More Lovely Surprises to Brighten a Rough Day

I love when a simple trip to the mailbox on the front porch brings joy! Yesterday I received Audrey Niffenegger's newest novel, "Her Fearful Symmetry" from Goodreads friend Rachelle. Today I received the newest issue of Artful Blogging (the subscription was one of my Christmas gifts from Hubb's!) and the 2010 catalog from Brent and Becky's Bulbs all of which are helping to brighten what's been a (physically) painful day thus far.

You all know that I started exercising again by walking (on the treadmill or outdoors) right after Christmas & before New Year's. Yesterday I added my hand weights for my arms for 15 of 30 minutes while walking on the treadmill and did crunches once my half an hour was finished. (Nothing I haven't done before and learned during my times at physical therapy). Sooner or later it was bound to happen that my body was going to begin serious protests against this whole exercising thing. (It always happens). I keep half joking, "Can't we all just get along?!" Apparently not.

Today I awoke to my hands curled into tight fists (which Hubb's opened, one finger at a time and massaged to try & ease the pain & stiffness), my muscles Screaming (in my arms & legs), my Sciatica in an uproar and lower back spasms (which have yet to stop). The pain takes my breath away and I just want to cry. It hurts to sit. It hurts to stand. It hurts to walk. It hurts to breathe. It hurts to type. I'm frustrated because I won't get the things I wanted to do done today (which also makes me want to cry). Hubb's did take me to the library so I could get at least one of my errands done and that was excruciating. He had to walk with me, I had to keep sitting down. I don't think the librarians have ever seen me like this given the looks on their faces.

Some days are good, some days are bad, some days just suck and this is one of those days! But, I have been worse than this (I shudder at the thought really) and I will make it through this hazy, foggy day, somehow, on the couch, under a blanket with things to read and my pain meds. (Which I won't use unless it gets this bad because I don't want to become dependent).

And most likely this will be my couch buddy who's already awaiting my arrival.