Still No Justice

 One year ago today, Lt. Officer John Ellen of Travis County Texas responded for a wellness check on Jae Friedman. 

Officer Ellen fired 9 bullets through my blind and above-knee amputee brother as he was sitting in his wheelchair drinking a beer. The last words spoken while my brother was alive were "f*cking ch*nk." 

Yet the blue wall stood to swath him in the protection of qualified immunity and his family was sent the bill for the investigation.

 It has been a year and the pain has not subsided and the questions persist. 

My ire towards the police establishment grows exponentially.

My heart shatters when I think about it, so today I am going to try to stay busy and forget.

But I will never forget Jae Friedman, because his life mattered and he did not deserve the violent end he received. 

www.justiceforjae.com

I Fell

 Happy Limb Loss Awareness Month! 

Unfortunately, there is very little happy to celebrate in terms of living with a disability in modern America. Funding for the Amputee Coalition is in peril as the ACL is being dissolved. Services for disabled Vets have already been cut and needed community resources are shuddering.  It sickens me to my core to see individuals who have benefited from these organizations sit back quietly as those services are stripped for the next generation.  

I want to share a little story that happened to me yesterday. It has left me both bruised (literally) and emotionally. But Timmy quickly reminded me that we get kicked a lot but don't stay down for long, so I have decided to share what happened. I have moved deep into a red state, and the differences are becoming stark.

I was outside in the beautiful sunshine, admiring the flowers and seeing what else is popping up around the yard. I tripped over a landscape rock that I didn't see and stumbled into the center of my driveway before succumbing to gravity. I landed on my sound side knee and hand. Unscathed but stunned, I stayed on the driveway for a moment before starting to get up.

As I began to orient myself, I saw a car loop around our cul-de-sac and pull in front of our driveway. The window was already rolled down and the driver was laughing.  He gleefully screamed "serves you right you fucking libtard" before driving away. 

Since when did seeing a disabled woman fall become a source for amusement? And why did my political affiliation impact their decision to help?  I would help anybody who fell, regardless of the hat they were wearing.

Would you?

Smoke House Burger

 We had a fun albeit quiet weekend. On Saturday my sister came down for lunch and to explore the area. Excited for the opportunity to drive her new Jeep in the warmer temperatures, she was excited to tool us around for a few hours. Timmy seemed especially impressed by the 'headless' Jeep and is looking forward to going road tripping with his Aunt Sheri this summer. 

Yesterday the gorgeous weather continued, allowing us the opportunity to work outside while Timmy rode his bike. Seeing Timmy get back onto his bike was heartwarming and exciting. He has been hesitant about riding (or doing anything deemed dangerous) since breaking his arm last year. Breaking through his fear and regaining his love of biking was fantastic to witness. The smile on his face as he whizzed up and down our driveway was the best thing I've seen all month.

After weeding, planting and riding bikes all afternoon, I decided it would be the perfect evening to fire up the grill.  Unfortunately, after hearing the burgers sizzle on the hot grill our propane tank puttered out and ran cold. I thought it would be easy to finish the burgers inside. 

I never realized it before, but my kitchen stove range does not have a vent. The burgers smoked severely and quickly billowed and filled the entire bottom floor of the house. The fire alarms started beeping aggressively and angrily as we frantically tried to clear the smoke. I opened every window in the solarium, forgetting that I had just hung a stained glass fusion block earlier in the day. The block came down on the top of my head (ouch) but thankfully did not break. 

It took us nearly an hour to clear the smoke out of the house. Scott had to to dismantle and remove the smoke alarms to get them to stop screaming at us. (They have since been reassembled and rehung.) Needless to say, our 'smokehouse' burgers left much to be desired!

Quiet Day

 Yesterday I attended Timmy's Spring Parent/ Teacher conference. He was described as an empathetic, funny, hardworking student. I could not be more proud! He is thriving in his school and is loving having a dedicated classroom in the house. With everything else uncertain, it is reassuring to know that we made the correct decision when it comes to his school.

The weather is supposed to be nice today so I am looking forward to soaking up some sunshine. Hopefully the warm weather will last through the afternoon so that Timmy and I can take another long walk through the neighborhood. We see so many houses with swingsets/ trampolines set up. We are really looking forward to meeting the other kids in the neighborhood.

