All was going well today.  I woke up and started to straighten/pack up what was left in the living room.  My goal for the day had initially been to paint cabinets and finish painting ceilings and trim.  Then I decided I needed to straighten/pack the miscellaneous things around the house so I could organize the living room.  My overall goal was to have all the boxes/furniture in the living room for when the Elder's Quorum arrives Thursday to load up the truck.  I wanted them to be able to just open the door and have everything right there.

My twin, Jennifer recently had back surgery.  I have also had a bad back since I was 18, and herniated a disc almost three years ago.  Since the herniation, I have worked pretty hard to keep myself from having back pain, and through a little (very little) exercise, and the knowledge of what sets off the pain, I have been having a really good three years.  I learned what not to do--and because of that I have had virtually no back pain since then.

I have been especially proud of myself this past couple weeks because I have been doing a fair amount of heavy lifting, and a ton of packing, painting, and cleaning.  I have been doing all that and my back felt great.  No problems.

Then I picked up the KitchenAid mixer.   I just wanted to put it in a box.  It doesn't even weigh that much!  By the time I got it to the box, my entire back was spasming and I was shaking just trying to not drop my beloved appliance (one of the best presents Heath has ever bought me!).  I got it in the box and brushed off the discomfort, then kept going.  It only got worse though.  I had to go to Walmart for some caulk.  I was that lady you always see crouched over the cart--hanging on for dear life.  The cashier had to lift my 12-pack of soda out of the cart for me.  When I got home it took me 3 minutes to walk the 10 feet from my car to the front door.

Jennifer told me to get some muscle relaxers.  Heath explained that because muscle relaxers are narcotics, a doctor is not likely to prescribe them without an appointment so I tried to call my Dr.  at 4:54 pm.  Of course nobody picked up the phone!  Hello!  If your office is officially open until 5 pm, shouldn't you officially answer your phone until 5 pm? 

I am hoping that if I just take it really easy for the rest of the day, I will be well enough to finish the house this week.  Please!  I just need to have a functioning back for one more week--then it can hurt and I will have time to deal with it.  Not now!

BTW, I am not feeling sorry for myself--I am just trying to come up with a solution so I can finish my house and be with my family again.  I just need a little help from above!