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Autistic Interpretations®
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The Annual Ball Toss
Quick update - Still having a fun and fabulous trip! Seeing so many sights it’s keeping me quite busy! I’ll share a few more pics in my story but most will have to wait until after my trip. The girls and poodles continue to do fine. 🏴
On the way to see Edinburgh Castle which overlooks the city.
*I made it to Edinburgh, and what a spectacular city it is! Love every bit I’ve seen so far. A friend suggested I pick 5 favorite pics per day, so here they are.*
Anyone recognize this spot?
*I made it to Edinburgh, and what a spectacular city it is! Love every bit I’ve seen so far. A friend suggested I pick 5 favorite pics per day, so here they are.*
The castle is built upon the rocks.
*I made it to Edinburgh, and what a spectacular city it is! Love every bit I’ve seen so far. A friend suggested I pick 5 favorite pics per day, so here they are.*
Castle view from the park.
*I made it to Edinburgh, and what a spectacular city it is! Love every bit I’ve seen so far. A friend suggested I pick 5 favorite pics per day, so here they are.*
❤️ This!
*I made it to Edinburgh, and what a spectacular city it is! Love every bit I’ve seen so far. A friend suggested I pick 5 favorite pics per day, so here they are.*
The end of a 7 hour flight (one with no running water 🙃).
Facing one of my biggest fears, and almost unable to believe it myself, I have headed across the Atlantic on a 10 day journey to the UK. I am viewing this as a final step in healing from this past year.
Within 24 hours I traveled 4,723 miles to arrive at the first overnight destination having only 5 hours of interrupted sleep. Needless to say, I was beyond exhausted by then.
How’s Jess handling this? Not bad so far. I’ve not been away from her this long before. But she’s in very capable caregiving hands. I talked to her last night. She’s been interested in mode of travel, why, and how long I’m going to be gone. She’s expressed she misses me, but as far as I know, no tears as of yet. 🩷 ✈️ 🚊
Time for a stroll before the next leg of the trip. Palace of Westminster.
Facing one of my biggest fears, and almost unable to believe it myself, I have headed across the Atlantic on a 10 day journey to the UK. I am viewing this as a final step in healing from this past year.
Within 24 hours I traveled 4,723 miles to arrive at the first overnight destination having only 5 hours of interrupted sleep. Needless to say, I was exhausted by then.
How’s Jess handling this? Not bad so far. I’ve not been away from her this long before. But she’s in very capable caregiving hands. I talked to her last night. She’s been interested in mode of travel, why, and how long I’m going to be gone. She’s expressed she misses me, but as far as I know, no tears as of yet.
Beautiful Westminster Abbey
Facing one of my biggest fears, and almost unable to believe it myself, I have headed across the Atlantic on a 10 day journey to the UK. I am viewing this as a final step in healing from this past year.
Within 24 hours I traveled 4,723 miles to arrive at the first overnight destination having only 5 hours of interrupted sleep. Needless to say, I was exhausted by then.
How’s Jess handling this? Not bad so far. I’ve not been away from her this long before. But she’s in very capable caregiving hands. I talked to her last night. She’s been interested in mode of travel, why, and how long I’m going to be gone. She’s expressed she
It’s been a few years since we visited our favorite mountain spot. We ate at our favorite pizza spot, favorite breakfast spot, and a delicious bbq spot. Jess got to tube, and we have had fun visiting family.
Happy Birthday to Jess! 🎂This is not my usual kind of post, but I decided to go with it because it’s what I felt like doing today. 🎉🤷🏼♀️😄 Jessica’s favorite cake is chocolate on chocolate with vanilla ice cream.
Enjoyed a special afternoon with Granddad (my dad) and family yesterday. Truly special times. 💕💕💕💕💕 #thankful #happyfathersday
Heading out for another big day of adventure, with high hopes for not getting stuck on a ride. 😄 About the badge on J’s shirt…
* Question for you… Would you consider Jessica’s blindness an invisible disability?* Honestly, I’ve never thought of it in those terms. We’ve lived within the blindness realm for 38 years so for us it’s a way of life.
We had a second incident of getting stuck on a ride, this time The Sea with Nemo & Friends. 🙃 The door to the accessible ride vehicle wouldn’t open and appeared to be stuck. This was very stressful for both of us. For one reason, because it was stuck, and for another because I was able to get out - and was required to get out and step away (and out of her reach - rules) while they tried to open it.
