Keeping Pace; Winning the Race

Early morning sunday. The yard begins to brighten as the slowly rising sun draws itself to peek over the horizon. I am not offered a  spectacular view of the sunrise or sunsets at our home but I know them for what they are worth and i can embrace that beauty with my eyes closed. So rather I watch shadows stretch and listen to birds sing as I sip my tea and welcome the day.. come what may.

Connor had a decent week. His big news is that he was accepted into the pre-tech program in engineering and industrial arts. What that means is that he will be spending next year focusing on a vast field and then as a jr/senior. He will take a more specialized set of courses intended to move him towards college and/or his future career. That boy is doing quite well and is on track.

This week the kids will be taking thier learners permit tests. Fingers crossed for both of them but I think they got this. Yikes. According to plan, Within a year or so my driving duties are going to ..poof.. disappear.  Then I write promote publish and produce in ernest. That's the plan anyway. And steadily I am starting to gain some speed.

It was a long week for Willow. There was a state level competition she was involved in called Skills USA. It was a two day seminar and overnight stay with interviewing, resume and technical skills being tested.
She says it was the most difficult thing she has ever done. She hated it. Wanted to throw herself over the banister. But she endured and saw it through. So in our book she is a winner.

Friday we finally got Willow into the rheumatologist. Although not everyone who has the genetic marker will demonstrate illness, she is showing signs. Her ankles are most definatly in part due to arthritis.  There are other signs too. A battery of blood tests where taken and then the dr. will make a final diagnosis and we can start working on breaking her out of the pain cycle and finally get her where she can move more easily. The discussion offered hope. We will see what our next steps are.

That wasn't all this last week has had in store for the young lady. She picked out her prom dress and also registered for her fall classes. She is coming along.

Yesterday

I raked half... well it might feel like i did that much but no... it wasn't even a quarter.  I raked up an eighth of my yard. Today temps climb to the 50s. Then plummet overnight as a bitter arctic cold washes over us.

I have to get to the yard now.. While it's still cold enough to keep life moving and rising slowly to the surface. Easter Sunday was quite apropo: A day of rebirth for so many and an usherer in of the Spring Season, also the day I sniffly got in the car with willow and she asked me if I was crying. When I looked at her puzzled, she said "Allergies Already?" And she is right. The snow just melted.

Buckle up boys, I'm calling my dr today to get a fresh inhaler. I'm prepared this year. It's not going to lock me down! Kick it's A##!

Threading a needle..

Taking a breath. A deep one. This promises to be quite a long wrap up.
The month or more since my last posting has been quite the event filled one.

Greg is still in the job running?? He was one of two potentials but seeing as we have not really heard anything.. we are not counting on it. In the meantime there has been an org restructure which will give Greg a clearer understanding of his position and line him up with a boss who he knows he can work much smoother for. So he is feeling a little more on his feet in that regard.

We made it through the hot water heater replacement, a/c installation and water abatement process. In many ways I am quite relieved that the bottom rusted out when it did, that we caught it quickly, and that it did not happen when we were away.

Speaking of being away, the family went to Boston at the start of the month to take in a Blackhawks vs. Bruins game. The  kids and I drove down and back in the calm between two Nor'Easter storms. Greg had been in Tennisee the week before and due to the storm, it made more since to fly directly to Boston and meet us there.

 Let me take a moment to address the winter weather. It seems extreme to those from home but to put it in perspective, even though winter is truly a thing here, I have never once heard it announced that "Chains or Snow Tires" required. Generally speaking ALL cars in the New England region put on snow tires in the winter and road maintenance is amazingly coordinated. That being said, Greg got a lesson in being stranded due to the weather, which is a story I will wrap back around to.

Blackhawks and Boston.. Willow has been having trouble with her ankles and has been going to PT regularly to fix her issues and get her truly mobile.  That weekend she was in more pain and wearing her boot brace. That kept her down a little. But shes a trooper and she did her best to make the most of it.

  I didn't really take any scenic pictures this trip but that doesn't mean I don't have any stories to tell. The first was a little traumatic and has left Connor with little desire to ever attend another game. As we were filing our way around the arena to find our seats, Willow and I in the lead followed by Connor and Greg pulling up the rear. I caught out of the corner of my eye, a man standing near the inside wall.  As I passed I heard say something like "Oh its you." I turned to look and he ducked behind me. I assumed he merged into the throng and kept going a ways. It turns out he thought he recognized Connor. The drunkard stopped him and put his hands on Connors chest. Greg of course stepped in and shoved the guy off. So that is how our experience started. But that was not indicative of most of the fans that we met. Actually, the Bruins fans are genuinely hospitable. Many were interested in why we were Blackhawks fans and had no problem offering up a friendly discussion. I actually found that  to be true  of the locals in general and not just those at the game. The couple sitting next to us were a kick. Under their Bruins Jerseys they were wearing Hawks gear (See her green peaking out?)

 and they celebrated every goal scored. Later after the game and as the family was in the rooms re-cooperating/napping, I found myself at the bar. Where I met another season ticket holding couple and had a nice chat. She was in tech and he was a police officer. It was a nice visit but I realized that I need to be able to better answer the question of "what is your book about?" I stumble to qualify it for people. I will be working on a summary soon. This last picture is was the floor of the elevator in the hotel. I laughed every time I saw it but it made Willow uneasy.

