Well, I've had quite a long break from blogging, but I now have much more time on my hands due to this:
I have a very badly broken leg thanks to this:
(Bodie with his favourite Christmas present)
Bodie got very excited on a New Year walk with friends and ran straight into my legs, sending me up into the air and down again onto frozen ground. He knew instantly he'd been a very bad boy and kept licking my head as I was lying on a path in the middle of nowhere. Sweet, but not that helpful! Anyway, the long and short of it is after a week in hospital and surgery to pin my leg and reconstruct my ligaments I am off work and on crutches for at least another 2 months (having been off for 5 weeks already). I thought initially I would be off the crutches in another couple of weeks, but it is not to be, and I will be forced to drink my cups of tea in the kitchen for a while longer as I can't carry tea and use crutches at the same time!
Although this has been a real pain (literally and metaphorically) it has made me relax properly for the first time in ages. I am not a TV watcher so daytime TV has not sucked me in, and I have been spending my time reading, crocheting these (a blanket for Ruth made from all different squares - total 18 and counting)
and these - although the flowers are still to be added (idea courtesy of Posy)
and sorting out recipes etc. I have been so touched by the kindness of my friends who have been taking me out in a wheelchair, coming armed with flowers, cards and treats, and bringing the children home from school. We live very near the school that I work in and children have been putting cards through the door on their way home and waving every night as they go past. Several people have said I am looking 10 years younger, which either means I was looking 43 before, or I'm now looking 23!
Andy has been an absolute star - he is a fab cook anyway, but he has also been dealing with all the washing, ironing, cleaning (ish) and lunch boxes etc whilst I recline on the sofa directing operations! All this and he's still working full time. He is pretty weary, but we are off to Northumberland tomorrow for a week in a cottage with my family, so he will get a break from the responsibility and be able to play golf to his hearts content! I may have to treat him to a weekend away when I can walk again, too. He even cleaned the bathroom for the first time in the 14 years we have been together, so having a broken leg isn't all bad!
I have been following all your blogs and was in 2 minds about whether to start mine again, but I did miss it and the community that I felt a part of through my blog, so I thought I'd give it another go, even though I don't have a huge amount to talk about at the moment. I'm looking forward to the next week and a change of scenery - hopefully some pics of ruined castles, deserted beaches and pretty countryside (and also some great shops including RE and Barter Books) will give me inspiration for blogging!
Well, I'm off to leave you all some comments! Hope you have a relaxing and fun half term (and a romantic Valentine's Day).
Cathy XX
So sorry about the accident Cathy, I understand how difficult it is to get around and stuff as my poor husband went through this a couple of years ago.
It's nice to have you blogging again though.
Posted by: carolyn | 02/13/2009 at 01:28 PM
Hope you are fully mended soon x
Posted by: Hannah | 02/13/2009 at 02:14 PM
Hey, your back!
Sorry to hear about your Labrador injury, I to have fallen prey to labby exuberance quite a few times, including a head ramming into my knee cap at full gallop (I saw stars!), and the time when Lily and her Mum Mazie ran into the back of my legs, mid-cavort, while I was carrying a two yr old Ella. Luckily Ella was fine, I managed to keep her upright but fell heavily on my knees on to gravelly concrete, lets just say white linen, blood and mud isn't a good look!
Your injury really takes the biscuit though, over 3 months off work! Bodie you naughty boy!
Nevermind, I bet he was really sorry, glad to see you are making the most of your time as an invalid by doing some really pretty crocheting, I just had my first go at doing some last week, and made my first flower, but I only have one ball of pink cotton yarn, so I need to stock up.
Look forward to seeing more of your crocheting, and I hope you all have a lovely time in Northumberland.
Jessx
Posted by: Jessica daisy | 02/13/2009 at 02:33 PM
Oh deary me you poor, poor thing. I do hope you get better soon and you mend well.
Lovely crafts though!
Posted by: A Thrifty Mrs | 02/13/2009 at 05:04 PM
oh my goodness, ouch! lovely crochet, so neat!
Posted by: lucykate crafts... | 02/13/2009 at 09:17 PM
oh its lovely to see you back although "ouch" re the leg i hope the healing time goes quickly for you . Loving the crochet :-)
Lesley x
Posted by: Lesley | 02/13/2009 at 10:11 PM
This will be a great tale to tell the grandchildren!
Look on the brightside no reason now not to read blogs, internet shop and crochet!
Hope you and your hubbo have a good break up in Northumberland!
Vanessa x
Posted by: Vanessa | 02/14/2009 at 10:26 AM
Well, hi, Cathy...I am so glad you're back..I missed you! A broken leg...oh my, I can't even imagine what that must be like Hope you heal up really fast. Your granny squares are in colors that I absolutely love. Your picture of Bodie is hilarious even though he is such a bad little boy. Oh..I'm so happy to see you again!!!
Posted by: cathleen | 02/14/2009 at 02:27 PM
I saw you in bloglines and was about to say 'lovely to have you back', which it is, but I'm so sorry it's partly down to your poor leg!
I hope it gets better soon, and you're able to get out and about again.
Posted by: dottycookie | 02/15/2009 at 05:44 PM
sorry to hear about your leg.. no wonder you've been silent here in blogsville for awhile.. hope all is good and get well soon! take care.
Posted by: fitty | 02/17/2009 at 06:31 AM
Goodness Cathy that sounds horrid but I must say you sound like you're either bearing up very well or being very brave. Good for you!
At least you'll be able to look back at all the lovely things you've created. Beautiful crochet - I'm trying to learn but am awful at it!
Take good care of yourself and no running before you can walk - if you know what I mean!
Stephxx
Posted by: Steph | 02/21/2009 at 08:20 PM
Hi Cathy
Hope your leg is being behaved and resting or just getting well. Hope Bodie is looking after you and smothering you with lots of wet kisses!
I am making my blog private so can you send me your email so I can add you so you can visit me (if you want !)Only I will see the email so it will be very safe
x Dom
Posted by: dominique | 02/28/2009 at 05:06 PM
Cathy, I am so sorry to hear your bad news-I am thinking about you and planning various ways in which I can deliver cappuccinos and cakes to your door...
Please yodel if there is anything at all I can do to help, however big or small.
x
Posted by: Anna | 03/08/2009 at 04:54 PM
Hello Cathy,
I know this is a little late but I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery and say how wonderful your crochet looks! What yarn do you use and did you get your crochet square patterns from the 200 Crochet blocks book?
I'm loving them and can't wait to see it finished.
Warmest
Jane
Posted by: Jane | 03/23/2009 at 07:53 PM