Silly Short Story

So HistoryBoy comes home from school sick with a sore throat and a headache. It's his allergies and his molars are coming in. Not much we can do. Tylenol, Ambesol and rest. He is sitting in the living room relaxing, watching TV when HyperGirl comes over and wants to know if he wants to play. I tell her why he wasn't on the bus and I tell her he came home from school early with a headache. "Can he play?" I tell her since he came home from school sick he can't go outside to play. Then she looks at him and says "Do you want to play?" He looks at me. I say to her, If you want to play on the Wii or watch TV but I want him resting. I don't want him running around. She looks up at me and says "Ok." Then looks at him and says "Are you coming?" and runs out the door.

HistoryBoy just looks at me and says "I don't thinks she got it Mom."

Yes, I Read Teen Fiction and Like It!

Angus makes fun of me for the books I like to read, when I have time in between the naps I take when my body needs to recover and keeping up with HistoryBoy. I love to read. It keeps my brain active and for a little while, I get to relax.

Ok, so I read every Harry Potter book, had them preordered so I'd have them when they came out. I even stayed up all night to read the 7th one. Well my dad wanted to read it and I wanted to be able to give it to him, so when I handed it to him them next day, he was a little surprised. LOL Yes, so maybe HistoryBoy came by some of his obsessive qualities naturally. I have seen each movie in the theater. Oops that is not true I missed one of the more recent ones because I was too sick to sit through it. I own all of the movies on DVD as well. GAGH, Angus will yell I am supposed to say I own them on Blu-ray. LOL Bit of a tech freak is my Angus.

Yes, I also read The Twilight series and loved them much to Angus' disdain. I own them as books and on my e-reader. Angus refused to take me to see the movies when they came though out and since I am not a go to the movies by myself person, which he knows, I had to wait for them to come out on video, MEAN ANGUS! Love you though. But he has NO CHOICE, he is taking me to see Breaking Dawn. :-)

I have read Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I read all the way to #9 and have 10-13, I just haven't picked them up to finish. I really to want to know what happens to those poor kids, but I think a Harry Potter Book or Twilight book came out so I stopped reading the series.

I have also read Alyson Noel's Immortal Series #1 - 5 and am eagerly awaiting #6 which just came out, I just have to go pick it up. YAY!

I am thinking about starting the Pretty Little Liars Series, which I am hearing all kinds of good things about. I got them for my e-reader. So if I don't like them, I am not too committed.

I regularly browse the Young Adult section for new books that look interesting. And yes Angus is laughing. Come on guys, there is only so much, "Encyclopedia of WWII Aircraft" that I can take learning about. Sometimes I need something silly and fun. :-)

Have any other suggestions for me, just email them along.

Insights into the Mind of an 11 Year Old

These little nuggets of info come straight from the horses mouth... Or rather HistoryBoy mouth as it were.

HyperGirl: "She is my best friend. She is pretty much a female version of me."

Random-ness: "Ahhhh" What's wrong? "There are three of me in this mirror with bed head!" I nod in agreement. "Wow! Imagine Three of me! I think that is too many HBs don't you, mom?"Definitely! I don't think I could handle 3 of you. "Yeah two of me could take over the world! Three of me would take over the whole universe!" W

Cellphone: HistoryBoy just turned 11 and is not allowed to have a cell phone although he really wants one. So here are some pieces I think you will enjoy.

1> Why do you need a cell phone? "So I can call you or text you when I get out of school." We will 5 minutes from the school, your bus comes right after school to drop you off. What part would I miss? "But I could TEXT you. You LOVE texting!"

2> HistoryBoy and I have come to an agreement about the cellphone. When he no longers misplaces his mp3 player and gameboy on a regular bases, then we can discuss a cellphone. Until I can ask his at anytime of day where those items are and he knows where they are, no cell phone. He agreed to it. He has asked about it a few times since and I simply ask, Where is your GameBoy? He says "I don't know," sighs and then walks away to go look for it.

3> (THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE) Now HyperGirl has a cellphone and has bugged HistoryBoy (when she knows where her cellphone is) about when he is going to get a cell phone so she can call or text him. I caught this conversation between them while they were playing one day. "When I are going to get a cellphone?" HyperGirl asked HistoryBoy. He replied to her when I stop losing my GameBoy." She asks "So when is that going to be?" Looking hopeful. HistoryBoy doesn't even look up from the game they are playing and says "Never." I nearly choked in the other room. At least he is honest!

