Gypsy

Published September 29, 2017 by helentastic67

Gypsy

My Mum once called me a gypsy, I’ve moved so many times since moving out of home. When I was a poor art student, my parents covered my rent while I paid for everything else. I also worked a casual job and at Christmas time when I went home to take a break, I transferred my supermarket job back to the country and also did a seasonal job. Not much of a break, I know, but still a change of scenery.

Working

Before I moved out of home, I saw a comedian on a show who must have lived in St Kilda back in the 80’s. He made a joke, to never sit down and work out what you have spent on rent, because you will want to kill yourself.

Good advice, so I never have.

I have often wished my parents had been able to afford a deposit on “something” way back then, but I guess all the area’s I’ve lived in over the years would not have happened. When I first moved to Melbourne, I moved to Brunswick.

Brunswick St 1

It wasn’t hipster cool back then, but it was cheap. Before long, there I was living in South Yarra, just off Chapel Street.

Chapel St

It was the cheapest rent I’ve ever paid in Melbourne. It was not the nicest place I’ve rented, but in many ways living there signifies the beginning of many great things.

I still remember what I paid for the room in a share house with 1 other. $262.15 per calendar month.

Hell, I wish I paid that per week these days.

Meanwhile, I’ve just been informed of another rent increase and a new lease to sign in December. It will have happened already by the time you read this. I will be going into my 5^th year living here by myself.

Rent increase

And it’s such a hassle to look at relocating, I’m likely to just suffer the increase.

Weekend

Today’s Lunch – 27th September 2017

Published September 27, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 2709

Today’s Lunch

Bloody Nora! This is why I don’t post the actual name of my fav cafe.
I do actually tell people I meet in person but while yes, I got a seat, in the front window even. (No cute puppies yet)

Crowded cafe

But I asked why it’s so crazy today?
Simple answer; school holidays! Ggrrrrrrr…………

School holidays 1

Standard Bolognese Arancini with side salad.

Arancini
And my medicine. (cafe Latte)

Cafe Latte

Got to see Young John on the way down here. He has finally returned. And he’s sick. (He sounds terrible) Just a cold, something to do with the aircon on the plane so his Doctor says.

So, there were no puppies when I first arrived. Until…..

Meet Frankie!

Frankie

This is the cute puppy I met here last week. I missed a photo opportunity of him sitting begging while 2 guys ate their lunch. Who could resist this face?
Frankie 1

Hope Frankie is here next week.

Anyway, short & sweet today. Wanna read my comic.

Cheers,
H

Hot off the Press – 25th September 2017

Published September 25, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 2509

Hot off the Press

I don’t even know why I bother. Please God, why must I deal with so very many incompetent people in my life? I mean, big shout out to my wonderful administrator Noelle for all her great work on Hellonwheels/Lifeonehanded and the snort-laughing meme’s. They truly make my day! Why can’t everyone I deal with be so competent?

Incompetent

Monday! The goal for today has been find a carer I can spend 2-3 hours in the kitchen with me and smash out several dishes so food I have paid good money on doesn’t go to waste. Is it that hard to do?

Monday

My goal is to make three things a veggie curry, a veggie bake with a béchamel sauce. (That’s a very simple white sauce, for those who don’t know.) and lastly a bread and butter pudding. It’s proving challenging to get anybody. I don’t need to handhold in the kitchen, or teach, or who listens if all I have to have them do is suggest they read the recipe. I actually can do all of these things, singlehanded! But not all at once and not without complete exhaustion and probably a migraine.
To be continued………………….

Tuesday! Another day to test how well service providers (who provide my carers) can manage to stress me out and prove incompetent? I’m often sent carers where language can be a barrier. My first carer was from Japan, but has been here 15 years. I think she’s going to be one of my regulars.
The lovely Caroline arrived and I had a massage, if there is one good-thing it’s a massage.

Tuesday

My first agency to get my NDIS funding after my council (provider of HACC services) outsource my request for assistance for food prep. You know when they tell you Fred is coming and when they arrive they introduce themselves as Barney? (don’t know where this Flintstones reference came from, so it’s not intentional) Barney is from Greece and has been here maybe 10 years or less, I forget. Cannot explain the frustration of talking someone through how to put the compost into the worm farm! I shouldn’t need to micromanage that task to get it done……… Although success! By the end of the 2.5-hour session, the veggie curry was complete, the veggie bake with the béchamel sauce, done and my bread and butter pudding, while slap-dash is marinating overnight in the fridge before I bake it tomorrow night.

