Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

THE GOOD:
My kitchen floor is finally getting repaired! For those of you who don't know, the grout in my kitchen has been cracked for a good year and a half. I've been hounding our builder and tile guy for the same amount of time to get it fixed. So after much persistance, I should have a brand-new floor by Friday. FINALLY!

THE BAD:
My kitchen floor is getting repaired. This means that my kitchen will be inaccessible until Friday. The tile guy thought it would be a few minor repairs, but he ended up having to tear up the whole floor. Needless to say, my house is covered in tile dust and this has caused a cleaning nightmare. Also, the dust was so heavy in the morning that I decided to bail out and head to my folks house until Friday, which is when my kitchen will be accessible again. And then, the cleaning begins (for those of you who are wondering, I did shut all the doors to the bedrooms, covered the furniture with sheets, and turned off the ac unit)...

THE UGLY:
On my way to my folks house, the kids and I stopped for lunch. In my haste on the way out the door, trying to corral my kids, carry my bags and my drink, I lost my footing and tripped. I toppled over my kids and braced my fall with my knees (which are not the strongest in the first place). I landed partially on Ethan and propelled Mallory forward into a chair face forward, which unfortunately caused her to bust her lip. Highly embarrased and concerned for my kids, I burst into tears (furthering the embarassment). Ethan was just frightened, but Mallory's lip was ugly. While consoling my bleeding daughter, who was appalled at all the attention therefore burrying her face in my white shirt, I tried to tell everyone who came to my aid that we were OK. I was quite a sight. The nice people offered Mallory a balloon, which she was afraid of, and ice, which she would not allow me to apply to her face therefore causing her to scream louder, all the while Ethan is running around the restaurant happy as a clam that he wasn't being hovered over by mommy. The kind hostess finally brought me a bowl of ice cream, which calmed Mallory and also helped with the pain in her lip. Someone also kindly put Ethan in a highchair for me so he wouldn't be running all over the place. I had several people offer to help me to the car, and I swallowed my pride and took the help...an entourage carrying Ethan and the dreaded balloon (the lady carrying the balloon thought she was helping...). And in my continued distress, I headed in the wrong direction on the interstate, heading West instead of East, which I didn't realize until 5 miles up the road, causing me to cry all over again. Being displaced from my kitchen, a dusty house from floor to ceiling, deciding to travel (packing for two small kids and for myself for a 3 day trip in 30 minutes), and a busted lip...all, very, very ugly.

But, my kitchen floor will be brand new when I get home.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Goodness, you poor thing! What a story! I hope that kitchen floor is spectacular after all that!

Mel H. said...

Oh Mel! I wanted to cry when I read this! The whole situation is just awful...I think I would have pulled over and cried.

When Cole was 4 months old, I placed his carrier on a table in a restaurant with him in it and when I turned, the diaper bag knocked him upside down onto the floor. I seriously had a panick attack in the restaurant...so can totally relate to the embarrasment and distress factor here!

I hope your knees aren't too bruised, though your heart will be for the next week or so everytime you look at Mallory's lip.

Justmatt said...

WOW Mel! That is nuts! Glad you are all ok.

kara battel said...

oh- i am so sorry! you should have just moved in with margaret! she told me she offered up her place-- but, this really stinks! hope you take a break and relax at your parents-- just breathe- it WILL all be okay!

Courtney said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. I would have been a basketcase as well. The good thing is there were people willing to help and have pity on you. I had to laugh at your description of Ethan's take on the whole thing. He's such a jolly guy, huh :) I hope everything goes well for you guys today...Luv ya!

Joy said...

Oh - I feel your embarrassment. At least now you'll have a new kitchen floor AND a great story to tell for years and years.

Spirit of Adoption said...

Oh Melanie - I'm so sorry!!! That is crazy and totally something that would happen to ME! I will say....at least you have somewhere to go in all of it! My husband is gone, and I'm at home w/ 4 kiddos and a fractured rib....possibly more....we'll know after the catscan : ( I'd give a fall in the floor and a busted lip to be at my folks house right now!!! : ) Hope you have a good time, and hope Mallory's little lip is all healed up tomorrow!!!

The Anthonys said...

One day you will look back at this and laugh! Okay maybe you won't. I'm glad so many people helped you! I think you handled yourself perfectly! Your kids did well. Don't you love the people that try to help (like with the balloon)? Please post a picture of your new floor!!! Now we have to decide if it was all worth it!