If you missed the start of this series, you can find it here. A lot of things will be the same or very similar.
Things took a turn after I left you last. Ben went outside and started busting the concrete on top of the cinderblock wall at the property line. This has been an ongoing problem. Years and years ongoing. He’s busted bricks, pavers and the concrete of the walkway. We’ve tried everything to make him stop, but he won’t or cant. Now we try to keep the destruction inside the property and that generally works, but he was determined yesterday evening. I was able to get him to stop, but then he started in on the dang Pink Cookies again. It was just after 5pm and Daughter had work. We didn’t have time or energy to deal with a possible meltdown over silliness. I caved in and told him I’d go get the cookies he’d been buggin about ALL.DAY.LONG. but he had to sit on the couch and relax. He agreed, I went to the grocery store.
I left two boxes in the car and brought two in. He’d stayed on the couch, so I thanked him, praised him and gave him the cookies, which he promptly ignored. He’d had his meds at 5:30pm, and I arrived shortly after.
I started taking pictures while I was getting him away from the wall, and after I got home with the cookies I continued with the Sciencey Data Gathering. At 5:45pm, when the alarm went off, I started his bath and the cleanup of the stuff. Bath went fine, he ate some pizza, sitting in his bathrobe, afterwards. We got him ready and he came along for the drive, no problems.
I took pictures here and there until we left. After SaturnDay night it won’t be a problem anymore, the clocks will go back and it will be dark by 5:30pm. Yucky Standard Time!
Yeah, the Parrots doing a fly-by was a blessing. They fly SOOO dang fast. They went right overhead and my stupid phone would freeze up, or magnify… so difficult to get a picture of their beautiful green color. I’m glad they haven’t left this part of the county for good. I was afraid that huge flock was a farewell.
After Driving Miss Daisy we came home and Dogzilla, the Big Dumb Jerk had gotten into the trash again. He actually looked guilty this time. Naughty Jerk! I texted Daughter that we were home, tucked The Boys in, and cleaned up the mess. I took all the trash to the bin outside. No more temptation.
Things and Stuff and Jack In The Box food, which probably tastes better when it’s fresh. I ate it a little at a time, hoping to hold off the Food Coma, and it seemed to work. I wound up konking out mid-comment, but it wasn’t until after 11pm.
I felt Ben get into bed with me, under the blankets and cuddled close. He didn’t say anything. I found my phone, realized it was mid-comment, fixed the comment and sent it, then figured out how to see the time. I had to look three times… it showed the same time all three looks… 1:45am. JIMINEY CRICKET ON A MOTORSCOOTER! Then I noticed my pill bottle, which meant I hadn’t taken my pill before I konked. That was actually a good thing cuz Ben was wiggley-jiggley and by 3am we were in the living room.
We pretty much hung out on the couch all morning. It was cold. Like 45°F (7°C) cold. I started looking at the sky around 5am. I saw Moonset in the west and Venus in the east. It was another hour before there was light along the horizon. I took periodic Sunrise pictures, the eastern sky didn’t change much, but there was pink along the horizon to the west that I thought was pretty, and also the color change around the hills to the northeast. There’s a gap from picking Daughter up from work, but like Sunset, that will change with the clocks on Sunday morning.
Ben had his meds at 6:30am when the alarm went off. I didn’t uncover Sven until almost 7am. I took a picture of him, then left him alone, moving the lights over him to help warm him up. I left the dish with the old greens, planning to get him fresh after we got home from picking Daughter up. I thought he might have a better chance with the four worms if the greens weren’t hiding them. At 7:10 I got Ben’s shoes on him, took one last Sunrise picture from the gate and we went to get Daughter.
When we got home, Sven was at his dish and almost everything was gone. He’d even eaten some of the dried out greens. Poor starving Sven Dragon! I grabbed his dish, dumped what was in it, cleaned it and got him fresh greens, blueberries and two more worms. He made a few attempts at a blueberry but gave up and glared at me, so I left him alone.
Ben and I pretty much just hung out on the couch all morning. I kept hoping that he’d get sleepy and konk out. He was watching his tablet with the blanket pulled over his head for a while. I thought he’d gone to sleep, so I peeked. He was awake, just relaxed, and watching his shows.
After his 10:30am med, which the alarm reminded me to give him, he ran outside to the dirt hole. I guess he had an overwhelming need to see dirt particles in the air. I went outside for a stroll in the sunshine. My hands and feet were cold. I looked for feathers, but didnt find any. I came back in after ten or fifteen minutes. Ben stayed outside a little while longer.
I went to my room to stretch out since he was outside. He came in about ten minutes after I was settled. I tried to get him to come hang out in my room, but he just kept saying “Gramma come living room” dang, dang, dangity dang! After I was settled in the living room, he took off back to the dirt hole, the little Bootyhead. I just stayed in the living room, expecting him back anytime. If not, then I’d take his 12:30pm med to him and then get Horizontal again.
