tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87742143436390585192024-02-07T20:23:42.867-08:00AutismWonderlandAutismWonderland chronicled our family journey through the first few years after an autism diagnosis. We have decided to move on and start Atypical Familia - 2 Typical Parents Raising 1 Extraordinary Kid - www.atypicalfamilia.com - we hope you continue to follow our journey there. AutismWonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264928687181454025noreply@blogger.comBlogger637125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-30177637764835813942014-03-03T02:53:00.004-08:002014-06-26T12:52:20.197-07:00It Is Time To Move On {Atypical Familia}<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #073763;">Note</b><span style="color: #073763;">: </span><u><span style="color: #073763;">This will be my very last blog post here. I will now be blogging at</span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="http://www.atypicalfamilia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;"></span><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Atypical Familia</span></b></a></u></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three years ago, I started AutismWonderland as a class assignment. Before I knew blogging was a real thing. I didn't know about SEO, HTML or Hashtags. I thought Twitter was pointless. And it was way before my first Pin or Instagram.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started AutismWonderland on a whim. I thought it would be the thing to get me an easy A. And it did. But when the class was over, I realized I wanted to keep going. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And my life has changed because of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I started this blog in 2010. I had suffered a miscarriage. I was working full-time. I was in graduate school part-time. The Husband (Joseph) had retired from one job and starting a new career in law enforcement. And it was The Boy's (Norrin) last year of pre-school. </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We were in the midst of the Turning 5 process. I was touring and applying to schools and studying special education law in case I needed to file for an impartial hearing and sue the Department of Education. (Which I did. Twice. Without a lawyer.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I truly felt like Alice and I had fallen down this rabbit hole, desperately trying to claw my way out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last September I was interviewed for NY Metro Parents. And I was asked if I still felt like Alice. </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The question caught me off guard. It forced me to think about our life and my blog. And I've been contemplating them both ever since. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blogging has helped me cope with my depression and the loneliness I felt after Norrin's diagnosis. Writing about my miscarriage helped me heal. I've met people on line who have inspired me. I built an online community who guided me through the maze of special education. </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I am extremely grateful for the love, strength and support blogging and this community has given me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I don't feel like Alice anymore. I am quite comfortable in our world. And I don't consider it to be separate from anyone else's. Different, maybe. But not separate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's the reason why I've had trouble writing or sharing here lately because I felt like it was forced.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a family, we've settled into our lives. Norrin is in a good place. There's no longer a Dept of Ed threat. (Hope it stays that way.) He has made astounding progress. He's getting everything he needs. And that is the only thing that matters.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was rereading Norrin's original evaluation report. And I saw something that bothered me when I first read it. A psychologist wrote:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Both parents are committed...The family strength is their concern and caring nature. Their weakness is that they do not, as yet, understand the nature of Norrin's developmental delays. </i></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the time, I didn't understand what the psychologist meant. Nearly six years later, I do. (That's for a whole other post...look for it.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I won't lie. Autism is a big part of our life. But our lives go beyond autism. Does that make sense?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so...it is time to move on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My new blog is called <a href="http://www.atypicalfamilia.com/" target="_blank"><i>Atypical Familia</i></a>. I hope you follow our family journey there. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaMvB-OxuwJSREynqct5mKqd_abEx9ZXeyE0-jDP2z0NwACublplK5Ndw31nuHF98OYqBf0Yl7qDHCE-LX5oJqMSzbURO33LmtW6mfSAgYMkoLc98qWkYWf1K2sma9fbozhVHyiFaA0pz/s1600/ATF+Logo+with+Tagline+FB+Cover+.png" height="125" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.atypicalfamilia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>http://www.atypicalfamilia.com</b></span></a></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-77130467721184749522014-02-18T09:40:00.002-08:002014-02-18T12:21:08.568-08:00Survey Says! {7 Question Survey} <span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a big announcement to make in the coming weeks! It's been a long time coming and I can't wait to share.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But before I do, I'd love to hear from you! I created this super quick survey - only 7 questions. Thank you so much! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3vkKqs-Wv6LNINFH013N2N0psvQGNrAMGBtsH7KU_bIpjO_aysn_qgvt6w9bQugmaYHNoPbNMQoRQVPK7CnotlyfODYbIrYLEhc-TCneN6PW9cyhBakrFSFTVGAKWIj-RQJcTrj0zSll/s1600/2014+AutismWonderland+Survey+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3vkKqs-Wv6LNINFH013N2N0psvQGNrAMGBtsH7KU_bIpjO_aysn_qgvt6w9bQugmaYHNoPbNMQoRQVPK7CnotlyfODYbIrYLEhc-TCneN6PW9cyhBakrFSFTVGAKWIj-RQJcTrj0zSll/s1600/2014+AutismWonderland+Survey+.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div id="surveyMonkeyInfo"><div><script src="https://www.surveymonkey.com/jsEmbed.aspx?sm=jHGrPpcte_2bGKXOGh85SA9Q_3d_3d"> </script></div>Create your free online surveys with <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com">SurveyMonkey</a> , the world's leading questionnaire tool.</div>Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-2056841550310416852014-02-14T12:02:00.002-08:002014-02-14T12:02:23.566-08:00#ValentinesDay Love Notes {in Pictures}<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's another Valentine's Day and it's a day of loved and mixed emotions. At least for me. It's a day to remember loved ones...<a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/02/who-will-you-remember-this-valentines.html" target="_blank">especially the ones that are no longer with us</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We don't really celebrate Valentine's - we remember our love in the day to day things. It's the little moments in our marriage that make us work. Marriage is hard and ours isn't easy. But after ten years of marriage we can still laugh... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/j-n-HHIh7D/embed/" width="512"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uKN3hW8zDjTIGlhFMnXNnqnCfDE4RYHHiw0jz2zYvB927LJHUUJrbs_PaJcIvxGhIp8hjXSpcOHJWYHsHb8MWdxcvobaF2VEPrP185-Yxe0Uab8ox2CBqcVAsOT7Ote2KkXBgSNMcI7V/s1600/Star+Wars+Love+Notes+for+Valentines+Day+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uKN3hW8zDjTIGlhFMnXNnqnCfDE4RYHHiw0jz2zYvB927LJHUUJrbs_PaJcIvxGhIp8hjXSpcOHJWYHsHb8MWdxcvobaF2VEPrP185-Yxe0Uab8ox2CBqcVAsOT7Ote2KkXBgSNMcI7V/s1600/Star+Wars+Love+Notes+for+Valentines+Day+.jpg" height="640" width="508" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/kZ9z40oh57/embed/" width="512"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I think The Husband and I make a cute couple but Miss Piggy and Kermit? Their love is the kind of thing that movies are made of. Oh. Wait.... </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DpIbBUAXm9WxhFXagOFGeCBtPY18frtgF9K2D1od5hcgO47JAt-nqQDcL_FvMNyDyxPuFrU3Rvqd1WMLY8GQKk-knZu-9JsjiBaNgO6JtpjnJtNpJIYR8NSOMryHHtvL0H7hvdW_kEHb/s1600/image007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DpIbBUAXm9WxhFXagOFGeCBtPY18frtgF9K2D1od5hcgO47JAt-nqQDcL_FvMNyDyxPuFrU3Rvqd1WMLY8GQKk-knZu-9JsjiBaNgO6JtpjnJtNpJIYR8NSOMryHHtvL0H7hvdW_kEHb/s1600/image007.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S_Gar0rpZXg" width="560"></iframe></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-91300404985785663212014-02-11T11:22:00.002-08:002014-02-11T11:26:10.573-08:00Club Penguin and Online Safety #ItStartsWithYou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuFd8djm4jII50r1Csh25U6qNVVERoglbs61xX4zcmZjbmhn7sbqKOviFNXokco2idZ9gBK52aHNiJtW23L3xH9F0UFCOYQWe0A8j07XM7G3zjku25Getly3UMpT4uoywupEn-4VfIqVr/s1600/cp-safety-key-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuFd8djm4jII50r1Csh25U6qNVVERoglbs61xX4zcmZjbmhn7sbqKOviFNXokco2idZ9gBK52aHNiJtW23L3xH9F0UFCOYQWe0A8j07XM7G3zjku25Getly3UMpT4uoywupEn-4VfIqVr/s1600/cp-safety-key-image.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week I was invited to the 1st ever Club Penguin Safety Summit. Club Penguin is the #1 Virtual World for Kids. Chris Heatherly, VP of Club Penguin, described the virtual world as "the largest playground for kids." With over 200 million penguins, in 90 countries and 6 languages, Club Penguin is the first "social media experience" for kids. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only is Club Penguin a fun place for kids, it's dedicated to keeping them safe. Club Penguin goes through great lengths to keep the space bully free for kids. With over 200 moderators (in 4 locations and 6 languages) and specialized technology filters, Club Penguin has multiple layers of safety features.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the Safety Summit, I learned how rude and inappropriate language is banned. And I was impressed by the complexity of the filters. For example, a player can say "I'm going to the beach" but <i>cannot </i>say "You're such a beach." Players can chat, however, they are unable to share personal information such as email or phone numbers. The moderators also know to look for signs of online predators within the space. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As parents we worry about our kids. We want to keep them safe on the playground and online. In another effort to continue and promote online safety, Club Penguin has launched the "It Starts With You" campaign. </span><br />
<b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"The question is no longer whether kids should be online, but how to prepare them for a social online world,’ </b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">said Heatherly.</span><b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>'It Starts with You!' is about empowering kids and their parents with the information they need to play an active and educated role in online safety.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">T</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">he ‘<b>It Starts with You!</b>’ online safety campaign will include:</span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<li>A branded campaign on Disney Channel and Disney’s online networks featuring a safety PSA starring G Hannelius from Disney Channel’s “Dog With A Blog,” the hit comedy series for kids and families.</li>
<li><b>An online safety resource center (<a href="http://clubpenguin.com/safety">http://clubpenguin.com/safety</a>) to help kids and parents learn the latest in online safety and empower them to be good digital citizens. </b>The resource center will offer:</li>
<ul>
<li>Multilingual safety tips for kids about how to protect their information online and be respectful to others</li>
<li>Multilingual online safety information and news for parents</li>
<li>Printable activity sheets to help kids be thoughtful digital citizens</li>
<li>Online safety PSA starring G Hannelius</li>
<li><b>Printable safety pledge for families to take together that encourages communication about online usage and rules.</b></li>
