Family Co-Op

We have been selling our FlexyFriends at weekend pop-ups with more frequency because we discovered that it is an amazing vehicle to help pay for Robby's college tuition. Although it is a lot of work, our little family business has become a true collective effort. Everybody, including Timmy, has assumed responsibility for keeping the printers going throughout the day so that we can maximize production. 

Scott, Robby and I are responsible for sales. (Timmy is not quite ready to work the table, but he is getting there.) Usually Scott and I try to split the weekends so that we each have a little break. Sometimes it works and somebody gets to rest. Sometimes we are both working. This past weekend, I was the beneficiary of a much needed break. I helped on Saturday but I enjoyed a Sunday at home with Timmy while Robby and Scott were at the mall. 

Timmy and I spent Sunday baking cookies, painting real flags for his imaginary game and taking Friend on long walks. He has become antsy since his arm has been in the cast for nearly a month. I know that he really wants to run and play. Although we keep trying to come up with engaging and exciting sedentary activities, nothing is fully satisfying my little explorer. 

Hopefully his arm heals quickly because summer boredom is going to be a real issue!

Toss The Trash

I am thoroughly enjoying having a dumpster below my deck. I've discovered something oddly cathartic about throwing trash and clutter into the dumpster from a high distance. Everything from physically throwing the items to hearing the clanking and breaking as it hits and settles into the dumpster is satisfying and motivating. With each toss I found myself searching for more items to throw away.

In the 24 hours since we received the dumpster we have probably filled it 25%. With both Scott and I psyched for cleaning and purging, it has become obvious that we are going to need at least one more dumpster. We have accumulated so much stuff!

With the exception of playing toss the trash, I stayed off my leg for the majority of the day. The sores have closed and are healing but I remain cautious. I continue to ice several times a day which provides both relief for the pain while bringing down the angry swelling that is flaring up. I am optimistic that I'll be comfortable by the weekend if I continue to allow myself the time and opportunity to heal. At this point, my staying off my leg isn't a luxury but is mandatory.

Dumpster

 Welcome to May!

Ready or not, my month of chaos and change has begun. I have no illusions about the weeks ahead. The days are going to be busy and emotional as we prepare for graduations, birthdays and retirements. As somebody who does not readily embrace change, the next weeks are going to beat me into submission. 

It feels appropriate that our dumpster was delivered yesterday. I was gobsmacked by the level of my own enthusiasm as I saw the beast being backed into our driveway. I legit giggled and squealed like a girl at a Backstreet Boys concert when I realized the amount of junk we were going to be able to purge from our home. After living here for nearly 2 decades we have accumulated an obscene amount of stuff. 

From baby toys to broken bed frames, every recess in our house has been utilized for storage. It will be really nice to get some breathing room back, even if it is in preparation for a move. I thought it might be difficult to get rid of the baby items but I'm ready. I realized that by the time I will need another pack and play I am sure the one I saved will be eroded. I'm also sure that the technology and safety features will be vastly different than my decades old version that was stowed in a dank garage. 

Scott, Robby and I immediately began to toss the junk into the dumpster. We have two weeks to purge 2 decades of crap. I think this is a challenge we are up to.

Maybe this is what 50 will be like- becoming overly enthusiastic about trash removal?

Pain

 I spent much of yesterday afternoon hobbling around my house while cursing my prosthesis. It hurts. I've lost so much weight that it no longer fits. My make-shift pads, which had been keeping comfortable and mobile, no longer seem to be working. I know that I need another socket, but the thought of adding appointments to my already overflowing schedule is overwhelming. 

Of course, not being able to walk is more inconvenient, so we will see. Ideally I would like to wait until school is over before starting the process but I am not sure I'm going to be able to wait. I've given myself a deadline of tonight to make a decision. If I can figure out another configuration of pads throughout the day, I'll be able to delay the process. But if the pain continues, I'm going to make the call. I hate the process, but I detest not being able to walk more.

