April is Autism Awareness Month! If you're like me, you've likely been touched by Autism, whether directly or indirectly. I have several friends whose kiddos are on the Spectrum, and they are some truly fantastic humans, who just happen to see and experience the world a bit differently than their neurotypical peers. 

For individuals with autism and other sensory processing challenges or disabilities, mask wearing can be difficult. A face covering introduces multiple new stimuli, including the fabric's sensation, the pressure of tight elastic bands and the heat and moisture from breath inside the mask.

In today's world, this has become quite the challenge for families with members on the Autism Spectrum. It's actually more common than you might think. Here are some quick facts:
 
According to the CDC, about one-in-54 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). About one-in-six children aged 3–17 years (17%) were diagnosed with a developmental disability as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others. Per the Autism Society, ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder U.S. with 3.5 million+ individuals on the spectrum in the U.S.; 500,000 autistic individuals are transitioning to adulthood.

Imagine it: the comforting, cushioning hold of the perfect pair of athletic shoes. Soft, light, breezy and comfortable, gentle on the feet but strong in support, with the capacity to carry you for hours and hours on end without fatigue. Does this elusive El Dorado of shoes actually exist, and where can I find it – now?

Take heart, my friends – it is not a matter of WHERE you find it, so you can cool it on the searches for where to find Nike shoes for sale but more a matter of HOW. Of course, with the impending purchase drawing near, it is easy to think that you can just walk into a shop and buy something. In reality, however, you could be making the whole buying process a lot easier and leave you much happier with your purchase than if you were blindly buying and hoping for the best.

What is their job?
Strange as it sounds, your shoes do have a job. Anything you do on a regular basis, from working to your hobbies, will inform what kind of shoes you need. Whether you are a hiker, a runner, a nurse or a dancer, the chances of you needing a purpose-specific shoe are quite high. Look at what your immediate lifestyle requires from you and buy your type of shoes accordingly.

Is the brand name a big deal?
Big name brands did not become big names because of poor quality products – hence the popularity of Nike shoes sales! While there is definite merit to buying products from an established brand, do not put yourself under pressure to buy those if you can’t afford them.

Use the internet to make informed comparisons between different brands. Even if you thought that a certain brand was the next best thing, it might turn out that their shoes are not the best choice for you. Remember that different brands make their products in different ways, and that one design might not work for you, while another would be perfect. Shop around for the different kinds of shoes for sale and make your decision based on the best answer for your needs.

What material makes up the shoe?
In the same way that your activity dictates the type of shoe you use, it will also inform what material is used to make it. Runners, for example, will need a lighter, stable shoe that does not chafe or hurt in any way. The heel of a runner’s shoe needs far more cushioning than that of a walker’s, so a shoe with a lot of cushioning in this area will serve a runner well, by helping to protect their joints. In terms of materials that are successfully used, you will find a lot of foam, mesh, and rubber present in athletic shoes of any kind, as these materials are light, breathable and easy to wear. Thanks to technology, you might even be lucky and find a pair that you find both practical and cool-looking!

In closing, a few final words of advice in summary: Use the internet and get enough research done to make an informed decision and use your lifestyle to guide you. The El Dorado of shoes could be yours!

Okay, so it's no secret that the past year has been.....Well, it's definitely been weird. We humans have had to face unprecedented challenges, and we've had to adapt to a new "normal" when life felt anything but. 

Some folks have come out, unscathed. For many of us, myself included, the global situation and just the world in general has left me feeling a lot of different emotions. I'm worried for loved ones who have health conditions. I am grieving the loss of a few folks who sadly, lost their lives. We've had job loss, economic uncertainty, and so much more hit, all at once. It's enough to take a hefty toll on even the strongest of us. 

Part of what I have been doing to stay sane is plenty of self-care. This can mean a lot of different things. Self care can be a nap with a warm, fuzzy blanket or a hot bubble bath with your favorite aromatherapy scents. Self care can be driving down the highway, music turned up loud, singing along to your favorite songs. It can be snuggling with your child or pet. Self care can even be reading a good book or 3. If those books have the tools to help you become the best version of YOU possible? Even better. 

The weather is FINALLY starting to warm up just a wee bit, so we have decided it's time to start spreading love and kindness wherever we happen to go. Kindness is a lifestyle for our family. I'd even go as far as to say kindness is our religion, even. We make it a point to teach the kids that if they can't find the light in the world, it's time for them to BE the light. If you ever have the opportunity to make someone's day better? You should probably do it. (Within reason, of course. Don't ever do so much for others that you lose yourself in the process. That's a whole different post, entirely.)

