I think I need to start off this post with an excuse.
I might be MIA for a little bit.
I don’t know. But I feel like I should prepare you.
I am busy, busy, busy, and I don’t even have children. So all of you teachers who also mother other people . . . I have so much admiration for you, I can’t even put it into words. And you know me, I tend to have words. So that’s big.
My weekend was turned UPSIDE DOWN when my brother called me. I had just left the wedding shower and was headed to church. I knew instantly something had happened to my mom or my dad. I have no idea why I thought that My brother and I almost never talk on the phone so I knew it was serious.
Sure enough, my mom fell on plastic while painting in the garage. For those of you who don’t know my mom, that’s actually a good example of her character. Let’s put plastic down in the garage. Wouldn’t want any paint to get on that oil spot. No sirree, Bob. Not on her watch. (We like to joke that when we went camping, she always had a mop and a can of Pledge with her in the tent. Although it was the truth and not a joke.)
So . . . my poor mom fell on the plastic or under the plastic . . . or got her foot caught in the plastic . . . however it happened, she broke her femur.
Apparently, that’s a big one. The biggest one.
911 and all that.
I just mosey-ed on over to church. Shrug. Oh well.
Not exactly. But sort of.
I mean, where better to pray, right? (My dad was holding me off because they were in the ER with no news and I was on standby. But I was actually sitting. And then standing for songs. And then sitting again. But he called it standby.)
Immediately after church, the hubs and I headed to the hospital.
Poor, poor, poor mom. She was in a lot of pain. She said it was a 9 1/2 on a scale of 10. And she is one tough cookie so I knew it was bad. Kidney stones. Twins. Gall bladder. Son. People tracking dirt in on her new hardwood floors. Daughter. Fingerprints on her sliding glass door. Not in that order, of course. She can take A LOT. But that femur did her in.
She was really proud of herself for living her whole life and not breaking anything. I told her we could call it a fracture since that’s what my parents like to call the broken arm I had when I was in first grade.
NEWS FLASH – a fracture is a break.
But not in my family. Especially when your parents left you in the backyard with your 8 year old sister to watch you. All so that they could go on a walk. Apparently, four young kids under the age of 8 meant frequent walks were necessary. So they left us. In the backyard. In Houston, Texas. And behind us was the bayou. It was the late 70s – it’s how it was done. No biggie. Anywho, I fell off the monkey bars and cried and cried and cried. When they FINALLY got home, they put ice on it, fed me rolos, and told me I’d be fine. It wasn’t until the next day, or even the next day, or even the week after that, a kid at school bumped into me and I lost all sense of where I was and howled like a monster. So they sent me to the nurse, called my mom, and the next thing I knew, I was getting a cast put on.
NEWS FLASH – they put casts on fractured bones. Synonym for fracture: BROKEN.
I must have been destined to be a teacher from the very beginning because I didn’t want anyone to sign my cast. I wanted to sign it for them in my own printing. Just tell me what you want to write and I’ll do it, I said.
Meanwhile, my mom doesn’t have a cast. Because the rod they put in during her surgery yesterday IS THE CAST. Ironic, don’t you think?
I could go on and on because there’s lots to tell, but I won’t. But let’s just say that I would rather have been at the hospital with my mom than anywhere else. She is still there and we are hoping to have her home by Wednesday. She’s in good spirits today.
Today was miserable. I don’t have those kind of days. But it was. I faked it, but I didn’t want to be there.
All the work I was supposed to do over the weekend didn’t get done. SO . . .
I must go now. And I may not even get to read your blogs tonight. So I am super sorry if I haven’t left you a comment in two days. I know. I hate it, too. I’m thinking of all of you.
But, most of all, I’m thinking of my mom. She reads this. So, mom, I love you lots and lots. And more and more. And even though she insists I just had a fracture, she makes the BEST DESSERTS in the WORLD and she spoiled me rotten when I was growing up.
Oh prayers for your sweet mom! Hope she's pain free now and heals up really quickly!
Hope your mom is doing better and not cleaning the hospital or anything! (Just kidding!). Take good care of your mom and dad!
Your posts are always soooo fun to read! Just promise me that one day when you finally consolidate all your posts into a book, can I have one of your first copies, even autographed would be better. I've never had an autographed best seller before so that will be super exciting!
Seriously girl, write a book! That should be your summer project. 🙂
And I hope your mom feels much better very soon. That had to hurt really bad! Poor thing!
