This morning I am entering my third and final day of working the AOPA Conference in Vancouver. Yesterday was busy but productive, so the day moved quickly and I didn't have a chance to feel homesick. I'm hoping that the pattern will repeat itself again today. I love working conferences when I'm busy talking and networking with others. It is when the booth becomes slow that time seems to stand still.
When I haven't been working I have been glued to the television. The Confirmation Hearing has been both heartbreaking and frustrating to watch. I am ashamed of the circus in Washington DC.
Like so many women across the country, the topic of sexual assault hits home. Wounds that have been covered and concealed are again raw with pain and emotion. I find myself on the verge of tears as I reflect upon my own experiences. I am a strong and independent woman, yet some memories can still bring me to my knees.
Today is not the occasion for me to explore my own memories or emotions. Instead, I need to concentrate on the conference and my appointed tasks. Hopefully staying busy will help to keep my emotions at bay during this emotionally wrought time.
About Me
- Peggy
- I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Homesick
Yesterday was productive albeit long. I had a great time reuniting with some friends and making new acquaintances. Conferences are always long days, but from a professional networking perspective, opportunities abound.
Because of the conference schedule, I was able to escape the exhibit hall for a few hours to walk around the Vancouver waterfront. I enjoyed looking around, but the scenery and sightseeing experience made me miss my boys even more. Every time I saw a ship or a biplane my mind went to how excited my boys if they were with me. I miss my boys!
Today will be spent in the exhibit hall, meeting new people and talking about prosthetics. I'm looking forward to talking with practitioners about options in socket technology. Components receive so much attention, yet the foundation for each device is often overlooked. Hopefully we can change some perspectives today and get more prosthetists thinking about enhancing socket comfort for their patients!
Wish me luck, and if you are in Vancouver please stop by booth 218 (LIM Innovations) and say hello!
Because of the conference schedule, I was able to escape the exhibit hall for a few hours to walk around the Vancouver waterfront. I enjoyed looking around, but the scenery and sightseeing experience made me miss my boys even more. Every time I saw a ship or a biplane my mind went to how excited my boys if they were with me. I miss my boys!
Today will be spent in the exhibit hall, meeting new people and talking about prosthetics. I'm looking forward to talking with practitioners about options in socket technology. Components receive so much attention, yet the foundation for each device is often overlooked. Hopefully we can change some perspectives today and get more prosthetists thinking about enhancing socket comfort for their patients!
Wish me luck, and if you are in Vancouver please stop by booth 218 (LIM Innovations) and say hello!
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Long Day of Travel
Hello from Vancouver!
Yesterday can be summed up in one succinct word: exhausting. I knew that it was going to be a long day and the journey definitely lived up to my expectations. After a nearly 20 hour work day, I was beyond grateful to fall into a comfortable bed last night.
I slept solid and feeling ready for the challenges ahead. I haven't had the opportunity to explore the city beyond traveling from the convention center to the hotel, but I'm hoping to be able to walk around the marina during lunch. If you are at the AOPA conference, please stop through the exhibit hall to say hello!
Yesterday can be summed up in one succinct word: exhausting. I knew that it was going to be a long day and the journey definitely lived up to my expectations. After a nearly 20 hour work day, I was beyond grateful to fall into a comfortable bed last night.
I slept solid and feeling ready for the challenges ahead. I haven't had the opportunity to explore the city beyond traveling from the convention center to the hotel, but I'm hoping to be able to walk around the marina during lunch. If you are at the AOPA conference, please stop through the exhibit hall to say hello!
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Vancouver Bound
Timmy is again waking up at my Mom's house. I felt horrible yesterday afternoon as I was driving away from him. I know that he is in great hands and having a wonderful time with his Nana and his older (and adoring) cousins, but leaving him again is difficult.
As my calendar quickly filled through the month, I knew that September was going to be arduous. I am accustomed to traveling once every three months. This will be my third trip away in as many weeks. Thankfully this will be my last work trip for awhile. I am definitely not made for this lifestyle!
This morning I'm hopping on an insanely early flight for Vancouver. Even though I'm travel weary, I'm looking forward to attending the conference. I enjoy reuniting with friends and networking professionally. The next few days will be busy but productive. Hopefully I won't miss my kiddos too much if I'm as busy as I anticipate.
As my calendar quickly filled through the month, I knew that September was going to be arduous. I am accustomed to traveling once every three months. This will be my third trip away in as many weeks. Thankfully this will be my last work trip for awhile. I am definitely not made for this lifestyle!
