Quarantine Diaries Part 16: DC Being DC

Just a lot of DC, being DC.

DC’s weekend movie selections.

I don’t know why there are two sitting separately from the rest of the pile... they must be the highlighted selections.

 

He's done a bit of writing and coloring:

Found these hanging on the cabinet (oops... ‘Cub-Board’ ) door this morning.

 

Because I made a big deal (deservedly so) over his pictures this morning, he is now plastering the cabinet - um, ‘cub-boards’ with his ‘princess papers and other movie titles’.
First - I am in awe of his printing.
Second - My favorite: Summer Magic Nineteen Sixteen Three (1963)

 Another Couple of  Birthdays to Celebrate in Quarantine:

Doug's Birthday

Tomorrow is Doug’s birthday (I guess at this point it is today). I don’t have to tell you that this is all I have heard about over the last few days. We don’t have a specific plan yet (which just makes matters worse for DC), due to the weather we may be getting and the fact that we only do outdoor dining. I told him more than once, that I would tell him what we are doing as soon as Doug and I discuss it. But not to worry, we would be doing something.
Me: Please stop asking. I promise to let you know as soon as we have a plan.
Because I told him to stop, he moved on to screeching “Happy Birthday Doug!” over and over again - just so he could continue to bring up the subject without “asking”.
I asked him to stop screeching, so he moved on to singing the birthday song at the top of his lungs at random intervals through-out the day.
Me: DC, I promise I will tell you as soon as I know what we’re doing. Please stop.
Since he wasn’t getting a suitable answer from me, he decided to call Doug and screech Happy Birthday at him and then gave the phone to me.
Doug was at work so we both told DC that we would talk about it tomorrow and let him know.
Right now (it’s 1am)... He’s resorted to sign language.
At least it’s quiet.

 "Grandmother's" (because we have to be formal) Birthday:

“Day After Birthday” porch visit with Grandma, ummm "Grandmother"

 

.

Band-aides and Tree Branches - always:

DC: (He went light on the band-aids, but he’s not finished yet) Poison Ivy - itchy.
Me: Where did you get poison ivy? (He doesn’t have poison ivy; he barely goes outside)
DC: on my hand
Me: but where did you catch it?
DC: on my hand!
Me: but what gave you poison ivy?
DC: (say it with me) Tree Branch

 (Speaking of tree branches... (for those who may be new here) - Those Pesky Tree Branches)

 

File under "He's playing me":

1. Mr Charming

DC has a way of winning over the wait staff immediately.
One minute before she came over, he was mad at me for breathing wrong (or whatever) - 2 seconds later he’s charming the waitress.
Me: DC why are you so charming to everyone else but me?
This was his reply...

2. He CAN hear with the headphones on.

The other day, Doug and I were discussing rainbow goldfish. I told him the green fish tasted like spinach and that I haven't looked at the package to see if that was in fact the case or if it was just my imagination (because.... green). DC was in the back seat with his headphones on which normally means I have to yell a good 3, 4, 5, 6 times before he hears me.
Today, instead of the two goldfish he usually runs over to give me before running away yelling "Thank you for sharing" - he has upgraded me to ALL of the green goldfish; stating "I don't like spinach" before thanking himself for sharing....
So... he CAN hear with the headphones on.
I wonder if this will work with other snacks?

 

 2.5 He CAN hear with the headphones on:

Doug wanted to take DC and his friend BB out for DBD Day (DC, BB and Doug Day formerly known as "Boys Day Out"). 

Doug and I discussed this in the car with DC in the back seat with his headphones on (the rainbow gold fish incident above came later, so it did not occur to me that he could hear with them on, because ... the yelling 3, 4, 5, 6 times mentioned above).

I texted BB's mom as she said that it was fine with her, but she wanted to check with BB when he got home to be sure he did not have anything else scheduled.

When we got home, DC immediately began saying "Have to talk to Donna" - "Have to 'test' (text) Donna". 

I told him that I did text Donna but BB was not home so she would get back to me later.

