Emerging Unscathed and Thankful from the Wreckage
As I've said before, we all know what road is paved with my good intentions. It's been too long since I put up a post, but it's not just blog sloth this time. Life really did intervene in the shape of a couple of crises occurring simultaneously. First off, there was a car accident, in which no-one was hurt, fortunately, but in which our 3-month-old-to-the-day new car was turned into a heap of smashed glass and twisted metal -- at least the back end. Through absolutely no fault of ours, either. Our car was rear-ended by someone who must have been on another planet as he plowed into our vehicle which was patiently waiting to make a turn, signal on, in a busy Bronx intersection. As of the current moment, our insurance company wants to actually fix this mess instead of just providing us with a new car -- but we'll see what the mechanics find when they get inside.
Then, less than 24 hours after this occurrence, while we were still reeling from the shock, my elderly father became ill and had to be hospitalized for several days. This necessitated a very long night for us in the emergency room plus two days off from work to provide him with company, make sure all his needs were being met, and give doctors the correct information about him a few dozen times or so. Needless to say I haven't gotten a lot of sleep in the last week.
I'd planned to do a post for Toast, where Lindy came up with a wonderful event called "Something Out of Nothing," an idea very close to my heart, since I dearly love making a great meal out of whatever found objects the fridge and/or pantry can provide. I even had a picture of my dish of lovely, cheap and healthy soba noodles, stir-fried with leftover chicken and veggies into an aromatic tangle enriched with my favorite Thai chili-garlic sauce. But quite honestly, a new post was the last thing on my mind for the past week or so, so once again I missed the deadline on a great event. Sigh.
Tomorrow I leave for DC for five days -- work, not vacation. I'm going to miss a class tonight in order to rush home and put this trip together, since I'm of course behind with everything. At least I'll have a few good meals in Washington -- my favorite Tabard Inn and Bistro Bis are already reserved -- but if anyone has any other outstanding restaurant recommendations in Washington, I'd love to hear them.
My dad is home now. The mechanics are ordering parts for the car, and G is filling out the paperwork and trying to move the process forward. My father's fine, we're fine, and that's all we can really ask (well, that and maybe a new or just-like-new car). It may be a bit cliché, but there's nothing quite like a brush with disaster to make you clutch your loved ones just a bit more tightly, squeeze your eyes shut and breathe deeply of pure, true gratitude and relief.
Oh, my dear. If anyone has earned the right to some swell dinners in DC, it is you. Try to get at least a little quality playing time in around the work. And please know that when you get back to New York, you will have a small crowd of friends ready to feed and water you until your new-or-almost-new car arrives.
Posted by: Bakerina | April 04, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Oh my.You are, of course, right about brushes with disaster, but there has to be an easier way to achieve gratitude and relief.
Glad you have arrived at that state, however.Have some great dinners, and come home to easier times.
Posted by: lindy | April 04, 2006 at 01:45 PM
Glad to hear that you're all alright!
Posted by: Ivonne | April 04, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Julie - sorry for all you've been through, but glad to hear all is well now. Hope you have some good food and time to relax on you trip!
Posted by: Cathy | April 04, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Oh, Julie! What a time you've had! I hope that D.C. brings at least a little relaxation and peace - and when you get home, maybe a new car?
xo
Posted by: Molly | April 05, 2006 at 12:25 AM
Glad you're okay. I know how reality intervenes with plans.
Have a good trip to DC.
Posted by: Tana | April 05, 2006 at 01:26 AM
Many thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and wishes -- I'm off to see the cherry blossoms!
Posted by: Julie | April 05, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Glad ya'll are ok!
Posted by: emily | April 05, 2006 at 09:52 AM
Julie, I'm relieved that you both came out relatively unscathed through the car mishap and I'm glad to hear that your dad is out of the hospital. Whew! Sending you some warm aloha from the islands!!
Posted by: rowena | April 09, 2006 at 12:59 AM
Glad to hear you're all okay and have survived recent events!
Sending you our love...
Lea xxx
Posted by: Lea | April 09, 2006 at 01:07 PM
Emily, Rowena, Lea -- thanks so much for your good wishes. We've rented a car, but ours is destined to be fixed soon (sadly, they're not giving us a new one but fixing this one instead). All is (relatively) peaceful at the moment...
Posted by: Julie | April 19, 2006 at 02:22 PM
Sometimes life sure packs a punch. (Or, as the Buddhists say, "Life includes suffering".) I've been there, crying out in the night: Can all these unasked-for learning experiences please stop for a while, please!?
I hope your dad and your car are both fine soon, and that you'll get re-inspired about cooking and blogging. Maybe the spring weather will help. Is it sunny now in New York?
I've just discovered you and will return...
http://mindycooks.blogspot.com
Posted by: mindy t. | April 21, 2006 at 10:18 PM
Mindy, thanks for visiting and for your lovely comment. Things seem to be settling down somewhat, and I'm definitely planning future blog posts. Weather in NY -- well, it's variable, at the moment -- one day 80 degrees and sunny, the next day 20 degrees colder and rainy...
Posted by: Julie | April 22, 2006 at 10:30 AM