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.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Scavenger Hunt with Tim

I was going to write that I was delighted that today is Friday, but then I realized that the days of the week hold little to no consequence on our current life. We won't be doing anything different this weekend and, since Scott is now home because school is closed, our family dynamic will remain unchanged. It's just weird!

Our days are pretty much the same but, compared to so many, I am reminded that we are so fortunate. Even though our local parks have closed, but the boys have almost 2 acres in our yard to run and play each day. Our neighborhood has long meandering streets that are perfect for bike riding. I'm scouring the internet every afternoon to find activities, but so far nobody has proclaimed "I'm bored" yet.  (With the exception of Scott who is still mourning the abrupt ending to all sports.)

Yesterday Timmy and I set out through the yard to complete a scavenger hunt. The picture identified search list was perfect for him. He proudly carried his clipboard and pen, reading (mainly through the pictures) what we were seeking. He had an absolute blast!

Today I think we are going to try to spread a little happiness by writing happy messages on the streets with chalk. Perhaps seeing Timmy's happy suns and rainbows will brighten our neighbor's days. I'll post photos of our creations.

Have a great day. Please send me your activity ideas, I am taking suggestions!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Walking it Out

Tensions are high, but Scott and I are trying to maintain even and cool (especially in front of the kids).  We are trying to only watch the news when there are no kids in the room because we don't want to add to the family anxiety. Robby is astute enough to understand the situation. If he sees his Mom and Dad panicking, his anxiety would certainly increase. Timmy, who is blissfully unaware of current events, would act out if he sensed our anxiety. That would not help anybody!

Having everybody home and unable to escape to stores or to playgrounds has been an adjustment. We are figuring our way through our new normal, but it isn't easy.  Scott and I are both cognizant that the kids will feed off of our stress, so anytime either of us starts to feel overwhelmed or cranky we have taken to going to for walks through the neighborhood.  

If things keep moving in the same direction, I will be svelte and in amazing shape by the time this pandemic begins to fade! I've been going for several long walks everyday, sometimes with the boys and, at moments when I feel like I'm going to implode, by myself. Of everything that could do to relieve stress, I think that walking is probably our best option.


Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Noodle Fight

While most of the country is miserable, Timmy is loving the social distancing protocols being that are being requested. He is delighted to have his daddy at home with him all day. The fact that there are no sports on television leads to more opportunities to play games and to explore outside as a family. 

Yesterday Robby and I went for a long bike ride through the neighborhood while Timmy and Scott played pirates in the tree house. We tooled up and down the streets, yelling greetings to everybody we saw outside. With schools off and businesses beginning to close, it felt like a summer weekend instead of a spring workday.

When we came home from our ride, I picked up a pool noodle and the boys and I challenged the boys to a sword fight. Running through the yard, chasing and trying to hit the boys with pool noodles was a blast. The boys had a great time, I had  a fantastic workout and I discovered a novel and effective way to get rid of stress. Hitting your kid with a pool noodle makes a loud (and incredibly satisfying) sound but it barely registers an impact. 

Nobody got hurt and everybody had a lot of fun. Both Robby and Timmy were squealing and giggling for the hour we played, and we all ended up sweaty and red-faced from our battle. I'm sure our antics raised a few eyebrows from some of our stuffier neighbors though!


Tuesday, March 17, 2020

St. Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  

Unfortunately, this year the leprechaun couldn't make his nightly visit because of his need to socially distant himself from the virus. Hopefully he will make an appearance later in the year, when the environment is a little safer for everybody. Instead of setting traps last night and making a big deal about the leprechaun, we simply went to bed. 

So if you were five years old, would you believe the reason for the leprechaun's no-show? The truth is, I completely forgot it was St. Patrick's Day until this morning when I saw it on the news. I feel horrible for completely blowing off a family tradition, especially since Robby had such fun as a child setting traps and looking for new green items. Sigh. Tally it up to another mom fail.

Oh well. These past few days have been surreal, and everybody will have to adjust and be flexible. I suppose this means our kids as well.  

However you are going to celebrate, or not celebrate, have a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 16, 2020

Social Distancer Professional

Scott's school system is officially closed until April 14th. Wow! We were anticipating a two week closure, but certainly not a month. Needless to say, he is delighted. 

Of course, having an unexpected month off does not necessarily equate a vacation. If parents take their kids to bounce houses, to the movies or to the mall during their unexpected school break, the benefits of minimizing exposure will be nullified. As the country is in meltdown over the concept of "social distancing," I'm sitting on the couch feeling like a seasoned expert. Perhaps this is my "hold my beer, we've got this" moment.

Because of Timmy's health, I have been living in quasi-quarantine for months. Social distancing is just another term for my ongoing reality. We can still go outside to play. We still go to parks, and he has recently discovered the joys of fishing. We don't go to play zones, restaurants or shopping. 

I am versed at working full-time while managing a preschooler and a cyber school student. There is definitely a learning curve, but eventually we found a workable new normal. You will too! If you need any insights or tips from a social distance professional, just reach out. I'm happy to share the resources and online opportunities that I have discovered. 

We are all in this together. Stay home, and let COVID-19 stop finding unwitting hosts.