Rules: Week of 1/27/14

Pages: 20-100                                    SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!
Prompt: Summarize what you just read.

     So, much has happened since I last blogged on this book, so let me refresh you!

Catherine- The main character, and the older sister of David.
David- Has autism, the younger brother of Catherine.

     It was a Thursday summer afternoon, and like all Thursday afternoons, it was time for David to go to occupational therapy. Catherine had decided to go along, because she had nothing better to do, and she enjoyed the time with her mother. When they got there, Catherine had wanted to go to the park, or to one of the shops or restaurants nearbywith her mom, but her mother said she had to stay and make sure everything would be fine with David. So, Catherine decided she would draw. She wasn't really sure what to draw, but she eventually decided she would would draw another patient waiting to go into therapy. His name was Jason, and he was in a wheel chair, unable to move or talk. Catherine began to draw, and hoped she wasn't staring too obviously, but she was and Jason's mother got very upset. Though, Jason didn't mind. In fact he liked Catherine's drawings, he just didn't like drawings specifically of him. Though, once Jason's mom yelled at Catherine, she just decided to draw something else, and when Jason was on his way out, he glanced at Catherine's drawing, and his mother said that he liked what she was drawing, and so Catherine decided to give her drawing to him, because she felt bad about the whole staring incident. He got the picture, and soon after Jason left, so did Catherine, her Mom, and David.

     A new family was moving in next door to the Catherine's family, and she was super excited. Her friend was away for the summer, and she needed someone to hang out with, and honestly someone to be with after the whole staring situation. Though, as soon as the neighbors were moved in, and Catherine had the courage to go and speak to them, the girl that would be living there was away at her Dad's house for the weekend. Catherine was upset, but still was okay with it. She was still a bit nervous that David would embarrass her in front of the new family next door.

     The next week at David's occupational therapy session, Catherine decided to go again. This time, she saw Jason with his book filled with words. He pointed to the words he wanted to use because he couldn't literally say them. His mom said that he wanted to put Catherine in the book as a sort of "Thank You" for the picture she gave him. Though, with every word, jason's mom would draw a picture. For Catherine's picture, she offered to draw the picture of herself. Catherine loved art, and she was kind of excited to draw for Jason's book! She later offered to create some more word cards with pictures for Jason. She created more interesting words, and the book began to seem more fun, and colorful. Jason was so happy, and him and Catherine began to become friends. Catherine really enjoyed Jason, and Jason enjoyed Catherine. Catherine would tell him about her guinea pigs, and David, and his rules, and everything that was going on. Eventually they became pretty close, and Catherine decided that she wanted to make more word cards for Jason, so she told his mom that she would like the rest of his cards to be able to create more words for Jason to use.

     One day when Catherine was working on her cards for Jason, and babysitting David, the new girl next door finally decided to pay a visit to Catherine; her name was Kristi. It was a bit unexpected, and Catherine was kind of embarrassed of their hectic household, and her embarrassing brother. They began to converse about life, and Catherine began to explain why she was making the cards, but she simply said they were for a friend, so Kristi got the wrong idea, and thought that Catherine liked the boy she was making the cards for. They eventually walked over to Kristi's house and she began to explain about how there was going to be a summer dance at the community center where she volunteered at, and she thought that Catherine should bring Jason to the dance. Catherine tried to explain that her and Jason were not an item, when she got sidetracked by the thought of volunteering. She asked Kristi about her volunteering, and Kristi explained how she thought that it would be a once a week type thing but they expected her to come everyday, and between that, and traveling to her Dad's house every weekend, she barely had time to unpack. When Catherine heard that Kristi traveled to her Dad's house every weekend, she figured her parents were divorced, and tried to relate, because one of her best friends parents were divorced. Though, Kristi got defensive, and explained they were just separated, and were taking a break, and tried to change the subject. Then they hung out, and Catherine realized, and liked how easy it was to be at a friend's house, and not have to worry about her Autistic brother ruining something, and that's where I left off. It's kind of at a weird spot, and I wonder what's going to happen next.
   

