About Me

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I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Heading West

 Yesterday was spent working, cleaning and packing in anticipation for our Spring break getaway to Ohio. Scott is really looking forward to spending Easter with his mom again this year. This morning we are heading to pick up the rental van before throwing our bags in the back and driving west. As always, a big shout out to my sister. This year she is not only coming to house sit the cats, but she has agreed to keep the 3d printers running during her stay.  

I must admit that I am dreading the long hour drive with my children. When they were young I managed to convince myself that travel would ease when they became older. Timmy is now 9 and I'm still waiting for the near constant bickering between him and Robby to stop. Hopefully the cellular signals will remain strong throughout the drive so that fighting will be kept to a minimum. 

Wish us luck!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Trash

 Happy Spring Break!

This morning I woke early and crept to the couch to begin work. I tried to be as quiet as possible because everybody else is on vacation and I didn't want to disturb their sleep. Well, everybody except for Friend. He was more than willing to rise early with me. At first I was optimistic that he was going to snuggle on the couch with me but he scampered back to bed as soon as I brought him in from his walk. Apparently a warm bed trumps loyalty.

We don't have a lot of plans for Spring Break so I'm hopeful that we can start working on packing up the house. We really need to order a dumpster to help purge the junk. Perhaps that is a good place to start? The amount of trash that we have accumulated since moving into this house nearly two decades ago is both embarrassing and overwhelming. 

I suppose we just need to get started so today seems like a good day to order that dumpster.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Paperwork

 In a year full of milestones and special moments, last night we added another to the list. Scott filled out his official retirement paperwork with the intent to submit it today. Sigh. I guess there is no going back now! Ready or not, I will be married to a retired teacher in less three months. 

Not only is he prepared to submit his final paperwork today, but this is the final day before his Spring Break. It is also the final Friday of the third marking period. I'm sure there are some other 'finals' in there as well that I'm missing. The past few weeks he has become hyper focused on the finality of his career through figuring and communicating every perceivable 'last time.' At this point I'm a tinge concerned that he won't have anything to think about or talk about after he retires.  

While Scott is busy submitting his paperwork, I'll be driving Robby to and from his classes. Fridays are always busy but it makes it nice at the end of the day when I'm finally able to sit and relax. The driving is long but I don't really mind it because Robby uses the time to chat. 

I'm really going to miss him. It hurts my heart to think about him leaving for college in a few months. While Scott is focused on his retirement, I can't help but think about Robby's 'lasts' every time he brings up his milestones. With each reminder that the school year is ending I am forced to face Robby's leaving. I prefer avoidance.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Anxiety

 A combination of life and health issues has left me battling anxiety. Most of the time I'm okay and can push the worries to the back of my mind. Every once in awhile, when my health flares, the panic becomes palpable. On these bad days, my Fitbit alerts me throughout the day about my increased heart rate as I struggle to keep as 'normal' as possible. 

Yesterday was a bad anxiety day. When I woke my heart rate was 11 beats higher than my average. By 10 AM, my watched logged what it registered to be 52 minutes of high aerobic activity. I assure you, there are no aerobic movements involved in my morning routine. I knew it was going to be a difficult day.

In an attempt to try to quell my racing mind, I took Friend on a walk around the lake after I dropped Robby off at his guitar lesson. Watching him jump and frolic around the fields lifted my heart and eased my racing mind. It didn't do anything for the organic effects of the anxiety (racing heart), but it did a lot for my mood! Some days I just need to hold on for dear life. Yesterday was one of those days.

I woke this morning feeling so much better. My heart rate has returned to normal and I feel comfortable again. The sun is shining and it's going to be a great day.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Weekend Part 2

 By the time the mall closed on Saturday we were exhausted. Between sleeping on a train cot the night before and the frustrations that continued to plague us since we set up, I was ready to wave the white flag, crawl into bed and fall into a deep sleep. I couldn't wait to get to the hotel for the night.

We arrived later than we planned due to getting lost and traffic so by the time we checked in we were all dragging. We trudged across the hotel property to our room which was, of course, as far from check-in as possible. Finally, we arrived. We put down our bags, slid the key and waited for the green light to indicate that it was unlocked.

