Sacred Heart Community Center Needs 1000K Backpacks -- now

It is almost time for Pack-a-Back 2009 and we don't have all the supplies that our neighbor children must have for the coming school year. We need your assistance collecting these critical supplies.

Every year, we register 1,500 children for this program. This year, due to the great need in our community, it was with great pleasure that 1,740 children were guaranteed a backpack on August 14th. At a time when state budget cuts have deeply affected children's services, and impoverished children are constantly disregarded, we need your help to achieve this audacious goal!

We will be collecting backpacks and school supplies until Friday, August 7th. Any items can be dropped off at the Sacred Heart donation station , 1381 S 1st St, in San Jose.

Our most critical needs are backpacks, scientific calculators, notebooks, and subject folders. Read our brochure for a full list of what each backpack will contain. Or you can donate directly to Sacred Heart for this campaign.
Any school supply donation or financial donation will directly impact the lives of the children. Your contribution, especially right now, is greatly appreciated.

In Contrast to Thing 1's Food Habits This Week....

BFF has been crazed going from therapy to therapy with the our Tobin. Today it even included baby jars filled with foods he is allergic to in order to desensitize him from them. After desensitization comes tolerance, removal of metals, and so many steps I can't even begin to understand. Interested? Try Jenny McCarthy's book... it'll give you some serious hope and perspective about food allergies and the Autism Spectrum.

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Acupressure, Behavior, you name it.

Damn that kid is going to be alllll right.

Now if BFF could just get one night's rest.

Hug Everyone. Hell, Hug the Grocery Clerk

In the oddest twist of fate, a friend of ours fell off his horse on Saturday and is in a coma. It's not good. In fact, it's pretty very not good. On a scale of 3-15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale, he's a 4. Man, that even hurts to type...

Here is my shout-out to you to send positive vibes, prayer, good juju, whatever... please, please send them to Juan, Liz and their four children Juan, Ricky, Isabel and baby Juliana. That's right, I'm using real names. Use real prayers if you've got 'em.

"Hug everyone you love", Mrs. Grizwald told me tonight.

MASSIVE HUGS OUT TO YOU.

Tower Trio

Grizwald Boy: "Tower of Terror!!!!"

Thing 1: "Tower of Powerrrr!!!!"

Thing 2: "Leaning Tower of Pisa!"

My Best Friend's Kid Has Asperger's

...just found out last week. Still reeling, even though I, of course knew some form of Autism was the likely diagnosis.

We decided in a drunken stupor do redecorate her room as her retail therapy. I'm looking for chaises and hunting down paint colors. It's the only goddamn thing I can do to help.

Update: Askville folks had some great resources for family friends of Asperger's kids. Read the suggestions here.

Nine Do Nine in the Storm

Kickass, man, we had a great run today. There were nine of us, The Grizwald Clan (4+the awesome runner dog) and the four of us took on the storm with bike trailers, jog strollers and a goal to get wet.

Nine miles in the rain, muddy flooded trails and all -- awesome!