Turkey-Anxiety Syndrome

Ok, so maybe you'll have to remind me that every year I tend to freak out that the turkey is a total failure, but it tends to work out just fine in the end. Not a reason to do the thanksgiving dinner again next year, just a realization that for some reason cooking turkey makes me unusually anxious. Oh, and please remind me that just before the panic sets in, I should pour myself a glass of wine. So here's what happened last night:

After venting here, I poured myself that much needed glass of wine, turned the oven back on, put the turkey back in there, set the table with all the other yummies we (read: T.) made, such as asparagus and brussel sprouts smothered in garlic, tomato salad, two different cranberry sauces, pan-fried stuffing, and the inevitable olive tray of my childhood. Plus some leftovers for my beautiful boys, who refuse to eat anything green (or red). Although to give credit to B, he stuck his finger in the cranberry sauce and tried it, and was really fascinated by the brussel sprouts (i think b/c they are ball shaped) and would smell them but did not want to taste them. And we sat down to a truly lovely meal. At 8pm when the turkey was finally ready, T carved it up, and we all sat down and devoured it. B absolutely loved it, gobbling down a plate of white meat without once trying to escape from the table (which has become his sop at mealtime). We were all so full that we decided to put dessert off until this morning, and have it for breakfast.

Remind Me

Please, remind me next November, that I do not actually enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Remind me NOT to do Thanksgiving dinner next year. Remind me that the fantasy family that lives in my dreams lives only there (and they can eat fantasy turkey). Remind me, come November 2007, that I should rent an RV and spend Thanksgiving weekend at the beach or the mountains, giving thanks that I do not have a half raw/half burned turkey in my oven, stuffing stuck to the pan, and not nearly enough wine on hand to get through the evening.

Proud Mama

I am so proud of A. I went to his school this morning for a Thanksgiving breakfast with his class. It was so great to see him being a completely well-behaved little boy who knows his routine and how to follow directions, interested in the other children, playing nicely, following prompts to speak to instead of touching the other children. Just lovely. And all the teachers/paras were just soooo nice, really lovely people interested in and concerned about the children. It made me feel really good abt his placement. A always goes off to school with a smile, and I can really see why. I think it is a good place for him. And for this, I give thanks.

C.A.C.

Luckily my cynicism didn't last (does anyone know how to spellcheck on blog?). I ventured on the the SELPA's Community Advisory Committee (council, commission????), which is not really advisory in much at all, I learned. Nor are the meetings well attended. Or purposeful. But hopefully that can all be changed! Amiga, your idea of the Spec Ed pta is absolutely right, and should be the next step. Let's make this happen. Basically 1-2 parents in SMFCSD made theirs happen, and it is incredibly well attended. So I'm sure we can do the same here.

A Speak

Ah wah buhbuh djoo

Totally spontaneous, unprompted, out of the blue.

For the uninitiated, this is a close-to-perfect rendition of I want bubble juice.

For those unacquainted with a 7 year old, this means sparkling juice.

Why do they call it "Blue Ribbon"?

So, I've got the Superintendent's ear. She and her 3 top dogs met with one other parent and me this morning regarding our concerns about the County's lack of appropriate programs for children with autism. I'm embarrassed to say that I think we walked away from the hour long meeting with me feeling more empathy for her situation then her for mine. I guess that's a sign of a good politician (or a bad advocate). Too many kids, not enough funding, union/employee rights, our hands are tied, etc. etc etc. Hopefully the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Autism (which I also have the honor of participating in) will come up with all the answers. Or maybe we'll all just talk our heads off for 4 more meetings until the mandate is up, without producing any real results. Pardon my cynisism (esp since I can't come close to spelling it correctly). As usual, it is much easier to be on the outside protesting in, then on the inside actually coming up with viable solutions. Let me know if you have any good ideas.

holidays

what is it about the holidays that totally overwhelms and depresses me?
i need to work on modifying my expectations to be more in tuned with reality.
i think if i had nt kids, it'd be so much easier to just blow off the holidaze bs, since i really don't buy into anyway. but now it just seems like one more way that we don't fit in.....