</ul>
<li>Within the world of Club Penguin, an in-game quiz to test players’ knowledge about online safety. Players that successfully complete the quiz will earn an exclusive virtual item for their penguin avatar. </li>
</span></ul>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpKucnKuYn5LQO7H9jEUxSJ_6xmTMkL-8zgI_u2-htELHB8G_NUr1ls3CnU5F8mTb5j6TL0alHKFlENiTNGL9VLCHfTIyFp6VSI-uIhkfJFgRx9hKPxRtNGy9Y-7k1tov_MIu-gNmzsDQ/s1600/onlinesafetypledge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpKucnKuYn5LQO7H9jEUxSJ_6xmTMkL-8zgI_u2-htELHB8G_NUr1ls3CnU5F8mTb5j6TL0alHKFlENiTNGL9VLCHfTIyFp6VSI-uIhkfJFgRx9hKPxRtNGy9Y-7k1tov_MIu-gNmzsDQ/s1600/onlinesafetypledge.png" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is Safer Internet Day, the purpose is to "to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world."</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Raising a child with autism, bullying is a matter that concerns me. Kids with autism are easy targets and more likely to be bullied. However in recent years, bullying is not only a school yard/playground threat, "<a href="http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/school-bullying-statistics.html" target="_blank">cyberbullying has become one of the most prevalent types of bullying that occurs between teens. </a>About 80 percent of all high school students have encountered being bullied in some fashion online." </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2013/07/31/autism/how-video-games-have-helped-my-son-with-autism/" target="_blank">I've written about the benefits of video games and kids with special needs. I have seen how it's helped my son. And I'm all for using technology to teach social skills</a>. O</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ne day, my son may want to engage in social media. I want him to have the freedom to do so but I want to make sure he is safe. And it's reassuring to know that w</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ithin Club Penguin, he will be.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: I was invited to the Club Penguin Safety Summit. No monetary compensation was received, all opinions are my own.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>images via </i>Disney Interactive </span></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-5466421641517837892014-02-09T06:38:00.000-08:002014-02-09T06:49:18.187-08:00Baked Apple Turnovers {made with Splenda} | #Moms4JNJConsumer #AD<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last month I was excited to kick off 2014 with <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2014/01/stock-up-on-healthy-essentials.html" target="_blank">a little box of goodies from The Motherhood and information on how you can save on Johnson & Johnson Healthy Essentials</a>. And I'm happy to say that the savings on Healthy Essentials are continuing through February. Right in time for Valentine's Day!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year Valentine's falls on a Friday. Being special needs parents, child care is limited and date nights are rare. We don't really go crazy celebrating. But I try to do a little something to sweeten the day. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Since we both work on Friday and I don't typically make breakfast, I thought I'd treat The Husband with a heartwarming breakfast treat to enjoy with his coffee. When I found </span><a href="http://recipes.splenda.com/recipes/1397252-Baked-Apple-Turnovers" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>this recipe for Baked Apple Turnovers made with Splenda</b></span></a><span style="color: #0c343d;">, I knew it would be perfect.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Splenda is a No Calorie Sweetener and can be used almost anywhere sugar is used, including cooking and baking. It measures cup-for-cup like sugar, but contains 678 calories less than sugar on a cup-for-cup basis. One teaspoon of Splenda contains the sweetness equivalency of one teaspoon of sugar with no calories or carbohydrates. </span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhhl7timXZS57cH8Aj5roT5BwzY9gLSf4djXACQbx8OVTs9UWmm1hVVz54V8ZFTz7mAsdJJT7fHQ7PebLuBH4LFuQ4V7TMua2vHoq1X4vTV-RvJe8CHu07pDSeJBEoI5Ej_sBETJZVlgu/s1600/Easy+Baked+Apple+Turnovers++AutismWonderland.com+by+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhhl7timXZS57cH8Aj5roT5BwzY9gLSf4djXACQbx8OVTs9UWmm1hVVz54V8ZFTz7mAsdJJT7fHQ7PebLuBH4LFuQ4V7TMua2vHoq1X4vTV-RvJe8CHu07pDSeJBEoI5Ej_sBETJZVlgu/s1600/Easy+Baked+Apple+Turnovers++AutismWonderland.com+by+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.png" height="400" title="Baked Apple Turnovers AutismWonderland by Lisa Quinones-Fontanez" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I'm not much of a baker and my cooking skills are just okay. But I found this recipe easy and quick. And I had all the ingredients in my kitchen (with the exception of the refrigerated pie crust). Since it's Valentine's, I thought it would be fun to use heart shaped cookie cutters. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't they look great? I'm feeling pretty proud of myself considering this was my first time making these. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN9g9UeoO9iShh5PhTvHHHjFOUEYE83fpzz0J1ltpp6o_1v5VTOMaTyw5lk-fJhUd1MDhFJrtpXWIoIM922I6Hb4VNpmh4OGjwUmKxaFQzhVII6IqDzv9kjrvTnXG2vN6FQAH_y7Zd8r7/s1600/Baked+Apple+Turnover++Autismwonderland+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN9g9UeoO9iShh5PhTvHHHjFOUEYE83fpzz0J1ltpp6o_1v5VTOMaTyw5lk-fJhUd1MDhFJrtpXWIoIM922I6Hb4VNpmh4OGjwUmKxaFQzhVII6IqDzv9kjrvTnXG2vN6FQAH_y7Zd8r7/s1600/Baked+Apple+Turnover++Autismwonderland+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.png" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baked Apple Turnovers not your thing, how about delicious Raspberry Heart Cookies (made with Splenda) that taste as good as they look? You can check out the recipe <a href="http:/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How You Can Save</b>: </span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can get significant savings by visiting the <a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=motherhood-bloggers&utm_campaign=motherhood">HEALTHY ESSENTIALS website</a> in February and signing up for extra-sweet HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® coupons and offers. As you prepare for a special Valentine’s Day, these HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® products and tips can help you be healthy and happy for the ones you love. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get a printable coupon for $1 off any SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener product at at <a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/printable-coupons?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=k-y.com&utm_content=footer&utm_campaign=jnj-brand-sites">HealthyEssentials.com</a>. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To sweeten the savings, you could get a free 30 minute nutrition consultation with a Registered Dietitian when you buy $10 of SPLENDA® Sweetener Products between now and February 17, 2014 – up to $75 value! More details on this special offer at </span><a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=motherhood-bloggers&utm_campaign=motherhood" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HealthyEssentials.com.</a></blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-55151402541528392342014-02-02T07:47:00.001-08:002014-02-07T16:09:21.444-08:00#EverythingIsAwesome about The LEGO Movie <div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: I was provided with passes to The LEGO Movie screening. All opinions are my own. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLruV7p-tPAyHA-qrJMVvIfiV0fqFhK9Pu0FPGG3ELBXVnmkIj9eHSNVqO5FM9th4Rip9zpnYcgtUESicRknI2mwnTVVwNQrbFY0Kw3sArA62ociXON8JUsTTiqG151l7ja0sjvYm1GbHA/s1600/The+LEGO+Movie+review+by+AutismWonderland+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLruV7p-tPAyHA-qrJMVvIfiV0fqFhK9Pu0FPGG3ELBXVnmkIj9eHSNVqO5FM9th4Rip9zpnYcgtUESicRknI2mwnTVVwNQrbFY0Kw3sArA62ociXON8JUsTTiqG151l7ja0sjvYm1GbHA/s1600/The+LEGO+Movie+review+by+AutismWonderland+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we first saw the preview for The LEGO Movie, The Boy said "I want to see that in the movie theater." Which was a really big deal for because we really go to the movies, and The Boy rarely expresses what he wants to see in theaters.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going to the movies used to be a huge challenge for us. Over this last year, The Boy has gotten better and <a href="http://www.babble.com/kid/10-tips-to-taking-your-special-needs-child-to-the-movies/" target="_blank">we've learned how to prepare</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So The LEGO Movie. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are HUGE LEGO fans. And it was so cool to see our favorite Lego characters (and new ones) and scenes come to life. Fun and action packed, The LEGO Movie is a perfect family film as it appeals to kids and adults. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What The Husband Loved</i>: The Husband is a fan of Ray Harry Hausen and Rankin and Bass, The LEGO Movie was nostalgic of the Stop Motion features he grew up watching.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What The Boy Loved</i>: The Boy loved all the fast-paced, action sequences. Some of the talking went over his head and he didn't get all of the humor. But he liked watching it. He did get antsy at point and I knew to take him out and walk him around. (This also caused me to miss what The Husband called "The best part of the movie…" ***spoiler alert*** it involved Lando Calrissian.</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What I Loved</i>: The LEGO Movie goes beyond being a fun film, it's a movie with a message and for me that was the real appeal. It also surprised me. There was a twist toward the end that I never saw coming which just made the movie all the more special. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether you're a lover of LEGO or not, The LEGO movie will dare you to live your life more creatively. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.thelegomovie.com/index.php" target="_blank">The LEGO Movie</a> opens in theaters on February 7th. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On <u>February 15 at 10 am</u>, there will be a Sensory Friendly Viewing of The LEGO Movie - for more details visit: </span><a href="https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films </b></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/fZ_JOBCLF-I?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/fZ_JOBCLF-I?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With The Boy waiting for The LEGO Movie to begin!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/j4PdECoh5U/embed/" width="512"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: I was provided with passes to The LEGO Movie screening. All opinions are my own. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-17819440074912662312014-01-31T09:11:00.002-08:002014-01-31T11:37:09.479-08:00TGIF | Friday Fragments {Ugly Crying & Challenges}<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">I am a HUGE <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> Fan. If you've never seen an episode of <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> or if you used to watch but got bored waiting for Ted to meet the "Mother" - Monday night's 200th episode was one of THE BEST of the entire series and one you should watch. Truly worth the wait, because they nailed it. And by the time we got to the First Song, I was ugly crying. You may want to grab some tissues before watching. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6eHX7N2KmuI" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this week I tweeted a comedian who used "autistic" to make fun of someone's dancing. You will NEVER believe the response I got! You can read all about it, <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2014/01/thank-you-tyler-gildin-comedian.html" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been participating in the<b> <a href="http://www.vivalafeminista.com/2013/12/365feministselfie-are-you-in.html" target="_blank">#365FeministSelfie</a> </b>Challenge created by Veronica of Viva La Feminista. I love seeing what other women are sharing across social media. Don't feel pressured to do it every day - I certainly don't. Below is the Instagram picture that I shared on Monday morning while on my way to work. But my pictures throughout the week tell a different story and by today...my #365FeministSelfie is looking a wee bit different. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/jrH84WIh-5/embed/" width="512"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And speaking of challenges...It's about time I start challenging myself. I gained a lot of weight in 2013 and I really need to get it under control. I began 2014 tipping the scale at 175lbs. I need to get motivated. I need to get back in the gym and working out at home and eating better. So starting tomorrow February 1st (ending March 2nd) I'm doing the <a href="http://www.athleta.net/2014/01/30/30-day-squat-challenge/#.UuvM7x3PU2A.facebook" target="_blank">Athleta 30 Day Squat Challenge</a>. Will you join me? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeTWZPhofJ1Q-PUB1zeBJXYpzm82aJDldhP-2aQoiTJnmYJlfVmihQ89ivoCfk_2I7h29sEjRbCWq7-ds9G_4ES1-hZkyeieQflz301nG8r_0etc9YGek43zpWOuvaDiMyIYdq31RD9yp/s1600/Squat-Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeTWZPhofJ1Q-PUB1zeBJXYpzm82aJDldhP-2aQoiTJnmYJlfVmihQ89ivoCfk_2I7h29sEjRbCWq7-ds9G_4ES1-hZkyeieQflz301nG8r_0etc9YGek43zpWOuvaDiMyIYdq31RD9yp/s1600/Squat-Challenge.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-weight: bold;">TGI</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>F</b><i>riday Fragments</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;">!</span><b style="color: #0c343d;"> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/p/friday-fragments.html" target="_blank" title="Half-Past Kissin' Time"><img alt="Half-Past Kissin' Time" src="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w323/CarbaraB/Blog%20Graphics/8208e380-8d78-46f6-9fee-b1f11c0a510c_zpsab991844.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-28001440652972004272014-01-27T18:11:00.001-08:002014-01-28T06:30:03.990-08:00Thank You Tyler Gildin {Comedian Apologies for using "Autistic" as a Joke}<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning, I quickly scrolled through my FB feed and saw a link to <a href="http://elitedaily.com/humor/awkward-dance-moments-grammys/" target="_blank">The Most Awkward Dance Moments of The 2014 Grammy Awards</a>. I didn't watch the Grammy's so I was interested in seeing some of the write ups. And Tyler Gildin's article was pretty hilarious. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I saw the caption: <i>Autistic Bear Bounce</i>. And I stopped laughing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because the singer's (I'm old and have no idea who the woman is) dance movements looked like The Boy's stim - eyes half closed, arms moving up and down stiffly. And it pained me. The Boy cannot help his stim. He does it when he's excited or frustrated or scared. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And lately, The Boy's been interested in dancing. He's always talking about having a "dance party." His dancing, is usually just jumping up and down or moving stiffly from side to side. Dancing doesn't come naturally to him. It's only in the last year that he's acquired the motor planning to dress himself. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took the joke of "Autistic Bear Bounce"personally. I couldn't just let it go. So I left a comment. And then I sent Tyler Gildin a tweet.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And you know what happened? He not only changed the caption but he apologized. </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LaliQuin">@LaliQuin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EliteDaily">@EliteDaily</a> apologize. We changed it immediately. Did not mean to offend. Truthfully sorry.<br />
— Tyler Gildin (@TylerGildin) <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerGildin/statuses/427852917136035840">January 27, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tyler Gildin could have been a jerk (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=421745571227858&set=pb.104967919572293.-2207520000.1390871584.&type=3&theater" target="_blank"><i>ahem</i>, DL Hughley</a>). Gildin could have easily turned against me on Twitter and made me a target of his ridicule. And he didn't have to change his article. But he did. And I appreciate it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Someone replied to my comment, saying I should "chill out." But I just can't chill when it comes to autism or any other special need being the punchline to a joke. It's not okay to make fun of autism. Ever. <a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2013/07/24/autism/will-autistic-replace-the-r-word/" target="_blank">I have written about use of the 'r-word' and I worry that autism will soon replace it as a derogatory term.</a> </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't want to be the word police. But people must be held accountable. People need to understand why their words matter. I hope Gildin understands the power and impact of his words. And I hope that he'll think before using autism as the punchline. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I think of how hard The Boy has worked to do all the things that come so easily for other kids like point his finger, wave, jump or speak. I am so proud and <a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2012/04/23/autism/the-milestones-that-keep-you-going-when-you-have-a-kid-with-autism/">I cherish every one of those milestones (they are often the things that keep me going</a>). It’s incredibly painful when people use autism as a term of ridicule. </span><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
</blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Boy is growing up. One day, he may like a girl or want to play basketball with the neighborhood kids or apply for a job. I don't want to think about him being left out or made fun of because he's different. All I want is for him to be given a chance and to be understood.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm just one mom. I can't change the world. But today, I changed one person's mind. And it's a small victory. </span></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-41677049658235646382014-01-24T17:18:00.000-08:002014-01-31T08:44:58.573-08:00TGIF | Friday Fragments <div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night I made the mistake of staying up late to watch a movie and went to bed after midnight. By 3am, I was woken up by The Boy. I heard the pitter patter of his flat feet hitting the parquet floors and a door slam. I jumped out of bed and into The Boy's room and saw his blanket was missing. I felt his sheet. It was wet. We started nighttime potty training.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Where's your blanket?" I asked The Boy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I put it in the laundry," The Boy replied. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He actually put the blanket in the dryer. And he never went back to sleep. Which meant, I never went back to sleep. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I checked my bank account and saw $30 spent on Apple iTunes. The Boy figured out the passcode and ordered $30 in Apps. YAY! for typical age appropriate sneaky kid behavior. BOO! for $30 in Apps that he'll probably serve no purpose. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Boy turned eight years old last Sunday. Eight! That's two years away from ten. And five years from being a teen… Okay, I'll stop now. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like most moms, I reflect and wonder where the time went. I wish I could will time to stand still. And I think about his future. Thinking about his future usually keeps me up at night. The Boy's birthday is celebrated but it brings about such <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2014/01/you-would-have-been-three.html" target="_blank">complex emotions</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And last Friday night I was given a makeover. I don't get gussied up often, but when I do I need a team to make it happen. More details on that next week. </span></div>
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/jS0uCvIh4s/embed/" width="512"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-weight: bold;">TGI</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>F</b><i>riday Fragments</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;">!</span><b style="color: #0c343d;"> </b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/p/friday-fragments.html" target="_blank" title="Half-Past Kissin' Time"><img alt="Half-Past Kissin' Time" src="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w323/CarbaraB/Blog%20Graphics/8208e380-8d78-46f6-9fee-b1f11c0a510c_zpsab991844.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-6116220411286275632014-01-19T07:32:00.001-08:002014-01-23T07:01:20.666-08:00AW Sunday Review | 7 Steps to Nighttime Dryness<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><em style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of <u>Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness</u> and a Dry-Me Enuresis Alarm for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><em style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have not been influenced in any way.</em></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xGsTvB7-M0DZWBKkGzv4SH4bFh4ysafIm8-w-1YfpjBJ0HR08ESPHfwAX7a9oGaLbtyYIn4XylnBz5q5B2c0hjSZF2Bx3hApbCONS5InefQtwGSEx2n_glRsSC1C-znRi-y8saMUyi-6/s1600/SevenSteps-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xGsTvB7-M0DZWBKkGzv4SH4bFh4ysafIm8-w-1YfpjBJ0HR08ESPHfwAX7a9oGaLbtyYIn4XylnBz5q5B2c0hjSZF2Bx3hApbCONS5InefQtwGSEx2n_glRsSC1C-znRi-y8saMUyi-6/s1600/SevenSteps-new.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Boy will be eight years old tomorrow and he still wears a pull up at night. It took us a few <i>years</i> for him to be fully potty trained during the day</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. I've been holding off night time potty training.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was approached by Renee Mercer, MSN, CPNP, the author of <b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.dryatnight.com/" target="_blank">Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness</a> </b>to review a copy of her book and to try the Dry Me Enuresis Alarm - I immediately said yes.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just finished reading through the book and I think I'm really ready to start. Commitment and consistency are critical during daytime potty training and even more so for nighttime.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I like about the <i>Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness</i> is that it helps explain bedwetting and possible factors (including constipation). </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The book also breaks down the different alarms so that you may pick the one that's best for your child. There's also a weekly progress chart to help keep track. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While the "7 Steps" is written for "typical" kids, Mercer has a section that goes "Beyond Seven Steps" which addresses special cases including kids with special needs. Mercer assures that if a child has maintained dryness during the day that nighttime dryness is a strong possibility. She goes on to say that: <b>If you have a child with special needs, it is important to understand your goal</b>. And then proceeds to explain various options. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My goal is to get The Boy to wake up to use the bathroom during the night. And the Seven Steps to Nighttime Dryness has given me the tools and motivation to start the process.</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the next few weeks, I'll share how we're preparing and our progress with the Dry-Me alarm. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're considering daytime potty training your child, check out my Parents posts: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2013/04/24/autism/potty-training-your-kid-with-autism/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Potty Training Your Autistic Child</a><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2014/01/22/autism/nighttime-potty-training-your-autistic-child/" target="_blank">Nighttime Potty Training Your Autistic Child</a> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/hHTcJDIh_K/embed/" width="512"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><em style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of <u>7 Steps to Nighttime Dryness</u> and a Dry-Me Enuresis Alarm for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><em style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have not been influenced in any way.</em></span>Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-42820628717443165362014-01-15T18:16:00.001-08:002014-01-15T18:29:37.440-08:00You Would Have Been Three <span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The May I found out I was pregnant for the second time, I was happy. It was the right time. We were ready. The due date was January 20th - The Boy's birthday.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
