pain

 I'm glad I didn't have anywhere to go yesterday. It feels as if I was hiking up my pant leg and removing my prosthesis every few minutes. Comfort remained elusive as I desperately tried a variety of padding combinations. By the time evening finally came my leg was angry and the blister had fully developed. I ended up on the couch with an ice pack and my crutches. 

An evening of ice, compression and ibuprofen seemed to have worked. My leg is considerably more comfortable today although I have no intention of pushing my limits. The boys are home for Spring Break and I'm going to acquiesce all dog-walking duties for the next 24 hours. If I want to remain mobile, I need to allow my leg time to rest and to heal. 

Most days I am barely concerned with being an amputee. I am only bothered by my "disability" when my prosthesis isn't fitting well and I'm in pain. This has been one of those weeks and I'm becoming frustrated. I want my life back!

Padding

 Yesterday the boys slept in late as they were unwinding from the long trip and relishing in every moment of their Spring Break. While I might have been compelled to wake them earlier under different circumstances, I was delighted with the quiet and solitude that their slumber afforded me. I was able to sit on the couch and knock out an impressive number of items on my to-do list. The list is still overwhelming, but at least it is now a little shorter.

Today is rainy and miserable. The boys stayed up late last night playing a computer game together (Timmy is now able to hold is own against his brother) so I expect that they will sleep late. I could definitely get used to this schedule, but I know it won't last long. Next week everybody will be up early and scrambling around the house in a panic. I suppose that this 'break' is the equivalent of the mom vacation.

I am looking around my living room which is cluttered with luggage, boxes and bags. Unfortunately my leg is really sore today so I'm not sure that cleaning is going to be the best use of my time. I don't have a sore (yet) but I feel one starting to develop on the outside of my limb. My system of padding, which had been functional albeit not completely comfortable, is no longer working. I need to figure out a new configuration of pads in order to keep walking. 

In reality, I need a new leg. I guess I'll add that to the list.

Home

 After a long drive with exhausted (and therefore bickering) children, we finally pulled into the driveway around dinner time last night. Everybody was happy to finally get out of the van and stretch their legs. Even Friend started to chirp with excitement when we pulled into the driveway. After schlepping everything out of the van and returning the rental we ordered Doordash for dinner and everybody went to their separate areas. I think we were confined together for too long!

This week the boys are on Spring Break while Scott is back to work. The schedule is going to be wonky but, after being away for last week, I truly don't care. At this point I'm really happy to be sitting on my couch with a big cup of coffee, preparing to tackle the day.

Have a great day. I'm home, so I know I will!

Coming Home

 I hope everybody had an awesome Easter. 

Today we come home from Ohio.

I'm looking forward to returning home.  I miss my house, my bed and my cats.

:)

Heading West

 Yesterday was spent working, cleaning and packing in anticipation for our Spring break getaway to Ohio. Scott is really looking forward to spending Easter with his mom again this year. This morning we are heading to pick up the rental van before throwing our bags in the back and driving west. As always, a big shout out to my sister. This year she is not only coming to house sit the cats, but she has agreed to keep the 3d printers running during her stay.  

I must admit that I am dreading the long hour drive with my children. When they were young I managed to convince myself that travel would ease when they became older. Timmy is now 9 and I'm still waiting for the near constant bickering between him and Robby to stop. Hopefully the cellular signals will remain strong throughout the drive so that fighting will be kept to a minimum. 

Wish us luck!

Trash

 Happy Spring Break!

This morning I woke early and crept to the couch to begin work. I tried to be as quiet as possible because everybody else is on vacation and I didn't want to disturb their sleep. Well, everybody except for Friend. He was more than willing to rise early with me. At first I was optimistic that he was going to snuggle on the couch with me but he scampered back to bed as soon as I brought him in from his walk. Apparently a warm bed trumps loyalty.

We don't have a lot of plans for Spring Break so I'm hopeful that we can start working on packing up the house. We really need to order a dumpster to help purge the junk. Perhaps that is a good place to start? The amount of trash that we have accumulated since moving into this house nearly two decades ago is both embarrassing and overwhelming. 

I suppose we just need to get started so today seems like a good day to order that dumpster.

Paperwork

 In a year full of milestones and special moments, last night we added another to the list. Scott filled out his official retirement paperwork with the intent to submit it today. Sigh. I guess there is no going back now! Ready or not, I will be married to a retired teacher in less three months. 

Not only is he prepared to submit his final paperwork today, but this is the final day before his Spring Break. It is also the final Friday of the third marking period. I'm sure there are some other 'finals' in there as well that I'm missing. The past few weeks he has become hyper focused on the finality of his career through figuring and communicating every perceivable 'last time.' At this point I'm a tinge concerned that he won't have anything to think about or talk about after he retires.  

While Scott is busy submitting his paperwork, I'll be driving Robby to and from his classes. Fridays are always busy but it makes it nice at the end of the day when I'm finally able to sit and relax. The driving is long but I don't really mind it because Robby uses the time to chat. 

I'm really going to miss him. It hurts my heart to think about him leaving for college in a few months. While Scott is focused on his retirement, I can't help but think about Robby's 'lasts' every time he brings up his milestones. With each reminder that the school year is ending I am forced to face Robby's leaving. I prefer avoidance.