babybloomr

This is a picture of Madi back at the ocean for the first time since she got bitten by a shark.

It is also my new desktop photo–because ‘facing fears’ seems to be a good image for me to keep front and center these days. 

If you know me at all (and if you don’t, you should, because seriously? I am a hoot and a half) then “fearful” might not be the first word that springs to mind when you think of me. And usually you’d be right, but for a number of reasons I won’t go into right now (see! I DO have boundaries!), this last year has, well, kind of kicked the rhymes-with-chit out of me. Don’t worry, we’re all fine now, blah blah blah, but I think I’m just starting to realize that my time spent on the Drama Train has taken a toll. Apparently my self-confidence and sense of adventure in particular have taken a big ol’ hit. My joie de vie kinda sucks these days. I know, I know, “call the waah-waah- waambulance” as my friend Lynne says. Poor me! Aw don’t worry, I’m not going to jump off of a bridge or anything, I don’t need to up my medication, this too shall pass. But I don’t like feeling this way.

So. Here’s the plan:  I think I need to do something that scares me.

I mean something besides wearing a bathing suit on a public beach and having my daughter get bitten by a shark. I’m thinking of something more along the lines of… maybe actually taking this whole blogging thing seriously and maybe going to the BlogHer Conference in San Francisco next month.

That may not sound very scary to you and trust me, it wouldn’t to the Tori-of-yesteryear either, but lately the thought of actually putting myself on a plane and flying to San Fran and staying in a big hotel with a whole lot of people I admire but don’t happen to know ANY AT ALL and going to things like ‘breakout sessions’ and ‘keynote addresses’ and ‘networking cocktail parties’ and walking around like I belong there and have a Real Live Blog…  well, these days that scares me rhymes-with-chit less! So maybe I need to do it.

Russ says, “Yes! Go! You deserve it, you need to, it’s important! And it’s a write-off!” He’s all supportive that way. He will also be home during that time (July 17-20) so I don’t have to worry about children, dogs, house, etc. which is a good thing.

I booked the hotel.

I registered at the conference.

Apparently I’m going.

Yikes.

OK, here are the gory photos, as promised. Some of them are a little icky, so consider yourself warned…

Madi’s leg propped up in the car on the way to the hospital after the Beach Patrol ‘field dressed’ it.

In the emergency room–this is the one that still completely freaks me out.

As you can see, there is a chunk missing. *gag reflex*

Madi patiently waiting– and text-messaging friends the entire time!

This one is a little gross– preparing to get sutured.

Getting stitched up– this took a long time, and Madi hid under the covers.

All stitched up!

A little hard to make them out, but here are the teeth marks on the bottom of her foot–apparently this is where the bottom jaw bit while the top teeth made the larger wound. On her heel you can barely see half of the perfect semi-circular puncture wounds.

Here’s a better one:

One of the hospital staff brought this picture of a sand shark to Madi– Beauty and the Beast!

Finally all bandaged up and finally ready to go home with her crutches, a mere five hours later.

And that’s what WE did on our summer vacation!

OK, after reviewing my photos, just had to add these two so that you can witness the true resilience of a Teenage Girl! The first one is in the car ON THE WAY to the emergency room, and the second one is right after the stitches. Lordy.