I've been stuck home now for over a month (triple fracture of my shoulder tripping on a lettuce leaf in a supermarket would you believe?!?) and I absolutely cannot stand being at home another day. I've never experienced so much frustration in all my life - one minute, career, family, VERY independent - now I'm stuck with "easy to pull up" shorts and t-shirts because my left arm is useless, daytime tv and a feeling of utter uselessness. I simply had no idea how hard it would be to give up what I sometimes looked at as such a choatic life.

But I miss my work and my colleagues so much. Every time someone says to me "enjoy your time at home, work is just a job" - well I think I want to scream. My work IS so much a part of my life and as each week passes I feel like I am being left behind. How DO people cope when they are forced out of the workforce permanently?? The thought of retirement is terrifying (I am still a good 20 years off that yet!).

Anyway, I have begged my GP to let me go back just a few hours a day just to regain my sanity. It might be different if I had family at home to fill my day, but Miss 16 is in Switzerland for 12 months on exchange (only left last month, missing her terribly), and Mr 19 is away and in the army. Poor old hubby just quietly bears the brunt of my moody frustrations! As, I'm afraid, is anyone reading this! This DEpendence as opposed to my very comfortable INdependence has been such an eye-opener for me - and I just don't like it very much at all!! Give me back my high heels, my lippy and my self esteem please!!!!!