Thursday, May 8, 2008

Thank God the Yarn is Safe

I fully intended to blog yesterday, as a matter of fact I was thinking about blogging on my way home from an appointment last night, but as you'll read further on, God had other ideas in mind.

Yesterday I received a lovely package from Maggie, 3 skeins of her new laceweight yarn. OK, technically only 2 were for me (Kate-the-Enabler also ordered a skein, and we split cost of shipping with Maggie's blessing). Now, you all know how much I luuuurve Dyed in the Wool Handmade, and I wasn't about to pass up the booty left over after the Knitter's Frolic (which I'm still miffed I had to miss, but I'll get over it). When I got home I dutifully oooohed and aaaaahed, then got back to frantically eating dinner, cleaning up, bathing the kids and putting them to bed. (À propos? Working full time and mothering 2 kids under 4 is hard work.)

I had decided to make an appointment with my esthetician after the kids were in bed, because I knew that weekends from now on are going to be hectic enough as it is without me whining about needing to get my bikini waxed. Off I went, with Kate's yarn in tow (I figured I'd drop it off with her before heading out). When my discreet knocks turned flat-out doorbell ringing went unanswered (apparently there was bath time drama in the Enabler household), I headed back to my car, again with yarn in tow (I wasn't about to just leave it on her doorstep, for Pete's sake!). I made it to the esthetician with time to spare, and had a lovely (if, you know, painful) time with the ladies (I've been going there since I was 13).
On my way back home, I'm driving along and coming up to an intersection. My light is green, has been for a while actually, so I don't slow down, I just keep driving (I'm in a 50 km/h zone). It's about ten after nine, and I'm thinking that I'll probably be able to squeeze out a blog post before getting to bed. I've almost crossed the intersection.

That's when the guy on the other side of the street decides to make a left turn, cutting me off.

I don't have time to do anything but think "Oh Shit! This is really going to hurt", and WHAM!!!! I hit him head on. I may have tried to hit the brakes, or swirve to avoid him. Honestly, I didn't have time to do much.

A big white poof appears in front of me out of nowhere, and it takes a few moments for me to realize that the airbags have gone off. It's smoky and hot and sufficating in there, so I try to roll down the window. It's not moving too well.

That's when I get my wits back and decide to get the Hell out of the car. I grab my purse (with my cellphone in it) and get out of the car.

The other driver and his passenger are also getting out. They're freaking a bit ("Oh My God!!! I'm sooo sorry!!! I didn't see you!" and the like), but they're OK. After making sure that no one is injured, I start making calls. First 911, then my mom and stepfather (who happens to be my insurance broker), then my husband.

I'll stop the narrative at this point to reassure everyone that I'm fine. I've got some minor scratches or burns or something on my left forearm, from the airbag going off, and a bit of a stiff neck, but considering the collision I was involved in, it's an absolute miracle no one was hurt. I mean yeah, it's a hassle and a bummer, but it's only a car, right? The important thing is that I wasn't hurt, and that the kids weren't in the car at the time of the crash (Thank Heavens).

(Totalled? My car is the blue Ford Escort)

Anyway, the cops come, the other driver (an 18-year old kid) confesses right away that he's the at fault party, and the fire trucks (there were fluids leaking from my car, so they wanted to make sure it was safe) and tow trucks arrive. By this time my whole clan is around me, with coats and blankets and umbrellas and cameras. Before they took the car away, Phil was allowed to get in and remove some personal items. He got CDs, sunglasses, Émilie's car seat, and just as he was about to give the guy the go ahead to take her away, he spots something I had completely forgotten.

Kate's yarn.

You'll be glad to know the yarn was delivered safe and sound this morning. Thank goodness Phil still had his wits about him! It could have been lost forever!

9 comments:

Maggie said...

I'm so glad you're okay! That accident looks horrifying, it must have been terrifying. I guess you'll be pretty sore over the next little while. I can't believe that photo. Looks so scary!

Does this mean you guys are getting a new car?

Again, so relieved you're okay.

Ali P said...

HOLY CRAP!!! And I thought our recent car misadventures were bad! I am glad that you are ok and that Phil saved the yarn.

Montreal Mama said...

Glad to hear you're doing okay my dear and you're safe. Wow! That's insane. Should 18 year olds really be driving? I remember myself almost 10 years ago, I don't know what that answer should be!

So glad you're okay. (And the yarn too. You're too funny!)

Anonymous said...

Wow. The wrist abrasions really don't show the severity of the accident. I'm so glad you're safe.

um. Not to seem frivolous in the light of all this scary car accident stuff....thanks Philippe for saving my Maagie-fiber.

KTE

(Bathtub, nearly three year old, first bloody nose = Enabler household drama.)

Caroline said...

Oh my I'm so glad you're ok!!! The photos look scary! It's cool that the 18 year-old took his responsibilities and admitted it was his fault though.

Michelle said...

I am so relieved that everyone is ok.

Jennifer Lori said...

TARA! Thank God everyone is ok! (I almost wrote "everything" but couldn't figure out if I meant that it's too bad the car wasn't ok, or thankfully the yarn was).

As someone who had a severely life-threatening accident within the last 2 year, you have my complete sympathy and support. It might be tough, but get in a car again, and drive again, especially in that area.

This is really corny, but...

*HUGS!*

Sereknitty said...

Wow, that must have given you quite a scare! Grateful to hear that you're OK, despite all the trauma. Hubby gets big kudos on the yarn rescue!

inukshuk71 said...

How horrible! The good thing is everyone came out alright.