Quick Mud

I had my own little Tough Mudder yesterday, although I was woefully unprepared for the event.

While trying to help Timmy, who is much smaller and adept at hopping over or under obstacles, I had to scale fallen trees and traverse through downed limbs and thickets. He had no problem maneuvering over and around the forest obstacles, but it was not nearly as easy for me. I thought it might be easier to just walk through the stream so I decided to sacrifice a dry foot (I don't care if the prosthetic foot is wet because I can't feel it) and I hopped into the stream. 

WRONG decision!

With my third step off the rocky shore I ended up in quick mud. I tried to walk and my prosthetic was lodged in the mud. I held onto the side and pulled it up as I tried to walk. Despite my efforts, I ended up sinking to the trim line of my socket in the deep and squishy mud. My other leg then began to sink, knocking me off kilter and pushing me into the water. Thankfully a rock to my ribs broke my fall as I contorted on the way down in an attempt to save my cell phone from a watery grave.

After several frantic moments, I was finally able to dig out and break the mud seal around my leg, allowing me to pull it out. I threw it onto the bank and commando crawled out of the stream, through the mud, and under the thicket bushes until I was finally to a clear area to stand and re-don my leg. Every inch caused something to be cut or scraped. By the time I was in a clearance I looked like a bloody mud monster. I broke down and sobbed before pulling myself together (literally).

I struggled to get my leg on, but after a few attempts I was finally able to walk. Of course, the suspension system was lousy after being covered with mud, so I had to walk up from the stream trying to hold my leg on while maneuvering our very specific path. Each step was just another source of misery.

Every single part of me is sore this morning and I have cuts all over my scalp. Yesterday was my first experience with quick mud. I would not recommend it.

Leaches?

Spring has sprung in Virginia. Our trees are in full bloom, covering the lawn with pretty little pedals every time a strong breeze blows. My weeping cherry trees are especially pretty this year. At times I find myself lost in thought, just staring out the window at my pretty trees. The blooms never last long and soon the flowers will be gone and the trees will camouflage back into the woods.

After school the boys and I decided to take advantage of the spring weather by cleaning a path to the stream. Timmy planted a flag on Robby Island, overthrowing him and renaming the territory "Timmy Island with sometimes Robby." While I was busy clearing brush and Timmy was running through the stream, Robby was busy metal detecting. (Unfortunately, the metal detector batteries died about 10 minutes into the effort.)

I had forgotten how much fun the boys have at the stream. I also forgot how difficult it is for me to travel down there. The walk would be so much easier if we could clear the branches and ginormous fallen trees for a path. Sigh. I guess I have another thing on my to-do list. In the meantime, I'm going to strive for a path clear of thorns and poison ivy while accepting that I will have to walk over dead trees and branches. It won't be an easy or relaxing walk, but it is going to be manageable.  

After playing for about an hour, we headed back up to get ready for dinner. Timmy was covered with mud. Per our protocol, I went inside to run a bath while he stripped down outside. When I went to retrieve his muddy clothes, I realized that he was wearing two pairs of jeans, two pairs of his underpants and one pair of mine.

I asked him why he wore so many clothes and my underpants. His answer was succinct. "I was afraid there would be leaches and I wanted to protect my penis. Your underpants are a lot bigger so they provided a lot of protection." 

Well, I asked.

Magic Maker

This year I completely bonked on our Saint Patrick's Day traditions. I woke up and decorated Timmy's room for the holiday, but we failed to make our traditional leprechaun trap. I had hoped that he forgot but his classmates leprechaun trap failures that morning was the reminder I dreaded. 

Somehow, I managed to convince him that leprechauns come on both Saint Patrick's Day eve and on the night proper so we still had an opportunity to try to catch the little bugger.  Eventually Timmy was able to turn the situation around in his head so that he had the advantage. Surely the leprechauns were tired from all of the visiting the night before and the partying of the day so they would be easier to catch. I liked that logic so I decided to embrace it. Yes Timmy. Drunk leprechauns are easier to catch.