For the rest of the evening, he sat right down next to me every time I touched my phone and repeated "Have to talk to Donna" - "Have to 'test' (text) Donna"

I texted her again (just to save my sanity, because she knows and is in the same boat, and so he could see me do it):

He's sitting right next to me - staring at my phone - just so you know.

I can yell and scream to get his attention when he has his headphones on and ... nothing. This - he heard when Doug was asking about it; headphones and all (I would not have told him voluntarily)

Her Reply:

Yes, he is available.

Sounds so familiar.

Phew!

DBD Day:

Doug was grateful that I made a modified version of the bag I bring whenever we go anywhere.

They wore masks in the car, with windows open for ventilation. 

Outdoor dinner (masks off only to eat and some distance between them when not eating)

Outdoor activity while wearing masks.

To say that DC was excited when he got home is an understatement.

DC's rundown of their night out:

DC: DDB Day (DBD) with Doug and DC and BB. We had cheeseburger and french fries.

We played "Croquet". (Alice in Wonderland)

Me: Croquet?

DC: No, we played the golf. We had ice cream. 

I got hole in one. I swing club and didn't hurt anyone.

Me: ???? 

Me: (laughing because I don't know where that came from, but okay) I'm glad you swung without hurting anyone.

DC: I had a fun time! Yay! (jumping)

What we have learned:

1. He can hear with the headphones on.
2. Tree branches are responsible for a lot more than we originally thought.
3. I'll get more goldfish if I continue to buy the rainbow variety.
4. He can swing a club without hurting anyone.
5. We will have to find a croquet set.

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Quarantine Diaries - All In One Place

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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 13: The Couch, YouTube and Deep Space 9

As you may or may not know; we watch a lot of Star Trek around here but lately in-between the Star Trek re-watches, I have been watching a lot of those reunion panels, like Stars in the House, Reunited Apart and The 7th Rule's Virtual Trek Con (links at the end of this post) on You Tube.

All are not Star Trek Related (The 7th Rule is of course), but I have seen reunions of some of my favorite shows, such as the China Beach reunion.

They are fun and I am sort of in awe of the people on these panels who come and do these things daily for free to raise money for virus-related charities and just to give us all something new to watch during this pandemic.

DC is normally on his Ipad in his "spot" in the kitchen while I am watching these.

Last night, he decided to pack it in early and went to get his pillows, blankets and books to bring to the couch (yes, we are still sleeping on the couch. This may be the longest stretch to date. See: The Couch: Another Round from 2019)

I was watching Reunited Apart - The Lord of the Rings Reunion. I could see that DC was getting anxious. I asked him more than once what was bothering him.

"Nothing wrong!"

But he made a big production of announcing when it was over.

I moved on to Stars in the House - RENT with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp and he became more anxious.

Me: Please tell me what is bothering you.

DC: Nothing bothering you.

Me: (re-wording my question) Please tell Mom what is bothering DC.

DC: Watch "Space Nine"

Me: You want to watch Deep Space Nine?

DC: Yes!

So I put on Deep Space 9 and DC happily took his glasses off, rolled over and went to sleep!?!?

After thinking about it for a little while (because you know that's what I do); I could see that there were one of two possibilities for his anxiety here.

1. You Tube is his domain. He may not have ever realized that I was watching HIS You Tube on the TV and you know how protective he is about what's his.

or

2. Deep Space 9 comforts him when he is going to sleep.

I hadn't thought about that.

I may just be watching Deep Space 9 often when he is ready for bed. Because it is my favorite of the franchise, I watch it and pay attention. 

I use TOS and TNG  as a distraction from my "mind race" so I can fall asleep. I need something to distract me, but not distract me enough to keep me awake and since these are far from my favorites, it doesn't matter if I fall asleep and miss the four episodes that play until Nextfix shuts down. He is not awake for that. He falls asleep to the one I am awake and paying attention to.

I don't know which possibility was the cause of his anxiety, but I am thinking it was a little of both.