 

Bedroom Re-do

While Timmy was in class I decided to orchestrate a mini surprise. His bedroom, although not terribly messy, was not organized. He has been living in a state of unpacked but not settled since we moved. For Christmas he received lights that have not been hung, his posters were still not on the walls and the furniture was not in its optimal location. With his classroom door closed I was able to enter his bedroom undetected.  Three hours later, his Dad and I had completely redesigned and decorated his bedroom.

We did not intend for the project to take three hours, but one task led neatly into another. Even though it was a lot of work, I'm delighted with the results. Timmy's collectibles are all concentrated in a 'museum' corner. He has room for his tumble mat and two distinct reading corners, both highlighted with app controlled color lights. Scott and I were happy with the results- but Timmy was utterly thrilled. 

Hamlet spent the night running up and down the stairs, hugging us and thanking us for our efforts. He took pictures to share with Robby and couldn't wait to test it out. Fingers crossed he keeps his new digs clean.

 

normal

 After a nice albeit short visit to Ohio, it was nice to be home. We didn't do anything terribly exciting or adventurous during our visit. Our purpose was to visit and to help around the house, and we were successful in both fronts. It was odd not having Robby with us and his absence was felt strongly by Timmy, who missed his walking and exploration buddy. Without his big brother, Timmy was definitely more bored during this trip. 

We came back from Ohio with enough time to unpack and to enjoy the last few days of Timmy's spring break. Robby came down with a terribly poison ivy rash which required medical attention. We were able to get him to the doctor on Friday and get him started on steroids quickly. 

Today Timmy returns to class and our home should return to normal. I have loads of travel and spring break laundry that requires attention. It always amazes me how a few days away can lead to so much cleaning!

Ohio

 After a long afternoon in the car, we arrived safely in Ohio by dinnertime. It's odd not having Robby with us, but Timmy is basking in the attention.  Today we are going to work in the yard and help around the house. 

Have a good day!

Fun weekend

 While I am sad that Robby's spring break has drawn to a close, I'm happy that he is excited to return to college. He had fun at home but he is missing his friends and the autonomy that being away from home provides.  This semester is going so quickly, he is going to be home for summer in just a few weeks.

On Saturday I decided to take both boys out for a little Bro' Crew adventure. We went to Red Robin (a favorite) before discovering an amazing little art studio. We spent a few hours learning how to work with glass and making sun catchers to hang in the solarium. I was especially impressed with Timmy's ability to focus and the absence of cuts on his fingers when we left. He was definitely very careful!

Today we are starting Timmy's spring break by taking Robby back to college. After we drop him off, we are heading to Ohio to visit with Scott's mom for a few days. As always, thanks to my sister for coming down to take care of the cats.  They love her!

 

Pittsburgh

Yesterday we piled into a rented SUV and headed to Pittsburgh for the day. Our SUV, which was purchased when Robby was born, now boasts over 340,000 miles. Concerned about her ability to tackle Squirrel Hill, we decided that it was worth the aggravation of securing a rental. We knew that a 7 hours RT was going to be a lot for everybody and being comfortable was going to help stay the bickering.

Although the drive became long and boring, everybody held up beautifully. We were able to visit with my Aunt Janet for a few hours before heading back home. Her severe memory issues, coupled with our lack of familiarity with each other, makes conversing for long periods of time uncomfortable.  I never had a relationship with my Aunts, so being throw into the mix as responsible for her well-being is difficult to navigate.  

It was a long day of driving, but I'm glad that we went. Timmy has never met Janet and now he has a memory. (If he loses the memory, he will have photo proof.) Janet has been asking to see Robby, which prompted our immediate visit, yet she seemed to have no real interest in him during the visit. I'm hoping that she will remember that he was there, even if she forgot why she wanted to see him.

 

 

 

Anniversaries

 Yesterday marked 27 years since my foot was injured. Anniversaries are odd. Some years they fly by without pause while at other times I find myself paralyzed by memories. Yesterday was an odd amalgamation of both.

I found myself haunted by what-ifs and memories throughout the night and into the wee hours of the morning. It was odd because it was the anniversary of my accident but the majority of my thoughts focused on my brother. It has been almost a year since he was killed, and I miss him.  I guess my anniversary somehow opened a floodgate of emotions that I have been artfully concealing for nearly a year. 

