50 more days

Fifty more days until what, you may ask? 

Is it soon to be someone's birthday or anniversary?
Is it the start of Christmas shopping season?
Has that goofy man predicted yet another day for the world to end?

While all these may be true, I am counting down how many more days I have to be in what I have less-than-affectionately been calling "the boot".  It sort of comes out of my mouth like the word "Newman" came out of Jerry Seinfeld's mouth when his troublesome acquaintance showed up at his door. 

If you read my blog often, you will remember that I was at first excited about the boot.  Happy to have freedom from the crutches.  But what started out as a happy relationship turned quickly sour after I realized that I was going to be in it for an extended period of time. 

For those who don't know, I found out that I have stress fractures in 3 bones in my foot.  I was told that I could wear "the boot" for 2 months or a regular cast for one.  But I couldn't drive or bathe with the cast and I couldn't take it off to sleep without it, so I opted for the boot. 

Now I know in my head that I should just be happy that it is only a few fractures and that I don't need surgery and that I am otherwise a very healthy woman...but another part of me, I am not sure what part exactly, feels very whiny and pathetic about it. 

By the time I get out of it on November 4th, winter will be well on its way.  These are the days that we would normally take walks or bike rides around the neighborhood, doing yard work and other outdoorsy stuff.  It is also soccer season, where we have to be out in the sun and heat or rain and mud, etc...which none of that is very fun or convenient when you have "the boot". 

In addition, since this is the first year that both of my kids are in school all day, I had all these grand ideas of how this new phase of life would look.

I had several painting, organizing, and remodeling projects planned.  I had visions of a spotless house, with carefree evenings with no chores to do or errands to run because I would have all day to do them while my beautiful family was away.  And, of course, I would have a wholesome, nutritionally-balanced meal on the table every night, since I had the day time hours to plan and prepare.  I would look great, since I was so well-rested from not staying up late doing loads of laundry, making late night grocery runs, or trying to mark one more thing off of my "to do" list and, of course, exercising almost everyday...With all this extra time... 

Just picture a mother from a 1950s sitcom and that was what I was aiming for...sort of! 

But not only does "the boot" throw a wrench in all of my plans, do you know how hard it is to look cute with a bulky, black boot the size of a giant's foot strapped to your leg that makes you walk like a pirate (as my darling son was so pleased to point out to me)?  And do you know what walking like a pirate does to your back?  My chiropractor sure does!

Anyway, I have not been having very many good feelings lately about "the boot" and so I just wanted to know how many more days I had resist the urge to be a complainer about it and the answer was 50.  My husband has made me a little counter for my blog, so that I can visibly see the days ticking down.  So you can all get the joy of watching them tick down with me.  I am sure you all are as excited as I am!

Even though I am struggling with feeling sorry for myself, it does make me realize how fortunate I have been to be so healthy for most of my life and I will definitely appreciate being back on my own two feet again after November 4th!  It also gives me a glimpse into how emotionally wearing being sick or hurt can be.  I hope it will make me more sympathetic to others in the future.