Despite the fact that it was a first date, I found myself amazingly calm. Maybe I've had enough first dates that they are no longer terrifying for me. Maybe I've had enough first dates that have lead nowhere that I no longer feel any pressure on a first date. Maybe there was something about him which calmed me. Whatever it was, it was nice.
We stood by the lake's edge, allowing the dogs to play and wrestle, in and out of the water. They chased the water fowl, growled, ran after and nipped at one another, sometimes almost taking me down in their battles. It was fun to watch them interact with each other. I did find myself stepping back so I wouldn't get sprayed with frigid droplets when they emerged from the lake, shaking themselves free of the majority of water from their coats.
Talking with him was easy. He talked a little too much, which seemed to be more from nerves than from anything else. We talked so long, a park employee hunted us down to let us know we needed to exit the park so he could lock the gate. We quickly agreed that we weren't ready to call an end to our date, so we agreed to meet at the nearby dog park.
Upon arriving, he clipped the leashes back onto all of the dogs, giving me the handle end of Chloe's leash. Together, we dodged puddles and sodden ground from all of the recent rains. Luckily, I had worn heavy boots and two pairs of socks, so my feet were still dry, despite stepping on ground which felt more like a giant soaked sponge than dirt. The uneven ground was difficult to navigate, but we made our way, the dogs dragging us along as fast as we would let them.
Nodding at other dog owners as we trudged along, we continued chatting, enjoying each other's company. Finally, we made our way up a hill where the ground wasn't as saturated, which made the walking easier. Allowing the dogs to pull us a little faster, it happened. I felt my foot step in an unseen hole, my ankle strong enough to balance me. I heard a pop and found myself quickly falling toward the wet earth beneath me. I tried to find a way to catch myself, but was on all fours before I was able to do anything about it. Somehow, I had managed to keep enough of my mental faculties to still hold on to the leash.
Like a gentleman, he offered his hand out to help me up. Remembering it was our first date and that I night not want physical contact quite yet, he withdrew it slightly. I held my hand out to him to allow him to help me up. I stood for a moment, terrified to put any weight on it. When I finally did, I found that it was sore, but I was able to support myself on it. Sadly, my clumsiness put an end to our date. We headed back to our cars to say goodnight.
To my surprise, that didn't seem to turn him off. We chatted into the evening, which was nice. As I sat with my foot elevated and my ankle iced, we got to know each other via electronic chat.
At bedtime, I hobbled back to my room and quickly fell asleep. I woke in the middle of the night and found that my ankle was much, much worse. As I tentatively stepped on it, the pain seared through my ankle and foot, letting me know that I wouldn't be able to make it to the bathroom on my own. Using any nearby furniture and the walls, I very slowly, very painfully worked my way to the bathroom. I was relieved that my son was with his father because each step made me cry out in pain and/or curse. On my way back to bed, I took a couple of Advil and was able to go back to sleep.
Thank heavens, it's much better today. It still looks like I shoved an orange into my ankle, and walking hurts, but the wrap I found in the health and beauty cupboard is helping, as is the 2nd dose of Advil. I hope my boss can magically pull a cane or crutches out of the depths of her garage for me to borrow.
I just feel like I can't do anything now. Can't go shopping, can't go to my writer's group, can't go for a hike this weekend. :( I feel like, other than going to work, I'm house ridden and I really don't like that feeling.
We stood by the lake's edge, allowing the dogs to play and wrestle, in and out of the water. They chased the water fowl, growled, ran after and nipped at one another, sometimes almost taking me down in their battles. It was fun to watch them interact with each other. I did find myself stepping back so I wouldn't get sprayed with frigid droplets when they emerged from the lake, shaking themselves free of the majority of water from their coats.
Talking with him was easy. He talked a little too much, which seemed to be more from nerves than from anything else. We talked so long, a park employee hunted us down to let us know we needed to exit the park so he could lock the gate. We quickly agreed that we weren't ready to call an end to our date, so we agreed to meet at the nearby dog park.
Upon arriving, he clipped the leashes back onto all of the dogs, giving me the handle end of Chloe's leash. Together, we dodged puddles and sodden ground from all of the recent rains. Luckily, I had worn heavy boots and two pairs of socks, so my feet were still dry, despite stepping on ground which felt more like a giant soaked sponge than dirt. The uneven ground was difficult to navigate, but we made our way, the dogs dragging us along as fast as we would let them.
Nodding at other dog owners as we trudged along, we continued chatting, enjoying each other's company. Finally, we made our way up a hill where the ground wasn't as saturated, which made the walking easier. Allowing the dogs to pull us a little faster, it happened. I felt my foot step in an unseen hole, my ankle strong enough to balance me. I heard a pop and found myself quickly falling toward the wet earth beneath me. I tried to find a way to catch myself, but was on all fours before I was able to do anything about it. Somehow, I had managed to keep enough of my mental faculties to still hold on to the leash.
Like a gentleman, he offered his hand out to help me up. Remembering it was our first date and that I night not want physical contact quite yet, he withdrew it slightly. I held my hand out to him to allow him to help me up. I stood for a moment, terrified to put any weight on it. When I finally did, I found that it was sore, but I was able to support myself on it. Sadly, my clumsiness put an end to our date. We headed back to our cars to say goodnight.
To my surprise, that didn't seem to turn him off. We chatted into the evening, which was nice. As I sat with my foot elevated and my ankle iced, we got to know each other via electronic chat.
At bedtime, I hobbled back to my room and quickly fell asleep. I woke in the middle of the night and found that my ankle was much, much worse. As I tentatively stepped on it, the pain seared through my ankle and foot, letting me know that I wouldn't be able to make it to the bathroom on my own. Using any nearby furniture and the walls, I very slowly, very painfully worked my way to the bathroom. I was relieved that my son was with his father because each step made me cry out in pain and/or curse. On my way back to bed, I took a couple of Advil and was able to go back to sleep.
Thank heavens, it's much better today. It still looks like I shoved an orange into my ankle, and walking hurts, but the wrap I found in the health and beauty cupboard is helping, as is the 2nd dose of Advil. I hope my boss can magically pull a cane or crutches out of the depths of her garage for me to borrow.
I just feel like I can't do anything now. Can't go shopping, can't go to my writer's group, can't go for a hike this weekend. :( I feel like, other than going to work, I'm house ridden and I really don't like that feeling.
