A time to remember...

    Another memorial day has arrived. So much to be thankful for and so many men and women to be remembered and honored for their service for our country!

(Picture from 2005)

    Rachel would like for our house to be completely covered with flags for the occasion. Unfortunately, our flag inventory does not currently allow for that desire, but she is working on getting it decorated in as much red, white and blue as possible!
    We were watching the Today show, this morning. There were members of the various armed forces in attendance dressed in their sharp uniforms. I was pointing out the different services and what their missions were, generally. We discussed the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines... After a few minutes of silence, Rachel asked if the TV was showing "past tense"? (her way of saying was it old footage.) When I explained, no, that these service men & women were there, today, she was quite confused.
    She explained to me why she thought it was in the "past tense". She said, "In the past tense, it was only black and white!".   Hmmm... I couldn't figure where her mind was going.... I had to ask. She informed me that the people in their crisp white uniforms must have been from the past... before they had the color, NAVY! So hard to not laugh, but such a literal young lady!

Why go to the beach, when you can plan???

    Last Sunday, as we were driving home from church, I asked Rachel: "Would you like to go to the beach, this afternoon?"  She answered, "no". I asked her why & she informed me she had other "plans".
    The wheels in my head were turning and curious, as we were going home. After a quick lunch, Rachel disappeared into her room.... for quite a long time... (not that I am complaining, just curious) so I asked if she was o.k. She informed me she was planning! Hmmm
   Well, what is new? She "plans" all the time. A party, her wedding, wedding plans for her sister, games to play this summer.... you name it, she has it planned in detail, making total sense to her and her alone, usually. After all, she is an Aspie! But. I was stumped. I NEVER would have guessed, in a million years, what she was busy working on...
    After about 4 hours, she appeared from her bedroom, all smiles, with details and drawings very specific.... for her casket. That's right... she designed a casket for herself, with every detail she could think of, including the pillow and its design. It was spooky, creepy and also quite interesting in some kind of a weird, Aspie way. The casket, itself, is stained glass, with a clear glass, cross-shape in the center, a really soft blanket! The pillow has a skull outline, to make sure they know where to put her head...
   The picture below, was one of her early rough draft drawings! But, you get the idea...

    She was not sad or morbid, just very matter of fact, planning. I started trying to remember, what is the weirdest, most unique thing I ever planned as a child? I am sure whatever it was, it was NOT a casket!

Strict Dress Code

      So, it has reached 90 degrees here on several days already this spring, here in Florida. I have encouraged Rachel to wear shorts to school, so she wouldn't get so HOT! but she had not responded by wearing them.
      Finally, Friday, she had on long black knit pants with her school shirt. (Keep in mind, she is growing crazy fast and all of her "pants" are now "capris".)
      She finally told me: "I don't have any shorts that fit the dress code at school." Me: "Huh, what about the 3 new pairs of Bermuda shorts?" Rachel: "No, I tried them on and they are too long." Me....??? I was then informed by Rachel, that the students were told by their school "Your shorts must be fingertip long!". Apparently forgetting to add that it is fine to be longer.
      Could the rest of the world get a little more literal before I lose my mind? You, Aspies, keep us in line!