We are off on a weeks holiday to the Lakes! hope everyone has a happy and peaceful week. I'll catch up with everyone's blog on my return!

This car has been in my neighbour's garden for almost as long as we've lived here (20 years!) I think nature is slowly encroaching on it - too slowly!

The sun is shining, my ankle isn't hurting so much, I have a wedding shoot on Friday (just assisting!) and I'm going on holiday on Saturday :) I'm feeling very happy :)

I'm off to pack!

Rant warning!

I read an item in the paper today that almost took my breath away. It was about women having plastic surgery on their feet and ankles. We're not just talking botox or liposuction either, but having toes broken, shortened etc. I felt quite sick reading it. I felt ashamed to be a woman.

And the reason? So these women can wear pretty shoes without feeling embarrassed about their "ugly" feet.

The article also talked to women who had foot, knee and back problems from years of wearing high heels all day, every day. Women who had serious health problems but could not/would not stop wearing these shoes because they are "addicted" to them or can't stand how they look in more practical shoes.

I was reminded of an article I'd read some months ago about a beautiful young black woman, who was undergoing plastic surgery to give her a large bottom. She was slender and gorgeous but claimed her life was ruined and she was incapable of happiness because she did not have the curvaceous rear that black women are supposed to have. The interview was full of her descriptions of how she could barely leave the house because of her embarrasment over her small buttocks, how she cried herself to sleep every night...I did wonder how she might cope if she discovered she had cancer, or suffered a bereavement or something similar, if being cursed with a small bottom made her feel such despair.

I'm not denying these women have serious problems but the problems are in their heads and not their physiques. It is hard for me to understand anyone undergoing surgery to fix defects that aren't even defects at all. And believe me, I don't like the way I look so I sympathise with people who have hang-ups over their appearance! I've even cried over it at times. I don't have my photo taken or look in mirrors if I can help it. The difference is that I know these feelings are trivial even if they are genuine! That in the great scheme of things it doesn't matter if I have pretty feet or a sexy bottom or a perky set of boobs. That what matters is I look after my health and try to be a good person.

I also read an article about women with breast cancer. Many are now terminal. All talked about living each day as it came and appreciating the important things in life. I doubt any waste much time fretting that their toes aren't perfectly symmetrical.

Since I hurt my ankle, I've come to really appreciate the sheer joy of being able to walk, run, dance - because I can't do it for the moment. I simply cannot imagine why a 23 year old woman would contemplate spending £2700 on an operation to pretty up her feet, when she knows it will mean she can't walk properly for about six months. Six days have almost driven me insane!

I know there is a condition called body dysmorphia and maybe these women have it, in which case the answer is treating the condition and not undergoing surgery!

If I could, I'd prescribe these self-obsessed women a course of counselling plus a massive dose of reality. And tell them that no-one cares about their feet or their backsides except them!

Wrinkled & peeling..

This photo won me first prize in the digital projected images section of this month's comp (subject was DECAY) and an amazing 20 marks out of 20 :) I was really pleased as this is another favourite photo of mine and was taken a few years ago on our first visit to Venice with my little Olympus compact camera! My injury prevented me from going to club to see the judging but the competition secretary was kind enough to tell me what was said. I saw the image that came second and I was VERY lucky as I think it was better than mine!! I think it was the girl in her undies that got me the result LOL.

At riding today, Sian got to ride Bruno for the first time. I was so thrilled to see her on my favourite horse. And B & I got to have a cuddle in the stable after his tack came off :)

Nice ankles & great shoes...

I thought it might be better than looking at my horrible old wrecked ankle again! This photo was taken at our last wedding shoot. The bride was Australian and very laid back. Her dress was a column of white satin - simple and stunning. And these shoes are so gorgeous.

Yesterday we had an enquiry via my website about a wedding booking for next year. It was only a tentative enquiry and I somehow doubt I'll hear from her again but it was a real thrill to know someone saw our work and liked it enough to get in touch. My other weddings have been booked via my talented boss by people who are impressed with his style and work and so it's really encouraging to know that I can make a reasonable impression with my own photos :)

Back to my ankle; it's still hurting but I managed a walk today and stood on my wobble board for a bit. It was great to be outside in the fresh air even though it was raining.

As I am busy resting; I've been able to observe a master in the art of resting honing his craft - Basil. I think Basil manages to sleep 23 hours out of every 24!

I walked home from the hairdressers today after having my roots done. I used my walking stick and it was ok. Tomorrow I'm going to try a walk around the block. It's frustrating when last week I was working out, doing aerobics and walking a couple of miles most days. I swear I can feel myself getting fatter by the minute. But at least it seems as if I'm on the mend - touch wood!

My feather duster...

I have the most glamourous feather duster. It's really too good for cobwebs.

It's a very limiting time, photographically speaking, as I'm still laid up. I saw the doctor yesterday and he confirmed it is a severe sprain and I'm signed off work until next Tuesday. Yesterday I did some minor pottering and just like that, my ankle swelled up again. So I really do have to bloody rest!!

I can start taking some little walks soon. My mother in law has lent me a walking stick and taught me how to use it!

I have a new motto on my blog header. Phil & I have been watching the series "From the earth to the moon" and each episode starts with part of JFK's speech about going to the moon.

"We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon... we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."

Whatever you think about JFK, or indeed space travel, I thought " what a great idea - to choose to do something because it is hard!" So often I have chosen easy things as I know I can do them. So often I've chosen NOT to do the hard things. Well, I don't want to be like that, anymore.

Two more views of my foot. I never bruise so thought I'd like a record of this one!

One full day of enforced inactivity and I'm really bored. I've read a couple of books, watched the entire series 5 of Sex & the City and various crap TV programmes and spent some time on the laptop. I was really tired by dinner time despite doing nothing! I told the family and Kate said knowingly that I was suffering from lethargia! She meant lethargy but I think lethargia sounds better!

I never knew doing nothing was so dull! I miss work!! I miss walking normally!!!

I am actually really scared of it happening again :(

Today started out very nicely and I took this photo of Basil on the roof spying on another cat. Then I set off for my hair appointment.

Suddenly and for no reason my left ankle just turned right over - ouch! It REALLY hurt! After a few minutes hanging onto a nearby fence I managed to make it to the hair salon, telling myself a bit of a rest and i'd be fine. Unfortunately that wasn't the case.

I just about made it home and called Phil to take me to Minor Injuries in Halton Hospital. We were there almost four hours! I've got a severely sprained ankle and my long unbroken sickness record is at an end! I won't be at work tomorrow and possibly not Friday either.

My ankle!

So, I've got to rest it but the scary thing is apparently it's easy to do again once you've done it. I am going to find it really hard not doing all the stuff I want to do, like aerobics and walking and RDA. I want to be better for our half term break too!

Skeleton leaf...

I'm entering this in this month's Photographic Society competition - subject is DECAY. I'm not very chuffed with any of my entries but thought I might as well give it a go.

We've had a nice weekend. Sian got promoted to the next class up in riding; which is sad as we have to say goodbye to her wonderful teacher Debbie - but good news too as her new teacher will be Ruth, who also does our RDA classes. My darling Bruno is one of the horses used on this ride so Sian may actually get to ride him. Woe betide her if she uses her whip on my baby, though!!

This flower is for my friend Kathy, with all my love.