Anyway, my 10 year old, Xander, has quite the reputation for spreading love and kindness here in the Cleveland area. In our EST Fandom, some call him the EST Kid. They can always count on the EST kid to dress up in the best outfits while giving gifts, spreading cheer, and even rapping on demand for those who request it. (He's pretty good for a little kid, to be honest.) He really loves his experiences, and is always ready for the next EST Kid adventure, whether it's at concerts or even giving out roses to people at Machine Gun Kelly's coffee shop here in Cleveland, The 27 Club. He's made it a habit to give roses to the Baristas when we go, and he even got to give roses to Colson Baker himself! Oh, and to the absolutely gorgeous Megan Fox, too! 

We decided since the weather is getting nicer, we'd head back up to our favorite coffee shop to have lunch, grab some coffee, and of course, share some random acts of kindness. 

Have you or a loved one ever felt unsafe while out and about? 
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Maybe you were shopping, and felt like someone was following you? With human trafficking being a real threat in certain areas, including my own, this is a very valid fear, and women and girls especially must remain proactively vigilant regarding their surroundings. Sadly, these predators often search for vulnerable women or women with their children.

How scary is that?!

​I have personally been followed before, and it certainly leaves one with a panicky, sinking feeling. I remember the feeling of my blood running cold when I realized a strange man was following me while I had my oldest son out for a walk in his stroller. This was about 20 years ago, and before I had a cell phone available to me. Thankfully, I was able to get away from the person on my tail, but I have never forgotten about the feeling of dread and pure helplessness. 

Okay. I admit, that's pretty a frightening way to open. What about other, less nefarious scenarios where you might find yourself needing help? 

Maybe you had an accident or broke down somewhere, and aren't near a phone. Maybe you're having a medical emergency, and need assistance. 
Maybe you found yourself in a fire, or other disaster, and need help right away. 

With Valentine's Day coming up quickly, a lot of us still have their shopping to do. I mean, who doesn't love something sparkly and pretty once in a while? We had one heck of a time during 2020, so why not treat them to something special? I think we all deserve it. Hey, even gift yourself! There's absolutely nothing wrong with some self-care.
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I consider self care essential, even. Absolutely essential. 

Anyone who knows me well knows that there are 2 great loves in my life, outside of my husband.....My kids and music. My children and music both give meaning to my life in ways I can't even describe. 

I guess the best way to put it is that both my kids AND the music community have given me family where there once was none....I'm kind of a Black Sheep, and don't come from a very close family to begin with. I don't really have parents, and the kids don't really have grandparents. They don't have aunts and uncles or cousins, the way most kids do. They do on my husband's side, actually, but everyone is so far away and we don't get to see them as often as we'd like. I'm referring to my side, much of whom are local, but basically strangers. 

Does anyone have a geek on their gift lists this season?

I do! My 11 year old daughter, Sophie, is a major geek who loves everything from retro gaming to comics to cult classic films, like A Christmas Story. She doesn't like guns, though, so she will not be shooting her eye out anytime soon. 

Whether it be for Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or really ANY occasion, TVStoreOnline.com is my go-to place to find the best geeky gifts for everyone on your list! 

Here are some of my absolute favorite geeky gift ideas for Valentine's Day:

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With so many of us choosing to stay home during the cold, winter months, things can get boring, fast. You can only watch the same TV shows so many times, and even favorite board games get dull when you've played them 4392 times in a week. 

When staying home gets bland and blah, there's always something that can stand to be done: Cleaning the house! 

Yes, I get that this is a daily chore, and something that most people don't consider fun. Hear me out, though. 

For me, being home so much more makes me want to create the best, most relaxing environment possible. After all, doesn't it feel good to be surrounded by nice, clean surroundings? Shining floors and countertops, pristine tiles, and just a nice sense of order? I find it's easier to relax when my house is in order. It doesn't always last long, having 3 kids and pets in the house, but those 10 minutes when everything is perfect? Oh, they're glorious. 

Even though this isn't your typical Holiday season, it's still a good idea to keep with certain traditions. We stayed home for Christmas, and spent it together, just us and the kiddos. Normally, we celebrate by attending a XXMas concert in Cleveland, followed by a trip to an indoor waterpark resort for Christmas Eve and Day.  Obviously, this is 2020. None of that happened. Our traditions were not in the realm of possibility, so we made the most of spending the Holidays at home.