no school

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There was no school today because of Tropical Storm Isaac. Manatee County declared schools closed on Saturday. Sunday morning, Polk County declared schools closed for Monday. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Hernando Counties followed suit. Finally, around 4pm, Pasco County announced school would be closed Monday. 

Hurricane Days don't happen very often. We had more Snow Days in Michigan. And when we had a Snow Day, we never stayed home. We would go shopping or meet the other teachers for breakfast at The Rams Horn. We would brave the unplowed streets for non-essential journeys. 

Ryan would never venture out in a storm if his life depended on it. He only feels safe at home and when his family is home too. 

I had a chiropractor appointment scheduled for Monday. I would have gone if the boys were in going to school. But I changed it. The winds were done before noon but still Andy wanted to stay home. I did have to go out together bread for grilled cheese. The weather was fine and the store was relatively quiet.

I think they called the day off preemptively. The storm was well off the coast and not very strong.

legoland with ryan

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Ryan asked to go to Legoland after he looked at the photo book I made of Andy's trip. He wanted to go before he turned 14 so he could go to the Driving School.​

Ryan chose the long route. We got to Legoland just as the park opened. We had to wait in line for his ticket. It was good that I did not order it online. A woman gave me a coupon for a free ticket. We saved $75!

We walked in and I let Ryan lead. I forgot about the dragon & the water and we both got wet. He wasn't happy.

We went on the Island in the Sky ride. It went well until the end. They ask everyone to go left so people can board at the same time. Ryan complained and wanted to go home.

We went to the Factory and watched the video. This put Ryan in a better mood. But then Ryan was thirsty and needed water. I got him a $2 bottle and he was OK. We were going to go on The Grand Carousel and waited in line. Then they cut off the people in front and Ryan was unhappy. He complained until we left the ride.

We walked into Minifigure Market. I did get him to sit by the sleeping guy but he said the Lego creation was trying to grab him.

We tried to look at the Greenhouse but it was closed. This further degraded Ryan's mood, he said they were not letting him see anything.

We walked on to Miniland. Ryan enjoyed this and noticed that Florida was in the shape of the state and all the areas highlighted were in their proper place.

We walked over to Lego Kingdoms. Merlin's Challenge shut down as we got there. The Dragon had over an hour wait so we didn't go. Ryan was not happy.

We walked over to Land of Adventure and went on the Lost Kingdom Adventure. Ryan enjoyed it even though I trounced him in the points. Ryan really liked the Safari Trek and waited in line by himself.

Ryan said he wanted to get the Driving School out of the way so we walked over there. He smiled for his driver's license photo and we watched a video. The video wasn't done when the door opened up and Ryan wanted to wait to watch. I told him we could watch that video online. (I have seen it before.) We went into another room and watched a video about safe driving and a Lego employee asked some questions. Then they opened the door to go to the cars. Ryan didn't want to go. I had to force him. I should have let him skip the ride. I really thought he would have fun once he got going but he did not. Once the ride was over and Ryan wanted to go home. He didn't want his driver's license. He didn't want to go to any other part of the park. It was only noon.

We had to walk through Miniland again. Ryan was happy since he didn't get to (or want to) see New York.

Ryan said his feet hurt and couldn't wait to go home. But I made him sit and watch me eat apple fries. They weren't as good as I remembered but it might have been the constant complaining.

We walked through The Big Store but Ryan wanted nothing. I got a pin. I spent less than $13 for the whole day.

We stopped at McDonald's and Ryan chose another long way home.

breakfast at marne's

My grandparents lived 5 houses down through the alley Surprisingly, we weren't over there all the time. Marne and Grandpa were busy and not always home when we were little. 

My three bothers had paper routes and Sundays were a big day. Marne would make them breakfast after their routes. Sometimes we got to join them.

Marne was not the best cook. But one meal I loved eating over there was breakfast. The menu rarely varied, scrambled eggs, bacon and biscuits. I loved her scrambled eggs, they were thick and fluffy and peppery. I was told later that they were runny but I don't remember or maybe I liked them that way. The bacon was never a favorite of mine, it always seemed too tough. I am not a fan of bacon even cooked well. The star of the breakfast were the biscuits. Marne started with 2 cans of Hungry Jack biscuits. This was the day without flavors like honey butter and the easy open can. She had to whack the can on the counter to get them to open. She placed them packed tightly in 2 pie plates. Then she added some butter to the insides and the tops of the biscuits and set them in the oven to bake. They took a while to bake because they were so tightly packed and she added so much butter to them. 

When they were done (and sometimes they had to be put back in the oven for a few minutes) we each got one. We added more butter and honey to them and ate them with our fingers. So yummy. So fattening. There were usually enough for 2 biscuits for each person, the boys usually got 3 because of all of their hard work. Rarely were there leftovers. 

