Completely Random

Forget back to school--it's football season here in Texas.  All the football teams are out sweating and practicing.  They've made water breaks mandatory here, not suggestions like they were before, thank goodness.  My husband often talks about only being allowed a swallow or two during football practice when he was growing up.  It was supposed to toughen a kid up, but in this heat it can be fatal. Even the marching bands, who are standing on the sweltering asphalt of school parking lots, are making sure their members are well hydrated.  Texas has also passed a law limiting full contact during practices and there have been stricter guidelines handed down to deal with concussions.  For that I am very glad.  Even with all that padding and helmets, the brain takes a pounding in football.  All that sloshing around in a skull is not good for a growing mind! 

That's Zane with his dad and his grandpa at the Scorpions soccer game the other night.  My brother took the picture. They had a 'Boys night', except that my brother's kids are teenagers and are contractually obligated to never appear in public with a parent.  My brother was the same way--when he was a teenager, he would always walk about ten feet behind us so nobody knew he was with his family!  Tristan and Tyler missed all the fun.  Scorpions games are fun--and all the profits go to fund Morgan's Wonderland, an amusement park built just for families with special needs children.  How's that for helping out the community while having a good time?

We were at a Burger King, and my son ran right to the playscape.  I would run there, too, if I were a kid.  The BK playscapes are the coolest I've seen so far.  Before Zane is allowed to play, however, I take him over to read the rules they have posted.  Just so there's no question about whether it's okay to use the top of the playscape as a diving board.  The very first rule was "Must be supervised by a happy adult."  I got a little defensive, right there. What the heck is that supposed to mean?  I'm happy.  Who says that I'm not happy? Just because I'm not acting like I've had a lobotomy doesn't mean I'm not happy!  I went to the table in a huff about it, and Larry asked if I wanted a Snickers.  Does anyone else have these Joe Pesci moments?  I thought they would go away, but they seem to be hormonal.  I had a crying jag the other day while driving home, and I have no idea why.

I am nervous about this Thursday. The first person in human resources that I talked to said we would be paid August 15th, which would be wonderful.  Then other new people in my department were told that it wouldn't be until September 15th.  None of us can get a straight answer out of anyone--only that they'll TRY.  There is no TRY in payroll, people!  If we have to wait until September for that paycheck, it will absolutely suck.  My check is the one that goes for all the bills, like the mortgage. My husband's check pays for the rest, like eating, and the odd movie night.  I can afford to miss a few meals, I am not sure that my son could get by without eating.    I'm trying to take it on faith that everything will be all right, but that is something I always struggle to do!

We seem to have acquired a pit bull. He's very definitely a boy, a brindle color.  Either somebody dumped the poor thing(pets are not trash!) or he is lost.  He has decided that the bushes in the front yard are a perfect hideout.  He's skittish around people, but he seems friendly and he doesn't have any scarring or missing parts that would indicate he's a fighter.  Since it's been so hot, we've put water out for him, and I gave him some of Maisy's food.  It's puppy food, but it's all we got.  Hopefully Larry can get him into the car while I am at work, so he can take him to the local animal shelter.  I like all dogs, but we already have Maisy.  We can't afford two large dogs.  But I think it is kind of hilarious that I have a dog living in the bushes in the front yard, and a feral cat living in the bushes in the back yard.  Maybe I should just starting renting out the bushes?


Go visit Stacy's place--she is moving but she'll appreciate the company!



And maybe you might want to visit Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday, although they don't seem to be doing very much talking these days. Meh, it is still summer for some people, and that means taking time off from blogging.  Don't hold it against them too much, because we've all had the doldrums before.  Just think happy thoughts and have a margarita, if it suits you to do so! 

Special Needs Parents: Morgan's Wonderland is for You!

I am a little obsessive about things being accessible. I can't help it. It's my belief that there is no good reason that places can't be accessible to everyone so that they can independently participate in life to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, lots of fun places for kids are not easily accessible for ALL kids. Which ticks me off; just because a person is in a wheelchair doesn't mean that they don't want to independently play and have fun and just BE. I understand that it is expensive to make doors wider and put handlebars on everything. Businesses are all about the bottom line, and no matter how wrong it is, that's just the way it is.

Here in San Antonio, however, is Morgan's Wonderland. This is, as far as I know, the only truly inclusive amusement park in the country. Gordon Hartman, whom I have never met but seems to be an awesome person, built this park in honor of his daughter Morgan.



I got a chance to explore the park before it was open, and I was blown away. And not just about this awesome sculpture in the front. As I walked around Morgan's Wonderland, all I could think about is how great this place would be for families who have members with special needs.

There are so many things that people without handicaps take for granted. How many people who are wheelchair-bound get to ride a carousel, for instance? Wheelchairs are often bulky and difficult to maneuver for most people. Even if they have a desire to ride on the merry-go-round, there may not be a way for them to get ON the ride independently. This place has a carousel that is accessible to all. An entire family can ride this together.

Morgan's Wonderland has swings for all sorts of sizes and disabilities. They have a Sensory Village, and a lake where kids can shoot a water cannon. There's several playgrounds that are accessible to all; siblings can play together. There is a train that goes around the lake, which I know my son would absolutely love. I did not get to see everything, but what I did see I loved.

Why am I talking about this? How many families with children who have special needs get to go on vacations? How many of those vacations are limited by activities which are not accessible by the entire family? Usually someone has to stay with one child while the other child gets to ride the rides. Wouldn't it be nice to go somewhere that everyone could stay together for the entire day if they wanted?

This is a place that offers that opportunity. Come visit!