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.