Updated Gym Pictures!

Starting Two New Challenges Simultaneously!

YUP! That is right. This week is PREP week and I am preparing my body to get back into the routine of working out and eating clean. I am so glad the doctor gave me her seal of approval over the phone. She ask me a few questions and told me to take it easy for the first 4 weeks! SURE I WON'T! I want my Banging BODY BACK! I feel like a SLOTH! I am not use to living this way AT ALL and am NOT happy with myself so it is time to get it in gear! My legs are screaming today, all tired and stiff from using my new Tread Climber, JUST LOVE IT!

Well I am signing up for the body for life challenge and the Torch Jacket Challenge! Wish me luck!

Christmas Day at the Icenhour's House!

Overall I guess it could have been a lot worse! I mean concerning Cameron. He loved his room but ask to open presents ALL DAY! Wouldn't shut up about it and of course we ran out! Last night, he opened up 4 gifts at Grandpa Overton's house and still try to take another kid's toys away from him. Oh my, anyway here are some pictures of Cameron, my mom and my dog on christmas day in our new home! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to CAMERON!

Welcome to CAMERON'S WAY of LEARNING!
Officially Open for Business. Only for the
Special Children in our lives! I am still
posting ABCs and 1 2 3s on the walls but

this is his Christmas Present from me!

I am hoping this is what he needs because

it has pretty much maxed out my credit card!

But he is SO WORTH IT!

Finally this semester is OVER! Wheeeew!

Man oh Man! I am SO GLAD this semester is over! It was the most stressful EVER! If anyone reads my blog and attends college EVER, do whatever you can to NOT TAKE STATISTICS! It SUCKS! BAD! I can't remember hating a class as much as I hated this one and it took a toll on my stress level and free time worrying about the darn thing the whole time. I just hope I passed it. UPDATE!!!!!!!! Just FOUND OUT that I made an A- in Statistics and an A in Intermediate Algebra! Don't know how I pulled that off, ran on automatic this semester but oh well! IT IS OVER!


Well onto the holidays! 2 weeks off then onto the next hellation 3 months!

1st Christmas in my New Home!

I JUST LOVE MY FIREPLACE!

















And NOW I have a sleeping puppy in front of
the fireplace with my two bunnies! You ought
to see the front porch. I will post that later on!

The FIRST appointment for ME at the VA!

I had to drive all the way to Salisbury from Asheboro which is a 57 mile hike which equals to 1 hour if you drive NORMAL! But I am a lead foot and always goes 10 miles over the speed limit so I got there in 45 minutes and spent from 1015 to 1:15 talking to a Doctor, getting put in for a breast reduction, MRI on my right shoulder and new medicines for my sinuse issues and ulcer issues, god only knows what else! I didn't have time to get blood drawn or my xray done so I am going back after Thanksgiving and get all that done! Thank God the submissions last 30 days or I would be ass out! Ain't doing all that again! Had to talk to a shrink! THANK IS ALWAYS FUN! Well hopefully it is time to take care of myself and get BACK into my bodybuilding. I can't wait! I am thinking about buying one of those cross walking things that Bowflex sales! It is not good for me to run, bad back, bad knees and big BOOBS! Not a good mixture so I am trying to get another "SMART" piece of cardio equipment in my gym. I recently bought a little rotating heater, SO CUTE! for the gym since it is in the ground and will probably get pretty cold down there during the winter and I got one for upstairs, so Cameron and I will be warm when we take a bath! COZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYY!

So I gave myself this week as the end to be sick, get over whatever it is and get back to business and I got my FLU SHOT today, so we will see! :)- Can only hope I DO NOT GET SICK AGAIN!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Autism Funding Facing Presidential VETO!

