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OOPS…I Got the Boot

OOPS...I broke an ankle and got the boot, but decided to give it a little color by Carolyn Dube

While doing a death defying tight rope walk between two trees 50 feet in the air, I fell and broke my ankle.  I wish that was the exciting story that went with the broken ankle but alas, it was just a simple missed step at home.

OOPS...I broke an ankle and got the boot, but decided to give it a little color by Carolyn DubeSo this gray boring boot is going to be with me for a while and is teaching me all sorts of things, including patience and a whole new respect for anyone who has to deal with a physical disability.  Life is certainly different when mobility is limited.

But I have a wonderful helper, the hubby, who has been my life saver when it comes to getting things out of the studio so I can play.  Another thing I learned is that what is crystal clear to me is so not clear to him.

I asked him to grab me a couple of larger paint brushes to prime the boot.  He brought me handfuls since I forgot to say a flat brush.  Turns out I have more brushes than I realized.

OOPS...I broke an ankle and got the boot, but decided to give it a little color by Carolyn Dube

I added some primer to the boot, and used newspaper and a paint cloth to protect the sofa.  For the parts I couldn’t reach pain free, he helped me out, even pointing out that some of the areas I did were a bit sloppy.  Turns out pain meds do not induce careful brush strokes.

OOPS...I broke an ankle and got the boot, but decided to give it a little color by Carolyn Dube

Then happiness, smearing paint all around.  Seeing the rainbow on the boot actually makes it more tolerable!

Who knows what I will do next to it, but whatever it is, it will be gentle.  Broken bones and torn ligaments can really smart!   To my artful newsletter people, there isn’t going to be one this week and I hope you’ll understand.
OOPS...I broke an ankle and got the boot, but decided to give it a little color by Carolyn Dube

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  • Trish Gutuskey February 18, 2017, 9:05 am

    So sorry to hear about your calamity, but as usual you turn an Oops into a fun and “colorful journey”. Who knows you may start a new trend ?. Hope it heals soon.
    Trish G.

  • Nancy Curry February 18, 2017, 3:31 pm

    I’ve never seen a prettier boot. We went through many of these while Sammi was competing. I never even contemplated upcycling them. I hope it heals quickly. See you in April.

  • jean marmo February 18, 2017, 5:31 pm

    Sorry to hear about your injury. I bet the doctor will love this one of kind boot!!

  • Judy Shea February 18, 2017, 9:35 pm

    Oh no, Carolyn. That stinks. I’m so sorry. Leave it to you to paint your boot. At least you are looking down at pleasant colors.

  • maryk February 19, 2017, 11:02 am

    much better than plain boring grey. sorry to hear about your injury. I know how much that hurts from experience. here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

  • Faigie February 19, 2017, 4:27 pm

    You can sell your boot on ebay when you’re done..Hey maybe you can make it into a side business 😉

  • LynneP February 19, 2017, 6:23 pm

    So very sorry to hear about your foot! However, I LOVE your boot!!! You are so clever.
    Heal well and heal quickly.

  • Corrine February 19, 2017, 6:37 pm

    I’m glad you have such a great helper and sorry that you are stuck on the sofa, boo hoo. Only you could figure out how to paint on the sofa while wearing the boot…keep calm and carry on. xox

  • Marcella February 19, 2017, 10:40 pm

    Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope that you mend quickly. What a blessing it is to have the assistance of your hubby. Take care of yourself Carolyn.
    Marcy

  • Arianna Barbara February 20, 2017, 5:58 am

    Oh Carolyn!!! I’m so sorry to hear about your injury! But, you’re so cool!!! You had a funny and amazing idea giving a touch of color to your boot!!! <3

  • Sara Thompson February 20, 2017, 11:30 am

    Get well soon!

  • Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith February 21, 2017, 3:30 pm

    You almost make me want to break my leg so I can have a cool cast like that too! Only you can put such a colourful spin on a mishap, Carolyn, LOL. Hope you’re out of that cast real soon and it can be a permanent fixture – and a reminder! – in your studio!

  • Sandra February 23, 2017, 8:21 am

    Now that was a big OOPS! But I love how you made lemonade out of the lemons! Hoping you’re ambulatory by the end of April!

  • Diane March 8, 2017, 11:19 am

    Love the rainbow colors on the boot. Clever to paint it. Maybe a new business for you: custom painted orthotics! Hope things mend quickly and you are back on your two feet soon. ?