Rules: Week of 1/20/14

Pages: 1-20
Prompt: Give a general summarization of what's going on. How would you feel if you were in the characters shoes?

     Rules is about a girl named Catherine, and all she ever wanted was for her and her family to be considered normal, but she feels that with an autistic brother named David, that is almost impossible. She doesn't like David to be loud, or obnoxious in public, even though she knows that he can't help it. She just wishes that for once, she could go somewhere without people giving her and her family odd stares, and looks of disgust. Her parents never seem to notice this though, they seem to think no one cares about how David acts; that they know he's different, but Catherine doesn't think so. Her parents also spend so much time worrying about David, that it's almost as if they've kind of put Catherine to the side and began to forget about her, and this makes her very upset. She doesn't really know what to do, but to at least start to try and change the way David does things, she's made a list of rules that may not be rules at all, but are lessons, and things people need to know in life. She made this for David, so if he isn't ever to just magically turn normal (like Catherine thinks will happen,) then at least he may know and begin to figure out how to handle life.

     Now, if I were in Catherine's shoes, I think I would be a bit embarrassed of David also. Now I know people that have autism (like David) or some other type of disorder (like down syndrome) can't help how they may act or be like, but it sometimes can even frustrate me. It's hard for people who understand and learn things so easily, to always understand people with a disability or disorder. People who get things more easily aren't going to understand others well who's brains don't function as quickly or smoothly, so it can get frustrating, and even upsetting at times. I know it would be hard to live with an autistic brother, though I've never experienced it. I can just imagine things being so easy for me, and hard for him, and it would be hard to relate, or explain things when things don't go through some people brains the same way. I would get "mad," if they couldn't do something that seemed so simple to me, though could be so hard to them. I don't know how I would be able to handle it, and I'm not sure how some people do. Of course I know they can't help it, but sometimes situations like that can just seem hopeless to get through to. So, I think it would be pretty hard to be in Catherine's shoes in this situation.

     Also, if I were in Catherine's shoes, I think I would be a little upset. Her parents aren't always paying much attention to her because of her autistic brother, and I think that would make me a bit sad, not being able to spend nice quality time with my mother or father, because they were so worried about one of my siblings, I wouldn't know how to cope. I think I would want some attention. Sometimes, big things could be happening for me, and if my parents were too occupied with someone else to be able to support me, I think it would be hard. I already do get to spend lots of time with my parents, and I don't think one is more focused on a specific child rather than another, and if they were, I know that I would feel sad, and alone like Catherine. So, based on these things, I think it would be really hard to walk in Catherine's shoes. She's stuck in a sort of weird, and upsetting situation, and I think I would have an extremely hard time living her life.

The Book Thief: Week of 1/13/14

Pages: 1-20

Prompt: Draw a Picture of the Narrator in you story. Explain how and why you interpreted the narrator that way.

     In the story "The Book Thief," the narrator is Death, and this is how I would interpret what Death looks like. I would imagine it would have only eye sockets, but no eyes, only deep, black holes. I would also think that it would have a nose and mouth, but no nostrils, and the mouth wouldn't be able to be opened. I think of it this way because when you are dead, you can no longer breathe, so I would assume that Death can not breathe either, and you can only breathe through your mouth and nose. I think that Death's skin would be grey and lifeless, because I would picture Death, having all life sucked out of it, so even the skin color would be gone to a dull, mysterious grey. I think that Death would also have long thin arms, used for reaching deep into people bodies, and pulling out their souls to take else where. When Death comes over a person, it goes into their bodies, and takes out the soul, leaving the body there. I would think Death would bring the soul to some sort of afterworld, and then go out and repeat the process.

