Anastasia

 

DC has always loved this movie, but more-so over the last year. I am not sure why.

May 2015:

Paris:

Before we visited the tower, our first stop which happened to be right where the train in let us off was the Arc de Triomphe. Thinking that he would not be at all impressed with this because to him it was an arch, nothing more, I was surprised when he  recognized this arch – from Anastasia. I had forgotten all about that movie. I was kicking myself for not remembering it and looking into more Anastasia references before we left on our trip.

Dec 2019:

Yesterday DC needed to wear a mustache. He told me he was "Jim Dear". He put a different one on again this morning and told me he was "Mr. Disney". Then, I guess he decided he did not need his mustache today and took it off. He told me he was "Dimitri" (from Anastasia). #ThatWorks

#NoMustacheToday

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July 2020:

DC is getting ready for Camp Music.

He has tortured them over the last two weeks by choosing songs from Anastasia. Not only is the movie 23 years old, but not being "Disney" makes it not as popular as some of the Disney choices he could have made. The only person who seems to know these songs is 'Par-ee-ka', the assistant director.

Hoping to get a different thought in his head before camp started, I asked him that maybe he wanted to suggest "Here Comes The Sun" (Beatles, but also Disney's Parent Trap) this week. I had to try to come up with something that is 1. Well known and 2. Known to DC - that seemed to fit.

DC: NO! Paris Holds The Key To Your Heart!

He already had his pick in his head and yes... #Anastasia.

#SorryDGroup I tried!

***

December 2020:

One of those accidental gift finds...

DC wants pretty much the same things all of the time (or something so old or obscure that I have to resort to eBay). It’s hard to find him something other than the regular things on his list that will really make him happy. He wanted an Anastasia book (he already has a few). While searching to find one that he didn’t have, I came across a music box that plays “Once Upon a December”, the song that he haunted his virtual camp music class with all summer.

Score!!!!!! He’s been playing it all morning!!!

I also found an ornament for him and one for Mrs. H as a reminder that she hasn’t had to read Anastasia with him since March due to the pandemic. #MoviesThatAreTwentyYearsOld

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Quarantine Diaries: Part 23 - Snow Day

 "Canceled" used to be a word that DC loved. 

School is canceled.

Work is canceled.

Baseball (or any sport related activity) is canceled.

He liked baseball - when he got there, but was always happy to stay home if it rained.

When something he was really looking forward to was canceled due to weather or any other reason - he was not happy with the word, but... in his mind, it meant that it was not my fault. 

It wasn't me not letting him go for whatever reason - weather, illness, other plans.

"Canceled" was always a good word either for him or I depending on the circumstances.

Not any more.

After this year of having everything he loved, canceled - he does not want to hear that any more.

Not that he was not happy to have a day off from work; I just could not use the word canceled.

"DC, you are going to stay home tomorrow because of all of the snow." (I could not use the word "storm" either)

Hoping he would accept just that without further explanation because he does love going to work - he stopped, stared at me and went directly to making plans!

Not a worry about work. Not a worry about when he would go back. His only worry was the Christmas lunch that was scheduled at his job for Friday.

***

“Mom! Computer tomorrow?”

“Mom! Peanut Butter toast in the morning”

“Mom! (Holding a jar of peanut butter) Smooth, unsalted peanut butter for me?” (we have to use the whole and proper name)

“Mom! Decorate the cookies tomorrow?”

“Mom! Not to be nervous about the storm.”

“Mom! Pepperoni on sandwich for lunch.”

#HeHasPlans #StormPrep

***

Snow Day List:

Peanut Butter Toast

Using “His” Peanut Butter

Computer

Pepperoni Sandwich

Nervous about the storm

Decorate the cookies

Eating the cookies was not on his list but he resolved that oversight.

***

So that went well...

The snow was cleared in time for his work party on Friday.

I will reserve the right to use "canceled" for the times when I need to prove that it is not my fault, but until that has to happen, the word remains banned.

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Christmas Secrets

 

DC and BB had another DBD Day Out when they went to the Mall for Christmas shopping the other night (Masks, distancing... the works).

Since Christmas shopping was the planned activity for the evening, I asked DC who he was going to shop for (hint, hint). After telling me he was shopping for "DC" a few times, I finally got him to understand that he is supposed to be shopping for other people (hint, hint again).

