Shock Horror!! She does an Update -- 14 October

One small setback during a trip to NYC in early September.

"Leanne if you actually expect me to let you get a pair of shoes today, you need to start finding some serious options - NO Showgirl shoes!"

My unsolicited response from behind the rack - Go on Mom!  We both had a giggle

One of my new friends at the Media company  felt so bad for me, and my lost YSL sandals, she GAVE me two pair of killer heels she bought in the sales (NEW LOOK rocks) - to motivate me to heal.  Bless her!!  I try them on (sitting down) regularly and they are even nicer than the ones that got away.

6 Months down 12 to go

So I had my 6 month check up (can you believe it?!) with the docs and they are very pleased.  "It's fine - get on with your life, see you in 6 months."  Waited over 90 minutes for that thorough examination and detailed feedback!

I got to see the Xrays (The screws look horrific) much longer than I expected.  But they are doing the job. 

I am good.  My limp is pretty much gone as well.  I did real running in the park with the dogs on Saturday and I have worn my first heels -- thanks to Vimi, who also gifted me a pair of suede boots with 1.5 inch heels.  I can wear them all day. 

I still have sore stiff days but I am starting to feel normal again. 

So My left foot is really healing -thanks for hanging in there with me.  My next and probably last update to my blog when I am wearing the Louboutins again   I'm thinking for Santa maybe - Ho Ho Ho

Bye all -thanks for reading

Oh yeah, Wold and the Norwegian do it again! 19 June 2009

Axel is ready to party and yes that is his real hair

Great Makeup

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Next update from Cannes baby

"welcome to the two most oppressive tax regimes in the world"  

So the Ceremony was longer than expected but that was mostly getting set up and waiting for them to register everyone and check that they had the right documents to participate.  The Mayor of Camden was there and gave us our certificates on behalf of her Majesty the Queen (clearly she had other more pressing plans or I'm sure she would have attended in person).  He congratulated us and shook each of our hands - which took forever as there were about 50 people or more taking the oath that day.  I passed the time by making updates on Twitter.

Being British Lesson 1:  Learn to Queue


Random attendees at my ceremony included:  Emma Thompson and her rather 'dishy' hubbie Greg Wise (he was the hottie in Sense and Sensibility) who were attending to support their adopted son who was taking his oath that day too.  And the Ozzie, Kristin, who lives near by in Camden and used to work for me at COLT -- also taking his oath with his other half.

I carried my Rule Britannia, sequenced Union Jack flag clutch that Lady Chatterley gave me to celebrate my joining the "sinking ship".

And Mickey Moo who had worked a night shift and had just 1 hour of sleep went with me to take photos and support me.  He also treated me to Champagne at the Long Bar in St Pancras station and then Lunch at the pub.  How very British!  It was a really good day.  So happy to finally be a citizen here - now I really could murder a cuppa...

I think the Queen looks terrific today

I’ve seen the new Star Trek three times now, does that make me sad?  I love Star Trek and I have always loved it.  Cheers to my Dad for getting me excited about it when I was young. 

I have seen all the films, STNG and Classic Star Trek Series all multiple times.  I did lose the faith a bit with Deep Space (Bus Station) 9 but I loved Voyager (Janeway rocks) and have seen a few of the Enterprise series but never got into it I am afraid –  Scott Bakula, ah no – He’s Quantum Leap mate – unless Enterprise is actually just an extended episode of Quantum Leap—that could work.

To call LT Uhura a role model and an inspiration is totally cliché but I did join the army and I was a signal officer so I can’t believe that decision wasn’t subconsciously influenced by my devotion to Star Trek.  Hey I suspect she was the first woman on TV (black or white) who had a real job and wasn’t there just to be the future love interest.  She was the only woman on the Enterprise with a proper job (respect to Nurse Chapel).  So she was a role model for me and I am so glad she inspired so many women of that era. 

 
Clearly taken before the foot incident

So in my alternative reality, I am not writing this blog about a broken foot – that is good to know.

Some pics from the day:

Entrance Walk - lovely


Getting inspiration...


