It's Begining to feel a lot like Christmas

We've started shopping for baking supplies. I already have two batches of cookies baked and in the freezer. Christmas presents are bought and wrapped. I just have jar gifts to make cookie's to bake and parent's to buy for.

On Saturday Dad will do the smelly cleaning that my asthma can't handle while mom and I are at RaW. I think we're going shopping but I'm not sure. Mom's going along to drive the van..

It's been real busy over here. And I mean to write but then I get distracted or it's late and I fall asleep. Indy's scheduled for his first professional bath because I'm allergic to his shampoo and we think it'll be easier this way. And Indy and I are scheduled to get holiday photo's taken of the two of us. That should be interesting. I don't know if he should be vested for them or not. which would be better? But those are not till next month. We'll be skipping the church Christmas party because it's on Dad's birthday. So we'll hang out at home watch old westerns and Jame's Bond movie's and Mom'll make Sloppy Joes. Then the next weekend well decorate.

Have a nice night

Chloe and Indy

He's Cute

Well turns out my big strong service dog can't stand winter. So we had to get him a Winter coat and boots.

Isn't he handsome?

However this handsome boy ate the tip off of a red crayon yesterday. I brushed his teeth and he hasn't had any after affects. Life with him is interesting some times and now for more cute pictures of MY Guy.

Chloe and Indy

I Dream

I Dream of a place. Where all are welcome, High functioning or low there are no distinction. Where it doesn't matter how old your mind is or if it differs from your age.
I dream of a place that's better then school. where all the forgotten can learn. A place where puzzles with 20 pieces mingle with those with a hundred, picture books mingle with chapters. Where I can learn to surprise my family with a meal I didn't need much help with. A place where I can make a friend. Who isn't paid or related or has four legs I'm asking for allot I know. I dream of a place.

What a Day!

Our morning was fairly laid back, but after Mama got off work, we had to go get some errands done. Indy hasn't really been worked since the big test except for church and the library because it was thought he needed a break.

Apparently we were wrong.....

At the hair dressers he wouldn't listen and sprawled out like he was at home. He also didn't like when I got my hair washed.

At Coles he made us buy a furry bookmark because he licked it. luckily the store employees didn't see or they might not of let us back.

There was also an frustrating mother to deal with and it wasn't even mine! Mine was wonderful!

Then at home Indy found a strange dog in our yard luckily he was inside so Mama went outside to shoo it home.

And then we got our flu shots but we left Indy at home for that. Because well he wouldn't of liked seeing that though I didn't like leaving him.

We'll see how he does at RaW tomorrow.

Chloe and Indy

We PASSED!!

Okay so I know it's been awhile. I apologise I've been busy and well I had intended to post sooner but I get distracted easily. But I have good reasons for being busy as of Thursday Indy and I are an Alberta Certified Service dog Team. It meant that we made sure he was extra spiffy and gave him the dreaded Bath but didn't he look handsome afterwards?

Then we had to drive up to the big city for a temperament test and a two day orientation then the advanced skills test and the public access test in the largest mall in the city. So we passed the temperament test then went on to orientation mom and dad went with us of course. and Indy sat under the table looking bored for most of it. I don't know how many times they told us to SMILE.

The Public Access Test was what had me the most worried. but we did good at the end we were told that I was the Youngest handler they'd had come through the process and that we were one of the best teams they'd seen and we only had a couple things to work on.

When we got home though we discovered that I was sick what fun but that always happens after we travel. It's life.

Have a nice week.

Chloe and Indy

RaW Sisterhood

Okay so today Indy and I went to RaW at Church today it was awesome! I mean besides the fact that I live with one of the only males who can stay a whole RaW meeting (Indy). It was wonderful. Full of acceptance I learned so much. It was great. We made beanbag frogs, we talked, we laughed, we prayed, we learned. It was more then I could have hoped for. More then I could of dreamed. God was in that church today with that group of girls. I felt Him as I sat there first a little bit apart kind of afraid and nervous and then as I sat with the group part of it my difference not mattering.

