Fibercrack’d

In the “Where in the World WAS La Going” aka “Life Just Handed Me A Big Heaping Pile Of PWND” Contest…and it’s a visual one:

Examples of Folk Dancers from this country:

Not only by the new title of the contest, but by the fact that I’m here writing this, instead of jetting over the US of A right now, I’m sure that you have surmised that in fact I’m NOT jetting of for a whirlwind adventure at some distant undiscloseable location. And you would be absolutely right.  That doesn’t mean that I’m canceling the contest. It’s still on, only requiring a small amount tweakage. Yes, the final day to enter is still July 4. Yes, you can enter the contest by emailing Jenla(dot)contest(at)gmail(dot)com. Yes, there is still only one entry per person. And yes, there will still be Dizzy Blonde yarn, hand-made stitch markers and a nifty souvenir whatnot as prizes. What’s changed is the source of the souvenir whatnot.

What happened?

An unfortunate series of events which led to (I suspect) the main organizer of the festival getting in WAAAAAY over his head and completely dropping the ball. As of Thursday, there still were no flights booked, no hotel reservations, no confirmation numbers…and no further communication. The guy just disappeared.  So Tony and I decided that evening that we were going to pull out. That 5 days before we were supposed to get on a plane for 15+ hours of air travel, and STILL no bookings was too short a notice for the last minute scrambling we would have to do. Besides, the DH’s company was pushing for him to suspend his vacation until later on in the year when he was no longer acting department head while the actual manager was out on maternity leave.

We were disappointed for all of about 30 seconds. At time-index 31 seconds and counting, it was as though the entire weight of the world was lifted from our shoulders. It meant that we would only have the already-done arguments about packing and luggage, and what “traveling light” really means.

It meant that we wouldn’t have to find and then feel guilty about family, friends and neighbors to take care of my MIL while we jetted off half-way around the world, that we would be able to look after her and the FIL with domestically inverted hands.

It meant that I wouldn’t have to scramble to get someone to take care of my dogs and clean up after my ancient, dying, floor-pooping cat, because Junior was going to be gone that week due to work. (He wouldn’t have looked after the cat properly anyway)

It meant that I wouldn’t spend the entire time worrying about the DH’s health, making sure he got up and walked around enough to prevent muscle cramps and swelling in his leg with the old blood clot, or whether in traveling for so long he will develop a new clot, and then putting up with Grumpy McCrabberson because he wouldn’t able to sleep at all on the plane trip because he had to be mobile.

It meant that I didn’t have to worry about the possibility of my knitting needles being confiscated in a foreign country.

It meant that I will have an additional weekend to finish up my dyeing for my initial yarn line.

It meant that we would be able to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary here, today instead of on a plane, or a day later in the capital city of our destination.

It meant that we could save our vacation time for when Chrissy and Marina come to visit in August, and we could actually spend some real quality time with them, instead of working all day, and settle for short visits in the evening and a couple of “do it all” days on the weekend.

I’ll be taking a couple of vacation days at the end of the week. My parents are coming down to visit my MIL, and I thought I’d spend some time with them. Then on Friday, I’m playing hookie along with a hoar and her adorable hoarlette and my Rometard friend, Blogless Kris (who ALSO isn’t going to the contest destination anymore…no one is) are heading on over to the Mouse’s House.

So, see? It all balances. But still kinda sucks.

Thank you everyone, for your wonderful words of encouragement, your prayers, good vibes and super special healing mojo. Mama M is doing better. She underwent surgery Tuesday, was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and now is uncomfortably ensconced in a rehab facility, where she will be a ‘guest’ for the next 3-10 days.

Of course, Mama M doesn’t like the rehab facility. Well, who would? “It smells bad, the food is awful, and the bed’s uncomfortable” are the most prevalent amongst her issues. Whew! If she’s feeling good enough to complain, then she’s definitely on the mend! Maybe the ‘conditions’ of the facility will give her further incentive to work really hard at physical therapy.

eta – OR maybe, the stubborn old woman will like she just did without a single thought to her health…

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

When we mentioned to her that we will cancel our trip abroad, Mama M wouldn’t hear of it! She’ll definitely be home by then, and we’ll get home care for her for the week we’re gone. So, to celebrate the fact that Mama M’s on the mend and the fact that we don’t have to cancel, here is the next bonus clues!

Clue C. During the Roman occupation, part of this country was once part of the Thracian kingdom

Yesterday, while out shopping, my mother-by-marriage fell and broke both her arms.  I’m guessing it’s pretty severe because she was hospitalized and will be undergoing surgery any moment now.  The DH and his family are all on pins and needles about the surgery and about the long road to recovery.  She’s a strong-willed woman, even if she’s of a bit fragile body.

I’m a bit overwhelmed, as I’m taking on the responsibility of inter-familial communcation, and have been up on the phone since 4 am.   (Dang Floridians gotta be 3 hours ahead of us!)  My knitting sure has proven its as the soothing and meditative reputation 10 times over this weekend, and has helped me be the calm in the storm, and able to be there for everyone to help hold it all together.  The DH is holding in there, the Sister-By-Marriage will be on a plane tomorrow.  It’s the Dh’s father that has me concerned.  He’s putting on a brave front, but I know he’s severely rattled.  They’ve been married over 55 years now, and ARE each other’s life.