A Mother's Balancing Act

From Heartache to Hope - A Journey of Discovery

I recently had the pleasure of receiving a copy of a new book by author Leisa Hammett, From Heartache to Hope. This dramatic book chronicles the journeys of 18 autistic children and their Middle Tennessee families. At turns both heartwrenching and heartwarming, this coffee table style book is filled with lovely black and white photos that offer a glimpse into the many triumphs and defeats that these families have faced.

I have to admit, when I got this book, I think I expected a purely hopeful account of the work that is being done with autistic children. While there is certainly a signigicant amount of hope, the book also suggests the tremendous sacrifice and often depression that can go along with families living with autistic children.

-- Single mothers who are unable to hold down jobs because of their severely autistic child.

-- Agonizing accounts of finding out that a son will never live up to his father's dream of following in his pro sports footsteps.

But then, you'll find the story about the child who not only graduated high school but went on to graduate college and beyond. The vast range of degrees of the spectrum of the disorder are unbelievable.

Overall, the reading is simply riveting and the photos beautiful. My teenage daughters have enjoyed it, as well. The book is available via the link above.

Leisa also blogs here. You can read stories about her daughter Grace or about the recent flooding in Nashville, among other things. What a talent. Bet you enjoy her as much as I do.

Balanced Babe (Molly Wendland)

Creepy Guys Suck!

That's right. The title of this post pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. Creepy guys give the rest of the good guys - like my BSM (that's Big Strong Man for those of you just joining us...) - a bad rep.

I was doing some shopping yesterday outside of the pristine suburban (no, not so very plastic, thank you very much!) bubble that we live in. My girls need costumes for a party this weekend, so I thought that perhaps, the thrift stores might be just the ticket for an old prom dress or some such thing. Normally, this type of shopping trip wouldn't phase me at all. In fact, I find them to be a challenge.

I had gone to an client appointment in the morning, even though I had the day off, so I was dressed in a nice skirt, blouse and cardigan sweater. I had on some of my favorite, newer peep-toe shoes with a kitten heel, but I have to say, "peep-toe's" are not an invitation to every weirdo crackpot in the city to come on to me. Um, yeah...but I digress...

So, I had already endured leering eyes from yucky guys in two thrift stores when I came upon a Big Lots. The one in our neighborhood recently went out of business, so I decided to pop in. Long story short, a creepy dude proceeded to tail me, make eyes at me every chance he got and tail me through the store the entire time I was there. To the point that he sufficiently freaked my crud out. After he slinked onto the aisle I was on (after I had zigged and zagged a couple of times to shake loose of him) yet again, I got fed up and headed to the checkout with my shopping cart. The whole time, he never had a cart or any products in his hands.

When I got to checkout, I calmly told the cashier about my experience and asked if there was someone who might escort me to my car. I told her I just thought you needed to trust your instinct in these situations. She nodded appreciatively and immediately called a guy up to her register to help me to my car. I had been thinking of the self-defense class my daughters and I had taken where they said to never have both of your hands full when walking in a parking lot. Within moments of me relaying my story, Creepy Dude slinked up behind me (one of 3 registers available at the time), and I quietly let the cashier know that he was "the one". He was now carrying a large metal spoon and some other small item. The nice gentleman carried my items to my car for me as I told him of my experience in their store and that they might want to watch out for that guy who was coming out behind us.

The store employee told me he'd be watching until I got out of the lot, etc. Creepy Dude came out of the store and stood there and watched us the whole time. Then, he headed to a bicycle that was parked in front of the store.

Perhaps, he was just mentally ill. Or perhaps, he was going to just leave his bike there and force me into my car to violate me or even just steal my car.

I don't know. Any way around it...

Creepy guys suck.

Balanced Babe - (aka Molly Wendland)

Note: For a look at my oh-so-sexy peep-toe's, click here. They're the ones in the middle of the shot of three pairs. And yes, I do kind of have a little bit of a fetish. Sort of like the chick in the book to movie "In Her Shoes". I don't always even wear them. Fun movie, by the way. Even better book!

Extra note after the fact: I've been laughing when I tell this story to my friends. You know, how I attract the best-looking 50 year old guys with comb-over's of anyone I know and stuff like that? So, it's funny now, but this Creeper really did freak me out, and I was afraid to walk to my car alone...in broad daylight. And that does suck. In particular as a mother of two teenage daughters and an advocate for domestic violence awareness, it really pisses me off. Women shouldn't have to be afraid. It just sucks.

Denis Leary Deserves to Rot...

Forget Modern Science, parenting experts, educators, doctors and anyone of their esteemed ilk...

Apparently, actors are the new unequivocal authority on the following:

• Autism
• Childrearing
• Education
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Medicine

At least, that's what Denis Leary would have us believe (check out this link on the Huffington Post). That is, if we were the complete boobs he thinks we are. Um, yeah. Here's an excerpt from his new book, which I hesitate to even give any "free press" here on my blog, but I'm so outraged by it that I can't even see straight...and I quote:

"There is a huge boom in autism right now because inattentive mothers and competitive dads want an explanation for why their dumb-ass kids can't compete academically, so they throw money into the happy laps of shrinks . . . to get back diagnoses that help explain away the deficiencies of their junior morons. I don't give a [bleep] what these crackerjack whack jobs tell you - yer kid is NOT autistic. He's just stupid. Or lazy. Or both."