The sudden heat yesterday did not help my socket issues. The temperatures spiked into the 90s which added sweat to the occasion. Between the sores, the pinching and the heat, I was miserable with every step. Hopefully today will be better.

P R O M

 This past weekend has been busy albeit quasi-productive. I needed an additional day (or two) if I were to accomplish everything that I had on my to-do list, but unfortunately the calendar does not follow my needs. I am becoming better at reducing my own expectations but I am still frustrated that I didn't get more done despite being constantly busy.

On Saturday I spent the afternoon selling FlexyFriends at a woefully under-attended event. The hours moved slow as I sat in a vending hall with fellow exhibitors patiently waiting for people who never showed up. Because the crowds never materialized, I didn't feel guilty packing up and heading home an hour early. Leaving early allowed me to help Robby get ready for prom, which was a far better use of my time than sitting around waiting for non-sales.

As Robby was dressing he remembered that we never picked up cuff links for his new shirt. Semi-panicked, he hopped onto the computer and 3d printed a pair of Batman cuff links for prom. They printed in 14 minutes and worked like a charm!  

Decked out in a new suit and cool new cuff links, Robby headed out for prom. He had a fabulous time! He danced and laughed throughout the night with his friends. I know that it was a night that he will always remember, and I'm glad that I was able to see him before he left. 

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, working and organizing around the house. I probably would have accomplished more had my leg been cooperative, but three separate sores have conspired against my mobility. My limb is not happy right now despite being covered in blister Band-Aids.  I really don't have the time to handle limb issues.

 

Birthday Wrap-Up

 I can't believe my little boy is now double digits. Yesterday was spent spoiling and doting our Hamlet. I treated him to 'McDelivery' as a special lunch treat, thoroughly blowing his mind. In the evening we went out for Hibachi, a family favorite, before unwrapping presents and lighting up the ice cream cake. Timmy smiled throughout the day and was absolutely delighted with his surprises. 

Because of Timmy's broken arm, selecting a birthday gift was difficult. Anything sport or outdoor related would not have been fun to receive because he won't be able to use it for at least 6 weeks. After a lot of thought and research, we decided to give Timmy his own cell phone.

The phone has every parental control activated and it is highly monitored, but Timmy is delighted to be able to text his friends and family. He immediately squealed with excitement over the idea that he can text Robby when he is in college next year. I think that the direct connection through texting may help make the transition easier next year. As an added bonus, I was elevated to "World's Best Momom" over the gift.

Timmy's birthday officially marks the beginning of my busy season. This weekend we'll be working at AwesomeCon before Robby heads off to his prom. I can't believe it is already time for prom! This year has gone so quickly. At this point, time is not my friend because I am running out of it. My goodness I have so much to do before next autumn.

Happy Birthday Timmy!!

 Yesterday was an exercise in frustrations and miscommunication. Timmy had an appointment scheduled for his arm to determine if he would receive a cast or surgery. Because the office is close to DC and because I needed to have him there at 8:15, it made for a very early morning. Robby was volunteered to come along because I wanted to be able to utilize the HOV-3 lanes without paying the toll. If he had stayed home, the trip would have cost me $54 round-trip. 

After rousing the boys into the car and navigating through DC rush hour traffic, we arrived to his appointment 15 minutes early. A series of issues forced us to travel to a different office to see another new doctor, but in the end he was seen and pronounced healed enough for his bright red cast. While the bones are not perfectly aligned, the doctor feels confident that they will mend correctly without surgery. Timmy was over-the-moon to finally be out of the temporary splint and into a more durable bright red cast.

Talk about the perfect birthday present! Yes, today is my little Hamlet's birthday. We are officially in double digits. It is so hard to believe that my sweet little preemie is now 10.

Today will be spent celebrating Timmy! Happy Birthday to my sweet, curious, precocious, interesting, inquisitive and kind son. I am so proud of you and being your mom is one of the greatest joys of my life.