That August - in my 16th week - I had a <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/08/theres-no-getting-over-it.html" target="_blank">missed miscarriage</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_q-ebtnaVUXCcD3ORz8NFqnMsITcMhe8Bu1t4Ur6oeGYtsT4sSTkcfGz2-vrOk5EMjxRSQ7IQgE1FROM4AfnQA2_9Zixfk6AqTVA4ccwWyt2Kxckf4t21QlA1_0R46lFCgPJZ2Vg7sMX/s1600/Quote+on+Miscarriage++AutismWonderland++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_q-ebtnaVUXCcD3ORz8NFqnMsITcMhe8Bu1t4Ur6oeGYtsT4sSTkcfGz2-vrOk5EMjxRSQ7IQgE1FROM4AfnQA2_9Zixfk6AqTVA4ccwWyt2Kxckf4t21QlA1_0R46lFCgPJZ2Vg7sMX/s1600/Quote+on+Miscarriage++AutismWonderland++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is an open letter to my baby in heaven: </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't even know if you were a boy or a girl. In my mind, I imagine you as a girl. A little girl with bobbed curls, dimpled cheeks and bright eyes. You are the little sister, Norrin asks for. I would have named you Leia. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You would have been three years old. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is not a day that passes that I do not think of you. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the days in August and January are the ones that make my heart ache the most. </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/08/theres-no-getting-over-it.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">August is when I lost you and I mourn for </span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my</i></a><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/08/theres-no-getting-over-it.html" target="_blank"> loss</a>. And January, I mourn for </span><i style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you</i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and all the things you could have been. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I shop and prepare for Norrin's 8th birthday. I think of you. And I have to stop to catch my breath and blink my tears away. I think about how fun three can be. And what party theme you would have wanted. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think about how unfair my grief is to Norrin. It's hard to celebrate another year of life, when I am reminded of loss. When he sees me crying, he sits besides me and asks if I've been watching a sad movie. And I envy his innocence. He is unaware I am crying for you. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the 20th, I hold my tears in. It is Norrin's day and I celebrate him. When we light his candles, I think about all the progress he's made over the course of the year. And when he blows out the candles, I make a wish for Norrin and say a prayer for you. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I was pregnant, <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/08/some-things-are-worth-risk.html" target="_blank">people asked me if I was scared of having another child with autism</a>. But this week as I think of you at three years old. I don't think of autism or special education or more therapists in our home. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All I think about is how much joy you would have brought us. I think about how I would have loved tucking you in and reading you bedtime stories. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think about what an awesome big brother Norrin would have made. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think about how wonderful it would have been for Norrin to have a sibling, to have someone else in this world, someone he could depend on after I am gone. I think about all the memories and milestones we have been denied.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think how much I would have loved to hold you, even if just once.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://thingsicantsay.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pouryourheart1.png" /></a><br />
<br />Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-61084105716202104802014-01-15T07:56:00.001-08:002014-01-15T07:57:05.222-08:00Life is Like a Bicycle | #WordlessWednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gkHwN32l0QGnzBMPfOVG2fEr29sUqDdgi3kWBRJoxnBq-bMrMUq-kgcgaDkeFH4QyG7AsmjP_q4l2KgaGehkGTs7W74_4rm1wETo-sw8b5TOh0jiU1JoZfkimwvlrt0bNJBehpzj8m_a/s1600/Life+is+Like+a+Bicycle++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gkHwN32l0QGnzBMPfOVG2fEr29sUqDdgi3kWBRJoxnBq-bMrMUq-kgcgaDkeFH4QyG7AsmjP_q4l2KgaGehkGTs7W74_4rm1wETo-sw8b5TOh0jiU1JoZfkimwvlrt0bNJBehpzj8m_a/s400/Life+is+Like+a+Bicycle++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-21244008623279805432014-01-12T17:00:00.001-08:002014-01-13T07:40:38.873-08:00Stock Up On Healthy Essentials | #Moms4JNJConsumer #ad<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>41</o:Words>
<o:Characters>237</o:Characters>
<o:Company>AutismWonderland</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>277</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer</span><span style="font-family: Times;">: </span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWi6jdTpOCtT8tAd55AUw88S186Z4JElnF7eSrujp2kNJ7_yuVaDXcgoNoTKyCK4v9hBYNDJL9zOK4qQC4cNxToabCLgrgFJjySqWs7Lz6zoHEH-y8RNZrIH5o5VoKcVX_3NUiPI9NpHp/s1600/Healthy+Essentials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWi6jdTpOCtT8tAd55AUw88S186Z4JElnF7eSrujp2kNJ7_yuVaDXcgoNoTKyCK4v9hBYNDJL9zOK4qQC4cNxToabCLgrgFJjySqWs7Lz6zoHEH-y8RNZrIH5o5VoKcVX_3NUiPI9NpHp/s1600/Healthy+Essentials.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have this little ritual around New Year's. I go into major clean mode. I start organizing, sorting and throwing things away. I like going into the New Year feeling like I have a completely fresh start. One of the areas I spent a lot of time was my linen closet. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My linen closet - by the way - has no linen. It's pretty much a storage space for towels, toiletries, first aid necessities and other healthy essentials. I toss anything that's expired and if it doesn't have an expiration date - if I can't remember when I bought it, then it goes too. Then I take stock of what I have and what I need. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turned out, I <i>needed</i> quite a few things. Luckily I received this beautiful box of Healthy Essentials…</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="510" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/i6to5Zoh2T/embed/" style="text-align: center;" width="412"></iframe><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And it's great to know that there's a way to save on other healthy essentials not found in my box of goodies. Guess what? You can too. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Get Significant Savings from Healthy Essentials this Month</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To help families usher in a healthy New Year, HEALTHY
ESSENTIALS® is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much
more. Here’s the deal:<b> you can save over $45 by visiting <a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/">www.HealthyEssentials.com</a>
in January</b> and signing up for extra-special HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® coupons and
offers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>114</o:Words>
<o:Characters>650</o:Characters>
<o:Company>AutismWonderland</o:Company>
<o:Lines>5</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>763</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now is the perfect time for a fresh start to your healthcare
routine and to create healthy resolutions. From pain & allergy relief to
dietary & digestive health to products for kids & babies, there are
significant savings on items for every member of the family! Visit <a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/">www.HealthyEssentials.com</a>
to sign up!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am excited to join Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies for a Twitter party to talk about HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® for the New Year, resolutions, family wellness and how to score great deals on health and hygiene products! Learn how HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® can help you reach health-related goals for 2014.<br /><br /><u>When</u>: Tuesday, January 14, 1 p.m. ET<br /><br /><u>Hashtag</u>: #Moms4JNJConsumer </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Hosts</u>: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann, @TheMotherhood25 </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><u>Prizes</u>: We will randomly award 15 prizes throughout the party, from all eligible correct responses to trivia questions. Each prize includes an assortment of Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® products with an estimated retail value of $50.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Prize Eligibility</u>: No purchase necessary. Entrants must be legal residents of the 50 United States + D.C. 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Want to go to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil</b>™? Visit HealthyEssentials.com and see if your wish could come true. Plus, get tips and coupons to save on your favorite products for the New Year.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">All you have to do is share a picture or story of a moment of caring in your life and you could scream “GOAL!” from Brazil.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.healthyessentials.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">www.healthyessentials.com</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for more information on this amazing opportunity!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">: </span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.</span></i></div>
</div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-64776400919005637862014-01-11T10:33:00.003-08:002014-01-11T10:33:25.957-08:00Thank You LATINA Magazine | 37 Latina Bloggers You Must Know in 2014 <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ6vPN1iK2B649edySEQe9m5jLb5dMPYf3D4wy-LrYkCpu_4eFpkUjH4elDGC-BsIPgSw8_m7QUoQr9ghQvu3kSDiAfc4AaWhHSM4D4ztSLsGfUvElwpM01aXJ6Q-jivnbrce-rApM4VS/s1600/Latina+Magazine+37+Latina+Bloggers+You+Must+Know+in+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ6vPN1iK2B649edySEQe9m5jLb5dMPYf3D4wy-LrYkCpu_4eFpkUjH4elDGC-BsIPgSw8_m7QUoQr9ghQvu3kSDiAfc4AaWhHSM4D4ztSLsGfUvElwpM01aXJ6Q-jivnbrce-rApM4VS/s1600/Latina+Magazine+37+Latina+Bloggers+You+Must+Know+in+2014.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LATINA | February 2014 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/09/its-my-blogoversary.html" target="_blank">Autismwonderland began as a grad school course assignment</a> in September 2010. When I first started writing only my professor and a handful of friends were reading. I never imagined that an obligatory assignment, my labor of love would have such a powerful impact on my life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first started blogging, I had no idea that there were so many amazing Latina bloggers. And little did I know that many of them would become close friends. Many of my blogging friendships began on line. And over the years, I've had the pleasure to meet them in real life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this week, I squealed out loud when I saw <i>this</i> tweet:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LaliQuin">@LaliQuin</a>: The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Latino&src=hash">#Latino</a> community is blessed to have you! You're one of our bloggers to watch in 2014: <a href="http://t.co/ZIac5VwoSV">http://t.co/ZIac5VwoSV</a><br />
