Falling Leaves

With another Aunt Peggy Adventure in the books, it is time to return to reality. Yesterday afternoon we traveled back to Virginia, finished up some school work and prepared for the week ahead. The calendar is bragging that the work week is one day shorter but my schedule is not faring as well. True to my new normal, I'm going to be busy. After so much traveling throughout September, I'm just grateful to be busy at home and not in a hotel room!

The temperatures are still unseasonably warm, but the leaves have decided that it is time to fall. Our yard is suddenly covered with colorful leaves. I have a love/ hate relationship with autumn. I love the aesthetics of the season, but I hate trying to walk around or on wet leaves because they turn my yard into a giant slip and slide. 

My biological foot naturally adjusts to maintain traction, but I am not so lucky on my prosthetic side. Lacking the proprioception under my prosthesis, I can't tell when the leaves are slipping until I am in the middle of a fall.  Other than avoidance and caution, I haven't discovered any tips to help safeguard against slipping and falling on the leaves. If you have any tricks I would love to hear them! 

GLOW

After nearly two months apart, yesterday the Cousin Crew was reunited. I decided to take full advantage of the open schedule and the beautiful weather by orchestrating a cousin getaway adventure. The Crew was thrilled to be reunited, and Timmy was excited to be included in the adventure.  

We got settled into our hotel rooms (the big kids were in the room next door while Timmy and I stayed in the smaller adjoining room) we headed to dinner. After dinner we all piled into the car and headed to Philadelphia to experience the Jack-O-Lantern Glow festival. 

More than 5,000 pumpkins were carved with awe-inspiring detail. The gourd sculptures were all lit in a variety of colors and strewn throughout the park. All of the kids were gobsmacked by the sights and sounds of the event. Between all of the members of the Cousin Crew, we might have a photo of nearly every pumpkin. They were snapping photos throughout the night, declaring a new favorite at every turn.  

The Crew stayed up late into the night talking, watching television, and eating popcorn. I loved hearing and watching them catching up and having fun. 

Scary Witch

It is safe to say that Timmy has inherited my love for holidays. He is mesmerized by all of the "spooky" decorations adorning the Walmart shelves. The corner of the store where Christmas decorations are beginning to be displayed is a growing wonderland. He loves walking through the decoration aisles, oohing and aaahing over everything that catches his little eye.

Yesterday we found a fun Halloween nightlight during one of our shopping trips. I bought it for him and we set it up in his room as soon as we arrived home. As soon as we darkened the lights and turned it on he began to squeal and giggle with delight. Although he was amused during the day, I quickly realized that the "fun and festive nightlight" would become the source of nightmares and interrupted sleep if I allowed it to stay in his bedroom.  

Before he went to sleep I quietly replaced the flying witch with an illuminated happy pumpkin. Timmy was just as thrilled to have a smiling jack-o-lantern in his room and I felt more comfortable knowing that he wasn't going to be haunted by the creepy flying witch. (I love his zest and enthusiasm!) 

From now on, I think we'll pick our nightlights from the Christmas aisles.  

Award Ceremony!

Yesterday was a proud day for our family. Because of his efforts over the summer, Robby was selected to receive the Presidential Volunteer Award. He received his Silver medal and certificate yesterday afternoon during a special ceremony.  

My little Koopa looked so grown up in his "fancy clothes." I am so proud of the young man that is emerging. While I can still look into his big brown eyes and see the little boy who used to call me his best buddy, the fact that he was able to wear Scott's clothes to the event provided further confirmation that my little boy is quickly growing up.  

Limb Loss Registry

I am not a number person, but I do appreciate that statistics carry weight with decision makers. I have often been frustrated by the commonly held assertion that 500 amputations occur every day in this country. Although the statistic is impressive on face value, I have never been completely confident in the research substantiating the claim. In fact, when I requested collaborating evidence, I was told to accept the statistic without question because "it sounds good to us." 

Recently a grant was awarded to create the National Limb Loss Registry. This registry will house public statistics concerning the community. With the constant warnings about identity theft, I was relieved to learn that all information is thoroughly deidentified before it is included in the registry. Finally, we will have concrete and verifiable information about the amputee community.

I fully admit that I was skeptical when I first learned about the registry. In fact, last night Dave and I recorded a podcast with him trying to convince me that the creation of a registry is a good thing for the community.  Check it out, and stay tuned for more information.

Nutty

Looking at our driveway leaves little doubt about the season. We aren't covered with beautiful fallen leaves. Instead our driveway, walkways, and yard are littered with thousands of hickory nuts. It often sounds like rocks being flung at our roof in a constant stream as the nuts fall from the trees. 

I hate hickory nut season. Each October our home becomes a hazardous zone as we shield ourselves from falling nuts and try to tiptoe around those that are already on the ground. If you haven't before seen a hickory nut, they are about the size of a golf ball but they are housed inside an outer hull that is the size of a baseball. In other words, they hurt when they fall on you!

Timmy has been delighted by the nut explosion. He spends hours each day collecting nuts in his little wheelbarrow as a treat for the squirrels. He delights each morning when he discovered that his wheelbarrow is filled with nut dust and remnants from the squirrels enjoying his easy-to-find buffet. I'm sure that our long-tailed furry friends appreciate his efforts.

Despite spending hours picking up nuts, Timmy barely makes a dent in our supply. We are constantly sweeping and blowing the nuts off of our walkway and driveway. I'm not comfortable, nor am I safe, trying to navigate through the nutty obstacle course. If I step on a nut my foot can easily slip out from under me, leading to a fall. I fell on a nut a few years ago and it is an experience I do not want to repeat. 

October

Happy October!

I am so happy that September is over. My calendar filled with "Mom away" in red felt overwhelming each time I glanced at it. October is open and clear (in regards to my travel) and I couldn't be happier. I enjoy traveling, but I do not relish being away as much as I was in September. 

After a series of long flights, I finally arrived home Saturday evening. Robby met me at baggage claim. He ran to me and hugged me so tightly when we were reunited that I feared I would lose my balance. I was thrilled that Timmy was still wide awake. His face lit up when he saw me walking toward him in the parking lot.  He began to giggle and I received the best hug ever.

Yesterday was spent doing nothing of import. I hung out with the boys and played outside. I let the laundry piles lay because my priority was being with my kids instead of cleaning. I missed them so much!

This week is going to be busy as I play catch-up. Wish me luck getting my house in order. After being away for so long, I'm fighting an uphill battle!