It’s always a challenge when carers who aren’t familiar with me or my home and I have to give directions to where they will find things it’s often easier for me to get things myself. Then of course, in the effort of getting things achieved in a time limit I often miss out on the actual ‘doing’. This is why it’s standard I spend some serious time in the kitchen before setting up and an equally serious amount of time cleaning up afterwards. Today I only managed to sit and have lunch 11 minutes before Barney arrived, but even after 9pm, I’m yet to have a hot cup of tea today as every time I try it goes cold as I multitask.

If all goes well, some of each of the savoury dishes will be collected before midnight and I won’t need to make much of an effort in the kitchen for the next few evenings. Definitely a night for the bench top dishwasher to go on twice. Winning!

Wednesday, standard Punchy/shabby day. Complete with foodie good mental health day.

Wednesday

Even got to get out on Hellonwheels and on the way home dropped in to visit Matt who has been building 9 brand spanking new apartments (that I cannot live in or afford to rent, but let’s move on!) There are occasionally days I’m wondering how weird the world is and why I meet ‘certain’ people? So, there was a guy chatting to Matt with his arm in a cuff and collar (which he was wearing incorrectly) and before he could ask me I got to ask him. “What’s wrong with your arm?” I was told I “had no idea” and the F*Bomb was mentioned. Not at me but in general…….let’s move on. I confess to say; my eyes went rather large and I gave Matt a bit of an eye roll as I wondered if he had not noticed my cuff and collar? I had also needed to manage my position on my scooter to cater to having both of them standing on my right so I could see them, without them staring into the late afternoon sun. (Aren’t I thoughtful) Now, I did not know this other guy from a bar of soap and I asked who he was? (A name would have been fine don’t be ridiculous.) He told me he was the bald guy in the Underbelly series at the end who is killed. Like I was supposed to remember who that was?

Underbelly
FYI. In the 90’s and early 2000 the Melbourne Mafia was doing a pretty good job at killing each other off. All with the goal of running the drug trade and gambling and ‘what-not’ (I wasn’t there, all I can say) I don’t have those relatives or contacts however, I know people who did and do however not with any illegal intent. (Yes! Very diplomatic and safe!) Nailed it!

So this guy….. let’s call him that man who has bullet shrapnel in his back and just about everywhere, by the sound of it and it impacts his spine and the doctors can’t even do an MRI. You don’t generally let Doctors do exploratory surgery around your spine without an MRI, so I’m perfectly fine with my AVM………Thanks for playing.

I meet some weird people, right?

Arrived home decided to use my reach-grabby-thingy to collect the rubbish that was mulched by the lawnmower 2 weeks ago. Went to use my front hose, that has not been used since last summer, and some BASTARD (presumably the landlord) cut it! I mean, seriously CUT my garden hose! My landlords have fruit trees in the front yard and waits until I’d been here several years before telling me I was not allowed to use the tap. They informed me it’s on a separate meter. I attempted to bucket out water for a few weeks and it caused a flare-up of my old and repaired disc-bulge. I don’t water my outdoor plants over winter. It rains, right?

Ggggrrrrrrrr, Matt dropped down on his way home and fixed the hose. I had a spare fitting and now I have to move the hose back to my scooter shed and only get it out when I use it.
I baked the pudding……

Bread and Butter pudding

Finally caught up on my admin and it’s after midnight. Next!

Thursday

Thursday, it has come to my attention I might be making my existence sound way more exciting and adventurist than it actually is? I might dispel that now…… Lazy day at home today, washing on the line, visit from Bolton Clark (formerly known as RDN) They needed to check their key safe at my front door. Tammy the lovely nurse left me with a joke she had been told by a 95-year-old woman. I might write it up as a seperate post and spent some time updating the software on all my “I’s” (My iPhone, iPad and Laptop) FYI, I’m not rich I just used my one-off funding wisely about 3 years ago and going forward the NDIS will not be funding computers in the future. They believe every Australian household has a computer. I shouldn’t need to mention I wouldn’t have any of these “I” if I hadn’t been given that funding. Next!