— Latina Magazine (@Latina) <a href="https://twitter.com/Latina/statuses/421352115290636289">January 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be recognized by Latina magazine as 1 of the 37 Latina bloggers to follow in 2014 is such an honor. And I am so especially proud to be among so many talented women…may women I am proud to call amigas. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bWHMai7zUcCZIMCzXYEQnHKbGH-lDGKxdvAx0bTcNCydXXV_37LlDk5pQBRxHIlTDoVE9uDlRX5A2JoEqojNhQ4Gq13oZG-cmQiBa1V8hVLY7KT9eG2yJhhbjXja9VaGh8Or8gngeIdj/s1600/Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+37+Latina+Bloggers+You+Must+Know+in+2014+AutismWonderland+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bWHMai7zUcCZIMCzXYEQnHKbGH-lDGKxdvAx0bTcNCydXXV_37LlDk5pQBRxHIlTDoVE9uDlRX5A2JoEqojNhQ4Gq13oZG-cmQiBa1V8hVLY7KT9eG2yJhhbjXja9VaGh8Or8gngeIdj/s1600/Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+37+Latina+Bloggers+You+Must+Know+in+2014+AutismWonderland+.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
To meet the other fabulous Latina Bloggers visit: <a href="http://www.latina.com/bloggers"><b>http://www.latina.com/bloggers</b></a>Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-19103186686896580362014-01-10T06:59:00.002-08:002014-01-10T07:09:22.532-08:00Max Loses His Only Friend | #Parenthood (Season 5, Episode 12) "Stay a Little Longer" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxCvJBiVWEMH-2qpIlbL5t-VMi8u8bMwF9q6ciEPtkf140WsgJ-hWdOtexnF0gfbSN-jHPqUBeJ0DqkCch6SYx3prPeDnwMY3-LL2XmH93MAs-tYEfax6tuK1JY-bvzncBcLFp66drnG7/s1600/AutismWonderland+recap+on+the+Parenthood+Season+5+episode+Stay+a+Little+Longer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxCvJBiVWEMH-2qpIlbL5t-VMi8u8bMwF9q6ciEPtkf140WsgJ-hWdOtexnF0gfbSN-jHPqUBeJ0DqkCch6SYx3prPeDnwMY3-LL2XmH93MAs-tYEfax6tuK1JY-bvzncBcLFp66drnG7/s1600/AutismWonderland+recap+on+the+Parenthood+Season+5+episode+Stay+a+Little+Longer.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/?par=Parenthood|Video|Sub%20Nav|Main|null|1" target="_blank">Parenthood</a>: Season 5, Episode 12</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stay a Little Longer (Jan 9, 2014)</span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been watching <i>Parenthood </i>since it started. I don't know why I've never written about it before. I love the show. (It also sort of annoys me…but I don't want to get into that now.) </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The show tackles subjects that really hit close to home for me. Last night's episode - rather Max' story line - really moved me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recap:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Adam's confused when Micah ignores Max at school. Micah is still Max's best friend, right? Max says they aren't friends anymore, but refuses to elaborate. Kristina wants to call Micah's parents, but Adam is determined to solve the issue directly with Max. After much probing, Max tells Adam that Micah's obsessed with basketball, which is stupid since he's in a wheelchair and can't play. Wheelchair basketball isn't basketball. Maybe that's what offended Micah... Per Adam's suggestion, Max apologizes to Micah and invites him to a Golden State Warriors game complete with hot dogs and nachos. Too busy with his new friends, Micah says no. Adam's heart breaks; Max has lost his only friend. Kristina and Adam rally, revving Max up for an awesome basketball game with his parents.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I love about Adam and Christina (Max' parents) is how differently they feel when it comes to Max. It's honest and relatable. Over the years, I've seen them grow as a couple and evolve as special needs parents. And yet there is still so much they have yet to learn. I think they believed that because Max and Michah both have disabilities (for lack of a better word) - it would be the ideal friendship. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, Micah's rejection of Max reveals that</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">having a disability doesn't automatically mean you can tolerate or understand someone else's. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adam tells Christina, "<b>Max has lost his only friend at school and kids at school are starting to notice his differences and he's all alone</b>."</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's an experience I can see our family having. Maybe that's why last night's episode hurt my heart so much.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Boy doesn't go to school with typical kids but he is getting older. The Boy will turn eight years old in two weeks. And the older he gets the more obvious his differences become. The Boy does not have the same interests as a 'typical' 8 year old boy. There are times when I wonder if The Boy experiences loneliness. Even if he doesn't, whenever we're at the playground and The Boy is playing alone - <i><u>I feel it for him</u></i>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2012/04/breaking-up-is-hard-to-do.html" target="_blank">Breaking up with a friend is painful</a>. When I walked away from a 20 year friendship it was a difficult decision but I knew it had to be done. And while I missed my friend, I took comfort in the fact that I had other valuable friendships. I could not imagine losing my one and only friend. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I know Max is only a character in a television show, but that rejection is real. It's something so many kids with autism face. And it's damaging. I never want The Boy to go through that. If I could shield him from those experiences forever, I would. But I can't. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Boy doesn't need to be the most popular kid at school. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=402303529838729&set=pb.104967919572293.-2207520000.1389365632.&type=3&theater" target="_blank">All I want is for The Boy to have one kid, at least one person who gets him</a>. <br /><br />While Max has lost his only friend at school, I'm grateful that he has Hank. Because Hank is someone who gets Max.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I hope there's someone like Hank in The Boy's life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And if you have no idea what I'm talking about...check out this </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">clip from last week's <i>Parenthood </i>episode, "Promises." (I was a hot sloppy sobbing mess watching this.)</span><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/widget/widget.html?vid=n44682" width="560"></iframe>Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-38108245990482936492014-01-01T17:27:00.003-08:002014-01-01T17:40:12.934-08:008 Social Media Goals for 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvMYPcYpAecgZSKuq0Y0-OjC7Zqh5DVa3mCSSCtIJfIATOA8kAq1J5eCvGSQNsmrxZV_KTJaaGsGiJBRj6GDAmvCYQ0Jwklk0I-Jzs-2LU_nluM0nZQrqEUNKqLxSwpmV6lWCNeENPFzB/s1600/Social+Media+Goals+Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+AutismWonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvMYPcYpAecgZSKuq0Y0-OjC7Zqh5DVa3mCSSCtIJfIATOA8kAq1J5eCvGSQNsmrxZV_KTJaaGsGiJBRj6GDAmvCYQ0Jwklk0I-Jzs-2LU_nluM0nZQrqEUNKqLxSwpmV6lWCNeENPFzB/s400/Social+Media+Goals+Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+AutismWonderland.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's the first day of 2014. Every few months or so I contemplate the point of my blog. One of my New Year Resolutions is to scale back on my work load. But that doesn't mean I'm ready to give up blogging. While <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/12/no-more-fattalk-and-other-things-im.html" target="_blank">some things are better left behind in 2013</a>, there is so much to look forward to in 2014. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><i>My 8 Social Media Goals</i></u></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Get a professional headshot. </b>Because my iPhone selfie can no longer cut it. This has to be at the top of my list. I'm going to make this a priority in the near future. After three years of blogging, I think it's time.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Create an About Me page</b>. I honestly never thought about creating one until a friend suggested it's something all bloggers should do. And since my friend is pretty successful, I'll heed her advice.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pin Like a Mad Woman</b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. I don't spend much time on Pinterest but when I'm on it, I like it. And I like having all my favorite things in one place. Like today, I started a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/laliquin/1st-time-couponer/" target="_blank">"1st Time Couponer" Pin Board</a>. I am determined to learn how to coupon, I'm hoping my coupon blogger friends will have some advice for me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Update <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=149017957&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile" target="_blank">my Linked In Profile</a>.</b> More advice from another successful blogger. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Read More</b>. Last year I was so busy, I lost track of some of my favorite blogs. It's impossible to catch up but I want to make time to read the bloggers I love and discover some new ones.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Say No. </b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I almost always say yes to things. Even to the things I don't have time to do. Last month I said no to a major opportunity. After I weighed the pros and cons, I realized it wasn't something that would make me or break me. As a mom who works full-time outside of the home (in a field completely unrelated to blogging) and being a niche blog - I have to be super selective to what I say yes to. Saying no felt good, I felt like I was in control. I only want to do things I truly want to do, otherwise - what's the point? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Make dates to meet on line friends in real life. </b>I have met so many wonderful women through blogging and many of them are in NYC. I shouldn't have to wait until a blog conference in another state to see them. I want to be more proactive in making dates to meet. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unplug</b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">. After a year of writing for Babble, I decided it was time to leave. I was working so much on blogging that it was hard to keep up with everything. I was tired of juggling. It feels good knowing I have lightened my work load but that doesn't mean I'm ready to quit altogether. I love writing and sharing our story. But I also know <b>I want to spend less time on line and more time in real life</b>. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your social media goals for the new year? </span><br />