In an attempt to maintain my sanity and to get through the day, we spent the majority outside working in the yard. While Timmy was logged into class upstairs, Scott, Robby and I cleared out a huge rock garden in our side yard. We uncovered nearly 100 daffodils that had been struggling to peek up through the leaves and debris.  It makes me so happy to look at our cleaned out bed and I can't wait for the flowers to bloom. 

I did my best to try to assist Robby and Scott, but my efforts were minimal. Clearing the bed required a combination of rock climbing skills and billy goat balancing that I simply do not possess. While they climbed the rocks and pulled the vines, I stayed at the base and picked up the debris after it was tossed.  I definitely got the easy part of that chore!

 

 

Home

 Friday was Scott's birthday. As luck would happen, it coincided with the start of Robby's spring break. Going to pick up Robby from college to bring him home for a week was the perfect way for Scott to spend his afternoon. (This came straight from him, not me.) Having a full house was definitely the best gift we could provide, but the Washington Capitals tickets (hopefully timed for Oveckin's record goal) were a pretty close second. 

Yesterday afternoon we headed to hibachi to celebrate the start of another school break. (Finding a new hibachi restaurant was a family priority when we moved.) On our way home from lunch we discovered an amazing restaurant supply store where we scored 10 pounds of irregular sliced Kunzler bacon for $20, delighting my little bacon eater. 

This week will be awkward because Robby is on vacation while Timmy is still in school. This is the first year that their vacations do not coincide. I don't like it, but I'm going to embrace what we were given. This week Robby is home, and I'm delighted.  Now I need to go fry up some bacon.

 

Timmy's First Protest

 Two weeks ago we learned through an email that the clinical protocols that Timmy has been enrolled in and following, the very treatments that has allowed him to regain his health and have moved him into remission, has been summarily shuddered by the republican administration.  Neither the researchers, his doctors, nor his parents were provided time or resources to prepare for this sudden change. Now my child has been thrown into medical peril so that Presidents Musk and Trump can appease the base.  I am devastated and disgusted that my own country would discard my child so callously.  

Timmy, upset about the sudden changes and fearful of what we really don't know, has been wanting action. I can't change President Musk and Trump's agenda, but I can force our local representative's staff to look into my child's eyes and explain why he is not worth funding. How does a man who touts himself to be pro-life, who poses with priests and nuns at every opportunity, reconcile canceling life-saving medical treatment for children?  In reality, and like the majority of MAGA republicans, they are actually pro-procreation, not pro-life. 

Today we are heading to the local offices for our representative and one of our senators. Do I expect it to change anything? Absolutely not. But Timmy deserves to see me fighting for him. Silence is normalizing the chaos of this administration. Ripping research away from sick kids is not normal. It just isn't. So today Timmy will attend his very first protest, and I couldn't be more proud. 

Travels

 The past few days have been busy and stressful. Thankfully my Mom was able to watch Timmy for us, allowing Scott and I to focus on the issues without distraction. Yesterday morning we woke up, headed to PA to meet my Mom and to retrieve Timmy (and Friend.) We have spent a lot of hours in the car over the past three days, but it is nice to be back home. 

Speaking of home, Robby is coming home on Saturday for Spring Break. It is so hard to believe that he is already at the midpoint. He hasn't been coming home as much this semester, which is a good thing for him because it means he is settling in and making friends. Of course, it also means that we don't get to see him as much.

Today will be spent cleaning the house. After being sick for a few days and then traveling for the funeral, it is getting ahead of us.

Next Steps

 My Aunt Judy, my Dad's beloved older sister, passed away peacefully a few weeks ago. Judy has been sick for the majority of my life and, although she was the source of adoration for my father, we were never close. My Dad kept his family at length from his children. I always believed that this was because he was we embarrassed him. Whenever we made the pilgrimage back to his childhood home, I always felt insecure, inadequate and not good enough. Because we were kept at a distance, any familial relationships with his relatives became nonexistent upon his death. 

Unfortunately, and despite my best efforts, this included my Aunt Judy. Scores of phone calls went unanswered after my Dad's death. It became a bit of a joke that I would hear from Aunt Judy when she was drunk enough to remember that we existed and that she liked us. Through her slurred filled words, I would hear her tell me about how much she misses my Dad.  This happened about every 18 months. 