Friday! There was a miracle because I made it to bed ‘early’ (both the definition of early and miracle are still in question) as it was 1am, when I crawled into bed, slept until 8am, (another miracle!) Don’t make me repeat myself……… Friday, such a long day, but fun times with my young carer while out shopping.

Friday

Rife social chat with Pat the Butcher, Aiden the young veggie produce guy (sounds cheesy but seriously) and the lovely checkout chick. (It’s weird when I watch the same TV shows as people half my age……like Glow) I got to explain Alison Brahe won the Dolly model of the year competition in the 80’s when I was a teenager before she married a Daddo! (Cameron Daddo) which is like Australian Royalty.

Smashed out another veggie bake tonight. Tuesday’s went so well, but as I gave away more than I ate and I didn’t keep any for leftovers, I did heaps of prep work while my carer was doing her chores, cleaning and vacuuming. Then I spent more time in the kitchen after she left. Finally got to sit at 8pm for my coffee and custard scroll. My Friday symbol of the week is finally over! Feeling like a zombie!

Not sure I’ll even make it to 1am tonight. Otherwise, a beautiful spring day in Melbourne reaching 25………otherwise, a great quiet weekend. Lots of laundry and a rude awakening from I presume my nosy landlady at 8am Sunday morning. I presume that’s when one weeds their tenants front garden? Gggggrrrrrrr….. another week dawns! Let’s go!
Let’s see if I head from the NDIA gets back to me about my need for medically approved extra-depth shoes? My chiropractor? Or how about my shrink? No, probably not! I’m not holding my breath obviously.

Here’s some pictures of things I’ve encountered or made in the last week, see if you can pick which is which?

Garden Door Mindful colouring

Bread and Butter

Cheers,
H

Home

Published September 22, 2017 by helentastic67

Home

Is where the heart is, right? My parents built the home I grew up in from the age of about 5. (better first check that)

My bedroom had a window on the side of the house so the only view I had was of a fence. When the men next door worked on their cars in the driveway after hours with the lights on, late into the evening.

The house was built in the 70’s and my parents never did any major renovations, so to this day the kitchen still has its orange (sorry, mum, Mordarine) bench tops, its brown cupboards and orange spaceship lights.

Space light

They seemed to make them to last back then, right? But anyway, I digress, I moved out of home and to Melbourne when I was 19 years old, to study. This is probably when it seemed to be my home. It was a base, sure and my teenager “stuff” remained here, but it wasn’t really my home any longer.

When I was about 23 years old, my parents finally divorced. I say ‘finally’ because from about 12 years old, I knew it was imminent.

In the late 90’s (me in my late 20’s) I lived with my mum and younger sister (then 13) for 2 years, but while her house feels like a home, it doesn’t feel like my home.

It definitely feels like their home and when my dad had a thing for moving “stuff” around inside his house, much of my important childhood “stuff” migrated to my mum’s.

Every rare visit to both my mum’s home and my childhood home brings up different emotional ‘traumas’!

A visit to my mum’s, some 3 ½ hours north from Melbourne, upon arrival, as soon as you open the car door, a whiff of fresh country air, with a subtle pine and burning wood fireplace smell takes me back and refreshes me.

Melb to Wangaratta

I was quite isolated and depressed when I lived there for 2 years.

But my dad’s house, doesn’t feel like a home. Over the 20 years, its felt like the ‘life’ left.

The good furniture is still there, the wall units in dark timber is still there, the timber chest in the billiard room that housed the stamp collection, the roll-timber desk and of course the beautiful pool table. (I call dibs)

Wall unit

Op shop finds have sprung up and taken root (or even stored) for some insane reason, where it’s not needed or used. Dad’s house seems strange, like time stood still, I got bigger, but ironically, when I’ve spent a rare night there as I did last October, when I went to my 25^th High School Reunion. Kitchen cupboards, the laundry sliding door, they still sound the same. Like it’s been frozen in time.

My father did move on and found another relationship (weirdly with someone 20 years older) so he has kind of aged in a strange way, if you know what I mean. She has never taken up residence there and they maintain they are ‘friends’, although I suspect he has helped her financially.

Romantically mum never moved on and was busy being a single parent to my younger sister and didn’t make time to meet anybody.

