I know that was a long hmmm.  But I've been reading many articles and things over the last few months that have made me go hmm.  And that hmm keeps getting longer and longer.

I can only shake my head at this.

This morning I was leaving work.  DJ was like wait, wait, wait.  He told me I forgot to give him another hug and kiss. As I turn to leave, he says, “Mommy, thank you for putting your arm around me in the middle of the night.” 

On the count of 3: 

1

2

3

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Pops bought DJ Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban awhile back.  I finally sat down to play a bit of it tonight.  It's a pretty cool game except I want to go explore and Ron keeps telling me “C'mon Harry, we're going to be late.” 

 “Shut the hell up, Ron” 

Then I flipendo his ass.  I wish I could smack him silly.   

Me:  DJ, where is the other big pillow at?

DJ:  It's in your room, on the floor.  It's wet.

Me:  Why is it wet?

DJ:  I put my sock on it. 

Me:  Is your sock wet?

DJ:  Yes.

Me:  How did your sock get wet?

DJ:  My sock was in the toilet.

There's not much more to be said after that.

Ok, I'm probably crazy, but I'm on a mission.  I have signed up to do a walk for autism.  Of course this means I'm collecting money.  The money donated will directly effect the children with autistic disabilities.  The money raised will go towards research, evaluations, and education.  This will all bring us one step closer to a cure.  If you're in Philly, sign up for my team!  Cure Autism Now hosts this walk every year.

I finally got in touch with Peirce yesterday.  The woman I spoke to said I most likely will not have to retake the entrance exam.  I will still have to purchase the Algebra book because I will need to take Algebra once I start, but I won't need it to pass an exam.  Phew! 

It's also not too late to apply for financial aid.  That's good because I really didn't want to take out a student loan right away.  I filled out the online application today for financial aid and it should take about 2-3 weeks to get my answer.  I can't wait to find out my status.

In other news, my boss called me in today to praise me for all my recent work efforts over the past year.  I almost fell over.  My boss is SO HARD to please.  I admit I have been working my ass to try to make everything absolutely perfect.  Does this mean I get a raise?  I did let it “slip” that I'm working towards my Associates Degree in IT and then towards my Bachelors as well.  Hint, hint.  Get the coffers ready!  He says he's impressed with my initiatives, work ethics, my report designs and content with basically no supervision.  He also let me know other people higher up has noticed as well.  It's good to have them on my side.

Can I tell them to praise me with money or would that be too rude? 

There are some sick people out in this world.  I hope they get everything they deserve coming to them.  Not only the people who did this, but also the people who enabled them to do this.  What's wrong with people today?

I really don't understand what a child could do that is SO bad to deserve any kind of treatment like this girl was given.  I just can't comprehend it.  It makes me sick to my stomach.

I also think the Grahams really need to get their stories straight.  Are you married?  Are you sisters?  Are you mother and daughter?  And to all the people investigating this case, pull birth certificates, driver's licenses, you're the expert, figure the family dynamics out.

Two posts in one night?  No, I'm not feeling feverish.  Nor am I an insomniac.  I'm actually a little tired.  I've been up reading a new blog that was recommended to me.  I've actually been reading it for the past few days since I was given the link.  I'm just like that.  I need the back end before I go to the front end.  I had two years of catching up to do and boy, can she blog:)

So, now here I am, adding a few more thoughts before it's time to hit the bed.  I actually want to vent about The Cat, but I can't fully vent.  The Cat noses everywhere he doesn't belong.  I'm sure other people have that same problem.  Next week is PIC's bday and I've been a-shopping.  Unfortunately I can't reveal anything because stupid me gave her the addy to this site months ago.  No clue how much she reads here because she doesn't tell me.  Anyway, PIC, if anything is crushed when a certain something is opened, The Cat did it.  More to be revealed at a late date.  And I really hope you like your stuff because are one of the hardest people to shop for.

PIC is the kind of person who buys herself things all the time.  Even before birthdays and Christmas.  How many times did I have to return things I bought for her after I received a phone call from her?  “Guess what I just picked up today...”  She does this ALL the time!  I banned her from doing any shopping last December. 

Last week I gave DJ a computer.  You'd think SpongeBob just walked in our living room.  It was my old desktop.  I have a laptop.  I've actually had one for over a year or so now.  Thank you, job!  My desktop has been collecting dust over my mother's house for the past year or so, literally.  Since when do you put a computer in a damp basement?

