Why I Blog

Just feeling the need today to re-iterate why I blog...

My blog is a place were I explore my feelings and experiences that occur within the web of my motherhood. It is a safe place where I execute my right to freedom of speech. The beautiful thing about the art of journaling is that by purging words onto a piece of paper (or monitor screen) you release them. In doing so, clarity of a situation, experience or emotion may come forth. In making this journaling experience public, I hope that other parents (especially mothers) can gain wisdom, strength, and a sense of community from my entries.

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Wi Active Day Challenge: Day 4

It is Day 4 of my Wi Active Challenge...

Today was easier than Day 2 and thankfully not as much running as the first two days. However, the first two and a half minutes were brutal. When I stated to run the front of my legs hurt... muscles I didn't know I had. And if I did, I didn't know that they could hurt from exercising.

I am enjoying the structure of the devise and find the virtual coach to be actually helpful. Although I do roll my eyes from time to time at her. Thankfully she cannot see me or I'd be running more :)

Dare I say that I actually enjoyed the tennis drill and dance routine. More surprisingly I find the side lunges fun too. But, the best satisfaction is that I am taking my own health seriously; and that feels good.

I burned 100 calories in 21 minutes today... this whole calorie thing is giving me a new perspective about how many calories I consume... I am amazed how much work it takes to burn the calories equivalent to a serving of my favorite salad dressing...

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Alterna Mom's Wi-Active Challenge: The Why and Day 1-3

BECOME MORE PROACTIVE IN YOUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND FINANCIAL HEALTH AND THAT OF YOUR CHILDREN!

That is my Alterna-Mom motto! I have to humbly say that if Alterna-Mom's Blog is about promoting health and well-being on all levels of our existence, then she needs to heed her own advise.

I have insisted that my habitual tiredness and dark circles are from sleepless nights of worry about my children and obsessing over the details I orchestrate in my mind's eye on how to move forward on helping my daughter diagnosed with autism to become more functional, safe and communicative while advocating for her rights, needs and education. (Not to mention the advocacy I do for my other child as well... raising kids mindfully takes time, energy and planning.) However, I recently took my own blood sugar levels and the results scared me. I swayed between a consistent 123 and 236 during a week of testing.

My Mom was diagnosed with diabetes at about the same age I am now, 40. She controlled it with diet at first, then the pill and finally insulin shots. This past Spring the diabetes finally claimed her leg after an intense year of surgeries, heart attacks and gangrene. I knew at this precise moment in time that I needed to become more proactive in my own health, but somehow we use life as a convenient excuse to resume our old habits.

I have understood that I was already predisposed to diabetes not only via paternal and maternal history, but through evidence of gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. However, I believe that the power of our minds, meditation and prayer can trump genetics. Maybe I am not so lucky or maybe I have caught it early enough... fate is always yet to be determined.

I am not one to run to the doctor, yet I know that there is a time and place like I explained HERE. I also am keenly aware that intention alone cannot alter reality. We must be proactive and make healthy decisions especially if we are going to stay around to see our children grow and spoil our grandchildren. I have always insisted that we must take care of ourselves before we take care of our children and loved ones. In order to be more present for them we must tend to our needs.

Perhaps the culmination of the sugar levels, my mom's fate and my recent kidney stone episode has pushed me just enough to heed my own advise. So, I bought primarily fresh fruits and vegetables at my bi-weekly shopping trip Friday night, then came home and pulled out the Wi-Active.

I decided to take the 30 day challenge... easy enough right? Somehow committing to a challenge seemed easier than randomly using this devise. So, I set parameters including my weight... ouch!! I weigh what I weighed when I was 9 months pregnant with my oldest child. That alone should have prompted me to do this a long time ago.

HOLY MOLY.... Can running in place for 90 seconds really make me that out of breath... I can't help but wonder if that is still evidence of my smoking days. So, I use this as a teachable moment, "Girls, see what happens when you smoke?"

My eldest replies, "You don't smoke Mom!"

"Well, thanks to you (I quit with my first pregnancy) I don't, but I am certain that that is why I am so winded."

She says, "Really !?!?," I am not sure if her response is from the disbelief that her anti-smoking mother actually smoked once upon a time or if she is amazed at the honesty that I unconditionally offer them.

