Recycle bin gone?

Sometimes, we get so used to our little programs on our computers and that when something goes awry we go almost into a hysteria.  Such was my case this past week.  Suddenly I could not find my recycle bin anywhere on my computer.  There was no icon and only one folder was found with nothing within.  However, when I would open the properties of the file, it showed 37 files and 540 MB of data.

Needless to say, I was somewhat perturbed.  The answer to my dilemma was so simple.  All I had to do( remember I am using Windows 7) was to right-click on my desktop, look on the context menu and click on personalization, and then choose to change an icon.  I checked the box with the trashcan looking icon and applied or entered okay.  I went back to work and my icon is back on the bottom of my page.  Maybe,my little scare and solution will help you.