Americanland by Bruce Springsteen.

I'm listening to the news - Afghanistan, soldiers dying - 9 years and billions (trillions?) spent. Meanwhile the average American goes about his/her business with nary a thought to the struggle, sacrifice and pain. During WWII, wives, sisters, fathers, children - everyone chipped in. Women gave up their stockings so the nylon could be used for parachutes. Butter was replaced by oleo. Sugar was rationed - I collect vintage cookbooks and have many WWII Era recipes designed for the frugal and rationed wife. Today? The Hummers are back on the road even as the oil is floating about the Gulf. AC is purring in every home. Sprinklers keep lawns verdant.

We used to be able to suck it up. Sacrifice by CHOICE - not just because we lost our jobs and had no options. Now, I'm guessing that more people know the name Snookie than Karzai.

Bring back the Draft. No exemptions except for severe mental or physical problems. No, not you corporal Klinger. Not exemptions for college, the last name of a Senator, ADHD drugs, flat feet, a zit on your dick. If you're an 18 year old boy OR GIRL, get ready to rub sand in your ass crack because you're going to fight.

Think things would change?

Agreed. It's Too Darn Hot, Ella!

Joan Rivers on David Letterman Thursday July 22nd!

I've been a Joan Rivers fan since her days as a talk show host on WABC radio in New York in the nineties. I lover her story, her career, her survival instinct, her loyalty, her humor - everything. Hell, I even love her love of plastic surgery and her mega-biz on QVC. I was on QVC twice for Mark's company a long time ago. It ain't easy to sell the "wow" in their required "over the fence chat" style. I ironed on a German ironing board at 7:00am, shaking with terror. And I demo'd a cake box with ice packs that fit into the bottom to cool your tarts. I recall the host "Bob" as being kind of an asshole. Ms. Rivers has her own dressing room. No big, noisy green room that is like a bad circus tent for her with the Spanx lady (makeup 3 feet thick) standing next to the guy who is going to sell the latest camera, standing next to me wondering if my pale lip glass and mascara is enough. (It wasn't.)

Ms. Rivers is on The Howard Stern show often - I never miss her interviews. My agent knows her quite well. You might recall how kind she was to me when I took Bella to the The Bank Street Book Nook in New Milford, CT for a signing and Ms. Rivers allowed us to scoot to the front of the line because Bella was having trouble with the crowded (busting at the seams!) store.
Her website
Twitter "Staying in Melissa's guest room in L.A. It's in the basement--so far underground. I could have reached over and capped the BP well myself."
Facebook
All her books on Amazon

Coming Soon To a Roof Top Near You?

By Dan Burns

I was reading on the upstairs balcony when the cop car whipped around the corner and into my parking lot. About that time I thought I heard my son Ben's gleeful, autistic laugh behind me. But that was impossible, because I was sure that Ben was in his room reading Dr. Seuss books. Another laugh - a shriek, really. As the cop got out of the cruiser, my neighbor came trotting up, arms windmilling. "Hey, there's a naked man on your roof." I looked up and yep, there stood 22-year-old Ben in all his shameless glory, tossing pecans to the squirrels.

Last week, a Dallas mom responded to my blog, commenting on her son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): "He's only 13 but he's taller than I am now. That scares me because looking like an adult and behaving inappropriately can get him into so much more trouble now."

Yeah, tell me about it. I hustled Ben back through the open window. I heard the cruiser door slam as the cop walked toward us... Read the full post and please comment with your own experiences at Dallas Morning News MomsBlog

Dan E. Burns, Ph.D., former filmmaker, software developer, and businessman, taught Communication courses at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Phoenix. In 1990 his third child, Benjamin, was diagnosed with autism. Burns' memoir, Saving Ben: A Father's Story of Autism (www.SavingBenBook.com) published by UNT Press, tells of a three-year-old child's regression as an infant into autism and Burns' struggle with the medical establishment, the school system, and his family in the battle for Ben's health as a father who never gives up. Planning for the time when he and Ben's mom pass on, Dr. Burns is developing the Autism Trust of Texas, modeled on The Autism Trust (U.K.) and focused on the creation of new communities to offer a future for the increasing number of children with autism. They will provide a home base for life where adults with autism can work, live and improve their skills and talents in a creative and supportive environment.

Happy Birthday Gianna Marie! 14 today.

A picture says a million words. What could I possibly add?

Sparkle Like A Certain Vampire!

Ah the power of Twitter! I saw an interesting Tweet this Spring, about a bedazzled line of custom T-shirts. (My God, did I really just use the word "bedazzled" in a sentence?) The nice folks at Bling is the New Black made a rush order for me in time for Autism One. You can order your own T-shirt and tote directly from Tanya at BITNB. Not only will you feel all sparkly (did I just use sparkly in a sentence?) you'll support Age of Autism too.

