Off Course

Yesterday's road trip to Ohio was, without a doubt, the longest and most frustrating driving adventure of my life.  For comparison, when I was younger our car broke down in the middle of the Florida Everglades in August. Sitting in the van yesterday, I longed for those times on the side of a swampy road. 

Our 7 hour drive morphed into nearly 10, with no stops for food or breaks. The boys were troopers, barely complaining (although it would have been understandable) as we meandered through the back woods of West Virginia desperately trying to find an interstate.  Sometimes Waze is fantastic. Other times, like yesterday, its shortcomings become frustratingly clear.

Waze plotted out a new route to Ohio, which excited Scott because he was eager for a change of scenery on the long drive. Unfortunately, Waze diverted us through a National Forest in West Virginia, where reception was spotty. As we plunged deeper into the woods, eventually we lost all connection to both civilization and our app.  

Thankfully we knew the directions (I anticipated losing connection when I looked at the route) but I didn't expect our road to be closed.  We continued on the only route available hoping that the forest would open and that cell reception would return.  It took nearly an hour for us to regain our orientation, and by that point we were completely off course.  

Sometimes technology is great, but only when it works!

Heading West

This morning we are loading up a rented minivan and heading to visit Scott's family for a few days. Because of social distancing, we are forced to drive the 9 hour trip instead of flying. Fingers crossed that the boys (mainly Timmy) are content and amicable during the drive. He has never been in the car for this long and I'm worried about how he is going to cope.

Like everything else this year, our annual trip to Ohio is different. Driving is just the tip of the iceberg. We will be staying at Scott's Mom's house, not seeing or visiting other family members. Because of social distancing, we are not going to be going on day trips or adventures. I am sad that we are not going to be able to play tourist, but the Covid numbers have us all nervous and we are not willing to take the chance.  

Today is day one, which is our drive.  Wish us luck!

Covid Anxiety

As the Covid numbers creep (or leap in some areas) back up, I find my anxiety skyrocketing. I am having a hard time focusing and my mind frequently wanders back to the grim news. I'm scared, angry and frustrated simultaneously. It turns out that my current concoction of emotions leads to both mental and physical exhaustion.

Yesterday I realized that the constant stream of news on the television is not only impacting my mental health, but that it is also impacting Timmy. He referenced a lot of people going to a "dirt hole" because of the bad germs. He didn't want to go into his pool, which is in our driveway, without his mask for fear of becoming sick. When I asked him where he learned about that, he casually said, "from the news." 

As hard as it is going to be, I am going to have to disconnect from the news. I need to refocus on what I can control instead of what seems to be spinning out of control. I hate that Timmy is so scared! It is my job to worry, not his.

Timmy needs Paw Patrol, Wallykazaam and probably The Polar Express. Starting today, I am no longer going to obsess over Covid. I know how to protect my little family, but I am going to try to release my anxiety over the well-being of everybody else.  At least, that's the plan!

Reality

After a quick trip to visit my Mom, yesterday we packed up and returned home. Per tradition (although not my favorite), Timmy cried most of the drive back to Virginia. I know that he is simply vocalizing his sadness about leaving, but my goodness, it becomes overwhelming. Logic doesn't work, but thankfully distraction and sometimes ice cream is enough to change his perspective.

By the time we arrived home the pool was uncovered and ready for action. Timmy didn't even go inside the house. He ran straight from the car and jumped straight into his pool, stripping away his close during the quick fifteen feet jaunt. He splashed and swam au natural for about two hours before going inside to rest and get dressed.  

While Robby was playing lifeguard I caught up on work and unpacked from our trip. Today we are back to reality.  Ugh.  Reality is overrated.

Holiday Fun

Bored and looking for some fun on the Fourth of July, the boys and I packed up and headed to Pennsylvania on Saturday morning. The promise of seeing his Nana, playing with his cousin and viewing fireworks more than offset the long car ride for Timmy. Social distancing made this celebration considerably smaller and different, but we still had a great time.

Saturday night the kids and I piled into the car and went out to watch the fireworks. We parked on the side of the rode outside Harrisburg and sat (away from everybody else) on the side of a hill. Timmy, who typically goes to bed around 8, was exhausted by the time the show began. Thankfully the excitement of seeing the fireworks perked him up enough to enjoy the show!

We came back to my Mom's house right after the display was over and Timmy was tucked into bed. The older kids and I were playing a card game when he wandered back out into the living room. He was tired before the fireworks began, but he had a hard time winding down and relaxing after they started to soar. Finally, after numerous attempts, we managed to tuck him back into bed for good.

Sunday morning Timmy informed me that he was angry. When I asked him why, he explained that his cousins had a party without him. I told him that we didn't have a party, but he was persistent with his claim. He contended that, when he came to the living room the night before, he saw "a game and Doritos. That's a party!"  

Apparently I set the bar low for his definition of a party.