Distracted

Another senseless tragedy, this time in Orlando, Florida, has caught my attention and while I attempt to grapple with senseless murder and the intensely stifling and useless political collateral damage..the gun debate, the terrorism debate, the dumbing down of values and ideologies...I thought we would accomplish something after Sandy Hook...but...

So.

I have wanted to read more. I used to read books all the time, and the last couple years, it has been hard and I have found a lack of time and distractions a'plenty.  I hate to say it--but the internet and smart phone are often too easy for me and occupy my time when I could be reading a good book...(could be why I am resistant to electronic books--prefer the actual physical one).  I also get overwhelmed with domestic and work duties...and by the time I have time to relax--I find I want to veg in front of the television (and there have been a lot of good shows for the science fiction geek lately...)

So, looking for a distraction after the murders in a LGBTQ night club...I found myself drifting to re-reading Alison Bechdel's Fun Home.  I am voraciously reading it, staying up late at night--because that seems to be the only time I can find to read.  A little less sleep--but so satisfying to be reading and thinking.

I have been trying to find more times to read--with some mixed success.  Maybe this weekend...

Michael is going to volunteer for the Jimmy Fund.  Not only is it a good cause, but will give him some useful real world experience that he will need to eventually be able to get out there in the workforce.  I am a bit nervous for tomorrow--it will be his first four hour shift.

Willow has a birthday party on Saturday to go to...and this weekend is our town's annual Flag Day Fireworks and Carnival...

And then there is Father's Day!

And now for something completely different--Goats!

(We went to a goat farm last Saturday--Michael was very happy!)  (That is a story in itself--I had to go to the Dentist last week for an unscheduled filling--and we got to talking--and his wife own's a goat farm!--so there ya go!)

#MicroBlogMonday: Weekend Snippets

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Willow's Sunday Plans (mom was away in the morning)

Cute Niece Alert!  (I was at a surprise Brunch for my brother, who finished his Masters Degree)

I cannot get him to smile (teen thing more than aspergers thing) -- this is me telling him to smile(!) while I took a picture at the Boston Pops Live in Concert Raiders of The Lost Ark.  (He loved it, btw--yeah, you cannot tell from the picture--but he did!)


And then there is this, on a Rainy Sunday Afternoon:

Cell Phone Pictures, Random Memories

Recently my cell phone started acting up...and one of the ways to fix it was to eliminate the many, many pictures taking up memory....over 3,000 pictures.

So, here are some highlights from my cell phone over the past couple years:

Two Steps Forward...One Step Back

Transitions and change and life and work and play and learning and yearning and wondering and anxiety and pain and worry and happiness and cheer and fun and laughter and then finally exhaustion.

That has been the last couple of months for us.  A lot of things happening, mostly good.  Some really bad.  Some not so bad, but worrisome.

While life in general is good--there are bumps in the road -- and there are roads ahead for several of us that look to be rough, wild and unfamiliar.

Willow had some behavior issues in school and we decided to take the initiative and have her tested through the school for ADHD/Autism.  We had The Meeting on Monday.  She is "adorable, funny, entertaining and bright"  "scores above average to high average in reading/comprehension".  Her stories are "creative and concise" and in some of the testing, she "sang her answers".  And she "when angry or frustrated, poor inner control".  She is quirky--and there are tendencies that "could" be ADHD/Autism--or not.  She doesn't qualify for Special Education--but will have Occupational Therapy for her "sensory" issues --which seems to amount to her being fidgety.  So...good meeting over all...but we will have to keep an eye out for things.  (We make Bright and Quirky kids--what can I say?!)

Today, Michael's school called.  The familiar tightness in my stomach as I answered the call.  The fact that he has been doing so well this year, and has made great progress in all aspects of behavior and social well being...all come tumbling down in one incident.  I keep thinking "...but, he was doing so well!"  There are consequences to your actions, especially when you are old enough and even the repentance and "sorrys" are not enough.  He will not be going to the field trip at Fenway tomorrow with his class.  He will process the incident with his case worker and his teacher...he will work through it.  And continue on.

One foot in front of the other.  You trip up, you get back up. One foot in front of the other.  Best philosophy for the moment.  

#Microblog Monday: What we did this weekend.

Not sure what #MicroblogMondays is?Read the inaugural post which explains the idea and how you can participate too.  Click Here for current #MicroblogMonday posts.

More as an accounting so I can remember:

• Michael went to Prom at his school (11th Grader)
• We had great sushi and noodles and Willow got to have a Japanese soda (with a marble in it!)
• Michael went to a Transitional College Program (More information HERE)
• Michael broke his glasses (frames) and we got them replaced
• Willow had a blast with her cousins while we had a Parent Forum to go to relating to the Transitional Program
• Willow had her first Dance Recital (!)
• We all went to the Carnival afterwards
• Mom and Dad collapsed at home and we ordered pizza and watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (old version)
• Dad worked in the kitchen on his laptop
• Willow brought a whole bunch of stuffed animals to the kitchen table for some type of ceremony/dance show
• Michael watched a Hammer Movie by himself; did so well with the Prom and the whole day College thing..we had mercy on him and did not force him to attend his sister's Dance Recital
• Michael and Dad and I watched The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires 
• Random Pictures:

Dress Rehearsal on Wednesday

Getting ready for the Recital

At the glasses place

Intermission at the Recital

Ready to go to Recital

New Glasses (Frames--which are actually the same exact style)

Prom--just after he said "Okay, you guys can go now"

Carnival!

Is it Supergirl!?

Low Key - High Gear

Mother's Day was pretty low key as usual.  As usual, I had the pre-requisite sleeping in--waking up earlier than I wanted-breakfast in bed.

Yummy, yummy French Toast from Chewy, Cut Up Strawberries by Willow, Chocolate Cake and Roses by Michael

Then we had the requisite lunch/dinner out at the Japanese Steakhouse (we were going to go somewhere different this year, but scheduling made it work better to go with traditional):

Chewy and Willow having Saki/Water (you can guess who had saki and who had water).  I had Plum Wine.

Then--a Movie!!  (Which, was awesome!!)

Willow dressed for the occasion--Captain America: Civil War here we come!

So, after that low key weekend--our week is gearing up for High Gear!  Tomorrow--Dress Rehearsal for Willow's recital!  While I try to deal with make-up, tights, a bun and finding the rehearsal place--Chewy will be taking Michael to his last therapy session until fall (or perhaps for quite a while longer because he has been doing so well!)

Then, Friday--Michael is going to go to a PROM at his school!  I am much more excited/nervous than he is--I was fine until I got the email today that stated "We will be having a wonderful evening “Under the Stars” with a gold, black and silver theme! We will be having a promenade from 7-7:30 where parents are invited to take pictures outside and celebrate the night!" So, this is happening!?!

Saturday, Michael has a college-transition-prep course to go to for the day...and Sunday, Willow will be participating in her Dance Recital!! Whew!