     I would also think that Death would wear a long, dark, and mysterious cloak. Though I would think death would be invisible, I think it would use the cloak to cover itself up, maybe keep all of its magical power. Death is a mysterious thing, there must be some type of magic involved and I think the cloak would be something to store the magic that Death has. I would also think that Death would be very thin. Death feeds on the dead souls of people, and brings them to the afterlife, but when he brings them there, he lets them go, and is once again starving. So, Death is always pretty thin (or at least I would think.) I also drew Death wearing a black and white striped shirt. I drew it this way because I was thinking about how people in jails, and prisons sometimes wear striped shirts that look like that (or at least that's how it's portrayed in books and movies) so I thought of Death as being a sort of prisoner, someone/something forced to do the job of bringing Death to people, and taking away their souls.I don't think someone would ever choose to be Death or bring Death to others, so I think of Death as sort of like a prisoner,  and I used the striped shirt to sort of represent that. So, that's how I pictured and interpreted the Narrator in "The Book Thief," Death.

My Story; My Experience

My Story; My Experience 

By: Annette Priestly

"You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have." - unknown

June 15, 2012
It had been such a long train ride from Vermont, but when I finally got to Virginia, it had been worth it to see my beautiful granddaughter. It was a good thing I got there when I did too! I can’t believe she had been living on her own for a week! I can’t even begin to imagine how scared she was. Once I found out that her mother had left poor Aubrey all by herself, I was disappointed in my daughter. You can’t abandon your child. When I called around, nobody seemed to know where she had gone, not the Aunts, the Uncles, or the ladies she helps at church! So, I really did try to do everything I could to help Aubrey, and make her feel better! If she was going to be sad, I needed to make her happy again. Nothing made me feel worse than seeing Aubrey’s eyes tear up, even though she was holding the tears back, or seeing her sit as still as could be, not playing like normal! I knew she had a hard time when her father and sister passed away, but when her mother left, I knew that was what hurt her the most. I decided that I needed to take her back to Vermont with me.

July 1, 2012
When I brought Aubrey over toVermont, I did it to get her away from her home, in hopes leaving would also leave behind the painful memories. She was not always happy about this, but I gave her a list of chores everyday. I did this because I wanted to get her out of the house, so she wasn’t sitting around all day. It was summertime, and she needed some fresh air! I introduced her to my neighbors, who had a daughter her age! Her name is Bridget and I hoped her and Aubrey would be good friends. She needed something to get her mind off of her situation. When I was little, when I felt sad or upset, I could always turn to a friend, and I was hoping that was what Aubrey could do. I know it can be hard for her because I’m an adult and it’s hard for her to relate to me, so someone her age might be able to help her even a little bit more that I can! I miss my old Aubrey, and I hope that she can get through this, because I want her to be herself again.

August 30, 2012
Summer is finally over, and it’s back to school time. I used to love school when I was a kid. A chance to take responsibility and be with my friends! Aubrey on the other hand, strongly dislikes school, and now that she has to start at a new school with lots of children she doesn’t know, I think we’re in for a long year! I think that I’m going to set her up with a social worker at her new school. I don’t think she’ll like the idea, but I think she’s getting tired of her grandmother telling her what to do, and trying to help. She needs other people now, not just me. I also think it’s going to be hard because seeing all of those children are going to make her miss her home. There is also something else that I’m worried about. On one of the first few days of school, I know she will not want to go. September 15th to be exact; Savannah’s Birthday (Aubrey's little sister.) Aubrey would not want to, nor listen to me about going to school that day because she missed her sister so much (like I mentioned earlier, she had died recently in a car crash.) I don’t know what I’m going to do! I don’t want Aubrey to know, but I’m praying and worried for her. I hope that things will begin to change, but I’m not sure.