Queuing for very expensive Pimms


Amazing Bronzes



Guests who had stayed a bit too long


And of course - Flowers


One more for the road


Finally, a big shout out to TWITTER yes we booked the elusive Cannes Lions!  Via Twitter

Believe me it’s the future.  Follow our girl Vee on NO17CANNES  

Hi-de-hoe sports fans, 13 May 2009

We have been very busy since the disappointment of the delayed release from MoonBoot Penitentiary. 

While that still sucks a lot, something happened that weekend and I just started getting on with it.  I have given up my crutches indoors and have been doing more walking around the neighborhood with a single crutch or none at all.  Hell I even went to Selfridge's to go shopping.  But sufficed to say I have had another 'healing spurt'  which means I just feel more confident walking and have a lot less pain and fatigue when I put full weight down on my left foot in the moonboot. 

But the big news is I am walking (indoors) with no moonboot at all.  Tah dah!  Baby steps but I can walk slowly on my bare foot.

Hurray, so even though I am still in this bloody Moonboot prison for another 3-4 weeks, I figure that if its not causing pain - real pain, then I can keep pushing the boundaries and start my rehab.

The only continued frustration is that 10 days later I still don't have an appointment for the CT Scan.  So I called the hospital today only to be informed that they only got my file (from 1 floor down) YESTERDAY.  Amazing.   So now I have to wait another 1-2 weeks before they send me a letter for the appointment.  I think not.  I will be sending a letter to Dr Madhav directly to say enough already.  The NHS is great for critical care - and god bless that, but once you are not critical, your service goes right down the swanie!

I guess its back to the web for do-it-yourself Physical Therapy for the old Navicular.  So that's the Navicular update done. 

So since we last spoke -- we have been visited and visited and visited by many a far-away friend and kin alike.

Sunday, 3 May - meine Damen und Herren, Ich hole Ihnen the one the only GUDRUN!!!

So our favourite Italian came to visit us over the weekend and she didn't disappoint.  Looking fabulous and bringing lots of yummy treats from the Capital of Sugar and Dessert - Wien baby.  She was in town because Her Grand Mistress Lady P was also visiting from LA (Bringing us Swine Flu - but I digress).  These girls were part of the now famous Munich Crew at Viag and hadn't seen one another in like 8 years (shocking)! 

So how else to celebrate the reunion, but with a boozie BBQ at Casa Lyme.

Gudrun performs a traditional Viennese Waltz with Peppers


Mickey Moo once again was the host with the most, cooking like a slave on the Barbie. so we had meat for the Carnivores and non-meat for the Veggies.  Gudrun and I snuck out earlier that day for a spot of shopping at Selfridges (we love Selfridges). Then it was party time at Casa Lyme.  Pasy looks fantastic as always - WOLD and the Norwegian were here (of course) as was Big Daddy Raymondo.  The wine flowed and flowed - which explains the headache the next day -- so very worth it I am afraid!

Big shout out to Pasy for NOT infecting us with Swine Flu!


Thursday 7 May - Philly, Gatwick, Camden, Gatwick, Nice Cannes
My poor mum and dad have come for a visit and we made them do that evil commute in one day.  They were ultimately rewarded with a lovely long weekend in Cannes and the French Riviera darling.  This was my first trip since the accident and I gotta tell you.  Shout out for Aer Lingus.  They so rock.  I was well impressed with how organised and well run that airline was.  WAY BETTER THAT BA!!!!  Value for Money and the rest - how about just plain old professional not that is a pleasant change.

So we arrived in Cannes around 11pm local time (or 20+ hours after my parents started their day.  They even volunteered to sleep in the Cabin (it's a 3-sided room NOT a building outside made of logs).  Had them up early the next day for breakfast at Cafe Lux and the first of many Ham and Cheese sandwiches!

