Slippery

 I would describe my new leg as functional and okay. It isn't the slip-in-and-forget-it socket that I have had in the past. Now I have to layer socks before I take my first step in the morning which I find frustrating and inconvenient. After my careful layering, I am usually comfortable until the heat of the day arrives. When I start to sweat, the leg becomes wonky and my fit struggles begin.

My suspension system, the way in which the prosthesis attaches to my limb, becomes compromised when I sweat. After the seal is broken by my liner slipping my prosthesis is no longer securely attached. I am forced to slow down and walk deliberately to avoid walking out of my device altogether. Talk about both inconvenient and dangerous. Walking Friend through the yard with a poorly attached leg is definitely an exercise in caution.

I have to remove and don the liner again in order for the seal to engage. This isn't an issue at home, but it becomes more difficult when it is necessary in public spaces. I miss being able to forget that I'm wearing a prosthesis. It is only the beginning of July, yet I am already tired of the summer slippery socket.

Laid Back Holiday

Our Fourth of July was laid back and entirely uneventful. I spent the heat of the afternoon working while the boys watched television and played video games. Without our pool, being outside just isn't a lot of fun. I cannot even count the number of times I have missed our pool over the past few days. 

Our summer is certainly lacking the energy that we had last year, but our driveway simply cannot handle the weight of the water for another season. As much as I don't want to admit that he was right, Scott accurately predicted the damage to our asphalt. Our driveway is slightly slanted from our pool last year. Another year would only intensify the damage. 

So, until we figure out a new location we are pool-free. My goodness I miss it! Hopefully we will figure out a solution by next year. In the meantime, this is the summer of inside fun.

In the evening we ventured outside to play and to pick the wild raspberries. The temperature was tolerable but the mosquitos were out in force. Despite wearing bug spray and citronella stickers, we were forced to retreat from the the relentless blood suckers. I suppose one benefit of wearing a prosthetic is that my left left always remains bite free. I realize that is probably stretching to discover a positive, but I'm going to grasp for it right now.

Hopefully the hot temperatures are supposed to wane in the coming days. I'm looking forward to being outside without immediately melting. I'm not made for this summer heat!

Ampuversary #19

 Yesterday marked 19 years since my amputation. I am astounded that nearly two decades has passed since that difficult day. While it feels like, and it many ways has been, a lifetime, in some ways it feels like just yesterday. The memories, when I allow them to visit, remain strong. 

I would prefer to celebrate my Walking Day instead of my Ampuversary, but the latter always creeps into my mind on July 3. Regardless of attempting to fight them back, the memories always flow. I have learned to give into the reminiscing because fighting it only results in more frustration. Yesterday was no exception.

I woke up early, sat on the couch and allowed my mind to wander. I ended up crying, grieving for the experience and for the young woman who had been forever changed. I love my life and I can't imagine living it with both biological legs. But my life today does not resemble the life I had planned. Sitting on the couch with Friend on my lap, I ended up crying for what I had lost.

After a good cry and a cup of coffee, I was able to push the memories of July 3 away. I spent the remainder of the day trying to forget the anniversary. When the thoughts did creep into my mind, I made the decision to focus on my accomplishments instead of my losses. It is easy to focus on the positives when my mind is no longer cluttered by the grief.  After my morning cry, I had a fantastic Ampuversary.

Same Roof

 It is wonderful to have everybody waking up under the same roof. Luggage is strewn through the living room and bedrooms and souvenirs are littering the kitchen table.  Sleep schedules and meal times are wonky because of the time change, but I know that will sort out quickly. I am also perfectly aware that I will probably be wishing for more space and quiet in a few days, but for right now I am content with the chaos. 

The boys had a fabulous adventure. I have thoroughly enjoyed looking at their photos and hearing their stories.  What they experienced was transformative and they both emerged from their adventure changed. It is one thing to learn about the battles and the holocaust. Standing in that hallowed ground is something completely different. 

With everybody back home, we will slowly settle into our summer schedule. Laundry will be attacked over the weekend, and slowly all of the souvenirs will be put in their new homes. In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy hearing the sounds of everybody being together.

Welcome home

 

After 12 days away, yesterday we finally picked up our international travelers.  We decided to make a sign to welcome them home.

 

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Arriving Home

Travel often changes people. It opens up your eyes to history and other cultures. From looking at the photos, I believe that this is the case for Robby. I watched his growth over the week. At the beginning of the tour he looked like a happy teen. Now he is holding himself differently in the photos.  

He has matured during the past week. I'm sure that part of that is from the travel, but I suspect that it is primarily due to the nature of his tours. It would be hard to visit such fierce battlefields without emerging unchanged. I'm glad that he has had this experience, and this unique perspective. I knew that the trip would change him, but I didn't anticipate being able to witness the transformation through photos from abroad.

After 11 adventure filled days, Scott and Robby will arrive home tonight. To say that they have been missed would be an understatement. While Timmy and I had fun by ourselves, the house was eerily quiet. I will be happy to have everybody back under the same roof.

Week of Fun.

 While Scott and Robby have been off on their adventure, Timmy and I have been staying closer to home. Well, not closer to home. I should say that we have been staying home. Between the heat and the price of gas, I've been trying to limit the amount of my driving around.  

Even though we have been staying home, we have had a great time together. Over the past week we played games, splashed in the sprinkler, ate spaghetti and meatballs without plates or utensils ("pig jig style"), had a day where we ate ice cream for every meal and camped in the tent in our living room. 

Our furry family members benefited from our adventures as well. Friend enjoyed numerous silly walks through the neighborhood. He was treated to a cheeseburger for dinner and he received a seemingly endless supply of snacks. Timmy didn't want to let the cats out of the fun, so we picked up some sardines as a special treat.

In the evenings we chased lightening bugs and hunted for ghosts. We had dance parties in the kitchen and only made our favorite foods for our meals. We watched movies and played the Xbox. Our week wasn't as grand as a European trip, but we still had a great time making some fun memories.