Autism funding may face presidential vetoFriday, November 2, 2007 By: Carin Yavorcik
Joint committee approves components of Combating Autism Act for 2008 budget
On November 1, a joint House and Senate conference committee approved significant increases in autism-related funding in the 2008 Labor, Heath and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. The legislation provides $37 million for autism public awareness and early intervention - a $17 million increase over last year, as mandated in the Combating Autism Act of 2006. The bill also appropriates $16.5 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to use toward surveillance and research and $1 million to reinstate the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee, which would develop a strategic plan for autism research at the National Institutes of Health.
President Bush has promised to veto the bill, which includes $9 billion more in discretionary spending than he asked for. This veto threatens much needed increases for autism early intervention, diagnosis, treatment and research. Please email, call or fax your Member of Congress or Senator today and urge them to SUPPORT the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.
From Congressional Quarterly:Spending Bill Headed to Conference, and Likely Bush Veto, After Senate Passage

The WORST DAY EVER!

Cameron had an appointment at Wake Forest Baptist Memorial and he was getting an MRI to rule out everything else and then be able to concentrate on Autism. Well it DID NOT GO WELL! IT SUCKED! Cameron NEVER went to sleep and he was a VIOLENT LITTLE MANIAC ALL DAY. I had to pull off the road 3 separate times and it took me 2 hours to get home! It had to be the worst experience of my life! Not only did he repeatedly HIT ME IN THE HEAD, he BIT ME, PINCHED ME, KICKED ME and threw his drink ALL OVER THE CAR. Oh yeah, HE PUKED THREE TIMES, and all of this happened in my new VOLKSWAGON BEETLE! YEAH, POOR ME right? I felt so bad for Cameron because he didn't understand what was going on, but I had to take all of the beating, screaming, crying, vomiting and all of this happened inside a space large as a tanning bed! I ALMOST LOST IT! I even caught myself ZONING OUT while he was in ONE OF MANY screaming fits!

MY DAY SUCKED! I have got to find an outlet! I am STILL SICK! YEAH thats right and so I can't WORK OUT. I am at a STANDSTILL in my life!

When it RAINS it POURS!

Man do I know what Lori went through! I received my Federal Financial Aid on Saturday and went to the bank to deposit them, well the automatic reader COULDN'T read them, so I had to wait until MONDAY! Hate Mondays! Oh well, got up this morning, got Cameron ready for school, "that is a work out in itself!" :)- Then the friggin power went out, everything shut off, lights, everything, and what was I doing???? HOMEWORK! MY LIFE STINKS! If it can happen, it has happened! Then I call Progressive Power, and complain, they say, no one else has called! ummmmm, what does that mean to YOU? Well to me it means that I am just a woman and don't know how to check my flippin breakers to my HOUSE! DONE IT PEOPLE! So here he goes trying to "suck up to me" saying all that BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! and my comment was, no it's not your problem, your sitting in a room with LIGHTS! So yeah, I was a major B, but it only gets better! Drove 20 miles to the bank, closest one to my house, and when I got there learned that the Financial Aid that I actually received won't be deposited to my account for

8 DAYS! YEAH THAT IS WHAT I SAID! BOA states they have to be sure it will CLEAR! WHAT? WTFO! My ass, I was cursing in that place, trust me. I told them, I have already paid for my tuition and now it is time for bills, groceries, etc! That lady looked at me like I had 3 eyes! Hell, I probably did after that! I am sure that blood vessel on my forehead was POPPING OUT! And I said, well it is time to change BANKS in front of the manager! I also said, I retired from the Navy after 22 years of "protecting your freedom" and what do I get, NOT SHIT! Thanks alot! Who cares what they think of me, I could give a rats ass right now. They do not have a 5 year old autistic boy to raise, and cure! A mortgage to pay for, college to finish and groceries to buy, bills to pay! The only people I feel sorry for right now, is the people in California that lost their homes to the fire started by other people and of course all the children in the world going hungry. So I should stop feeling sorry for myself, well I am not, I am just pissed. Why isn't it easier? Why is it so hard?

Tired and Worn out! It is SUNDAY!