Finally he told me he was going to shop for me. (Don't judge. I have spent 29 years being "all of Christmas" - while "other people" mail 1 unwrapped DVD in an envelope without even a card < was I supposed to wrap it too?> It is nice to have DC think about me for a minute and be able to take credit for a gift he actually picked out).

***

Knowing DC as I do and his inability to keep a secret - I reminded him that he can't tell me what he buys until Christmas. It is supposed to be a Christmas gift. It is supposed to be a secret.

If you've been here a while, you know how well DC keeps secrets. He will tell you to "Shhhh it's a secret" as he is telling you the secret. Apparently in his mind, if he whispers said secret into my ear, it counts as keeping the secret.

They had a nice time shopping.

DC called a few times (spontaneous use of the phone!!!). Once to tell me that 'Sub-a-way' ran out of meatballs and he did not "freak out".

His usual subway order is meatball and pepperoni grinder with nothing else. Running out of meatballs has happened only 3 times in DC's lifetime. The first time DC came up against a meatball outage was not pretty - trust me. He finally opted for just pepperoni and bread. I believe that was also his order the next time they ran out of meatballs, which went a bit easier than the first time.

This time, he went for pepperoni with (wait for it) bacon, cheese, TOASTED with Honey Mustard!!!!! Hooo-LYYYY! He was proud of himself and I was proud of him (even though that combo really sounded disgusting to me).

The moment DC walked through the door carrying the bag that Doug told him to leave in the car so I wouldn't see, DC handed me the bag and whispered, "Shhhh! It's a secret"....

No, I didn't look and Doug took it back to the car when he realized DC brought it in and I was holding it.

****

After this one secret "stumble" on DC's part, to his credit I have not heard about the "Secret" again. He might just make it to Christmas!

*******************

In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Quarantine Diaries: Part 22 - Thanksgiving, Christmas and Everything In-Between

DC has already started making his Christmas list for Santa. It is on the "refrig-a-lator". This year:

Bandaids

Frozen Princess Dolls (as if he didn't have each one 3 times over)

Jelly Beans

and

32 markers.

He's upped his request from last year from 18 markers (which then got reduced to 17) to 32.

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I have always had some sort of block at spelling out loud. I don't know if my brain gets ahead of it self or what, but there are times when I just have to write it down to then spell something out loud for DC.

With DC, it is the opposite; he can't hear it out loud but can read it when he write is down.

Me: Guess where we are going tomorrow?

DC: (Stops what he is doing and waits)

Me: M.Y.S.T.I.C.

DC:

Me: M.Y.S.T.I.C. - What does that spell?

DC: YMCA

Me: (after we both laughed for awhile) Write it down.

DC: (Screeching) Mystic! YES!!!!!

****

While in Mystic, DC opted for a change in his pizza order. He agreed to sausage and bacon on his pizza!!!

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Our designated Zoom laptop decided to do never-ending updates right before the Camp Movie event. DC’s laptop doesn’t have a camera and neither does my PC. So we had to resort to his phone. #IHateComputerUpdates

He’s happy enough. Laughing loudly at

Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. #Camp

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Apparently it’s a double mustache kind of a day. #mustachesmakehimfeelbetter

****

It’s only 8 am

****

DC’s aunt dropped off another “keep him busy during the pandemic” bag (complete with a rather large candy bar).

It was still technically morning when she dropped it off so I told him he had to wait until after lunch.

He then followed me around stating “Aunt ‘Lee-za’ give it to me” just to e sure I didn’t forget that it was still there and still his.

He got to have it after lunch. The note said he was supposed to share with me and Doug, but Doug wasn’t here, so he missed out.

Yesterday he worked on the other things in the bag. He’s always been good with markers but I have to say that he is pretty good with a paint brush too!

****

“Mom, I do not like stuffing. I do not like mashed ‘tomatoes’ (potatoes), I don’t like soup”

I know all of this but he continued to tell me as I was cooking.

So for him, a turkey leg (as there must be bones), microwave French fries (because we can)and rolls .. lots of rolls.

****

It took me a minute to figure out what DC was writing... He got pretty close!

#Substitutiarylocomotion

#Bedknobsandbroomsticks

“Treguna Mekoides Tracorum Satis Dee” #alldisneyallofthetime

****

DC is a happy guy today. The “hair-dishonier ” (air conditioner) came out. It was a hard decision but I finally decided it was time. #isithotinhereorisitjustme

DC: Mom, DC is feeling happy.

