art day for Jen

I had a great time today with my friend and mentor Cynthia. It was an interesting exhibit. There were 15 artist and they were given 5 objects to paint. The objects were a ball of string, a mirro, glass of water, trukey leg bone and a moth. I was fun seeing how the artist incorporated these objects into a painting. My favorite was a large painting of a woman holding a glass of water. She was sitting on an old vinyal chair wearing a faded grey sweat outfit. There was a frig next to her. The door was open and the frig was bear except for the bone. On the frig there was a moth magnet holding a picture. Reminded me of my struggling days in St. Louis. Had a very real feel to the painting and a very cleaver way of using objects that seem to have nothing in common. Very cool in the starving artist way.
Then Cynthia and I strolled around the outside of the Englewood City Center and studied different sculptures. Cynthia new all the artist. After a lovly out door experience we went to the Art Depo center. This is were the Littleton Art Guild has there shows. I have been wanting to join this art guild for some time. I was able to pick up and application and believe with in the next few weeks should be accepted in. This will be great for me and my art. They have many shows all year long for the artist to display their work. Also very inexpensive annual fee. You also volunteer once a month too work at the gallery. I am actually very excited about the possibilites. I will be able to talk and be around other artist. Fun stuff. Very productive and fun day for me. I really enjoy the art world. Have a great weekend.

Love
Jennifer

Saturday

It's Saturday night and Gary is eating his snack and we are all winding down. Jennifer went to some art exhibits today while I took Gary to lunch (at Fazoli's), tennis, and then out for ice cream. We all had a pretty good day.

Thursday

Nick is all better and Gary is feeling better too. I am still having Gary rest some today and then we can all be runnig this weekend. I volunteered at Gary's school. It is a lot of fun helping the little Kindergardeners. I really enjoy volunteerning. Gary is happy as can be playing computer games form a web site we got form a box of Fruity Pebbles. When I was young we had actual toys in the ceral box. Now you have a web site and special code to be able to pick and play games online. What will be next? Gary had another great day at school. He goes to school really well now. He happlie goes to the van and waits with his classmates outside. He hangs up his coat and backpack with little help. Wow a different kid than just a few months ago. I am planing on going to an art exhibt on Saturday with my good friends Cynthia and John. Nick will take Gary to tennis and all will be happy. Love to all.

Jennifer

Almost Back

I'm feeling much better now. I still have a bit of a cough but that too will soon be history (hopefully).

Gary had a good day at school and with Miss Nikki.

Our friend Jane was here for part of the day (she came in last night) and helped take Gary to school. After school Jennifer and Gary took Jane to the airport. Gary wanted to get on a plane too but Jennifer said they needed suitcases. So in his brilliant fashion, Gary suggested that they go home and get suitcases so that they could fly to see Kevin and Elizabeth.

Mardi Gras

It's a good day here. Jane is in town for a short while and we will all meet for dinner at Bill's. Gary had a good session with Dr. Pat. We were talking about how much progress Gary has made in just one year. The behavioral issues form last year are just distant memories now. Gary is interacting really well with others and took turns on the computer today. So glad. Now just have to get him potty trained and I will feel like I won the lottery. He is playing on the computer right now. I did laundry, cleaned the bathroom and changed the sheets on two beds. I am ready for fun time now. Good thing it is Mardi Gras time.

Jennifer

Nick was feeling well enough to go to work. Still being lazy here. I got some dishes clean and doing some laundry. Gary had an OK day at school. He was tired, so letting him get extra rest. He is having fun at school. Report cards came in and Gary is meeting all expectations. Very proud of my son. Hope all is well with everyone else.

Jennifer

Resting In CO

Nick still doesn't feel well and Gary has definatly got a cold. I am still doing well. We all took it easy today. Gary and I got to have lunch with my parents and then spent the day on the computer. Hope Nick feels better tomorrow.