Yeah Yeah, I know what you are going to say! But I am going to bitch anyway! I am so tired of being sick! I thought I shook this Flu or whatever got a hold of me but it is back AGAIN! I am snotting up and my head feels like it is going to explode. I am so tired but took care of a friend's baby girl last night. Hell she wasn't any problem, but my two boys were, one furry, one bald. Always a pain in the rear! Erin (baby girl) was out at 7:30 and here is my son, even with his meds FIGHTING TO THE DEATH! But thank GOD SANDMAN finally got him! Wheeeewww! Heck, made $20 off of babysitting and I guess that is what I will do when I get a chance. Making some odd and end money here and there! I still have to take a test today, DON'T WANT TOO! Just want to sleep! Dallas Cowboys aren't playing today- Bi-Week so it is boring for me! and I just love football. I was giving myself till this monday to get better and over this crap but it came back and I do not want to wear myself down even further and STAY SICK! So what do I do? I got one of my checks from Financial Aid and I am putting it in the bank tomorrow. Will sit on most of it but am buying some much needed supplies for the house and paying ahead on utilities! My life has changed so much over this year, I don't know myself anymore. I am BORED OUT OF MY MIND, starting to HATE SCHOOL but need to keep going because it is the only way for me to earn any kind of income because of my son's situation! Next year he will be attending Kindergarten and a different school so here we GO AGAIN! Well I guess I will read and watch some football or just SLEEP! Whatever!

Got rid of my SUV! Thought I was going to die!

YES that is right, I decided to turn in my SUV and get a more economical car, better on gas, just not as much room! And I hate sitting on the floor! Drives me crazy but I guess I will get use to it! I bought a Black, Convertible Beetle Bug. I figured if it had to be smaller, it had to be cute! Oh well, I am trying to think more efficient on gas. I am saving over $1200 a year in gas alone! YIKES! Can you believe it? I can't! Anyway felt like I left one of my kids at that dealership! Another day another 5 cents! I am living on air here! Waiting for this to come in, waiting on that to come in and survive. I called my Bank and asked them if I could pay interest on their loans for 2 months and then I would be ok. It didn't go well. He didn't agree with me buying a new car, oh well. Couldn't understand that I am opening up almost $100 a month on gas alone, not counting everything else that goes with a SUV! Off to study for a test this morning! I am getting to hate college but I have a long way to go! KEEP CHARGING!

FIGHT FOR YOUR CHILDREN! AUTISM WILL NOT WIN!

Action Alert: Urge your Senator to Support Increased Autism FundingMonday, October 15, 2007

Senate to Take Up Health Funding Bill

This week, the Senate will take up the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. This important bill funds autism research, public education, early intervention, and education programs. The Autism Society of America is urging all Senators to support this important bill. The Senate Appropriations bill includes full funding for many of the programs authorized by the Combating Autism Act. It also increases other programs of importance to the disability community. Specifically, the bill includes:
$37 million for the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program. These University-based programs provide long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training, as well as services and care for infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities.
$16.5 million for the CDC’s autism programs. These programs include the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Epidemiology (CADDRE), which studies potential causes of autism, and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which provides critical data on autism prevalence, growth, and causes.
An overall increase of $1 billion (3.5 percent) for the National Institutes of Health.
$11.24 billion for Special Education State Grants, a 4.2 percent increase over FY 2007.
The legislation also provided $540 million to Special Education Grants for Infants and Families, a 3.1 percent increase over last year.
Click here to send an email to your Senator, urging him or her to support this important bill.

After you click on the link, you will provide just your basic information, Name, Address and E-mail address and this pre-typed letter will be sent in your behalf!

Please fund the Lifespan Respite Care Act

Dear [Decision Maker],
With autism affecting 1.5 million people in the U.S. today, millions of Americans are caregiving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a lifetime of care. Respite care is the only option available to give these families and guardians the rest they need to keep their children safe and learning -- and their families together.The House version of FY08 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill, which passed in July, includes $10 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Act. Please act now to include language to fund Lifespan Respite at $10 million when the FY08 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill is debated this week.
You will make a difference in the lives of all those affected by autism, too.
Sincerely,
[Your Name][Your Address][City, State ZIP]


PLEASE HELP ME along with all the other families fighting for their children to combat the thousand of under-funded programs intending on making the lives of the families touched by a diagnosis on the autism spectrum! THANK-YOU and GOD BLESS!