I took the half Adderall and his water bottle to him, but he decided to follow me back inside. He sat on the couch and grabbed his tablet, then asked for help. The battery was dead. I made sure his tablet was plugged into the charger every time he was on the couch, it shouldn’t be dead. So I checked everything and it was the extension cord, it had come unplugged. I got juice flowing again and his tablet came to life. I closed down the five or six background apps he had running, something he refuses to even listen to me explain, and gave the tablet back to him. I told him it needed to stay plugged in, if he wanted to move the tablet, he should get the portable charger.
Daughter came stumbling out a little after 1pm. I asked her why she was up so early. She said she set her alarm early so I could rest. I thanked her, but we both knew it was up to Ben. And he followed me into my room, wanting me to cut the police lights out of a plastic car and make them work on a diecast car. I gave him a box of “finger lights”…red, white, green and blue. He could put lights on the diecast car, or wherever he wanted.
Ben was seriously stuck on the “police lights on top of the die cast police car” idea! He’s extremely creative and comes up with brilliant ideas, but he’s also extremely frustrating because he expects me to do impossible things with tape and scissors. I can “Frankenstein” toys really well, but I can’t do some of the things he wants done. He’s tired, I’m tired and he’s trying to amuse himself. And I totally appreciate that, but om my gosh golly, I wish he wouldn’t keep asking me perform miracles of Arts And Crafts… especially with instruction so detailed… “like this” with vague hand gestures, or “red, white, blue lights” and nothing else.
Daughter is going to make steak for Ben’s dinner tonight. Something quick and easy. We’re going to be starting everything early. He needs to have an early bedtime. He probably got six hours of sleep last night, but he’s also been awake since 1:45am. That’s a long time. Maybe I can even get to sleep before midnight tonight. If I don’t get that second wind that always seems to hit when I’m really tired.
Just another random song I like. I hope you like it too.
Thank you for getting up at a ridiculous hour and hanging out with us all the long day. It was thankfully, a pretty mellow day. No plans for tomorrow. We’re not even gonna talk about the Holiday That Isn’t Happening. It’s Daughter’s favorite holiday and she’s very bummed that we’re missing it this year. Stupid Kootie! I don’t think Ben will notice if we don’t say anything. It’s messed up, but a lot of things are messed up this year. So tomorrow will be just another regular day at the Casa. Of course, our regular days can be Treats or very Tricky. Join us! ¡Hasta mañana!
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HUGS!
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King Ben's Grandma 
Oh my goodness, that sounds like such a long day. The tasks I get asked to perform sometimes are absolutely impossible but need to be done, miracles. And you were asked on top of a night with two hours sleep – ugh! I am so sorry. I hope tonight goes better and you both get some satisfying restful hours in. I hope you guys have a great day tomorrow, too!
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I love his problem solving and creativity. He really comes up with great ideas, and can imagine different random things becoming other things, but… I can only do so much with a roll of masking tape, a pair of scissors some markers and a pen.🤷🏼♀️
Ugh! And that tone in his voice… all he’d say is “Gramma?” I’d reply and get nothing except “Gramma?” 🤯🤪 I think he knew he was buggin but just couldn’t help it. I’m glad we dont have to get up at a certain time Saturday. Hopefully his ADHD will take the day off. 🤞💕
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That was a tough one. So hope tomorrow is better. Hope it’s a great weekend. xxx
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It was a very LOOONNG day. I’m just glad he seemed to be in a decent mood. I hope he sleeps better and I sleep better, and you sleep better… sleep for all us insomniacs!
And a wonderful Saturday and and Fabulous Sunday and lots of fun and laughs! Yes… that’s what I wish for. For me, for you & Hawklad, and everyone else… except the government asshats… they should have no fun, and bad days!😉😂💌💌💌
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Nice pics, sorry about the long yucky day. Hugs! 😻
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I keep saying I want to get a big clock to put in his room. An old school generic clock. I’m thinking that I can put red marker or something from the 12 to the 5… if Ben wakes up and sees the “little hand” in the red area, he should play in his room, if it’s at another number he can come get me. 🤷🏼♀️
He wakes up and doesnt have a clue if its morning or night, so he comes and gets me. It’s worth a try. 🤷🏼♀️
🤗🥰💕
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A very long day for you both. It’s like you had night duty too. Hope tonight and tomorrow are better. Hugs! 🤗🤗🤗
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Thankfully his all nighters are fewer than they used to be. He has always had sleep issues, and with Daughter preferring the overnight shift, it leads to a few night of little or no sleep for me.
I can do it… I’ve spent days awake… I only start hearing things that arent there after 72 hours or so…🙄🤦🏼♀️🤪😂
Hopefully we’ll all sleep well… Ben, me & Daughter. And all the insomniacs everywhere.
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!🤗🥰💕
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That is something to be thankful for. You too have a peaceful weekend.
