RIP SUV

 After 17 years of adventures and memories, our well-loved SUV has been retired. The retirement was not voluntarily. Our SUV failed to pass emissions and, according to the mechanic, the $2800 of prescribed repairs does not guarantee that the vehicle will be brought up to code. After 312,000 miles, Scott and I have decided that it is time to call time of death. 

As a family, we do not particularly enjoy car shopping. I have many friends who love shopping and buying cars. I hate every single part of the process. From test driving and haggling to the paperwork and the stress, I hate car shopping. I am dreading the coming days as we are forced back through the dealership doors.

 Robby continues to feel the impact of Covid. His fever is steadily dropping and his energy level is increasing, but his cough remains violent. Every day he is feeling a little better, but I know that it is going to take time for the cough to completely subside. I suspect it will take weeks for his coughing to stop. Hopefully I am wrong and he recovers quickly!

Covid-Again

 My poor (not so little) Koopa has Covid. This is the third time he has been infected and he is miserable. I feel helpless to help him when he is this ill. Mom magic does little to comfort when fevers are encroaching 103. While Robby is isolating and miserable in his bedroom, we are on alert for symptoms. Hopefully, Robby is not the first domino to fall and the rest of the family will remain uninfected.

Timmy started his third week of school and I think he is finally getting accustomed to the flow. The new school, curriculum and expectations have been difficult for us to manage but I feel like the pressure is finally starting to ease. Timmy was able to work through the school day without crying and without coming to ask for assistance. I feel like he has made great strides, especially considering the devastation we both felt after the first day.

With Timmy working dutifully (and independently) on the dining room table and Robby sick in his bedroom, I expect today be to quiet. I have a pile of work to keep me busy while Timmy is in school. Hopefully he continues to be independent and healthy and Robby starts to feel better soon. I hate seeing him feeling so miserable.

Poorly Designed Location

 Robby did a great job at his show. Unfortunately, do to an ill-conceived venue space, I was not able to snap any photos or videos. The establishment chosen, a brewery, lacked the space, the stage and the hospitality to host such a niche event. To say that I was frustrated would be an understatement. 

I was surprised that a location with glaring obstacles was chosen. The location only offered eleven small tabletops. There simply was not enough room for all of the parents and guests to watch their children perform. Instead of rocking on the stage, the bands were set up in front of large cooler in front of the doors. Perhaps more frustrating than the tight quarters was the lack of appropriate beverages. In addition to selling no food, I don't think I will ever understand why a brewery that did not sell any other beverages, including water or soda, was chosen to host an event for teens and their families.

Oh well. I am glad that he has another show set up for next Saturday. Hopefully the location will be more appropriate and I will be able to watch my little Koopa rock.

Rocking the Stage

Between starting a new school year, trying to get Timmy adjusted to a new routine and worrying about both my brother and my mom, I am feeling depleted.  I am looking forward to doing nothing stressful or frustrating for much of the weekend. With the cooler temperatures drifting into our area, I am hoping to spend a lot of time just walking and playing outside. I don't think I'll have any trouble convincing Friend to join me on my escape plan.

While I am looking forward to relaxing over the weekend, I am excited to go watch Robby's band perform. He is looking forward to the showcase on Saturday and I plan on being front and center. While he doesn't love the songs as much as he has in previous bands, he has worked hard and he deserves to be celebrated. 

Robby's evolution since he started playing the guitar has been remarkable. I think back to when he performed in his first show and I am amazed. I remember the teary eyed shaking kid who was nearly paralyzed with stage fright. While I know that he still feels nerves before performing, he now looks forward to rocking the stage. I am so proud of him.

I'll post videos this weekend of his show. Stay tuned!

Tired

My brother has been transferred to a long term rehabilitation facility so that he can learn to live with his new body. After spending several days by his side, my mom flew back home yesterday afternoon. Although I know it was hard for her to leave him, I know that she is happy to be home. I know that she does not like being away from home and her dog for long, regardless of the reason. 

With my brother out of the medical crisis I feel maybe we can all start to heal. The past few weeks have been emotionally and physically depleting for everybody involved. At this point I find myself wanting to hide in a cave with a good book and no communication with the outside world. Hiding isn't feasible, but it sure does sound wonderful!

 I suppose I could have summed up this blog post in three short words: I am tired.

Quiet Moments

This morning my brother will move to a long-term rehab facility and my mom will board a flight back to Pennsylvania. I know that his journey will be both long and difficult, but I feel a sense of relief that the crisis is over. My mom is exhausted and is starting to wear down. I will be happy to have her back home and resting. At this point, the only thing to do to help my brother is to support and love him.

With patience and hard work, he will learn to adapt to his new life. I appreciate that he did not want an amputation, but I have yet to meet anybody who had "lose a leg" on their bucket list. My heart hurts for him, but I also hold the belief that he will adapt. After all, at this point he doesn't really have a choice.

With the shock wearing off, it will soon be time to get to work. I hope that the rehab keeps him busy because I know how dangerous thoughts can become during those quiet moments during recovery. It continues to feel surreal mentoring my own brother through limb loss, but I am happy that my experience will be able to help him. 

Medical team

My brother emerged from his surgery as an above-knee amputee. We were hoping that the surgeons would be able to spare his knee, but that wasn't to be. I'm grateful that he is alive but I am also devastated for his loss. 

On Saturday morning my mom flew to Texas to be with him. Although she hasn't spoken with any doctors, she has been able to sit with him. I know that he is relieved to have her by his side, even if he is heavily medicated and sleeping most of the time. 

It is my hope that my mother will be able to speak with somebody from his medical team. We have so many questions concerning his immediate and long term care that need to be addressed. I feel like we are on the clock because my mom will only be in Texas for a few days. Hopefully she will have more luck during the normal work week.