Jennifer

Good Night

Resting Satruday

Nick is still sleeping and not feeling well. He should be up to normal in a few days. I am feeling better now and Gary is doing well. Gary and I just had mild colds. Gary will go to tennis lessons today. He has a lot of fun and it is so good for him. He is showing some great potetinal as well. May have another tennis player on our hands. I am just resting don't want to push myself. Figure one more day of being lazy and then I can start getting stuff done around the house. Having fun with the computer. Gary is having a blast playing Spongebob Squarepants online games right now. It is amazing how fast Gary can learn all this computer stuff. I am learning too only not as fast. But should be able to keep up with him as he gets older. Bye for now. Hope everyone else is doing well.

Jennifer

Sleepy Week

Nick is home again with the cold. I think he is out for the week. He is resting now. Gary is at school and then off to Club 4 Kids. I am feeling a little sick too. So just resting and letting Gary have some fun. He has had a great week so far. We read homework together last night then he went off to sleep. I have been so busy and was sick last month that we are 1 1/2 months behind in home work. But will get caught up this week. I have his home work by his bed. This way I can read him all his little stories and poems before bedtime. This is when he is calm enough to sit with me. I am doing OK . I am having my I hate Cancer moment again. Another friend has been struck by this horrid monster and may not live through the year. We don't know how much time we have together. So will just have to enjoy the time we have. John is looking good so far and doing well. The cancer markers are down, it is just he has Pancreas Cancer. This is supposed to be the worst kind of cancer to have ( one of the really bad ones). So been a little bummed out . But will be OK. He is married to my art teacher, well that's how we all meet. Now we are all more friends than teacher and student. Very nice and truly christian type people. Damn Monster- wish it would leave my friends and family alone and go back to HELL where it belongs.

Jennifer

Sleep Day

I stayed home from work today to try and get rid of my cold. I think it worked. I slept most of the day.

While I slept Gary had a good day at school, a good day at Club 4 Kids, and a good session with his OT, Miss Nikki.

Tuesday

It's Tuesday night and I'm ready for bed as I am fighting a cold. Jen went painting tonight. Gary had a good day at school and with Dr. Rydell.

A quiet house again

It's Monday night and we are all winding down here after my sister and her family's visit. We had a good time while they were here. We went to Lookout Mountain and had a snowball fight, ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, and everyone (except for Gary and I) went tuning up at Keystone.

I took Karen, Terry, Elizabeth, and Kevin early this morning to the airport. I then went to work. When Gary woke up he went looking for everybody and found that they were gone. Jennifer explained to him that they had gone to the airport to get on a plane to go he. Gary wanted Jennifer to take him to the airport so he could catch them. He calmed down after a while and had a pretty good day.

He had his tennis lesson today (rescheduled from Saturday) and went to Chuck E. Cheese's. He played computer games, jumped on his bed and watched some old Goofy cartoons. Tomorrow it is back to school.

Sunday Night

Gary and I are hanging out at home waiting for Jennifer, Karen, Terry, Elizabeth, and Kevin to get back from tubing up at Keystone. Gary has done well today. He is eating his snack and has had his bath.

We all me Christy and her girls for lunch today at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was a nice lunch. After lunch we walked around the 16th Street mall for a little bit.

Valentine's Night

Everyone is now off to bed after a busy day. We went to Buffalo Bill's Grave on Lookout Mountain and had a snowball fight. We then went to Idaho Springs were we ate a late lunch at the Tommyknocker Brewery. We then drove back home via downtown Denver.

We had pizza for dinner (made with homemade sauce). We had cake for dessert.

Gary is having a blast with Kevin and Elizabeth. He fell asleep next to Elizabeth tonight.

Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day here and my sister and family are here visiting. They got in yesterday afternoon from Florida. We had a little snow left from Thursday night's snow. Kevin and Elizabeth had a short snowball fight before they got two cold.

We had pasta for dinner and watched Barnyard and Spongebob.

