Attics and Ebay, Magic Kingdom, Over-thinking the Simple

Interesting day today. Lounged around this morning being lazy until we went to get the boys from my in-laws house. My beloved geek and father-in-law went crawling up into their attic to retrieve some childhood treasures that may or may not turn out to be actual ebay treasures. They'll have fun playing with them either way, and the attic over there will get cleaned out some.

We headed off to the Magic Kingdom after that. It was quite crowded, Labor Day weekend crowd. Lots of renovations going on, which always angers Mr. Autism, especially since Small World, his favorite ride, is completely closed for now. We ended up leaving much earlier than planned, but we've learned the hard way that it's better not to push it when his behaviors are iffy. It just ends up being a miserable experience, and that is not what the happiest place on earth is supposed to be.

Tomorrow we're having company over for a barbecue. Sounds like normal suburban life, doesn't it? Should be easy, simple, except for the fact that we hardly ever have anyone over so I'm over-thinking it and probably over-planning it. My beloved geek is making his beef brisket. It's been dry-rubbed and will start out in the oven overnight, finish up in the barbecue/smoker tomorrow. Here's the menu:

Appetizers:

Deviled Eggs

Chips & Salsa

Bean Dip

Main Meal:

Beef Brisket (hot dogs for the kids if they don't want to try it)

Corn on the Cob

Mashed Potatoes

Dessert:

Banana Pudding Trifle thing

Red Velvet Cupcakes

It's probably going to be way too much food. Just four of us adults and four kids, one of which is autistic and won't eat a blessed thing I'm making. I will inevitably have a mild panic attack over the cleanliness of the house, even though they have seen it clean and messy and their kids are in and out of here many times a week.

We're not antisocial people, honestly. But with Mr. Autism, entertaining is something we really just don't do. Now that he's older though, and behaves a little more reasonably, it's something we want to do more of. They see him frequently, haven't had any problems with his behavior, and their kids are so sweet to him, so it should work out okay.

I'm a nervous wreck.

It's just a barbecue.

But, at least, the house will get clean. And I know I'll have fun once it's happening. Just have to think positive.