Heading to the Heat

 Today we are packing up and heading to Pennsylvania. We are going to hang out at my Mom's for the evening before heading to Gettysburg Friday afternoon. This weekend FlexyFriends will be vending at the Military Weekend at the World War II Experience. Needless to say, we have been printing nonstop in preparation.

Unfortunately, it is going to be hot. Of course, it is the end of July so heat should be expected, but these temperatures are supposed to flirt with dangerous. Worried, Scott went out and bought a battery operated misting fan. This monstrosity sits over a 5 gallon bucket of ice water and throws a cold mist 14 feet out. I have a feeling that much of our traffic may be due to our makeshift cooling station. 

In addition to the cooling fan we are trying to remember as much as possible to make our weekend sitting in the sun tolerable. We have our pop-shelter, chairs, battery operated fans, snacks and power banks already piled into the car. My mom has graciously agreed to watch Timmy for us on Friday afternoon through Sunday, allowing him to be part of the event without having to suffer through the endless hours in the heat. While we are pushing plastic toys in an outdoor sauna, he will be happily swimming and splashing with my mom in a pool. He definitely has the better end of our weekend.

All In

 Robby and Scott had a great time on their university tour yesterday. Robby thoroughly enjoyed showing his dad around campus and talking about the different possibilities. Scott managed to keep it together and not break down publicly. I am very proud of them both- Robby is maturing into a remarkable and interesting young man and Scott is allowing him to grow.  

While the boys were touring Timmy and I hung out at home. We worked on his next rocket, which is bigger and more powerful than our original version, and researched more facts about space. I continue to be impressed by how much he knows about space. It seems that when my boys get an interest they go all in.

Today is busy with meetings. It isn't going to be a fun day, but it is necessary. Wish me luck.

Bored

Another weekend has come and gone. During the summer the days seem to blend together and the passing of another weekend has become my gauge of time. I am beginning to feel as if my life is on a giant loop with the same days passing over and over and over again. This summer has been extraordinarily boring. I really miss having a pool!

Today Robby and Scott are taking a trip to visit Shepherd University, the school he toured last week. I'm not saying that he is getting closer to a decision, but the fact that he wants to take his dad to see the school is a huge sign. Scott, who is having a difficult time with Robby possibly leaving for school next year, is going to struggle to keep a check on his emotions during this tour.  

While Robby and Scott are touring, Timmy and I will hold down the fort at home. This afternoon I hope to log off for awhile so we can play in the splash pad. It may not be a pool, but we can still make it fun!  

I've got to do something to shake up this boring summer!

Flea Markets

Timmy has thoroughly enjoyed his week at camp and I think we are all a little sad to see it come to an end.  Watching him run and play has been the highlight of an otherwise lackluster week. With the weather being icky at best and my leg not cooperating, I have been tethered to the AC. While I am incredibly grateful for the cool air inside, I am frustrated with my inability to go outside because of my leg.  

This weekend the temperatures are supposed to fall so we decided it was a perfect opportunity for another run at the flea market.  The boys are looking forward to scouting out a new area so it seems that everybody is on board. Hopefully my leg will cooperate because, even with the lower temperature, it will still be relatively hot. I'm really hoping I don't walk out of my leg again, especially at the flea market.

Robby and Scott have both been invested in growing FlexyFriends. This weekend we have the flea market and next weekend we are setting up as vendors at the World War II Experience in Gettysburg. We've never done the official vendor at an event route and we are both nervous and excited. Our printer has been running nonstop to grow inventory. This weekend we hope to test some new critters to gauge interest before the big event.

Wish us luck!

Hot Hot Hot

 Yesterday was spent playing chauffeur to the boys. Between Ninja Tumbling and Guitar/Band, I was driving non-stop short distance trips all day and into the evening. They both adore their activities so, while the constant driving becomes weary over time, seeing their smiles and hearing them chatting about their experiences makes it worthwhile. 

When I wasn't driving I was inside. My ill-fitting socket combined with the excessive heat makes wearing my prosthesis for long periods of time impossible. After I am outside for more than an hour I start to piston out of my socket because of the lubrication provided by the sweat. I've tried every remedy from my arsenal and I even included a few new ones but, so far, nothing has solved the issue. The only way I can continue to walk comfortably and safely right now is under the comfort of our air conditioning. 

Considering that we don't have a pool and it is absolutely miserable outside, I am not devastated that I have a solid excuse for staying cool.

Tour

Yesterday was busy for our little family. I kept my morning routine of rising early to work with the modification of waking up two hours earlier than normal. I knew I was going to have to log off for the entire afternoon because Robby and I were heading to another college tour. While we were busy touring, Scott took Timmy to Ninja Warrior camp.  Summer days where everybody has something on their calendar are rare.

It was hot -borderline obscene to be specific- and I struggled on the tour. The guide and our little group moved quickly across the campus and I had a difficult time keeping up with them. The heat compromised my suspension system and I kept walking out of my leg. I know that Robby was feeling a combination of frustration and embarrassment that I was lagging behind and fidgeting with my prosthesis. I felt horrible about the situation but there was nothing that I could do. It was 100 degrees and my leg was literally sliding off!

I know that Robby was embarrassed by my prosthetic issues, something that he has rarely indicated throughout his childhood. I recognized that he was nervous and wanted to simply blend in with everybody else. Having your mom waddling behind the group and constantly tugging at her liner and socket most certainly did not lend itself to blending into the crowd. I became so frustrated I wanted to cry but that probably would have drawn even more attention away from the tour. 

Despite the heat, Robby thoroughly enjoyed his college tour. The campus is reminiscent of where I did my undergrad and I knew that Robby was noting the similarities. Although he liked the school we visited in April, it was immediately clear that this school was a better fit for him. During this tour he kept whispering how he could see himself going there. Personally, I think it is where he will declare but I am doing my best to have him come to his own decision. 

I wasn't surprised that Timmy had a great time at Ninja Warrior camp. He met me at the top of the stairs when we came home to tell me all about his first day at camp. It seems that it was a difficult day for me but a great one for everybody else. I'll take it.

College tour

 Thank goodness for our little splash pad. Between the obscene temperature and the high humidity, the misery index has been high for much of the past week. Timmy has been delighted to play with his new splash pad while everybody else seeks the cool solace of our air conditioning. 

Today we will all venture beyond our cooled doors back into society. Timmy is attending another week of summer camp and is looking forward to running and climbing with new friends. While he is busy playing on the trampolines, Robby and I are heading to our second college tour.

This afternoon he is touring Shepherd University, which is about 80-90 minutes from our home. Despite being so close, we did not know of the school's existence until recently. But with Robby entering his Senior year (gulp!) our family has been learning a lot about universities, majors, financial aid and scholarships. On paper this university seems to be a perfect match for Robby, but he will have a better idea when he sees the campus. The thought of him leaving in a mere 12 months is overwhelming but the excitement that he feels for his future is contagious. Hopefully it will be enough to carry me through the next emotional year!