This morning we started a little slow. We had a light breakfast and are just waiting for everyone to get showered and dressed.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Thursday Night

Gary had his Valentine's Day party today at school. Jennifer got to stay with him as his special needs teacher wasn't available. After school Gary went to Club for Kids for a couple of hours while Jennifer worked on getting the house ready for the weekend when Karen, Terry, Elizabeth, and Kevin are here.

In the afternoon Gary worked with his speech therapist.

When I got home from work I started by sauce. Once the sauce was cooking away Jennifer cooked dinner. After dinner I made salsa.

Family is coming Yea!

Nick is in the kitchen cuting up peppers for his homemade salsa. The homemade sause is alread cooking. Gary is playing computer games and I am doing laundry. All in prep for our house guest tomorrow. Hurray! Nick's sister Karen and family will be here , they are coming in from FL. We are all very happy and excited to have them here. It is going to be a fun weekend. Gary is very excited about seeing his cousins, Kevin and Elizabeth. I have been telling the kittys that it will be a party weekend. The count down is on.

Jennifer

Almost Bedtime

Jennifer and Gary are already sleeping and I am just wrapping things up for the night. I have the dishwasher running and am checking email before I go up to bed.

Tomorrow is Gary's Valentine's Day party at school. His Valentine goody bags have been put together and are in Jennifer's van along with hi Valentine's Day box.

Painting Night

Hi All:

Gary and I are hanging out while Jennifer is painting. It is lightly snowing but we don't have much accumulation. The snow is expected to stop by midnight and tomorrow will be in the 50s.

Gary had a good day at school and with Dr. Rydell. It's nice to see that being a star hasn't gone to Gary's head.

That's a wrap

We just watched Gary and Jennifer on the "Glimpse of Autism" short. Jennifer did a great job, Gary nailed cute. I also like the fat guy with a beard. Here is the link to the show

http://www.rmpbs.org/panorama/index.cfm/entry/398/New-episode:-%27Real-Coloradans%27-

Gary and Jennifer are the second story.

Hello Everyone,
My day has finally come. Tonight on Rocky Mountain PBS at 9:30 PM mountain time " A Glimps of Autism" will be on the air. I worked on putting together this 5 min. segment of my week with Gary all summer and fall. Tonight it will be on the air. Yea. For those of you who don't live near CO or are reading this after 2-9-09 you can view the segment online at the following web link.

http://www.rmpbs.org/content/index.cfm/show/217965/Real-Coloradans My episod is number 103. You should be able to view after 2-9-09. or if you live in CO, TX, UT, WY, KS you should be able to see it tonight at 9:30 PM on Rocky Mountain PBS station is KRMA.

Gary and I are have a good day. Getting caught up on computer stuff and Gary is playing online.

Jennifer

this is why our house looks the way it does

We had a nice peaceful Sunday here. Then Gary decided he wanted to play with his Pac Man TV plug in game. Only one problem, he hasn't shown any interest in it for several months almost one year. So I gave it away in December to under privalage kids for Christmas gift. Now, now Gary wants his toy and is getting upset because he can't find it. So off to find another one Daddy to the rescue. Nick looks in this store and that store, High and low. all over Highlands Ranch for a Pac Man game. After 1 1/2 hours Nick finally finds the toy. He arrives trimphantly home and Gary is once again a happy boy. This is why I have a hard time getting rid of things. The moment I give something away is the moment in need it. And This Is Why Our House Looks The Way It Does- packed full of useless stuff waiting for me to give it away and my family can say but I wanted that. And after looking all over town for a toy that Nick told me not to give away we are still sleeping in the same bed tonight. Wow Nick really loves me. I am so lucky. Hope you all had a good Sunday.
Good Night.
Jennifer

Early Night

It is 9:40 PM and Jennifer and Gary are both already sleeping. Gary was asleep by 8:15 PM which is early for him. It was a good Saturday here. the temperature was in the mid 60s so we were able to go out without a jacket. Gary had his tennis lesson today. he did ok, but had a little trouble focusing. Jennifer went to get coffee at the bakery across the parking lot from the tennis lesson and Gary missed here. It was tough getting him started. He didn't act up but it took a while to get him focused on tennis. I had to stay with him and help him out.

