random thoughts - Day 2,036 (Monday) - housebound

The departure from the cozy warm bed has been increasingly difficult with each passing morning. Today, the neck and shoulder muscles were cramped and screaming, but no worries, because in a few hours I would be at my appointment at the spine and pain center. I imagined what might happen after the exam and pictured the possibility of a fancy foam neck brace. If it makes things feel better I will embrace that accessory like fine jewels. 

The coffee was started. The super hot, extra long shower was taken. The very unexpected text arrived at 8:21, announcing that my appointment was cancelled and I should contact the office to reschedule (no contact info included). 

So there I was, in pain (still), now searching online for a phone number for the office to get some information about the sudden and mysterious cancellation. The office called me last week based on the referral from the orthopedic office and I didn't have a card or phone number noted, so I was scrolling through a surprisingly long list of unlabeled local phone numbers in the "recent calls" tab. When I finally found a number on the office's website and got through, I was told the phones were out or systems weren't up (it wasn't clear exactly what happened) and they had to cancel the day's bookings. I cried. Just a little. It couldn't be helped and it helped nothing.

Comfy pants.

Later in the morning, the office's scheduling person called to set up another appointment. Every day for a week, the carrot on the stick that kept me going was the countdown to today's appointment and the hope of a solution. Now, it's been extended to Wednesday. I can do this. I hope.

Comfort was sought. The super soft fleece pants with little penguins in scarves were chosen. They are the officially designated "no intention of leaving the house" pants. The ice pack was pressed into it's daily service for stints on the shoulder and neck.

With it being a holiday, there seemed to be some confusion over the trash pickup. Only a couple houses on the street had rolled the bins to the curb and I followed the majority and didn't roll mine out. Around 11:30, the Waste Management truck rumbled along the far side of the street. It was a quick trip with most of the barrels not out. I sprang to action (still in the not leaving the house pants and house slippers) and rolled mine out before the return loop for my side of the street. Then I called next door to Mom's to let them know there was definitely trash pickup today. Whew.

Windy.

The rest of the day was steeped in watching Netflix, eating everything in sight, sitting with the ice pack, and watching the wind whip through the trees and trying (unsuccessfully) to capture the wildness in a photo. Two loads of laundry were somehow done in between the lounging about. Miracles do happen.