Profile - Shai G. (LoveBeingMOM) - CA

About me and my family~

First and foremost I am a mom. I am, also, a wife. My son has many special needs (High Functioning autism, bipolar disorder &  fetal alcohol spectrum disorder)  and I continue to advocate for him. I am going to give him the best chance at a happy and at least a semi-independent life.

My husband is wonderful and a huge inspiration. He has a rare and disabling disease called Alexander's Disease. It is similar to Multiple Sclerosis. He can no longer drive or work. He is in a wheelchair 100% of the time. He has been this way for several years. His illness is slowly getting worse I is basically bed ridden.

I wear many "hats" as I am wife, mother, caregiver, homemaker, gardener, housekeeper, cook, taxi driver, etc Plus, I have a job outside the home. I am a substitute instructional assistant for our county's special education program. Due to my son and husband, their needs, doctor appts, etc, I am unable to work 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. This is why I am a substitute vs. full time instructional assistant.

Our anniversary date: 11/14/1987

My birthday: 07/14/1966

My son's birthday: 05/26/1997

My husband's birthday: 09/12/1964

For my  SISTA SWAP:

I would love to be pampered... it rarely happens unless it is from one of my wonderful buddies here at PBS. Due to all the stress in my life it is nice to have a little pampering now and then. In fact,  we are in crisis mode at least 70% of the time and I seem to be the one doing all the care-giving, etc and I need to be taken care of!! 

We can't afford to go out much...movies or resturants. So, gift cards would be my first choice. This is always a great gift for me, so please do not think that it is the easy way out...'cause I really LOVE to get them! I would, also, love items from the Autism web site listed below. And, of course, wish list books are always good!

I have one son, who is 12. He has Autism and is more like a 7 - 8 year old in many ways.   

•  Gift Cards:  Amazon.com, Walmart , Tader Joe's,Outback Steakhouse, Chili's , Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory , RAVE Theaters http://www.ravemotionpictures.com/  ; Red Robin; Olive Garden
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• Gift card for Angel Food Ministries would be great too !! http://www.angelfoodministries.com/giftcards/giftcards.asp

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• Make-Up: I do not wear lip gloss. I wear COVER GIRL Outlast #549 lip color. 
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•  Swap a DVD WL http://www.swapadvd.com/members/my_lists/wish_list.php             

• Snacks: Roasted No Salt Peanuts in shell, no salt roasted cashews & almonds, chocolate covered pretzels (milk chocolate), carmel apples w/peanuts.
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• DISLIKE: LOTS of stuff...Mint, Spicy stuff, pickles, white chocolate, dark chocolate , floral scents (allergic to many scents) . Do not need gloves or scarves or hats. No picture frames, please . No pencils. No address books or photo albums. NO Romance type books, NO Sci-Fi books . No knick knacks, no photo frames or photo books. 
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• Love the Downey fabric softener sheet special scents...I think Lavender is my favorite ... mild enough it does not bother my allergies.

***  Other Info: Check out http://www.awarenessdepot.com/autism3.html  I'd love any of the jewelry, car magnets, checkbook cover, hair scrunchie, tote, blanket, purse hanger.

           WL book I'd like :

 The Night the DeFeos Died: Reinvestigating the Amityville Murders :: Ric Osuna  

********* My husband has been in hospital/rehab since 1/1/2010, if anyone wants to send stuff this is a small list of some of what he could use...

Trail mix

Men's long sleep pants, size Medium

Men's short & long sleeved button or snap (he'd love snap if anyone has these) shirts, size Medium

Subscription to Reader's Digest or recent back issues of Reader's Digest, same for Consumer Reports Magazine

My son has Autism and is having a difficult time with his dad gone. If you want to send him anything here are a few things he likes (other than the books on my WL...'cause most are for him):

Army men, Transformers, throw blankets and/or twin sheets (Transformers, Superman, Spiderman, Pirates, Star Wars, Sponge Bob, Phinas & Ferb, Dinosaurs), books to draw in.

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!