One of my favorite childhood books was From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Two siblings run away from home and live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They avoid the museum staff and enjoy a comfortable existence until. . . well, I can't give the whole plot away, can I? Anyway, this week I was still in Oregon for part of the week. While I was away, John, youngest son, and youngest daughter almost had their own protagonist moment.
They had gone to a local fun center to play miniature golf. When they finished their game, they realized that all the employees had left and they were locked inside! They had to climb over the fence to escape. Before doing so, John called the fun center, in case climbing over the fence would trigger a call to security. Of course, the phone went to voice mail, so John and the kids proceeded to hop the fence. In the process, youngest daughter fell, taking the brunt of the impact on her face and leg.
1. I'm thankful that she didn't seriously hurt herself. She's not broken, just bruised.
2. I'm thankful for a nearby emergency room.
3. I'm thankful for a prompt response from the manager of the fun center. He called first thing the following morning, offered to pay for any medical bills and incidentals, and has been in daily contact with us to assure our daughter is healing well.
As I mentioned, I was in Oregon for about a week. I flew in on the 12th. The plan was I would arrive at my parents' house the day before my mom's surgery, and help her post-op. My brother would then come for a week, followed by my sister.
The surgery day arrived. When we got to the hospital, a nurse came out to introduce herself to my mom. She said her name, and I said, "And you went to ____ High School and graduated in _____!" She was in my graduating class.
4. I'm thankful for the chance to catch up with a fellow classmate after all these years.
5. I'm thankful for her nursing skills. She really has a great bedside manner.
After all the prep work, it was time for my mom's surgery. Just as she was going to be wheeled into the operating room, her surgeon came in, wrapped in a hospital blanket. She said she was sorry, but she didn't feel well and wouldn't be able to perform the surgery that day.
6. I'm thankful for a wise surgeon who recognized her limitations, and didn't try to operate while ill.
She said she would reschedule the surgery for Friday (of last week), but that the hospital would call to confirm. On Friday, the hospital said the surgeon still was unable to operate. The scheduler would call on Monday to let us know the new plan.
7. I'm thankful for a wise surgeon who recognized her limitations, and didn't try to operate while ill.
Meanwhile, we occupied ourselves by making trips to Grandma's care facility. I love hearing her stories. Regardless of the level of truth to her tales, her stories show a woman who cares about animals and children. (Alzheimer's has meshed truth with fiction in her mind, but she believes everything she says, and I'm not going to disagree.)
Back at my parents' home, Mom and I played some epic Scrabble games. We laughed at the tiles we pulled, and laughed harder at the "words" that we challenged. Zam, anyone?
Dad kept busy, too. "I found a new model," he said, as I mentally scrambled to put the sentence in context. Then I noticed the flower in a vase in his hand, and realized that there was a tiny spider on the petal. Photo shoot!
I don't have a copy of his photo of the spider, but here is an example of his similar work:
8. I'm thankful for the fun we have together. Whether playing games, looking at the latest photos, or sharing the latest tidbit we've learned, we genuinely enjoy each other's company.
On Sunday, I met with another friend from high school. Even though her parents have lived next door to my parents all these years, we never seemed to be visiting at the same time. It had been almost 30 years since we had seen each other! We had the best time catching up. We both have 5 kids. She has 2 granddaughters and a grandson. I have 2 granddaughters and a grandson on the way. We talked and laughed and talked some more. We forgot to take a photo (which is really too bad, as we had inadvertently color-coordinated our outfits!) We promised to not let 30 years pass before the next time we get together.
9. I'm thankful for friendships that can pick right up after decades apart.
On Monday, the scheduler called. Mom would have surgery on Wednesday, the day I would fly back home. Fortunately, my flight wasn't until later that day, so I was there for the surgery and could see her post-op before I had to leave. She is in the capable hands of my dad and brother, and my sister will arrive soon to help out, too.
10. I'm thankful for John, who was there to pick me up from the airport, and who held down the fort while I was gone. Spending hours in the emergency room, into the wee hours of the morning, was not in the plan for when I was gone, but he took care of it anyway. I'm thankful he was there, and there wasn't need for all the king's horses and all the king's men.
How's that for a mixed-up week? How did your week go?
