Occupational Hazards of Cooking

We all know the dangers that lurk in the kitchen... sharp knives (or blunt knives that can cause the worst cuts), hot pots and pans, boiling liquids, keeping kids out from underfoot... and yeah, having chocolate in arm's reach!

But, have you ever heard of straining ligaments from loading the dishwasher? Well, now you have! Perhaps it's a message that I've been spending all too much time in the kitchen. Perhaps it's some universe message to reinforce my husband's continual suggestions to "relax". Or maybe, just maybe... I'm a little klutzy!

I was just going about my regular after-dinner routine, washing up dishes, and I felt a strange pull in my foot. It hurt, but not too bad so I kept going about my business. Then, as I was twisting back and forth to load dishes, I noticed it hurt more and more. I joked with my husband and sat down to give it a break. Within the hour, it was so painful I couldn't rotate or otherwise move my foot and no position sitting made it better. I was trying to edit (since I got the design edits back and needed to return them asap), but couldn't even focus on the papers it hurt so much. Hubby said "should we get you to the doctor or hospital?". He said he thought I would scoff at him, but I quickly said "yeah, let's go".

So, we went over to the hospital, which is close by, and he had to carry me to the car and into the hospital!! Can you believe that? When the triage nurse asked me if I fell and twisted it, I said "I wish I had a good story, but I hurt it while doing the dishes". How embarrassing!! Gah! We saw the doctor pretty quick, and hubby said with a determined tone "this is unusual, because Dreena has a very high tolerance for pain" (was he thinking about two natural childbirths? I think so... I certainly remind him enough times any given week).

After all was said and done (and the pain medication had kicked in), the doctor explained that I somehow traumatized my ankle area - not like a typical sprain, but something called a "pivotal trauma". He said that it was fairly odd to have that kind of trauma, and I said "I'm a complex gal!" So, I'm thinking all those months/years of mucking in the kitchen, twisting and quickly stepping about (without decent footwear: my bad!), took it's toll that night. I'm doing okay now, but I spent a day on my butt pretty much - editing. Editing, editing, editing. But yay, the book is going to print very soon now!

So, that's where I've been the last couple of days. I felt so badly for hubby, trying to cook and keep up with everything. Our older girl said that night "I guess we'll be having a lot of macaroni these days". Hee hee. He made grilled cheese for lunch that next day - poor thing, took him about an hour. Then we ordered pizza for dinner and he made a salad. He said "arrggh, it's taken me about 45 minutes to make a salad". I consoled him with the thought that if I had to go downtown to his office and do his job, it would take me forever to get the swing of things (and I probably never would!), so I don't expect him to be efficient at what I've been doing as a mom for 6+ years.

Our girls were so concerned and sweet through it all. Our older girl said "mom, why is your foot sore... because those things happen when you get old?" Ha! Well, that wasn't exactly the 'sweet' part, but they were very endearing with their concern.

But it's amazing how much better I am already. Just wrapped my ankle, and wednesday spent most of the day on the couch editing, then yesterday I hobbled around some, and today I have most of the mobility back and can walk around fairly well. Still not jumping on the mini-tramp, but doing pretty fine. I think I'll be back to my multi-tasking self in just another day or two!

With all that, do I have any foodie goods? Well, I do have to show you this adorable pic of zucchini from last week's farmers' market:

I buy organic produce from this stall all the time, and when I saw the zukes and yellow squash, I said "how cool, look at these". The vendor said "yeah, we've had lots of those this year", and she called them twin zucchini! Love that. But, she said that no one wanted to buy them.

Why? Because they aren't 'perfect' looking? Do other folks think they have some strange genetic modification? It's a local organics stand for goodness sake, people! Besides, how else can you get snow people in the summer...

:)

Have a great weekend guys, and don't forget to vote if you haven't yet (do I get your sympathy vote after this post?) - Kiiiidding!