Today in particular. I`m not a young spry chicken anymore. In the past things I did may have caused me discomfort and I could easily recover from any ill effects. Sometimes though I have to learn the hard way. I just can`t do as easily what I used to. I know remembering how to do some things is a plus. However, sometimes I don`t always have the proper tools to do some work that needs doing.
Today being a beautiful day out there. Warm, sunny, not extremely hot out. A great day to do some long overdo outdoor work. I have had a broken step on the front porch for over a year. My nephews were supposed to fix them for me. Never rely on anyone. The truth is they have families and are way to busy for an old Aunt.
I asked the better-half to do the buying of the concrete I needed and delivery of said same. He was prompt to do as I asked. Then I asked where our hoe was. Of course he didn`t know, and couldn`t find it. We just bought the thing last year. Regardless I couldn`t see buying another, because what little money we had left I thought we may need more concrete. No cement mixer and I used to mix the stuff in a wheelbarrow, with water and a hoe. That was many moons ago, I was a kid. I decided it would be best if I mixed it in a 5 gallon pail and then the husband could just pour it in the mold I made. Well I got stupid. I used my hands to mix the stuff. OUCH! At first it wasn`t too bad. Atleast not the first bucket full. The second one got me. Cutting up my knuckles and fingers. So I got this piece of metal to stir it but still needed hands on to make the stuff smooth by breaking up the clumps. We managed the 3 bucket. I washed my hands after each episode with the hose. Well, sure enough we ran low on concrete. I sent him for 2 more bags. I mixed the fourth one. I wanted it done right. I`m fussy that way. I got into mixing the 5th bucket and I was hurting. No more I said to him ” You finish the churning of it and I`ll smooth it out after you dump it.” He did a good job. ThenI finished it off with the leveling and smoothing the step on the top. I was sore but I sure didn`t realize how sore. I washed off the concrete and went out and picked the tomatoes in the garden. Some tomatoes are split because of the rain. Not many mind you but a few. I toss `em but I pick them and the juice got on those cuts. Talk about stinging. Worse than 100 bees biting. I could hardly move my hands. I came in to wash those tomatoes. Oh for pete`s sake! I was about in tears. I couldn`t finish it right off. I went to the medicine cabinet got some antibiotic cream with pain reliever and rubbed it all over my hands. Sometimes I am so stubborn. I need things done and think I`m still a teenager. Well, it`s been about 6 hours or so since this happened and I need to put that stuff on again. I guess lyme is in that concrete. I burned my hands. I`ll get over it for sure. However, tomorrow. When we fill in the other cracks..on the other stairs. I`ll help but I`m not mixing that stuff by hand. I`m not as young as I used to be and not as good as I used to be. However, as Toby Keith says “I`m as good once as I ever was”. (Giggling). I know it was stupid to do what I did. However, I wanted it done yesteryear. I was going to see that it was done. So, I suffer for it now. However I can rest assured know now I have steps this winter. Not cinder blocks to walk on. They were how I hurt my back in the first place. Not here but at someone else`s home. I sure don`t want someone else to have a back problem from my place. Pardon me while I go grease these old claws up. Have a great evening!
BFosterBFA
Ouch and you just can’t do that with a bad back, you know that. If you hurt your back today it may not show up for two weeks ! But you know that. Stubborn eh? well I hope you are okay but i have some worthless lidocaine patches i can send you if you arent’ JUST KIDDING !! Have to censor myself. Glad you have a step. I am looking to do away with about 13 when and if I ever get out of this godawful place. finally did 8 loads of laundry over the weekend only for the toilet to overlow again.
c’est la vie…
yours in pain and healing
bets
ps how is your husband’s back?
Starr1949 replied
I guess I`ve been busy for quite sometime. I haven`t been here at redbubble much lately. I hadn`t noticed your comment. For that I am truly sorry. Sometimes, I think I write just for my own pleasure. Thinking no one really reads my writing anyhow.
We made 3 steps outside to lead up to the porch. I`m happy for the handrails sometimes I wouldn`t make it up them without the rails. When I hurt my back in 1986 or so, I did notice it directly. However, the protrusion of the 3 disks in my lower lumbar region were considered nothing to worry about according to an old Dr. To him in his words it was like an old couch spring that sprung. So nothing was done. I kept working and carrying on as normally as I could…although my leg started getting numbness in the upper right thigh. Later after many difficulties with ambulation and the retirement of the Old Doc, I did seek another Dr`s advice,. Which sent me for test and MRI`s and x-rays, add a bit of Physical Therapy to it. All for nothing. All they wanted to do is mask the pain. Not fix the troubles. They did give me one or two shots. Which didn`t actually do much at all. They gave me pills they wanted to give me patches. I tried some once and they made me ill. I have decided I will deal with the pain and when it is unbearable I will take some meds to alleviate the pain and lie down or see if hubby will give me a back rub. I put patches on that are over the counter. They tend to help me. I don`t use them daily. I do have a higher tolerance of pain than most.
I can commiserate with you on the pain, the laundry and the overflowing john.
The old man`s back is ok, although there are times when it also goes out for a few days and then he is ok again. I`m not too sure what his problem is, I note though that there is a small indent on his spine ? crushed 1 disk or it was displaced inwardly. Whatever it is apparently it doesn`t warrant him seeking more medical attention for it at the present time, for he does visit his Dr. regularly, and makes no mention of it to the Doc. I try to keep myself busy and not to think of my pain. Sometimes of course that doesn`t work. I know it is there it just makes sure it nags at me at times. Those times I take meds and go to bed. I cannot sit in just any chair. Some I have a hard time getting up from. Enough about the misery of everyday life. I need to get busy on some positive things. Thanks for taking the time to read what I wrote. I am so sorry I missed getting back to you sooner. I hope things have changed for the better for you. God be with you!
Starr1949