Tuesday, September 23, 2008

MY LEFT HAND WOMAN


This past week has been tougher than I hoped for. As the swelling of my Popeye arm has been receding, the discomfort in my shoulder kept increasing. Turns out my shoulder was fractured as well. Doctors and physical therapists repeat the same news. Good news: I am making amazing progress. Bad news: In the best of circumstances this break has the longest and most painful recovery.

The hardest thing for me is the additional weight my injury has put on the people closest to me. Jennifer, for unstance, has taken on many of my tasks to her already bursting workload. With huge orders from the New York, Atlanta and L.A. shows, I can't begin to express my gratitude for all she's dealing with. Love you girl!

On a humorous note (not to be confused with humerus, which is not funny) I needed to be presentable this weekend when no one was available to help me. I literally dripped water on my hair with my right hand, then leaned my head as forward as I could go and threw Velcro rollers at my hair, since I certainly can't be trusted with a flat or curlling iron. Once the rollers made contact I tried to arrange and manipulate them, it worked better than I imagined. Maybe I'll do a video tutorial? Oh, but do they even still make Velcro rollers anymore?

My first Flights of Fancy fabrics are due to arrive in my hands today. This should be thrilling, huh? I am finding myself hugely overwhelmed. Between the idea of finally seeing more than a piece of each pattern and color, the need to have my arm cooperate, and by the wonderful outpouring of support from so many creative people! There is so little time to put this all together, but I live for the challenge. If you don't hear from me it's because I'll be buried in my own bliss!

Monday, September 15, 2008

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

I can't produce inspiring room makeovers right now. No new paintings or finished projects. My upcoming FLIGHTS OF FANCY fabrics are still nesting at the mill. Can't even photograph a frozen dinner, okay? But I've got STORIES! You know, the kind of stories that make life a little juicier; more interesting. My recent mishap has added a few such tales. Since I lean towards the artistic and visually creative slant, just think of these as word pictures.

The day of the "mishap" we started out very happy to have that grueling NYIGF behind us and the anticipation of a fun filled day to ourselves. I got "dolled up" before we took off; cute outfit, hair lookin good, etc. knowing after a day of exploring NYC we would come back to the hotel in enough time to change for dinner and on to the "Mama Mia" musical.

Good thing, cuz by 4 pm I was being wheeled out of the NY hospital in a hospital gown and a makeshift splint. Not so cute now. I was propped up until we could catch a flight out the next eve. Tim carefully planned the exit. He ordered a Town car ride to the airport since we were certain a cab ride would have just ripped my dangling arm right off. Then he secured wheelchairs for both flights. Yeah, both flights. Our airline had us fly from NY down to Atlanta, then change planes and fly up to Indianapolis. It was exhausting. People staring at me in a hospital gown and wheelchair, disheveled and holding my own left arm together with my right arm.

So, as we make the final flight into Indianapolis, even though we paid extra to sit in the front seats to be the first off the plane, a rather, no, really large woman swiped right passed me to get out of the plane ahead of me. I'm like, "Oh well, she must have a connecting flight". I hobble off onto the jet bridge. There's the wheelchair. The large lady and I both eyeball it. I'm thinking it's obviously mine...ya know, hospital gown, arm in splint. Nope. She plops down and her friend takes off with her. Immediate thought? SMACK, SLAP. I don't act on my feelings on a good day; and on a bad day, my slap arm is broken! All I know is everyone steered clear of me down that bridge.

The next arm related story is when I finally got to the medical center in Indy. Jennifer and my Mia (3 1/2 yr. old grand-princess) were my escorts. Now in the care of the same specialists that treat the Colts, the Pacers, and everyone in between, I was in good hands. Not knowing what procedures were coming my way I took a pain pill before I left. I had packed a banana, some peanut butter and crackers, bottled water and extra pain pills just in case. The splint must come off, as it actually was keeping my bones apart. I had 2 people working to get my splint off, another set of x rays, realign and set my arm. Not pleasant, hence another pain pill. At one point I was asked if I was doing okay and needed anything to eat or drink. I tried to refocus on the need to do something other than do the pain. Just as I was about to agree to food, I open my grimacing eyes to see Jennifer, as white as a sheet, sitting down and eating my banana, while Mia ate my crackers and drank my water. Then Mia didn't want to throw her trash in the can because "there's a dead arm in there".

