and down she goes!

Joanne here:
I woke before the alarm this morning after a good nights sleep. Toast and tea to start the day, while watching the morning news and weather forecast. So far so good, a routine morning. I walked up to Caitlin's bedroom in our little cottage to get dressed as my clothing is in her bedroom. As I was leaving the bedroom I spied the full basket of dirty laundry and thought I might as well take it downstairs with me. In retrospect, I should have simply chucked the stuff over the railing, it ended up in a heap anyway! The staircase is very narrow and I think the steps are a little short. I briefly thought to myself that I should be careful as I balanced the basket out in front of me, unable to see the steps. I felt my right heel hit the edge of the step and come out from under me. I am sure it would have been a comical sight as the basket flew, my arms went up and my back came down - hard - on the wooden steps. All air escaped from my lungs in a big WHOOSH! There I lay, sprawled in a most inelegant fashion, gasping for air. The noises that came from me can only be described as a beached seal barking! It is amazing the things that rush through your head in milliseconds. Would the kids wake up and help me? I had to work, there were too many dogs booked for me to be hurt. There is no way I am seeing a doctor in this outfit, especially with the Christmas weight I have gained. Will my lungs please take a breath in? I hope none of my makeup is broken. (my makeup bag was in the laundry basket)
Devin and Caitlin did wake up. Devin said he heard a loud crash and came running. Caitlin was worried about the weird noises I was making. Devin asked if I could move. I wasn't sure for a few moments. But, slowly, and noisily, the breath returned to my lungs and I started to pull myself up. I am fine, I assured them both. I just need a couple of advil and all will be well! And, truth be told, I was okay. I went to work. Groomed a ton of dogs and lived on advil for the day. I must admit that now, 12 hours later, I am pretty sore. I am sore in places I wouldn't have imagined, like my sternum! How come?!? My right thigh hurts! And, most of all, my pride!
When I got home from work, Caitlin showed me that she has put a basket at the bottom of the stairs and we can just throw our laundry in it. I like that idea a lot.