What is the "Coolidge Controlled Chaos Project" you ask? Well, it actually is a project that started a few months ago but we didn't know that's what we were doing. The "Coolidge Controlled Chaos Project", also known as "CCCP" (just for my friend Meme) is an attempt at controlling the chaos in our lives instead of Chaos controlling our lives. We can't ever get rid of it but there are probably a few more thing that can be done to help keep it reined in a little better but we just haven't had the time to do it. I have finally figured out, we have to MAKE the time. So I am making some time.
I am currently taking a 2.5 week leave of absence from work to welcome Chaos into our lives, to love it, to feed it, to nurture it and to make a place for it in our new home. And the count down is on to make it happen!
But like I said, this project didn't start with my LOA, it started when we decided to move to a one story house. Chaos lived in the old house but it was never invited and it would follow Chase around relentlessly! They would throw things from the 2nd floor playroom. They thought it was fun to play on the stairs and fall down them. And they thought it was hysterical to climb on bookcases, slip on chairs and go to the ER for stitches. So we let go of a little extra space and got ready to sell our house. We hadn't even put the house on the market and we ended up with an offer and then sold it 3 days later with the help of our fabulous relator, Heidi Mansoori, at 5 Star Property. The move allowed us to take the house element of chaos out of the equation, giving it a smaller area to play.
We kept Chaos a bit confused by going to Bethesda, MD in June for our trip to the National Institutes of Health 2 weeks after we moved. It was one of the best trips I have ever had. I read 2 books and slept more hours in one night than I can even remember. Big shout out to Andy for organizing everything! It was perfect! But I still hadn't figured out why it had worked...Chaos can't surprise you when you invite it.
Chaos snuck back up on us once we got back from the NIH. We found out on that trip that Chase and Madison's neutrophils and white blood cells were bottoming out. We had to go back to the Hematologist for more appointments, more tests and more outrageously expensive blood work bills. And with this issue still unresolved, more waiting. I hate waiting. But on a good note, Madison completed her one year anniversary of weekly infusions this summer. Way to go Madison! We miss you Dmitri!!!
Chaos really took hold of the new house when Andy accepted a job requiring extensive travel. Andy had been on kid duty for the last year and it was time for him to get back in the work game and this was/is the perfect opportunity. But it meant we needed to add to the team and that was easier said then done... Long story short, Madison's "sweet" disposition had 2 sitters quit in tears in the middle of the day leaving me with Andy traveling and no one to manage the new school schedule. I lasted about 6 weeks before I finally cracked.
So the time is now to welcome Chaos with open arms into our house. I am ready to understand Chaos with it's unique personality and to help guide it into our lives... Because, Tick-Tock-TIck-Tock....the clock is ticking.
Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.
Hermann Hesse
