Hershey Park

 With Robby living his dream in Normandy, Scott and I decided to take advantage of the alone time with Timmy. We turned our weekend into a mini getaway vacation and went to Hershey PA for the weekend. Thank you to my Mom for agreeing, as we predicted, to dog sit for us so that we could sneak out to a hotel for the night. I know that Friend has a great time with his puppy cousins, so it was a vacation for him too!

Saturday morning we drove to PA, dropped Friend off at my Mom's and headed to check into our hotel. After checking in we immediately went to the arcade where Timmy played until he won enough tickets for the prized helicopter. Then we went to Red Robin (his favorite) for dinner before returning to lounge and play in the hotel pool until bedtime.

On Sunday morning we had breakfast and then I dropped the pair off at the amusement park. While they were busy riding and whipping around the park, I was able to just hang out with my Mom for the afternoon. Around dinnertime I received the call to come pick them up. 

They were pink, tired and very happy when they crawled into the car for the ride back home. Timmy loves Hershey Park and thoroughly enjoyed his 'bro day'. 

Hershey isn't as grand as Normandy, but I think Timmy had a blast on his centric weekend.

 

Useful

 I received a call earlier this week inviting me to work during summer school. Although I was initially hesitant to give up some of my vacation time, I quickly agreed because the sessions are only in the morning and would be done before most are even awake in my house.  Yesterday was my first day at summer school and it exceeded my expectations. 

It was fantastic being back with my students. I cannot believe how much I missed seeing them and being part of their lives.  While I'm not delighted with the heat, I'm glad that I agreed to work. It will make the next few weeks move quicker and allow me to feel more useful. 

While I have been prepping for summer school, my Koopa is living his best life in Normandy. I haven't spoken with him much, but he has been good about providing a regular stream of photos and selfies. I can tell from his smile that he is where he wants to be, and I couldn't be happier for him.

 

Happiness

 While I was sad to say goodbye to Robby, seeing the smile on his photos from New Orleans is all the confirmation I need to know that he is where he needs to be. He spent yesterday making new friends and exploring the museum. Today he flies to Paris to begin his big Normandy adventure. I think I'm probably as excited as him!

Much to my mother's delight, her electric was restored earlier than anticipated. My sister called her around lunchtime to convey the good news. I thought that my mom might want to hang around for another day or so to allow the swamp air to clear out of her home, but she was up and packing almost as soon as I hung up the phone. I know that she enjoyed the visit, but ultimately her desire to reunite with her dog and her cat made the decision to return home easy.

I know my mom was happy to return to her own bed and her animals, but I did enjoy having her visit. She doesn't like to travel and stay away from her own bed, so overnight visits are extremely rare. I hope that she will come more often because we all enjoyed her visiting. Alas, I fear her puppy will always win that battle. :)

 

 

He's Off!

 As soon as he landed in New Orleans Robby's excitement surpassed his anxiety. He checked in with the program organizers before heading to his favorite pizza place near the museum. In the evening he was already hanging out with his roommate and a few new friends, exploring Bourbon Street and having an amazing time. 

I don't think I need to worry about Robby feeling lonely on this trip. Although not naturally an extrovert, when he makes a decision to be sociable he is charming and gravitating. He sent me a text before his plane took-off, vowing to be 'sociable Robert' and he is living up to his promise.

While Robby was en route to Louisiana, Scott and I were heading to PA to pick up my Mom. She lost power on July 4th. Although she was a trooper in the dark, humid heat, having her wait for an anticipated repair date of July 8 at 11 PM felt nonsensical. We have air conditioning, lots of room and a kiddo delighted with a Nana sleepover. It took more coaxing than I care to admit to convince her to come down, but I'm delighted that she is here.

 

Departing!

 It is a momentous day in our home. This morning Robby is embarking on his incredible adventure with Normandy Academy through the National WWII Museum. Attending Normandy Academy became a goal when he learned about the program four years ago. Since that time he has applied annually for the opportunity. After a lot of hard work, this is his year and today he heads to New Orleans.

The past weekend was spent helping Robby get packed and organized for his adventure. (This is his first time traveling internationally without a parent and he is a tad nervous.) Finally, after multiple trips to the store for 'final' items, the suitcase was zipped up yesterday afternoon around 4.  I hugged Scott and Robby goodbye and the pair headed to DC for the night in anticipation of an early morning departure.

I was more excited than sad when I was hugging Robby goodbye. I am so incredibly excited for the experiences that he is going to have that my missing him is completely inconsequential. I cannot wait for him to come home and relay everything he did, but I am looking forward to text messages and photos throughout the trip. 

While Robby is away, I'm going to be able to focus exclusively on Timmy. After hugging Robby and his Dad goodbye, he and I headed to Red Robin for a fun dinner. When we returned home he rode his bike in the rain and through mud puddles, delighting that his 'dirt time' is finally living up to its name. 

 

 

Hot Hot Hot- But I'm not Weak

 Per tradition, it seems that our annual pilgrimage to Ohio always occurs during an intense heatwave. This year was no exception. With temperatures in the triple digits, we were all melting. It was a delightful visit, but I certainly wish we would visit when it was cooler. 

As an amputee, the heat is difficult for me to tolerate. Contrary to popular opinion, this is not because I am of a weaker disposition or because I am prone to complaining more. When a limb is amputated, the ability for the body to regulate temperature is disrupted. My body does not cool as efficiently.

Research has proven that below-knee amputees expend an average of 20% more effort to simply walk than our biped peers. So yes, my body is actually working harder to move around the house even if I make it look easy. In these temperatures, every movement is impactful.

My leg is swaddled in silicone and confined inside a black, carbon fiber socket. Airflow is nonexistent. If I were to lay out with my prosthesis on, my leg would experience burns without seeing the light of day. 

Heatwaves are miserable, but they are worse when you have a disability. If you are struggling, be kind to yourself and rest. Intolerance to this heat is not a sign of weakness, but is rather a result of battles forged. We are stronger than people realize, even if we do melt in the heat.

 Don't forget to drink water! 

Hot

 Greetings from a sweltering Ohio. 

It's hot.  I'm surviving.  We will be home in a few hours.