On weekday mornings, after Cody eats breakfast and has a bath, he plops down in the recliner, listens to the morning news on television and waits for a ride to his day program.
This morning, as I was cleaning the kitchen, I heard Cody repeating, "Dumb something....(pause)....Dumb something....(pause)....Dumb something."
Undoubtedly he was trying to get my attention, so I decided to stop and ask Cody why he was using the word dumb over and over and over. This his how our conversation went...
"Dumb what?" I asked.
"On TV." Cody replied.
"What about it?" I coaxed.
Cody, in his typical autistic manner, responded with clues rather than a complete sentence... "On TV. That person."
"What person? What are you talking about? I don't understand." I continued.
Cody hinted, "WELL, you and dad call people that when you're frustrated."
At that moment a little light went off in my head and I guessed, "Dumb shit? Are you calling someone on TV a dumb shit?"
Cody smiled, then he readily admitted, "YES!"
And now you know that my husband and I are the kind of people who talk to the TV screen while watching reality television, game shows and news programs. :)
Showing posts with label television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label television. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, September 30, 2013
Michael J. Fox Show Educates through Comedy
Pleased is a fitting word to describe my feelings about the new Michael J. Fox television show. It does my heart good to see that Michael is willing to share with the world his experience having Parkinson's Disease and to do so in a sitcom.
I use to enjoy watching the television program Life Goes On about a boy with Downs Syndrome and his family. It aired from 1989 to 1993, a time when schools were beginning to see the benefits of mainstreaming children with special needs. While television dramas can be very moving, I look forward to watching and learning about Parkinson's through comedy. Knowing how and when to laugh when dealing with any disability is important. Our family certainly realizes this (see these posts).
I came across the following link through LeAnn Leach, a friend of mine from high school. LeAnn was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease seven years ago and is in the video. Please click and watch.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Feeling Just a Notch or Two Above Hillbilly and Hooker
My daughter is getting married in May and I have to buy myself a new dress. Most women enjoy shopping for new clothes. I don't. I have been to all of the retail clothing stores in town that have reasonable prices (like JCPenney and Kohl's) and have not found a single thing that I like. The fact that I could stand to lose a few pounds doesn't help, but body weight is not the point I want to make here. This is the problem. I have had to resort to shopping at the more expensive department stores and I have major insecurity issues when I walk through their doors. I feel like there might as well be a big black tattoo on my forehead that says "I don't belong here." You know, kinda like Vivian (Julia Roberts) in the Pretty Woman scene where she is shopping in a boutique on Rodeo Drive in her prostitute garb. Yep. I can totally relate. That is exactly how I feel, only I wear "camping clothes" (jeans and a t-shirt) instead of hooker attire.
This reminds me of a time in the '90s, when Don and I drove a 1985 Chevy Astro Van and decided to buy tickets to the Parade of Homes. For those of you who do not know what the Parade of Homes is, it is an opportunity for the public to tour brand new houses, usually in the $1,000,000 + range. Seriously, we might as well have been riding in the Clampett contraption from the television series the Beverly Hillbilly's.
This reminds me of a time in the '90s, when Don and I drove a 1985 Chevy Astro Van and decided to buy tickets to the Parade of Homes. For those of you who do not know what the Parade of Homes is, it is an opportunity for the public to tour brand new houses, usually in the $1,000,000 + range. Seriously, we might as well have been riding in the Clampett contraption from the television series the Beverly Hillbilly's.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Autism Blogs Directory Goes to Television!
I am super excited about this. I think it will be an amazing resource for so many people! Please click on the link below and check it out.
The Autism Blogs Directory Goes to Television!
The Autism Blogs Directory Goes to Television!
Friday, October 21, 2011
What Do Cody and Chris Farley Have in Common?
Like many individuals with autism, Cody has an amazing memory. Not only can Cody remember people, but he remembers places and circumstances from as far back as infancy.
