SummerTime Sounds

Yesterday evening I packed up some clothes and supplies, lured Timmy to the car picked up Robby early from band. When everybody was packed and settled, we headed to my Mom's house for a few days. By the time we arrived all of the cousins were anxiously waiting for us to pull into the driveway. Before I even unpacked the kids were running around the yard, laughing and squealing. I love when the Cousin Crew is together in the summer.

While I was getting a little work done at night I heard the kids playing outside. This year Timmy was able to both play the glow games and keep up with the big kids as they sprinted through the yard. The kids playing and laughing in the dark has to be one of the best sounds of summer. 

This morning I am heading to my alma mater to hang out with my friend for a few hours. When I come back I'm packing up the kids for the first Cousin Crew Adventure of the summer. I don't mean to brag, but this is a good one!

Unfortunately, now they all know how to read and are versed online. I have no doubt that they are all logging in this morning to look for clues. Sorry kids, you won't find any!  

Stay tuned!

FlexyFriends

 My Ampuversary was rough. It was actually harder than I anticipated and I knew it would be difficult! The best thing about the day was when I went to bed because it was over. I knew that the clicking of time was to my benefit and I needed to do was to stay busy and hang on. I was correct and yesterday morning I woke up feeling normal and ready to tackle the world. 

Our 4th of July was quiet. We watched the Tour de France in the morning and the hotdog eating contest in the afternoon.  We had ice cream for lunch and ate watermelon with our hands. When it became dark we lit up our sky with our own little fireworks show. Although it was calm, the holiday was nice because of the solitude. 

In between the ice cream and the watermelon, Robby and I worked on his website. Unfortunately, he had to officially change the name of his very unofficial business. The FlexiFriends came with a price tag of nearky $6,000 while FlexyFriends cost a mere $2.99.  The decision to rebrand was simple.

We would like to introduce you to www.FlexyFriends.com  All monies earned through his store will be used to fund the 2024 Leadership Trip to Normandy. Check it out!

20 years

20 years ago today I was in an operating room in Baltimore Maryland, undergoing my amputation. Most years I am able to pass my ampuversary with an acknowledgement of another year and a celebratory cupcake. This year is different. I have felt haunted by the memories of my life 20 years ago.

When my mind starts to drift back and mourn, I know I am going into a dark place. The memories, while powerful, are heartbreaking and exhausting to relive. I want to celebrate everything positive in my life, everything that I would not have had I not made that decision twenty years ago. I can't make my thoughts obey and I keep floating back in time. 

I suspect that today is going to be rough, so I am going to try to stay as busy as possible. At this point, I consider myself fully in the middle of the ampuversary abyss. I need to tread water and keep moving until it is over. I don't want to break down today but I fear that it is building. 

I guess some years are tougher than others.