Jennifer had a surprise at the bakery when she noticed that they had some Food Network Challenge posters up that had the bakery's owner in them. According to Jennifer it was one of the weddijg cake challanges.

After tennis we took Gary to Lollilocks to get his hair cut. It was getting a little long and his bangs appeared to be bothering his eyes.

We watched Cars today and on hulu we watched some Jimmy Neutron.

The weather is supposed to change tomorrow with colder temperatures and snow in the forecast.

Friday Night

It was another nice warm beautiful day here in Colorado. I had a good day ant work and Gary had a good day at school. After school Gary worked with his speech therapist.

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa came out today and Jennifer and Gary could not wait until I got home to get the DVD and watch it. Gary and Jen watch the new DVD and the Penguins of Madagascar DVD. I got to see the Penguins and Madagascar. Gary wasn't ready to watch the new movie again so soon. Maybe tomorrow.

the day after

So our birthdays have come and gone and Nick is once again 5 years older than me. He always says I am older because women age faster then men. We had fun last night at our special adult only resturant. I think we both had good birthdays. Last night Gary had a hard time sleeping he kept kicking and tossing in his sleep. So we played musical beds. First Gary was in his bed then ours, then his again then ours and Nick gave up and went to his. I tried to stay with Gary but he kicked me out of bed and onto the floor. He must be going through a big growing spurt. This always happens when he is growing. Now We are all tired and playing on computers. He has had a great day so far. Had to walk down a hill and back up before school today. He saw the other childern coming up the hill on their way to school and wanted to do the same thing. Works for me. Good sign that he is paying attention to others and his surroundings. Off to get him some lunch. Love to all.
Jennifer

I'm 47 today

It is my birthday today and I am 47. It seems like only yesterday I was 46. Jennifer and I went out to dinner at India Clay Oven while Gary went to Club 4 Kids.

Gary had a good day at school and after school he went with Jennifer on a picnic with his "Lunch Bunch" friends.

Tuesday

Gary had a good day today. He went to school and to Dr. Pat's. I went to work and Jennifer had fun on Facebook. She is enjoying reconnecting with old friends.

Tomorrow Gary is going to Club 4 Kids while Jennifer and I go out to eat Indian food.

Groundhog's Day is almost over for the year

Jennifer and Gary are in dreamland, undoubtedly dreaming of groundhogs and seeing shadows.
We celebrated Jennifer's birthday at Red Robin's. Gary played the Racing Boat game and ate grilled cheese. Jennifer had the fish and chips while I had a bacon cheeseburger. After the main course some of the people there came over and sang a happy birthday song to Jennifer and gave her an ice cream sundae.

groundhogs rock

Hey having a great Birthday. Gary and I looked for groundhogs on his way to school. He didn't want to wait outside for school so we stomped on the ground and said wake up groundhog. We still didn't see any groundhogs. After school we went to Little Monkey Business and Gary had a great time bouncing, swinging, climbing and such. I had fun visiting and drinking coffee. Then we came home and are playing with computers. When Nick gets home from work hope to go to Red Robin and get my free birthday dessert and song. Gary should find it funny to have people singing. Then if all goes well Gary will be a sleep before 10. Love all. and thanks for the birthday emails. Jen

What a great finish to a game

It's Sunday night and Jennifer and Gary are having there bedtime snack. It was a pretty good Sunday here.

We ate lunch at Grandpa Rhino and Grandma's house. Gary had a good time playing with his Grandpa Rhino.

After lunch we went home and I got a chance to watch most of the Superbowl. Gary played Madagascar 2 for a while. He then came upstairs for dinner. After Gary ate he took over my laptop and surfed Playhouse Disney.

The best part of the Super Bowl was the last three minutes. The commercials were ok. I just miss the Budweiser frogs.