This morning about 14 minutes before the arrival of the bus, Boo retrieved a mini stapler from a drugstore bag hanging around the kitchen, loaded it and fiddled around. She’s 12, so I didn’t feel any particular need to point out the possible dangers of stapler manipulation. Husband was at the sink filling the kettle for our morning coffee. I sat at the island observing the goings-on in a semi stupor. Why was I awake??
The next thing we know, Boo is hopping on one foot, howling and holding up her thumb. Somehow, she manged to staple herself - the nasty piece of metal was quite firmly embedded in her thumb!
Husband yanked it out - both sides were in deep - and grabbed the sobbing Boo in an embrace. I sat there, horrified, uselessly holding my hands over my mouth. What had just happened? HOW had this happened? We got her calmed down, applied a bandaid because she said the pressure helped and hugged her a great deal. DH and I couldn’t resist exchanging surreptitious WTF looks, but until Boo laughs at this herself, we aren’t going there. I do have her permission to blog about this; as she walked out the door, she looked at me and said, “Go ahead and write about this, Mom. I know you won’t be able to help yourself!”
Lest I point any fingers at my daughter and denounce her surprisingly vast capacity for originals displays of klutziness, I must admit that I have hurt myself in some truly moronic ways that I will not mention at this moment. That being said, I think my daughter won a heretofore unknown prize for unique accidental self-injury. Holy Shit.
That is so something I would do. Let’s see… In the last ten years I have broken two fingers walking (involved platform shoes…), sprained my ankle almost once a year–often walking up or down stairs, and broke my wrist walking up stairs… Those are only the biggies! Just keep an eye out come time for the little one to drive–that’s where me being clumsy has really gotten me in trouble!
Great story, though, thanks for sharing!
Your li’l sister managed to burn herself making popcorn… and the two fat lips from leaning over to smell something hanging off the banister, missing and smacking myself in the lips won me the “Oy vey” award… Then there’s the time I skinned both upper arms in a 24 hour period by repeatedly walking into a door frame on one side or another… Or when I sprained my ankle tripping over a thought. And I can’t even count how many times I hurt myself getting in or out of the bath! [blush]
Is klutziness inherited?
Oh, man. Those things that happen that are painful and funny all at the time are so difficult. Hope she is well and laughing about it today.
My biggest problem when something like that happens is that I radiate ZERO sympathy. None. As a matter of fact, it’s really hard for me to not raise my eyebrows and give the “well, DUH!!” look. I’m sure you guys handled it MUCH better than I would have.
FFbgirl - I call them moron maneuverer and I have done enough of them to be the topic of a ten things Tuesday, so stay tuned. Sorry to hear about your stairs mishpas. For me, it’s walls and hot things….
I sincerely hope her klutziness stays a vestige of early adolescence and I won’t have to worry too much when she gets behind the wheel. If it does continue, I imagine she would more likely hurt herself putting on her seat belt than driving, though!!
KA, OY!! When was the last time you managed to injure yourself, or is this (one hopes) a thing of the past? : )
Snob, she is laughing, thank you. Particularly since my husband drew fangs, evil eyes and little red sharpie blood drops on the vicious things that bit her! We’ll be smiling about this for a LONG time.