This morning I'm hopping on an insanely early flight for Vancouver. Even though I'm travel weary, I'm looking forward to attending the conference. I enjoy reuniting with friends and networking professionally. The next few days will be busy but productive. Hopefully I won't miss my kiddos too much if I'm as busy as I anticipate.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Robby's Bad Day
It is safe to say that Friday was a difficult day for the entire Chenoweth family. Scott was frustrated by work issues and I felt like I was chasing my tail all day. Unfortunately, Robby received the shortest end of the bad day straw.
The day began to go south when I drove Robby to his home economics/ cooking class. Typically only a 20 minute drive, I allotted myself 30 minutes to arrive early. I didn't expect the seemingly meaningless back-up on the highway. I watched anxiously as my time buffer slowly began to fade. We had planned to be early but ended up being three minutes late.
Although we were late, I really didn't think that it would impact Robby. Well, it turns out that tasks are assigned before class begins, which was promptly at 2:00. By 2:03 all of the "fun" cooking jobs had been claimed. Robby's teacher gave him a lone bell pepper and told him to cut it up.
Robby took the pepper and got to work. After chopping his pepper he waited for another task to be assigned. When one never materialized, he continued to work on the pepper. After 45 minutes of chopping the same pepper until it was a gelatinous green mess, the teacher finally took notice. In hindsight, Robby admits that he should have garnered the courage to tell his teacher that he was done chopping the pepper before it was completely obliterated. He didn't want to speak out of turn so he figured it was safer to remain quiet. Lesson learned.
As the classroom delicacies were being passed out, Robby asked his teacher for a small amount. She said okay and then turned to get a bowl. For some reason, Robby took this as an opportunity to walk away from the line to get a sip of water from the water fountain. By the time he returned everybody else had been served and he didn't want to draw attention by asking the teacher again for his bowl. Another lesson learned- Don't walk away after you request something.
His bad school day continued into his WWII battle strategy class. The students were assigned battle position based upon the roll of a dice. Robby rolled a six, which placed him in the center of the major battle. His army was eliminated in the first round. He was supposed to reenter the game when another competitor was able to refresh their troops. Unfortunately Robby was too embarrassed to ask for clarification, and he sat the entire game out. Another lesson learned: Don't be afraid to ask your teacher a question.
This school year has been a transition for all of us, most importantly Robby. He is expected to be more independent and to advocate for himself. I see a lot of personal growth in his future.
The day began to go south when I drove Robby to his home economics/ cooking class. Typically only a 20 minute drive, I allotted myself 30 minutes to arrive early. I didn't expect the seemingly meaningless back-up on the highway. I watched anxiously as my time buffer slowly began to fade. We had planned to be early but ended up being three minutes late.
Although we were late, I really didn't think that it would impact Robby. Well, it turns out that tasks are assigned before class begins, which was promptly at 2:00. By 2:03 all of the "fun" cooking jobs had been claimed. Robby's teacher gave him a lone bell pepper and told him to cut it up.
Robby took the pepper and got to work. After chopping his pepper he waited for another task to be assigned. When one never materialized, he continued to work on the pepper. After 45 minutes of chopping the same pepper until it was a gelatinous green mess, the teacher finally took notice. In hindsight, Robby admits that he should have garnered the courage to tell his teacher that he was done chopping the pepper before it was completely obliterated. He didn't want to speak out of turn so he figured it was safer to remain quiet. Lesson learned.
As the classroom delicacies were being passed out, Robby asked his teacher for a small amount. She said okay and then turned to get a bowl. For some reason, Robby took this as an opportunity to walk away from the line to get a sip of water from the water fountain. By the time he returned everybody else had been served and he didn't want to draw attention by asking the teacher again for his bowl. Another lesson learned- Don't walk away after you request something.
His bad school day continued into his WWII battle strategy class. The students were assigned battle position based upon the roll of a dice. Robby rolled a six, which placed him in the center of the major battle. His army was eliminated in the first round. He was supposed to reenter the game when another competitor was able to refresh their troops. Unfortunately Robby was too embarrassed to ask for clarification, and he sat the entire game out. Another lesson learned: Don't be afraid to ask your teacher a question.
This school year has been a transition for all of us, most importantly Robby. He is expected to be more independent and to advocate for himself. I see a lot of personal growth in his future.
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