I try not to hire professionals for jobs that I can manage myself. I enjoy taking on all sorts of home improvement jobs and feel good over the results. I’ve replaced doors, installed cupboards, replaced windows, refinished wood floors and put down tile floors in my bedroom, kitchen and bathrooms. I’ve also hung a lot of drywall. About eight months ago, I gutted my laundry room to the bare studs. I wanted to make some upgrades to the plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. I planned to insulate, replace the floor and hang new drywall on the walls and ceilings. Installing drywall on the ceiling is a labor-intensive project. I’m a rather small person. Supporting the drywall above my head while operating the cordless drill was difficult. Because I workout every day, I assume that I can push my body to the extreme. I exercise every single day, including strength training, stretching and high impact aerobics. I jump rope, run, cycle, lift weights and add in all types of abdominal crunches, push-ups, lunges and squats. I am quite strong for my size and age and have a lot of endurance. I am also a 55 year-old woman and I pushed myself too far. I strained my trapezius muscle. The upper left side of my back was severely swollen. It turned purple and pain spread all the way down my left arm. I had no choice but to lie flat on my back on the couch for three straight weeks. I couldn’t walk up the stairs to my bedroom. I could not even shampoo my own hair or sit up. Just getting to the bathroom was difficult. I placed ice on my back, swallowed a double dose of Aleve every four hours and endured tremendous pain.