  • Marie Schwab March 8, 2017, 11:20 am

    Oh my. feel better very soon. and I love love the painted boot. if I ever have to get one I will be doing the same.
    much love

  • Donna OBrien March 8, 2017, 11:31 am

    Lol! You’re too funny! But aren’t you supposed to be wearing the boot? Not painting it! I can feel your pain, I’ve been using a wheelchair since September and have decided it’s far easier for me to crawl upstairs and down the hall to my craft room, with a big ole canvas bag, and stuff it full myself then to ask teeenager or hubby lol! The living room is becoming a bit, well… you know and we can! still eat at the table (in spots) which is driving the minimalists I live with nuts but I could get cranky if I wasn’t playing colorfully! I was most depressed when I wrapped my wheelchair sidewalks in duct tape and all the family could find for me was grey 🙁 I buy funky rolls all the time for switchplate, etc deco but I must’ve used it all 😉 my left foot prosthetic is colorful tho and new right leg I’m thinking graffiti/tattooesque! Here’s to no complications! Get well soon!

    • Dena Bliss March 8, 2017, 11:37 am

      So sorry for the accident and the pain. Wishing you a safe and colorful return to wholeness. LOVE the boot. You are always a hoot.

    • Vicki Hill March 8, 2017, 12:22 pm

      What amazing deco idea for wheels…boldly artistic/courageous despite having prosthetic. Have been to nearby Mary Free Bed, with art of patients displayed through the its 3x new addition. ) Been there once after my 1st post-polio hip joint: a real boot camp, but they put me back in the game: bodies may bend or break, but the mind/spirit still creates!
      Good on ya! ~Vicki, aka Titania (for all the ensuing replacements–even I head thanks to MSSA, not as bad as dread MERSA, but neurosurgery needed. Now I can really sing ?Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes??

  • Phoebe March 8, 2017, 12:04 pm

    Oh my goodness! I’m happy to hear that you’re starting to heal… that sounds horribly painful… OUCH!!
    I love the way the boot looks all cheerfully painted like that… and I’m happy to hear your husband is being good to you. =)

    Thoughts and prayers for your full and fast healing.
    I miss your videos, but I totally understand! Take care of yourself! =)
    In Peace, Phoebe. =)

  • Vicki Hill March 8, 2017, 12:10 pm

    Inspiration! My arthritic wrists posted in a fall and ache still, months after splints came off mended break . I wear them but am inspired to paint as well. They look so lame in medical beige, but ache when I do artwork or keyboarding w/o them. X-rays showed sooo much arthritis and earlier injury to both@20 years ago. Being sent to Bone Health…not always good to have high tolerance of pain. I thought it was my job of schlepping bags of books to 26 Head Start locations before retirement, duh. Perfect solution for artist/ writer! Thanks for creative sharing!

  • Paula March 8, 2017, 12:19 pm

    Oh my gosh! I wish you the very best and a speedy recovery! Your videos
    have really helped me through a tough time. When I feel stuck or down I
    Say “it’s time to visit Carolyn! “I watch a few videos, and I always feel better.
    Take care, and thanks for all the happiness and inspiration!
    Paula

  • Lynn March 8, 2017, 12:21 pm

    Carolyn, your good cheer could brighten the gloomiest of emergency rooms. I bet those nurses and doctor are still laughing. I wore a truly ugly gray knee brace for a few months but didn’t paint it since I live in jeans and figured why bother? I love your colorful boot and your feisty upbeat attitude even more. Both will move you fSter along the road to recovery!

  • MELANIE J GRAFFIUS March 8, 2017, 12:25 pm

    You poor sweetie 🙁 But your Boot is a Work of Art – wish I had thought to do it with Mine when I had to Briefly wear one!!
    At least you have plenty of time to create with your drugged brain (lots of fun – BTDT 🙂 Just keep all your supplies, snacks, meds and of course, the Remote handy. A Great time to catch up on all the Trash TV you’ve been DVR-ing 😉
    Keep the Faith and Carry on…

  • Lindy March 8, 2017, 1:00 pm

    I love your attitude! Thanks Carolyn.

  • Carrie March 8, 2017, 1:46 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of you injuring yourself! That really stinks! Here’s to a very speedy recovery.

  • Maria Abraham March 8, 2017, 2:07 pm

    Sorry to hear of you trapeze accident. But things happen for a reason and we would have never known you could actually prettify an orthopedic boot to look like a piece of art.
    Hope you have a speedy recovery!

  • Sue Clarke March 8, 2017, 2:52 pm

    Very nice!
    My boot is still just plain old gray but yours is an inspiration.

