Sore All Over, But Happy

This building lark, eh? It all looks so easy. Long tea breaks, late starts, leaving early and banging a few nails in here and there. Well, I think I landed a job with the strangest builder ever. He does not stop. He does not take tea breaks. He eats lunch on the go. And I had a 7 am (!) start.

My first day on the job and we are renovating an old country pub into a house. All I have to do is knock down a few walls and tidy up. How hard can it be? Well, I flung myself into the task with abandon, hammer moving so quickly it was blurred. Lathe and plaster flew in all directions, dust went everywhere and I filled black bag after black bag with rubble. So far, so good.

The owner was a wonderfully eccentric lady, who for some reason insisted on calling me Alan. For the record, I have shoulder-length blonde hair and do not have a moustache. I managed to bring down most of the wall by just after lunch (a packet of Fridge Raiders eaten on the go), but when I finally stopped for a break, everything – and I mean everything – ached. I was using muscles that haven’t been so much as gently twanged in years.

The upside is that I stood outside at one point and just breathed in the fresh air. It was an amazing feeling to do such physical work, after over a decade in an office. There’s something to be said for being able to pop outside and just be still for a moment and it was good to chat away about something and nothing with my friend – no office politics, just having a laugh.

The downside is the fact that MS never takes a break. Whenever I got too hot, I had to cool down. My feet buzzed incessantly. I started to get electric shocks in my neck. But if I had to weigh it up, I would say that the symptoms were worth it. Ok, every single part of me is sore. I feel like I’ve been run over. But MS can make me feel that way too.

I am working today too, then I’m off for three days. The Teenager has made it safely to London and he didn’t find my Twiglets. Life is looking good.

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4 thoughts on “Sore All Over, But Happy

  1. Scot says:

    Well it sounds like u did ok … Thats awesome , but I bet u really r sore , I don’t envy u for that part anyways , but it must give u a great feeling of accomplishment !!! I hope 2day goes well for u &as always I look 4ward to ur next blog !!! X

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Hi Scot!
      Blimey, I hurt soooo badly, but it was fun! I am now called ‘Alan’ instead of ‘Half-Shift’, so that’s a good thing, I guess. Am now back home – thank god – and gearing up for another two days next week.
      But, like you say, a definite sense of achievement!
      x

  2. Sue says:

    Hi Alan!
    First of all I loved that picture, tired just tired! I am so glad you enjoyed the day and will be doing it again tomorrow. Also that although you are done in you feel it was worth it.
    Oh the foot buzzing feeling not the best but well done my dear I look forward to reading about how it goes. Enjoy your twiglets you certainly deserve them!
    Sue. X

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Hi!
      I’m getting to love being called Al, lol. Thank you so much for lovely comment. Every single part of me aches and beyond. The only thing that keeps me going is my mate, and his belief that I can be worthy in what I’m doing, if that makes sense. I may be crap at certain stuff, but damn sure I can measure up and point out some interesting things!
      X

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