
School is great and I truly love my classes this year. The kids are just so respectful and open to playfully learning, and for the most part, are doing their middle school bests. Some years are less cohesive than others -- this one is terrific. I started using Zippy (the Mobility Scooter) at school this week and the kids are great about it. They want rides and to "pimp it out" -- one suggestion was to print "Ropple Rollenator" on the back of the seat. I'll pass on that, but my Cricut might be involved in some cool modifications at some point.
Using Zippy to scoot home at lunch to check on puppy has made me realize how much difficulty and pain I've had walking for the past several years. Because of the foot/ankle/leg pain and numbness, I've been looking down at my feet while walking, trying to avoid a stumble. Hadn't realized this until I was cooking along on Zippy at a stunning 5mph and able to look UP -- at trees, the sky, houses, etc. And do it without the constant stabbing pain of walking. I don't need to use it all the time, but can see it is beneficial. Will take a while to get the balance right of when to walk vs. ride, I think.
I still feel VERY self conscious when riding it as it just seems weird to me, but this really just makes me question my own reaction to people with disabilities that I've seen out and about. It is a truly unconscious reaction of seeing someone who uses a mobility aid as "different" in such a basic way that the difference becomes more exaggerated in importance than it really is. Food for thought.
Yesterday I taught my first class at Michaels on using the Cricut Maker! While it would have been much better if the internet had worked more consistently and if my laptop recognized the maker as it did at home, it was still okay. Repeating the class today and am looking forward to working out the kinks! The machine is amazing and I have yet to tap all of its possibilities. Where are the extra 8 hours a day that I need so desperately?
This weekend will be spent making Teddie's home more habitable, giving her another much needed bath, and hopefully getting in some art time to get the beading on the current piece underway. I can't wait for that step! Hope everyone is getting their creativity on as the colder air comes in, and our step towards hibernation begins. Bring on the beads!