A non-picture post?

Gasp! Le gasp! LE GASP THE SEQUEL!

Tonight I'm lying on my bed, icing my back, and I have no pictures to post. So instead I'll blather for a while about how things have been going.

First off, the back. A couple of weeks ago (two days before hiking Ouzel Falls) my back went out. I suspected a rib (because every time I exhaled it ached), but as it wasn't bothering me much I let it go. It never really went away, so I made a chiropractor's appointment for 3 today.

I seriously think God helped me make that appointment, because today around 2ish (after mixing up M&M cookie dough--more on that later) I was kneeling on the floor, picking up laundry for the weekly trip to the laundromat, when shooting pain went down my neck and back. It was so sudden and painful that I stayed kneeling and gasping on the floor for about a minute before struggling to my feet and asking Emily P if she could help me finish getting my laundry. She had to carry my stuff down to the Pickle for me because I could hardly move my arms, and I sat in the Pickle until it was time to go. I had to hold my head to the right and cross my arms because any other position hurt like the very dickens.

Fortunately my appointment was an hour after the flare-up, and the guy popped the rib back in with a minimum of fuss (and a little electrode therapy stuff to loosen up the muscle--that was interesting to have my arm and shoulder twitching for about 10 minutes). It still hurts, but I can move my arms and stand up straight. He said that it'll be sore for a while because it was out for so many days, and if it pops out again to let him know. I hope it doesn't, because DANG, that hurt. Now I kind of know how EB felt that first week when she tore up her knee, and let me tell you it is LOUSY. Tonight was an 'on the verge of tears' night, mostly out of frustration because I can't find a comfortable position and every exhale/cough/laugh/sneeze results in pained whimpering. (I never realized how much I laughed until I couldn't. O.e)

But on to more cheerful stuff...I made cookies today, which was a plus. There was a family last week that left us in housekeeping these huge bags of candy every day--Jolly Ranchers, Starbursts, M&Ms, Snickers, Reeses, the list goes on--and there was still at least half a bag of M&Ms left in the housekeeping shed. So I stole them (after getting permission from Moriah and the new girl Petey, of course) and made cookies for all of staff.

There was one moment during the baking period (there's an oven under staff) that a horde of girls came screaming down the stairs and tried to snatch all my cookies and I had to beat them off with a spatula. Figuratively. I got the seal of approval from Cody, Alijah, and Jason, as well as the girl-horde, so I think they were a success. (The guys' approval is hilarious, because it's all 'mmmmm's and 'oh man's. XD)

I got up at 5:45 this morning and worked out for the first time since getting here...see, I've gained at least 5 pounds since getting here. That's a pound a week, y'all. I don't need it that at ALL. So I've resolved to try to work out at least 3 times a week. Maybe more, if my back would get better. Between getting back on a workout schedule and eating better (i.e. more fruit/protein, less flour-based carbs and candy), I'm hoping to reverse the damage. I told people that I was planning on coming back svelte and lean, and I don't see it happening yet. XD Here's to getting fit and being able to breathe! The only downside is that this morning I was blinking and nodding through announcement, and while cleaning every time I stopped I would start drooping. Must get to bed earlier...which is FAR easier said than done. Sigh.

Speaking of (not) going to bed, there's a girls' night tonight. I may or may not be going...we'll see if I can sit up. That'll be a good start.