Because I was not able to develop or maintain a relationship with my Aunt Judy, I was unaware of the cognitive decline of her partner. Out of respect for her privacy I won't go into details, but J is no longer capable of living an independent life. This shocked my sister and I who feel quasi responsible for taking care of our Aunt J. Although not a relative by blood, she has been in our lives since our birth.

So, how do you help somebody who desperately needs supports? While her friends are helpful, they are struggling with their own health issues and living life in their 80s.  Immediately after my Dad's death, during one of Judy's alcohol fueled calls, they asked me to assume power of attorney should something happen to one or both of them. I agreed, but the only information I was sent were funeral arrangements (which ironically were not followed because of Aunt J).

What am I supposed to do now? Thank goodness Scott is retired and we are able to take trips to Pittsburgh, because this is shaping up to be a real mess. But it is a mess I feel beholden to assume because of my Dad's love for his sister.

 

Disappointed

After the bright sunshine and warm temperatures of yesterday today's chilly rain feels especially dreary. We had more snow this year than we have in a decade, but both Timmy and I were hoping for a whopper of a storm. Unfortunately, it seems that we are on a warming trend. So instead of lamenting our absent snow, we are looking forward to planting peach trees and blueberry bushes.  At this point, bring on the sunshine!

I've enjoyed having Timmy's classroom in a separate part of the house. It allows me more freedom throughout the day to move things around, make noise and basically exist without the fear of ending up on camera. I do miss hearing his responses though. Yesterday I was upstairs while Timmy was in a map lesson. I heard his teacher ask him where he lived in West Virginia.  Timmy responded- "I live in the part of West Virginia where they have high speed internet and I don't have to marry my cousin."  I do think I will miss overhearing his "Timmyisms" throughout the day, but the separation is definitely best for all of us.

Yesterday Robby received some disappointing news. He applied to travel to Normandy with the National World War II Museum's Normandy Academy. He has had this set as a goal for the past three years and has worked to curate his resume towards this opportunity. Unfortunately, he learned that he was not accepted this year. 

After wallowing in disappointment for a few hours, Robby called me.  He admitted to being bummed but  vowed to submit an even stronger application next year.  I'm so proud of him!

Aunt Judy

 Over the weekend I learned the sad news that my Aunt Judy, my dad's beloved sister, passed away.  Judy had been ill for years and, while her passing was not a shock, I am saddened by the news. Even though the news was sad, I couldn't help but smile when I envisioned my Dad and Judy reunited. My Dad would be so very happy to be with her again!  

Judy lived an extraordinarily full life, filled with travel adventures and an amazing friend network. Our family is in a holding pattern until Janet, her partner of more than 50 years, makes the funeral arrangements. In the next few days I know I will be traveling to the Pittsburgh area for her services. 

It is odd to know that Judy was the final link to my Dad and she is now gone. While we were not close throughout my life, her passing marks the end of those paternal connections.  Sigh. I really don't like change!

 

Feeling Better!

 My apologies for not writing last week. I wasn't feeling well and time got away from me.  But my goodness, what a difference a few days has made. I woke up this morning feeling happy and full of energy. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel like I'm dragging!

Robby has been spending more time at college, which is normal but I certainly miss his presence around the house. This past weekend, must like the week before, was laid back and quiet. I did a lot of sleeping and resting.

While we haven't done anything major, we did move Timmy's classroom from the sun room into a guest bedroom. It wasn't a huge project, but it did require some furniture being moved upstairs and around the house. He is looking forward to having a little more privacy throughout his school day. While I think I will miss overhearing his conversations, I think Scott and I are both going to enjoy having full use of our downstairs during the day.

 

Getting better

 My sick day morphed into a sick weekend. I'm not sure where the days went but they were spent coughing, vomiting, dealing were vertigo and a headache. Scott was the only individual left unscathed by the virus. Thankfully we were all relatively self- sustaining so he was not completely overrun.

I am feeling better this morning. I'm still tired, but I can see without the letters jumping all over the page. My goodness that makes things miserable!  I hope to write more tomorrow as I continue to gain strength. I just wanted to check in!

 

Sick Day

 A virus has invaded our home. Timmy has been dealing with a high fever, sore throat and overall aches and pains. I've been dealing with aches (more than normal) and a fever.  We're going back to bed, but I wanted to touch base.  See you Monday!

 

More Clouds

We just do not have good luck with telescope events! 