I have decided to document here my progress. Although this is a public venue, I think that it 1) will keep me honest and encourage me to continue through the first 30 days and 2) maybe it will motivate someone else to become more proactive in their health...

Day 1 It would have been easy to quit; it kicked my butt!! I was panting and resting in between sets. But my daughters were watching and encouraging me to finish... Did I ever tell you that my kids rock!?!

My muscles hurt... I wanted to sit down and throw in the towel... but I pushed through the whole workout. I have to admit, I was proud of myself... it would have been easier to listen to the million reasons why I shouldn't do this... How can I find the time? How can I find the energy? How much will it cost? Who will watch the kids? I need to save my energy for the kids. I need to get this done or that finished...

I burned 121 calories! That made me walk away from the donut later that day... all of that work equated to 1/3 of the donut!! Wow, that really put things into perspective.

Day 2 It was a more intense workout (and longer), but I was amazed at how much easier the track was in just 24 hours... really!! I still huffed and puffed, but I had better focus and was better able to push through the pain. That in and of itself amazed me.

I burned 151 calories yesterday... again, I was reminded of how much effort it takes to burn off those in between empty-caloried snacks.

It is Day 3 and I am grateful it is the day to rest... my legs were wobbly coming downstairs this morning. However, does a mother really have any days to rest? It is interesting on the Wi-Active it asks you to log your other activities with time and intensity. That includes playing with the kids, yard work, house work, walking etc. I presume I am not doing too bad already because I really do do a lot... maybe it is the cardio I am missing though.

There is no challenge today, so we have planned to start prepping the yard-sale stuff.... that is a work out! But I think later we will do some yoga - my muscles feel like they could use some good stretching.

I think this is good for me... on many levels. Plus, Emily has decided to partake in the challenge... so we are doing this together. Sahara was annoyed the first day... she thought we were going to play golf or fishing (her favorite Wi games), but yesterday she did a couple of the exercises with us... too cute... this may be a fun summer activity for the 3 of us.

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Positivity and Exceptional Beyond Labels

So after blogging about the oil spill tonight, I saw a good video reminding me about the power of intention and prayer.... Here is a more positive blog on the Exceptional Beyond Labels Blog, A Confession, Collective Prayer and Empowerment.

If you are not following this blog yet, I recommend it. I will be focusing on the more positive side of autism and life events. Exceptional Beyond Labels embraces the concept that all parents have the innate power within them to help their children achieve their true potential beyond any label!

Hope to see you there!!

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Our Moving Adventure

For some reason our kids love adventures!

Not me, I am always content to stay in the same routine day in – day out. I like my comfortable life... Maybe that is why God gave me the gift of two fabulous highly energized daughters to motivate me to experience new escapades in ways I would never initiate on my own.

Our latest adventure, though, was not one on their terms… the adults in this family (Mom & Dad) decided to downsize and ‘lighten the load’ with a relocation. Okay, maybe ‘relocation’ is not the adequate term since we only moved several miles down the street. But, when children are involved it is dramatic regardless of the distance. With this new adventure came the adjustment to a new house, neighborhood, and lifestyle that will hopefully bring more opportunities for all of us.

However, I encountered the first hurdle in the weeks prior to the move as I started packing. I started with items that were not being used daily as not to disrupt the flow of life, but it wasn’t long before the boxes started to accumulate and went noticed by all. I filtered them into the garage to reduce clutter and the never-ending question, "How many days until we move?"

Next, I went to work on the toys, books, and belongings that we could live without for the next few weeks. That was when Sahara noticed a stuffed animal (that I am sure she hadn’t seen within the last 6 months) packed away in a banana box next to her bike… then sure enough I began to take notice that belongings were trickling back into the house.

Try explaining to a child with developmental delays that she is moving to a new house. All she could grasp was that the last time Mommy packed stuff into the garage, strangers came over and started taking her stuff away after they handed Mommy that green paper. Certainly, she convinced herself she had to rescue all she could.

This initiated daily car rides past the new house. This did seem to help, but I am sure she still had no clue why her comfortable life was being disrupted. Emily, on the other hand, started drawing diagrams and making lists. This is her way of taking control of a situation that she otherwise has no control over. This has been and will remain an effective coping skill for her. On the move in day, she met the new neighbor girl and was put at ease knowing she had a new adventure awaiting her.

