This morning we are packing up and heading to Ohio for Scott's family picnic. While I'm not looking forward to the long drive with bickering kids, it will be nice to see everybody again. Because of schedule conflicts it has been several years since we attended the picnic. I know how much my kids have changed, it will be nice to catch up with everybody else.
Wish me luck
IFYKY
Because of Scott's retirement we find ourselves looking for health insurance for the family. In full disclosure, this is my first time actually shopping for health insurance for myself. I have helped countless of patients over the years shop policies, especially on the exchange, but we have always been fortunate enough to have employer provided health insurance. Knowing that it couldn't be avoided any longer, yesterday morning I poured an extra large mug of coffee and started to shop.
Wanting some information from following links online, I admit to filling out two different forms. On each I provided my Google phone number because it is easy to track and dismiss the spam. Within 2 minutes of submitting the first form, my home phone and my personal cell phone started to ring in tandem. Obviously, either my email or my home address are linked to phone numbers in telemarketer systems. It became so intrusive that we ended up taking the home phone off the hook for nearly the entire day!
After four hours and two pots of coffee, I think that health insurance has been procured. (We have applied and are awaiting acceptance.) Hopefully this policy will be a stop gap measure until we move in a few months. After we become settled, hopefully Scott will reenter the job market (in a part time capacity) working part time for insurance.
Yesterday was another scorcher so I tried to avoid going out into the heat as much as possible. When I did venture outside, my leg would begin to piston within my liner within minutes of being hit by the heat. Despite all of my best efforts I continued to sweat out of my liner each time I walked Friend. Thankfully those walks were short because my little buddy is not a fan of the heat either.
Because it was simply too hot to do anything outside, we stayed in for much of the day. I know that the kids (especially Timmy) are becoming bored but our options are rather limited. I'd love to take him out to expel some energy but I am still worried about him falling and injuring his arm. The doctor released him with the caveat that he not run or fall until the Fourth of July. With rollerskating, tumbling, running, and park fun off his activity list it is hard to come up with fun and engaging options-especially in this heat.
Trying to keep Timmy tamed has turned into a Herculean task this summer. He's bored and lets us all know. I've been trying to find a creative avenue to absorb some interest and energy as he continues to heal, and yesterday I think I may have found a solution. (Or at least a stay from being bored.)
Timmy is learning to create and edit his own videos. He had a blast filming and editing throughout the day. Hopefully this will keep his interest (and he may learn a few things) until he can resume his rough and tumble lifestyle.
Oh my goodness, this past weekend has been so hot! I am not made for triple number temperatures. I have a feeling that this summer is shaping up to be a scorcher. Because we are planning to move we opted to not put up the small pool this year. Hopefully by next year we'll be able to chill out in an in-ground pool at our new house. In the meantime, it will be Popcicles and hiding out in the air conditioning.
We have not made nearly as much progress towards moving as I had hoped. Scott retired three weeks ago and his plans for projects have not yet materialized. I understand that he is still relaxing and unwinding, but time is starting to tick away. I think I'm going to allow him to live a vacation lifestyle until we return from his mother's house. After that point, we really need to kick everything into gear.
Because of the heat I wasn't able to do a lot outside, but I did made a lot of progress in my living room. Items have been packed and organized or thrown away. I went through the boxes that Scott brought home when he retired and organized his notebooks into a moving box. It's nice to have less clutter and more boxes around.
I'm going to continue to chip away at packing, but I know that there is only so much we can do. I really need Scott to come out of vacation mode and start focusing on moving. In the meantime, hopefully we can stay cool until this heat wave finally breaks.
Robby had a fabulous time at his orientation. Although he was nervous, his excitement was palpable. Slightly introverted, he forced himself to harness "personable Robby" before entering the auditorium for the event. He was personable and outgoing, engaging conversations with the professors and his fellow incoming freshman. He masked his fear with a smile and took on the challenge.
While Robby was off choosing classes and working through his itinerary I sat through another "letting go" session before ditching the optional campus tour in lieu of meeting with Financial Aid. I was the first in line and my meeting was done in about 30 minutes. When it was complete and I was heading out the door, the line to enter was already snaking down the hall.
With the help of his advisor, Robby has both changed his major and chosen his classes. He was originally signed up for Historical Preservation. He learned that historical preservation would train him to work with architects to save and restore historical houses. Instead, he is interested in working in a museum so his major was switched to Historical Preservation Public Education. Instead of restoring the house, Robby is interested in teaching people about what happened inside it and why it is important.
I spent yesterday trying to stuff my anger back into a box. In the end, I am the only person impacted by their slight and my own reaction. I need to move on. The beginning of releasing the pain is putting it where it belongs- in the past. In this situation, avoidance will be my friend.
Today is an exciting one for Robby because he is going to Shepherd to pick his classes and complete his orientation. I don't know who is more excited- him or me! I'm looking forward to hearing all about his professors and experience but I'd be lying if I wasn't transparent about my own concerns for my day's itinerary.
While Robby is off doing student admin sessions, I am to tour the campus (again). I am happy to participate wherever required, but it is supposed to be 95 degrees today. Walking around a hilly campus, under the blazing sun in a prosthesis that is fitting 'okayish' is a recipe for disaster. I'm really hoping that there is another option because I'm certain I'm not the only parent dreading the afternoon trek in the heat.
Regardless of the heat or the activities involved, I'm excited to accompany Robby to his orientation. He has so many new adventures ahead!
My reaction to Father's Day took me by surprise this year. I woke early and, as I was sipping on my coffee and slowly starting to begin my work, I began to think about my Dad. As so many things do these days, my thoughts quickly leapfrogged from my Dad to my brother as I envisioned them together again. That fleeting happy image was quickly replaced by the memory that not a single member of my father's family reached out or attended my brother's funeral.
That is where the anger swept over me. Sometimes I become so angry I don't know what to do with all of the emotions. Yesterday was one of those times. My brother died and not a single member of the entire "esteemed" family responded. We didn't receive a single text, card or petal from any of these 'loving family' members at the death of their cousin.
The slight would have killed my Dad.
F*ck them.
There is a liberation that comes from wiping an entire group of people out of your life. At least I now know that my family's presence at "family" events is no longer expected. If I were to attend, I'm certain I would no longer feel welcome. For that I am sad, but I am not going to mourn what never existed.
