Nothing New, Thank Goodness!

Ankle Update:

I took Willow to the Specialist and we were able to see the X-rays and discuss the results. Everything actually looks pretty good structurally speaking. So I will be lining her up with Physical Therapy (and possible aqua PT) and hopefully train it and strengthen it and get her walking pain free again. 

Fortunately, because Willows dancing requires far more upper body strength than legs, Willow can continue to practice her dancing. 

She would eventually like to transition over to Ariel ribbons. There is a class at the same studio and once her ankles are strong we can look into it for her. 

Basement:

No real damage except to some carpet. Our Insurance will replace it.  We stayed at the hotel for a night. Willow needed to wash the color (It is a really flattering red) out of her hair and it just seemed easier to manage the dog from someplace that seemed less chaotic plus she is very effected by the drone of the loud fans.  We are now "roughing it" at home and with the electric kettle hot water isn't that far away. Its better to be home and Rosie has grown accustom to the sound.

The HVAC guy is in the basement as I type this. Our system is a little more complicated than is normal. The home assessor for the insurance claim said he has never seen one like it. It is oil fed and is a part of the furnace. (Not to worry we still have heat)  Anyhow, it is a process but it is getting expertly done. And while they are at it I am having them replace the AC. It is from the 1970s and doesn't work anymore and you cant get replacement parts. Although it is an additional cost (Although saving some because we can do both at the same time), the benefit to my asthma and disposition during heat are worth it. 

Job Search

Greg's interview went well. He has a return interview on Monday. Of the 7 or so candidates provided by the recruiter, he is the only one that has been moved on. He is excited by the prospect. We will see how it shakes out. 

Anything else? 

I met some volunteer moms of 9th grade boys in connor's core when I helped with the Teacher Appreciation luncheon. That was good. It was sort of a hard day at the school though as one of the 9th grade boys had died unexpectedly over night. Teachers are amazing for everything they do. 

Connor's play is on the horizon. Here is a picture of him from dress rehearsals:

He also started some figure skating lessons as well. (I need to look and see if there is a ice dance squad/club if such a thing exists.. Or maybe Connor could start one?) Regardless he enjoyed his lesson. His instructor is a Senior at UVM studying Environmental Science. I think they will work well together for awhile. 

When it pours.. it floods.

So the windshield on my car cracked this winter. Sub 0 temps combined with hot air possibly was the cause. I dropped it off yeaterday at 7:30 am. Its still not done. The calibration system wasnt working. I went down this morning and I was provided with a rental. 

I got home to willow trying wash dye out of her hair in shower without hot water and a basement that had flooded out. The bottom of the hot water tank rotted out. An abatement team is on its way and a new hot water heater has been ordered and should be installed tomorrow. I think we will stay at a hotel tonight.

Getting the boot

What can I say about this girl?! She was standing at 8 months, walking by 9, running by 9.5 . Holy Moly this girl has been wanting to be on the go forever. Somewhere along the line - early on and often - she fell. She twisted her ankle again and again and again and again. Injuries never recovered from. Dr.s and a medical system not equiped to help. Add to it that she has the extremely strong genetic predisposition to this arthritis thing where your immune system turns on your joints and starts to take them down and out from the inside. In kids seen most often in the ankles and knees. Most likely a factor for her to. And it has slowed her down. And kept her slow. And she has hated it and she has struggled and then the god awful German Dr. Saying "oh its because shes fat loose weight then come back". Bullshit. Now Finally help. Xrays and a specialist. She may need surgery. If not now it's a guaranteed eventuality and necessity in the future. The amount of immobility in her foot has been such a handicap to her for so long I am so sad she has struggled so long with it. 

And I am so proud that she is such a trooper.  She has the inner fire, tenacity and resilience of an Ox. 

Her appointment is Wednesday.  Fingers crossed for a swift recovery. 

In the still of the night

It is very still outside. Fluffy white powder drifts and dances on light wafts of breeze. Im tucked in bed .. alone .. well not alone. Hello Mr. Keyboard.