Links:

Josh Gad - Reunited Apart

Stars in the House 

The 7th Rule - Virtual Con

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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 12: Strictly from Facebook Posts

 I realized that I haven't written anything since May.

There has not been much going on, but then again there has been a lot going on.

I don't know if that makes sense.

We're still home.

We're still bored.

There is nothing to do yet there are new things to do - different things to do.

I don't know if that makes sense. 

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His day program began doing zoom meetings daily. At first, because they were new, he was interested in participating, but after 5 days of non structured/free-for-alls, he opted out.

DCs first zoom meeting with his day program. He made it through the whole thing

 

How many times does one have to answer "What have you been doing during quarantine?" and nothing else? It gets old.

His Winter Guard team made a few stretching and dance videos (the dance video is a secret)

I was amazed at how willing he was to get up and follow along as he was/is getting pretty used to "playing computer" or ipad.

What a great idea on this rainy day! DC doing his Winter Guard stretch/warm-up!

Speaking of rain....

We had a two week run of thunder storms almost daily. Just what we needed for the already anxious guy who has been stuck home for months.

“Vick-eeee, I’m getting very nervous about this”
First clap of thunder and he’s positioned himself in front of the door so he knows when it’s coming, I guess.

He’s positioned himself (with iPad) in front of the door watching for the coming storm (I don’t know why this makes him feel better, but it does) while insisting that there is:
#NoStormToday

He discovered additional uses for his band-aids and scotch tape:

I don’t know what the problem is under that mass of band-aids and scotch tape, but he says his earbuds were broken.#1001UsesForBandaids

His "fix" actually worked but I ordered him some new headphones anyway.

DC, still drinking his orange juice from breakfast...
“Lunch is coming soon”
The time between the meal and asking for the next meal is getting shorter and shorter.

 He's ventured a little further away from his "watch over and over again"  Disney and other favorites, but as we know - Everything Is (Still) Related:

You all know that DC is stuck in his own cycle of television shows and movies. When he does gravitate to a new show, it is usually because I am watching it (and as much as I don’t think he’s paying attention, it turns out that he is) AND he sees an actor he knows from one of his 100s of favorite movies. He never comes to them on his own. Over the last week or two, when he’s not watching Grace and Frankie or New Girl, I noticed him watching Arrested Development. I have never watched that - ever. I couldn’t make any connections in my head as to why he was watching it; I mean it probably would have helped if I had ever seen it, but I knew some of the cast. So I asked him.
“Mr. Magorioum’s Wonder Emporium”
I had to think about it for a minute, but he is correct.
Jason Bateman.
#EverythingIsRelated

 Sharing took on a new spin:

Every day when DC opens his little snack bag of gold fish crackers, he comes directly to me and hands me 2 (only two) fish.
Then he says “thank you for sharing” and moves quite quickly out of the room.
He knows that it’s nice to share, but I guess he wants to be sure he gets the credit for sharing without really giving up any of his snack.

I was upgraded, downgraded and upgraded again.

Last week I was upgraded to THREE goldfish but alas, it did not last and I was demoted back to two. Today I was again upgraded to 6 (he delivered two at a time)! I have to imagine he is buttering me up for something! #ThankYouForSharing

I had a zoom meeting with his program too. 

As you have read, DC has done a few things on zoom over the last few months. Other than setting it up for him and sitting next to him off-screen... I have not.

Yesterday was my first zoom meeting with his case worker and his day program, both of which I only ever speak to in person or on the phone. What I have to remember for next time is that they can see me when I’m rolling my eyes.😳

 Another Holiday In Quarantine:

DC, grasping at straws (or trying to make the best of another pandemic holiday) made sure he chose the red, white and blue straws for his juice this morning. He put on the red white and blue beads he got at the camp parade last week and is now searching his 100’s of markers for just the reds and blues. It looks like he will only be writing his “princess papers” in red and blue today (between screeching “Happy 4th of July! Yes!” at random intervals of course )
Happy 4th!

