I Stopped Reading Blogs

I stopped reading blogs! There I said it. I used to read all the time, tons of them in a day. Sure some I skipped based on aesthetics, looking at you light print on dark background people. For the most part I read it. If I agreed or not I read it.

That has changed. I'm not going to be liked in the blogging circles but so be. There is a lot of bandwagoning going on. Really there is. I only need to read one blog maybe two because you know what every one else is singing the same song. It's all the same whatever the hot topic is of the moment. Sure that will happen sometimes. I have been guilty of it myself. But every single day it gets old.

If someone writes a post that becomes viral. Everyone else has to come up with their version of the same story. So you read the same story just with different characters over and over again. It gets old. I'm sorry but it does.

If you don't put information out in a correct way your lying. Just because someone doesn't take a front page ad out doesn't mean what they are saying are not true. It goes the other way as well. Just because there is a front page breaking news story it doesn't make it true.

In this quest to get followers and reader. To make our Facebook pages larger, I feel like we have lost sight of what we really started all this for, to tell our stories to maybe give some insight to others what it is like for us. Not to be just like everyone else and be the popular cheerleader.

So I stopped. I have my go to people who usually avoid the popular topic, but other than them I'm done. It gets boring reading the same story just a bit different over and over. It proves nothing other than we really know how to work that mob mentality. Don't even think of writing anything that goes against the masses. That's blogger suicide.

In the process I have stopped writing to. My page has been left neglected. Not because I don't have anything to say just if I do guaranteed the attacks will come. How dare I not fall into line with the in crowd.

It all feels like high school again. You have to say the right thing in the correct way or you are the enemy. So it's just easier to say nothing at all. The point of what you were saying is lost in the fight over how to say it.

So yes I have stopped reading and writing as often as I used to. I'm not quitting just hiding a little.

Is a Worry Worrying You?

Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cute book. Filled with insane situations that would never happen but some that would like the laud family member mixed in. With every worry there is a solution.

Lucy loved it. She thought the situations were silly and funny. She also liked looking on each page for the worry. He is a monster. It became a game to her where is the worry.

I would highly recommend this one. I even think I may buy a copy for the school counselors to use in their anxiety group.

The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book 2: Breakaway

The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book 2: Breakaway. By:  Jeff Hirsh

Book Review by: Roger

The book was pretty good. The only thing it could have done is show more detail. Maybe a extra chapter about finding Amy. More details would make the code a little easier to break.  The second hacker in the book that was working with the bad guy was boring in this book. She was more interesting in other books. Overall good book. 

We revived a digital copy of this book for review from netgalley.

The book can be preordered Here

I Just Can't

One thing I have learned in the past three years is the autism community is very divided. People tend to want you to pick a side in every fight. You know what I just can't. I can't do it. I can't fight everyone's fights. So while everyone jumps on bandwagons against this person or that I will not be. Let's just call me Switzerland. I have chosen to stay neutral. I just don't have it in me to fight anyone anymore.

I have my views and they are not going to change, just  as others views will not change. What I can do is respect others views. I ask that you respect mine as well. We may differ but we can still be friends. What's what makes life interesting. Different views and thoughts. Listen and discuss if we want but no I will not fight over it. I will not be drug into the drama.

So there you have it. My new stance, no fighting I'm Switzerland.

Hands Free Mama Book Review

Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! by Rachel Macy Stafford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a good look at how being plugged in all the time is harmful. We may think we are connected but really we are missing real life. She has some great suggestions for unplugging. Such as start with just a short period of time. A hour even just ten minutes. Work your way up and think about what is really important. I liked her story of the canceled swim practice and the kids reaction when mom said we have nothing to do. Instead of rushing around trying to fill up time they just went home. They had unscheduled time to just be, if that fun included cleaning the garage for a bit. Not every moment of life needs to be scheduled down to the minute. We all need down time.
Overall it's a easy read and will make you think. Though I kinda laughed that I personally was reading this on my iPad.
Trust me put the phone and iPad down. I did. I left me in the truck for a whole 8 hours. Honestly I didn't miss it. I could actually visit with people and Facebook it went on without me. I know the horror.

I received a digital galley copy from netgalley for review. My copy expired but I will be looking to buy myself a hard copy of this one.

Really right now go buy this book.  http://www.amazon.com/Hands-Free-Mama-Putting-Perfection/dp/0310338131/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390163310&sr=1-1&keywords=hands+free+mama

Why I Do This!

Wow I have had this blog for almost three years now. Jan 11, 2011 was the first post. It started as an outlet for myself. A way to organize what I was a thinking. Trust me it's organization to me. :) I never expected anyone to read it but you do. Actually quite a few people do. It's amazing an d humbling that anyone would take the time to read what I write. I know I can be all over the place rants and all. Hey I'm pretty sure I have been a asshole at times to. That's part of being human.

As for why I do this. It still is for me. It's a way for me to connect to the outside world. There are a few bloggers ok mainly two that I kind of latched onto when I started the Facebook page.They have   stayed with me for years now and never ran. Sure sometimes they look at me funny like really did you just say that? But overall they are there. To them I am grateful. (Looking at you Homeslice and Captain) there are more now that I call my computer friends but they we're the originals.

I never expected a hundred followers much less the close to 1,500 I have now. Don't get me wrong I'm happy you came, something got your attention, and you stuck around. When it comes down to it though I don't do this for followers. I don't do this for numbers. Even if they dropped to ten tomorrow I would still do this. I'm not in this for popularity. I could care less about being on some best of list. Besides then I might actually have to write for real. That would mean grammar and spelling all that technical stuff.

Anyways her I am three years later and still going. It's interesting to look back and see how I have changed and grown over the years. So I guess here's to more years.

Why We Get The Flu Shot

Alright, I am going here. My kids get the flu shot every year. They have since they were old enough to start. Yes I know all the claims that the is crap in them, that they don't work, and that it gives you the flu. All these claims are false.

I guess I'm more comfortable because I have inside knowledge about them. I know how they are made, how they are tested and what is in them. No not from doctor google, really that guy knows nothing. You see my oldest kids dad, he is a chemical engineer. Actually he works for a drug company. Guess what they do yep they are one ofthe makers of the flu shot. Their version is preservative free. That means no Thermisol (sorry if I spelled that wrong) in it. They are pretty safe. Sure there are some side effects, some people like myself cannot get them, but overall it's very mild.
If there was any reason not to get it he would be the first to call me and say don't do it.

So today when the kids got theirs I just kind of laughed when I saw the box from his company. Sure we have some sore arms around the house today. Much better than the other option. I have seen the other option and it is scary.

When Roger was a year old he had the flu which turned into pneumonia very quickly. A few years later he was officially dx with asthma. He has always had the flu shot every year since then. In 2009 I believe he contracted H1N1 also known as swine flu. There was no vaccine for it that year and it was really bad. I mean they were ready to hospitalize him. He was really sick for a couple of weeks. Luckily it did not turn into pneumonia that time. That was our last round of the flu.

Based on our experiances and my knowledge of the vaccines yes my kids get them every year. Two kids with asthma they need to have them. Asthma and the flu don't mix. Lucy gets it because not only does it protect her it's one more layer to make sure she does not bring it home to her brothers. I don't get it because I am not allowed to. I have had anaphaltic reactions to latex which makes me not a canadate for it.

Anyways at the end of the day everyone chooses what is best for their situation. This is mine. I have seen both sides and I much prefer the sore arm vrs a very sick child.