I can't think of anything more inflammatory or insensitive than this moronic comment. What letters does Denis sport behind his name? Denis Leary, PhD? Denis Leary, MD? No, I think it's more like Denis Leary, MIR (Moron in Residence). Don't even get me started on all of the true facts about autism...

What a freaking idiot...

Enough said.

Balanced Babe (Molly Wendland)

Author, Author!

Those are words I never dreamt might apply to me. Author. Of a book. Yet here I sit. A published author. It's been a long journey. Three years ago, Michelle Lamar called me and asked if I might like to write about the daily happenings in my crazy life on her new blog. I'd been regaling her with stories of my ineptitude as a mother:

• How I regularly forgot to turn things in on time
• How we'd race up to school just in the nick of time
• Or better yet, leave the parking lot to get that forgotten item just as the bell was ringing, etc.

Michelle thought I'd be the perfect addition to fill in some gaps, along with stories from her own (far crazier!) life. I thought this sounded like great fun. I'd always loved writing, and this would be a creative outlet and a nice way to "vent" some pent up frustrations. Here's how the conversation went from there:

Molly: Sure, what the heck? What's the name of your blog?

Michelle: (with a sly smile): White Trash Mom

Molly: (spewing my cafe Americano): Say it again, please?

Michelle: You heard me, sister. White Trash Mom!

Molly: (visibly nervous/horrified/starting to sweat on the palms...): Why the hell did you name it THAT?

Michelle: 'Cuz' I'm a total smartass...you know that!

Molly: (soon to be Tacky Princess): Well, that goes without saying, but...I don't get it.

Michelle: (having already dubbed herself the Queen of White Trash): Look. It's really not that trashy. It's just...look at all the moms in the parking lot every day. Perfect hair. Perfectly dressed. And then look at us. Well, you look pretty good...most of the time. OK, now look at me. I take my kids to school in my pajamas every day. I'm lucky if they get there on time.

Molly: Me, too.

Michelle: See? That's what it's about. White Trash Moms embrace that.

Molly: Taking their kids to school late all the time?

Michelle: Noooo...(sighing, as if I just might not make the white trash mom grade after all...). It's about being imperfect as a mom and being OK with that. Embracing it! And to hell with all the perfect moms! As if!

Molly: Oh. Well, I can live with that.

And that was that. I started writing for White Trash Mom. In deference to "the Queen", I became Tacky Princess. And the rest is history. Our online numbers got better and better, and the next thing you know, Michelle's "little" blog started getting national attention. Then, she started talking about writing a book. There's nothing small about Michelle Lamar...

Tacky Princess: A book? Really?

Queen of White Trash: Yes, a book. Why not?

TP: Wow, I never thought about that. A book. Sounds cool.

The Queen: I've already written most of the proposal. Do you want in?

TP: Sure!

And again, we were off and running, Michelle leading the way. And the next thing you know...

• She found our super agent, Levine Greenburg
• They found our wonderful publisher, St Martin's Press
• And the rest is history

Or so the story goes. And here we are. Published. It's a little surreal, really. After countless hours of writing and edits, etc. The book is really here! OK, enough already...

Cheers.

Tacky Princess / Balanced Babe

White Trash Mom Book Giveaway!!!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but I wanted to get in a quick post here to tell you to hightail it on over to our White Trash Mom site, so you can put it your "two cents" on what your favorite volunteer job is. Hey, even if your kids aren't in school yet - or if you don't even have any kids...whatever. Do you like free stuff?

Do you want to "earn" a copy of the new, hot off the presses White Trash Mom Handbook for FREE?

Then, "cast your vote" by commenting on my post on School Volunteerism - It's Contest #3 in our Book Giveaway. I have been remiss in telling everyone on this site about our book giveaways over at my other site! SO - hop on over there, and tell us what your favorite volunteer gig is and why. The best answer gets a FREE copy of our new book, which came out TODAY!

Well, what are you waiting for??? Get a move on!!! What have you got to lose??? CLICK!

Balanced Babe

42 Rules for Working Moms - My Rule's on Mommy Track'd!

Just had to share this link to Mommy Track'd, where they posted my "rule" from the recently released 42 Rules for Working Moms by Laura Lowell. I am a contributing author, and it's been a great ride so far. In case you're not familiar, Mommy Track'd is the "smart, stylish, helpful and always entertaining resource for stay-at-work moms managing the daily tug of war between work and family."

  L-O-V-E love, love, love that description! It's absolutely everything I support.

Anyway, I couldn't have been more pleased to find good ol' Rule 25 on their site.

And as far as the 42 Rules for Working Moms book, in case you haven't yet haven't yet checked it out, it's a humorous but practical book, offering advice to working moms everywhere. For more information, please check out the website at the link above!

Cheers,

Balanced Babe