Saturday, June 2, 2012

the curse of the rummage sale

Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but the last time I planned to hold a large rummage sale (tag sale, garage sale, yard sale-whatever term you prefer!), I hurt my back and after four weeks of bed rest ended up having surgery.  That was five years ago, so you can imagine the amount of things I have accumulated since then....

Friday morning I woke to the sound of the cardinal that has a nest in the tree right outside my window.  The sun was shining, and I knew I had a table full of junk treasures that still needed marking, and boxes full and ready to be hauled out to the car.  I have been going through my attic and basement and china hutches for the last several weeks to reduce my collections of 'good things', and was so looking forward to the giant sale I was having with my friend Joanne on Saturday at her coffee shop in S. Mpls. Not only would I make more room in my home, I would have some money in my pocket.

Those of you who know me, already know that I have had back issues for years-I just recently went to the Sister Kenny Institute here in St. Paul and my new (wonderful!) doctor ordered an MRI, we discovered that three of my herniated discs have slipped out a bit more, and are pressing on the nerve that goes down into my right leg.  THAT would explain why it occasionally hurts, and often goes completely numb.  Since I wish to avoid surgery again, at all costs, we decided on a physical therapy program I am to start next week.  She also prescribed a new medication for me, in combination with my narcotics, to help with the pain.

Feeling that I was on the right track, I had a goal in mind of being able to ride my bike by the end of the summer.  I have a wonderful bike, but have been unable to ride it in several years.

Back to Friday's sunny morning.  I decided to throw in a load of laundry before I started on my long list of chores for the day, and as I bent to throw it in my back let me know it was not happy with that position.  By the time I climbed to the top of the stairs, the pain was searing up and down my spine and into my legs and I knew, immediately, that I was going to have a bad day.  And I regretted purchasing a front load washing machine....

Long story short (although it doesn't really feel like it, if you have already stuck with me this far...) I attempted to have a normal day.  I marked more rummage, watered my flowers, and drove to the vet's to pick up Claude's meds (thanks for your help Tracy, and for sending dinner down too us!)  By late afternoon, I surrendered to the pain, and ended the day in bed.  I have clearly done some more damage to my herniated discs, and I am hoping that by resting and applying ice off and on I can get them back to where they were when I started my day on Friday.  When the sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing...

I called my dear friend Joanne, to let her know I would NOT be having a rummage sale with her, and I had the guys haul all of my stuff back downstairs.  CLEARLY, the curse of the rummage sale.

I am currently holding court from the hide a bed in our living room, as climbing the stairs to our bedroom is just too painful.  On top of that, Claude can jump up on this bed and hang out with me, our upstairs bed is too high!


They have brought me my lap top, my drugs, an assortment of books, my knitting, the tv remotes, and my cell phone-I am ready for my weekend of bed rest, and I pray that it is only for the weekend.  I recorded the "Hatfields and McCoys", so I can watch that, and I have lots of choices on Instant Netflix.

My guys are heading to Huntersville, for their first enduro race of the year.  It is Charlie's first ever adult enduro, of course they offered to stay home with me but there is NO WAY they are missing it because of a series of unfortunate events.


You just never know what life is going to throw your way, do you?  Has life thrown YOU a curve ball?  I would love to hear your stories, as now I will have plenty of time to read them!

12 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry you're back is feeling awful! I hope you're physical therapy helps, once you can start it.

    I watched the "Hatfields and McCoys" and enjoyed it a lot! I bet you will too.

    I definitely want to come to a tag sale of yours (especially if any jewelry is involved)! Here's to the next one - maybe in a couple years?!

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    1. If I ever accomplish that tag sale, you will be one of the first to know! Did you know they filmed the Hatfields and McCoys in Romania????

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  2. I'm sorry you're hurt! I've never had a garage sale, but have plenty of stuff to do so. I just feel like its sooo much effort which I just haven't had the time to put it. And clearly it also causes injuries! Hope you feel better soon!

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    1. Thanks Marta! I usually just donate my things to Goodwill or EF-especially clothes and household linens, but I have accumulated a LOT of other things that will make a fun tag sale-if I ever get to have one!

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  3. Definitely some tag sale ju-ju going on here! I'm here for helping you, my dear friend. I'll be checking in! Let's get you feeling better very soon. XOXO

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    1. You are the angel watching over me, I am so lucky you are in the hood!

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  4. So sorry to hear about your back! I hope the therapy helps. I'm not sure if a massage would help alleviate any pain in your case, but I wish you could find someone in St. Paul who gives the Raindrop Technique massage. You could google it. They use many different essential oils during the massage and it's supposed to be wonderful. Get well soon!

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    1. That sounds soooo soothing. I have been applying my peppermint oil to the most painful spots, I think it helps! A back massage right now would actually be really painful, but Mike has been giving me foot massages, and that feels GREAT!

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  5. P.S. I can't get over the fact that you have a cardinal nesting outside your window!! They are so beautiful!

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    1. They wake me each morning with their song, there is no better way to start a day!

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  6. Hi toots. Well, well. As my sage sister used to say, so adept at summation she was...that sucks! You shall have a tag sale my friend. When you are feeling better I'll haul for you, set up a generous waist high sort and prep station for you in the covered area if the garage with a gel mat and change your laundry loads while you price.

    My payment you ask? 1/2 bottle of wine and one modest item from your treasures ...more to commemorate the chick time than just for the sake of acquisition. I'll also need for you to cover your mouth, wipe your eyes, flip your hair back and bat your hand at me in response to something really naughty I might say. It's an indelible image. Will stop by this week. T minus 13 work days....
    Tracie H

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    1. Oh my dear, that sounds perfect! I think a full bottle of wine, or better yet some lemon vodka, would be a better payment.

      I am going to start my countdown on when we can enjoy this summer together!

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