Recently Cody said to me, "Remember playing with Phyllis? She did Eency Weency Spider and Hickory Dickory Dock. Then she made me crawl." Phyllis was an employee from the school for the blind who made weekly visits to our home after Cody was born. Her job was to teach me how to teach Cody important things that a typical baby learns by sight; such as eating, crawling, and even how to play. Phyllis worked with Cody and me until Cody was four years old, then our family moved to another state. We haven't seen her since, but Cody recalls things about Phyllis as if we just saw her yesterday. It's mind boggling really.
Not only does Cody have an amazing memory, but he remembers in great detail. For instance, he can tell you exactly where he was and what he was doing during specific occasions.
Multiple times a day, Cody will ask, "Remember...?" And, if you don't remember (heaven forbid), he will say, "How come your memory is not as good as mine?" or "Mannn, I wish your memory was as good as mine."
Cody's trips down memory lane often make me think of the Chris Farley Show on SNL. As Cody would say, "Remember him?"
Recently Cody said to me, "Remember playing with Phyllis? She did Eency Weency Spider and Hickory Dickory Dock. Then she made me crawl." Phyllis was an employee from the school for the blind who made weekly visits to our home after Cody was born. Her job was to teach me how to teach Cody important things that a typical baby learns by sight; such as eating, crawling, and even how to play. Phyllis worked with Cody and me until Cody was four years old, then our family moved to another state. We haven't seen her since, but Cody recalls things about Phyllis as if we just saw her yesterday. It's mind boggling really.
Not only does Cody have an amazing memory, but he remembers in great detail. For instance, he can tell you exactly where he was and what he was doing during specific occasions.
Multiple times a day, Cody will ask, "Remember...?" And, if you don't remember (heaven forbid), he will say, "How come your memory is not as good as mine?" or "Mannn, I wish your memory was as good as mine."
Cody's trips down memory lane often make me think of the Chris Farley Show on SNL. As Cody would say, "Remember him?"
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Baseball and Patriotism: Cody is 100% American!
This is a photo of Cody standing with his hand, or in his case hands, over his heart during the National Anthem at the beginning of the AL Championship Series between Texas and Detroit.
It doesn't matter where Cody is, if he hears the National Anthem playing, he's going to stand up, even if it is in his own living room. How patriotic is that?!
For some reason, Cody enjoys baseball and even though he can't see, he loves to play catch. It makes me wonder how athletic Cody might have been if he wasn't born with disabilities.
Anyway, about an hour into the game, the following conversation took place between Cody and his dad:
Don- Hey Cody! How about you let me watch Survivor on the DVR?
...long, long pause
Don- Are you going to answer me?
Cody- (In a voice with a hint of annoyance) I'm thinkin' about it!
Finally, at the top of the 4th inning, Don convinced Cody the game would still be going when Survivor was over, so he reluctantly agreed.
It was just as well because the rain came and delayed the game anyway.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Rectangles and Relationships
I have always thought of myself as a "mama bear" type of mother, but today, Cody proved me otherwise.
On Saturdays, I allow Cody to watch GSN while I'm cleaning the house and whatnot. He loves all of the game shows...Deal or No Deal, Match Game, Password, Family Feud, Lingo, Catch 21, etc. Today was no exception. Cody sat comfortably in the recliner with the television on, while I baked some cookies and cleaned the kitchen.
After I finished and turned on the dishwasher, I sat down on the sofa with Katelyn's laptop, hoping to catch up on my favorite blogs. As my mind slowed down enough to tune into the television, I looked up to see some kind of dating program on the screen. I picked up the remote and said to Cody, "What's this? We don't want to watch this. Let's find something else." I then turned the channel to 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' on the Food Network and tried to settle into reading a few posts. That's when Cody interrupted me and said, "It's called Rectangles and Relationships and Iiii like it." Sure you do, I thought to myself (insert eye roll here) as I went back to GSN to see what the heck the game show is really called. (In case you don't already know, instead of being direct, Cody converses in clues.)
I learned two things.
#1 The game is called 'Love Triangles', not Rectangles and Relationships.
#2 Cody wouldn't have responded the way he did, if he hadn't watched the show a few times!
