Tree Pick Up

And just like that, we're back to Friday. These weeks both seem to simultaneously drag on and pass in a flash. Pandemic life is creating a perpetual look with everyday feeling identical. Weekends, which are still non eventful, are anticipated simply because they provide variety.

Last month we went to the tree farm and tagged our tree. Because we took advantage of tagging, the farm is allowing tree pick up the weekend before Thanksgiving. This early pick-up is being encouraged to help the farm comply with social distancing during what is traditionally a very busy time of year. 

On Sunday, we are going to pick up our Christmas tree. Yes, I realize that it is early and that we have not yet celebrated Thanksgiving. Spending so much time at home and having had to give up every other seasonal activity, I'm determined to enjoy the holiday as much as we can. For us, that means having a bright and tall tree. 

Because we tagged such a large tree coupled with the ongoing pandemic, we opted to pay extra to have our tree cut, drilled, shaken and bound before we arrived. (In all honesty, nobody really enjoyed getting on the ground with wet pine needs to struggle to cut down a frozen tree.) Now all we have to do is drive up and the tree will be tied to our car. If things go as planned, this should be easy and stress free.

Have a great weekend, and I'll post tree pics on Monday!

Tranquility

I woke up this morning to see the grass glistening with frost. Everything is so pretty when the world is still and covered with frost. Instead of grabbing my laptop and beginning to work, which is my normal routine, I quietly  sipped my coffee and just absorbed the serenity. My mornings are typically hectic, so it was nice to wake up slower and more relaxed.

My quiet didn't last long. Timmy came hopping into the living room on his big red jumper ball when I was only half way done with my coffee. The television was quickly turned onto cartoons and my living room was filled with the normal sounds of my morning. Even though it was fleeting, my calm wake-up was amazing.

Today is busy with schoolwork and meetings. I feel like I'm always busy, but the chaos is now organized and manageable. Here's to a great day.  Here's hoping that the morning meditation will hold me through the day.

Hot Chocolate

Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed or depressed because of mounting Covid anxiety, I can count on Circle Time with Timmy to provide some levity in my day. It isn't that Circle Time is terribly entertaining for me (although Timmy now loves it), but my entertainment comes from not knowing what will come out of my little cherub's mouth. Yesterday did not disappoint. 

As the students were busy cutting, painting and gluing their turkey crafts, the teacher felt the need to keep the dialog moving. I get it. I used to be a teacher, and the desire to keep talking is strong. While the kids were crafting, the teacher was asking each student questions. 

While Timmy was working on painting rainbow legs on a paper turkey, his teacher asked him what he eats on Thanksgiving. Timmy responded, "turkey." Then she asked, "What kind of turkey do you like to eat Timmy?" Timmy stopped painting, put down his colors and looked directly at the camera. "Dead turkeys." Then he picked up his paints and continued working.  

In a separate class (he has two Circle Time classes on Tuesday, each one themed differently), the class read a book about hot chocolate. The teacher then asked each student what they like to put in their hot chocolate. As she was polling each student for an answer I knew that Timmy was going to struggle. He doesn't drink hot chocolate, and we haven't exactly offered him a selection of toppings for a drink he doesn't enjoy. 

The teacher went through the class, asking each student what they liked in their hot chocolate. The first student said marshmallows. I saw the look of disappointment wash across Timmy's face. That was probably his only answer. The next student offered whipped cream as a topping. Sprinkles and chocolate were then blurted out by the other students. By the time the teacher called on Timmy, I could almost see the wheels turning in his brain as he frantically tried to think of a topping in hot chocolate.

"Timmy, what do you like in your hot chocolate?"

Hmm. "I don't know. Maybe whiskey?"

I almost spit my coffee across the table.

Covid Fatigue

Our Covid numbers are increasing, and so is my anxiety. I have been living an infection cautious lifestyle since January. We haven't been out to eat, been shopping for fun or visited any public events since the infancy of the pandemic. I, along with just about everybody else, find myself fatigued by the entire situation.

As soon as I start to feel infection fatigue, I remember those who have lost somebody. I'm sure that they would give anything to pick up the phone and complain about about their mask with their deceased loved one. My resolve to keep my family healthy remains stronger than my desire to engage in activities that increase our risk. 

I remain optimistic that we will be able to travel to my Mom's for Thanksgiving. In many ways, the decision is out of my hands. If either state declares a "stay at home" or "safer at home" order, our Thanksgiving traditions will also become casualty to the pandemic. Fingers crossed it will not get to that situation, but I think my heart is preparing.

I try to remind myself that the kids follow my lead. If I create activities that are fun (and safe) and don't lament the changes to our traditions, they will not feel the loss or stress that comes from pandemic required adjustments. Different does not mean worse has become my pandemic mantra.

Frustrated

We were treated to another gorgeous weekend. The yard remained too wet to work on the leaves, but we made a dent in stacking the firewood. Even though we didn't accomplish as much as we had planned, it was nice to just relax and play outside. 

I had ambitions of accomplishing much more this weekend, but my motivation waned as my leg pain began to flare. I wasn't immobile, but at times I was definitely uncomfortable. I hate being reminded that I am an amputee. This weekend, as I felt each step, I was acutely aware that I was a prosthetic wearer. 

I'm not sure why I was uncomfortable. Sometimes my body just seems to revolt against wearing a prosthesis. Sometimes being an amputee is so frustrating! When my plans go haywire because of an issue related to my limb loss, I feel the frustration more profoundly. This was definitely one of those times!

Thankfully I was able to just take it easy and rest. This morning, I am feeling back to normal. Here's to a productive and pain-free week.