Panic Countdown

 The cold rain, which was supposed to stop yesterday evening, is still falling. I didn't need to get out of bed to know that it was still miserable outside. My tibia felt like it had been hit with a bat whenever I moved my leg. I managed to get through the majority of the day without impactful pain, a gift which I greatly appreciate, but my luck wore out when the sun set. 

Almost as soon as night began to fall my leg began to ache. The phantom pain that I had been expecting all day finally arrived, and she was making up for lost time. Because I had accomplished so much during the day, I did not feel guilty popping off my leg and crawling into bed early. I was able to sleep, probably because I was exhausted from cooking and cleaning all day, but the rest was fitful and uncomfortable. 

The rain is supposed to clear soon and I'm hoping that the pain will depart with it. The temperatures are supposed to plunge, but it is typically the precipitation that causes me the discomfort. I can handle the cold- as long as I am inside by the fire. Friend will be especially displeased with the sudden onset of frigid weather. At least our short walks will be driven by him and not because of my leg pain.

We are in the final countdown for Christmas and I do not have time to rest. Santa comes in a few days and his elves haven't wrapped anything yet. I'm definitely feeling the holiday pressure right now!

 

Painful Prep

 The Snowman is steadily counting down the minutes until Christmas. I don't feel prepared or ready, but I never do so this sense of panic feels normal and oddly comforting. I'm doing exactly what I should be doing at this time before Christmas: panic. 

The only people coming to my house this year are my Mom and my sister and her kids so any expectation that the house would be spotless has already been squashed. I feel overwhelmed by the amount of wrapping I need to undertake. Unfortunately I can't really do any of the wrapping until I have the house to myself. Ironically, a quiet house was one of my Christmas wishes. If I can't find time today to wrap, I'm going to have to send the boys out for lunch and a movie tomorrow. 

Today will be miserable outside. To our great disappointment, we are getting cold rain in lieu of snow. My leg is feeling the precipitation but I'm hoping that I will walk out of the pain as the day progresses. I have way too much to do today to deal with pain so I am praying that my limb and the phantom pain overlords will cooperate. Fingers crossed.

Snow Ready

My house may be under decorated compared to previous years but it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas outside. For the first time in more than a decade, it looks like we might have a White Christmas. The boys, especially Timmy, is overjoyed with the prospect of sledding with his cousins on Christmas. In his eyes, it would make the day absolutely perfect.

Because snow is on the way later this week, the boys spent yesterday outside working on the leaves. Since it is Restitution Week, the final opportunity to make amends with Santa for all naughty transgressions throughout the year, I did not have to field complaints or procrastination. Talk about a nice change.

Timmy must be especially worried about his place on Santa's list because he raked like a man on a mission. Although the work was both dirty and tiring, it was nice being outside with everybody. Even Friend got into the action, happily chasing every stick we through out of the yard and into the woods. It took two hours and the yard is now ready for winter and for snow. 

Now we just wait for the flakes to start falling.

Christmas Countdown

 I cannot believe that we are down to the final countdown to Christmas. Although I have been counting down on my Snowman since September, I still feel rushed as the days tick down. I am done with shopping but I have not begun to wrap. I think once that is done I'll feel more relaxed. At least, that is what I'm telling myself right now.

Our weekend was relaxed but busy. We spent a lot of time running small errands but, at the end of the day, it was hard to pinpoint an accomplishment. Of course, Sunday was spent watching the World Cup. I don't follow the sport, but even I recognized an amazing game! 

I suppose one of the benefits of having an errand-running weekend was the extended time off of my leg. My sore, which had been making me miserable last week, is now nonexistent. Those blister Band-Aids are little miracle workers. I highly recommend that every amputee keep a box handy for those little skin malfunctions.  

With my leg completely healed and Christmas in the final countdown, this coming week will be busy. All of the boys are on vacation, so I expect a houseful of late sleepers as they completely unwind and relax. Thankfully I am accustomed to getting up early to take advantage of the quiet (and now productive) hours.

Getting Better

 It seems that my sore mitigation protocols were effective. Although I can still feel it, the intensity decreased as the day progressed. By nightfall I was walking Friend without my limp and felt a spring returning to my step. This morning I feel great, although I still plan on taking it easy today to make sure it continues to heal. 

The fact that I am waking up to an ice storm this morning certainly helps my "take it easy" plan. I enjoy playing in the leaves, in the rain and in the snow, but I do not do ice. I avoid ice at all costs. My little pup has the same ice aversion. This morning he refused to budge past our porch because of the freezing rain. 

Today will be busy with work, school, baking and staying cozy by the fire. Although my Snowman has been counting down since September, it is almost impossible to fathom that Christmas is 10 days away. Time has flown by so quickly, especially with the chaos and confusion of the autumn. I am beginning to feel overwhelmed by everything that we need to do, but I am also aware that nothing is so pressing that it is worthy of anxiety and stress. 

This year, I want a relaxed Christmas.

Little Painful Sore

 Ugh. I've been so frustrated for the past 24 hours because I have been reminded of my mobility vulnerability. I had plans for the beginning of the week which included significant baking and exterior decorating. I have the ingredients lined up and my pans are ready. Unfortunately, my plans have been stymied by an enraged ingrown hair on the edge of my tibia. 

I'm amazed how an utterly benign looking pimple could create so much discomfort. I felt it forming over the weekend and immediately began my mitigation protocols.  I managed to keep the sore from growing and breaking so I am going to consider the efforts a success. 

The tiny sore on my tibia ruled all of my activities yesterday. I thought about it when I was walking the dog, when I was making dinner and every single time I was called into another room to answer a question or to find a lost item. My limb was prominent throughout the day as I tried to avoid the pain that was caused when my socket pressed against my tibia. 

Pain is exhausting. I was so tired last night yet I felt like I had accomplished so little. This morning the sore is still there but is not as prominent. I am going to continue to protect it as much as possible. I really don't have time for skin issues right now.

Vacation week

Another Christmas season weekend has come and gone. My house now has more baked goods, is holding a few more hidden presents and is decked out with more lights and blow-up figures. It is definitely looking (and feeling) a lot like Christmas!

This is the last week of school before the beginning of Christmas break. At the beginning of this new school year I was so frazzled I wasn't sure how we would navigate to this point. Thankfully everything has worked out. Timmy has settled into his new school and we have adjusted to the new schedule and expectations. It definitely wasn't easy, but I finally feel like I am back in control of my schedule. 

This week will be busy but rather uneventful. Vacation starts Friday afternoon for the boys, so I know that there eyes are looking ahead. Hopefully any surprises this week will be fun!