This undoubtedly explains why Cody has been obsessed with using the word "sex" lately, which brings me back to my original point.
I think my protective mother skills have gone to shit.
On Saturdays, I allow Cody to watch GSN while I'm cleaning the house and whatnot. He loves all of the game shows...Deal or No Deal, Match Game, Password, Family Feud, Lingo, Catch 21, etc. Today was no exception. Cody sat comfortably in the recliner with the television on, while I baked some cookies and cleaned the kitchen.
After I finished and turned on the dishwasher, I sat down on the sofa with Katelyn's laptop, hoping to catch up on my favorite blogs. As my mind slowed down enough to tune into the television, I looked up to see some kind of dating program on the screen. I picked up the remote and said to Cody, "What's this? We don't want to watch this. Let's find something else." I then turned the channel to 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' on the Food Network and tried to settle into reading a few posts. That's when Cody interrupted me and said, "It's called Rectangles and Relationships and Iiii like it." Sure you do, I thought to myself (insert eye roll here) as I went back to GSN to see what the heck the game show is really called. (In case you don't already know, instead of being direct, Cody converses in clues.)
I learned two things.
#1 The game is called 'Love Triangles', not Rectangles and Relationships.
#2 Cody wouldn't have responded the way he did, if he hadn't watched the show a few times!
This undoubtedly explains why Cody has been obsessed with using the word "sex" lately, which brings me back to my original point.
I think my protective mother skills have gone to shit.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Rodman Needs More Tattoos"
"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" was one of abc's funniest comedies. Two skits that I really loved in particular were, "The Telethon for NBA Players" (below) and the German version of "The Millionaire Show".
GSN is now airing "Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza" and it's filmed in Las Vegas. Anyone want to go see it with me?
GSN is now airing "Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza" and it's filmed in Las Vegas. Anyone want to go see it with me?
Monday, July 11, 2011
11 Things I Could Live Without, but Wouldn't Want To
1) Ketchup- Eating foods such as fries and hamburgers wouldn't be near as enjoyable without this flavorsome condiment.
2) Coke- I suppose I could drink that copycat soda that starts with a P, but I prefer the real thing.
3) Pizza Cutter- I love this little gizmo! Click here to find out what magnificent things this gadget can do.
4) Body Pillow- My knees rub together and hips ache in the morning if I can't curl my legs around this at night.
5) Blow Dryer- Mine quit on me last week and I went two days without. Not pretty.
6) Remote Controls- I am old enough to remember getting up and switching the dial on the TV. I like lazy better.
7) Ice Cream- Living without ice cream would be extremely sad. I scream, you scream...
8) Mascara- In my opinion, every woman would look better wearing a little mascara.
9) Vacations to Disneyland- The Happiest Place on Earth needs me and I need The Happiest Place on Earth.
10) Refrigerator Ice Maker. Remember filling those little ice cube trays and spilling water all over the floor as you tried to put them in the freezer? And there was always someone who filled them too full or not full enough.
11) Television- I know it's hard to believe, but there are people who actually want to live without television in their home. If I didn't have a TV, I suppose I would read a lot more, play more board games and maybe even do jigsaw puzzles. I just can't imagine never laughing my butt off watching "The Office" again or nagging my husband to do projects around the house because I was inspired by "HGTV".
There you have it. 11 things I could live without, but I'm sooo glad I don't have to.
2) Coke- I suppose I could drink that copycat soda that starts with a P, but I prefer the real thing.
3) Pizza Cutter- I love this little gizmo! Click here to find out what magnificent things this gadget can do.
4) Body Pillow- My knees rub together and hips ache in the morning if I can't curl my legs around this at night.
5) Blow Dryer- Mine quit on me last week and I went two days without. Not pretty.
6) Remote Controls- I am old enough to remember getting up and switching the dial on the TV. I like lazy better.
7) Ice Cream- Living without ice cream would be extremely sad. I scream, you scream...
8) Mascara- In my opinion, every woman would look better wearing a little mascara.
