Back Up

Yesterday I did something to my back. I know I have a herniated disk in the lower part, but it doesn't usually bother me too much. I must have moved in a weird way or lifted something I shouldn't have, because all day I've been trying to ignore the lumbar pain and sciatica. I'm not thrilled about having this problem when I'm flying home in two days, but at least I'm not driving. Nothing makes that kind of pain worse than sitting behind the wheel for twelve or so hours without much opportunity to change position.

Tomorrow morning I'm returning my rental car -- a big Chevy Silverado, in case I haven't mentioned that before -- and I'm really going to miss it! My son said I should consider it a summer fling; I said Fernando must never find out. Have I said that I'll be ecstatic to get home? I finally feel like I have a good plan for the house, even though it's not anything that will get it immediately ready for market. I contacted an old friend, dropped by to visit in fact, and asked him if he'd be interested in maintaining the exterior of the house, including the yard. He retired recently and has been going crazy without much to do. This benefits both of us: I'll pay him to check on the house and keep it looking good, and I'll know that it will look lived in and nice.

In the past week, we poured it on and got almost everything out. While my brother didn't join in to help, my ex-husband (of all people) did. This was very nice. He drove an hour and a half each way to help us get the furniture out, and before he left he asked if I had a way to get back to the airport. I'm glad that we can get along. We may not have been a great example of a functional couple, but at least we are pretty good models of divorced people who treat each other with respect.

It's late, I'm tired, and I'm going to lie down with the heating pad. I wish it was possible to prop up myy back in the same way I can prop up my foot!