While I’ve moved so many times in the last 25 years, my mum has called me a gypsy. I have desperately wanted my own home, where I never had to move again. A place I could renovate, plant trees in soil and put down roots.

Gypsy

My father in the last 10 years, while I’ve had my disability, has retired, slightly early to deal with bowel cancer, then bladder cancer. He has beaten both, a little worse for wear, but winning all the same and earlier this year he decided to sell his house. Not to downside, but for financial reasons he has upsized.

So, his house sold and the new house is not yet built and he’s renting for maybe 9 months in between. He’s not even renting far from the home I grew up in. He’s moving from 30 to 1/22, I know, insane!

I’m not sure how I am meant to feel about this. It has certainly bought up much emotional trauma for my mum who has clearly felt short changed for the last 25 years, since her divorce. I know, I’ve heard all about it, but while I feel a little sad, I don’t feel like I’m losing anything. If that make sense?

New home

Today’s Lunch – 20th September 2017

Published September 20, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 2009

Today’s Lunch

A beautiful day today in Melbourne for my foodie good mental health day post!

Beautiful day

I was even able to get Hell on Wheels out to scooter to my last appointment. I take my flag inside to avoid it being stolen and my jacket in the bag on the back. Yes, no jacket today! Still wearing wool but only my Marino Cowl neck vest.

Scooter

Got a window seat at my fav place. Just now hoping someone brings their dog for a walk, coffee, doggy biscuits. They are always so well-behaved when they are begging for their treats.

I’ll see if I can dig out an old photo as there seem to be no four-legged friends today.

Standard fare today. Bolognese Arancini with side salad, with my medicine of course. (Cafe latte)

Arincini Latte

Don’t imagine I’ll have any surprises today. Fingers crossed. Apart from the serious message I had earlier when I clipped a teenager on my scooter. Oops!

The message was the Universal Go-Slow! You know, when no matter what you do or where you are meant to be obstacles arrive that slow you down. Today, I must have met every elderly wog in my ‘hood with their shopping trolley or walking frame. Just ambling along!
It might surprise you all to know, I have no time or patience……….

Scooter 1

Ooohh…….Doggy!

I’ve been known to text photos of the well-behaved pooches here to friends who have dogs. I ask if their dog can do this……

Dog

Sometimes they respond with “Yes, my dog can beg for food!”
I beg the question; Beg or Pester?

Cheers,
H

Hot off the Press – 18th September 2017

Published September 18, 2017 by helentastic67

hot-off-the-press-3107a

Hot off the Press

And another week begins.
Monday morning and my friend Phillip was gone before 5am! Not envying him at all. My day started at 9am, while I walked to the tram and again racked up 1,000 steps to get to the tram I paid for it.
Who knows what you get when you over work muscles that have been dormant and unused for the weekend? Yes, that’s correct my thigh muscles were on fire! Itchy!

Monday

While I didn’t get out until about midday I got to Osteo and was tortured (my carpel tunnel) and I was given a lift home by 6pm making it feel like I’d been out all day!

Tuesday, cold and wet so as my carer arrived on time I committed to going to my one appointment. Caught a taxi and had a great massage with the milo/Remedial student from RMIT. She even suggested I might have a little something called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Like I need to have another thing on my list, but if it’s an answer to anything I’m adding it to my list to discuss with my GP. Did just over 2,000 steps today and was struggling to stay awake past 8.30pm. But never fear, crawled into bed at 1.30am Wednesday morning. Don’t tell Ms Jillian.

Tuesday

Wednesday, did not want to get up! (No idea why…….shaddup!) more cold and wet today but it wasn’t raining when I had to get out so smashed out 1,000 steps just to get to the tram. Encountered an old Greek lady on the tram. Was out-Nona’ed by the Greek Nona. FYI: if you are unsure, a Nona is an Italian grandmother however I don’t know what the name for a Greek grandmother is)
Standard Wednesday foodie post……Meh! Paid some bills.

Wednesday

Standard Punchy/shabby day and as predicted my Chiro did tell me I looked tired. Had a laugh about the Greek Nona. The woman had rearranged the colour of my jacket and had been touching my purse inside the side of my bag. (She was attempting to fold it over to have it be safer and less at risk of theft) ironic she didn’t have any appreciation of my body-space and that she was in it. My Chiro has Greek ancestry her parents having migrated from there back in the 40’s or 50’s. Same era as my father from Italy. Managed 3,000 steps today, but promise to make up for that excessiveness tomorrow when I don’t leave the house.