9) Vacations to Disneyland- The Happiest Place on Earth needs me and I need The Happiest Place on Earth.
10) Refrigerator Ice Maker. Remember filling those little ice cube trays and spilling water all over the floor as you tried to put them in the freezer? And there was always someone who filled them too full or not full enough.
11) Television- I know it's hard to believe, but there are people who actually want to live without television in their home. If I didn't have a TV, I suppose I would read a lot more, play more board games and maybe even do jigsaw puzzles. I just can't imagine never laughing my butt off watching "The Office" again or nagging my husband to do projects around the house because I was inspired by "HGTV".
There you have it. 11 things I could live without, but I'm sooo glad I don't have to.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Too Many Descriptive Words
I have a love/hate relationship with Martha Stewart.
She bugs the snot out of me. Martha uses far too many adjectives. Next time you watch her television program or look at one of her clips on YouTube, pay attention. With most people, one adjective will usually do the job when describing a noun, but not for Martha. For example: The average person would describe chocolate cake as "delicious". Martha, on the other hand, not only would say the cake is delicious, but German, moist, scrumptious and beautiful as well.
Interrupting people when they speak is something else Martha does that annoys me. Personally, I think it is flat rude. In fact, at school we try to teach our Kindergarten children not to interrupt teachers or fellow classmates when they are speaking. For someone who is such a know-it-all, Martha sure could use some lessons in common courtesy.
I am not interested in being a domestic goddess like Martha. However, despite her obsession with descriptive words and the way she consistently interrupts her guests, I do benefit from watching cooking tips and craft projects on The Martha Stewart Show (and her magazines aren't so bad either).
Here are a few adjectives that come to my mind describing Martha Stewart... woman, mother, blond, tall, big, talented, rude, knowledgeable, rich, famous, obnoxious, arrogant, jail bird, perfectionist, entrepreneur, creative, businesswomen, savvy, author.
How would YOU describe Martha Stewart?
She bugs the snot out of me. Martha uses far too many adjectives. Next time you watch her television program or look at one of her clips on YouTube, pay attention. With most people, one adjective will usually do the job when describing a noun, but not for Martha. For example: The average person would describe chocolate cake as "delicious". Martha, on the other hand, not only would say the cake is delicious, but German, moist, scrumptious and beautiful as well.
Interrupting people when they speak is something else Martha does that annoys me. Personally, I think it is flat rude. In fact, at school we try to teach our Kindergarten children not to interrupt teachers or fellow classmates when they are speaking. For someone who is such a know-it-all, Martha sure could use some lessons in common courtesy.
I am not interested in being a domestic goddess like Martha. However, despite her obsession with descriptive words and the way she consistently interrupts her guests, I do benefit from watching cooking tips and craft projects on The Martha Stewart Show (and her magazines aren't so bad either).
Here are a few adjectives that come to my mind describing Martha Stewart... woman, mother, blond, tall, big, talented, rude, knowledgeable, rich, famous, obnoxious, arrogant, jail bird, perfectionist, entrepreneur, creative, businesswomen, savvy, author.
How would YOU describe Martha Stewart?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Dining in the Dark
Patrick Neil Harris was on Ellen today and they were talking about restaurants. Katelyn was watching with me...well, Katelyn was watching, I wasn't really paying attention until she got excited about something Ellen said. Here is the conversation that followed...
Katelyn- They have these restaurants where everything is dark. I want to go to one. The waitress seats you and you can't see a thing! It would be so fun.
Me- Eew. You wouldn't know what your eating. There could be hair or a fly in your food and you'd never know. They could serve you weird stuff like fish legs or something.
pause...
Me- Oh. Wait a minute. Fish don't have legs.
(This is where we crack up.)
I was thinking of fish eggs and frog legs, but that's not what came out of my mouth.
Then Katelyn said, "Mom. You should try to find a clip of a dark restaurant on YouTube", so we started looking. Katelyn spotted something and said, "click on that one". I read what she wanted me to look at and said, "No. This can't be the one. This one says blind people serve your food." Katelyn replied. "Ya. That's the whole point!"
