The Last Straw

So, when I last left you, we were heading out the door to move me and our daughter Gingko (and of course that's not her real name, all you Johnny-come-lately readers--she's a private teenager and wouldn't want anyone to know at the public level that I am her mother, so for blogging purposes I am using the name we called her when she was in utero) back to Seattle. Gingko would rather chew off her own leg than live in Berkeley, so having had long discussions with adults who moved as teenagers and with therapists and with each other, we decided that our goal was to raise a kid with a reasonable chance at happiness in life or at least few problems that she could pin on us directly. So, J takes a week off work, I pack up my work in process, we pack up the two cars, drive through horrendous heat for 3 days (did I mention that my car does not have air conditioning?) with the dog, who cannot be left in the car for meals so we eat fast food at highway rest stops, all the while I'm worried about finding a place to live and getting Gingko signed up for community college and keeping Shadow from peeing on the hotel elevator because he was firmly convinced that the ground he was looking at through the glass elevator walls was moving away from us at a truly unnatural speed, well, let's just say I had lots of worries.

We made it! Lovely green Seattle, the mountains that I missed so much.

The next day, Saturday, we actually found a perfect townhouse for rent that was a bit more than we wanted to pay but it would indeed make my life much easier than I'd expected. We were feeling pretty lighthearted!

Then I broke my ankle. True story. Slipped on the grass slope.

I'm sitting here in my friend's guest room with a temporary splint, a majorly throbbing leg, and an appointment to see the orthopedist tomorrow to decide whether I'll need surgery or not.

Just wanted you all to know! I'm practicing one day at a time with a vengeance, because we don't have a clue what will happen next. I am blessed to have so many friends who will, I just know, pitch in to help out when J has to leave.

So, keep sending me those wonderful messages of courage and hope!

Oh, and I knit another 12 rows of my Ribby Cardi in the emergency room...

Comments

[Jewel]

Janine! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm really glad that you, Gingko, and Shadow made it there.

[JoVE]

And it sounded like it was going so well! Focus on the good stuff -- nice townhouse, nice kid, friends, mountains. Hope the ankle heals quickly (though think how much knitting you can do while incapacitated). Hopefully Gingko will appreciate what you are doing for her but even if she doesn't (in the short term) know that you have made a tough decision for a good reason. Not everyone would be as brave as you are.

[Erin]

Long time reader...[etc.]

I'm so sorry to hear about your ankle -- a great knitter and a wonderful mother deserves better! Your readers are thinking of you -- get better soon!

[SF Knitter]

12 rows! fantastic! ;)
I love Seattle too. Things will get better from here on out, no doubt!
Best to you and Ginkgo!

[Jessica]

Oh crap. That's awful. I hope you don't need surgery. At least no one will expect you to help unload the cars. :)

[Maia]

Thinking positive thoughts for you that this is just a small speed bump. I know people will be there for you when you need them; how could they not?

Hugs from the Bay Area.

[marti]

just had to come back to seattle with a bang huh? let me know if we can help in any way.

[Susanna in Seattle]

Sorry to hear about your ankle Janine. Hope it heals quickly so you can move around comfortably again. Also hope this move to Seattle will turn out well for everyone.

In the meantime, knit on!

[Sheila]

Awww, man! I'm so sorry to hear about the ankle, it must be very painful. I hope it heals quickly... it's hard to spin without an ankle, eh?

[Yvette]

Oh, I'm so sorry about your ankle. Let me know if there's anything you guys need -- I'd be happy to help out. In the meantime, here's the perfect opportunity to spend lots of time knitting. Take the painkillers, put your foot up, and knit away!

[spaazlicious]

Well, WTF! Here's to a quick bounceback, speedy recovery and happy future for everybuddy.

[Diane]

Whoopsie daisy! So sorry to hear about your ankle, not at all what you need right now. But the important stuff will all get done so don't fret, it sounds like you have some great friends ready to pitch in.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the knitting info I've gleaned from your website. I can't wait to try your short row shaping on fair isle shoulders when I do my next sweater.

Take care of that ankle!

[vanessa]

oh janine, what a horrid thing to happen! hope you don't need surgery :-(

[Ryan]

Need TMK and I say--whatever you need, whenever you need it?

[June]

Yowza! When it rains, it pours! But I guess things are starting to look up? Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

[Laurie]

Golly, that sucks big time. Hope you don't need surgery, and all goes quickly with healing. I suspect even more knitting time is coming your way.

[Celia]

Damn! what a lousy start. From here everything must go up. Heal fast. I sent lots of hugs.

[Angela]

Eek! Good luck for a quick mend and I hope you get off those crutches quick!

[Lala]

Dude. That's why we need to outlaw grass. Actually, we could outlaw nature. Except squirrels, cause they're cute. And duck billed platypi, for reasons that should be obvious. But we can just pave the rest of it.
And that ankle thing? Totally sucks. Here's hoping for the speediest possible recovery.

[Kit]

Uh, Janine?... The Ferals have been very patient. But, uh, we *have* been waiting, you know? This ankle trick of yours kind of sucks for us as well as for you. Blasted grassy slopes.

[martha]

I wish you a non-surgical quick recovery and a smooth(er) re-entry into your new/old life. Y'all are a mighty fine mama.

[Katie]

Good grief. Unbelievable! As Ryan said, anytime, whatever you need.

[melissa]

Ouch. Hope you feel better soon.

[Nathania]

Ack! Perhaps this is the universe's way of giving you some time off to knit. Thinking healing thoughts and missing you already!

[Anne]

Could be worse. You could have broken a wrist and *gasp* not have been able to knit! Love the Ribbi Cardi, I have made two of them. Had to - my daughter kept swiping mine, so I had her choose colors and made her one of her very own. It worked, too! Enjoy being back home, and you will be racing around in no time, I am sure.