Cannes was in good form, preparing for the film festival since it was due to start the day after we were due to leave.  The weather was amazing - not hot not cold just right

The Itinerary
Friday - Cannes and the tour train up to the Souk, Dinner with Bruce
Saturday - Coast Road to St Tropez (following the Harley Bikers convention) however something about Bikers speaking french - not so menacing actually - we had ham and cheese sandwiches there
Sunday Morning -  Lie in for the folks (ha they got up at dawn and took pictures!)
Sunday Afternoon - Eze (ham and cheese sandwiches) and Monaco - dinner at Caffe Roma (sadly no ham and cheese)
Monday Morning - clean up and head to the airport - where we had time for a ham and cheese sandwich


Dad was in his element - camera never far from his hand.  We found easy food, introduced them to our friend Bruce who is a few years younger but they all got on and reminisced about living in Connecticut.  Did I mention dad was taking pictures!?  I got to treat my mother to one of my favourite views in the world - the med from the balcony of Chateau Eze.  If you haven't seen it - it was in the movie The Bucket List, and I couldn't agree more.  That was my gift, That view and a very civilized glass of pink champagne on the terrace there.

Before I end with the snaps, I want to say that I was so happy to have my mom and dad visit with me.  I miss them so much!  I love them both so much and I am really thankful that they came to see me and Mickey moo. 

A final shout out and very big thank you to Lily and Braveheart for coming to look after our puppies while we were gone. 

OK here are a few of the pics:

Cannes Marina May 09 -- little white tents are for  the film festival the following week - Yachts are always there


getting ready for the stars to arrive


MickeyMoo points out the sites

A day in St Tropez - Nee Nee finds a boat she likes (notice gimp stick looped causally on the arm)


you couldn't make it up (but you could spell it right!)



Beautiful view at Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat -- the vista isn't bad either


Climbing to Eze (yes I went all the way up and down in the Moon Boot)


Nearly there Dad, and yes it will be worth it!


Happy Mother's Day


Monaco - getting ready for the Grand Prix (sometime you have all the luck eh)


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Saturday, 18 April  - I told you this would start a Trend

I mean how random is that - I told you it would start a trend - I am super cool like that.   Its a great song as well.  May have to get into Ms Torrini.  Pay attention to how she breaks her foot(leg)....

WOLD is clearly one of the Fabulous People



But then I was tired and remembered that I wasn't one of the "fabulous people" (anymore) and rather a very tired girl who was ready to go home. -- TAXI

Still, Mick and I agreed it was one our best nights out in a while - Many thanks to WOLD And the Norwegian for yet another fab Saturday night.

Do we get to throw you a party where we drape you in a union jack and eat fish and chips with warm beer? Please say yes....!!!

Special shout out for my little lost boy TLJ and our surprise visitor Miss County Durham who both popped in to visit withme.  Please check out baby James on Twitter - (@weightmatters) and MCD as well (@indigoseahorse1) they both need more followers.   

Second shout out for Miss Susan Boyle on the last Britain's Got Talent 2009 - you have to see this!  Don't feel bad if you start to cry - we did too   

14 April, She works hard for the Money, So hard for it honey

Last week was a busy one, back to work full time and full on.  I went to a conference, was in the office everyday and had to negotiate two days of 'formal' work clothing with the moon boot.  Fashion forward as it is, the avantgarde accessory does make more pedestrian work clothing look - well more pedestrian.  A girl has to think on her feet (or foot as the case may be).  

The hard permanent cast meant that I rediscovered the world of hold ups (Stockings that stay up with out a garter belt).  Now I have never had much luck with these.  Having been blessed with "traditional thighs".  This means they aren't straight and even in my triathlon days they were never 'slim' so I always found that hold ups - didn't.  Historically, I have more than once been embarrassed by the lovely lacy topped stocking rolling or falling down my leg - usually in the middle of Oxford Street or as I was walking out of a CXO meeting.   It wasn't cleaver - nor alluring.  So I gave up on the whole hold up-vibe forever - until I had no choice and found a secret.

If you find traditional hold ups a challenge - get the 'BIG GIRL' hold ups.  Don't get all snobby and sizeist about it, the secret is to get something with a wider opening at the thigh.  M&S (Marks & Spenser for foreigners reading this) has hold ups in sizes (XS to XL).   
http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B0018P421Y/ref=pd_sbs_4/276-6251100-5486509?ie=UTF8&mnSBrand=core

I even found that XL (Which I ordered in both) was actually too big in one style but perfect and very comfortable (no circulation stopping rubber band effect) for another style.  Must most importantly, they HOLD UP, don't fall down or go walking, without me.