<br /></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-22313252122236343422013-12-31T15:50:00.000-08:002014-01-01T06:32:30.434-08:00My Best Moments of 2013 on Instagram | #photostatigram #memostatigram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPthsv4vjWVlJge9_yqmQexh8NcoW0mqJjVRhGf3-hOLJ-fsh87gLuxeRzvMOqmp-dCRW8N1JvmiO3BN93KyUqmFFZFwgPClnE7-Pxl3SFBgRJDoYq8QKAEuuG6dZQe0wr3bxijHqeZ_Z/s1600/statigram-best-moments-photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPthsv4vjWVlJge9_yqmQexh8NcoW0mqJjVRhGf3-hOLJ-fsh87gLuxeRzvMOqmp-dCRW8N1JvmiO3BN93KyUqmFFZFwgPClnE7-Pxl3SFBgRJDoYq8QKAEuuG6dZQe0wr3bxijHqeZ_Z/s200/statigram-best-moments-photo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's the last day of 2013! I have loved seeing everyone's #Memostatigrams but for some reason, I can't share mine. I think it's because I have an iPhone 4. Who knows? I'm not tech savvy. But I <i>am</i> able to share a photo of my best <a href="http://instagram.com/laliquin" target="_blank">Instagram</a> photos in other ways...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f9OOC1_yN8NLHOQRCLZ0X_AIaWaKlBELtCOH0YY6g-o6tgTEACRFxEXa7YUjPFN8b2NLyTN61CZyUuM-NnkMBMBBGkmy4B_vyOILzr3xd5ZE8r1Artl0GrnXpTn_6ykvzcaWOqPd0a9X/s1600/statigram-my-top-five-photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f9OOC1_yN8NLHOQRCLZ0X_AIaWaKlBELtCOH0YY6g-o6tgTEACRFxEXa7YUjPFN8b2NLyTN61CZyUuM-NnkMBMBBGkmy4B_vyOILzr3xd5ZE8r1Artl0GrnXpTn_6ykvzcaWOqPd0a9X/s400/statigram-my-top-five-photo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">60</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;">: The day I handed in my thesis. Read about it here - </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/05/so-now-what.html" style="color: #0c343d;" target="_blank">So Now What</a><span style="color: #0c343d;"> and </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/05/10-things-im-going-to-do-now-that-im.html" style="color: #0c343d;" target="_blank">10 Things I'm Going To Do Now That I'm Done with Graduate School</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">58:</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"> The morning I graduated. Read about it here - </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/06/graduation.html" style="color: #0c343d;" target="_blank">Graduation</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">52</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;">: The day we ran for Autism Speaks; my very first 5K. Read about here - </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/09/4-miles-of-hope-in-central-park-i-ran.html" style="color: #0c343d;" target="_blank">4 Miles of Hope</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">47</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;">: My beautiful custom made </span><a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/04/autism-awareness-toms-by-pear-mama-for.html" style="color: #0c343d;" target="_blank">Autism Awareness Toms by Pear Mama</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">47</span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;">: The Boy…simply being The Boy. Happy.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><a href="http://www.babble.com/kid/so-long-2013-its-been-fun/" target="_blank"><b>2013 has been good to me</b></a>. But I know... </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8kl2Ru65GxEQ7LWE7fsw5heThIe0zPfCRgIvgAg-tE7M6e39ZvX6TdpO-UUnKIO_HLNkmxqES5zn_j-CztploPQPYnhXx1iXGiXmIn_q80dztAogKDwTJTxRddSs8ZzIo0222jRxxWpo/s1600/2014+Is+Going+To+Be+BIG+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8kl2Ru65GxEQ7LWE7fsw5heThIe0zPfCRgIvgAg-tE7M6e39ZvX6TdpO-UUnKIO_HLNkmxqES5zn_j-CztploPQPYnhXx1iXGiXmIn_q80dztAogKDwTJTxRddSs8ZzIo0222jRxxWpo/s400/2014+Is+Going+To+Be+BIG+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, after I hit publish on this I figured out how to upload my video to You Tube.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/qAikXIYMzos?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/qAikXIYMzos?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="610" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/inF5I4Ihxw/embed/" width="512"></iframe></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-62991518897188981172013-12-29T06:47:00.000-08:002013-12-29T06:48:03.736-08:00A Winter Walk on Orchard Beach | Sundays in My City {photos}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaW27WPe8F1F2VfbZ6OyvVswfQMIVvPizbZP5x-yOycxTUJVnXH0bYsdEVM4IXoeGp6kDvxT5wWpBkA1TE57EAQM9Lc5tEy-z7h4mZ4tEnx8ki9eUQlj9RMbdDwJFd57-wjJx5u8VfCpm/s1600/Father+and+Son+at+Orchard+Beach_Winter_AutismWonderland_Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaW27WPe8F1F2VfbZ6OyvVswfQMIVvPizbZP5x-yOycxTUJVnXH0bYsdEVM4IXoeGp6kDvxT5wWpBkA1TE57EAQM9Lc5tEy-z7h4mZ4tEnx8ki9eUQlj9RMbdDwJFd57-wjJx5u8VfCpm/s400/Father+and+Son+at+Orchard+Beach_Winter_AutismWonderland_Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this month, we took a long winter walk along Orchard Beach (in The Bronx) and <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/12/fathers-and-sons-at-playground.html" target="_blank">I wrote about the poignant moments between fathers and sons I witnessed that weekend</a>. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today I wanted to share some of the photos I took during our walk. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From a distance, we saw a boat washed ashore from the storm. It was pretty crazy seeing a boat on the beach. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZXHccRz6eVNy1CX2Zt_D_gdf4zJ00ehgwcdOOw-SaLswzPQW4Bfpa4nFM2IpDawUCIuZYJoKJvUCUIJpKBybt37Uf06HJT4KMdwb_PpoSbwc4rbGzOaXDjMc-4A1QZNiTmanVt9ZOZTt/s1600/Boat+Stranded+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZXHccRz6eVNy1CX2Zt_D_gdf4zJ00ehgwcdOOw-SaLswzPQW4Bfpa4nFM2IpDawUCIuZYJoKJvUCUIJpKBybt37Uf06HJT4KMdwb_PpoSbwc4rbGzOaXDjMc-4A1QZNiTmanVt9ZOZTt/s400/Boat+Stranded+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudf7-2Hy-zr7wM4Gum44tDX8Qvv63kMqdoI3Fz672nMC0BNExgxD7UM3Yo6F_rnCkMPJeuJAfAlLyz1pDP4eA4jC_ZRYUIskXfsFgZ84UurzRdJbhIn-8Q9ym-sCRMC7_p08iFtOuCMlt/s1600/The+Boat+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudf7-2Hy-zr7wM4Gum44tDX8Qvv63kMqdoI3Fz672nMC0BNExgxD7UM3Yo6F_rnCkMPJeuJAfAlLyz1pDP4eA4jC_ZRYUIskXfsFgZ84UurzRdJbhIn-8Q9ym-sCRMC7_p08iFtOuCMlt/s400/The+Boat+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2csh8q5DJQNvo21UvfucmdOjCMcKrEohz2aMlEVZTwCdoPBN0cJek6zurLcQIvVmh6588xSd8ZXHeRZiRwOzdCbIe4Zii2J-d5huO6xIU-VHr_j0bcHwoT37-RnduKXkOgGsuRQdfZsxq/s1600/Tysker+Boat+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2csh8q5DJQNvo21UvfucmdOjCMcKrEohz2aMlEVZTwCdoPBN0cJek6zurLcQIvVmh6588xSd8ZXHeRZiRwOzdCbIe4Zii2J-d5huO6xIU-VHr_j0bcHwoT37-RnduKXkOgGsuRQdfZsxq/s400/Tysker+Boat+on+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What would a walk on the Beach be without looking for seashells? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1tAApWz83JzrIgjKwYhtlXsAjwwOmo1F-jSrb5QIcqwudYsSUGFT1j1_0dVPrKqKXY8lYTNtVzgW9_h1ptCIqMnmnX6mkRjMbhGiOY0C0ayXQ28JqrjRfWEZqqeuwO4ckxc2dJuC6-z7/s1600/Seashells+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1tAApWz83JzrIgjKwYhtlXsAjwwOmo1F-jSrb5QIcqwudYsSUGFT1j1_0dVPrKqKXY8lYTNtVzgW9_h1ptCIqMnmnX6mkRjMbhGiOY0C0ayXQ28JqrjRfWEZqqeuwO4ckxc2dJuC6-z7/s400/Seashells+Orchard+Beach+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, we have to hit the playground. On a cold winter day, it's a nice treat to have the playground to ourself.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwLxx7z9JQca0rpUBjoGcH0I8n802QSOGfIiI1ZI0F1WobsW0j1wmqk0WVRhIEg0_CVt5AbW3v5MX-9wH4HafJd6_jDZK45ecqUdhGzPjZvw7Wu3CL916DpS3XjcwZfbYROhg47bIMBVf/s1600/Running+in+the+Playground+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwLxx7z9JQca0rpUBjoGcH0I8n802QSOGfIiI1ZI0F1WobsW0j1wmqk0WVRhIEg0_CVt5AbW3v5MX-9wH4HafJd6_jDZK45ecqUdhGzPjZvw7Wu3CL916DpS3XjcwZfbYROhg47bIMBVf/s400/Running+in+the+Playground+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+Autismwonderland.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TixfrEdylUsJo08M1UUT62BIg2GaC4PgqtUgoUr7SYlo9XsrmpqblNcJ8fIBov2cyw4-jFhjfeNmmCUfDVd40jl_u2fxVsCQbz4g6g6LzsYvTAvYRQHUqfeQVtaiBkMal0rVMCeFKdGS/s1600/Orchard+Beach+Playground+Winter+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TixfrEdylUsJo08M1UUT62BIg2GaC4PgqtUgoUr7SYlo9XsrmpqblNcJ8fIBov2cyw4-jFhjfeNmmCUfDVd40jl_u2fxVsCQbz4g6g6LzsYvTAvYRQHUqfeQVtaiBkMal0rVMCeFKdGS/s400/Orchard+Beach+Playground+Winter+Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez+.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/category/sundays-in-my-city" target="_blank"><img alt="Unknown Mami" border="0" src="http://www.unknownmami.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SIMC.png" /></a></center>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-82095440119969753492013-12-28T06:26:00.001-08:002013-12-28T06:26:25.942-08:00No More #FatTalk and Other Things I'm Leaving Behind in 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a few more days 2013 will be over. I am one of those sappy sentimental New Year's fools. If I manage to stay up (which, let's be for real, the older I get the harder it is) I will probably cry reflecting on all the ups and downs of my year. And after I ugly cry, I'll feel grateful to have a clean slate. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll wake up on New Year's Day ready to make grand changes to my lifestyle. I'll eat a little healthier, exercise and put myself to sleep earlier. And then a few days later, I'll be back to my previous year self. I may have great ideas but I have a hard time with follow through.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I am getting older and I'm old enough to know better. I <i>need</i> to make significant changes to my life. And there are a few things of 2013 that <i>need</i> to be left behind. A new year is a fresh start - it's a reboot button. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>4 Things I'm Leaving Behind in 2013</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>No More Fat Talk</b>. This on the <u>top</u> of my list. I am notorious for talking about how fat I am. And I use (and think) the words "fat" and "disgusting" about myself way too much. <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/06/weight-of-autism.html" target="_blank">I've been struggling with my weight for last eight years</a>. I go through spurts of losing 5 pounds and gaining 10. I've put on 20 pounds in the last two years. I stepped on the scale this week and hit 170 pounds. (I'm 5'6.) I used to be a gal who loved to shop and now with every few pounds I gain I find myself dreading stepping into a fitting room. It doesn't feel good having to keep buying bigger sizes but the way I feel about myself when I look in the mirror is so much worse. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stop Thinking of Myself as a Student</b>. After five long, stressful years of graduate school, <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2013/06/graduation.html" target="_blank">I graduated in June</a>. It took me nearly 15 years to finish my bachelor's degree. I've been a college student for 20 years - all while working full-time. <u>2014 is my first college-free year</u>. I've had a 'student' mentality for so long. There is a part of me that sees myself as someone just starting out. But I've accomplished a lot, especially over the last 5 years - and I have to own it. I need to stop seeing myself as a creative writing student and start seeing myself as a professional writer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Babble</b>. I spent 2013 being a <a href="http://www.babble.com/contributor/lquinonesfontanez/?cmp=ELP%7Cbbl%7Cbadges%7CBabbleBloggers%7C%7C%7C010113%7C%7C%7CfamE%7CSynergy%7C%7C" target="_blank">Babble Kid Contributor</a>. I loved every second of it. But I've been doing so much, for so long I'm exhausted. And I need a break from it all. I work a lot. I I work all day in an office, then I come and work most nights. More and more, The Boy is starting to notice how much time I spend on my laptop. He'll say "Close the computer and come play with me." And more often than not, I have to say no because I have to work. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's ironic that I waited so long to hear those words from him, now that he has them - I am too busy writing to meet his needs. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I decided that I needed to scale back on my freelance writing assignments. The Boy needs me more. And I need him just as much. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.babble.com/kid/so-long-2013-its-been-fun/" target="_blank">I published my last Babble post</a></b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (a round up of my favorite 8 blog posts) and I'm going to spend the first few weeks of 2014, relaxing and not doing a darn thing except spend time with my family.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Wasting Money/Throwing Away Food. </b>We spend a lot of money on food: at the supermarket, dining out and ordering greasy take-out. It's embarrassing how much time and money I spend at the supermarket buying food, only to throw it away because it's gone bad. It's such a waste of money. I am hoping that with a lighter workload, I can get back to cooking real meals for my family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My goals for 2014 are simple: feel better about myself, live a healthier life and have more quality time with my family. I think these are worth the follow through. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNALgg0L6IGZnyeyXP1ORCX48Zy_Y1_buG_koK1gA9h-XSyPHXUntS1Z0OYDa7lHaM05DQuHLFwxYs79vqw29LG8mdVmc2Ui8bsst1uOOxftnLVkoCGgI3hA4sHVXVDLkwDZcmt_Ep52t/s1600/What+Will+You+Leave+Behind+in+2013+Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+AutismWonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNALgg0L6IGZnyeyXP1ORCX48Zy_Y1_buG_koK1gA9h-XSyPHXUntS1Z0OYDa7lHaM05DQuHLFwxYs79vqw29LG8mdVmc2Ui8bsst1uOOxftnLVkoCGgI3hA4sHVXVDLkwDZcmt_Ep52t/s400/What+Will+You+Leave+Behind+in+2013+Lisa+Quinones+Fontanez+AutismWonderland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-69119079371875887192013-12-27T09:29:00.000-08:002013-12-27T09:30:00.371-08:00A Saturday Morning at the Legoland Discovery Center <span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets to the Legoland Discovery Center. No compensation was received, all opinions are my own. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6csA2G56z1nMAbCFinUyTK5Xgz9j0wJRc1sY0M68LL12pdZk0zaS9iE_6m7WBachJmZtrDtRlufNhk5Y0Nie7vcV7VYH_cl-ITjhAv2yNq-lWGKHBGrfNtuMuGllf421X6bIP7HgBxtOj/s1600/Legoland+Discovery+Center_AutismWonderland_Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6csA2G56z1nMAbCFinUyTK5Xgz9j0wJRc1sY0M68LL12pdZk0zaS9iE_6m7WBachJmZtrDtRlufNhk5Y0Nie7vcV7VYH_cl-ITjhAv2yNq-lWGKHBGrfNtuMuGllf421X6bIP7HgBxtOj/s400/Legoland+Discovery+Center_AutismWonderland_Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're regular shoppers at the Ridgehill Mall in Westchester. And The Boy <i>loves </i>eating at Bonefish and Yardhouse. And of course, we frequent the Lego Store but we never had the chance to check out the Legoland Discovery Center until a few weeks ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Boy was super excited when we told him we were finally going! We heard that it gets really crowded by mid afternoon and from experience we know that these kind of activities are best for The Boy when we go early in the morning. So we arrived shortly after they opened. There was a little bit of a line but it was manageable.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I especially loved was that it wasn't too big and it wasn't too small. It was a good size without being too overwhelming for The Boy. While I was in awe of <u>MINILAND</u> (</span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">New York’s skyline come to miniature life m</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">ade from nearly 1.5 million LEGO</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> bricks, with moving airships and trains</span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">), The Boy's favorite was the<u> LEGO Fire Academy</u> <i>(a </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>giant colorful jungle gym, with a climbing wall and slide</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">). The LEGO Fire Academy is ideal for sensory seeking kids like mine! The Husband enjoyed the <u>LEGO Racers: Build & Test</u> - he had more fun building his race car than The Boy - it was cute. The Boy liked building his car too and it's perfect for fine motor skills. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But we all loved the <u>LEGO 4D Cinema</u>! I was a little nervous about how The Boy would do. We've tried 4D movies in the past and it hasn't gone so well. But since The Boy's doing better watching 3D movies, we figured he could sit through a 12 minute 4D movie. The Boy really loved the movie - he laughed, kept trying to reach out to grab the images coming at us and he loved the bubbles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent about 2 hours at the Legoland Discovery Center and by the time we were ready to leave, it was starting to get crowded. Going at 1o am on a Saturday morning was perfect for us and we'd definitely go back again. I think it's a great family fun option especially during the cold winter months. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aa0tYRLdnCizKbouMWxtgmqe540JN0s3zoOgeaRxma0Q5B0acAeEfQkJSp0L4mlq_SZf_JSiYpT-M4ZK4-2EfkJOLK1SL9Xv5HRw6ekqxgQASPugw2mASiosXJ6GTYQUYrjSxnbEIRcW/s1600/Visit+to+the+Legoland+Discovery+Center+in+Westchester+NY++AutismWonderland++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aa0tYRLdnCizKbouMWxtgmqe540JN0s3zoOgeaRxma0Q5B0acAeEfQkJSp0L4mlq_SZf_JSiYpT-M4ZK4-2EfkJOLK1SL9Xv5HRw6ekqxgQASPugw2mASiosXJ6GTYQUYrjSxnbEIRcW/s400/Visit+to+the+Legoland+Discovery+Center+in+Westchester+NY++AutismWonderland++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez++.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester/" target="_blank">LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester</a> </b></div>
<br />
<ul style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li>Take part in children’s activities with the Master Model Builder.</li>
<li>See MINILAND, New York’s top attractions made from LEGO.</li>
<li>Soft play area, rides, 4D cinema and more!</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>What You Need to Know Before You Go</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Attraction Hours of Operation</u>:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday - Thursday: 10am – 7pm (last ticket sold at 5pm)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Friday - Saturday: 10am – 9pm (last ticket sold at 7pm)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Ticket Prices</u>:<br />Adult (13+) $22.00<br />Child (3-12) $18.00<br />Child (0-2) free</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Tickets may be purchased on site and on line. Includes admission to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and unlimited access to all of the attractions. Once inside, you may stay as long as you wish, subject to opening times.</i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>GPS address</u>: </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY 10710</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfoeabznmVuGRt5i-PoDIQDb_AI4HM2d5PjfljVLQITA94P_6Kvb4ETvpP7PxW44voidf4qelgBmA0knCFe-SYOGVB-vACkfTbGwNloaXSHIzTanfpTJ8yAmwMYrjODH5a7Bu5Zr3bIVL/s1600/A+Saturday+Morning+at+Legoland+Discovery+Center+AutismWonderland+ldc-westchester-visual-map-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfoeabznmVuGRt5i-PoDIQDb_AI4HM2d5PjfljVLQITA94P_6Kvb4ETvpP7PxW44voidf4qelgBmA0knCFe-SYOGVB-vACkfTbGwNloaXSHIzTanfpTJ8yAmwMYrjODH5a7Bu5Zr3bIVL/s400/A+Saturday+Morning+at+Legoland+Discovery+Center+AutismWonderland+ldc-westchester-visual-map-v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/westchester/our-attractions/attractions-overview.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Map & Overview</b></a> of Legoland Discovery Center</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disclaimer: I was provided with complimentary tickets for myself and my family. No compensation was received, all opinions are my own. </span></div>
<br /></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-18744003940328968002013-12-26T16:20:00.001-08:002013-12-26T16:20:31.396-08:00Beyonce Makes a Wish Come True for a Terminally Ill Fan <div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e2k7Kx_Bb9P4k-Y9en_JyDd-ci5-JrtKPbkm-gLZLlwbNEW6kFNL0PJQWgMPjh8AF6RN7iyWPFaBGoZqDQV41PofCqDALbjZ1i8R9EsNa3XzPVxhV9K6g74NeCQds2CoUtAIKDCr_pqz/s1600/beyonce-dec-2013-650a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e2k7Kx_Bb9P4k-Y9en_JyDd-ci5-JrtKPbkm-gLZLlwbNEW6kFNL0PJQWgMPjh8AF6RN7iyWPFaBGoZqDQV41PofCqDALbjZ1i8R9EsNa3XzPVxhV9K6g74NeCQds2CoUtAIKDCr_pqz/s320/beyonce-dec-2013-650a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Beyonce partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant a young girl's dream come true: to dance with her idol Beyonce. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Get the tissues ready because this YouTube video will make you do the ugly cry. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/VWnMiO62F18?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/VWnMiO62F18?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-1525556469824093922013-12-25T06:56:00.000-08:002013-12-25T06:56:08.118-08:00Merry Everything | #WordlessWednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0zRi8mObwR7S1DhfkHdaCwAu8vqSlnNUE-WtKqg4xB7YZUram7DAlABt-A1yZZtbXfsIJ54IM_gxz7rrri_25vvR6AqONa9NuYmOpbhwbUiZumW0YcQ7SNlhrk83iE8nPhkvh3SdvU5v/s1600/Merry+Everything+from+AutismWonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0zRi8mObwR7S1DhfkHdaCwAu8vqSlnNUE-WtKqg4xB7YZUram7DAlABt-A1yZZtbXfsIJ54IM_gxz7rrri_25vvR6AqONa9NuYmOpbhwbUiZumW0YcQ7SNlhrk83iE8nPhkvh3SdvU5v/s400/Merry+Everything+from+AutismWonderland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-72908598965224707312013-12-22T07:00:00.003-08:002013-12-22T11:42:33.110-08:00Dos Mujeres, Una Cocina | Two Women, One Kitchen <div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>53</o:Words>
<o:Characters>306</o:Characters>
<o:Company>AutismWonderland</o:Company>
<o:Lines>2</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>358</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her way is always better. She won’t say it, but I know that’s what my mother thinks every afternoon when she walks into my kitchen. And it’s implied in very subtle ways. The way my mother rearranges the tupperware in my cabinets or the food in the fridge. The way she scrunches her nose as she watches me cook. Or the way she scrutinizes my purchases, frowning at their prices. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">“<i>It’s not that you cook good, you just buy expensive ingredients</i>,” she’ll say.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My kitchen is the size of a small cell. Room enough for only two: one to cook, one to watch but always one of us in the other's way. </span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was a girl my mother used to call me into the kitchen while she cooked, commanding me to pay attention. Even though the kitchen was big enough for the both of us, I'd still get in her way; usually handing her the wrong items and asking too many questions. After a few <i>ay Dios </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>mío</i>'</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>s</i> and </span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>coño</i></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'s my cooking lesson was over and my mother would exile me to the living room.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">Many years later, my mother and I are titans, both vying for power in <em>la cocina</em>. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">I look forward to cooking holiday meals, creating my own traditions. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">My kitchen has become a place of solace, a place to stand and clear my head while cooking for others. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But in a galley kitchen like mine, it's too easy for my mother and I to clash. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">While I cook my mother will tiptoe to lean over me and criticize my technique, “That’s not the way I do it.” </span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">M</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">y mother wields the pilón; I pump the mini chopper. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">My mother blends peppers red and green, cloves of garlic, bulbs of onions, recao, cilantro and olive oil to make a large batch of sofrito. It is the base of her every meal. I cook with sofrito so rarely that when I need it, I buy the ingredients, chop everything up and sauté it into my meal.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">I shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's; I buy organic. My mother shops where she has coupons, scouring the neighborhood for the best prices. She goes one place for milk, another for eggs, somewhere for meats and so on. My mother will never pay full price for anything if she knows she can get it on sale.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">My mother cooks her specialty dishes with ease, never having to consult a book, eyeballing ingredients. I rely on Food Network, printed-out recipes and measuring spoons. My mother trusts her culinary instinct. Mine are still being cultivated.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the occasional cook, making elaborate meals for a holiday or celebration. My mother cooks every day; it’s a part of who she is. I realized this the day I invited my parents over for Christmas dinner. I was going to cook the signature Puerto Rican meal: pernil, arrroz con gandules, potato salad. My mother said she would bring pasteles.