All in all, the two days of transplanting our lives went smoothly. We did have one meltdown the second morning when my husband’s buddies arrived… stress was permeating the air!! I instantaneously noticed the signs and ran inside to get ‘the brush’. As soon as Sahara saw the tiny white brush she stopped and held out her arm. As I started stroking the bristles down her arm you could see her intensity melt away… this has become a great little sensory tool. (More on that later this week)

It is now Tuesday morning and we are still mostly living out of boxes… except the kitchen, which was my high priority. The computers are up and running now, too, after a long five day vacation (which was my husband’s high priority)... but, as I sit here composing I realize how much I missed the technology world of communication and necessities like banking; I even missed my virtual friends on Twitter.

I realize that as I orchestrate life around autism and motherhood, I sometimes live in a vacuum. Friends you had before the diagnosis have drifted away and friends that survived this bump in your road are far and few between…. So I am grateful to connect with other parents on a parallel journey.

As for the kids, all is calm in their world. And living out of boxes is just another adventure for them! This morning we arranged Emily’s new bedroom and frankly, if I was ten, this room would rock my world. However, as we finished the final touches Emily declared as she giggled, "Okay, I am ready for our new adventure… when are we moving again?"

　
　
　
　

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Today's Gratitude List About Autism

I am grateful that…

…God recognized I could handle the autism journey.
…autism gave me the opportunity to stay home with my children.
…autism gave us an avenue to eat healthier.
…autism has taught me how to slow down.
…autism showed me how to listen better.
…autism has given me the gift to be timely in everything I do.
…autism has created routine in my chaotic life.
…autism has brought my husband and me closer.
…autism taught me that labels are not people.
…autism offers empowerment to mothers.
…autism is a strength not a deficit.
…autism has brought out my ability to be patient.
…autism taught me to love unconditionally.
…autism has taught me to be frugal with my money.
…autism has created opportunities for great friendships.

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Homestead Park

A poem by Emily and Mommy about our visit to the park today.

Horse
Outdoors
Moss
Enormous Dragonflies
Sand Volleyball Pit
Trees
Emily Helping
Amphibian Frog
Dozens of Cattails


Pond
A Mommy Duck
Running Sahara
Kids

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20 Random Things That Bring Me Pleasure

1. Warm Cherry Tomatoes Straight from the Vine

2. My Children’s Laughter

3. Tender Kisses on my Neck

4. Yoga

5. The Aroma of my Mother’s Cooking

6. Rain on a Summer Afternoon

7. Mashed Potatoes Drowning in Gravy

8. Sitting on a Dock With my Feet Dangling in the Water

9. Lilacs

10. Chocolate

11. Black and White Photography

12. Hot Soup On a Chilly Day

13. Driving with the Windows Down

14. Sitting Under a Shady Tree

15. Children’s Art

16. Late Night Talks in the Moonlight

17. Walking Through an old Cemetery

18. Watching my Children Sleep

19. Memories of my Father

20. Foot Massages

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Art Inspired Poems #2

Here is some of my daughter’s poems from yesterday’s field trip… she is writing her own book of poetry… I think these will be a nice addition.

Art Work- Thunderstorm, 1921
Artist: Arthur G. Dove
Poem Style: OnomatopoeiaDrip

Drop
Boom
Splash
Crash
There goes a tree!
Scary
Squishy
Splat


Art Work: Pier At Blue Point, 1914 (Oil on Canvas)
Artist: William Glackens
Poem Style: Poem of the Senses

I hear in my head waves coming in for the tide.
I see gold in the sand and molting trees.
I taste the salty sea.
I feel squishy dirt beneath my feet.
I smell clean air.


Art Work: End of the Day
Artist: Chihuly
Poem Stlye: Cross Stick

Glaring glass
Laughing people enjoying it
Amazing structure
So beautiful
Stuff inside


Art Work: Untitled sculpture, 1995
Artist: Janusz Walentynowicz

I wonder why he is sleeping on rocks.
Is he cold?
Is he poor?
Where are his parents?

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Art Inspired Poems

The theme of the field trip yesterday was art and poetry. The docents escorted small groups of the children to different works of art. We would have a brief discussion about how to ‘read’ the art and then the docent would instruct the group to create a poem to describe what we saw in the artwork.

