Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

Last Monday, I was involved in a car accident. It was three days after my 54th birthday. I was at a stop-light by the Layton Hills Mall, where I had just gone to the craft store and also McDonalds to get a hamburger and drink (it was around 1:00 PM). I was actually eating my hamburger (while waiting for the light to change), when two cars collided in the intersection...causing one to hit me. I saw it coming. My hamburger flew out of my hand and I had little onions all over me. There was a car behind me waiting, and my back bumper hit the front of her vehicle.

I remember just sitting staring at the girl that hit me. She was staring back. A young man (had his family in his car) that was involved in the accident went to the other cars to ask if we were all right. I was shaking so bad that I didn't know what to do. I had left my cell phone home and it took several minutes to realize that the car was still running. The man called the police and they came within 5 minutes. I just sat there trying to figure out what happened and if I was hurt. My neck and back were aching. My head was pounding. I wasn't sure if it was the accident or going too long without eating. I took the hamburger off me and got out of the car to brush the onions off. I asked the lady behind me if she was okay. She shook her head yes. I noticed that she was very sun-burned and not happy at all.

The police took some pictures and then asked if we could park our cars at the Layton Hills Mall. They were trying to get us away from the other traffic. We had to fill out forms and I was shaking so hard....that I'm not sure how I filled them out. One police officer was very nice and the other (that seemed in charge) barked out orders and didn't seem compassionate. I think I kept saying that I was shaking...to which he said...that's what happens when you are in a car accident. He was stern and rude and I decided to not ask him questions. The problem is that the other officer didn't seem to know anything. Finally, a third officer appeared and he was very kind. The policemen kept asking me if I needed the paramedics to come and check me out. I told them that I could tell I had whiplash, but I was also walking around and felt stupid. They finally gave me a form saying that I was injured, but refused medical help. It seemed like it took a long time and it was very hot.

I wonder how the two that collided feel. I have hurt in so many places with my hands being the first major thing I noticed (after the initial shock and numbness left). Now it's my back. I feel very blessed to not have worse injuries. My car had scratches in the back and the bumper, light, and driver's side fender is bent. Marc and I took it to a body shop to get an estimate of how much it will cost to fix. The Camry is pretty old, so I guess it will depend on whether they can fix it for less than the car costs (in today's market). I'm kind of worried about that.

All in all....I was "at the wrong place at the wrong time" and it's a day that I will never forget. Oh...and I believe in wearing seat belts.

Pre-School Graduation

A thrilling day in the life of a Gramma is watching her first grandchild graduate from Pre-School. Jarem did this and so this blog is dedicated to him. It was a short ceremony (probably the only one that will be short) and there was a nice luncheon afterwards. Jarem was the only boy in his class and so he learned how to be a gentleman by opening the door for the girls and letting them be first. He is a good student and learned how to hold his pencil this year. I am so proud of him, because I know that was hard. The biggest accomplishment is that he reads on a 2nd grade level. He loves it and seeing a book in his hand is not uncommon. Jarem, "Congratulations" and I look forward to many more graduations.

Springtime

Springtime is a big month for birthdays. Lexi turned 3 in April and May brings Yuni and Andrea’s big days. We are so grateful for them all. The following slide show gives you an idea of the extended family parties to celebrate each of their Birthdays. I love you all! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Lexi!

Today was my x-ray for the pneumonia. I still have some in my right lung, but it is better. The plan is to let me finish my antibiotics and then see what happens. He's hoping that it will clear up without any more medication. I hope so. I'm so tired of coughing and not feeling well. I asked about exercising and he said that it takes about a month to get your strength back. I need to take things slowly and then rest in between. I appreciated his comments and didn't feel so wimpy when we (Andrea went with me) left. Thanks Annie for going with me.

After, we ran some errands and then took a quick trip out to wish Lexi a Happy Birthday. She turned 3 today. We are going to celebrate it Sunday with the family. I will post pictures from her Birthday party later. Alexa told me today that her favorite color is purple. She loves the Princesses esp. Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle. She likes to do puzzles (the 24 piece ones) and she's good at it. Lexi asked for mashed potatoes for her birthday dinner. Andrea helped Alisha out by mashing them for her. I asked what she wanted for her birthday and she said, " A doll and stuff." Aunt Annie made her day when she put nail polish on her fingers and toes. Blue with purple tips. Lexi, Grandma (she started calling me Grams today) loves you! Where have the last 3 years gone?

Pneumonia

Just a short entry, today. I found out last Weds. that I have pneumonia in the right lung. I guess that is why I have been coughing for 3 months. Here I thought I was just being a whimp and find out that it would have just gotten worse. They put me on a new antibiotic and hopefully this Friday...my lung will look better. It's interesting how you can now look at your xrays on the computer and they can zoom in and out to look at everything. I knew the minute I saw the xray, that something was wrong. So....I'm trying to rest and be good.

This Friday is Alexa's 3rd birthday. We are going to celebrate it on Sunday. I'm so excited. I love getting together with the family. I will be sure and post the Birthday Girl's picture.

Easter 2010

What?

Have you ever had a day that you felt like you were two steps behind? That’s how I felt the first day of April. It was a Thursday, but felt like a Wednesday. It was also snowing. I had offered to help Marc out by taking our taxes to be mailed at the Post Office. So…I went and had to stand in line because he wanted it sent certified. After what seemed a good half hour wait…I went and treated myself to a Route 44 Diet Coke at Sonic. They have my favorite ice. I went home to relax and get caught up on things at home.

I really like some of the games on Face Book and so I got on and saw Yuni and Lya’s picture. I thought…. wait…. today is Thursday and I usually go to their place for a visit. I wrote her on Face Book and she replied that she would like me to come if I felt like I could with the bad weather. It was not snowing here, so I got ready to go when the snow started to fall so heavy that I couldn’t see past my back yard. I thought…no way…so I wrote and told her. I did a few more things and the weather had cleared up and the sun was shining. So…I hurried and left for Bountiful. Yuni had told me that Ryan would be home around 4:00, so I thought I would stop at Cosco since it was about 3:30. I was strolling down an isle and low and behold…. Ryan turned the corner. I thought he saw me, but he started to leave and I said, “Hi Ryan.” He looked around and then he said (with pure joy) “Mom.” Leaving his cart, he came and gave me a hug. It was a great surprise!

I went and played with Lya while Yuni made dinner and Ryan practiced the talks that he will be interpreting for Conference (we are all excited for him). Lya was in a great mood and gramma enjoyed having some one on one time with her.

Marc beat me home, but we decided to wind down and watch a video. The phone rang and I could tell that Jarem was really excited. He said something, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying because he was so happy. Finally…it came out. “Gramma, my mom’s going to have a baby.” I was stunned. I said, “What?” He repeated it. “Who? Pumpkin Pie?” (Their guinea pig). “No…Gramma…Mom…she’s going to have a baby.” Then he said (laughing), “April Fools.” He was so excited that “he got me.” His cute laugh was followed up by both he and Lexi telling me that they had tickets for the Jazz Game. Right…. April Fools! It was great!

So…maybe this day was supposed to feel different. After all…it was April Fools Day!