My grandparents lived in a flat. They rarely ate in the dining room, the kitchen table was usually against the window and as small as it could be made. For the 2 of them, eating in the kitchen was fine. Add the 7 of us and it was packed. Grandpa had the back porch enclosed and we ate out there whenever it wasn't too cold. He added an electric fireplace to add heat but only the person sitting in front of it could feel it.

After Grandpa died, my brother Greg lived with Marne for a while. She found out he like blueberry muffins and that was added to the breakfast menu. Yes, Marne still made biscuits. In fact, Marne made biscuits even when we ate dinner over there. Greg, got his own small blueberry muffin pie. 

My mom developed her own special biscuits. She took 2 cans of Hungry Jack biscuits, dipped each biscuit in melted butter, then in cinnamon sugar. She baked them in a 13x9 pan. Oh my goodness! They were so good. She only made them at the cottage and only a few times a year. Hungry Jack came out with a cinnamon biscuit, a poor imitation. 

I used to make biscuits for the boys on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We still used Hungry Jack but switched to Honey Butter. They are good enough to eat plain. First Ryan stopped eating biscuits. Then Andy stopped. 

Now the only time I get biscuits is when I got out for breakfast, maybe once a year. 

st pete museum of history

Ryan chose the St Petersburg Museum of History. 

Ryan chose BBD to Fletcher to I275. We got to the museum about 10:30 and parked. 

The museum is nice though small. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for kids & students with ID. Photography is allowed. The exhibits are similar to Tampa Bay History Center and Heritage Village. We were done in less than an hour. 

We walked to The Pier. Ryan said he had never been there. I thought he had. I will have to check. 

We went up the glass elevator to the 5th floor observation deck and walked around. Ryan took the elevator by himself to the first floor. Andy & I went next and met him there. We walked through the first floor and out again. People were fishing and it smelled. We walked back through to the main entrance and took the trolley to the parking lot. Ryan didn't want to take the tour even though he said the trolley was the best part of the day.

We drove to McDonald's on S 4th Avenue then back up to CFA. Then we drove home. Andy chose I275 to I4 to I75 to BBD to CLR. 

chick fil a & gay rights

My boys are very picky eaters.  

When the boys went through the typical toddler aversion to food, I did not worry. I assumed that they would go back to eating more food like every other kids. But I was wrong. They were diagnosed with autism and their picky eating habits became worse. Mother wisdom would say to put the food out for the kid and they will eat or go hungry, they won't starve themselves. Mother wisdom did not have kids with autism. They will starve themselves rather than eat something they don't want. This was the main reason I never tried the gluten free/casein free diet that is supposed to be beneficial for people with autism. 

My boys eat the same things day after day, week after week. It makes meal planning simple but makes going out difficult. We can't just go out to eat. We can't just pick a place and find something the boys will eat. When we do go out, we  have to stop at Chick Fil A for Andy and McDonald's for Ryan. Ryan prefers fries from McDonald's. He will not eat fries from Chick Fil A. He just won't eat. I know Ryan will eat fries from McDonald's. He used to prefer fries from Wendy's until they change their process. I know that Andy will eat chicken selects and fries from McDonald's. He will eat fries and nuggets from Chick Fil A. He may or may not eat fries from Burger King or Wendy's.

This means we have two reliable places to eat when we go out. So when I started seeing tweets about Chick Fil A and gay rights, I became concerned. The tweets claim that Chick Fil A is anti-gay because they support pro-family organizations. This bothers me. I support gay rights. I support equal rights for everyone. I also like the food and service at Chick Fil A. The choice is not that easy. 

If I stop eating at Chick Fil A for political reasons, what can I substitute? We tried PDQ and Andy did not like it. If we only go to McDonald's, what happens if they stop making chicken selects? 

I have to choose my battles. I will continue to go to Chick Fil A when I am with Andy. But I will not go there by myself, no matter how good the tea is.

lowery park zoo

Wednesday Adventure Club. 

Andy's choice this week. He chose to go back to Lowery Park Zoo. 

We left the house before 9:30. I realized when we got to Bruce B Downs that we didn't have our passes. I put the on the counter so I wouldn't forget them. Dad must have put them back in the microwave. Ryan wanted to cancel WAC. I tried explaining that life is like this and you need to learn how to deal with these little problems or you will never be able to handle the big problems. He still wanted to stay home. I gave him the choice of staying home alone or coming with us. He won't stay home alone. 

We got to the zoo just after 10. It was not crowded and we parked close to the entrance. We walked through the aviary near the entrance. There were not many birds about. They are doing modifications to the exhibit. We walked to Wallaroo Station. We went inside to see the Wallabies. They were hiding because of the heat. We did see one.

The water play area was closed for renovations. The Wool Shed was gone, converted into bumper boats. The boys are too big. We walked by the emus. Ryan read every sign out loud and heeded the warnings. The Dingos were sleeping. The bats were fewer. 