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They had gone to a local fun center to play miniature golf. When they finished their game, they realized that all the employees had left and they were locked inside! They had to climb over the fence to escape. Before doing so, John called the fun center, in case climbing over the fence would trigger a call to security. Of course, the phone went to voice mail, so John and the kids proceeded to hop the fence. In the process, youngest daughter fell, taking the brunt of the impact on her face and leg.
1. I'm thankful that she didn't seriously hurt herself. She's not broken, just bruised.
2. I'm thankful for a nearby emergency room.
3. I'm thankful for a prompt response from the manager of the fun center. He called first thing the following morning, offered to pay for any medical bills and incidentals, and has been in daily contact with us to assure our daughter is healing well.
As I mentioned, I was in Oregon for about a week. I flew in on the 12th. The plan was I would arrive at my parents' house the day before my mom's surgery, and help her post-op. My brother would then come for a week, followed by my sister.
The surgery day arrived. When we got to the hospital, a nurse came out to introduce herself to my mom. She said her name, and I said, "And you went to ____ High School and graduated in _____!" She was in my graduating class.
4. I'm thankful for the chance to catch up with a fellow classmate after all these years.
5. I'm thankful for her nursing skills. She really has a great bedside manner.
After all the prep work, it was time for my mom's surgery. Just as she was going to be wheeled into the operating room, her surgeon came in, wrapped in a hospital blanket. She said she was sorry, but she didn't feel well and wouldn't be able to perform the surgery that day.
6. I'm thankful for a wise surgeon who recognized her limitations, and didn't try to operate while ill.
She said she would reschedule the surgery for Friday (of last week), but that the hospital would call to confirm. On Friday, the hospital said the surgeon still was unable to operate. The scheduler would call on Monday to let us know the new plan.
7. I'm thankful for a wise surgeon who recognized her limitations, and didn't try to operate while ill.
Meanwhile, we occupied ourselves by making trips to Grandma's care facility. I love hearing her stories. Regardless of the level of truth to her tales, her stories show a woman who cares about animals and children. (Alzheimer's has meshed truth with fiction in her mind, but she believes everything she says, and I'm not going to disagree.)
Back at my parents' home, Mom and I played some epic Scrabble games. We laughed at the tiles we pulled, and laughed harder at the "words" that we challenged. Zam, anyone?
 |
| Not surprisingly, I did not win this particular game. |
Dad kept busy, too. "I found a new model," he said, as I mentally scrambled to put the sentence in context. Then I noticed the flower in a vase in his hand, and realized that there was a tiny spider on the petal. Photo shoot!
I don't have a copy of his photo of the spider, but here is an example of his similar work:
8. I'm thankful for the fun we have together. Whether playing games, looking at the latest photos, or sharing the latest tidbit we've learned, we genuinely enjoy each other's company.
On Sunday, I met with another friend from high school. Even though her parents have lived next door to my parents all these years, we never seemed to be visiting at the same time. It had been almost 30 years since we had seen each other! We had the best time catching up. We both have 5 kids. She has 2 granddaughters and a grandson. I have 2 granddaughters and a grandson on the way. We talked and laughed and talked some more. We forgot to take a photo (which is really too bad, as we had inadvertently color-coordinated our outfits!) We promised to not let 30 years pass before the next time we get together.
9. I'm thankful for friendships that can pick right up after decades apart.
On Monday, the scheduler called. Mom would have surgery on Wednesday, the day I would fly back home. Fortunately, my flight wasn't until later that day, so I was there for the surgery and could see her post-op before I had to leave. She is in the capable hands of my dad and brother, and my sister will arrive soon to help out, too.
10. I'm thankful for John, who was there to pick me up from the airport, and who held down the fort while I was gone. Spending hours in the emergency room, into the wee hours of the morning, was not in the plan for when I was gone, but he took care of it anyway. I'm thankful he was there, and there wasn't need for all the king's horses and all the king's men.
How's that for a mixed-up week? How did your week go?
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Yikes, those bruises look painful! I love micro-photography and that photo is a gorgeous example of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your mom's surgery went well and that you were able to be there for it.
Daughter is changing color every day, but is healing. Mom is also recovering nicely.
DeleteI'm glad the bruises will heal and your daughter will be okay. You certainly had a mixed bag of a week. It is so nice to connect with friends you haven't seen in a long, long while. Your dad's photo is stunning. I am going to take a class to learn how to operate my camera on the manual settings. Wishing your Mom quick healing.
