The Downside and the Upside

Feeling a need to get things accomplished around my house, and having a fairly open work schedule this week, I decided to steam-clean my sofa. I've been planning to do this for quite some time. I've had it for about four years, and the pets spend a lot of time sitting (and slobbering) on it. So it didn't really look dirty, but it didn't smell so great. I'm sure there was also a lot of "people dirt" on it, ground in sand and who-knows-what. I lugged the machine in and did the first two cushions, scrubbing them thoroughly and sucking up as much of the steam cleaner water as I could. Then, since it's a sunny day (but very cold again) I put the cushions on the porch to dry.

As I cleaned the last corner of the third cushion, I felt like I had been stabbed in my lower back. For a minute I simply couldn't move, and when I was able to, the pain was so intense I almost cried. As far as I was concerned, the cushion was clean enough at that point, and I managed to limp it out to the porch. I could barely bend enough to sit down; now that I have, I'm not sure I'll be able to get up again. (Actually, I know I can. It will just hurt a lot.) I'm not sure what I've done to myself, but the timing was particularly bad.

I alluded last week to some big plans coming up. I'm working on opening a nonprofit agency, and I had registered for a three-hour workshop. It happens tonight but unfortunately I won't be there. The staff member I spoke with was nice enough to roll over my registration for a session next month, but I'm itching to get started! There are a few aspects I can work on until the workshop. It was good news that I wouldn't have to pay again. (Even though it was only $40.00, it's nice not to lose that money.) The other part of the upside is that the temperature is supposed to be below freezing tonight, and I'll be happy not to be outside. Still, I would rather be out in the cold with a good-feeling back than inside with a bad back. And I can't lie on the sofa because the wet cushions are drying on the porch!

Two books I ordered about non-profit development and management are scheduled to arrive today, so I hope to get sufficient relief with Advil and some leftover muscle relaxants to be able to focus on reading those. I'm very committed to putting my idea into action, so I'll work on what I can and wait for what I can't.