Jess was scared and did get upset this time. I was able to go sit with her twice, briefly, while we waited on maintenance. And guess what? If they weren’t able to open the door they said they’d have to call the fire department. 🚨 Seriously. Rules and all that.
During this episode, there was again an understandable lack of awareness of Jessica’s disabilities. While it was probably obvious to some that she is autistic, it is not easy to recognize that she is blind. The cast member assisting us was being very kind. But once I mentioned that J was blind in addition to being autistic, the cast member said, “oh no wonder she’s scared,” and immediately showed even more compassion and changed her approach. She started explaining things to J in a way to help Jess better understand what was going on around her.
I was told this kind of thing hasn’t happened before with that ride vehicle. Three different people tried unsuccessfully to open it before maintenance arrived and simply unlocked a leaver to open it. 😬 We still had a good day. Jess bounced back well and we moved on to the next thing.
Slinkydog Dash! A J favorite.
📣This kid behind us was having the time of their life. 😂 We heard this throughout the ride except for when the ride stopped for a few minutes at the top of the mine.
It was a tad distracting at first, but once I reminded Jess it was someone having fun just like she was, she adjusted her mindset and did great. #yeahyeahyeah
Hi friends 😊 We’ve been quietly focusing on life, health, wellness, and slowing down a bit these past months. We’ve missed sharing little moments with y’all, and thought our Disney trip might be a fun place to start popping back in here and there again. ❤️
👋🏻 It’s the ultimate happy season for our J! A shiny new pool, pool toys, and water days. For the rest of us, sunshine, vitamin D, and relaxing outside. Happy Easter! 🐣🐇
It’s time for the annual ball toss! 😂
Advent Opening day 23! Watch the video on our story.
Advent Opening day 22! Watch the video in our story.
Advent Opening day 21! Watch the video in our story.
Advent Calendar opening day 20! Watch the video in our story.
Advent Opening day 19! Watch the video in our story.
We have two funerals to go to this week.
Though we had intentions of posting bright, fun videos every day for Vlogmas, sometimes reality alters the plan a bit. Multiple families are facing unexpected losses of loved ones this holiday season, and we have been prioritizing our friends and family in these difficult times.
Advent Opening day 18! Honestly, I’ve started forgetting what all is in there 😂. Watch the video on our story!
Advent Opening day 17! You can watch the video on our story.
The reason for our road trip was to attend the final show of the “Long Live” The Black Parade tour in Tampa, FL! My Chemical Romance is an all-time favorite band for each of the three of us, and the opportunity to see them perform was one we couldn’t pass up! The Black Parade came out when I was 13, and MCR’s music, especially songs on that album, ended up being a major part of my brain chemistry during those years. This was truly an incredible once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget!
We’re on an adventure! Marlow, Tayler, and I are on a road trip to Florida for a concert, and couldn’t resist planning an extra day to spend time together! We had the most delicious lunch at Whiskey Joe’s with yummy drinks, incredibly cheesy nachos, some outstanding Mac and cheese for both Marlow and I, and some tropical fish tacos for Tayler!
Waco Mammoth National Monument, Waco, Texas, United States - Highly Recommend!! On our 4th morning, we went on a guided walking tour of the Waco Mammoth National Monument. In 1978, the first Columbian mammoth bone was discovered by Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin. By the end of 1980, the remains of five Columbian mammoths were excavated by Strecker Museum staff and volunteers. Ten more were excavated in 1984, and a 16th was discovered in 1985. Those specimens were enclosed in plaster and moved to protective storage. In 1991, remains of 5 more are discovered, including a bull mammoth with a juvenile. Then in 1994, a 22nd mammoth, a camel, and a baby tooth from a saber-toothed cat are uncovered. 1996, a 23rd mammoth is discovered.
The Waco mammoths are the only known Columbian mammoth nursery herd in North America, and it is located within an unusual site of multiple flooding and death events. Scientists already know that more mammoths are buried here.
After meandering through the grounds, gardens we headed to Magnolia Table for a delicious lunch, where they discourage the use of electronic devices at the table. So, I only got a few pics of our lunch then put my phone away. We tried sides of sweet potato casserole, fried okra, grits, broccoli salad, green beans, and onion rings. It seems I missed a picture of someone’s entree. Not pictured is the Breakfast Sandwich - a Flaky croissant layered with thick-cut bacon, Havarti cheese, Heirloom tomato, arugula, garlic aioli, and a fried egg. Served with a side of breakfast potatoes. Everything was delicious! My favorite was the breakfast sandwich.
