Chaotic

I spent yesterday chasing my tail. Going away for a few days always leads to chaos, but this time it has been compounded because the trips were so frequent. We only had a few days home from Ohio before I packed up to head to PA and then DC. Trying to maintain continuity for Timmy's school has been difficult with the traveling, and we have at least one more trip before the end of the year. Next week my Mom is having surgery so I will be going to PA to help out for a week or more. Until all of our trips are done, I think I am going to acquiesce to the chaos and accept that I am doing my best. 

Next week is going to be both busy and chaotic. First and foremost, Timmy's birthday is on Monday. It is hard to believe my little Hamlet is going to be 9! Because my Mom's surgery is on Tuesday we have been struggling with where to celebrate his birthday. We decided to stay home and to travel to PA on the morning of her surgery. That way Timmy gets to see Scott and the cats on his special day. 

On Tuesday my Mom has her surgery and I will assume my role as nurse as she recovers. We are hoping that both the surgery and the recovery will be mild, but we won't know until the surgeon knows precisely what needs to be done. I'm planning to stay for a week with the flexibility to leave earlier or later if necessary. 

In the meantime, I need to try to return my house to some semblance of order before I pack up again. Looking at the clutter around me, it is not going to be an easy task!

Advocacy Wrap-Up

 I had an amazing day on Capitol Hill. Although it was a long morning and afternoon, I arrived home in the evening feeling the comfortable exhaustion that comes after a sense of achievement. Do I think I moved the needle? Probably not. But I was able to relay the stories and the issues facing the community, so I will consider that a success (for now).

Not only was it exhilarating to return to advocacy, I felt the familiar comfort that comes from being with my amputee friends. Even though we entered the initiative as strangers, I left with my contact app full of new friends. I had forgotten the liberation that I feel when the able-bodied people in the room are the oddities. In a room full of amputees, I get a reprieve from being the singular one in every room and situation. 

 

 

Advocating

 Good morning from DC Day 2. 

Yesterday was spent preparing for today's meetings. It was a productive albeit long day. Yesterday was also the first time I was reunited with some of my work friends since the pandemic. It was nice to be back in the groove -even if it means I had to leave the house and put on a bra.

Today I have meetings on Capitol Hill. I'm hoping for a good leg day so that I can keep up with my schedule. Of course, perhaps I shouldn't try to shield this audience from the true impact of life with limb loss! 

I'm both excited and nervous. Wish me luck! 

DC

Well, my quest for routine has been shattered. While I have learned to appreciate the value of continuity, I continue to embrace opportunities and adventure. This morning I am waking up in a hotel room in DC, preparing for a memorable two-days on Capital Hill. Timmy is waking up at my Mom's, who has graciously offered to transform a bedroom into a virtual classroom for two days. (Robby is at home and will probably sleep until the last possible moment.)

I drove Timmy to my Mom's house on Saturday afternoon. We hung out and just relaxed in the Spring weather. My Sunday plans were foiled when my sister developed a fierce migraine, so I switched gears and pulled up some carpet in my Mom's living room. (Her elderly dog has been having accidents. The carpet is scheduled to be replaced but is, of course, on back order.)  

After cleaning up from the carpet pull, I packed up and headed into DC. I don't have my first meeting until noon today, but I wanted to avoid the stress of traffic by settling in before I had any obligations. Originally I was only going to stay a single night but my Mom and Scott convinced me that I would be happy for the decision to go early. 

Waking up this morning in DC, I have to say that they were right. Last night was the first time since before the pandemic that I have been completely alone for the entire night. The silence was wonderful!

Returning to Normal

Returning to normal was as tumultuous as I anticipated. All three of "my boys" lamented returning to school, making the morning miserable for everybody. In reality, they were making the morning miserable for me because they were already in that state. Despite their best efforts, I managed to rally and send Scott off to work with a yahoo and a hoot. He was not amused by my celebratory cheers.

The day was spent working, organizing and trying to unpack. Even though we were only gone for a few days, the amount of stuff we brought with us on our trip and acquired while we were away is staggering. Carrying in the van full of boxes and bags, I couldn't help but remind myself that we are supposed to be purging, not accumulating. 

The weather has been beautiful and Friend and I spent most of my free time outside walking. After being in such tight quarters for a week, I'm relishing the open space and the solitude. Thank goodness for reality!

Cheeseburger Pillow

The drive home was exhausting. We made decent time and we didn't encounter any obstacles or issues, but the constant bickering among all of the boys (Scott including) was enough to drive me to the brink. It is almost as if they had stored up all of the snark while at Grandma's house. The moment we drove out of her driveway they could not keep it contained any longer and it persisted throughout the nearly 9 hour drive.

By the time we pulled into our driveway I wanted to hide from every living creature, including Friend. While I love my little pup, he sat on my lap, on a giant cheeseburger shaped pillow, for the entirety of the drive. I couldn't wait to shed him when we finally arrived home. 

After unloading and returning the van, I spent the evening tidying up the house and preparing for today. Everybody returns to school this morning. I know that they are sad to see Spring Break draw to a close, but I'm delighted. This week has been draining and I can't wait to return to normal!

Heading home

 It has been a nice albeit long few days. Today we are packing up and heading back to Virginia. I will be glad to be home. It is nice visiting, but it is always nice being home.