Friday night Scott, Timmy and Robby all worked to create a trap that would surely be successful. Lined with a glue trap and baited with cookies and gold dust over a trap door, the boys set it out before bed.  I made a mental note to wake up early to flip the trap and create a leprechaun mess. (Ironically, having a 'lived in' home helps because I don't have to work too hard to create the leprechaun chaos.) 

I woke up Saturday morning, took one step into the hallway and my jaw dropped. Toilet paper was strewn down the hallway.  The living room was a mess and the trap was triggered with a dollar and some coins were scattered around it. The toilet water was even dyed green!  

In the middle of the night, without prompting, Robby decided to assume the role of Magic Maker. Without my asking he recreated the trap traditions to perfection simply to make his little brother happy. I was oddly overwhelmed with emotion and pride. By making one simple mess in the living room, Robby provided me a glimpse into the type of father/uncle/friend that he will be one day. 

He is a Magic Maker.

Saint Patrick's Day

 Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

For some reason I am going to be managing a full house all day. So much for getting everybody back to routine! Robby's enrichment school is on Spring break this week and Scott has decided to take today off. I am dreading logging Timmy into class this morning because he is going to resent being the only one (sans me) who has to work today.  

Since he is retiring next year, Scott has decided to take off on the teacher professional development days. Instead of sitting on his thumbs in meetings all day he is going to be home relaxing. Since he no longer needs Professional development, I can't say I blame his decision. I remember those teacher meetings and I would have happily scheduled off had it been an option. 

Today will surely be chaotic. Wish me luck!

Walking Away

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous! It was a little breezy and cool but the bright sun more than made up for the chill. After a few days of twinging discomfort my leg finally felt strong and comfortable in my socket. Friend and I ended up walking more than 16k steps during our many walks.

Walking Friend has become my solace. While Timmy loves to come along, I have to admit that I have a special affinity for the walks where I am alone. Sometimes I find myself sneaking out for a walk simply because I need the space to think by myself. Many days walking Friend only time of the day that I don't have somebody next to me. 

My walks are especially enjoyable when my leg fits perfectly. Socket fit issues have become more common and increasingly frustrating. I've lost weight over the winter and, while I love that my jeans no longer fit, my socket is now too big. I am back to adjusting with socks and pads which is a game I've never enjoyed playing. I have become spoiled by great fitting legs and I am now frustrated anytime I have to don socks.

Soon I'm going to have to start the process for a new leg. In the meantime, I am going to thoroughly appreciate every time my leg fits great.

Better

Despite my fatigue and much to my delight my leg felt stronger and less pain as the day progressed.  By the time I was getting lunches ready I was no longer feeling the after effects of the phantom pain. Thank goodness for a quick episode this time!  

With the phantom pain under control my day went relatively smoothly yesterday. After a rather frustrating and chaotic weekend, I think everybody was happy to return to the comfort of our routines. Even Timmy seemed content to log into his classes and to put the weekend antics behind him. It was so nice to have a calm house again.  

Today the sun is bright and happy. I'm hoping that this will help to continue to lighten everybody's mood.

Misery

 This past weekend has not been our best. The weather was miserable which seemed to match the mood in our home. Everybody seemed to be on edge and grumpy. I'd attribute it to the time change, but the issues seemed to start as soon as school closed on Friday. From snarky bickering to full meltdowns, navigating parenting issues over the past few days has been rough.

Last night I ended up sending everybody to bed a little earlier than normal with the hopes that they would wake up with a happier perspective. Knowing that I surely contributed to the grumpiness opted to follow my own advice. I'd love to say I slept soundly and I am ready to rock a new week, but that would be dishonest.  

As soon as I took off my leg I began to feel the all-too familiar twinges of phantom pain. I had no doubt that the snow/rain that had been falling all day was the culprit, but knowing the cause did nothing to minimize the pain. I wrapped my leg tightly, pulled my knee tight to my chest and tried to breath through the twinges until they finally subsided. Perhaps apt to our weekend, my night was as pleasant as my weekend. 

Hopefully today will be better. Phantom pain is as miserable as snarky teens and frustrated 8 year olds.