If you missed the start of this series, you can find it here. A lot of things will be the same or very similar.
With the super dry weather, and lack of clouds, sunset was mild. The air was super clear, so that was nice.
We got Ben fed, doped, bathed, and ready to Drive Miss Daisy. The drive went fine, and The Boys were ushered into Ben’s room when Ben and I returned. The only problem was Dogzilla knocking a mostly demolished box of Pink Cookies (from a previous shopping trip… I try to stay ahead of demand) off the back of the couch, getting them open and eating most of them. The Big Dumb Jerk! I told him he was Very Naughty in The Voice. He has been doing all kinds of stuff he knows he’s not supposed to. If he keeps it up, he’s going to find himself outside when we have to leave.
Blah blah blah, Stuff and Things. Yadda yadda yadda, food, pill and sleep around midnight. I slept badly for whatever reason… waking up every hour until 4am when I got Bounced and commanded to turn over a box of chalk. I pulled the blankets over my head, and told Ben it was “still dark time and too dang early for nonsense”.
Ben and Zeus bedquaked me and jostled me, and I mostly ignored them. Ben decided on a new tactic… laying on top of me and rocking to and fro. I was on my side, and he was mostly across my hip and bent legs. He weighs over one hundred pounds (46 kilos), so he was hurting me. I told him to stop, he was hurting me, but he laughed cuz he doesn’t get it. I was finally able to get out from under him, yelling the entire time… it HURT, and went to hide in the baño.
He followed me of course, banging on the door. I told him to leave me be, but he said “Ben to go potty”, so I got out and he entered. He really did need to go, but it’s like it doesn’t occur to him until I’m in there. Autism gives him a disconnect from his body. He doesn’t realize when he’s too hot or cold, his pain threshold is ridiculously high, and he waits until he’s ready to pop before using the baño unless we tell him to go.
I gathered his stuff, my stuff and two boxes of sixteen piece chalk and went back to the living room. It wasn’t even 5am yet, and I was Couch Sittin… Sigh.
We got Daughter from work, came home, she went to go sleep, and Ben and I went back to him doing his chalk thang and me Couch Sittin. I went through my email, ordered a couple things for Ben’s Easter Basket, and more chalk… always more chalk.
I also dozed. I didn’t want to doze, but four hours of broken sleep isn’t enough. My body kept taking over and shutting down. The only way to prevent it is to stay in constant motion. Some days I do that, with Ben’s help, bless his little heart, but he was happy doing his chalk thang today.
I got up and cleaned up the various piles of chalk dust to get my blood pumping, banish the dozies, and to clean up! I’m so tired of chalk dust.
I checked in with Mr Sven occasionally. He didn’t move anything except his eyes yesterday, but was a bit more active today. He cracks me up with a “hand” in his dish, then a “foot”.
Daughter got up around 2pm and took over Couch Sittin Duty. I made a fresh pot of coffee, got a cup and headed to my room. Ben went outside to sing Celebrate at top volume and do his thang with the chalk out there.
It’s almost time to start the PreGame show. All the synchronized things that go into getting Ben ready to Drive Miss Daisy then settle in his room after dropping her off. Almost time for my nightly sunset viewing and picture taking, too.
Today’s Lurve offering for Paula is my tattoos. I got the Moon about twenty-five years ago and the Sun a few years later. I’ve never regretted getting them, and wanted to get more, but the money was rarely there and I always felt there were better uses for it when it was. Now with the plaque psoriasis, I may not be able to do it at all. Plaque psoriasis goes crazy on broken skin. Anyone with ink will tell you that tattoos are addicting.
The DJ in my head has been treating me to this song for a few days. It’s a great song, but I keep trying to sing it. I can’t sing. And I certainly can’t sing Pat Benatar songs… my horribly out of tune voice is too low. We’ll just let Mrs Giraldo sing, yes?
A chaotic, painful, WAY too early morning and a chill day after. Maybe the meds, maybe the chalk, maybe the combo… doesn’t matter what facilitated the chill, it was chill. Daughter is off tomorrow night (GLYSB Eve!) but she’ll be sleeping after we pick her up, so another Couch Sittin day for me. I hope I have enough chalk. ¡Hasta mañana!
.
.
HUGS!
.
.
King Ben's Grandma 
When you dont get enough quality sleep, it makes everything so much harder. You must be exhausted. I love Sven, he is so cool. Hope you are having a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa! 🤗 I’m used to little sleep, I’ve been an insomniac for at least 20 years, but I need at least 4 good hours or 5 broken hours.