ReplyDeleteI need to learn more about how to use my camera's manual settings, too.
DeleteOh my goodness, your week was packed with blessings. I'm relieved to hear that your daughter is doing well after her tumble and that your mom had a successful surgery. Life has a way of throwing obstacles in our path. (I bet the fun center staff will now be required to walk the entire park BEFORE closing)
ReplyDeleteI imagine you are right!
DeleteI'm so glad your daughter was bruised but not broken. Still had to hurt a lot though - the bruises make me wince just seeing them. Ouch! I'm also glad your mom's surgery went well following the delay. Glad the surgeon was wise enough to put it off when sick. I've had a few surgeries myself over the years - mentally gearing up for them (both patient and family) is never easy. Had to disappointing to be all ready for it, but then have to reschedule. Sounds, however, like you all made the very best of the situation. So glad you enjoyed your visit with your family and seeing old friends. This is a very thankful, happy post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think the first rescheduling was the toughest on my mom. She was already on the bed, ready to be wheeled into the operating room, when the surgeon cancelled. But it was definitely for the best.
DeleteYour family did have quite the week! I am glad your daughter and your mom are both doing well now. LOVE your father's photo!
ReplyDeleteHe definitely takes great photos!
DeleteFamily and friends -- they are really precious.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
Deletebusy week?
ReplyDeletelol…
(extending the story differently, over the months the customers complain about how, when their ball goes into the windmill, a different colored one comes out… "hey, I don't remember there being beds inside the castle at the 9th hole")
good that the injuries were not worse…but as a story, 'locked in the miniature golf course' is not a bad one to tell the friends when school starts in the fall
It makes a great story, that's for sure! We spent at least a couple of days this week just repeating, "I can't believe they locked you (or us) in!"
DeleteI saw those horrible bruises come up on my phone when I was reading this yesterday and I was literally startled! Like a gasp sort of thing! OUCH! What a week... So Mom is doing okay too right? I do love the photo of your Dad... Do you play WWF online at all? I love scrabble and now find WWF fills that void as no one around to play here.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly the genre of photos I generally post. :-) Ouch is right, but daughter is a trooper. Mom is doing fine, and thinks that once she heals from the surgery she will be without pain. I have played WWF before, though I haven't played recently. If you need another opponent, though. . .
DeleteOUCH!!! So many parts of that story leave me with my mouth hanging open.
ReplyDeleteWell, now we know where you get your mad photography skills! Fantastic!
My word, isn't it annoying to get all of those good tiles without the vowels to make them good?
How nice that you got to catch up with two people from high school. When I read that one was your nurse, I must admit my first thought was, "Wow, I hoped you liked each other in high school." :)
It couldn't have been easy to be patient with the multiple reschedules. (You said a lot simply repeating that one sentence.) You handled it like champs. But I'm not surprised.
We still can't quite believe the "fun" center drama, either.
DeleteI have so much still to learn from my dad. He's definitely the (much) better photographer.
I was hoping we could just play some Eastern block language that didn't require vowels.
We didn't have many (any?) classes together, but we shared common friends, and got along fine. She's a great nurse.
I'm just glad that Mom had her surgery before I had to go home.
She's changing colors every day, but is getting better. I think it will take a while to be completely healed up.
ReplyDeleteI have a long ways to go to rival my dad's talent, but I appreciate the compliment.
Hope you had some vowels to go with your consonants!
Wow to your daughter's bruises! Yikes. I can't believe the employees left and locked your family in!! Hopefully you also get free golf for life there. How wonderful to spend time with your family and old friends in Oregon and I'm thankful that your mom's surgeon recognized her limitations as well and waited.
ReplyDeleteMy dad said the fun center should just give us a key! :-) We have been invited back at their expense.
DeleteWhat eventfulness! I'm glad your daughter sustained only minor injuries, though those bruises are mighty impressive! I'm glad your mother's surgeon was wise; I'm glad you got to see her before and after, after all. And so glad you got to catch up with an old friend. Nothing better!
ReplyDeleteThe bruises are starting to fade a little, I think, and Mom is healing well, too. Hopefully my friend and I will connect again before another 30 years go by!
Delete