Good News, Bad News, Good News?

The good news is - Katie does not need surgery for her thumb. New xrays this morning showed that the bone had actually moved, but to a better position. Surgery and or screws are not needed.

The bad news is that she will wear a cast for 3 weeks. Can anyone say finals? Writing and washing her hair seem to be the biggest obstacles so far.

The good news is the cast is pretty pink and she can still move all her fingers.

She took it all like a trooper this morning. The pain seems to be only if she bumps it or if the spint was off and she held it other than at shoulder level. The cast is to protect the end of the thumb from being jarred so the bone can heal properly. The doctor feels she will have some stiffness in that joint forever, but surgery would most likely not fix that. As long as her instructors are willing to work with her regarding test taking and essays, she should sail through this just fine.

Another Busy Weekend

Katie spent most of her Friday running errands and picking up supplies in preparation for the painting party at her dad's new house on Saturday. I went with her for the last part of her paint run and she had her back seat FULL with at least 35 gallons of paint.

Katie and Chloe left around 8 AM Saturday to paint. Katie came home long enough from that to shower, change and go baby sit. She walked in the door around midnight. Chloe was able to have some downtime and relax Saturday evening after her painting marathon. EJ worked as a referee for 3 games (12:30 - 7 PM) Saturday afternoon/evening. He was more than a little chilled when he got home. I was able to meet with Mary, Sheila and Dawn for a much needed chat and movie session.

Sunday was the usual church commitments and Kate went back to paint then shop for sinks and toilets before she went to play soccer at 4 PM. Chloe went to work on a project for school with a friend and EJ played soccer at 6 PM.

I was at handbells when I received a call from Kate saying she was on the way to the ER. She injured her left thumb attempting to stop someone from scoring. I could tell she had been crying and was upset. She said she could drive and her dad was going with her. I told her I'd meet her at the ER.

Her left thumb is broken! Major adjustments will follow; hard to tie your shoes or shampoo your own hair with one hand in a splint. I made an appointment this morning for her to see the orthopedic doctor and we'll see what he has to say and go from there.

Katie walked in from the ER and Chloe took one look at her and said "Oh, Katie. Can I give you a hug? Would you like Bruster's?" And off Chloe went to buy her big sister comfort food. I have the best kids!

A New Reality

Life without soccer and band is still taking some getting used to. I miss both activities.

My Friday's and Saturday's used to be spent juggling football games, marching competitions and soccer games. This past Saturday I spent a rainy day in Dahlonega, GA. It was Gold Rush. If that means nothing to you, don't feel bad because I had no idea what it was either.

EJ called around 9 AM Saturday to say that he just found out some parents were coming up for the parade at 3 PM. Squad progress drills would be in the morning. His squad was scheduled for 11:15 AM. I could come watch that if I wanted to. I told him I could make that and headed out.

The drills were interesting to watch. I could have done without the 43 degree weather and rain, but I managed to stay fairly dry. When EJ was released, he came to find me and we went to get a bite to eat. Then I wandered the square in downtown Dahlonega and waited for the parade to start. I listened to some gospel music, ate some fried dough and wandered through two antique malls and a TON of craft booths. A very pleasant way to spend Saturday afternoon.

The parade was surprisingly very long. Two bands, a fire truck, some Clydesdales and every Boy Scout and Girl Scout in Lumpkin County. Lots of politicians, beauty contest winners AND runners-up. And antique cars; so many of them. The Corp of Cadets were in the beginning of the parade. Honestly, after my cadet went by the event lost most of its appeal for me. But I stayed for most of it.

EJ was able to come home with me after the parade. He had dinner with Kate and me, went to a movie with friends, attended church and played soccer with Kate Sunday afternoon. After dinner Sunday night I took him back to school. A different kind of weekend, but not a bad one.

It's All About Who You Know

I know this to be true. Today, we saw it in action.

Back in July EJ received his first (and only???) speeding ticket. The irony of the whole ticket thing is that he managed to drive to and from Ohio and Florida with his teenage buddies without any tickets, warnings or accidents. He no sooner gets back into Forsyth County, GA, from his last summer excursion and he gets pulled over. Grrr!

When he handed me the ticket, I was NOT happy and that is putting it mildly. EJ was angry and felt it was a trap. No surprise there :-). He decided he wasn't going to call the number and just pay the fine. He was going to court and fight it. Today was his court date.

While EJ was waiting in the hall for his turn to go before the judge he met up with Leslie Abernathy, Solicitor General, Forsyth County. Mrs. Abernathy is Jessica's mother. Jessica and her family attend First Baptist Cumming and Jessica participates in the youth group with EJ. Mrs. Abernathy greeted him and asked him why he was there. She asked to see his ticket and then proceeded to reduce the speed noted on the ticket and pulled him to the front of the line at the counter so he could pay his fine. The change she made on the ticket means NO points on his license and NO INCREASE in insurance!!!! She also told him to SLOW DOWN and said she didn't want to see him there again. THANK YOU Leslie Abernathy. You can bet I will be looking for her at church so I can thank her in person.



Getting EJ to the court house by 8:30 AM in Cumming from Dahlonega was not convenient and meant that I missed some work this morning. But no longer having to worry about how that ticket will affect my insurance rates makes the early morning, 4 hours in the car, extra gas and time missed at work definitely worth all the inconvenience. I feel strongly that things played out the way they were supposed to.

It is my sincere wish that the inconvenience, cost and scolding were enough to slow EJ down. A mother can dream!