Thursday, August 28, 2008

"9-1-1 What is your emergency?"

Tonight, we rode out as a family to check an errand off our list. My phone has died (well, actually the charger, which costs $35 to replace died - when Rodney dropped it in my big cup of Crystal Lite in the van. Because I had no more "juice" in my phone, I guess the statement I made earlier is, in fact, true).

Luckily, there is a SPRINT store in Rolesville, North Carolina. It's right "up the road," in fact. On the main drag through town, even. Well, Rodney knew what phone I wanted to get, so he went inside to do the business, and I sat in the van with the boysies. We (or THEY, while I listened) watched the Backyardigans.

Well, we had been sitting there for only a few minutes when an Ambulance sped by on the highway. Followed closely by a Firetruck. So, I did what any scaredy-cat mother with good forethought would do. I had that little talk with the kids about what to do in case of an emergency when Mommy couldn't get to the phone to call 9-1-1.

I explained that the first thing to do is to press the talk button. We're 20th century like that, with only cordless phones. I say we need one that is NOT cordless, just for emergency preparedness, but I am now digressing. Which I am very good at. Back to 9-1-1. So, Jackson knows he is to pick up the phone, press the talk button and call 9-1-1. I told him the lady on the other end of the line would say something like "9-1-1 What is your emergency?" and then gave examples of scenarios where mommy was "out of commission" and how he was to explain it to the nice lady at the hospital. SO. All was well. (*I'm so sorry this story is taking so long. I just can't skip these details. I just can't!!!!)

Some of the examples of a mommy in distress were "Suppose mommy fell down the stairs and I bonked my head so bad that I fell to sleep and couldn't wake up," and "Suppose mommy got burned on the frying pan, and fell to the floor crying because it hurt so bad!" LOL!

Ok. THEN. Then, I realized another good piece of information to guard them in this sort of dilemma is to go quickly to our neighbor, Ms. Gillian's house to let her know what is wrong. I explained that he is to QUICKLY go to her house, ring the doorbell, and explain "Mommy is hurt! Come quick!" Well, as a followup, I decided to role-play that exact scenario. It went a little something like this.

*Mommy, pretending to be Ms. Gillian: "Hi Jackson, how are you?"

*Jackson, knowing he is supposed to be role playing with a specific reply to say: "Good."

*Mommy, not pretending to be Ms. Gillian anymore: "Jackson! You are supposed to say, 'MOMMY IS HURT! COME QUICK!' Let's try this again."

*Mommy, pretending to be Ms. Gillian: "Hi Jackson, how are you?"

*Jackson: "NOT TOO GOOD. Mommy is hurt! Come quick!"

I'm so glad I've taken the whole night to type out an incident that took all of 4 and a half minutes. If you got here (the end of the post) and the punchline was funny to you - thank you. You are a true friend. If you got here by skimming along, and the punchline doesn't make any sense. I don't care. Go on with your bad self. ;)


17 comments:

Lindsay said...

That Jackson is a funny one! You're such a good mom to have that talk with your boys.

I hope the guys aren't keeping you up with all their fantasy football talk. I don't know if I will ever understand the obsession with it. Oh well, it could be a lot worse huh!

Wendi said...

What a good mama you are that you took time to teach emergency preparedness and 911 lingo.
All while your dear hubby was buying you a new phone.
If I say this was hilarious...does that make me a true friend?

Emily Lauren said...

You are so funny Leah.
I just love your play by play comments.:)

Tricia said...

The best part about this story is that you tell it so well, no matter how long it takes. I officially need a nap though :)! I agree with everyone else...what a great mom. I love the way that kids take things so literally!

Dodson Family said...

Girl, you crack me up.
Go on with your bad self ;)

Lauren said...

Haha loved the story! I've always wondered how I would bring such things up with my future kids...and what if I forget to teach them these kinda things!! God bless Jackson...at least he got it! :-) Miss you and yours

Emily<3 said...

Why is it on the second time around the answers are almost always the same? Almost like they know they got the right answer but maybe they didn't word it right??lol Cute story Leah!!!

Christy said...

LOL...I can hear him now...I'm not too good. You see there's been an incident over at our place and mommy has instructed me that in such times I should come and inform you that she may be dying...oh, and can I use your phone?

Anna and Ryan said...

LEah, you are hilarious. And so are your boys apparently. It was so great to hang out with you the other night. I tried out some of the ISO/Shutter speed/F-stop tricks this morning at Duke Botanical Gardens. Thanks so much! Why can't we live closer? I need a little more Leah in my life. You are such a fun friend and a great mom. I really wish you guys were right next door.

Strommer Family said...

You're always funny whether your punchline is funny or not!! But it was in this instance so good for you...Leah made a funny!! ;)

Paige said...

Very cute story!! I am laughing out loud!!

Katy said...

You know it's only people who have lived in the deep south forever that refer to dinner as "supper". My in-laws (james and faye in our ward) still call it supper and my kids don't know what they're talking about. They are always using expressions that I have to ask for clarity on. Like, "Yo' mamma's gonna gitcher britches!" and I say, "First mamma has to figure out what that means." I get a lot of rolled-eye stares. Your blog is adorable and makes me laugh! Keep the Southern Charm flowing!

Lindsay said...

You are so funny Leah! I love reading your stuff! I agree with your friends Anna and Ryan... I need a little more Leah in my life ;)

Erin Marriott said...

I love the way you tell your stories! And what a good mom you are, teaching your kids about emergencies. And I love how you role played. Jackson is a crack up! Too bad about your cell phone, I sympathize. Lillie threw mine in the toilet about a year ago.

Kari & Blair said...

hehehehehe...again Leah, I LOVE your posts...they really make my day!

mom2charlie said...

Leah, I don't tell you often, but I really do enjoy getting caught up with the Steelmans!
Once again, our tastes are very similiar.....I was in a store just last week and heard a song that I really, really liked. I even got out a pen and paper and jotted down a few pertinent verses, hoping to find out who/what it was. Then, imagine my surprise, when I clicked on your Rob T. (small wonders?) and here is is!

Susan said...

Ha! "Not too good"