Yesterday I took a very excited Timmy to his 'learn to use a telescope' class in the fields of Maryland. His Nana bought him an amazing telescope for Christmas. Although we have figured out how to use most of the features, we were both looking forward to honing it down with a professional. Unfortunately, telescopes are weather dependent and yesterday we had heavy cloud cover.

The instructor who met us in the field was so nice as he stopped us from setting up the telescope. Class was cancelled due to cloud cover. Please try again later. Talk about disappointing!

New Leg Time?

 This weekend was spent toiling around the house with an ill-fitting socket, trying to get settled while ignoring the obvious signs that I need a new leg. Ugh! A new leg in a new state. Do I start all over or do I make the trip back to Northern Virginia to my previous prosthetist? I have no idea what to do because I'm not terribly keen on either idea.

In the meantime, I am developing a significant callous on the side of my limb. It isn't painful but it's growth is obvious. I know that I will be more comfortable when I get a new leg because I have lost so much weight this one no longer fits. 

I suppose I'll spend the day researching prosthetists in the area and trying to make a decision about my next steps.  Wish me luck!

New Hair

 

Yesterday I discovered a new hair salon and indulged in a new cut and color. I must admit, I feel so much better! Apparently having 4 inch grey roots peeking out was contributing to my feeling old and ugly. (Not that there is anything old or ugly about grey. I was trying to grow it out to be all grey only to discover that my color is not yet pretty enough to shine on its own.) 

I feel like finding a salon is another step towards establishing this as our home. While I will probably not stay with the salon long term, it is nice to know where I can go if I need a reliable cut and color. Slowly, things are starting to feel more familiar. But I have to admit, it is still really hard!

Today Scott and I are heading to try to register our cars. Wish us luck. I hate the DMV and I abhor dealing with the government. Should be a fun afternoon!

 

Settling

I feel quasi limited in what I can unpack at this point because I have already tackled all of the boxes that were safe to move. I tried to move some heavier boxes up the basement stairs and became stuck in a rather unsafe predicament. Thankfully Timmy was home and was able to come to my rescue, but I vowed to never again try something so dangerous.

Unpacking is still feels overwhelming although I do feel like we've been making progress.  Yesterday I transitioned from straight unpacking to settling in. I took the time to reorganize things and I even hung a few photos on the wall. We have a long way to go, but slowly we are starting (or at least I'm trying) to make this new house feel like our home.

Today I'll be busy unpacking and settling in while Timmy is at school. This afternoon we promised to complete another few assembly steps for his new rocket. Exciting times!

Outings

 I had a wonderful few days just relaxing, unwinding and staying away from the news and all social media.  I suppose a benefit of being temporarily without employment is my ability to travel on a whim. I was able to spend a few days with my Mom simply because I wanted to get away. Talk about a luxury!

I came home (although this area still does not feel like home) in time to participate in the local Cocoa Crawl over the weekend. Armed with the names of stores and the promise of free hot chocolate, we spent a few hours on Saturday and Sunday traversing the area and getting to know some local stores. We discovered a fantastic hobby shop filled with model rockets, a fabulous new (and wildly inexpensive) hibachi restaurant, and a few cute gift shops. We were also steered towards a park that is model rocket launching friendly, which delighted Hamlet.

As luck would have it, Sunday the Cocoa Crawl led us to Shepherdstown. We were able to grab Robby for a quick lunch and hug. Timmy delighted in seeing the university through his brother's eyes and was eager to soak up every experience offered to him. Between a quick tour of the campus to going through the shops in town, he absorbed every moment.  

We didn't complete the Cocoa Crawl, but we had a great time participating. We needed a push to get out into our new community, and this was the perfect first opportunity. Hopefully, with a few more outings, this new area will start to feel more like home.

Snow Fun

 To the delight over just about everybody in the house, we had another big snow over the weekend. The flakes were huge and beautiful as they danced and fell around our yard. With the world so chaotic and on fire at the moment, it was wonderful to hide in the woods and just watch the snow fall.  

The winters in Virginia have been lackluster for decades, so Scott and I both recognized that we were going to be unprepared for the heavy West Virginia snowfalls. On Friday we went on a hunt and purchased but I suspect was the last electric start snowblower in the state.  

Yesterday we fired it up and it worked like a dream! Scott actually ended up taking it up the street to help out a neighbor who was struggling with the shovel. (The boys would have gone to help her but they were busy exploring the woods in the snow.) The snowblower was advertised as easy and light enough for the elderly and disabled. It's really nice when something actually works as advertised!