Sven is a crack up! Who knew reptiles could have such different personalities?! Younger Daughter has two Beardies and they’re different from each other and from Sven. They’re cool pets. 💕🌻
LikeLike
We’re twins! I have the same sun tattoo but without the face. I kind of wish I had one, but I was only 16 when I convinced the artist I was 18, so I was not asking for anything more.
4AM?! Ugghh. That just stinks. I hope tonight is better suited for some sleep, or at least some good restful hours, because your morning hours sound like they were a handful.
Here’s also hoping, as usual, for a great day ahead. Monday is RIGHT THERE! Just hang tight and the GLYSB will be waiting! I can’t wait for you to have some YOU time!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robyn!! I remember you saying you had a Sun too. When are you gonna get a Moon to go with it?😘😂😂
Ben’s sleep has been all over the place this week. I dont know if it’s the weather, or us talking about school… or just a Ben thing.🤷🏼♀️
Monday will be a day of much Happy Dancing!!💃🏼💫💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
With autism and the disconnect from his body – is that something that can be learned at all?
I love that you got the sun and the moon! 🌙 ☀️☺️. Very cool!
Pat Benatar is amazing! 🎶 Oh, I wish I could sing!
Hugs and hope for some sleep tonight 🤗😴💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think the disconnect can be “fixed”. I think it’s just how his brain is wired. He can learn that he shouldn’t wear ALL the clothes and run around when it’s over 100°, or to use the bathroom every few hours. 🤷🏼♀️
I don’t know if it comes and goes, or if it’s a constant thing. He’s not able to explain a lot of things to us. He may not be aware, or able to explain it to himself.
There’s SO much that we just don’t know. All we can do is observe, and follow his lead.
And give him chalk 😂😂😂
I bet you sing fine😘 Pat Benatar is gifted though, for sure!🎶💃🏼
Stay warm!🤗🥰🦋🌻💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, it was going well for a few days, sleep wise. I hope tonight is better. The sunset is cool and I do hope that you can sleep past the sunrise tomorrow.
I think you must a vip chalk customers by now. At least a hundred boxes of chalk!
Lots of hugs. Sleep well my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep saying Crayola ought to name a color after me, or give a bulk discount or something! I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve spent on chalk since March.🙄🤦🏼♀️🤪
Ben has been staying up late, trying to take naps, now back to waking up super early. His sleep has always been an issue, and unfortunately it becomes my issue.☹
🌻💕🦋🤗🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems so, he sleeps you sleep, he’s up and so are you.
A discount should be coming in every deal for you. I hope the realize and honor you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous tats! I love that song too. Don’t let Ben hurt you! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!🤗
Ben is like a bra snapping bully. He thinks he’s being funny. We’re trying to teach him that he’s hurting us.🤷🏼♀️
Most 12 year old boys are immature buttheads, autism or not. He has grown a LOT since March. He’s over 5′ tall too. I’ve been hoping he takes after his father height wise. Like 5’9″… I dont want Ben to be 6′ or over. Harder for us to control and more dangerous for him if the police ever get involved.☹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you made it through another day at Casa Cuckoo.
We hiked yesterday where the fires were about 45 min from our house yesterday with friends. They invited us. It was a beautiful day and a nice drive.
We met this couple 30 years ago when they put an offer on our house 🏡. It was low so we didn’t take it, yet they landed on our same street so we became friends.
Learned they are moving to Utah in 1.5 years. Sad. Not everyone wants to live in California these days. It’s expensive, high taxes, and fires 🔥.
We aren’t going anywhere.
Another beautiful day today. I think i will start some seeds.
Take care and get rest.
Teri
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re having good days! California is expensive but I was born in San Diego and have lived in the county since birth. I’ve been to a lot of other parts of the US, and to Mexico & Canada… I cried when we drove up the east side of the mountains after a 3 week road trip… there’s no place like home! SoCal is home.
Hugs!!💕💌😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your tattoos – the sun and moon are great images. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suns, Moons and Stars are also a favorite. When I got the Moon, Older daughter cried. She was afraid I was going to turn into “one of the bad mommies with all the tattoos”. That was definitely an unexpected reaction! Both daughters have ink of their own now. Sheesh, even my mother has a tattoo 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person