I am also waiting for Rosie to decide to join me. She has been keeping watch for Greg and she may not leave her post anytime soon. Night times belong to daddy and he is not here. Her eyes ask questions I can't adequately communicate an answer for.

Greg left today to take care of business in Montreal for a few days. He truly is an Ox plowing powerfully forward making progress even against the strongest headwind.  Although I hope he is using this evening to catch up on on some much needed sleep. The timing of his drive was perfect seeing as tonight a storm is rolling through and expected to drop near a foot on us by morning. The roads should be decent by the time he is heading back.

We already have been notified by the school that there will not be any school tomorrow. And let me tell you they don't cancel school for a meager 3 inches around here. Just in case, I hit the store today and filled the larder. Tonight is odd but welcome. I know tomorrow I will be sleeping in and have no where I have to be but here. Which means I can stay up a little later tonight and Clickity Clackity away.. at least until my battery dies.

Connor came home today with.. food poisoning? the beginnings of the flu? I don't know. His complexion is washed out and he is complaining about stomach and body aches. It could be that he worked himself up over hambuger he ate today which was juicy and pink. Could be it was cooked medium .. or maybe not.  Then again, the flu is going around heavily. It already went through our house.. mildly..  and he isn't showing signs of a fever. Regardless, its a nice thing that he gets to stay home tomorrow. It looks like next week he may be starting some ice skating lessons (assuming he isn't sick) He has his four short lines memorized for the school play and rehearsals are long for four short lines, but he is having fun. The play runs March 16-18 so we are still a little ways away yet.

Willow is also grateful for school being out tomorrow. Beyond being excessively sore from her dancing, she is doing fairly well. She recently had a reaction to some medication that sort of threw her into a tailspin but we got her fairly well evened out. And although we might still be in for a little turbulence, I (fingers crossed) see her learning the controls pretty swiftly. At the end of February she is heading to New York to meet her boy friend's Mom. That is kind of a big deal. 

What else is going on? I have probably half an hour of battery time left and, by golly Mr. Keyboard, I am going to make the most of it with you tonight, even if I am at a loss at what else to say. Hmmm...

March is a crazy busy month. Full of adventure. A trip to Boston. Connors already mentioned play. A trip to a convention that has Cosplay. I am considering the option of participating. Seeing as the theme is gaming I was leaning towards Tetris. Its olds chool and moves rather slow, at least to start.. like me. But then again,  one might see it about paying homage to walls. :/   I could also go the Anime route but I don't know much Anime these days. There was one show I liked, however,  I have much to consider.. like the fact that we will not be staying at the convention hotel but will be staying at a nearby Hilton with a shuttle bus service. It makes financial sense but if we are running back and forth outside, I don't think being dressed as a Japanese Goddess is the way to go.

I woke up today with a bit of inspiration as to the direction I want my next tattoo to go in. I am of the belief that tattoos are extremely symbolic and special and I literally tend to wear who I am on my sleeve. So I have been considering what animals I have a connection with and one animal emerges again and again.
I have saved one.
I have killed one.
I was gifted some.
I have bestowed some.
I've hatched some.
I have raised some.
I eaten some (not the one I killed, it was sick.)
I have buried some.
I have wrestled one.
And like this animal, I am loyal.
I am migratory and I navigate well.
And according to my children, I can be be quite scary.
I think the Goose may make for a decent totem.
I know that is not the only element that will be incorporated but it is a start.

Speaking of drawings and art and OMG! next week is Valentines. I used to put together these mixed CDs for friends at Valentines.  As I am just realizing this impending deadline.. I don't reasonably think that I can get around to it this year. Oh well, my friends know I love them anyway.

The battery warning light is flashing (Its not really a light, more like an annoying pop up) and telling me that I need to plug in or perish. While I could get up and pad along the cold hardwood floors to retrieve my power cord, my bare feet are asking to stay tucked in and warm. And really I have said all I am needing to say for now.

Sweet dreams and stay warm..which I hear is easy if you are in Nevada right now. I think I would be very uncomfortable and hot at those temps. But then again I took the trash out to the curb this am is a short sleeved dress and slippers and thought it very pleasant out for 27 degrees.