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The thought reminds me of childhood; watching my mother at the kitchen table late on Saturday night. A large pot at the center, sheets of wax paper in front of her, a ball of white twine. Wrapping each pastel in parchment paper like a present; humming to herself or the phone nestled between her shoulder and ear, talking with my madrina It is an all day/ all night affair, an offering. And the culinary commitment secures my mother’s place as the master. I am still the apprentice.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">My mother's pasteles are perfection. The masa is firm, filled with flavorful meat and neatly wrapped with care. And when cooked, it slipped out of its wrapping in one piece.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I do not want anyone else’s recipe other than hers. I cannot wait for the day for her to come over and share her pasteles recipe and technique with me. No matter how big or how small my kitchen is - there will always be room for my mother to stand beside me. </span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 20px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h98YXkAuBUMRaAvyuO1kOAmRMxdSlzhQOfG8RKGqtN0XNepNBrgcZtYAKQgWrdoSsFhpJrnMFsxPuRdjHJMoaaGE3jHCly1r0WUbeaYXcELzs-jM4RxeAA3f7k08LJVJFxgD8RQ6oWCl/s1600/Two+Women+One+Kitchen++AutismWonderland.com++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h98YXkAuBUMRaAvyuO1kOAmRMxdSlzhQOfG8RKGqtN0XNepNBrgcZtYAKQgWrdoSsFhpJrnMFsxPuRdjHJMoaaGE3jHCly1r0WUbeaYXcELzs-jM4RxeAA3f7k08LJVJFxgD8RQ6oWCl/s400/Two+Women+One+Kitchen++AutismWonderland.com++Lisa+Quinones-Fontanez.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Thanksgiving cheers with my mother | 2013</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">This is a revised version of my essay <i>Clash of Las Cocinas</i> originally published on Being Latino, December 2010. </span></span></div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-28163146168807215322013-12-21T16:45:00.004-08:002013-12-22T05:22:04.838-08:00An Open Letter to Justine Sacco<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will not open this letter with 'Dear' because that would imply some courtesy. And I don't care to address you by your first name because that would be too familiar. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quite honestly, I have no desire to be courteous or familiar with you. </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even addressing you by <i>Ms.</i> Sacco seems to offer you a respect you are not worthy of.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not the public relations expert you are but when I read your tweet, my jaw dropped. How does someone in public relations insult an entire continent and race of people? The very country you're flying to, no less! I mean, I'm not PR expert but I'm thinking that's a big no no. Because aside from it being incredibly racist and ignorant - it was simply reckless.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I <i>may</i> have believed the talk that your twitter account being hacked. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg0-Yze7O8Eoky2NoXgkMX_9L97TxcI0U6H965KDrw0DAw7Puk7Hl0vLtn5IrjWwgbGFzDbZ4Ct6efNwoqB_dhgngBut3b8mAVY5y9VoDo-DJU33uCHf-uoI1I5lZdCg4lRHbWoSEKnzF/s1600/screen-shot-2013-12-20-at-6-58-38-pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg0-Yze7O8Eoky2NoXgkMX_9L97TxcI0U6H965KDrw0DAw7Puk7Hl0vLtn5IrjWwgbGFzDbZ4Ct6efNwoqB_dhgngBut3b8mAVY5y9VoDo-DJU33uCHf-uoI1I5lZdCg4lRHbWoSEKnzF/s400/screen-shot-2013-12-20-at-6-58-38-pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But then I <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenvesp/16-tweets-justine-sacco-regrets-hxg7" target="_blank">read</a> about some of your <i>other</i> tweets.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUX6CnBwgFer-yUmGorXf12Vugi-RHsYJ5E0M6GSorywD5UtWHTIWIXk3ExDKf1EM1sw9gJMLhU4Uhdn7myDAWxZ2EVWzIAlg35HhWgicv2Sr3-Gk3zlposcVI-4DBnb3dCAXNVlv1I__/s1600/Justine+Sacco+Tweets+R-Word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUX6CnBwgFer-yUmGorXf12Vugi-RHsYJ5E0M6GSorywD5UtWHTIWIXk3ExDKf1EM1sw9gJMLhU4Uhdn7myDAWxZ2EVWzIAlg35HhWgicv2Sr3-Gk3zlposcVI-4DBnb3dCAXNVlv1I__/s400/Justine+Sacco+Tweets+R-Word.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE48PWvSdd9Nfiv8DMPWIZ8Rk9_5Ef1z2PwR56kTJpo-8wkc54NGO7xp-gtFYtoh4VzQXkSM3a_hBxZYVvKQJPOUnb_set6ajVFsJfRZyslV6h7cpQ2weygH8M4nKDsLA8zmLFDH7rB98/s1600/Justine+Sacco+tweet+rword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE48PWvSdd9Nfiv8DMPWIZ8Rk9_5Ef1z2PwR56kTJpo-8wkc54NGO7xp-gtFYtoh4VzQXkSM3a_hBxZYVvKQJPOUnb_set6ajVFsJfRZyslV6h7cpQ2weygH8M4nKDsLA8zmLFDH7rB98/s400/Justine+Sacco+tweet+rword.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yzzq9hB1QJTzkPFcWrt4MaWqPlTXdDZsBpUMUhWAnzoZPgvuKhThB89e_NC3S3ijcL5FMNZiZmfq0DZNooEqaqeQ5l03Temq4BhppGBb3TD-TCXYoutPoDBM2oYANHNNJnEmpjOndFzN/s1600/Justine+Sacco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yzzq9hB1QJTzkPFcWrt4MaWqPlTXdDZsBpUMUhWAnzoZPgvuKhThB89e_NC3S3ijcL5FMNZiZmfq0DZNooEqaqeQ5l03Temq4BhppGBb3TD-TCXYoutPoDBM2oYANHNNJnEmpjOndFzN/s400/Justine+Sacco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only have you tweeted racist insults, you've also used the r-word as a slur. And your tweet about the sex dream…is disgusting. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last October <a href="http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2012/10/24/autism/an-open-letter-to-celebrities-on-twitter-who-continue-to-use-the-r-word/" target="_blank">I wrote an open letter to Ann Coulter</a> about her use of tweeting the r-word: </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You have hurt millions of children and adults living with any kind of disability. In 140 characters or less, you have sabotaged and diminished every single thing a special needs parent advocates for. You are perpetuating this stereotype that individuals with special needs are stupid, ugly, worthless and less than.</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You have done the same. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am tired of tweeps like you hiding behind freedom of speech. Yes, our country allows us that right but we also have a responsibility to use that freedom responsibly. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You are absolutely everything that is wrong in social media. You're the kind of person I have nightmares about. You're the person, I'd never want my special needs son to meet. And you are also the reason why I write, the reason I am his advocate. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I read that you are a mother. And as a mother, you should be ashamed. Because is this what you are teaching your child? To hate, to ridicule? Are you the example you want your child to follow? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You've since deleted your twitter account. But it's too late. Your tweet has been retweeted more than a thousand times, favorited and replied to. The screen shots are out there. Your hate is out there. You have left your digital footprint. And it is ugly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't expect an apology. I think apologies are pointless. There are too many celebrities tweeting and speaking without thinking and apologizing later. And you are not a public figure, you have no fans to beg for forgiveness. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I would like you to do - what I would like more people to do - is to think. Think before you speak. Think before your tweet. And if you're going to use social media - use it for social good. Use your 140 characters to tweet a positive message worthy of retweeting. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter is a powerful tool, it can either make you or break you - use it responsibly.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8774214343639058519.post-8038359745638242052013-12-20T07:23:00.002-08:002013-12-20T07:25:47.868-08:00Life Lessons, Christmas Miracles & Gift Giving Fails | #FridayFragments <span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been way too long since I've linked up with <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragments</a> but I want to get back in the swing of (blog) things so here we go...</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this week I took The Boy to a holiday party at work. We had our challenges but The Boy was being very chatty. After I left, a coworker (who met The Boy for the first time) told another coworker (a woman who's known The Boy since he was an infant) "<i>I thought her son has autism.</i>"<br /><br />The coworker believed that all children with autism are non-verbal. My other coworker (a woman who has no children or any experience with kids with autism, other than The Boy) explained The Boy's autism and how far he has come.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUYLwgln4gRivthVzo37SN7hBU2C57xYv_FRBZ29ZS8HpQhfMCFawHFNsOW0snuvE-wORrKS6l3EB8KuyCChMeppD7t_SvhOLTRy7WI7kfCdl4qC3plCJMpPaBRnXPY4PgPf_g6fDHpLq/s1600/AutismWonderland+Mother+and+Son+December+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUYLwgln4gRivthVzo37SN7hBU2C57xYv_FRBZ29ZS8HpQhfMCFawHFNsOW0snuvE-wORrKS6l3EB8KuyCChMeppD7t_SvhOLTRy7WI7kfCdl4qC3plCJMpPaBRnXPY4PgPf_g6fDHpLq/s400/AutismWonderland+Mother+and+Son+December+2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">December 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year The Boy is especially excited about Christmas and it's one of those little things most parents take for granted. Seeing and hearing his excitement makes me think back to the holiday season of 2010 when he was just starting to get it. I wrote a post,<b> <a href="http://www.autismwonderland.com/2011/11/moment-i-forgot-about-autism.html" target="_blank">The Moment I Forgot About Autism</a></b>, (it's one of my favorite essays I've written about our autism journey and I think one of my best). It's about one our very first back and forth conversations. And what made it extra special was that it was about Christmas. I hope you take the time to read about our holiday 'miracle' moment. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every year I worry about what to get my parents for Christmas. They're tough to shop for. They don't want anything, they don't need anything. They are very simple people. I had this idea to buy them tickets to a concert - <i>a Parranda</i> (my friend <a href="http://www.modernmami.com/latino-latina-culture/puerto-rico/tembleque-recipe-puerto-rican-parranda/" target="_blank">Melanie of Modern Mami explains it really well</a> and shares a yummy recipe!). The concert highlighted 3 well known old-school Puerto Rican folk singers. I just knew my parents would love it! </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Except…I forgot to tell them. I forgot the tickets were for last Saturday (12/15). And last Saturday, there was a major snowstorm here in New York. Fortunately my friend called me around 4pm to remind me about the concert. Unfortunately by the time I got in touch with my parents - it was too late for them to travel. And I didn't want them to travel during such crappy weather.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went to the concert and had a good time. It was probably one of the best gifts I've ever gotten my parents (aside from photos of their only grandson) too bad they couldn't enjoy it.</span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you use Elf on the Shelf with your kids? I do and it works so well for The Boy! However, this week has been pretty hectic so I forgot to move for a few days and our mornings have been rushed because they changed the bus pick up time so we haven't been playing. Tuesday morning, The Boy asks "Hey momma where's Elfie?" He starts giggling as he sees me looking around for Elfie - since he's not where I last saw him. The Boy took it upon himself to move the Elf to another shelf. </span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/p/friday-fragments.html" target="_blank" title="Half-Past Kissin' Time"><img alt="Half-Past Kissin' Time" src="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w323/CarbaraB/Blog%20Graphics/8208e380-8d78-46f6-9fee-b1f11c0a510c_zpsab991844.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Lisa Quinones-Fontanezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967271037408176885noreply@blogger.com0