For today's Backyard Adventure, we explored life underneath the rocks, surrounding our fire pit.  While there is an unbelievable amount of life that can be found there, today's focus will be on on creature in particular.  This creature is known as Thamnophis sirtalis, otherwise known as the Common Garter Snake. This is a non-venomous reptile can be found all around North America. During our Backyard Adventure today, we discovered three different Garter Snakes, all fairly young. The Garter Snake can grow up to about 4ft in length but most remain a bit smaller.  The specimens we found in our backyard today most likely feed on crickets (of which there are many), worms and other small insects. As they get bigger they can eat small fish, tadpoles, small frogs and other…

First of all, I know Autastic isn't a word but it was a nice blend between Autism and Fantastic.  See how that works.  :-) Anyway, the boys have all been getting along today. Nothings perfect but it's been pretty damn close this morning.  Lizze and I were sitting on the couch and Gavin and the boys were sitting on the other one.  Gavin was reading to the boys from the Pokemon handbook. He was teaching them all about the Pokemon they were interested in.  It was really nice to all be able to calmly sit and enjoy each others company.  This doesn't happen very often but when it does, it's an Autastic Victory. This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me.…

Admittedly, I've not been having a lot of really good days lately.  I'm completely and utterly overwhelmed, with a dwindling sense of hope.  Unfortunately, I can't allow myself to succumb to these feelings of despair because I have too many people relying on me. I have to find ways of snapping myself out of this, so I can find the strength and courage to soldier on. One of the things that I try to do is make it a point to find something that makes me feel happy. My family obviously makes me happy but sometimes, I have to focus on something just for me.  This will probably sound a little strange but I absolutely love The Penguins of Madagascar cartoon.  We have a few of the multi-episode movies and…

This vicious dog concern has been a problem for most of 2013. Honestly, we've had problems with stray dogs coming on to our porch and into our yard without our knowledge, for years. Our backyard is completely fenced but it opens right up onto our front porch, with no gate to keep out unwanted visitors. We had a few instances where we've let the dogs out, only to be surprised by a dog hiding around the corner of house.  Maggie and Bella are good with other animals but that doesn't mean that other animals are good with Maggie and Bella. A year or so ago, we had a pack of dogs roaming the neighborhood, killing cats and scaring people. They made their way into our fenced in yard at one…

In my last post I was telling you everything that was already weighing heavy on me.  Now I'm going to tell you what happened that's got everyone freaked out.  Shit went down in our constantly deteriorating neighborhood that if I hadn't witnessed, I wouldn't have believed. Unfortunately, not only did I witness this but so did the boys. Lizze had just gone to take a nap and the boys and I were in the living room. I happen to look out my front window as I was talking to my Mother on the phone.  She was going to hang out with the boys, so Lizze and I could grab a nap. Neither one of us had been to bed yet.  I was too stressed out to sleep and Lizze has…

I'm at my wits end right now and need to purge.  I'm just writing to try and calm down.  I'm already stressed out to the max and today has pushed me over the edge.  If you have anything negative to say after reading what I'm about to share, please keep it to yourself. I'm literally purging because I need to calm down before the kids get home. This is my reality. This is my life.  I'm not asking for anything and you certainly don't have to read any further if you don't want to. Most of you have found some meaning or inspiration in reading about our lives and our struggles.  While that always amazes me, it also feels good to know that something positive can come from our struggle.…

OMG......  It's so incredibly and cruely ironic that all I look forward to doing during the day is going to sleep and yet when the time comes, I can't. Lizze and I are both too stressed out to sleep and of course, Lizze also has all the menopausal things hindering her as well. In four hours one of us has to be on our way to get Gavin to Akron Children's Hospital for his IVIG Infusion. I don't think that there's any wiggle room on this, although there may be some.  If we absolutely must, we could probably get him in early next week and that would still be within our window. It's going to come down to simply one thing.  Can either one of us safely get behind the…