Instead of green, the light flashed the ominous red. We stood outside the door for several minutes, trying both key cards and discussing our frustrations. We tried one more time when we heard a scared voice from inside the room say, "There is already somebody in here." 

Frustrated (and trying to keep from morphing into fury) we returned to the check-in desk. The clerk seemed surprised that the room was occupied but promised to give us another that room that he knew was empty. I guess he just rolled the dice on the first room? Unapologetic and unconcerned about such a mix-up, another room key was slid across the counter before the clerk went back to his cell phone. 

After finally checking in, I laid down and fell asleep within 10 minutes. Sunday morning I woke feeling so much better. We hit the mall again and Robby and I stayed until about 2. We left to pick up Timmy and head home while Scott finished sales for the afternoon and came home after everything was packed up.

The weekend was exhausting but successful. Robby has made enough for his first semester at college and has started to fund the second. We never could have imagined that our little table at a flea market could grow so quickly!

Monday, March 18, 2024

Family Adventure

 Oh my goodness- our weekend was so busy and hectic that my head is still spinning. Sitting on my couch this morning it amazes me how much we did since Friday morning. It is going to take me a day to get unpacked and back on track for the week ahead but it was worth it. We were busy and our plans did not pan out as anticipated, but the weekend was definitely one that will be remembered in our family.

Friday afternoon I pulled the boys out of school early and we headed to Pennsylvania. After dropping Friend off for a special visit with my Mom and his cousin puppy friends we headed to our destination. Unbeknownst to the boys, we were going to the Red Caboose Motel to sleep in an authentic train car for the night. Timmy actually squealed with delight when he realized his accommodations for the evening. 

We spent the evening exploring the farm and the motel grounds which also hosted a small petting zoo. I decided it would be funny to take a selfie with the little horse. I suppose I tried too many angles and frustrated the pony because he nipped my shoulder as I was taking the photo.

Sleeping in a train was memorable but definitely not comfortable. Robby was too tall for the train bunks so we gave him the only real bed in the caboose. Scott, Timmy and I each claimed a bunk and settled in for the evening. While Timmy slept great, Scott and I suffered a bit. Perhaps we are too old to contort ourselves for such a long time. We both woke groggy from a poor night sleep and sore from the limited movement options afforded by the small bed. 

Saturday morning we packed up and headed to set up our little FlexyFriends pop-up shop at the mall. Set-up did not proceed as anticipated but we were able to pull it together in the end. By the time the mall officially opened we were set-up but flustered from the stress. Thankfully we were able to settle into a groove for the day.

While we were at the mall on Saturday and Sunday, Timmy went back to hang out with my mom. He thoroughly enjoyed his time and was much happier at her house than he was at the mall with us. Saturday evening, after the mall closed we headed to dinner and another hotel for the night. Scott and I were especially eager to lay down in a real bed. 

Of course, things don't always work out the way you plan....  to be continued tomorrow.

 














Friday, March 15, 2024

Weekend

 I am going to be completely honest.  The anniversary of my accident hit me harder than I expected this year.  There is just something about the scale tipping towards my living my life longer without a functional biological foot. The combination of grief over dreams derailed and my advancing age threw me into an emotional whirlwind. I spent Wednesday trying to keep busy so that my brain didn't have time to reflect on memories. Time was a friend and moved quickly.

Today I don't have time to wallow or reflect. This weekend FlexyFriends will be selling at the Park City Mall in Lancaster, PA. This is our first time at this mall and we are excited for the opportunity. Because it is a few hours from our home (but relatively close to my Mom), we are turning the event into a small family getaway. 

This afternoon I'm going to swing by my Mom's house to drop off Friend. The boys and I will then head to a novelty hotel where we are going to spend the night sleeping in an authentic train caboose. Scott is planning to take a half-day from work so he will meet us there. Hopefully we will arrive in time to take in a magic show tonight!

Tomorrow morning we head to the mall, set up our little pop-up store and start selling. Timmy is going to meet my Mom on Saturday afternoon for a special sleep-over at Nana's. Robby is planning to stay at the mall with us to help sell. Saturday night we are staying in a hotel closer to the mall because I think we are going to be really tired. 

The weekend is certainly going to be busy, but hopefully it is both fun and profitable.  Wish us luck!  If you are in the area, swing by the mall and say hi!