Birthday

 Happy Birthday to me!

This year my birthday enthusiasm is low. I would prefer to simply forget my birthday, but since that won't stop time I suppose I have no choice but to acknowledge it. This is my last year in my 40s and I do not like to be reminded that next year I am going to be 50. But I'm not there yet!

Today's birthday plans include working, overseeing schoolwork and chauffeuring the boys to class. I suppose my mundane itinerary reflects my feelings about turning 49. I simply don't care.

This weekend Robby has his band performance. Hopefully the weather holds out because they are playing at our local park. It will be a great afternoon if the weather holds out. Fingers crossed! They all worked too hard to be washed out by weather.  

Have a great weekend.

Clown foot

 Although she continues to struggle with pain and mobility, my Mom is progressing. After weeks of upheaval and angst I feel like my life is returning to normal. Of course, school ends in two weeks and then the summer stresses arrive. Alas, I'll let future Peggy worry about that. I'm just going to enjoy the normalcy of today.

The past few months have been stressful and have taken a toll on me. Since my brother's amputation in September and Timmy starting a new school, I feel like I have been living my life in triage. When I am stressed I eat. But when I'm frazzled, I tend to become nauseated. Since September, I have lost 50 pounds without an effort. 

I'm not complaining about the weight loss. There is no doubt that the 'frazzled diet' is effective, but I don't think it is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. I find the inability to enjoy food extraordinarily frustrating. I am not at the point of writing myself notes as a reminder to eat meals. Now that is a sentence I never thought I'd have to write!

Weight loss as an amputee introduces a host of issues. Primarily is socket fit. I am now suffering from what Robby has dubbed "clown foot syndrome" because my socket is too big and it now farts and flops around when I walk. I'm back to playing the padding game, trying to maintain suction without pressing against nerves and causing pain. 

Sigh. I'm going to have to start the process for a new leg. I hate the prosthetic process, but I dislike being uncomfortable more. 

Mother's Day

 I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. This year the boys went all out, showering me with love throughout the weekend and reminding me that I am appreciated and valued. After a chaotic few weeks, it was a wonderful few days of relaxing and unwinding. I am waking up this morning happy, energized and ready to tackle the week.

After spending two weeks in Pennsylvania for my Mom's surgery, I didn't make it up to visit her for Mother's Day this year. She is still in considerable pain and seemed just as happy for the quiet time at home. She is improving but it is not nearly as quick as she had hoped.  Of course, nobody anticipated a total replacement so this recovery has thrown us all off our game.  

Mom has resumed her physical therapy and I am hoping that the movement will help spark more healing. I know that she is anxious to resume her life! I know that she is making incremental progress everyday but, because the improvements are small, the gains are not obvious. I know that she is frustrated and it is difficult to help her because there is little I can actually do except offer support and DoorDash.

 

FlexiFriends

 Robby's entrepreneurial adventure was a rousing success.  He was tending to customers almost as soon as we placed the first colorful toy on the table. The bright sunshine reflecting off of the colorful toys certainly drew attention to his stand. Priced to sell at $5, he was busy throughout the event. Before we knew it, FlexiFriends were completely sold out!

Encouraged by his success, he immediately began to replenish his stock. He is planning to work a flea market in Pennsylvania (near my Mom's house) later this month and he is working on a website. He is saving all of his profits in the hopes of enrolling in the WWII Museum Normandy France trip next summer (assuming he does not receive a scholarship.)

FlexiFriends were popular because they were so different from everything else being sold. Rob knows that this business opportunity is going to be short lived. 3D printed flexible toys are a novelty because most people aren't familiar with the technology. As soon as the printers are more widely used, the interest in his toys will probably wane. He figures he has 12 months before the craze ends and he doesn't want to miss the wave.  

In other news, my Mom has finally resumed her physical therapy. I am hoping that the movement will spark healing and improvement. It has been a long 2.5 weeks and I know that she is anxious to start getting back to life.

Spring Fair

 I woke up early Tuesday (around 1 AM) sick. I moved to the couch because I knew I was squirmy and did not want to wake up Scott. I tried laying on still for awhile to let the moment pass but I was unsuccessful. Before I knew it, the vomiting began and I dissolved into a hot and sweaty mess. I am not sure of the cause but the result left little doubt- it was going to be a miserable day.

As the hours passed my stomach began to calm and my strength slowly returned. After being away for two weeks I am feeling overwhelmed with everything left unattended in my absence. This was not a good time for me to be down for the count! Despite my efforts, yesterday was a struggle.

Today I am feeling better albeit physically drained. I'm so tired I feel like I could sleep the entire day. There is no chance of that happening anytime soon. My schedule is packed for the next few days, and it looks like my next opportunity for a nap is Sunday. 

In preparation for his school Spring Fair, Robby has been furiously 3d printing for the past several weeks. He is planning to sell his flexible dolphins and chameleons to raise money for a trip he wants to take next summer through the National World War II Museum. Today all of his efforts come to a culmination at the Spring Fair. I will be helping him man the booth and sell his wares. It's going to be a beautiful day so hopefully the fair will be successful.

 He is planning to sell the chameleons for $5 and the dolphins for $10 (based upon the print time). Fingers crossed he can make a dent in his fundraising goal today!

 

 

Prom

 My Mom was discharged from the rehab hospital on Friday, allowing her to rest and recover at home. It was agreed that she could continue to progress just as quickly through out-patient physical therapy. She is not independent but she is able to get to and from the bathroom, bedroom and sun room. With everything moving towards recovery, I felt comfortable packing up and heading home. 

I was conflicted leaving because I wanted to stay to help my mom but I also had obligations that were waiting at home. Saturday was Robby's prom and I wanted to see him off. I arrived home on Friday afternoon, allowing me time to rest and unpack from our extended trip before the new week begins. Most importantly, I was able to help Robby prepare for prom.

Although he didn't have a date (none of his friend group dates), he was meeting his crew at the venue. Scott took him shopping last week and the pair picked out a nice black suit with a silver shirt. I know that I am biased, but he was so handsome! He was nervous before the dance but the smile on his face radiated through the parking lot when we picked him up. He had a blast!

Yesterday was spent unpacking, cleaning and working. I feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. The next few days will be busy- Wish me luck!

 

 

Home

 Today my mom comes home from rehab. She has been in a hospital for 12 days now and everybody, especially her dog, are eager for her to come home. Initially the rehab team wanted to keep her until Sunday but they were persuaded to discharge her early. I'm concerned that she is not entirely ready but I also recognize that you can't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do. 

I just hope that she is ready because, given her current pain levels and mobility issues, I am concerned. She continues to struggle with intense pain which has impacted her ability to fully participate in her therapy. Movement is still both difficult and painful. I suppose I worry that she is coming home because she insisted and not because she is truly ready. 

Regardless of her readiness, she is coming home. I spent last night cleaning up her bedroom and packing my things. With my Mom coming home today and my niece returning from college, Timmy and I are losing our room. I feel guilty leaving as she is just coming home, but Robby has prom this weekend and I am on the decorating committee.  Thankfully my mom will have a full house with a lot of help over the weekend.