The moon boot means I can first put the stocking on my foot and then the protective 'Britney Spears - hit me baby one more time' sock on, followed by the moon boot.  Which is - well fetching.

Hit me baby one more time


Toot Toot, eh Beep Beep


Now I don't imagine that the hold ups will be my first choice full time.   I rather like the gusseting affect of full-on, passion-killing pantie hose, but in summer when its too hot (ha I live in England) or for a secret little flirtation, I can see me pulling out the hold ups once I am freed from moon boots and other gimpy accoutrement. 

Do give the 'sized' hold ups a try if you find the standard sizes a pain.

12 April Easter Sunday, A weekend of sloth

Easter in the United Kingdom is celebrated with a long weekend and Friday and Monday as national holidays -

So today we took the dogs to the little park - a nice easy walk for me on the sticks (yes I still have the damn sticks) .  Lola is a nightmare she is so aggressive.  We really need to get some help in getting her socialised and dealing with her behaviour.  Our neighbors all have issues with their doggies.  We thinking of trying to get Caesar the Dog Whisperer to come over and do a deal for the street

One more Pic - A Bast from the past - aka why you shouldn't let friends sign your cast - especially when they are pissed
- the original plaster cast from March 09

Tuesday, April 7th - Space Clothing pros and cons

 

So it's day 4 with the freedom that comes with having a moon boot - that said, space clothing is not for everyone.   It takes a kind of coolness and aplomb to pull it of with style. I do see people looking at me with envy - I cant blame them, it's just so damn fetching.

Pros (besides being bang on trend and totally fashion forward)

1. I can take it off - I could go on an on on this topic alone but just being able to separate from the cast is awesome
   
2. I can wash (gross out warning):  so my right leg and foot are full of dead skin – imagine peeling after a sunburn – on steroids. I have been using the Bliss diamond foot file, on my leg and the skin is still coming off still.  Before I was due to take my 2nd shower and took the long ‘Britney Spears’ over the knee sock off my leg – and a cascade of dead skin fell out of the sock, it made the floor brown, solid brown! It was gross beyond measure.  But with washing and exfoliation it should stop shedding sometime around Labor day
   
3. I can start to move my ankle and foot (see video blog) I have to draw the alphabet with my toes to practice range of motion - the first time I got to g and then screamed in pain!  Now I am up U before it hurts too much
   
   prepare to be totally amazed
   
   

   Played: 385 | Download | Duration: 00:00:00

   
   
   
4. Much easier to walk around and get up and down stairs.  Its faster walking but slower on the stairs.  But I don’t have to balance anymore and just resting my foot makes all the difference from full weight and balance all on the right.  I went to get my nails done in Hampstead on Saturday and did the same walk as from when we went to see Watchmen which I found really challenging on the day.  Saturday’s walk was a breeze, I walked to the tube, in got cash , out and then I went down the hill to the bus stop, it was WAY easier and faster.  I felt like I could go shopping and walk around, take the bus home.  I almost did – but instead I hailed a cab – no sense getting ahead of myself.
   
5. No more fragmen shots! That is truly something I won't miss
    

Cons:

1. It hurts more than the normal cast, it's never just right, either too tight or too loose, it rubs it aches and it just hurts.  To borrow a phase from my friend ‘pain is productive’ she isn't’t a sadist but rather this was from here first labour.  Now  am not popping out a baby but I realise it needs to hurt to get it to get better – sucks a lot
   
2. I feel exposed when its off, the first night sleeping was hellish.  I got no sleep, I was completely stressed out and just felt so sore and vulnerable all night.  But thankfully the next night was completely fine.  Still it feels exposed and more achy when its off
   
3. Stiff need crutches, but that will reduce to one soon
   So all and all it's a good thing.

See you soon looking forward to bearing weight over the next couple of day and how to modify the Wii Fit exercises to do them with the air cast MOON BOOT