Financial Trouble is here!

Yes I have hit the stage of my life where I am panicking. I don't make a whole lot from the Retired Navy Pay and it only covers my mortgage, and one loan, then I am out my car payment, utilites and groceries so what am I suppose to do? I can't get a part time job because Cameron is not in Kindergarten and they do not have after school programs for Pre-K and with him being Autistic, it is just so hard to make ends meet. Thank god, I paid up on my electric and water or I would be up shit creek without a pattle (sp?). I am stressing out because I am about out of funds and literally CAN NOT WORK! Going to school which is costing me a fortune even with the MGIB and I am having trouble getting a Federal Student Loan, always these flipping rules that of course I am not that desperate in their eyes to need it, oh but I don't see ANYONE standing in line to HELP ME EITHER! I am pissed, worried and aggravated. Tuesday I have to take the time, research the $$ involved with barbie dolls and sale some of them that I have because my priorities have changed so much, and I need the $$$$. Just don't know where to turn right now, money doesn't fall from the heavens and I don't want to ruin my credit that I worked so hard to fix but it looks like it is coming if I don't do something right now. My birthday is Next FRIDAY and I will be 40 but I am not in the mood to celebrate, so I might have to call Navy Federal and ask them if I can pay interest for a few months and then get back on track. I just don't know what to do anymore, but it isn't like anyone reads my blog anyway, out of sight, out of mind! Have a nice day.

Breaking him OUT OF THE WINDOW!

I am speaking of my son Cameron, who drives me crazy each and everyday without a pause! He is repeating words and alot of times not making sense and it drives me up the wall. I have to tell him to shut up because he won't stop. Today, he kept saying Bye Bye Bye Bye Bye Bye for over two hours and I couldn't take it anymore so we jumped in the car and went for an hour drive, went thru Wendy's and let him have the fries and I ate a Grilled Chicken sandwich with no condiments. Still tasted good and the diet coke sure tasted good. But we drove and drove and drove, then when we got home, he kept saying BED, BED, BED, BED and I couldn't explain to him that it wasn't time yet even though I tried ALL DAY! YIKES! I want to go out and SCREAM! I am trying some new stuff with him, B complex liquid is suppose to help him with his speech and I am also trying some new enzymes to help digest and clear his system of yeast and toxins build-up. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO WORK! The system surely WILL NOT DO THEIR JOB! I have lost a few lbs even though the doctor told me not to do anything with my shoulder again and my back has been hurting bad. Had a yardsale on Saturday and only made about $65.oo it was cold for hours and only got warm right at quitting time. I might try it again this Saturday but I am not sure! HATE HANGING THE SIGNS and HATE COLLECTING THEM! Oh well, looking forward to a weekend without Cameron even though I know I will miss him but I can't breathe when he is around, always on me, stepping on me and jumping on me like he weighs nothing! NOT TRUE! Pushing 84lbs. Oh well, I will guess I will bitch later!

Another Day in the World of Autism

Sometimes I feel helpless and that I have lost control of my life! After watching the Oprah Winfrey show and reading Jenny McCarthy's book, I was even more mad because I don't have the resources available to give to my son. I mean with Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy and even Behavioral Therapy. All will help him in learning how to adapt to his autism and learn to cope with it. I am scared because I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY to have one on one sessions with him, that my son will suffer! I don't want that but I am not rich like Jenny or the other stars. I am barely making it right now, my retirement pay is NOT ENOUGH but just en ough for me not to qualify for any benefits for my son, DAMN IT! WTFO? I wish for once, GOD WOULD SHINE ON US RIGHT NOW! I need his help, I need help period! I am going to try to remove Gluten from his diet but kind of hesitate to remove all diary products because yogurt is the only way I have to give his medicine, taking that out would cause MAJOR PROBLEMS! I don't know what to do right now.. Got an IEP meeting with the school today at 1:00pm and I will ask for a one on one, Additional OT and additional Speech! Lets see who I have to piss off today! Oh well, won't be the first time and sure as hell won't be the last!