Go to Bling is the New Black and click on the Age of Autism menu on the left. That's Mark Blaxill from AofA and me at Autism One in May. Sparkle on!

StagMom's Carnival Gluten Free Casein Free Frosted Birthday Cake

I've been tweaking my GFCF cake recipes and boy I think I've come up with a winner. When Bella made her First Holy Communion last month, I ordered a professional made GFCF cake from Jill at Sweet Gluten Free in Bridgeport, CT. The cake was TO DIE FOR. Moist chocolate cake with a melt in your mouth coconut oil based frosting and just look at the carefully cut fondant letters and hand crafted flowers. Kimmy loves to bake. Kimmy can not make a cake look that even and professional. This is the PROFESSIONALLY MADE cake below. See it's gleaming perfection. It's dreamy, isn't it?

Gianna's birthday (14!) is on July 11 (yes, my 7/11 Slurpee girl!) and I ordered a cake from Jill. But, I still need to bake cakes on a regular basis. Yes, I said NEED. Baking is my Xanax, OK?

So here's my recipe for StagMom's Carnival Cake. It's not health food. It won't accommodate every special needs diet. But if you make it, I promise you not a single soul will know it isn't a "real" cake. Oh it's real, and I have the belly fat to prove it. This bakes up into a moist, barely sweet pound cake that is set off perfectly by the cotton candy carnival frosting.

Cake

1 Box Betty Crocker GF yellow cake mix (double the recipe for a 2 layer cake)

Substitute So Delicious brand unsweetened coconut milk for the water (that's the green carton)

Substitute Jones All Natural Cream Soda for the vanilla

Use 3 eggs, just like the box says

Frosting (enough for a 2 layer cake)

1 stick Earth Balance shortening softened

1 stick Earth Balance margarine softened
Jones All Natural Cream Soda

1 large bag Powdered Sugar (use Kosher made with tapioca starch if you can't tolerate corn)

Karo clear syrup (if you can't tolerate corn, use Lyle's Golden Sugar Cane syrup)

Beat shortening and margarine until smooth

Add 1/8 cup cream soda

Add 2 tbsps Karo

Beat

Add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, beat until creamy
Slowly add remaining sifted powdered sugar (yes you can skip the sifting if you must, harumph)

Add more cream soda until the frosting is an easy spreading consistency.

If piping the frosting - say onto cupcakes, keep frosting slightly firm. Softer for spreading.

Lick fingers many, many times. Wash them, for God's sake.

Set cake on counter. Call family. Enjoy the accolades.

Dig in!

Happy (Belated) Gay Pride Day

Happy Gay Pride Day to the five strong men in my life (you know who you are) whom I adore as family, friends, colleagues. This cake is for you. (No, I didn't bake this one. A bit too much artificial color for my taste!)

This is What We Do.

(Even though we don't look anything like Carrie Bradshaw.) If you have sensitive ears, mind the first words. A bit swear-y. Meh.

Happy Father's Day!

Young Man with Autism To Give Commencement Speech

Congratulations to my good friend Chantal Sicile-Kira and her family on Jeremy's success. Chantal is a writer and amazing Autism Mom who has helped support, educate and entertain others in the autism world for many years. Jeremy's success is Chantal's success, and she deserves every bit of it.

San Diego Ranch Coast News

Inspirational autistic TPHS student graduates, will deliver a commencement speech

Jeremy Sicile-Kira is autistic and cannot speak, but that does not mean he has nothing to say. After seven years at Torrey Pines High School, he has earned his high school diploma and will deliver a commencement speech to his classmates through voice-assisted technology at the June 18 graduation ceremony.

“I am nervous but very touched that I am giving a speech,” said Jeremy, using a letter board to spell out his words. “I want to tell them never give up on your dreams.”

To graduate high school Jeremy, 21, has taken units in mainstream general education classes as well as in his severely handicapped classes with Allen Gustafson, whom Jeremy said is the “best teacher.” He does all the same work as his regular education peers, he just gets more time to do it. He passed his California High School Exit Exam on the first try and will attend MiraCosta College in the fall to study communications.

Next week he will graduate on the same day as his sister, Rebecca, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy.

“I was pretty amazed,” said proud mom Chantal, who never even expected it would be possible for Jeremy to earn his diploma, let alone with a 3.5 GPA.

Along the autism spectrum, every child’s symptoms are different. Although Jeremy can say a few words, he has never been able to speak. In a speech written for an autism conference, Jeremy explained how his autism affected his vision, hearing and motor skills.

He said he had to learn how to hear, how to know which noise to pay attention to and distinguish when someone was speaking to him. He had to learn how to focus to be able to see.

