Summer Wrap Up

 Happy Friday!

This is the last workday of the boys' summer vacation. On Monday I will revert from the summer to the school year schedule. I am fully prepared for a shock to our system as we all readjust to the new demands. I know that it will take a few weeks for us to find our flow and that I need to just keep trudging along until the load lightens. 

This summer was unique because of the amount of traveling involved. Robby and Scott's trip through Europe certainly monopolized most of the energy and activities through the beginning of June as they prepared for their adventure. After they returned we went to Florida and then to the Poconos. Memories were made in the past few months that we will all cherish for life.

Even though I know that resuming our school schedule will be taxing, I think both boys are eager (although they will never admit to it) to return to a more structured day. While they have both enjoyed the "no clock needed" summer attitude, returning to school will certainly provide more continuity through the day. 

This weekend will be dedicated to preparing the boys for their classes. I need to make sure that the printer is operational and that their spaces are ready to go for Monday morning. But first, today I am going to see my prosthetist for an adjustment. I am hoping to start the new school year adventure in complete comfort.

Wish me luck!

Suspension Frustrations

 My leg fit has been running hot and cold. Either the leg fits perfectly and I feel comfortable all day or I can barely walk because of the pain. When it hurts there is little I can do to help mitigate the culprit. I am frustrated because I know the entirety of the issues lie with my suspension system. 

I am actively shrinking out of this socket, which is causing it to become too big and unwieldy as the day progresses. As my limb shrinks it is taking up less volume, compromising the ability of my liner to create a significant seal within the socket. I never really know if or when the suspension seal is going to break so I am constantly guarded when I walk. It is becoming exhausting!

Tomorrow I am going back to the prosthetist. I'm hoping that we can come up with a livable solution. I am tired of always being worried when I walk!

New Mattress

 I thought I had worked ahead enough to allow for a relatively calm Monday. Sometimes the fates just don't align with plans. I was slammed from the moment I woke up until the sun started to set. Unlike most days, it felt like everything that hit my inbox was time sensitive and needed addressed immediately. I shudder to imagine the chaos had I not worked over the weekend.

When I wasn't working at my job I was toiling around the house. Scott and I invested in a new bed and it was delivered yesterday. Excited to alleviate our nagging back aches we decided to set it up last night. True to tradition, our quick "let's set it up now" project extended into a several hour ordeal necessitating some band aids. Nobody ended up in tears or en route to the hospital, so the swap was a success.

Of course, setting up a new bed means that the other one had to be dismantled and stowed. Thank goodness we had the junk hauler last week because our storage places are filling again. Our old bed frame, mattress and box spring are now perched against the walls in the basement, waiting for another visit from the hauler.

While yesterday was busy today should be calm. I have no meetings on my calendar so I am optimistic that I will be able to spend some time hanging out with the boys. After all, this is the last week of summer vacation and I want to finish strong!

5 Boxes

 I worked throughout the weekend yet but, looking around, my efforts are not entirely visible. I'm trying to not feel discouraged by the monumental task of prepping our home, but it is difficult to remain motivated against such an overwhelming mountain of stuff. I am trying to stay focused on the positive. The stack of 5 boxes that have been filled and set out for donationvdoesn't look like a lot, but it is no longer in our home so I consider it a success.

When I wasn't purging our closets and cabinets I was on the couch working. I managed to get a lot done in preparation for the upcoming week, so I am starting today feeling ready. It is always an easier start to the week when I use some time during the weekend to get things in order. Working from home is a benefit I don't take lightly. Unfortunately, it also means that sometimes my weekends are absorbed by projects and prep work.

This is Robby and Timmy's final week of summer. I am trying to not panic about the stress that will be piled on starting next week. I know what to expect, and I know that the anxiety that comes from looming due dates and school projects will wane as we all adjust to the school schedule. I'm not looking forward to the transition time. 

Alas. We have a few days left of summer freedom. I plan to push thoughts of school out of my mind until classes start. Panicking right now won't help anything!

Junk and Ceilings

When the junk hauler pulled into the driveway, I was impressed by the size of the hauling trailer. Even though he told us the dimension, I am not one who can visualize numbers. It wasn't until it was sitting in my driveway that I realized how much junk could leave the house. I admit to being more than a little excited! 

I'm embarrassed to admit that we filled the junk trailer. Not only did we fill the trailer to the brim, but I wasn't able load everything because we ran out of room. I guess that is what happens when you've lived in a home for nearly 20 years. Even though the job isn't complete, it feels amazing to have a large trailer of junk removed from my home. 

Our good weather days are going to be replaced by a few days of rain. I'm praying that the sealant we applied to the chimney will work. After getting a new roof, a new chimney cap and repointing, I am beyond frustrated that the rain still drips from our ceiling. Every time I look at the damaged ceiling I feel ill. 

Scott and I are so embarrassed by the damaged ceiling that we avoid inviting friends over to the house. As soon as we know the leak has been stopped we can progress to repairing the damage. I can't wait to entertain again. Fingers crossed- this weekend should reveal whether or not the sealing worked.

Junk Hauling

My little roller bladder made astonishing progress in a single day. He went from not being able to stand in his blades to zooming through the living room without an issue. He handled falls by standing quickly and screaming "ta da" before skating away. Without question, he is my little daredevil athlete. I am impressed that he has never broken a bone. (Fingers crossed!)

While Timmy is busy skating through the living room I am going to solicit Robby's help outside. We have a junk hauler coming this evening and I want to get ready. Since the price is the same regardless of amount, I plan to fit as much into the truck as possible. I am not proud of it, but I am nearly giddy with the prospect of getting the crap out of the yard and house. I never thought that a junk haul would cause me so much excitement. I suppose this is another indication of my life stage.

With Scott eyeballing retirement, we are starting to act more thoughtfully around the house. We are in the process of fixing up and decluttering. As we were looking around the house both Scott and I felt overwhelmed by the task ahead. We decided to work methodically and consistently over this school year to ready the house for retirement. 

The junk hauler comes today and the donation truck comes on Monday. We are trying to work on one household project, whether it be little or big, every weekend. We aren't trying to fix everything at once, but knocking small things off the list can make a big difference. At least, that is the plan.

Wish us luck!

Roller Blading

I am loving this cooler weather! I spent several hours yesterday outside playing and walking with Timmy and Friend. Despite being August I am seeing more signs that summer is waning and that autumn is around the corner. The leaves are beginning to yellow and some of our hickory trees are beginning to shed their nuts. (I think I even saw pumpkin spice coffee creamer at the grocery store so it must be cool weather official.)

Today is supposed to be just as beautiful and I plan to take advantage of every moment by helping Timmy master his new skates on outside. He wore out his last set (the wheels came off) because skating is now his preferred mode of transportation. Inside or outside, he can usually be located by simply listening for the skates. This new pair of skates can be converted to roller blades which is an upgrade that Timmy finds very exciting. 

He has never been on roller blades, but he has never been deterred by the lack of experience. As soon as he saw that the skates had the option of converting to blades he asked for the swap. His newly configured roller blades (along with his helmet) are sitting by the front door, ready to go on their inaugural ride. Robby and I will be standing in as balance poles today until he gains his center of balance which hopefully won't take long. Timmy is pretty skilled at anything that requires controlling wheels underneath him.