Well I have to go we have company coming for dinner.

Chloe and Indy

Faking It

I've been asked why I feel the need in certain situations to "fake it". Others on the spectrum call it "passing". It means to be someone else - to try and stop being autistic for a time. To "fake" being normal. In my case, it stems from when I was in school. I was bullied - not only by the children but, by teachers who didn't notice when I was being mistreated by the other children. Or by children and teachers who said things to purposely upset me. So I learned to blend in. To hide my differences while at school or around most others. At that time the phrase "normal people scare me" was very true. When I got home I'd be on over load because it's hard trying to be someone else.

"Faking it" is a habit - it shouldn't have to be. I shouldn't - indeed no one - should have to try and be something they're not, to be accepted by society. I'm slowly turning off that learned habit of faking it. It means I'm stimming more. I read the books I like more, instead of the ones I think someone my age should be reading. I've stopped trying to hide the fact that I like cartoons so much. And I've learned that my parents will love me whether I operate on the level of a nineteen year old or a nine year old. As will the rest of my family. I'm learning that it's okay to be open about my disability.(Going out with Indy is like wearing a neon sign "disability over here".)

I wonder sometimes, what is so wrong with the way God made me and others like me, that society felt the need to first hide us away and now try and make us come out like cookie cutters? I've been told time and time again He doesn't make mistakes. If He doesn't make mistakes then why do some seem to think we need to be fixed?

Yes I am now nineteen and I prefer to watch Winnie the pooh, Roy Rogers, Murder She Wrote, Scooby-Doo, most classic Disney movies and many classic cartoons as well as the westerns my father exposed me to when I was small. I prefer them because there is little to no violence, little cussing, and few social situations that I can't understand or that make me uncomfortable. That's hard to find in current TV. My current reading material has few adult books, some picture books and many children's chapter books. For some of the same reasoning as my viewing choices. My favorite activities include: coloring, playing with moon sand, and doing the same puzzle over again. This does not make me any less a person then someone my age, who is in college and able to take full response ability for themselves.

I apologise for the rant but, maybe someone not familiar with the "A club" will see this and understand. The rant has been building for awhile.

Chloe and Indy

What a wonderful weekend

Well we had a busy weekend. On Saturday I officially became one year older and was surprised to see that Indy and Sissi cooperated long enough to give me a card and a travel desk. And I even got to speak to all my favorite people! I couldn't ask for more.

On Sunday we went to church for the first time in a year. It was Indy's first time at church and a new church for mom and I. And it was wonderful. Indy behaved, the people were welcoming, the sermon though long was understandable and not scary like our last church. I can't wait to go back!

Chloe and Indy

Horses

Indy doesn't like them. At least he doesn't like them near me. On Monday Dad and I went to the therapeutic riding stable where I take lessons, it's also where I hope to volunteer cleaning tack. Unfortunately Mister Overprotective didn't take me getting near the horses well. He didn't mind me cleaning the tack for all he found it boring but the horses he didn't like and bark at. This doesn't bode well for independent volunteering or going to day camp there next summer.

On the bright side of life he's handling the Handi bus well and even went up and down in the ramp a few weeks ago. I'm also thinking he's just the ticket to convince mom and dad I don't need anything for my birthday on Saturday Indy was my present he just came earlier then I expected and I'm not complaining.

Chloe and Indy

Mister Overprotective goes to work

Well Indy and I had our first real solo visit to the library on Tuesday Dad dropped us off. We wander around for awhile then a gentleman approached and asked if he could pet Indy. I put Indy in a down stay under my walker and told the gentleman that no he couldn't pet my dog he was working. The gentleman asked a few questions and makes some comments. One about Indy being protective. I look down and my sweet gentle loves everyone super dog is glaring at the man! Then sort of embarrassing now funny. Indy got a lecture about how every stranger who talks to us isn't bad. Who would have thought I'd be giving that lecture.

Chloe and Indy