Sunday, April 20, 2014

Sunday Salon: One for the books

 And I'm not talking about the good kind of books that we read and love.  This week was one that about caused me to lose my mind.  I know I always say things like that, and I know I tend to get on here and complain.  But this is what is going on in my life, and I've gotta share.

Bear in mind that Thursday we left for Savannah for spring break.  Which is good!  And I'll get to that.  But Monday through Wednesday was enough.  LOL.

One of our cats got sick...upper respiratory infection, so vet appointment and meds and cash.  It's always fun giving cats meds!  On this same day, my daughter's school went on lockdown because of an armed suspect nearby, at the same time as a violent storm blew through, at the same time that my son had to get to a volleyball game.  The pool broke (specifically the thing that makes salt into chlorine), and I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I had to do some emergency stuff to it to keep it from getting green while we were gone. We had a follow-up appointment for my son and his tests, and it was determined that he is allergic to cow's milk.  Now, he doesn't drink milk or eat yogurt, mayo or sour cream, so this basically affects his intake of cheese, Italian food, butter and chocolate.  It bums him out but is much better than a gluten intolerance.  We had a bit of insanity, though, in his trying to get caught up with schoolwork before spring break, as he has missed so much throughout this ordeal.  I also worked the Adult Literacy League's fundraiser "Reading Between the Wines".  I was lucky to get there, dressed, with my lipstick on, but it was successful and it was enjoyable to hear Stuart Woods speak.

This all happened Monday through Wednesday.  However, the ultimate thing that completely freaked me out happened Tuesday night.  A car was driving aggressively on our street, passed another car, clipped it but kept driving, lost control and hit our wall at the entrance to our driveway.  It flipped over on its side, and the two occupants had to be removed through the roof of the car with the jaws of life.  Both people ended up dying...a terrible thing.  The story now is that the man (the driver) was having complications from a colonoscopy and was driving himself to the hospital (his wife was with him but couldn't drive at night).  I ran out when I saw the emergency vehicles, and it was a sight that I'll never forget.  I didn't sleep well for a couple of nights.  Now I have to figure out how to get our brick wall fixed.  Here is a picture from one of the news stations.   
 

















ANYWAY, when these things happen, you have to count your blessings, right?  Suffice it to say, I couldn't get out of town fast enough.  I was starting to get heart palpitations.

We love Savannah.  My husband and I have visited before, but the kids have never been.  As always, we explore on foot.  It is the best way to really get a feel for a place.  We've probably walked 30 miles since we arrived (yesterday alone we hit nearly 30,000 steps).  We've had a lot of rain, but whatever.  It is all about the historic houses, the food, the ghosts, and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" landmarks.    



















We have rented a house while we are here, with a pull-down movie screen in the living room, so we've been catching up on our Game of Thrones (one more episode to finish Season 3)!   We did a ghost tour last night, and this morning we are going to attend Easter service at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the oldest Roman Catholic church in Georgia.  Tomorrow we will head out for a few days to Sea Island.

So.  I'm halfway through "The Expats"!  I'll get there eventually.  And I listened to a little more of "The Iron Curtain" on audio.  After being blown away by Wally Lamb's "We Are Water" on audio, this non-fiction audio filled with facts about Europe post-WWII is tough.  My husband is listening to it in his car at the same time, so it is fun to get his reaction since he and his family lived through Soviet occupation.

Hope you all have a blessed Easter!





15 comments:

Jeane said...

It is so good none of you were standing in the driveway! What a tragic incident. Hope your week gets better and things smooth out!

Anonymous said...

Wow - that sounds like a horrible week! It makes me feel blessed that the worst I had to deal with was a nasty medication reaction and evil tonsillitis. I'm glad you are somewhere where you can relax and refresh today.

Oh, and I just got We Are Water on audio, but it's going to be a while, as I have several discs of a Gabaldon left, and then a review commitment for Audiobook Jukebox. Soon, though!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

You will not believe this, but until you said that about chocolate, it NEVER OCCURRED to me that chocolate would be involved in milk allergies! What an idiot I am!

Ti said...

The accident that you outlined here and on FB sounds like a horrific sight, It's hard when lives are lost. One moment you are there and the next minute not. It's a reminder of just how fragile we are as humans. I feel for the families involved.

I sure hope you are having a good time on vacation. You certainly deserve it.

bermudaonion said...

I saw you mention that accident on FB and I thought it was on your street not in your driveway. That is so scary! Just think if you'd be out there then.

Can your son have feta cheese that's made with goat's milk?

We love Savannah, too. I'll be heading to Hilton Head Saturday and will be in Savannah at some point next week - I hate that we missed each other!

Kathleen said...

Happy Easter Sandy. Here's hoping your life will be blissfully uneventful for awhile. That accident must have REALLY freaked you out! :(

Melody said...

The accident must be a scare to your family and your neighbors as well. I know I'd freaked out and wouldn't sleep well if I were you. After what happened, one couldn't help but to think how fragile our lives is.

I hope things will get better and smooth for you, Sandy. You deserve a good rest! Finally, Happy Easter to you & your family!

Marie Cloutier said...

I hope you had a great Easter Sandy! :-) I hope things turn around!

Trisha said...

Definitely a stressful time! Glad you are relaxing in Savannah. I am very jealous as I've always wanted to go.

Heidenkind said...

Well, your trip to Savannah sounds amazing! I've never been, but one of my professors used to work at the university there and his stories about the locals are sooo funny. He knew a few of the people from the Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil book like Lady Chablis.

Beth F said...

Sheep's milk cheeses and goat's milk cheeses exist ... bummer on the chocolate. YET thank goodness you found the cause. Phew.

I can't believe your week and when I saw the FB post I didn't realize it was right at your house. How scary.

Literary Feline said...

How awful, Sandy! I am sorry for all you've had to endure this past week.

When we lived at our old house, there was a phone pole and fire hydrant that seemed to attract drunk drivers. The last one that hit the hydrant and then pole ended up dying. It's something I will never forget.

I am glad you finally know what it is your son is allergic to, and that it isn't as bad as it could have been. Giving up chocolate is a sacrifice, but there has to be alternatives, I would imagine. There just has to be!

It sounds like you're having a wonderful time in Savannah. I am glad you had a nice Easter.

Iliana said...

Oh my gosh, Sandy thank goodness you guys got out of town to enjoy time away, relaxing and having fun. That is so sad about the car accident and scary!

Hope you had a wonderful Easter with your family and hope things are much more calm this week!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Oh my gosh Sandy! I'm so sorry about the wreck, that's really scary. I'm glad you finally know what's been driving your son's stomach nuts. I'm so glad you're getting a break from it all in Savannah. It's such a gorgeous city.

Anonymous said...

That is so awful about the car wreck, Sandy! I can see why you wouldn't be able to sleep.
Good news about your son though.
Savannah, I so want to go someday!