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!