Whew- the femur!?!?! OUCH!
I cringed when I read it! I hope she is (medicated) and feeling better soon!
Mom (and her desserts) are in my thoughts!
Staci
Going Nutty!
misssquirrels@yahoo.com
Best wishes to your mom from the heartland. I hope is is up and around very soon. Take care of you both.
Tammy
First Grade @ Klinger Cafe
dtklinger@gmail.com
Broke my femur when I was three years old…. turned 4 in the hospital because 20 years ago, ok 40 years ago, they put you in traction for that kind of thing… didnt walk for MONTHS, and even had to learn how to do it all over again. I remember the experience which shows how much it affected me since I was onoly THREE. Did I mention I had my birthday in the hospital, at a time when parents couldnt stay with kids, pics of me crying when they left. Who takes pictures of your kid crying because you're leaving? Oh well… that "fracture" healed pretty well, with scars to show for it! Prayers for your Momma!! Oh and I have twins too… boy/girl, age 11.
Whoa! That is HORRIBLE. Your poor mom! I will be sending up some prayers for your mommy (and you!) tonight! And, don't feel bad about being MIA for awhile. We understand!
Hugs,
Kerri B
teacherbitsandbobs
Praying for your momma!! Ouch!!
Take good care….prayers and thoughts to you and your Mom and family. Family is always first, it will all get done at school and in bloggy land…
Aw, no apologies for being MIA. You do what you need to do and the rest of us will go through withdrawl. 😉 Your mom is lucky to have you help her through this.
Did you really sign your cast for people? That is so funny! Why are so many of us teachers control freaks? Can that be cured? Or at least can we get some medication?
hugs
Awe…I am so sorry! I am glad your mom was in good spirits. Good luck on Wednesday getting her home and settled in.
Shawna
The Picture Book Teacher's Edition
Your poor mom. Sending prayers her way, and your way too! Be MIA for as long as you need. Family comes first, even before school and blogs. (Although I know many of us are hoping your momma is doing well enough for you to return to Talk about it Tuesday when Emily starts her time as the Bachelorette).
Very sweet of you. I'm sure this put a smile on your mom's face 🙂
Hadar
Kristin, thoughts and prayers for your mother. Those calls are the worst, especially when you sense something's not right. Hope she's feeling better soon.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, but you kept me laughing all the way through.
Deedee
And I just found you! Just kidding! I hope your mom heals quickly and I'm sure she'll appreciate you doing what you can for her. I love your blog and I blame you for not getting work done because after reading a few recent posts I decided I had to go all the way back to the beginning of your blog to read them all. I've spent two days and I'm still only on September! I'm loving every minute of it! I'm trying to figure this blog thing out for myself. You've inspired me to keep it up!
Thanks!!!
Jenny
Funtastic Fun in First Grade
Sweet Kristin:
April has been quite a month for you!
Here's a promise: Mom gets the first line on the prayer list tonight,
And you're filled in on the second!
Your BloggyBuddies will be sending you lots of love and hugs…
And when we jump over to visit your blog, we'll see your "Mom Post," and remember all over again that you are busy being a wonderful daughter and friend to your mom.
Giant squeezy CyberHugs sent your way…
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Oh no! Poor Mom! Prayers for a quick recovery!
On a slightly related fracture note- My sister fractured her ankle doing pillow vaulting at my grandparents house (pillow vaulting= hurtling over pillows in my grandparents den while the parents played cards), and when she went crying to my mother she was told to "go stick it in the pool, it's fine." Until it swelled up to 3x it's normal size the next day!
Prayers for your mama–go take care of her and make sure someone gets rid of that plastic!
Barb
meet me at the zoo…
kinderzoo
I am so sorry for your mom! That's terrible! I'm super scared about breaking something – poor woman! God bless her and help her heal quickly.
Buzzing with Ms. B
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your mom! After reading this I think my middle daughter may be destined to be a teacher, too. Even though she was only three when she broke her leg (in TWO places) ((who knew tricycle injuries could be so serious)), she wanted to be in complete control of who signed her cast and where they signed it.
Be good with being MIA, and be there for you mom!
Jen
Runde's Room
Terrible. I am so sorry for your mom! She'd probably think it was crazy (or sweet), but make sure she knows we are all rooting for her.
