Saturday, March 29, 2008

Getting old!

My next birthday is still a week away, but I don't need it to remind me that Father Time is kicking me in the nether regions. The last few days have done that quite effectively, thank you.

Originally, the plan was to drive down to the Saturday car show this morning, but when the alarm went off, I knew that the simple act of getting out of bed was all I could face. Folding myself into a low-slung car was not on the menu. Instead, I've chugged a couple of aspirins and am waiting for relief....

I guess it began on Thursday with several loads of laundry and a change of bedsheets. A few hours later, I decided the kitchen needed cleaning. Scrubbing of stove, refrigerator and countertops followed. Fair enough, but it rapidly became painfully apparent that the scrubbing of the (cheap) tile floor in kitchen and dining room was necessary as well. So, on hands and knees, with a brush and a bucket of vile cleaning solution, I set to work. After moving the dining table, etc.

Inevitably, I was a bit of a mess when I finished, though the kitchen was clean and sparkly.

Could I possibly sully my clean bed with a grubby, sweaty me? Nope. Especially since I would be messing up the extra-nice, make-me-feel-good sheets Holly bought and put on my bed while I was in hospital.

When I went into the bathroom, I immediately noticed that it was a bit scruffy, too. So: clean countertop, scrub floor, scrub tub and glass doors, scrub the toilet. Much more hands-and-knees stuff. I barely had enough energy to hose myself off afterward.

Add to this eight days (so far) of slithering in and out of a car designed to appeal to young, flexible yoots, plus an afternoon of entering and exiting an even tinier ride while photos were being taken, and my poor spine woke up this morning howling in pain.

PARENTHETICAL POETIC-LICENSE-TYPE NOTE: Okay, so it was me howling in pain; spines have no vocal cords. Don't be so damn literal, okay? I'm being "creative" here....

Doggone it.

What I really need is a good massage. But I know my fantasies of that are simply that -- fantasies -- and so am hoping a couple of Bayers will restore me to some level of functionality.

Otherwise, I seem destined to spend my natal day flat on my back, whimpering to an empty room.

Okay, I know the alternative is worse, but this is bad enough. I'm ready to go to work in Paris ringing the bells at Notre Dame. Won't even need a Lon Chaney makeup job.

Getting old is a real drag, Jim.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have tried to ignore the dirt so that I don't have any pain. The problem is that the pain finds me anyway. As for getting old. Good heavens too me you are just a kid.
Roz

Anonymous said...

Getting old ain't for sissies, but I still prefer it to the alternative.

fin

Doug said...

Everytime I go out and sit on the little bench to have a smoke, it's a struggle to stand up again. I can work all day without a problem, but when I sit in Gary's car to get a ride home and then get out again, I move real slow. The back and knees just ain't what they used to be.

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon, Scribbs. I'd be feeling tired after all that cleaning too. Damn!

Gill

Anonymous said...

Just reading this made me tired!

Anonymous said...

whew! I was going to clean, but I feel as though I already have.

Hope you feel better soon.

H

MrScribbler said...

H -- Don't tell anyone, but the next step (probably today, since the aspirin seems to be working) is a trip to Home Depot for carpet shampoo, after which I get to do the blinds & windows....

Gaack!

John0 Juanderlust said...

I admire your ability to perform normal maintenance.
This proves you have a backbone. Many people don't, which does little to alleviate the pain, but perhaps gives a sense of righteousness.
I know, that, 22 pain pills and $8.95 will buy you a cuppa Joe.

Anonymous said...

I have one word for you ThermaCare.

They are the '8hr' air activated heat pack. I've found they last for about 12 hours and there isn't anything better for kicking *ss on back pain.

Every drug store carries them. They're a little pricey at ~$2 or ~$3 each, but you'll find it's worth a little splurge. They're cheaper at Costco of course...

MrScribbler said...

Kit -- That's cheaper than one of those Japanese transistorized, plastic spines! ;-)

Anonymous said...

How much can we rent your cleaning services for? WILD...lol. That is alot fo work for one day!!! Don't over do it though...*hugs* T

Anonymous said...

I know you're whipped, but I sure envy you having all your spring cleaning behind you. I've been telling K we need to do that. So far we've done only one closet. I may tackle the garage this evening.

Rest and enjoy your clean surroundings. :)

S

Anonymous said...

And, those commercials make cleaning look so easy, too...

Anonymous said...

Spring cleaning - yuck!

You sound like me after I do yard work or painting. Those are the few times in the year I do a long tub soak.

MrScribbler said...

Scott -- All my spring cleaning? Maybe when I've finished the carpets, blinds, windows and have dusted all the furniture....

Dorrie said...

I could have started some spring cleaning yesterday, instead I was lazy! I should have taken your "good" example! lol

But please don't overdo yourself....

Anonymous said...

Wow, I think you have inspired me.
(You can always do as I do, being the "older woman" with back pain. I use the old fashion hot water bottle. I have one behind my back right now.)