the special school he’s in meet with us and we hack through his IEP. Everything from his education, his testing, how he’s doing, goals – progress and new ones, down to specifically how many hours a month he needs in therapy. I used to just HATE those meetings, but that’s changed since we switched to the new school. Instead of feeling like I have to fight for crumbs, me against them, I actually feel like a member of the team. And then of course, conferences and meetings as needed. If stuff comes up for him that puts him in crises, that usually falls under the therapists. We’ve had several crises moments, and his therapists were there for us and him on the phone on a weekend.

These are things he needs. Our goal is for him to be able to be an able bodied, independent adult, who can hold a job and live on his own.

Well, now, it turns out that his therapy center might not have AB3632 funding any more after the first of the year. You can imagine the conversations I’ve been having. Serious.Momma.Bear. Especially when the therapy center decided to just stop anyway – you know, since we probably won’t have any funding later. Seeya.

Excuse me?

Yeah. No. You don’t get to slough us off without creating a plan with us, and assisting us with finding the people who DO have the funding. My son is on prescription meds someone at YOUR center prescribes. Your center provides HALF of his therapy hours that everyone agrees he needs. You don’t get to make us go away ’cause it’s more convenient while you wait to see what the state does with the program. Because you still DO have funding.

Ahem. He still has his therapy. He still has his Psych. (meds). It just took 3 separate intense conversations with the supervisor at the center during which I made her realize I don’t do what others tell me to, and I don’t go away because it’s convenient for them. I also don’t play well with others.

I understand the funding issues. We have to wait on the state for that. You just don’t throw the literal baby (MY BABY) out with the bathwater. He’s not a “case,” “Case Number,” or “statistic.” He’s Joseph. He has a mother named Michele. And she will damn well make sure you know it.

Please Read This Article

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Before I share the link with you, let me explain where I’m coming from.  I have a child with mental issues.  I told the school going in that they were there, and they refused to provide services, an evaluation, or early intervention.  As a result, due to their “zero tolerance” policy, my child was almost expelled from school for expressing his anger.  At the age of 5.  Unable to attend another district school.  What I did in that case was fight tooth and nail for an IEP, which would then provide him protections under the disabilities act.  It forced them to help my son rather than kick him out.  And yet, another child tormented mine for YEARS.  But he never did anything that came under the “zero tolerance” policy.  The result of that?  My son being institutionalized when he couldn’t take any more.  Then one of the “patients” tried to kill my child by choking him to death.  That was a fun middle of the night phone call.

You tell me, which was worse?  What did the most damage?  My son getting pissed off at his teacher at the age of 5 (when they still get naps in school for God’s sake) or my son being driven into a mental institution?  We have had to fight long and hard for my son to have an atmosphere where they are helping my son instead of “managing” my son.

Think about your kids, what they do, what the consequences should be, and what they currently are.  What is it going to do to their psyche in the long run?  I am very far from the touchy-feely earth momma, terrified to allow their precious child’s “creativity” be stifled.  We’re highly disciplined around here.  We maintain serious control.  Because of my kids’ issues, it provides safety and sanity for them.  However – as “mean” as we are, we are able to understand the difference between play and violence, toys and firearms, playacting versus intent, and when they are just being kids.

This isn’t about politics.  This is about my child.  This is about how it effected my son.  The long term issues have been such a struggle stemming back to that one day.  And now?  Will he be able to have his dreams?  Since it wasn’t a criminal matter – even though the police got involved without ever talking to me – because he wasn’t charged with a crime, I can’t have his “record” sealed.  Background checks will now show mental institutionalization.  He has wanted for years to become a Marine like his dad.  Will he ever be able to now?

Here’s the article: Zero Tolerance Policies: Are the Schools Becoming Police States?

From Your Friendly Neighborhood Crossing Guard

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As a way for my family to make ends meet, I took a part time job as a crossing guard for the last 3 months.  It is an extremely busy main drag in our town, a four lane four way signal.  Here are my notes:

For the Drivers:

  • See that sign?  It says “No U Turn.”
  • See those THREE signs?  They say “No Right Turn on Red.”
  • If I’m in the intersection – with my obnoxious neon vest, red hat, and huge red sign?  Don’t run the red light.  I’d like to live to see my children grow up.
  • Don’t stop IN the crosswalk.  If you do, I have to make the pedestrians wait another cycle of lights because you’re an idiot.
  • Don’t yell out your window at me, even to be funny.  At your speed, I can’t hear what you’re saying.
  • Don’t honk while right next to me.  I may pee.  No, I’m not kidding.
  • My hand signals are not for you.  If they were, I’d be facing you, making eye contact.  I’m not a traffic cop, and I’m not signaling you from the sidewalk.
  • I WILL give your plate number to the Sheriffs.  Also?  They like me.

For the Pedestrians – Kids and Adults Alike:

  • Did your parents really teach you to act that way?
  • Yes, I will yell at you if you attempt to cross the street IN a SHOPPING CART.
  • Also?  Use the brain God gave you.
  • Yes, I cross everyone.
  • Yes, I know you’re not a kid.
  • Yes, It’s company policy.
  • Yes, I get paid.
  • Also, it’s rude to ask my salary, seriously.
  • Yes, it’s a real job.
  • If you’re gonna get bitchy ’cause I broke your stride, use a trail or track – not the public street.
  • Did you really just do the “jogger snot rocket” thing next to my shoe?
  • Get off your skateboard or bike. Repeat.
  • Judging by your walking while talking on the phone skills, I suggest that you not try chewing gum.
  • “Thank you” never hurt anyone.
  • Don’t ignore me when I speak to you.  It’s rude.
  • When I tell you to hurry up, it’s probably because the light turned.  HURRY UP.
  • Tie your shoelaces.
  • I’m a mother, I can totally take you.  Do that again, and I’ll smack the back of your head.

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