A strange week that’s felt more like two or three. Being cooped up in the wintertime has created something of a time warp, moving slower, sometimes faster, but mostly slower like the freezing of ice on a lake. Are we there yet? Is it ready yet? Is the four weeks of a frustrating one-armed life over yet? No, but week one is.
I broke my arm while ice skating which is not news for those of you who follow along on Instagram. I’d like to consider myself something of a hero, the only reason the fall took out my humerus bone, is that I was saving Anders from getting hurt in the mayhem–but really I’m something of an idiot. Skating around like some sort of pro while holding your two year old is dumb. (They did have those supports for little kids but Anders wanted none of that, no, he preferred to ride something as a king, hovering a few inches over the ice, never really utilizing the skate at all, but more utilizing my lower back muscles.) I did it successfully for roughly thirty minutes which was generous already. Should’ve quit while I was ahead. But anyhow, Anders giggled through the fall while I slow-motion mouthed-in-my-head, “Oh fuuuuuuudge.” But not fudge. It hurt and I knew I’d done something I should not have. So here we are. One armed for four (to six, but I’m rounding down and saying three) weeks. Trying desperately to put my hair up which, oddly enough, is one of the things I wish I could do the most. Or shave my armpit. I can change a dirty diaper impressively efficiently with my left foot and my right hand though.
Steve’s been something of a saint, bringing me food in bed and getting kids dressed, and buckled in car seats and cutting vegetables or opening cans of beans for a chili. Much of his own work–of which he had plenty–has been put to rest since I broke my arm. I’m grateful he was home at all, though. Lindsey has done baskets of laundry-folding of which I’m ever so grateful. We’d have been rummaging through clean, wrinkled clothes for weeks otherwise. And friends! Oh friends! We’ve had meals delivered almost every night this week, packages left on the doorstep, texts checking in. Chicken enchiladas with fresh salsa verde, chicken pot pies, and broccoli soup. Flowers delivered from far away friends. I mean, my goodness, how the spirits can be bolstered by the kindness of others. I think, daily at this point, how grateful I am for the strong and wonderful women in my life. Tender mercies they’ve shown me in an otherwise dreary time. I’ve got a growing list of thank you notes to write, and I keep scribbling on the paper, the list growing each day.
Taking a week off of blogging, I filled several hours with Call the Midwife. I suppose I could’ve filled my time learning Italian, or reading The Road Less Travelled, but… I didn’t. I’m enjoying it so much, and am so surprised how truly newborn the babies are in it. Some of the episodes have gone straight to my heart, of course, especially the one about the mother who’s son is marrying a well-to-do American girl and she feels like she’s losing him. Ache! And Chummy, could she be any more likeable? She reminds me of Meryl Streep playing Julia Child in Julie and Julia. Right?! I’m in the beginning of season 3 and I feel like the rug’s going to be pulled out from under me. No spoilers, please! I’m also reading Silence–a book I skimmed, at best, almost 13 years ago. I’m determined to read it (if I could just look away from Call the Midwife during my quiet hours long enough) before seeing the movie.
It’s so unfortunate you broke your arm! But Steve is truly a star! Wishing you a fast recovery!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
oh no!! so sad about your arm! moms need all their limbs. call the midwife sounds so good, i’ve been on the hunt for a show. i hope you heal quickly!
xo, brittany
i’ve got a good waterproof boot roundup on my blog today
http://www.notablob.com
I am so amazed you can change a nappy with one arm and one foot (& intrigued by how you do it!) – there’s no way I’d manage that with my newly 2 year old! And yes, Call the Midwife is great – we’re just about to get the new series here in the U.K. (‘Scuse the brag!) but my husband can’t take the screaming of the women in labour so I have to watch it with headphones! He always turns round and I’m in tears at some storyline which I then attempt to explain. Hope you feel better soon and in the meanwhile get to watch more.
Hope the weeks go by fast, but that you enjoy the rest while you can take advantage of it!
Read the call the midwife series this summer after watching it.soooo good! So incredibly sorry about your arm! Glad your little man was laughing in the process of you falling and not the opposite! Hope you heal quickly
Call the Midwife is great. I enjoyed it tremendously.
An arm out of commission is never fun. I busted up my left hand one summer at cheerleading camp and simple things like pulling your hair up (which you mentioned) and tying your own shoes just becomes impossible…
So sorry to hear about your arm! I follow you on Instagram, but somehow missed it happening and have been hoping everything was ok since you haven’t had any blog posts lately! I stumbled across Call The Midwife about 6 months ago and was hooked reeeeeeal quick too! There’s something about birth stories even made up ones on TV that are so fascinating. That episode really got me too! I hope you mend quickly!
Hey Bridget, when you didn’t blog for a week, I wondered if all was ok. Went to instagram and saw you had broken your arm. Hey, I’m totally feeling you. I broke my knee last June. I had never heard of anyone breaking their knee! Everything got put on the back burner for months! It has been a long recuperation. Hang in there! I actually remembered and prayed for you last weekend. It’s not an easy thing to endure.
lela! praying for me!!! can’t tell you how much that means. thank you. and yes–it is a long recuperation but probably not as bad as your knee! hope all is well now!!
SILENCE!!! I loved this book in high school. It was so impactful for me that at age 17 I told myself I would one day live in Asia…and I moved to Korea in 2013! Once you actually finish reading the whole book you will think what a crazy person I am and how could THAT book of ALL books motivate me (please some psycho analyze me) but alas…it did! A beautiful and thought provoking book. Enjoy-
Watch Offspring. Its an Australian show (we have it on Canadian Netflix). My mom, aunt and I became obsessed with it over the break. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Call the Midwife is a wonderful brilliant show. I got happily addicted to it as well…and found myself wanting tea and biscuits & cakes at all times (as I tend to do when watching British TV dramas). Enjoy the rest and hope you’re on the mend soon!