As some of you are already aware, the city is tearing out all the old boardwalk and replacing it with new reinforced boardwalk...a good thing, unless your business is on the boardwalk. Back in August we were informed this was being done, and forms were sent out to all businesses for us to fill out, letting the city know if we were going to be open as they were going to see that we had ramps build to our business during the weekends...Saturday and Sunday. They fell behind and got to our street two weeks ago. They were suppose to be ripping out one week, two weeks to put the new boardwalk down. When we saw them coming up towards our street, 3 weeks ago, Vernon went out and spoke with them to remind them (as we were told we better do) we needed a ramp..."no problem" was their reply. 2 Fridays ago Greg Osche came in and said, "Sally you should have told them to put a ramp up for you (as they finally got to our street and ripped up the boards). I said "They already know about the ramp here and are set to do put it down." Then he said, "Well they've already put in one for Malibu's...a business beside us...in place." So I went out and yes, they had put one for them...and they weren't even open. So as I'm standing there looking grumpier and grumpier one of the workman came by and asked if there was a problem. You can imagine what I said to him and he said, "No problem...no one told us you needed a ramp." O.K., how many people do we need to tell? Anyway, he put the ramp in and we were good to go. Because I've dealt with this city before we were proactive, had signs made for back doors here and a sign put up on the on the street...that everyone would have to gain entrance through the back of the shops or hotel and I have to say our stitchers have been wonderful. Sara put the information on Facebook and I added it to our website. Everyone has found their way to our shop...all doors have been used so you never know where they are going to be coming from, so it's make it a little more exciting. The city was suppose to put the ramps which are taken away during the week, back in place Friday before they leave. While Malibu's was definitely in place for the weekend, ours, big surprise, was not. And this weekend was the Camp Wannastitch weekend. While this is not one of our sponsored events, it is a wonderful event for our shop. We are in touch with the group and the organizer let the stitchers know as well how to get in our shop so we were thrilled they found us and it was fun to have so many stitchers, many old friends by now, and meet new friends. Friday was busy and we were tired at day's end. We were closing and I wanted to make sure the office was closed up so I said good bye to Sara and went into the office. This is where things went wrong. I decided to use the restroom, didn't turn on the lights as I went through the bedroom to the bathroom, ran into a trunk which threw off my balance and sent me crashing to the floor on my knees. The screaming all the way down was enough to scare me to death, but when I realized my situation I began to panic. I was alone, it was freezing in the room because there is no heat...Sara and Mary were both gone, so no one was around, and I didn't have my phone with me. After the screaming stopped, after a few minutes, and I evaluated my condition for anything broken...blessfully nothing was...I realized I had better try to figure out what to do. Because of my size I have difficulty getting off the floor normally, having fallen on my knees made it impossible for me to get on my knees as the pain was too great. I really thought I would be there all night so began to evaluate what was within arms reach for warmth, etc. I was able reach a pillow and there was a blanket so I felt a little better...oh yeah, my need for the bathroom was over as the fall made me pee all over myself...which wasn't helping my situation. Anyway, I tried to scoot on my butt to the door where there are steps thinking perhaps I could get up there, but I simply didn't have the strength to get there. Then I knew I would have to get on my knees to get up or I would be there all night. So I put the pillow down, just grit my teeth and did it. I was never to glad to be on my feet in my life. I knew I would be able to get home... my knees were hurting, especially my left knee which was really in pain, but able to hold my weight. I keep a change of cloths for emergencies such as this in the office so I was able to change my clothes and get the hell out. Unfortunately when I hit the back door the walkway was icy because of the rain, snow and freezing temps so walking was a challenge but I made it home safely. I collapsed on the sofa and thanked God for the warmth. I thought I was home free until I tried to get up to go to the bathroom later in the evening. I need to find an alternative to going to the bathroom I think. Anyway, I couldn't get up which paniced me....how the hell was I going to get to the bathroom? After probably 1 1/2 hrs...I finally rocked myself off the sofa with the help of one of my canes which I had grabbed on the way into the house. Because I sometimes have balance issues in the morning I keep canes all over the house. Debbie Liming gave me a wonderful traveling cane which has become invaluable during the time. Anyway, once I saw I had a problem getting up I began to worry about getting to work on Saturday with the major event in town. At 5:30 a.m. I knew I was in trouble and to add to my problem I had left my phone at work. So I e-mailed Sara and Mary and explained I had a problem. Sara finally saw the e-mail around 9:00 a.m. Meanwhile I spent at least 2 hrs trying to get up so I was really panicing over the bathroom issue as well as getting to work. Sara called Mary and asked her to come downstairs to check on me. I was never so relieved to see someone. I explained that I was late for work and had to get off the sofa. She just laughed and said, "Mom, get serious...how are you going to work?" But I had figured that out....if I could just get there (and I hadn't really thought this through) I could sit on the high stool and be behind the counter ringing up the sales, and answering questions. Mary asked how I intended to get up the stairs...which made me see I had a bigger problem than I originally thought. Needless to say I didn't go....but Mary and Brian got me ice packs and a knee brace and I found that by the end of the day I was able to get off the sofa in 1/2 hour...Whoppee!!! Sara sent Michael over with my phone and I asked him to stay with his mother and help her until Mary could get there. I felt guilty but relieved that the shop was being taken care of. Sara did a wonderful job, with Mary's help and we had a great day thanks to Camp Wannastitch. Today it's still taking me 1/2 to get off the sofa and Sara is alone today, but I know she can handle it. As for my Michael, he drove Sara crazy after 1/2 hr. so she sent him home yesterday so thank God Mary was able get there for backup. And that's how our weekend is going, how's yours. And the final insult....I have been trying to get the pre-stitch for the Sherri Jones Hare Pyns class done...and realized as I went to do the final panel I had a misstep on the second panel and while I thought I would be done today...I have to tear out the second panel and start it over....and I ran out of silk to do it. Yes, just when I think it couldn't get worse....it always can. Hope your day is going better than mine. Talk to you later