Is it any wonder that I ADORE being his mom 99% of the time? The other 1% o the time I spend threatening him that I am going to sell him on eBay. When he tell me, "HAHA They are SO gonna want their money back!"

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teenahope@gmail.com

5 Things I Did NOT Need to See Poolside

#5: Big Man with the BIG belly. If your belly if so big it hangs down over your bathing suit, get a bigger bathing suit to tuck it into, please. Or maybe a cover up? I know you have as much right to be here as I do, but if your belly hangs more than an inch or two past the waistband of your bathing suit, get a new suit please, that is all I am asking!

#4: Girls who wear bathing suits with fake tops. If they are fake, maybe I can't tell, so don't let me know they are fake by wringing out your boobs poolside please. This is a family resort. I know they make those push up bra bathing suits out of foam and they probably do hold a LOT of water but hey guess what, you bought the suit, wear it! Or go to the ladies room and wring it out. I do not want to explain to my very curious 10 year old why you are grabbing your boobs. Thanks.

#3: Babbling Drunk Grandma. When I am relaxing in the hot tub, please do not try to hold my hand. I do not know you. You were slightly offended I did not want to hold your hand. But again, I didn't know you. I didn't even know your name. I had just climbed into the hot tub and sat down and finally had to sit on my own hand so you would not try to hold it, very weird.

#2: Boy losing his swim trunks. Ok, I used to be a young girl once and drooled over young men, but is it me or are the young men wearing their shorts lower and lower? I swear if they were any lower on a few of thew here I would be seeing the whole package. So young gentlemen, this is for you, if I can see you pubic bone, I am seeing too much of you, especially, if I am seeing your "happy" trail. You may have a good body and want to show it off, but I am trying to teach my son how to dress appropriately and you are NOT helping my cause at all. Not that I think he really notices you, thankfully you are not a boat, or plane so he is not interested in what you are wearing. So for that at least I am grateful.

#1: Any Woman sunbathing topless by the pool. I should point out all these women are face down, it is a family pool, but still. These women drive me nuts, especially the ones who have kids and then get upset when the kids throw water on them and they jump up and forget they are topless. DOH! I mean come on! I know some people really don't want tans lines but is it that big of a deal at a family pool? Get a grip. I do not want my son to see your boobs lady! Keep your top on or go to a tanning salon! Thank you!

That is all my griping or today! Until tomorrow

I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email at teenahope@gmail.com

Peace, Love and my Childhood Toys

Did you ever take the time to really think about our childhood? I was born in 1975. I grew up in the 80s. My favorite TV shows and toys were Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Smurfs. I want each of you to take a moment to think about each of these shows.

First, take the Care Bears. I think they are the Poster Children of the 70s Love Child. Make Love, Not War. Maybe a bunch of Grateful Dead fans got together, (I do not know what the teddy bear have to do with Grateful dead, if you are a dead head, and know, you can let me know, politely of course, but the picture fits) and said "Whoa, what if those bears were all friends and could shoot caring out of their stomachs and make the whole world care. The could live in clouds and travel around on rainbows, and chant, Care-A-Lot, We Care-A-Lot!


Now I think Strawberry Shortcake went a little differently. I loved her and her berrific cohorts, do not get me wrong. However, I think some toy exec was baking some funny brownies when she came up with this one. Food can save the world and make you feel better. It is either a recipe for solving the munchies or making me fat. Strawberry Shortcake and friends grow all their own food, cook and/or bake, which is admirable, especially since I think they were all supposed to be young kids and babies, and then they had bake-offs and the EVIL Purple Pieman would always try to spoil their baking and win, but he never could. Food can solve all your problems and it ALWAYS saves the day in Strawberryland!



Now, I loved Rainbow Brite. She was the ULTIMATE for me. I owned the large and small version of this doll. Ohhh Ahhh. Anyway. But imagine coming up with the concept. I don't think it happened around a board table. I think it went more like,

"Dude, imagine a girl with a rainbow on her belt, wearing a rainbow colored outfit, spreading colors and saving the world."
"Awesome, and all her helpers can be named after all the colors of the rainbow"
"Wow dude that blows my mind. What if the bad guys are the ones trying to stop color from spreading in the world."
"We should totally go talk to John. I heard his Dad owns a toy company"
"Awesome"

Isn't it a wonder we all turned out as well as we did? LOL

Feel free to leave a comment or email me at teenahope@gmail.com

My Memorial Day Meltdown

Today's blog is going to be sort of short and sweet.

