Hooray!

 Hip hip hooray for Friday!

This has been a rough week. Work has been brutal and I feel like I have been pulled in a hundred different directions simultaneously. To add to the frustrations, I always feel a little off center whenever my schedule drastically changes, and this week was no exception. The boys had off school/work on Monday, leaving them with a three day weekend. Having them home on Monday completely messed up my routine and I have been trying to get back on track all week.

Today will be busy working and chauffeuring Robby to and from his classes. He adores his Friday classes which makes the nearly four hours I spend driving tolerable. This evening we will enjoy delivery before everybody will scatter to their own corners of the house for a few hours. Togetherness is great, but sometimes space is heaven sent. 

It is a good thing that my leg is healing because this weekend will be busy. On Saturday Robby and I are heading to a flea market to sell his FlexyFriends. On Sunday Scott and I will head to a different flea market. We are hoping to take full advantage of the leaf peepers who drive through the area on the way to Skyline Drive. With a government shutdown pending, we don't know how long the park will be open. 

We've been encouraged to return to sell in the autumn because of the leaf peepers. Fingers crossed the hype meets our reality!

Researchers

 Yesterday the sun was shining and the temperatures were beautiful. Desperate to escape the house I was able to pad my leg enough to enjoy a few longer walks with Friend. He was delighted to be outside playing again, happily sniffing everything and trying to chase every leaf that is drifting on the breeze. I was hesitant to add him to our family but I can't imagine not having this little pup.

Although I enjoyed being outside with Friend, I spent the majority of my day working on a project and being interviewed by researchers. I don't think I have ever passed up an opportunity to help somebody with their research into limb loss and/or prosthetics. I find the process, the topics and the discussions to be fascinating. Everybody benefits when time is taken to learn about the needs of the amputee community.

My discussion with the researcher yesterday was particularly interesting. The study is focusing on the daily needs and obstacles of the "typical" amputee. I've had researchers focus on just about ever aspect of my life, but I've never had a team so thoroughly delve into my daily activities. They were able to pull back the layers on every little accommodation and adjustment that I made for my prosthetic. I knew that I made adjustments, but it wasn't until they were dissected through this interview that I realized the depths of my accommodations.

If you are interested in meeting with the researchers to share your story, send me your email and I'll make the introductions.

Boring

Scott had off work yesterday so I was able to off load some of my chauffeur duties for the day. It was nice to be able to work throughout the afternoon without interruptions knowing that Robby was being ferried to and from his activities. If this is a glimpse into retirement, I can definitely see the benefits.  Today he returns back to work so I will miss out on my helper. 

This morning we woke up to even more rain. Sigh. Our yard is now a muddy, hickory nut covered mess that even Friend is trying to avoid. Looking at the bright side (since there is certainly nothing bright in the sky), at least I have an ongoing excuse for staying inside and for keeping the pressure off of my leg. I wish I could just leash Friend and go for a long walk, but my leg won't allow it. With the continuing rain, I have a scapegoat for my avoidance.  

We don't have anything spectacular planned for today. The boys are in school and I have meetings throughout the afternoon. If everything remains boring I am going to take it as a win. I don't have the bandwidth to handle a crisis right now!

Weekend Wrap

 On Saturday we had a tropical storm roll through our area, dropping several inches of rain while casting dark skies throughout the day. It was miserable outside but it was exactly what I needed. I had the perfect excuse to keep my leg off and to relax throughout the day. I spent most of the day working quietly on the couch, watching movies and taking a very long nap. I kept my walking to a minimum and my leg was able to rest and heal.

Sunday I was busy because selling FlexyFriends at a local kid vendor event. Originally Robby was scheduled to sell but his band scheduled a performance for the same time. Undeterred, we decided to divide and conquer our obligations. Timmy worked the booth with me while Scott took Robby to his school. I felt badly that I missed his show but the strong sales certainly helped to temper my remorse. 

Although I was busy at the mall selling, I did not have to do a lot of walking. My leg, which was angry and red on Friday, is now flesh toned and feeling more comfortable. I won't say that it is completely healed, but it is definitely more comfortable and manageable. Hopefully I can keep it this way until I finally get a new socket.