Greek YiaYia

The highlights of Thursday were the other lovely Fijian carer I’ve had a few times now in recent months. An afternoon kip that was ruined by the doorbell at 4.30pm that when I went to see who was there, there was no one! Managed to pull the rest of the day together and after a chat on messenger with my Texan friend got into the kitchen to smash out dinner. Roasted veggies, including beetroot and some frozen peas, with a Chicken Kiev.

Thursday

Friday morning another rude awakening at 3.33AM, by the doorbell. I had only gone to sleep at 2am making me one very grumpy girl. Who the bloody hell does that? I didn’t get up so I don’t know if it was my doorbell or Unit 2 (we share a roof cavity as my Wog landlords built cheap and not to legal safety requirements) so I often hear their doorbell.

Friday

Friday resumed after only a few more hours sleep around 9am and after my afternoon carer, I smashed out a few more hours in the kitchen. A chicken soup bottled, yummy dinner and a serious effort with the bench top dishwasher so my Saturday carer doesn’t go out on stress leave from the remaining dishes needing her attention and another late night on the couch catching up on admin and emails before another lazy off-grid Saturday!

Ah, received some interesting mail today. Really want to chant “Yes! Yes! Yes!” But if you are not in OZ you do not know of the political debate about how to best waste, oops, sorry. Spend tax payer’s money to decide if same-sex marriage should be made legal here?

Same sex Marriage
Now, I’m a single bitter barren spinster (ok, not bitter) and I’m voting Yes! I want my gay friends to be able to marry if they want. This postal vote won’t even be legal! Even I’m surprised how backward we are on this topic!

Perfectly lazy weekend. Even did a little mindfulness colouring.

Keep in mind I’ve only got half the eyesight in each eye so do not enlarge!

Previous weeks efforts…….

Single girl date night passed again binging TV………..I’ll mention only note-worthy shows. Some help me pass the time. You will always be able to tell the difference. Three more comics this week.
Had a big flashback this week of accessible bandaids…. I know. Weird Segway, however I’ve badly injured a fingernail on my left hand and as I can’t feel it I don’t know how much damage I’ve done. So, I’ve been sporting a bandaid as protection. Even my carers are struggling to open the packaging.

Band aid 1
Remember those days of Johnson and Johnson bandaids with the little red string across the top and down the side? Now bandaids are childproof and adultproof! I just want to perform a little first aid………..
And spring has finally sprung in my front Yard! this is the view from my bedroom window.

Lastly, Sunday night into the kitchen to smash out a pasta bake for someone newly out of hospital after her second disc bulge surgery. All while singlehandedly making my own dinner. A pretty decent pork and diet mince hamburger patty with lettuce, beetroot and mayo on a wholemeal bun.
Meanwhile there are people in Florida without power or a roof over their heads. Sending good thought to you all. Two world leaders playing a simple game of mine is bigger than yours and they need to stop. It’s not a game! Please stop!
To a peaceful week and less stress on the Homefront.
Cheers,
H

Great week

Aussie Rules

Published September 15, 2017 by helentastic67

Aussie rules

Aussie Rules

I grew up in an era where Aussie Rules was made up only of Victorian teams. Therefore, it was called VFL (Victorian Football League).

VFL1

It was pretty stock standard that coming from a family of some Italian heritage, we went for Carlton, I’m not complaining, I understand Collingwood supporters that went for that team and more primary school kids growing up in Collingwood would greet new kids at school with the question “What team do you go for?”

Carlton

Day 1. New kids would answer with another team other than Collingwood – they would get a hiding

Day 2. Repeat of day 1

Day 3. Repeat of day 1 & 2

New kids decided it was better to be a Collingwood supporter. I heard this story about fifteen years ago and I imagine it dated back to when I was a kid also.

Collingwood

I don’t really follow any sport, it was never really a huge interest of mine. Apparently, that alone makes me un-Australian.

However, in the late 90’s, I went out one particular Saturday night in Melbourne, I thought I was very obviously dressed for clubbing.