Now my only prayer is that I fine someone for me, I think I deserve to have someone in my life, no luck so far, been WAY to busy with school, homework, papers, etc and of course the rest of my day is filled up with taking care of CAMERON! Now that is a busy day!

HELLO THERE! Here are some pictures of my babies!

Here is my new baby and my Biggest Baby!
In the nude and in the dog's crate! :)-
Now, this is priceless!


And below is my beautiful boy sleeping like he
is still 2 years old! Now that is a booty! Wonder
where he gets that from? :)-

Hanging in there but I am LOST!

I was telling me Dad and Mom that I felt SO ALONE! Being in the Navy for as long as I was and being in CHARGE, I feel so LOST just sitting around the house with CAMERON, which is a MAJOR HANDFULL. Actually has been a mean little boy the last 2 months and I can't take it anymore, tired of fighting with MEDICAID, the SYSTEM, entirely TOO MUCH red tape involved and it looks like the Illegal Immigrants have more benefits than an autistic Child! Bull Shit if you ask me, but I have found myself to be screaming more and more at Cameron. I have less patience and I am wearing thin here, need some help but there IS NONE! The VA can't help, their is no room in any daycares here and I am getting pushed to my LIMIT, which by the way I am already passed. I lose my temper entirely too fast but that is telling me I need to get to work but I CAN"T! With Cameron being out of school, I can't even get a Part time Job! Waiting on my school loans to come through, and if they do, I hopefully will have some money to put back into savings here to help me get through the end of the year! It is hard when you have no one close to you, thought I would have some help, but it turned out as usual, so I should be use to it... Just accept that I will have to take care of EVERYTHING as usual by myself and then I won't be disappointed.

This is the End and the Beginning!

As of yesterday, and no one really said anything, don't know if anyone thought about it, I guess not, but that was my official LAST DAY IN THE US NAVY! I am officially RETIRED and not even my family said anything, one group went on vacation, and I thought they didn't have the money to come to Hawaii to see my retirement ceremony, ummmm? Well and here I am sweating how i am paying my mortgage for the next two months? I guess it is my problem huh? Not anyone elses.

My son is out of school for almost 3 weeks and I have a mid-term coming up, a term paper and a test of course, but as I said before, it is just me and my son. Should be use to it by now, huh? Even coming home, it is the SAME. Take care of yourself because there aren't too many people out there that will help you with anything. There are alot of people here that shouldn't be and they are taking all the benefits that the state has left and I pretty much have to will my son over to them to get any benefits from them. It sucks, trust me. It is almost like they look down at you for asking and it is for my son, not me. I don't know how i am going to get my workouts in because he won't let me leave the room for 5 minutes without him, extremely attached now and whiny. Then after he goes to sleep I have to do homework or I am in trouble so that is my main priority right now, I want so bad to get back to where I was on the cruise. I felt great, I felt alive!

Preparing to Paint entrance to Basement

I am standing in Lowes yet again, ought to get a job there for how much I have spent there in this past 2 months, but anyway trying to get them to match a metallic purple, same color of my medicine ball because it also looks just like the EAS purple. And it would match great when I hang my HUGE EAS BANNER! Then paint the door purple, accent the trim with purple. I think it would look nice and I got a nice warm burnt brick color for the actual entrance to the basement because it would actually carry around behind the washer and dryer. Got to help control the moisture and mold, so I have to paint it soon. Almost done with paint, the only rooms that haven't been touched is the guest bathroom, guest bedroom and bath downstairs, other than that I have painted the entire house! Yikes! Oh well, put applications in at Walmart and Lowes for Management/HR positions. So we will see, just something part time to help pay the bills. That is all for now, cha cha!

First Leg Workout on my New Toy!

It went great, loved the leg extensions bar, all you have to do to switch from leg extensions to leg curls are to pull one red lever out and move up or down, LOVE IT! No switching cables or anything like that and I have a LEG PRESS! Yeah me! Just loved it!

Update Photos of "The Chief's Gym!" Painted!

I am getting excited, slap wore out but excited, now with the fresh coat of paint, it is really beginning to look like my gym, can't WAIT to get the mirrors up!