Having studied Art Therapy I have visited many museums, but this was by far the best viewing yet. These young girls had brilliant observations and ideas.

Here is a sample of some of my art inspired poems.

Art Work: Wind, 1961
Artist: Agnes Martin
Poem Style: Personification

I am a line like so many others.
I am a line wanting to curve.
I am a line straight and tall.
I am a line hidden in the wall.


Art Work- Thunderstorm, 1921
Artisit: Arthur G. Dove
Poem Style: Onomatopoeia

Boom
Clap
Zap
Ping
Splat
Crash


Art Work: Pier At Blue Point, 1914 (Oil on Canvas)
Artist: William Glackens
Poem Style: Poem of the Senses

I see the elegant ladies on the pier,
But the aroma of brunch beckons me.
I feel the mist of water on my face,
I taste the salty sea.
I hear the flags flapping in the wind,
My heart yearns to be next to the windmill.


Art Work: End of the Day
Artists: Chihuly
Poem Stlye: Cross Stick

Glimmering tails
Loud colors
Amazing creatures
Sitting
Still


Art Work: Untitled sculpture, 1995
Artist: Janusz Walentynowicz

I wonder why he is
Naked
I wonder why he is
Alone
I wonder why he is
Cold
I wonder why he is
Unknown


Art Work: Nocturnal Navigator, 1998
Artist: Alison Sarr
Poem Style: Pantoun

Lady in blue
With head looking up to the sky
I wonder what you do
Wondering why

With head looking up to the sky
Hands offering help to all
Wondering why
The burden you haul

Hands offering help to all
You guide them with your light
The burden you haul
It’s only known to the night

You guide them with your light
I wonder what you do
It’s only known to the night
Lady in blue

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Stimulate and Integrate your Child's Brain

An art journal can be a very powerful tool — especially for those with special needs.


An art journal is like a regular writing journal with the exception that you use expressive arts to produce your entries. This is especially useful for individuals who lack the ability to articulate with words or lack speech all together. However, it seems that an art journal can help not only with communication, but can improve brain function as well.


I have utilized art journaling in many therapy groups with my former clients and one technique I had the most fun with was the Non-Dominate Hand Technique. Of course the clients thought it was fun which improved their mood and stimulated socialization, but there is a larger benefit occurring as well.


The Non-Dominate Hand Technique is unique because it utilizes both sides of the brain: verbal, critical thinking left hemisphere and the artistic, intuitive right hemisphere. Using the non-dominant hand helps to INTEGRATE the two brain hemispheres. For kids who have mis-wired brains or brain dysfunction this activity can stimulate the various functions of the two brain hemispheres.


Stimulate and Integrate your child’s brain—start an art journal.

Left Brain Functions
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

Right Brain Functions
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

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Study Shows Doodling Improves Ability to Recall Information

Guilty as charged! I have always been an obsessive doodler. Whether in school, a business meeting, on the phone or simply watching television I have been known to have a pen in hand. Most doodles ended up in the trash, some inspired art work, and others just simply annoyed others around me.

I have noticed that my daughter has embraced this habit as well. She tends to doodling all the time. The margins of her homework are decorated with names, shapes, and abstract designs. I have wondered if this is getting in the way of her studies, but after a recent study, I am reassured that her habit is not inhibiting her ability to pay attention in class.

The study revealed that when you doodle you tend to recall almost 30% more than your counter-parts that are paying attention. This interesting study by Jackie Andrade, Psychologist, of the University of Plymouth will be published in the journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology.

It seems that doodling seems to occupy a part of the brain that doesn’t inhibit your ability to pay attention. However, if you day dream it seems to activate much more brain activity than doodling. For instance, if you start to day dream about what you are going to make for dinner, this simple thought turns into what groceries you have at home, which turns into a mental list of what you need to pick up from the store, which turns into another thought that turns into another and another and another. This thought process seems to take up more brain power than doodling causing you to lose the ability to recall what was going on in the presentation.

I was excited to hear about this study. As an Art Therapist I have always looked at doodling as more than an annoying habit. I have utilized ‘doodle journals’ with former clients and my children to process their emotions and to develop fine-motor skills. Now it seems that children with pictures in the margins of their work are capable of hearing information and better able to recall it later. So, it seems that the craft of doodling actually aids your child in improved academia.

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