My Horrible, Bad Week
If I had to choose a week in my life that I could erase, it would be this last one. Not one to embrace change, I just suffered through researching a new mattress purchase (second only to dealing with used car salesmen in frustration level); having to switch over from my cell phone (which I finally mastered!) to a Smart Phone; getting used to a new 2014 car with more computer gizmos than I’ve ever seen in any machine; hosting an annual family event that takes 3 days to set up and the same to put everything back in place; and a broken toe.
Let’s start with the toe. Remember the annual event? Part of setting up requires that a dozen folding chairs be removed from their year-long hiding places in our relatively small home and then returned. Since they reside behind winter coats, skeins of old yarn, bottles of aging wine and large caches
of paper goods, neither I nor my husband relish either job. So, after the event, they
remained in a location just perfect for bumping into when walking into a dark room. Which I did. At first I thought I just stubbed the toe. Then I looked and it was turned at a 60 degree angle from the toe next to it. Not a good sign. The doctor in the ER said it was fractured and dislocated. He proceeded to numb it with 2 excruciating shots and to then manually relocate it (we both heard a reassuring crack that signaled success).
Now, what’s so bad about a broken pinkie toe? Let me tell you: I’m not a stay-at-home type of person. I walk fast, exercise regularly, fill my calendar with activities, bike, swim, walk and am basically a moving target
unless I’m drunk. Now I wear a weird-looking shoe. Now I sit. I have time to write this blog post. I have time to read the 62-page manual that came with my Smart Phone and the 2 inch thick manual that came with my new car. (Didja ever notice how they don’t put numbers on each page, but, rather chapter and section, like 13-2?)
Soon, I’ll attempt to drive. I’ll have to remove the funny shoe and put on a sandal. I’ll also have to figure out how to hook up Blue Tooth and what the Multi-Information Display control in the car is. And try not to step on the clutch every time I start it, as I used to for the last 50 years of driving; this car is an automatic. I am happy to report, however, that I did figure out how to text with my new Smart Phone so now I can do that while I drive like all the other nuts on the road. Only kidding.
In another post, I’ll teach you a little about shopping for mattresses. In the meantime, here’s advice in one-word: futon.