My New Gym! It is TOGETHER!

Well I still need to paint it, put up the mirrors and
hang the HUGED EAS BANNER that was given to
me but other than that I can use it! So here are just
a few pictures for you. I can'twait to get started!

Angled View of the Gym!










LEG PRESS









LAT PULLDOWN & SQUAT












Butterfly & Bench










Big Screen and Recumbent Bike

Maybe something good happening for us?

Went to the Social Security Office today and I was told that I can apply for $$$ for Cameron since he is Autistic which is technically disabled. He will receive a check every month for a specific amount if I make under $2000 a month and it looks like I will be making under that once I retire from active duty. So I will apply and see what happens, say a little prayer, hopefully this will be the relief we are looking for to be able to relax for awhile! :)-

OMG I am FINALLY IN!

It took an ACT OF GOD to get BACK into "MY" own Blog! Man, and here is Linda posting "fun pictures of the cruise" on my blog! Go figure! Wheew~ Did not want to start back over again! Well Cameron and I are in North Carolina and in our new home. It HAS NOT been easy. The transition for him has been so hard thus making it hard for me! He has resorted to HITTING me and STRATCHING me when I don't agree with him or tell him to do something he doesn't like. This little man is STRONG! Had to practically drag him to bed the other night and I am bruised from head to toe from him hitting me with his trains, so I started taking them away and now I have to come up with some home made deal to keep him from banging holes in the walls when I yell at him. I haven't slept in weeks, eating is all off and the doctor told me to lay off bodybuilding because the meds make my joints weak and could hurt more than help! wheew, long road ahead of me! He is off of school this week and my next semester of college just started. I have to admit, this week I am in OVER my HEAD! It is nice to be home, just hope it settles down soon.

10 Days until my Retirement Ceremony!

10 Days and Counting! And Man, am I nervous, haven 't even started to write my speech and am not worrying about it until a few days prior. Want it all to come from the heart! But I want to make sure and not forget about anyone that has helped me over the years. People tend to forget the ones that DESERVE RECOGNITION.. but I won't. I just hope I don't miss anyone. I am not writing out a formal speech, but I will have some notes. Want it to be uplifting and funny.... Never mind that I am moving to a DRY COUNTY! Yikes! Have to import my beer over the border! ha ha!

I am excited about going home and being able to paint the house! YEAH ME! Well take care, thought it was time to update my blog!

Old BootCamp Photo!

Now don't tell me I wasn't a young puppy when this was taken on the bus back from Sea World in Sept 1985! Man have I came a long way baby!

Official Pictures for Retirement in July 2007

Well Howdy everyone!
Here are 2 of my photos
for my retirement
invitations and announce
ments that will go out
at the end of this month!
I can't believe that it has
been 22 years! My body
sure feels it, but in my
heart, I will always
want to help my
sailors!





OFFICIAL PHOTO w/FLAG

Made a Big Decision Today!

I came to the decision today, that I will not take any classes next semester due to me moving back to North Carolina, preparing to get out of this house, packing out all of my HouseHold Goods, getting my son ready to go. Really don't know how he will act on the plane, the last flight was hell in the air, so i do not want a repeat!

Little nervous about buying a home, but I DID IT! Received my first book of checks in the mail with my new address on it! HOW SWEET! 38 working days LEFT, and YES I AM COUNTING DOWN! I can't wait to get home! :)-

New Bedroom Suite

Hello All! Here is a picture of my NEW Bedroom Suite! Well not totally NEW, but new to me!

Bought the 4 piece set for $800 to include the Queen size bedframe, big dresser with mirror and side table. Still looking for a Amoire (sp) ....

Additional Pictures from New House!

Outdoor Patio
will wrap
around to Bay
Window in
Kitchen!






Master
Bedroom
standing in
corner!






Unfinished
entrance to
basement!
Love the smell
of the wood!




Cameron's
Playroom!

More pictures of the house!

I am looking out
front door down
driveway!







Outdoor patio
Plan on wrapping
it around to bay
window







New Washer
Dryer Set!In
basement!

