Ow, My Legs

Yesterday I got many boxes and bins and Space Bags organized and took elebenty-twelve of them upstairs. My bedroom is completely cleared of everything not bedroom-related!!

However, my glee at having accomplished this giant task has been tempered by the fact that none of the muscles in my legs work. Why? Because:

Ordinary stairs Tread – 11″ deep. Rise – 6.75″ high. All stairs the same height.

Our stairs: Tread – 9″ deep. Rise – 8.50″ high, except for the top one, which is 5.50″ high.
Landing at top of stairs – 2 feet from stairs to wall.

 

Our stairs (oh yes, the carpet is really that color).

 

To go up the stairs when carrying something: Lean forward as far as you can and move upward quickly to keep from falling backwards down the stairs. Place feet on steps sideways, attempting not to catch your toe in the corner between the step and next riser.

 

Watch your toes.

 

Bend over even further when you reach the top step and set the thing you’re carrying on the landing, hold on to the top bannister, and carefully step up. Remember that the landing at the top of the stairs is only 2 feet wide. Do not run into window at top of stairs.

The landing. If my derriere was any bigger, it would bounce me off the wall and down the stairs.

 

To go downstairs: Grip bannister post while stepping onto second step lest you tumble downstairs when you forget that part of the landing is only 2 feet wide. When on second step, lean over and grasp handrail tightly, lean backwards, and go slowly down the stairs. Step sideways or with duck feet and hug stair riser with calves, so your feet will fit on the tread instead of sliding off the front edge. Use every muscle in your legs to keep from falling to your death.

 

Stairs looking down, top bannister and handrail.

 

 

 

Duck foot.

 

 

Here, however, is the bright spot of the upstairs hall – Emily’s handmade 1000 Cranes, and sculpture made by my hubby.

 

There really are a thousand!

 

 

Here is a close-up of the cranes:

Awesome, right?