We walked in the Pony Shed but the stalls were empty. We only saw a Llama getting ready for a walk. Ryan stayed clear of the goats, afraid they would eat him. 

We walked to Safari Africa through the tunnel. Andy liked the echo. Ryan was glad for the shade and cooler temps. It was hot. When we stopped, I could feel the sweat rolling down. 

The Meerkats were sitting up but there weren't many. They were not active.

The Giraffes and Zebras were hanging out in the shade. It always smells by the Elephants. We walked down to the Rhino Feeding area but they were hanging away from the area. 

Ryan started walked back and skipped the Ituri Forest. He was hot and tired. I checked the weather. It was 86 but felt like 99. I told him to get a drink. Both boys smuggled in drinks. But Ryan didn't want to get in trouble. So why bring it in? Andy wouldn't drink because Ryan wouldn't drink. Ugh. 

We left the park just after 11. We went to McDonald's & CFA for lunch. We were home just after noon.

we have to move

I hate snakes. Hate them!

I take a quick shower at night. Living in Florida, you tend to sweat 11 months out of the year. I like to go to bed not feeling sticky. I took my shower, dried off then went to clean the hair from the drain. I saw something in the corner. Very dark like some black cord. Oh my god! It is a snake. No one to help, I shut the shower door and hope it goes back the way it came. 

It took me a while to get to sleep. 

I woke up at 2 am having to pee. The snake is now outside of the shower! How the hell did he get through the door? He is in the corner next to where the water closet is. I step closer hoping he will go away. He hesitates but does not leave. I walk past him and go to pee. I cannot. I cannot relax enough. I have to force myself to relax and pee.

I go back through the bath and he is still there. I go to bed hoping he will go away. It takes longer to get back to sleep. 

Ryan gets up at 5 am. He comes into my bath to put on deodorant and brush his teeth. I am waiting to hear him yelp or scream but he does not. He doesn't use my toilet so maybe he didn't see the snake. 

I lie in bed until 6 am. I get up and take a deep breadth before I walk into the bathroom. I turn on the light and the snake is gone. He is not on the floor an not in the shower. Did he go away or did he slither to another part of the house? 

Every time I go into the bathroom, I expect to see the snake. I don't. But I walk on eggshells. 

On Monday morning, I got walking in the morning. I tend to keep my head down because the sun is low. I see the small black snake almost too late. I walk around him but he doesn't move. As I loop back, I see he still hasn't moved. He is probably dead. 

I need to move.

It has been a week. Most of the time, I look for the snake. Occasionally, I forget. 

I guess we won't move just yet.

july stats

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polk museum of art

Ryan chose the Polk Museum of Art. He looked at the info in the book and said “...students with ID. Where is my ID?” I assured him it meant adult students. 

We left the house about 9:30. Ryan gets to choose the route there and Andy gets to choose the route home. Ryan couldn't decide which way to go. He got upset and wanted to go back home. This made Andy upset. This was not going to be fun. But I realized that we have been lucky this summer without any major melt-downs. I also felt like I had to pee the whole way there. 

We got to the museum about 10:30. We walked in and saw the rules. No backpacks or cameras. Ryan was not happy and wanted to go home. He was really concerned about was the threat of rain. We took the backpacks back to the car and I carried the umbrellas.

We went back in and paid the fee. It was only $5 for me and the boy were free. It wasn't worth much more. They have only a couple of permanent exhibits and they are small. One exhibit is upstairs but the elevator was out of service and Ryan didn't see the stairs. When he found them on the map, he no longer wanted to go upstairs. 

The Polk Library was across the parking lot and we walked over there. It is really nice with separate rooms for kids and teens. The boys walked around and checked everything out. 

Ryan said he wanted to go downtown. I was hoping he would say we could wander around the park. I brought my dSLR just in case. He started directing me and we passed the park. Ryan directed me to turn onto US98 and I knew he meant to go home. 

We found McDonald's and Ryan said it was an old fashioned building. I said it wasn't, because to me, old fashioned meant the original design with large golden arches. This one was the standard design from the 1970's until 2006. After so many decades, McDonald’s is finally changed their design to a sleeker look with more subtle arches over the entry.

We found Chick Fil A and had to wait through 3 lights to make the turn. There was a back up if we went left so we made a u-turn. Turns out the back up was because of CFA. The drive thru is incredibly convoluted. The drive through wraps around the front of the store. But it works for the location.

Then I learned it was National CFA Appreciation Day and this traffic is not normal. When I had read there might be protestors, I didn't realize it was today. There were no protestors here. We saw long lines at our CFA as we drive home. Why I continue to eat at CFA despite the protests regarding equal rights is a post for another day. 

We had to drive through rain on the way home. It wasn't bad but it slowed us down a bit and made Ryan anxious.

I took my camera knowing I could not use it at the Museum. I was hoping we could walk around the park. I only got a few photos with my iPhone.