New RoseWood Dining Room Table

Look at this Table! I found it on CRAIGSLIST.COM, that is where
people sale their stuff they want to get rid of and here in Hawaii,
there are a lot of nice Asian People living here and alot of them are
moving back to Korea, Thailand and can't take their heavy furniture
with them and they are putting them on sale for GREAT PRICES.
Look at what I bought for $700.

Help me Raise Awareness for Autism!

I want you to
look at this
precious little
boy playing
in the tub as
you read this
story of another
mother's
struggles
with Autism



Autism strikes about 1 in every 166 children. As the mother of
one of them, I feel it's important to draw attention to this nearly
invisible disability. My son was once called "spoiled" during a
meltdown in public, but rather than be angry at the person's rush
to judgment, I would rather educate the many people who don't
recognize autism when they see it. Here you will find Autism
Awareness products, links to books and educational websites, and
tips for making one particular experience easier. I will continue to add
products and links as I find them, and if you know of a good online
resource I've missed, please feel free to e-mail me. 1 in 166 means
there are a lot of people coping with autism. If you're one of them,
I hope you will find this site useful and will help educate others. If
autism hasn't yet touched your life, it most likely will in some way--
in fact, maybe it has already and you didn't even realize it. Maybe
that quiet girl who wouldn't look you in the eye was more than
simply shy; maybe that screaming boy wasn't really spoiled after all.
Maybe it was autism.

http://www.autismgear.com/index.html

More Pictures of My New HOUSE!

Back of the house, look at the Bay Window and patio!














Master Bedroom!

This is only 1/2 of the Basement!
This will be Cameron's Playroom!

I GOT THE HOUSE!

Living Room!










Front of House




Kitchen! I love it!
So many possibilities!
Try and look at her with all
wood cabinets and wood floors
with wood trim going around the
sit-down area! I can't wait!










Look at this kitchen!

The home owners came back with a counter offer!

I'LL TAKE IT!

I was so excited when my realtor called me back and gave me the news and what was

the funniest thing, was the current owners have a brand new Washer&Dryer set

(FRONT LOAD)

Can you say YES YES YES!

My realtor was holding out and not telling me because she already knew how much I

loved this house and how bad I wanted it! She didn't want my decision based on a

washer and dryer, I just laughed, wouldn't have done it anyway but here are the

stipulations of the contract!


original price $ 159,000

1) Asking price $ 160,000

2) Covering closing costs up to $4000

3) Guarantee one year warranty on house

4) Complete all projects in house, (wooden floor in basement)

5) Closing at end of March 07!

So I won't pay my mortgage until end of April or first

of May! That is only one month prior to me moving in and sounds fine to me!

I am hoping now that there is no problems on the mortgage! I need to keep the price around $1100 a month or lower, don't know how much insurance costs or taxes but it is all included! Now I need to figure on how much it costs to heat the place and other utlities but I have my dad going to the store for me, filling the house up with groceries so I don't have to worry about that when I fly in!

I don't want to get too excited but I am so happy that the counter offer wasn't a cluster like I have know them to be!

Process of Home Buying is Tedious and Stressful!

I am in the beginning process of purchasing a home in North Carolina. It has just begun and I am already nervous with the concept of paying a mortgage. It is kind of scary buying a home for the first time ever but I am giving it a shot! Took time to consolidate some bills in November, paid off 6 separate bills and lowered my interest rate tremendously and I am happy about that but I still have a car note and credit card. So overall I am sitting ok, as long as the loan gets approved. I am a little nervous about that part of it, moving back home, enrolling Cameron in a new school and starting all over with his Special Needs. I just hope the process is not as hard as it was here in Hawaii. Took me almost 1.5 years to get Cameron his benefits and here we are leaving in June 07. Wish me luck!

More pictures of Cameron and the Tree!

Here is Cameron Playing with Thomas the Train Set!
He didn't do too well with the motorized one, so I will
have to put down the old wood tracks and get him a
couple of the big old trains to play with. He still likes
to push them around the track!

Next year, we get to decorate the tree in OUR HOUSE!
I can't wait!