 

Drained

I haven't made a resolution for 2025 because I don't want to set up the new year for failure. Instead, I'm focusing on self-care. 2024 has absolutely depleted me and I feel utterly drained. Intellectually I know that I am not a worthless loser who is unworthy and unloved. I hope that 2025 is the year that my heart can match what my head knows to be true. 

Any ideas?  Feel free to drop me a comment or email. I know I'm not the only one who is feeling utterly drained.

Worried

With Robby and Timmy busy with their respective schoolwork, I took full advantage of the quiet afternoon by escaping to Pennsylvania for a few hours. I was able to meet with my Mom and sister for lunch before heading to the mall with my mom. An afternoon of shopping was a welcome change from the boxes at home. 

At some point I need to figure out what I'm going to do for the rest of my life now that I'm unemployed.

I guess I'll start today.

Back to School

 After what felt like a blink of an eye, Robby's semester break has come to an end. Yesterday we helped him pack up his bags and boxes (which are still plentiful in our home) and drove him back to his dorm. I was sad to see him go but the excitement in his eyes definitely helped to temper my emotions. He was chomping at the bit to return to his dorm and his friends.

We spent about an hour in his dorm, helping him get organized and his bed ready for another semester. By the time everything was unpacked he was ready for us to leave, so we gave him a quick hug goodbye and left. Timmy was heartbroken.

The "Chenoweth Brothers" have been conducting nightly explorations through the woods around our house. This time with Robby has quickly become the highlight of his day and I know that Timmy will miss him dearly. Robby encouraged Timmy to text him, but I know that his absence will still be felt profoundly by his little brother.

Here is to a great semester #2!

 

Brothers

 I haven't been able to locate my snow boot which has been frustrating. I know it was one of the final items I threw into a box, but that information has not proven helpful. Eventually I'll find my snow boot, but in the meantime I'm going to be tethered to the cleared asphalt and out of the fun. 

Even though I haven't been able to participate, I have fully enjoyed this recent snowfall. Watching Timmy and Robby play each evening has become a nightly spark of happiness. The "Chenoweth Brothers" have taken to nightly romps in the snow. Between exploring the woods, having snowball battles and sledding, they have been thoroughly enjoying the flakes.  I swear the smile on Hamlet's face when he is playing with his brother is bright enough to melt the snow!

Unfortunately the nightly snow fun is going to come to an abrupt end on Sunday night when Robby goes back to school. I swear I thought he had longer! (I really do need to get a new wall calendar because I'm going to be hopeless without one.) We are all going to miss him, but I suspect that Timmy will be especially sad.

Snow!

 Yesterday we experienced our first West Virginia snowstorm and it was gorgeous. Warm and safe inside the sun rooms, we were able to watch the ginormous flurries falling all around us. As soon as school ended Timmy put on his winter gear and headed outside to play. Robby, not wanting to miss out on the opportunity to nail his little brother with some snow, decided to join him.

I was super proud of myself for knowing where his new sled was hidden within the pile of boxes in the basement, and finding the air compressor was just as easy.  We bought the tube sled about three years ago when a storm was predicted and never materialized. I was excited to surprise the boys with an unexpected sled. After one night, Timmy has officially sledded more in West Virginia than he ever has in Virginia. 

Watching them play and sled together lifted my spirits and made my heart sing. When they came inside I fired up the new cocoa machine and we dried off in front of the fire. Everybody, with the exception of Friend who tried to play but hates the snow, thoroughly enjoyed the evening. 

 

Life

 2025 is upon us. Thank goodness!

I predicted that 2024 was going to be difficult based upon the life changes we were conquering, but I was woefully unprepared for what the year held in store. I'm waking up this morning in our new home, in a new state and without a job. I should be terrified. Instead I'm just really tired.

Perhaps I'm too tired to feel scared. Maybe that is a good thing! I'm fairly certain that if I were to feel anything right now it would only be anxiety and fear. I suspect that tired, although still not a pleasant sensation, is still more desirable. 

Today Timmy returns to class. He has had a fun albeit laid back winter break. I know that he is looking forward to seeing his 'homies' again. Perhaps the return to normalcy, whatever that may be now, is what I need to kick start me back into life.