But in amongst it all there have been positive moments, with the support of my wonderful friends. So here it is, the story of the last few weeks.
The car: I ended up accompanying the car, on a flat bed truck, to the insurance appointed garage, which was beyond Bristol. Fortunately, the very lovely recovery truck driver gave me a lift back to Gloucester, from where I was able to jump on a bus and get back to Cheltenham, at the end of a very long day. The burnt smell of the airbags lingering on me, all I wanted to do was shower and wash my hair. And then just curl up in a ball and sleep. I resisted the urge though, and instead went out for dinner with my coursemates, to celebrate the end of our time in Cheltenham. I think getting out and about was good for me, to be surrounded by people and to have some distraction.
Thursday, I did allow myself to wallow. I was suddenly hurt. I'm not sure if it was a seatbelt injury, or if it was from holding myself tensely and shivering and shaking so much the previous day. But I was so very sore across my chest. And exhausted, I had barely slept. So I stayed at home, did a little knitting, watched some stuff on my laptop and then ended up sleeping all afternoon. Then we went out to dinner as a flat, a final bonding experience for the three of us, who had individually gone through so much in that flat, that we had shared and supported each other through. I'm so glad to have bonded such lovely girls who I'm sure we will always look back at our time fondly and be grateful for.
Friday brought new adventures - driving again. I had a courtesy car from my insurance company. And I was dreading driving. First time after my crash and also because I've hardly driven any other car since I learnt to drive. Pleased to say, in a slightly strange, lacking kind of way, it was fine. It was just driving. Once I was in the car, it was almost as if nothing had happened. One of my friends agreed to come back to Bristol with me, to act as some morale support and as a very soothing, calming influence. And she was wonderful. Thanks Charlotte.
And life goes on... it was back to work at the weekend. And then the nightmare of sorting it all out. Last week Tuesday was an overwhelming day.
1) I learnt that the driver of the other car is making a personal claim, via a very snooty, aggressive, intimidating letter. (Which luckily, I have legal cover with the insurance, so all I had to do was forward the letter onto the insurance company and let them deal with it all, so glad about that). I was very upset and thrown by this letter, but I have been reassured by everyone that it's just par for the course following an accident these days.
2) I found out about my jobs. I will be spending the first two years if my working life in Yeovil, a place I've never been to before. I will be doing the following rotations: F1 - endocrinology; gastric surgery; general medicine. F2 - GP (mmmm, not something I really wanted); trauma & orthopaedics (something I wanted even less!) and finally Obstetrics and gynaecology (yay, at least I got this!). I'm sure these two years will be full of all sorts of adventures and learning experiences
3) The engineer from my insurance company phoned to confirm that the car is a definite write off and to let me know how much I will be receiving.
In amongst this all - the slightly more positives.
My birthday - was on a Sunday. Was lovely and lazy, full of loving messages, and a evening meal at a pan-Asian buffet in town with some of my friends.
Uni - am currently spending four weeks doing a GP audit. I have collected my data and then trying to get motivated enough to start writing up the results!
Knitting - Ru wristwarmers are finished. And so are two gorgeous vests for two lovely little girls. And now I'm busy working on a lacey scarf for Farrah, using one of the balls of hand dyed that I painted at the workshop.
Friends - random pancake evenings, random relaxing at home, watching 24, playing on the Wii, and general distractions
Visits - the Clarks came and spent an evening with me last weekend. I crazy, busy, joyous afternoon and evening. My little flat hasn't had that much noise in weeks combined. It was great, and just what I needed. Company. We didn't do very much, we went shopping (much to the girl's horror, and only redeemed by going to the best toy shop ever!), and a lazy dinner of naan bread pizzas, and all things yarn! It was lovely, thanks guys, and we have to do it again!
And I think that is a fairly brief summary of things. I'm still waiting for the cheque to come through, the insurance company have had some silly delays caused by people going on holiday without filing reports. I'm hoping to get it in the next couple of days. And then I'm hoping to go home to Derby for a long weekend, to see my parents before they go off on holiday over Easter and to have some company to cheer me up. I need the soothing, cathartic influence of being around those I love.
And now, some photos:
Firstly, the yarn all dried and looking so amazing, I'm so proud of my creativity and can't wait to see what it all turns out like when knitted.
Sock yarn - pink with purple lowlights
Sock yarn - much brighter green than originally intended
Final sock yarn
Silk hankie
DK for Sarah, was supposed to be turquoise and purple, but ended up blue and purple
DK in gold and earthy red tones
Scrumptious Lace (45% silk, 55% merino) in semisolid plummy colour
Scrumptious Chunky in various shades of blue, purple and red
Ru's wristwarmer's - it's very difficult to take a photo of both your hands when you're by yourself!
Playing with my new toy, a wool winder
Getting ready to start Farrah's scarf
Little vests:
Close up of Jenna's armholes, unintended two tone as I was sooooo close to running out of wool
And they fit!
And finally, my flat being filled with people
The girls helped me wind the left over wool from Morgi's vest and made just-for-her wool of Sarah's. And not the DVDs aren't all neatly lined up. Apparently best game in my flat for little bean hands is to pull them all off the shelves until you're sitting in a pile bigger than you!
Apparently wool-winders are great toys for all ages, not just for me!
Just looking through these photos and it amazes me just how busy and full the last few weeks have been, filled with so much bad and yet so much good. No wonder I feel drained and not myself. Such a rollercoaster. But I suppose that's just life...