“If I don’t concentrate, the world seems surreal,” Jeremy said...

Read the full article at San Diego Ranch Coast News.

KimStagliano.com Coming Soon!

Autism One Generation Rescue Conference Here I Come!
Click the link to watch live streaming from the Grand Ballroom.

Book Expo America and Skyhorse Publishing

Yesterday the team at Skyhorse welcomed me into their booth at Book Expo America. At the advice of the fabulous Bella Stander, of Book Promotion 101, I had excerpts that I handed out for a short period of time, eyes scanning badges for librarians, press and bookstore buyers. "Hi, this is a humorous memoir with an autism theme that belongs on your 'and you won't need a Prozac to read it,' shelf!" I chatted with sales and publicity and, I hope, gave them a feel for who I am, the tone of the book and confidence that they can send me out to promote the title. I restrained the excited 12 year old who wanted to jump up and down when I saw my book on the signage. I was cool(ish.)

Esther Bochner, Publicist, me, Tony Lyons, Publisher (and author and fellow autism parent.)

Skyhorse had a good week - their catalog is loaded with terrific titles and the debut book Callous Disregard from Dr. Andrew Wakefield (the British doc of the MMR/Autism controversy) hit #11 on Amazon on its launch day. #11!!! It was a fun day to watch the number tumble.

Mark came into the show with me, and it was divine to share the moment with him. He has more photos. I'll get them.

8th Grade Memories

I just dropped off Mia at her Middle School for "Spring Fling." The school has been wonderful, and both her teacher and her para are there to escort her through the events which include: salon, tie dye station, games, music, swimming and more. Mia will stay until after my bedtime - 9pm. The night goes into a dance after the ice cream social, but I figure Mia can stand in a line against the wall anytime she wants, why do it at school?

I got to think of my graduation from 8th grade in 1977. We had a fancy dance and I swayed at arm's length from Steven Spadoni to the ubiquitous 70s prom song below. I didn't even "like" Steven Spadoni. I don't think I had a crush on anyone in 8th grade. Maybe Mike Kerrigan a bit. Now they're 47 year old men. Man, oh man...

Our Special Day

Sweet Bella made her First Communion last Saturday. Jill at Sweet Gluten-Free made this beautiful cake. Those of you who are regular readers know that I love to bake. But I know my limitations! This is a gluten and casein free cake, it was chocolate with a coconut oil based frosting and so delicious. Not overly sweet, moister than any cake I could ever bake. Jill did a beautiful job for us. She delivers in Fairfield County and into the city and Westchester as well.
Autism Moms, can you spot the "I am a raptor and will protect my child" stance I assumed? I thought I'd have to help Bella, but she walked right up to Fr. D. and took her Communion on her own. Mark and I looked at each other with surprise and joy. Bella was beaming when she sat down, clearly pleased with herself.




Bella wore her first pair of patent leather sandals. We usually stick with sneakers, and have had Land's End sandals, but never something with a small heel and cut out fancy-dan hearts! My good friend Amy lent me her daughter's dress. It was elegant and simple and perfect for Bella. Kimmy don't need no Jon Benet Ramsay "Look, Ma I'm 24!" dresses on her kids.

This photo matches the one we have from Mia and Gianna's First Communion. Not sure how I remembered we needed to snap it - but we did. My Mom handled the digital camera with ease. And look, we even have heads! (Family joke, my Mom reads my blog. Hi Mom!)
That's the cake after our party. It was gone by Sunday. I made GFCF cross cookies and bought a small Wilton cake topper as a decoration. I did not sully the perfectly professional cake with the cake topper, she simply sat on the cookie dish.

I am grateful to our Parish and Miss J. and Frs. D and G for supporting my girls. I'm usually pretty tough on "The Church." But at the grassroots, I'm pleased with how my girls have been welcomed.

Party Game! "Lower That Amazon Ranking for David Kirby's Animal Factory."

Today we're celebrating our good friend David Kirby's birthday. Since you won't have time to bake him a cake and schlep it to New York, we have an idea for you.

Purchase a copy of his book Animal Factory at Amazon and we'll give him a great ranking today. And then we'll do something nice for you. Email me your Amazon receipt with your address and size (M-XL) (HERE) and we'll send you a free AofA t-shirt. Presents for you too! Already own a copy? Send one to your Senator or Congressman.

Congratulations, Bella! Sweet Bella is making her First Holy Communion today. Mark and I are proud of her. I'll add photos later. This is Bella as a tot in Ohio.

Congratulations, Kim! It's a Website! The fabulous Jo from Glass Slipper Web Design is designing my website. As of today, the "coming soon" page is complete and just beautiful. My blog will be connected to the site, of course.

KimStagliano.com

Happy Mother's Day!