So after they hauled me off for more fun things and put me in another room, the one lady that was with me from the beginning came back. By then I'm sitting on the table, eyes closed, trying to breathe evenly and get the blood back to all my parts. The lady is at the side of the table I'm sitting on and I hear her say, "Where are you"? Thinking she's worried that I'm lightheaded and testing me, I confidently declare, "I'm right here in Carmel (IN)". She then asks something about California. I'm sure she's messing with me. I declare,"No, I fell in NYC, but I flew back here", (Carmel, IN, not Carmel California). I open my eyes and glance over at her as she asks another question. This time she points to her ear, waves her arm as she's walking out of the room. Oh my gosh, she's talking to someone else from an earphone...not me!!! I start laughing. OUCH! I can't stop laughing. I'm in a room by myself laughing until I almost cried. Vaguely wondered if I would be laughing this hard without the meds. Later she came back in to the room to go over some bla, bla. I finally interrupt her. "Did you not think that was funny"? She burst my bubble when she said it happens all the time.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

I WILL PAINT THIS SOMEDAY

This is so perfectly me. I want to photograph it, and ultimately paint it to preserve it's perfection. Oh yeah, I have a broken arm. This beautiful get well arrangement came from Kathy Miller and the Michael Miller crew and I so love the thoughtfulness and beauty that cheers me on daily. My goal is to paint this someday. Thanks Kathy for the well wishes and inspiration.

I am surviving here with my arm still strapped and velcroed to my body. My comfort zone has definately been violated. Sometimes I am frustrated, but true to my nature, I try to make others laugh at the situations I've found myself in. A friend came over last eve to check on me. I had her laughing so hard she was crying. Now that's a good day for me! When in doubt, laugh.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

RANDOM ACTS OF BOREDOM

While the doctors are very pleased with my progress, I have discouraging moments. Can't do most things without help. Yesterday Jennifer washed my hair, that was a good day. Now today my husband is off to business in Tucson and up to Calgary, Alberta for 9-10 days. Not a good day.

I'll post on some important events recently that Jennifer photographed and since I prefer images with my posts, I'm using some of her pics.

Here's Wyatt's 1st day of kindergarten, while I was in NYC. Jennifer calls this TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL. He called me that morning on the way to school and I had a chance to hear his excitement and anticipation. I adore that boy!

Then Wyatt turned 6 last week. I didn't get to go to the Bowling Party, as you can imagine, but heard it was FUN. An orange bowling ball and great friends! What a day to remember. My sweet Amelia (My Mia) is the one with the gum..that's what most of her photos look like. That or forbidden lipstick or candy, but always something cute or sweet.


Then, Jennifer and 2 of her best friends went to Ontario for 4 days over Labor Day and had such a wonderful time. I'll pretend I was there taking the pics instead of here drooling on meds. I've never been to Canada, and it's funny that my daughter just got back and my husband is just going. Based on what I'm seeing I really hope to visit someday. Here's just a few of many awesome images. The girls stayed at Esther's folks and every turn of the head revealed either incredible views of water or vineyards. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY.

Esther, Kelly and Jennifer putting their moves on. Hey, wait. Is this one of those guys acting like a statue looking for tips? Jennifer already knows it, but I'll say it again. She has been blessed with the most awesome friends. I love these gals. They treat Tim and I as family. Gosh, I'm getting all perclempt here. I swear, I'm not on meds, but emotional, none the less.





I want to also blog about the shopping in Ontario because Jennifer brought back a highly post worthy gift with pics of the stores...gorgeous. Hope more than anything that I can soon post my own projects again. I'm leaning on my faith and your prayers to keep me going. Thanks for the encouraging words.

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