Work-A-Day
...
Before my accident I did many jobs in theatre. All of them required me to be either very active or downright physical. Since then, I've done physical therapy and laid down. A lot.
I'll never forget how great it felt to experience the weightlessness of water when I started working out in a pool. I was a real accomplishment when I was able to swim a lap for the first time. Flash forward a year and a half later and I'm regularly asked at the pool, "How long do you swim?" Right now the answer is 50 minutes.
I've been thinking of our upcoming BORP fundraising ride and struggled with the choice between the 25-mile route and the 50. I know the 25 is easily do-able, on a good day. But I can't always count on having a "good day." That's why we finally settled on the 25. It irks me a little, though, to not increase this landmark number over the previous year.
I have other landmarks, though. Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I put in a full day of work (well, sort of). I spent the day at our new house and dove into a number of projects. It was fantastic. For the first time in a while I felt truly useful.
I cleaned and resuscitated our antique stove, discovered that the kitchen cabinet shelves are not actually dark gray, revealed a hardwood floor and floor furnace under some hallway carpet, and replaced a toilet seat. The best job was the floor. I got to sit as I worked and could lie back on the padded carpet when my back got tired.
All told, yesterday was as close as I've come to doing a full day's work. Sure, it was slow going, there were many breaks and lots of lying down on the job, but I had a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
So, how do I feel today? I think I need a day off.
Before my accident I did many jobs in theatre. All of them required me to be either very active or downright physical. Since then, I've done physical therapy and laid down. A lot.
I'll never forget how great it felt to experience the weightlessness of water when I started working out in a pool. I was a real accomplishment when I was able to swim a lap for the first time. Flash forward a year and a half later and I'm regularly asked at the pool, "How long do you swim?" Right now the answer is 50 minutes.
I've been thinking of our upcoming BORP fundraising ride and struggled with the choice between the 25-mile route and the 50. I know the 25 is easily do-able, on a good day. But I can't always count on having a "good day." That's why we finally settled on the 25. It irks me a little, though, to not increase this landmark number over the previous year.
I have other landmarks, though. Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I put in a full day of work (well, sort of). I spent the day at our new house and dove into a number of projects. It was fantastic. For the first time in a while I felt truly useful.
I cleaned and resuscitated our antique stove, discovered that the kitchen cabinet shelves are not actually dark gray, revealed a hardwood floor and floor furnace under some hallway carpet, and replaced a toilet seat. The best job was the floor. I got to sit as I worked and could lie back on the padded carpet when my back got tired.
All told, yesterday was as close as I've come to doing a full day's work. Sure, it was slow going, there were many breaks and lots of lying down on the job, but I had a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
So, how do I feel today? I think I need a day off.
Comments
I am reminded of this when I drive San Pablo Ave.. There are cars that zip around me, annoyed that I am just bumbling along. But you know... we end up next to each other at the light.
::::smile:::: it sounds like the new house is going to show you all the love you put into it!
At this point, I told him I would like to see him not hit the pipes with a hammer in frustration anymore. I'm slightly exaggerating. He has to deal with a leaky pipe that my dad put in 43 years ago- and god only knows what they used back then to put stuff together. I'm certain that it's not just solder we are smelling when we fire up the propane torch. Here's hoping your pipes are in better shape than ours.
(Oh yes, and our pipes had passed inspection before we got the place!)
Glad to hear someone is at the place during the day and making headway on projects- our project list was whittled down somewhat after 3 years- it used to be 4 pages long. Now we get to deal with new projects as well as the old ones! Yippee!
Annalisa
Bandaid
Congrats!
~~Doublesaj~~
Grumpy Grinch
Okay... you have rested reading these words, now onto the next project, mentally thinking or attacking it physically!
Wendy In The Eastbay
Cheers!
Rhea