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Isn’t it amazing how much magic there is in the sky! Stars and moons and sun all moving about and then parrots too! A wonderful magic filled flock of green parrots flying among the palm trees. Thank you for sharing it all with us ✨☀️🌝🦜💝🎶💃
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I’m having so much fun with the Sciencey Stuff 😂 I’m learning and I feel like I’m more in touch with Nature… there’s a harmony to the cycles and recognizing the cycles.
And the Parrots are truly Magic! It’s so cool when they just appear, a great big squawking flock of them, flying super fast, circling and heading off into the sunset.
I’m glad you like them too! Daughter doesn’t like them, not at all☹ It’s more fun to share the excitement with other people who also get excited. So, thank you for sharing my joy and love of them!🦜💫💃🏼💕🦋✨
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🥰🦜🎶☀️✨🌷💝
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I’m glad your commentators get it. I would have people say “Just make him go back to bed.” Ya right! Pink cookies, grrr! You are officially a survivor of “one of those days.” No treats this year but also no tricks. I’ve had all the tricks I can handle for now. Sleep tight and hopefully the “Ben-bugs” won’t bite tonight.🧘🧘🧘🧘
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Yeah, most of the people who follow me are used to reading about Ben’s difficulties and when there’s something they dont understand they ask. I love it!!
I am thinking about getting a clock to put in his room and coloring the numbers from 12 to 5 red or something, so when he wakes up and sees the clock, if the “little hand” is in the red area, it’s still “nightime” and he should stay in his room and play.
I think he doesn’t have a clue what time it is when he wakes up… doesnt know if he slept all night or 2 hours, he just wakes up, and gets up. Maybe this would help?🤷🏼♀️ His teachers are trying to teach him to tell time from a regular clock, so it would be educational too😉 Bonus points🌠💃🏼😂😂
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Excellent idea and totally worth a try.
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1:45am? Ugh. No fun for you, but that’s in the middle of my prime writing time. I’ll think of you the next time I get stuck on a story and I’m fiddling with things in my desk drawer instead of actually composing. “I wonder if Angie is getting bounced right now?” Wait, that didn’t sound quite right… 😉
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🤣🤣🤣🤣 you definitely have a way with words! I love it! I wouldn’t mind losing sleep to some of the other kind of bouncing…😉 Too much effort and trouble required to find a suitable “Bouncer”🤷🏼♀️ I’ll take sleep. 😉😂
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I’m so tired reading about your day, lack of sleep and craft time. And for God’s sake, even after your daughter gets up, king Ben still follows you to your room?
And i dislike him manipulating you into getting him cookies, only to not eat them. Damn kids. That’s what my mom would say.
You have the heart of an angel and the patience of a saint.
Please go to bed earlier so you can be on his sleep schedule.
I know you try. You do so much.
Hugs Angie
Lot’s going on here w burials and memorials and my husband making a beautiful video of old family movies and hundreds of edited photos of his incredible mother with at least 35 extended family.
And Wed my baby chicks arrived. I’m in heaven. First time raising chicks.
I’d better follow my advice and sleep now.
Teri
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Awww… baby chicks are so cute!! That’s great that new life arrived in the middle of the Memorial Time. It’s the way it should be! The passing and honoring of a long life, then new life. The renewing cycle!
Yeah, Ben gets stuck on me. Unfortunately, I am his “primary” in his eyes. We’re working on him spending more time with Daughter. It’s tough on her because she gets defensive when he rejects her, and she’s not as patient… I wasnt either at her age.
The cookies were just the “thing”. If we’d had cookies, he would’ve found something else to fixate on. He was just in that kinda mood… autism, ADHD, or bratty kid?… I don’t know. Me doing something got him unstuck, and that was the best thing at that time.
I’m not quite a Saint. I was doing plenty of Huffing and Puffing, and monologues about my head exploding and grey matter splattered everywhere🤯😂 Ben doesn’t get upset when I do that, I guess he can tell I’m not really angry, just exasperated.
I went to sleep before midnight😉 that’s a win for me!🤪😂
🤗🥰💕
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Yaaayy. In my family we call a Win a “W”.
Yaay for you.
Glad you got some rest.
Happy Saturday Angie.
Teri
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I’m so tired reading about your day, lack of sleep and craft time. And for God’s sake, even after your daughter gets up, king Ben still follows you to your room?
And i dislike him manipulating you into getting him cookies, only to not eat them. Damn kids. That’s what my mom would say.
You have the heart of an angel and the patience of a saint.
Please go to bed earlier so you can be on his sleep schedule.
I know you try. You do so much.
Hugs Angie
Lot’s going on here w burials and memorials and my husband making a beautiful video of old family movies and hundreds of edited photos of his incredible mother with at least 35 extended family.
And Wed my baby chicks arrived. I’m in heaven. First time raising chicks.
I’d better follow my advice and sleep now.
Teri
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Poor you – a miserable, early start to the day! Good to see the parrots though. I found out about Modest Mouse from a Vampire Weekend song – they’re good! 🙂
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Cool Beans! I didn’t think many people had heard of Modest Mouse. I should’ve known you would😉 You’re like me with music… love the classics but always looking for new bands too.🎶💃🏼
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