Christmas Day 2006 in the Icenhour House

Cameron had fun playing with his
new Train Set (Thomas and all the trains)
His daddy sent him a couple of trains
and I got him 4 new trains as well
so he had plenty to choose from!
He played with
him ALL DAY!

MIGRAINES! Here they come....

I have been going thru this cycle of migraines and no sleep! Don't know what to do. The doctor changed my medications and I guess it is taking my body some time to adjust and it is causing me problems. For one, stress is getting to me, because I had to slowly stop the other anxiety medication that I was on to help me cope with Cameron's situation and school and work, etc, etc, etc....then get off of it all together, then slowly start another one, well it takes up to a month for the other one to kick in but I need it now. I can feel it! I don;t drink caffeine at night or after 3:00pm, and I was up ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT, thinking about all kinds of stuff! The house, Cameron, School, work, etc! Anything and everything! I am SO TIRED right now! So I am going to lay down and try to get rid of this migraine that I picked up AFTER THE MOVIE! Man, I can't win for losing when it comes to these things.... almost making me nauseous...(sp)

Christmas Photos done by Walmart! Not Bad!

I thought they would turn out horrible but not bad at all, both of us were smiling and Cameron had a good ole time with that lady! She did a fine job and just look at that smile, worth a million bucks! Don't you just want to squeeze him to death! Now ladies, watch out in your mailbox, you have a surprise coming!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Doctor told me," SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE!

I couldn't believe it! I have been so tired lately. I spoke to my buddy Jim Shelton about it a few days ago and I have labs to do tomorrow morning to make sure it is not thyroid or nothing like that, but he thinks I am totally WIPED OUT! He thinks my body can't take anymore stress and something is going to happen! Well I have been doing ok until these past two months, I have been feeling the pinch. Been tired everyday, it is taking more than 2-3 cups of coffee to wake me up and I don't wake up until lunch. Can't get to the gym until after work because I can't wake up and get moving. Breaking in new Personal assistants for my son, training them, buying new boosters seats for their cars so they can bring Cameron home and I can go to tanning booth and gym! This past semester kicked my ass in work load! Always on the computer! Well only 8 classes left and I graduate with my Bachelor Degree in Human Resource Managment! Yeah Me! Lets hope I can hold up until August! :)-

A lot has happened in the last two weeks!

Well it is about time but Cameron has FINALLY got the assist from the State of Hawaii in the area of "PAP" or Personal Assistance Program. What that means is that he is allowed 25 hours of one on one of a personal assistance per week, any way I want it, so I ask for after school! If I can get my work to agree that I can come in late, then I won't need before school care either and I can put him on the bus every morning and just be like a hour late everyday! We will ask that after the new year and after I get closer to retirement! That will save me about $275 dollars a month in daycare and I will put that DIRECTLY in the HOUSE FUND! I am saving towards buying my house later next year, if all possible, if not I will make the decision to stay here another year and let Cameron finish another school year here and I will return home in 2008. I am also authorized for RESPITE, which the state will give me so much $$ a quarter to go and do "ME" stuff, since I don't go anywhere and do anything for myself, like go to the mall, and shop, or just walk around, meet other women and maybe get involved with a support group. Sometimes I feel like I am going at this alone, but I finally feel that I am getting the support that Cameron deserves, I mean it is coming late in my time here in Hawaii, but it is coming, so I am not knocking it!

If I stay in Hawaii another year, I will get a part time job, probably working at the gym, training and will go to school in pursuit of my Master's Degree in Early ChildHood Education, with a Minor in Special Education. I mean, why not! With me retiring from the Navy and I am sure to get some disability with all the injuries and surgeries that I have had in my 22 years, they will PAY for my degree and all my supplies and then give me $600 a month to attend full time. I don't see a down side to that...In turn, my son can still attend the school that he loves, they love him, and now he is getting all the services that he deserves. I will let GOD sort this one out for me! Too much on my brain for me! Oh well! That is it for tonight! Later!

Oh yeah! Retirement ceremony date is 27 April/PunchBowl Cemetary... Be there!