It was a long weekend this past weekend. Or maybe it was just too hot. Our a/c wasn't working and the humidity was awful so I wasn't feeling so well. We went to a BBQ at my mom's. It was a nice family get together but I was ready for a nice rest.

Angus, my husband, (that is his favorite sandwich at McDonald's, I know, dumb, but I couldn't think of anything better at this moment, except maybe Gregg, but I know he would HATE that) wants my attention to help him with something or to clean something or I do not even know but he wants something. It is too late though, I have flopped on the bed and am pretty quickly falling asleep because I just can't stay awake. Angus starts yelling. What? I kinda say, Give me a few minutes. And I do not remember saying anything else, except I woke up to him yelling even louder about other stuff that I couldn't process. I am not even sure if he was yelling at me or the Planet Pluto, (which actually isn't a planet anymore but I still call it one anyway. LOL ) I stand up out of bed in a daze, I have no real clue what is going on, only knowing I really want my bed. I burst into tears. I am bawling. I hear HistoryBoy go "Uh Oh, What did you do Angus?"

Angus comes into the room and hugs me and starts to comforts me. I can hear HistoryBoy running around the house looking for something. He comes running into the room. I am sitting there with my head on Angus' shoulder crying. HistoryBoy has a big smile on his face and a camera in his hand filming me and says, "You said we were supposed to video tape all meltdowns right, mommy?"

5 Questions I Should NOT Have to Answer About My Blog

I interrupt my normally scheduled blog for a Tribute to Dumb People.

I apologize if you are reading this now and are one of the people who follow my blog and emailed me these questions. But I felt the need to address it, because well to me it is silly. And I think at least some of you will think so too! If you sent the email in fun, then take this in the same spirit.

Dear Teenahope, Why are you writing about running off with a cabana boy and now you have added a picture of the week when your blog is supposed to be talking about dealing with Asperger's.

If I want to write something stupid or silly in my blog, it is my blog, right? Just because I said it is about me and my lupus and my son and his ADHD and Asperger's doesn't mean I can't take a flying leap off the edge sometimes when I need to. Sometimes I need to. We all do. Anyone who has a problem with it, just bite me, don't email about it, ok?

Dear Teenahope, Don't you think some of what you write is not what your readers want to see. You flip flop back and forth between serious issues and silliness. I started reading your blog because you seemed care about what you wrote. If your aim is to be popular you should listen to what I have to say.

I am writing my blog for me and for you, but mostly for me. When I realized that I was relating stories about my son to different friends who needed to hear about what it was like on the spectrum, I realized I needed to put my voice out there. But I also needed to do it for me. It helps me relax. I used to write all the time when I was younger, but I stopped. Life cropped up. There wasn't time. You know how it goes. But I can now. I will now. I need to now. Some of it will be funny, some it won't be. This is not said to be mean but if you do not like what my blog has to say, DON'T READ IT! It is really that simple. :)

Teenahope, I can sympathize with you having an almost teenager but I think you just need to be firmer with your son. Make listen him to you. You are his mom after all.

I am not asking for your sympathy. Asperger's is a real issue that my son deals with every day, whether you believe it or not. I am spreading awareness. There is a difference. If you don't know the difference it you who have the problem, NOT ME!

Teenahope, Is HistoryBoy his real name?

No, HistoryBoy is NOT his name. In fact, his real name comes from the bible but we call him by a bunch of other nicknames too including Precious, Monkey Boy and Captain Oblivious just to confuse him. Thanks for asking.

(I recieved 2 emails asking this ABSURD question and someone else asked me what I had said because they know HistoryBoy and it was too funny NOT to know what I had responded)

Dear Teenahope, Please tell me you didn't give HistoryBoy a demonstration of the Birds and the Bees.