December 29, 2012
Aubrey’s been in school for some time now, and I think things are going well. Though, we got to Christmas break, and things started to go back to where we started, with no progress made about feeling loved or cared for. It was almost Christmas and Aubrey had some crazy idea that her mother would be back for Christmas, and I (though I thought it was a bit crazy) secretly wanted her to come back as well. I couldn’t bare to see Aubrey so hopeful, when I knew that her hope would just be shattered when her mother didn’t show up to Christmas. Things were crazy! We had to get the tree, and the ornaments, and set up decorations, and cook, and buy presents! Everything seemed to happen so quickly until it was finally Christmas eve. The family all came over; all the Aunts and Uncles, and Cousins, but I knew Aubrey didn’t care, the only person she wanted there was her mother. I was watching the doors, and the windows all night hoping, that maybe, just maybe, it would be a Christmas miracle. Then it was time for mass. I prayed every single second at mass that my daughter would be home for Christmas for Aubrey. She needed her mom, and I felt terrible that she hadn’t come. When we got home, I think Aubrey expected her to be there waiting, but she wasn’t and not only Aubrey, but I was ready to cry. It was a terrible Christmas. Aubrey wouldn’t eat, and all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole. I couldn’t really stomach anything either. I felt like I had somehow let Aubrey down, but I didn’t know if there was anything else I could do to help.

January 18, 2013
Something crazy has happened, Aubrey’s mother, my very own Lissie, came back. Though, I was not pleased. She just barged in, and requested to see Aubrey. Though, I wasn’t about to let her. She seemed just about as fit for a parent as a carpet. She left, and that move lost my trust, and I don’t know if she’ll be able to gain it back. She came back with a new haircut, and a new attitude. She had been selfish to Aubrey, and she thought she was just going to get her back like that, but that wasn’t how it was going to work. Once I thought that she was fit to care for a child again, that was when I was going to let her take Aubrey home. I knew all Aubrey wanted was her mom, but she wasn’t mother material, and I think it’s hard for a kid to tell if there is a responsible person taking care of them. Aubrey wasn’t able to tell that her mother was no longer fit for a mother. She could only tell that she had changed on the outside, not on the inside. Or maybe, she could, but I really couldn’t tell. Lissie seemed to get better, but I was afraid to let Aubrey off on her own with her, so I let Aubrey make the decision. I told her whatever she chose, I would support her, because I loved her, but I secretly wanted her to stay with me, because I knew I was going to miss her too much once she was gone. Though, to my delight, she chose to stay with me, and when the time is right, hopefully, her mother would be in her life again, but just not yet. I hope that one day we can all be together, but right now, I need to focus on caring for Aubrey, and carrying on in life. Hopefully, we can start a new beginning.

About Me!

This is me with Aubrey when she was a little girl. I am now 64 years old, and feeling great. I have light grey hair, that's very thin and short, though my hair used to be a beautiful, golden blonde. I have brown eyes, and thin eyebrows. I've had strong and healthy teeth my whole life, and am said to have a great smile. I've always been average height, and light skinned. I've lived  in Vermont my whole life in my nice little house. I had three children, and when they were younger, I was a stay at home mom, though I always wanted to be a teacher. I had a husband, but he passed away a few years back from pneumonia, and I've missed him ever since. I've always enjoyed gardening, and cooking with the fresh foods I grow in my garden. My goals for the future would be to grow a larger garden with an even larger variety of plants, and vegetables, and I would also like to do some work on my house; add layers of new paint, maybe some new furniture. Everything is pretty old considering I've lived in my house for a very long period of my life. I also hope to help my granddaughter Aubrey with something she's been going through, because I love her, and she's been through such a hard time in her life.

Interests!

I mentioned that I really love to cook, so I'm interested in learning some new delicious, and healthy recipes to tryout from the things I've been growing in my garden.

I also talked about how I love to garden, and I think that I'm going to try to grow some different things in my garden.

Something else that I really enjoy, is reading! So, I think I'm going to try and read some great books soon! I feel that I've been trying so hard to problem solve lately that I haven't had time to read a good book, cook new things, or expand my garden, and I hope that soon, I will start some of these things!

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Thanks for reading about my life, and I hope you enjoyed learning about me!

Credit to:
neyna143.blogspot.com 
greatist.com

crowleyisdtx.org

268pastor.wordpress.com

www.dreamstime.com
www.gailperry.com