Unraveling Yarn

Last night I had a dream where I was pushing a large ball of yarn up a hill. I didn't quite know why I was tasked with pushing the yarn, but I felt an overwhelming compulsion to keep moving up the hill. When I finally arrived at the top of the hill a large bird came and landed on the top of my yarn. The weight of the bird dislodged the ball, and it began to teeter. Although I scrambled to regain control of the yarn I was not successful and I was forced to watch it roll and unravel down the same hill.

By the time the yarn reached the bottom of the hill the hall had completely unraveled to a single long strand. I woke up feeling distraught, scared and frustrated. Who would have thought that a weird dream about yard would elicit such a strong response?

I'm not versed with dream interpretation, but even I could decipher the message. Recently I have been feeling like my life is beyond my control. I know that I cannot control everything, but it is time that I start reigning in what is within my power. Of course, that is easier said than done.

Part of my problem lies with my ignoring my own needs. I am so busy with work, school, taking care of Timmy and trying to keep up with the house that I feel like I am unraveling. I keep wanting to return to my meditation and to improve my own self-care, but by the time I'm done with everything for the day I'm too exhausted to add anything to the mix. 

Have any other Mom's been in this predicament?  How did you keep your thinly veiled metaphorical yarn from unraveling?

Pedal Power

Due to a steady stream of meetings on my calendar, Scott took Robby to his PE class last night. Timmy rode along with them, leaving me with a quiet house so that I could concentrate. Scott and Timmy headed to WalMart after dropping off Robby, hoping to fulfill a small list and to spend an hour walking around. 

About 40 minutes into their excursion I received a video of Timmy riding a bike through the aisles of WalMart. I was surprised because it was a two-wheel bicycle (with training wheels). My little Hamlet has never ridden a two-wheel bike, but he looked like a seasoned pro. I could tell by the pure glee written all over his face that the chances of him coming home with a new Paw Patrol bicycle were high. 

By the time the boys came home, my meetings were finished and dinner was ready. Timmy came sprinting up the stairs, excitedly took my hand and led me to the front door. He screamed "ta da" as soon as his Daddy walked into the house, holding a bright blue Paw Patrol bicycle.

My little guy is growing up too quickly!

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.