Greg had a meeting scheduled in Boston  early that  week and opted to stay in town rather than drive home and back (Its about 3.5 hours) So I dropped him at his hotel. Its a short walk to the office from there so not having a car didn't seem like that much of a challenge. Well after we left the storm hit and he was stuck at the hotel. Which didn't have a restaurant. He hiked 2 miles in blizzard conditions with 60 mile winds to the only open restaurant ( a pizza place) for lunch and ended up hitting the snack machines for a tide me over dinner. On top of it all, the meeting ended up being cancelled and he came home after a long hard road trip.

The next weekend was the presentation of the Student directed plays. It was a week of long rehearsals followed by 3 productions which wrapped up Sunday. Connors character was a psychic who used his amazing sense of smell to determine who the murder was. This part was not far in keeping with his natural personality, appreciation for velvet and flair for style. Approx. 7 years prior to the date of opening night, I took this picture of Connor:

Can you guess which of these characters was played by Connor now? 

 Rosie after seeing these photos wanted to get in on the action. 

She has quite the stage presence. 

The week after the play was a decent one. Greg was home all week and the weather was nice. Thursday night however Connor fell down some stairs and bumped himself pretty darn good near his kidney. His broken hobbled gate suggested I take him to see urgent care. 

Just to be on the safe side since we were going to be on the road Friday night, Connecticut bound. He got the green light and directions to keep moving. So off to the 2nd Annual Gamers Convention at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Convention Hall and Arena. It was interesting to see and compare to Reno and Vegas. Casinos are casinos. Smoke and noise and colorful people watching. It was a pretty one and well thought out in terms of movement from area to area as the traffic paths accommodate non gamblers as well as gamblers. A lot more craps games then I am used to seeing. I think there almost as many crap tables as 21. Toward the end of our stay Greg dropped 60 on a table which kept him playing for 2.5 hours and when he was done, he had doubled our money. I wandered and drank and sized up the action. But that was towards the end of our stay.. Here is the beginning:

We loaded up the kids in two cars. We took a friend of Connors. Her name is Elsa and she reminds me in many ways of a teenaged Terri. I get a kick out of her. We also took Willows boyfriend Dylan. Dylan is a senior that lives down the road about 45 minutes. They were paired up somewhat surprisingly when two cousins (or maybe it was friends)  one from each of the schools were visiting and it dawned on them that the two might click. And click they have. Dylan is a sweet young man with a poets soul and a quick smile. He is quiet but a deep thinker. He reminds me in so many ways of a young Lystra. I know he will grow into a fine man.  So that is the cast of characters. We arrived late and got settled in. The next day we were Convention bound.. 

 So you may be asking, what is a gaming convention? It is like a comic con only based on games. All sorts from Board to Video games. Past and Present.

 There were gaming competitions (after we left we realized that there was a COD tournament Sunday that Greg could have had some fun playing in but we no know that that might be a possibility next year) and vendors selling everything and everything from clothes to toys to games to anything that represents a character or  a game. People wore costumes and others gathered in small circles to play Magic or other card and board games. It was smaller than we expected but it was good. While we were there My old friend  Aimee and her family met up with us and we had a nice lunch and got caught up.  It is always to wonderful to see her. She has not changed much but she has changed a lot. I suppose we all have. Anyway, its possible that we may get together again for Willows graduation or maybe towards the end of fall for a little vacation in Maine.

Anyway, we  wrapped up at the convention in the afternoon.

 We returned to our hotel room where, expect for a break for dinner, we campaigned until 9:00.

It was a good weekend and Sunday morning we pulled it together and the kids and I drove home and Greg went back to Boston for a meeting at the beginning of the week.

So March was very busy. We don't have much else going on now except getting through the rest of the school year. Willow is starting to have senioritis a little but is still moving forward. Drivers permit  tests for both the kids will be in April.  Willow is looking for a job or internships to fill in some of her free time. Anyway.. life goes on and as I look out I see that today is utterly gorgeous. I think its time to walk the dog.

Love you all!
Vic

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.