When The Back Goes Out

I have NOT fallen, but even so, I can't get up. Absolutely nothing happened and out went my back anyway. I'm immobile, and it's even more the pity because I was in the middle of painting my tall chest of drawers when it happened.

This one.




I had the sides and top done and was working on the first two drawers when my back went out, so the painting has been temporarily abandoned.

It was a bit of a Laurel and Hardy scene here, actually, as Casey tried to intervene while I screeched and stood motionless unable to move right there in front of that chest of drawers. I was holding a drawer and had just lifted it with one hand. Something misaligned and I was a goner. Casey helped me (but not without a bit of drama and commotion from me) onto the couch into a position where I could be left while she went to a meeting. Then I was stuck in that position and couldn't budge an inch with out intense pain. It was quite a scene... comedy gold to be sure. Had the cameras been rolling, it would have certainly been a moment worth sharing with you. We are nothing if not good for a laugh. We couldn't help but laugh either, because it was so ridiculous it was hilarious, but I had to force a stop to the laughter because that made it hurt exponentially worse.

I'm not sure, but after having to try and maneuver me, wait on me and listen to my groans and sundry sounds of pain, I think maybe she has decided to change her major, which had been leaning towards physical therapy. Well, if I can clarify one child's life mission, even if it's to help them cross off the list those things to which they are not suited, I'm glad to help.

So much for a picture post. This is getting wordy again. So let's pause for a pic of something I found recently...


Thought the shape of this plate was quite pretty. I've seen other Last Supper plates, but none with this shape.

Resume story:
I'm not much for sitting around though, and I was in the middle of the painting project that I wanted to knock off the list (even though it was never on the list to begin with), so being stuck on the couch was utter torture. Casey got me Ibuprofen and water and socks, my phone and a blanket before she left because I had started shaking, which only made my back go into further spasms. Once she left, I was stranded. There was no getting up. I wanted to take a picture of the scene as I lie curled oddly on the couch, but I couldn't get up for the camera. I know, you're disappointed. I'm very sorry.

Then Casey returned but had to leave again shortly thereafter to go to class. By then the Ibuprophen had kicked in and movement, even though quite painful, was possible if I did all sorts of contortionist efforts to inch my way around. So I did. I found my body was twisted, and it could only stand or walk (it had taken upon itself a mind of it's own) if I was leaning to the right or left - mostly right. Oh, dear. Turns out that I can't get my body to go back straight now. I'm curved like a backwards S still tonight. Weird. I sure hope it isn't permanent.

A Good Dose of Junk

Well, enough about me and the inevitable effects built up over time of leaning, reaching and lifting improperly which can land upon you like a ton of bricks. Don't let this happen to you. Lift smart. Let me be a lesson. Despite the groans and other sounds of pain that have been my accompaniment for the past day and a half, and the stalled status of the chest of drawers, I felt the need to share something, so I figured a few thrifty finds and old junk would do the trick. After all, junk is good medicine, and there's no telling how many of you are also ailing, be it from bad backs, the flu or even a case of cabin fever. Maybe you need a good dose of junk too. Let's all get better together, shall we?

For starters, here's a remedy for what ails you...silver! Take two pieces and call me in the morning. If needed, take three!


Tarnished, yet cute.


I polished them a bit to see if they were keepers, and despite being cleaned inside the creamer still looks like it was used for a spittoon.  Oh well. I still like 'em.

All of this stuff was found over the course of the past couple of weeks or so.


These keys and the bar of soap were found inside the blue suitcase I found in the trash. The story of that find can be found in the post: My Halfway House For Junk.


This Peter Rabbit set is a bit like one I already own. Twelve adorable little books.


Fun stories

I had already taken pictures of some of my finds, so I can eventually list them on Etsy if I get around to it.


This art deco brush and mirror set isn't my style, but I've seen this set sold online for a decent price.








And then there's the tea pot and sugar bowl made in Japan which is reminiscent of a set that I use to own that had been my mom's and her mom's before. It was a different sort of set overall, yet the same color as this lusterware.

Is it cuter in the grass or in the mulch. I couldn't decide.


The newest items, which I found at Goodwill shortly before my back gave out, had not been photographed by the time of my undoing, but I was sure wishing I had done so when I had light and a cooperative body, because my back was hurting so badly while I took these that I was shaking. The light was poor as well, but I knew I had a limited amount of time before I quite literally crashed. So I offer what I can. (And I do believe the trip to Goodwill was an accessory to my back going out. Be careful lifting and moving heavy stacks of dishes around at Goodwill. Ouch! Oh, and also be very careful when rifling through the silverware tubs. Sharp and serrated knives abound.)


The bigger wood tray above that says "give us this day our daily bread", and the small wood tray with a handle, are going to be painted. The silver footed tray is unfortunately reflecting the wood ceiling in the room so it looks brown, even though it's very cute. There is a box of glittered Christmas cards, a nutcracker and four picks, three Anchor Hocking lidded jars that I would like to paint and...



a Big Ben wind up Alarm clock.


I'm happy to pick up a souvenir plate if it catches my eye. These did, and I got the little gold and white easel at Goodwill too.

So there. If you need it, take your junk medicine and feel better.



Okay, so let's review. Now that we know what to do "when the car breaks down" and what to do "when the back goes out", I'm hoping the next "what to do" will be something more along the lines of "what to do when you win the lottery" because it's time for the current "what to do" streak to go in a different more positive and less financially and physically painful direction...

...said the temporarily (I hope) twisted lady with the twisted back and the twisted love for junk and stuff.

I'll be sharing my treasures at: