Cold

I suppose that, if I were to really look for a silver lining, social distancing and wearing masks had a benefit.  I haven't had a cold virus since the pandemic. Yesterday I woke up and realized that my streak had been broken. I have a cold and I'm miserable.

I took two rapid Covid tests (I wasn't certain that I did the first one correctly) and both were negative. I'm thrilled that I managed to dodge Covid (again), but this cold is knocking me for a loop. Today will be spent resting as much as possible and taking a long nap as soon as Scott gets home.

Hopefully this will be a short lived virus.

Return to Circle Time

I woke up this morning with my jaw frozen from being clenched all night. It took me about five minutes and a heating pad to finally loosen it up. I am not sure why I was clenching because my stress level wasn't higher than normal. I guess it is just one of those weird adult things. Sometimes, especially when the aches and pains materialize, being an adult stinks!

With my jaw loosened and my leg comfortable, I'm ready for the day. It is raining (again), which means we will be inside most of the day. I'm hoping that the rain washes the pollen out of the air. The blooming trees are beautiful, but they are not playing nice with my allergies.

Always an adventure, Timmy resumes Circle Time this morning. He is looking forward to seeing his friends and his teacher. Because he takes an interesting spin on whatever is being taught, I find eavesdropping on his classes humorous. Fingers crossed he doesn't say anything wildly inappropriate.

Breaking Out

 In a massive shift from my normal weekend routine, I spent Saturday away from the house and family. I left Scott with the kids and went to hang out with a new friend for the day. This was the first time in a very long time, perhaps since Covid, that I spent a solid 8 hours away from home for non-work reasons. I had a great time and came back feeling happier and energized.

I had forgotten how spending time with friends is good for my soul. I become so tangled with household and work responsibilities that I neglect myself. I am a better mom, wife and employee when I carve out some time for myself. Hopefully it won't be a few years before I take a respite from my routine and responsibilities.

Because I spent Saturday away from the house, I paid the price on Sunday. I had to tackle some work projects and housework. After spending nearly 8 hours working on my computer, I logged off and started to tidy the house. So much for feeling relaxed.

Taking a break is great, but the catch-up is frustrating!

Limb Loss Awareness Month

 Happy Limb Loss Awareness Month!

You didn't know that was a thing? That's okay. Most people don't! 

Just about every disability, disease and cause has a designated "month" which is used as a platform to promote a dialog. Considering that I discuss limb loss issues daily, the designation of an entire month will have little impact on my activities. Honestly, I find the constant designation of awareness months to be both overwhelming and redundant. I understand the reasoning, but I question the impact against the efforts and resources invested.

Regardless, April is "my month." Consider yourself aware.

Clutter

Yesterday was cool and sunny. Today it is drab and muggy. We are expecting heavy storms with damaging winds this afternoon and tonight. Welcome to springtime in Virginia. 

This has been one of those weeks where I feel like I'm chasing my own tail. I've had 3x the normal number of Zoom calls which has caused a domino effect on the rest of my time. Because I haven't had time to tidy up during the week, my house now looks like a clutter disaster zone. I continue to be amazed at how quickly organization can dissolve into chaos when left unattended. 

I really wish I had more help with the housework. Is it okay to admit that? I feel like I am the only person who sees the blankets strewn across the floor, the toys piled on the table and chairs and dirty laundry in just about every room. Friend, whom I love dearly, has a propensity for stealing socks and underpants. I have found chewed undergarments in every room of this house. 

Sigh. I think this is a battle for another day. Right now, I need to get ready for another Zoom.

Eating Mice

Friend has enriched our lives in the five months since he came into our home. He makes everybody smile. His cuddles are enough to brighten the hardest of days and the excitement that he exudes upon seeing us enter a room is always uplifting. (When you are the parent it is nice to have someone excited to see you.) 

While I love having Friend as part of our family, it hasn't all been sunshine and tail wagging. I've discovered that dog ownership is not for the faint of heart. Or, more specifically, it isn't for those with a weak stomach. For such a little pup he has managed to discover and gnaw on some gnarly things.

A few weeks ago he scooped a flattened frog off of the center of the road. I only knew that he had it in his mouth because I spied the stiff bent legs protruding from both sides of his clamped down mouth. He refused to let go of his prize upon command. Much like my children, he is not yet obedient. I pried open Friend's mouth so that Timmy could fling the amphibian like a Frisbee by the stiff flattened frog leg. This entire scene transpired against the backdrop of my retching.

Last night Friend took a leap into a leaf pile during our evening walk. He emerged with a white tail dangling out of his snout. I immediately screamed which caused Friend to release his treasure. He had a mouse. By the time I processed what I saw he had re-scooped and clamped down on his snack. 

I could not get him to let go of the mouse, which at this point he was thoroughly enjoying. I handed off the leash and began to vomit behind the wood pile.  In an effort to retrieve the mouse Scott picked up Friend, held him upside down and moved him up and down like a plunger. By the time he finally released the mouse I had emptied the entire contents of my stomach. 

At this point, I'm not looking forward to the treasures that Friend will discover during the summer.

Allergy Itching

 These seasonal allergies are throwing me for a loop. As if the sore eyes and running nose weren't uncomfortable enough, my skin has become itchy to the point of my scratching like a junkyard dog. I have been taking antihistamines and lotions to help, but they only mask the first layer of symptoms.

Saturday morning I woke up to discover that my limb was scratched raw. Trying to wear a liner and prosthesis over an open scratch wound is uncomfortable to the 5th degree. I tried to position a layer of gauze between my wound and the sticky silicone liner so I could walk with moderate success. I was able to get around but my steps were both tender and cautious. 

After getting my liner situated over my open scratches, I immediately cut my nails. I had been trying to grow them out, but I worried that I would keep scratching in my sleep. Until the allergies subside, I am safer with short nails (even if the look isn't fashionable.)