****

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!

DC, as predicted set his sights on Christmas around 6pm on Thanksgiving.

*******************

In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Quarantine Diaries: Part 20 - More DC Being DC (and me being me)

As much as we have had all of that new anxiety spring up over the pandemic and being home for so long, he has also seemed to settle in to this routine (or non-routine) faster than I ever imagined. Staying at home has become the norm rather quickly. 

I know this probably does not make any sense at all. He's anxious but has settled in - at the same time. I do not know know else to explain it.

August...

I remember responding to a status a few weeks back (I don’t know what day it is so you really can’t expect me to remember who I was “taking” to).

Their child was obsessing over Halloween. What would it be like this year? Would it be cancelled?

I remember saying that thankfully (and oddly) Halloween hadn’t occurred to DC; probably because he hasn’t been so calendar oriented over that past few months.

Well... I spoke too soon.

Sigh

Has anyone come up with a 2020 Halloween plan? I mean - I really don’t want to be wiping down 200 individual pieces of candy from the trick or treat bag.

****

September:

Words I Never Expected To Hear:

I had nightmares last night/this morning and was having a hard time getting back to sleep.

I was trying to be as quiet as possible because although DC has been sleeping later during this pandemic, he is ready to jump out of bed the moment he hears a sound from me.

Any sound and he catapults out of bed, especially if there is the slightest hint of light outside.

As quiet as I was trying to be; he heard me. It was getting light outside.

“Mom! Go back to sleep!”

He gave his order and did not even wait to see if I was going to adhere to it before he went right back to sleep!

I know this doesn’t sound like a big thing but trust me - it is.

Normally (when he’s sleeping in his room instead of the couch), I have to stop in his room first to tell him I’m only up to use the bathroom - every time I get up or he would be out of bed and ready for the day at any time of night if he hears me.

Progress...

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(You all know that DC slaps on a fake mustache when he is having a bad day) - Practically woke up with a mustache on. I had to go to the office (that will do it for me) and he had to come with me.  - I don’t blame him.
I could have used a mustache too but he won’t lend me one.
#mustacheday #crabby

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'Kepp-en Beezy' (Keeping Busy) In September and October (so far):

DC, telling me the story of the walk we took today (I was there)

DC: I was doing the walking.

Mom and me.

I walked and walked and walked.

I walked up the hill and there was a fart.

#IsntThereAlways #Boys

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Out to lunch today. Normally as soon as DC is finished, he begins haunting us to use the restroom; only because he is done eating and is now bored.

If you’ve haven’t been tortured with waiting outside the door for DC to get out of the restroom because he is in there singing show tunes or revisiting the Wizard of Oz script, then you don’t have any idea of how much we hold our breath hoping he will not ask to go.

He started his routine:

“I .... I ... I .. want to .... I ... want to ... want to ... I .... want to .... (wait for it)

Go to the dollar store”

We were so shocked and relieved that of course we took him to the dollar store.

Well played, DC. Well played.

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DC’s Dad just sent him a case - not just a ream; a case of white paper, band-aids and sharpies (to make up for the 3d puzzle he sent that I couldn't even do - <not really to make up for it. I'm joking> but seriously I was ready to throw it out the door and stomp on it. Those need to be done by someone with a lot better eyesight than me ).

You probably all heard the screaming from where you are when he opened these packages!

Perfect timing - he is HAPPY! #Paper #Bandaids #Markers

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Early October:

DC’s old “All of Oz” costume came in handy. Waiting a week or two to get pumpkins so they will make it to Halloween. Can’t wait for the mums to bloom! (Yes, I stink at scarecrows - I can’t ever get the head to stay on, so he’s headless).

I kept singing "Do you want to build a scarecrow" at DC but he wasn't finding me as hilarious as I was finding myself.

OZ is second to Disney to DC... maybe even tied. #AllOzAllOfTheTime

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DC watching the Doctor and Seven of Nine singing “You Are My Sunshine”, but he couldn’t listen without getting into the Von Trapp pose. #StarTrek #Voyager

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We really don't know what Halloween will look like this year but I better think of something because DC is READY! I don't know if he can face another cancelled activity or disappointment this year.

We Will Come Up With Something! Trust Me!

***

You all know that Halloween is always a post of it's own! We will talk about it then.

DC did start back at his day program as well (a few days per week) and we will talk about that very soon.

See you then,

Vickie and DC

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time