It has been raining here, day and night, for the last 4 days in a row… IN-A-ROW! And it was gray skies and clouds the week up until the rain started!

I hate the rain, I really do.

And my thoughts are not the usual conversation starters such as:

“Oh it’s a bit damp, hope it clears up soon!”

Mine are more like:

“This better clear up now, or I’m going to tear into the next person that makes a statement like the one above.”

*Before you go getting carried away that my comment about tearing into someone is a cry for help, I would like to point out that – just like our NT peers – autistic people are allowed to make dramatic comments to make a point, too!

Rain, Rain, Go Away… I mean it.

As much as I LOVE water, I absolutely cannot stand the rain or the dreary gray skies that go along with it. It’s like I become a completely different person – the worst version of myself and I hate it. I hate that something as frequent, natural, and necessary as rain has the ability to transform me into someone less than palatable. And I’m not being hard on myself, I’m being honest.

How does rain make me feel?

• Down
• Tired
• Sluggish yet Edgy (does that make any sense at all?)
• Cold
• Damp
• Achy
• Uncomfortable
• Extra-sensitive (not in the touchy-feely way)

 So, then how do I react toward my fellow man?

• Irritable
• Aggravated
• Frustrated
• Annoyed
• Angry
• Anxious

Well, I’m just a great big ball of fun on rainy days aren’t I (again with the sarcasm)?!! Not a pretty picture… I know, right?

So what can be done to make me feel better?

• Leave me alone
• Stop trying to cheer me up
• Don’t touch me (well, that’s a given, isn’t it)
• Don’t talk to me
• Give me my space
• Don’t engage (if I’m whining and complaining to myself, it is not me looking for attention or for someone to commiserate with; I’m actually commiserating with me to make me feel better)

And What About The Family?

• J  =  “I could live in Washington State!” in a cheery exclamation. (Which he did for a while, close to where the ‘Twilight’ book series took place – so he knows what he’s talking about). And, if he keeps up with his exuberant rainy day attitude, he just might live there… by himself!

• Bella  =  See quirky-dot lists above and think… “ditto.”

• Bas  =  Bas is Bas. It’s like I always say, he takes life much easier than we do. As long as he gets to go to his school, which he absolutely loves, he’s a happy camper. He doesn’t love the rain, but it doesn’t seem to affect him like it does Bella and me. Bas simply looks around and says, “Rain.’ I confirm it, and he goes about his merry way.

• Lexi  =  Lexi’s slightly anxious on rainy days, maybe a bit down, too. But, as I’ve mentioned, she has sensory issues, too (even more so than Bella) so it makes sense that is effects her. Of course, since she is more sensitive to people than Bella, Bas or I, it makes sense that she is also reacting to our emotions.

 News Flash!

The rain has begun to turn to snow (imagine a smile on my face). And, after consulting my iPhone, The Weather Channel App, I have just learned that there are 7 sunny icons in a row…IN-A-ROW! Starting tomorrow (imagine an even bigger smile on my face)! I am already feeling my weather-beaten soul begin to lift and my damp and soggy mood begin to lighten. It’s 10:12 p.m. I can’t even see the sun yet, but I can feel it coming! And if sunshine wasn’t reward enough, get this…

Happy Friday (well it is now)!