Progress Report From the Red Chair

Actually the occupant of the red chair is getting around some and not hanging out as much in the red chair. Two weeks later, I can walk pretty proficently with the walker, go upstairs using a side-step, and can fix an easy meal for myself. With God's grace, I meet each day's healing and challenges. Friends and family have been incredibly wonderful with prayer, food, and companionship.

I haven't done much on the quilting front. Not too surprising considering that my sewing area is in a loft 2 stories above my red chair perch. With quilty friends help, I did get two labels on quilts that needed to be sent out. They went out in the mail today. Again, a friend took them to the P.O. for me. It's humbling to let other people do all those mundane chores of life for you. I hope that when I'm able, God will grant me the privilege of "pay it back" opportunities.

There's nothing to take a picture of today so this goes out with just my random thoughts. We've done nothing but talk a little about a new car. No matter what, it WILL have side air bags. We're partial to Honda Accords but my husband has been researching other cars, too. I don't think I'll be cleared for driving for another 4 weeks or maybe longer. I'm a little skittish about the idea of driving but I know I'll do it. I've already been a passenger in a car to go out to lunch and I handled that pretty well. Okay......my head was swiveling side to side checking the cross traffic. With time that will go away.

I'm really going to venture out next weekend and go to my quilt guild's retreat. The facility we're using is handicap friendly and there will be lots of people to help me carry things. I'm not going to take the sewing machine. Instead, I'm going to put together hand-work projects. I'm definitely keeping it simple.

And in order to see a light at the end of the tunnel, we're tentatively planning a trip to Chesapeake, VA at the end of February to visit my uncle and to see the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show at Hampton Roads, VA. The goal is to have a new car by then and for me to be walking on my own or fairly well with a cane.

DH retires January 31st after a 38 year career at the same company. His co-workers are giving him a retirement party on January 30th. The next phase of our lives is about to begin. Just wasn't expecting this bump before we even got started on the road.

God's Grace in Unexpected Accidents

Who knew when I woke up on Thursday, December 27th that by that evening, I'd be sitting in a hospital bed with two pelvic fractures in my right hip. Our car with me as passenger was t-boned at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon by a man who ran a red light. There is a possibility that he might have been intoxicated but we'll know more about that when we get the official police report. The car has been totaled and I'm using a walker while my hip heals over the next 4-6 weeks. Life has come to a sudden slow crawl.

But God is good and I have experienced an amazing outpouring of love and concern and care from friends and family. I do believe that God has said "Not yet" as he has granted me grace to live once more as wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

So here I sit.....queen of the red chair.....taking it easy, catching up on reading and trying to not get to anxious to get up and get going. Everyone from doctors to friends have told me to take it one day at a time and allow myself to heal so that is what I must do.