Now, if you turn the computer off, it doesn't turn back on unless you unplug it for a few hours.  Somethings wrong, evidently.  That's not normal behavior.  off topic - why do I suddenly think I'm French?  I keep spelling words that have an “ior” with “iour”.  e.g. behaviour, then I have to go delete.  This has been happening for the past two weeks. - on topic  Now the computer is on constantly.  I'm going to bring it into work to see if someone in my dept. can fix it or else I'm going to have a very unhappy little boy.  pleasepleaseplease.  Motherboards aren't my thing.  Since I suddenly have a new crack on my windshield of my three month old new car, a new computer is out of the question.  Yep, that also happened today.  It's been great all around:)

Wow, lots of things going on in my life.  I swear I seem to make these split second decisions, then I'm on a mission.  Of course, most times I get sidetracked. 

To catch you all up, I've decided to go back to school.  I started school 7 years ago, right before I got pregnant with DJ.  Then I dropped out.  Since then, I really don't have the time to devote to school because I have a child to take care of.  And he comes first, always!  I've always liked Peirce College which is located in Philly.  PIC took online courses to get her Bachelor's in Information Sciences.  But many of her computer classes had to be held at the school.

Now it looks like everything is set up online.  Which means I do not have to go to class.  Which means I don't have to take any time from DJ nor do I need to find a sitter.  I figure during the school months, he goes to bed between 8 and 8:30.  I don't.  Perfect time to go to class and do homework and what not.  If I still need more time, I can always use my lunch hour.  Perfect, right?

One problem solved.  The next problem is financial aid/loans.  I'm hoping I can get financial aid at this late date, if not I'll need to take out a loan which I really don't want to do.  That means I need to pay it back.  That's the last thing I want is to put myself and my child in debt because I want an education.  PIC looked online and it looks like the Financial Aid application was due, hmmm, in JUNE!!  Ok, so I'm a little late.  She said not to worry.  Peirce might be able to help me out.  Which would be great if they ever called me back :)

The only other problem is the entrance exam that I'll most likely have to take.  I'm worried about Algebra.  I don't remember much about it.  Now I need to purchase a book to find out if I can re-learn it.  Not only do I need to learn it for my entrance exam, I will have to take College Algebra I at some point. 

Once I talk to someone at Peirce, I'll be able to find out if I can start in the Fall or the Winter.  I really hope it's the Fall because I want to get started.  Most likely, I'll take breaks in the summer since DJ is up at night more.

Next on the agenda.  I've been going to alot of Autism websites.  A few of them have a Networking Directory which they will basically send to you for the low low price of, let's say $19.99.  Where does this money go?  A Network Directory will hopefully put me in touch with parents' in my area, maybe start a support group, possibly just someone to talk to.  Or if you want to move to a different area, you can contact someone in that area to find out what services are available, yada, yada, yada.  It's a great idea.  But, why charge?  I understand there are costs involved.  Really though, why send paper?  Send via email.  Email is FREE. 

So I decide I'm going to start a website.  I'm starting out with the Networking Directory, which is FREE!  Basically you fill out the information.  Then Ok a disclaimer (this way my ass don't get SUED), then I upload the info to my database.  It's just basically my time.  I'm not going to charge poeple for my time.  If they want it mailed, I'll mail.  If that gets to be too much, they can start sending me postage or something.  Who knows?  We can barter.  The most important thing, these parents don't need any more money going out places.  Some pay for the education, we pay dues to other organizations and now you want my money?  I'm not going to take peoples' money for a directory that will directly benefit them and their child.

Of course I have empathy.  I remember what the first fews days were AD (After Diagnosis).  Oh, yea...HELL!  I saw the words autism.  I pictured Rain Man and The Boy Who Could Fly.  I know, stereotypes, but my stomach dropped.  Then came all the questions.  Which no one could answer because no one knew!  Then I started googling.  Then went $200 for books at amazon.  I read everything I could.  I had major support from my family, my friends, my coworkers.  Some people don't have that.  I read that on message boards every day.  If I didn't have support, I would have went ballistic.  I found out my son can live a so-called “normal“ life.  Things got better.  Things are better.  It's nice to talk to people who have the same situation I have.  But some people NEED this.  Hence the website. 

I have webspace which is a start.  But I don't know html, java, or anything else (which is why I post here instead of my free webspace.)  But I do know databases.  Did I mention I'm a DB administrator?  But my girl, PIC, she knows how do that shit.  She's in charge of all that.  I need to get a design to her this weekend. 

I plan to have more than just the Network Directory, but that's first and foremost.  Then some links, recommended books, possibly a newsletter.  Depends on how much time I have.  Wish me luck on my course and hope I don't get deterred by all those damned naysayers:)