    • Trish N. March 8, 2017, 3:01 pm

      Oh my goodness, Carolyn! You find the positive in everything and I just adore you for that!!! but, holy moly, your poor foot!!!! I do hope it heals quickly. It will definitely be a happy foot in that colorful boot walker!!!! 🙂
      Take care of yourself!!
      Trish

  • Abbie Potter March 8, 2017, 3:13 pm

    Oh gosh! I’m sorry to hear about your ankle! But I did laugh out loud about the “medically induced coma”, because that is certainly something I would have said! I raise my hand painted glass to you with good wishes for fast healing! Love the boot BTW!

  • Diane Taylor March 8, 2017, 4:26 pm

    What a glorious boot. Even after your healing, wear the boot sometimes because the color is wonderful. Wishing you an early healing with such a fun boot!

    sending you loving thoughts, Diane

  • Monica Lore March 8, 2017, 4:27 pm

    That.Is.Awesome!! No, no, not the trapeze injury, but the painting part. I kn0w a guy who once tripped on a curb, held his hands out to break his fall, and broke both arms… so I think maybe you got off easy. Again – big thumbs up for the spectacular idea of painting the boot. Now you CAN go on a “Colorful Journey” with your colorful boot!

  • Pat Catucci March 8, 2017, 6:19 pm

    Healing bubbles coming your way …….. 000000OOOOOOOO

  • Jeri R Gale March 8, 2017, 6:50 pm

    Yikes! Sorry about your ankle. I have worn the Frankenstein boot more than once over the last few years. I agree that it is important to have a “story” about the amazing adventure that caused the injury. LOVE the paint job!

  • Sherry March 8, 2017, 7:18 pm

    Sorry sorry to hear of your accident! I’m no stranger to broken bones and having had 9 foot surgeries I certainly can relate to being laid up! Glad you are able to “art” and work away the frustration! To a speedy recovery!
    Sherry

  • Sarah March 8, 2017, 10:21 pm

    Hope you feel better soon. Did something similar to a neck brace I had to wear for awhile.

  • Susan March 9, 2017, 12:12 pm

    Not only do I get inspiration from your art but you are a “hoot”! Your humor is wonderful!

  • Cathy March 9, 2017, 1:18 pm

    We missed you but glad to learn you are relatively healthy!

  • Kay Strum March 9, 2017, 5:16 pm

    I am so sorry about your mishap. My grandson broke his right elbow and my niece broke both bones in her right arm (major surgery) and dislocated her knee. Must be going around. Hope I don’t catch it.

  • Martha March 9, 2017, 10:30 pm

    Oh Carolyn, so sorry to hear about your accident and surgery. The boot is such an inspiration! There’s no better therapy than art therapy. Here’s to a fast recovery and no more accidents.

  • Dawn Karasaki March 10, 2017, 2:11 am

    OMG, please listen to your doctor. Speaking from experience, you may think you’re feeling good so you go back to normal….don’t do it until you are completely healed. Yes, when your life comes to a stop, it’s shocking. Heal quickly and your boot makes me smile.❤️?❤️

  • Vicky March 10, 2017, 3:10 pm

    Sorry to hear of your accident and I wish you a speedy recovery.

  • Carol March 10, 2017, 8:29 pm

    I hope you are much better! You have my sympathy!
    A few years ago I had a total knee & it was a challenge to recover from. I have a high tolerance for pain & it was tough!
    Keep playing & I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers for a speedy recovery!
    Sending you lots of hugs ?
    Carol

  • Carol Phelps March 11, 2017, 4:39 am

    Goodness! You poor love! Hope you heal really quickly ! Xxx

  • Donna March 14, 2017, 10:42 am

    Boo, hiss! Broken bones are no fun at all although the pain meds may be a side benefit. (They just make me sleepy but chemo pre-meds are really FUN! Loads of energy and all’s right with the world.) What kind of primer did you use on your boot? I think it looks fantastic and I’d like to try doing something like that to the goofy hand splints I’m wearing! It would be so much more fun to look down and see a rainbow. You definitely took lemons and made lemonade! Heal well!

  • Susanne March 17, 2017, 12:35 pm

    Dear Carolyn,

    I was so sorry to hear about your injury 🙁 I do hope that you have a good and rapid recovery. Your sense of humour is adorable, I bet that you had the hospital staff in stitches, l love particularly like your explanation to the nurse, regarding the trapeze LOL and the decorated cast is fab.
    I am sending you lots of positive healing thoughts as I type this message.
    Lots of love and warmest best wishes from across the miles here in France,
    Susanne

    AKA Luvcreatincards