Hamilton:

There are and have been times when I have forced DC to do something, only because he would never do anything but "play computer" if I did not. I like for him to at least TRY things to see if he will like them. If he doesn't, he doesn't, but I want him to try.

Watching a musical is one of DC's favorite things but....

Hamilton? 

It's not Disney.

It's not related to Disney ( I forgot about Mary Poppins Returns, which DC was quick to point out)

I wasn't sure he would get in to it.

But, I tried.

He was not happy that he had to leave his iPad.

He sat down begrudgingly in the living room.

So it took until the girls came out with their “twirly” dresses for DC to get into watching Hamilton, but he is officially IN TO IT now.

He LOVED it. He was up dancing all the way through. I find him looking for clips on you-tube.

Sometimes Mom does know best.

The one and only thing DC was disappointed in about Hamilton was that they did not have the standard curtain call that he is used to (and loves). I have always said, if someone could come up with an entire musical made up entirely of curtain calls - he would be in heaven. I went searching to see if the one we saw was the norm.
What I found.... The West Wing theme during the original casts' last performance (Lin-Manuel Miranda's favorite show, which I did know - which also happens to be my favorite show)

Oh! We recorded a new Quarantine Song:

DC had a hard time with this one. He thought it was hilarious and wanted to do it, but he got so serious trying to get the words right that I asked him more than once if he was having fun. If he wasn't, we did not have to tape it. He insisted.
#TheseAreWaysToHelpAtHome

 

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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 10: Pizza, Planting and Friends

Since my venting post last week, things have been better. Maybe because I got all of my complaining out of my system - I don't know - but it's been better.

 DC has moved up to cooking videos on YouTube. This is new. He normally watches nothing but clips of movies or songs that he likes.

So far, the cooking tutorials seem to all be about pizza.

I think he’s trying to tell me something....

After watching these videos, DC decided that he wanted to make pizza. 

So no one laugh but I may or may not have mentioned that DC has been watching cooking videos on YouTube (mostly pizza making). He wants to make pizza (no I am not making dough - I don’t even have flour here as I don’t bake) - Doug went  and bought a pizza kit, containing dough, cheese and sauce but no instructions.

So how do I make this?

Listen, I need a package that tells me oven temperature and the cooking time to make anything. You can't just give me a kit and expect baking to happen! You just can't!

With a little help from my friends, we made the pizza the next day. 

Success!

A few 'not so bright' spots of the week:

We had a Board meeting (virtually) on Monday and voted not to open the summer camp this season. It was a difficult decision but the right decision for the times. DC loves going to camp - even just the two days a week that he attends now that he "has a job".

DC got used to all of the cancellations when they happened at the beginning of the lock-down, but now some of the things that were rescheduled for a later date are also being cancelled for the year and it is sad for him.

The second cancellation this week was the PRIDE Parade that his Winter Guard team marched in last year and was scheduled to participate in this year. It was originally scheduled for June and then rescheduled for August. It too has now been cancelled for 2020 all together. Again... disappointing but necessary.

2019 Pride with the directors, his friend *Sally and DC

DC made a mouse mask for his next Story-Time Video with the mask kit that his Aunt bought  for him.

 (The Lion and the Mouse video is posted on the other blog - in Quarantine Diaries - Part 9)

We started putting his Wizard of Oz garden back together.

We planted.

DC got his hands dirty (Yikes!) but he continued helping (more growth).

There are more pots to fill but we ran out of dirt, so we will continue working on it next week.

It will all look much better when the flowers begin growing over the sides of the pots.

DC's friend, BB and his mom came by for a quick front yard visit today. They brought DC his favorite “Black and White” cookies. 

DC is really missing his friends. 

This made him happy.

A few hours later, we were to attend "The Sabrina The Teenage Witch" virtual cast reunion AND a one on one conversation with the Quizzmaster (Alimi Ballard)

More about that in Part 11.

Tomorrow we will be my second attempt at cutting DC's hair. I think maybe I have the hang of it now.

Wish him luck anyway.

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Quarantine Diaries - all

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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