You grew up in Houston?! That makes so much sense. You have that sense of humor. I lived there for three years and thought they were the nicest and funniest women I had ever met.
Kimberley
First in Maine
Your poor mom. Hope she's feeling better soon!
Jodi
So sorry to hear about your mom. Wishing her a speedy recovery.
Ann
Praying for a speedy recovery for your mom!
Natalie
TeacheryTidbits
Oh my…so sorry to hear about your mom. My mom broke her ankle and ended up having surgery about 5 years ago. It was a tough time ans I so feel for you all. Lots of prayers heading your way! Lisa
OUCH! ….for both of you! I hope she gets home soon and heals quickly! It is a blessing that you live close enough to visit her. Hang in there!!
Wow!!! You're bringing back some memories for me. My 8 year old broke his left femur in July. Had to be fully casted from one ankle, around the waste, and down to the other knee. He's now fully recovered with rods that will be taken out this summer. I have no doubt that she'll recover. I wish her all the best and a speedy recovery.
Best wishes to your mom and hope and prayers for a speedy recovery.
My prayers go out to your mom as well as your whole family.
So sorry about your mom. It's hard to see a superhero in pain!!! Please tell me you've seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP4zgb9H3Cg It's hilarious – the femur part starts about half way through but the whole thing will make you pee your pants. Except not your mom cause she probably has a catheter. Prayers for a speedy recovery!!
I hope you mom gets well soon!!! My husband was born with a broken leg and his mom only told him this about a year ago- I think he's more traumatized by just finding out about it now than the actual event… Men! 🙂
-Staci
Let's Teach Something
Praying for your mom and the rest of the family.
awwww.. i am so sorry to hear about your mom! I have had a few broken bones in my life (i'm not very graceful, ha!) and they all are terrible!
She sounds a lot like my mother.. always cleaning and making sure everything is just perfect!
I also hate going to school unprepared and unorganized.
Kacey
Doodle Bugs Teaching
Doodle Bugs Paper
Praying for your sweet mom!
-Megan
First Grade Magic
Oh Kristin! I am praying for your mom for a quick and speedy recovery! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
Femur breaks are the worst! My boyfriend was watching my sisters 3 year old and my nephew fell and broke his femur. Since he was so young he was in a body cast for 2 months and really couldn't move. It was awful.
Oh my goodness!! My thoughts and prayers are with your momma! That sounds just awful!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
I hope your mom has a quick recovery and is feeling better! And I hope your open house planning is going well too!
Yuck! Your poor mom! I fell roller blading in high school and I told my dad my arm was broken. He said it was bruised. Days later I had a cast. Good grief! Hang in there!
Rowdy in First Grade
I'm with Tamara…I want a book too, signed pretty please!
Give your momma lots of loving! And don't worry about us…we'll still be here 🙂
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
You and her will be in my prayers!
Michelle
Apples and ABC's
Prayers for your mom and players for you. It is hard to mother your parents…especially your own mother. Laughter is the best medicine, and you can deliver lots of that. Remember to take care of yourself so you can take care of your mom.
Oh your poor mom. Feel better soon Teeny Tiny's Mom!!!
{Kristin… even through the seriousness you make me laugh, smile and altogether happy. I do believe we were cut from the same cloth. Seriously!}
Take care.
So sorry to hear about your mom! I hope she gets better soon 🙂
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
Oh, we're so sorry to hear about your Mom, but we hope she has a sense of humor like yours. You have the best way of making things lighter. 🙂
εїзChristy & Tammyεїз
Tell mom I love her and I hope her BROKEN FRACTURED leg is better. She has the best daughter ever.
Awe!! Tell your mom I hope she feels better! I can't imagine breaking your femur! That sounds like it would be really painful! Give her lots of love!
Praying for your Mom! And Prayers for you! I know what it is like to worry for your Mom! I grew up in the Houston area in the 70's and 80's – times were different then and I think all parents went for walks – (btw – there were 4 of us too!)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls
Praying for you and your mom. May God give you peace and mom quick healing and doctors with good drugs!
I have been crazy busy and not on the blogs so I am late to say I'm SO sorry to hear about your mom and I hope she is feeling better soon!
Jenn
Finally in First
Wow. I am really out of it right now with all that is going on in my life. I just saw this. Give Mom a hug from me. I know she will heal quickly. Just don't make her laugh too hard. Love you friend. She will be okay.
Fran