Tag Archives: autism

Saturday

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It does not feel like we did a lot today, but we finished something that I have been wanting to do for over a year. We rerouted the drainage for the sump pump so that the pipe does not freeze in the winter. It was a straightforward job with PVC pipe, and it worked just like it was supposed to. We tested the pump this evening and it drained correctly without leaking. A project completed, a worry gone.

After that we went to a wedding in south Minneapolis of two friends from colgaffneyis. It was at the home of c_nocturnum and 3stitches officiated. He does a very nice liturgy. This was very pleasant, but we could not stay long at the reception since we had to take James and his friend Matthew (like James an aspie) out to dinner–it is James’s birthday. They get along very well, but an intense conversation between two aspies with shared obsessions can be difficult for others. Fortunately, mia_mcdavid and I had each other. We went to the Macaroni Grill in Rosedale Mall, which has some very nice food that we can appreciate, while also having some basics that James (seriously palate-challenged) will eat happily. We all enjoyed it.

Christmas Eve

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Got through the day with Tom. We had a nice walk around Lake Como, then went home for a while, then went to the 4:30 Church service, after which we went home for dinner. He did well on the walk, at church, and at dinner, i.e., while there was something definite going on. Between events–just hanging out at home–got a liitle tense at times.

He was quite happy to go to sleep in his old bed. James has also gone to bed. mia_mcdavid and I have been watching Christmas concerts on PBS. The St. Olaf College choir was really good.

I suppose I would like to go to Midnight Mass again, but it won’t work with Tom. Still, I have to admit that St. Christopher’s did manage a pretty good show at 4:30. Even at the late service I doubt they will have incense, so it still would not be the same as at our old parish in Evanston.

Sunday

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Difficult time with Tom in the morning. I picked him up at his group home without Mia, and once again he was unhappy about this. Not as bad as on some previous visits–he did walk to the car on his own. But he was pretty weepy and fussy most of the way through church. Not easy to deal with, but getting through it does give a sense of accomplishment. After we got to our house and sat him down in front of a large lunch he did much better. Following lunch he watched a couple of his old videotapes. Mia was working on a fleece on the back porch (see her recent posts) until he went there to bring her inside, which he did very nicely.

I did a little Christmas shopping while Tom was watching the videos. On-line, of course. Years with Tom have made me completely dependent on the internet for Christmas shopping.

Started to excavate my workbench this afternoon. The pile of tools and stuff had gotten pretty high in the past several weeks. Also found a piece of an unfinished project and cleaned it up. I may even try to complete it.

Thanksgiving Dinner soon

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The monster turkey (40.5 lbs.) is almost done. Vegetables and pie are done. Tom is here–I picked him up from his group home at noon. So far things are going well, but I can never really relax at these holiday feasts. Tom (age 16) is severely autistic, while his older brother’s case of Asperger’s Syndrome means he also requires extra management.