We did NOT give HistoryBoy a demonstration on the Birds and the Bees. Just to clear the air, I apologize for my abrupt ending to "Animal Planet and the Bird and the Bees", but I thought most would find it funny. We simply said, "No HistoryBoy, that is not appropriate. When you are much older and married you may have sex, and may demonstrate with your wife but until then, no." He looked at me, wondering if I was serious. Deciding that I was, he say "Ok." and left the room. My husband and I proceeded to grab pillows, pull them over our heads and scream with laughter. Does that make the story better for you? But no, there were no demos involved. I think maybe a glass of wine or two after we got him in bed was deserved. DEFINITELY NEEDED!

Feel free to leave a comment or email me at teenahope@gmail.com

We Wonder Why Our Kids Can't Sit Still

I have read many blogs disparaging Dora. Believe me I am not in love with the tyke too much either but for an entirely different reason. Now when I was a kid, (uh oh, did I just say that, am I becoming my mom?) we had Sesame Street, Electric Company, 3,2,1 Contact for the learning crowd, Tom & Jerry and at the end of my toon years the Disney afternoon Ducktales etc. None of these shows encourages me to yell at my television as loud as I could or to get out of my sit and wiggle. I was supposed to sit and learn or sit and watch and laugh. I wasn't called a couch potato for nothing. After I was done watching my afternoon tv, I was supposed to go outside to play and then come in, have dinner and do my homework. Sound familiar?

Ok, now. My son watched Barney (cringe) and Blues Clues, Dora, Diego, The Wiggles. I am pretty sure there is one or two I forgot. Thankfully Thomas was a stationary show as that was his favorite and on permanent repeat (ha ha ha STATIONary show get it) I know I am hysterical. Anyway... these shows tell our children to stand up and yell at the TV. "Have you seen my dog Blue?" "When you see a rock coming say 'Salta!'" "No LOUDER!" Come on, why do our children call out in class? If someone asks a question they have been yelling it back since they could answer the TV? We've been teaching them to do it. DOH! I think somebody made a mistake somewhere.

Also, the Wiggles and Barney, and Lazy Town, all that moving, jumping and dancing, no one EVER sits still. How can we expect a child to sit still when they have never sat still through a TV program.

I am not saying this shows don't serve a purpose. Somewhere someone's Spanish teacher asked their class, "Does anyone know the the Spanish word for jump?" And a student leaped out of their seat and shouted SALTA!!! Thanks Dora!

Lack of Sleep Causes Mommy to Be a Zombie!

Today's blog is short and silly because I decided to go back to sleep again.

Apparently the lack of sleep the other night not only affected HistoryBoy it affected me as well. I expect to be tired, but I couldn't keep my eyes open. After HistoryBoy plopped back into his bed, I did the same. We both woke sometime after lunch, and curled up in my bed to talk and watch a movie. I was still tired and achy though so I fell asleep again. When I woke, HistoryBoy laughed at me. Now he is usually very good about my naps and such. I mean he has been living with my lupus his whole life, he has never known me differently. He told me, "MOM! You have HUGE black circles around your eyes. Did someone punch you? Are you turning into a zombie? That is so cool! Daddy likes the idea of a Zombie Apocalypse. Are you the first?" HistoryBoy, why don't you go turn on the History Channel and let mommy alone for a little bit ok?

Please feel free to leave a comment or email me at teenahope@gmail.com

Calgon Take ME Away!!!!

Maybe it is just me, but it is one of those days. I am feeling overwhelmed. I need to get some cleaning done, laundry done. My body doesn't want to cooperate. I feel like I didn't sleep and I am achy from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I sent HistoryBoy off to school unhappy and feeling sad and I couldn't figure out why he was feeling that way this morning. All he could say was he felt off and cling to me and not want to go to school. I had to pry him off me. Force him to get dressed and into the car and into the school building.

I have a doctor's appointment today so I can't go back to bed. It's a follow-up for my asthma so it's isn't life-threatening if I miss it but if I put it off, it could be 2 months before I can get another, so that sucks. I am hoping that HistoryBoy's day brightens up once he is in his classroom and with his friends. If not I will have several hours worth of homework to fight through with him to night. YEAH! (not!)

What I really need right now is my own private little island with a cabana boy to rub suntan lotion on me to make sure I don't burn and cook delicious food for me and comfort me if I feel like crying or just let me sleep if that is what I need.

I don't think my blog is going to be particularly helpful to anyone except me today but.. see you tomorrow.

I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment or email me at teenahope@gmail.com