She neglected to tell me that important piece of information. Now it all makes sense!
Kind of cool, huh?!
Katelyn- They have these restaurants where everything is dark. I want to go to one. The waitress seats you and you can't see a thing! It would be so fun.
Me- Eew. You wouldn't know what your eating. There could be hair or a fly in your food and you'd never know. They could serve you weird stuff like fish legs or something.
pause...
Me- Oh. Wait a minute. Fish don't have legs.
(This is where we crack up.)
I was thinking of fish eggs and frog legs, but that's not what came out of my mouth.
Then Katelyn said, "Mom. You should try to find a clip of a dark restaurant on YouTube", so we started looking. Katelyn spotted something and said, "click on that one". I read what she wanted me to look at and said, "No. This can't be the one. This one says blind people serve your food." Katelyn replied. "Ya. That's the whole point!"
She neglected to tell me that important piece of information. Now it all makes sense!
Kind of cool, huh?!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Clapping in the Bedroom
I asked Don to move the treadmill into our bedroom, so I can watch television while I work out. The only place it fits, however, is between my side of the bed and the nightstand. Now, if I want to read before I go to sleep, I have to get out of bed and climb over the treadmill to turn off the lamp. One night last week, I felt too tired to get back out of bed, so I mentioned to Don that we should put our lamps on a clapper. He laughed at me and said, "That would really be aging us, wouldn't it?"
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Trading Spouses?
Two of my boys, Chase and Casey, think I should go on Wife Swap. I have only seen this television program a couple of times and can't help but wonder, "Why on earth would my kids want to do this to me?"
Oh wait, I know! They would love to see me slap the sh*t out of the pathetic kids and laugh hysterically at the bawl baby husband! Okay, maybe it would be great entertainment. Thank you, but NO.
Oh wait, I know! They would love to see me slap the sh*t out of the pathetic kids and laugh hysterically at the bawl baby husband! Okay, maybe it would be great entertainment. Thank you, but NO.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Old School
Sesame Street Old School is one of the things Cody got for Christmas this year. The volume above has three discs and is from years 1974-1979. Watching these episodes with Cody brings a feeling of nostalgia to me. I use to watch Sesame Street with my younger brothers in the 1970's, back when televisions had about five channels and remotes were unheard of.
I love that Sesame Street characters and scripts are humorous for adults, yet still fun and educational for children. Remember when Snuffleupagus was invisible? And how about Baba Wawa and Guy Smiley. I'd love to see Guy host Dancing with the Stars or Hollywood Squares instead of Tom Bergeron; his head is just as big and I'm sure he'd be more entertaining. And then there was John John. He was adorable!
Check out the trailer for Sesame Street Old School. If you think you may be interested in buying one or all of the DVD volumes, you can find them at Amazon or eBay.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
La La La La Life Goes On
I was skimming throught the channels on Sirius Radio this morning, trying to find something Cody might enjoy listening to, when I came across the old Beatles song 'Ob-la-di Ob-la-da'. My thoughts automatically went back to the early '90's and the television program 'Life Goes On'. Anybody remember it? I loved it.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Which TV Mom Are You?
Several years ago, my son Chase told me I was a cross between Jill Taylor (Home Improvement) and Rosanne Conner (Rosanne). At that time, I didn't know if I should feel upset or happy about his comment. I chose the latter. Their characters were strong and funny. I would have been upset if he had said I acted like Debra (Everybody Loves Raymond)! Even though I enjoyed watching that program, I thought her character was a hag; always complaining to or about her husband.
Television moms have definitely evolved over the years. When I was a young girl, I wanted to be part of the most unrealistic family out there...the Bradys (The Brady Bunch); six siblings, a housekeeper, dog, dad and Florence Henderson for a mom. Who wouldn't want that?!
Television moms have definitely evolved over the years. When I was a young girl, I wanted to be part of the most unrealistic family out there...the Bradys (The Brady Bunch); six siblings, a housekeeper, dog, dad and Florence Henderson for a mom. Who wouldn't want that?!
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