I wore a little Dottie dress, white opaque tights with black fishnets over the top (or something like that) 10-up Doc Martins and even though I wore make up, pale face (not white, but no highlights, and bright spicy lips)

Polka dot dress

I also wore my red and blue furry jacket, despite this jacket, I was likely going to a Goth club.

I understand that weekend was the semi-final for the football. There was an out of state team playing and a Melbourne Team.

I caught the train to the city and went to get off at Southern Cross station. As the train came to a stop I was waiting at the door ready to get off, the platform was packed with football fans. Must have been around 11pm.

As the train pulled up and the doors opened, the older guys facing me looked behind them and the crowd roared.

train

Normally, they should have parted to let people off the train before they all rushed to get on. They didn’t look prepared to move.

I reached up to my collar exposing my studded leather and spike bracelet and scratched at my leather and press stud choker.

The crowd parted and I had to move through the crowd to the escalators. It would seem my jacket was the same colour as the team that played that weekend.

Admittedly, I’m not a big football supporter and at the end of the season. I care that Carlton is not on the bottom, Collingwood is not on the top and the Cup stays in our State.

I guess it doesn’t make a bit of difference to my life who wins or loses…

Today’s Lunch – 13th September 2017

Published September 13, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 1309

Today’s lunch 13/09/17

I kinda feel I should have been able to justify cake and coffee for lunch today. Because, it’s my sisters birthday today! She’s a baby, at only 29!

Happy birthday
Damn it! Cancel my order. It’s not my fault she isn’t here to enjoy the cake I promised to buy her. Is it?

I’m predicting my chiro today will tell me to go home and go back to bed. I’m so tired today and being cold doesn’t help. My left leg is swinging as I walk. I even made a joke of it to Noelle that I’m a Swinger! ( I thought it was funny!)

Ah, lunch has arrived.

Lunch
The Arancini Zaffarino with the side salad today. (Mint, pea’s and saffron rice)
Hope my styling skills are translating? I’m just saying it’s not easy making a lump of rice look great once you ruin the structural integrity.

Latte 1

Here’s to another good mental health day!
Cheers,
H

Mental health day

Hot off the Press – 11th September 2017

Published September 11, 2017 by helentastic67

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Hot off the Press 11/09/17

The week started cold and wet as I predicted being the start of Spring in Melbourne.

Once again, with Young John still away in Greece and the NDIS not catering to transport needs I cancelled my one appointment of Osteo and had a long weekend.

So, no big numbers on the pedometer to brag about, big fat nothing. Have been perfecting the panini press sandwiches of late. Generally, have one a week and while I’ve been attempting to be healthy and not put on too much butter a few weeks ago I was a bit more liberal when applying the yellow stuff. Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner! Golden brown worked a treat. Actual ingredients I’ve been going with are ham or salami, a few cherry tomatoes, Tuscan mix and/or marinated mushrooms and some sliced cheese. And I favour a nice light rye bread.

Panini

Monday evening, I made it to the kitchen and in true Helen form I smashed out all my chores in a short period of time single-handed. Made the mash potato and steamed veggies to go with my dinner, put together the vegetarian lasagne for a friend and her two sons. Against my better judgement that it doesn’t have meat in it but what can I do? Unpacked and repacked my bench top dishwasher at the same time.

Vege Lasagna

Tuesday, another cold/wet day and I had to prompt my agency that my carer had not arrived.

Cold and wet

I love that my main agency doesn’t have the staff so outsourced to another agency. The message came back that the carer was running behind with another client but when the carer was here she confessed she had slept in. Deep breathe, bah-hum-bug!

My friend arrived in time to collect me and we went to see a film.

We saw Girls trip, which was hilarious. It was early afternoon and surprisingly only about 10 people in the cinema. At one point my friend wiped her eyes, as if wiping away tears. I felt a tear at the corner of my eye and my thighs were tingling. (from laughter and a sentimental moment)

Girl trip

No time for breakfast, stated I would fill up on popcorn! Stop it! Don’t wanna hear how bad corn is for me. My friend already ruined that plan for me so I ate one of those oat/nut/yoghurt bars you keep in your desk draw for those snack-times. A younger woman came in and parked herself with two huge buckets. One with popcorn, the other was blue…….I looked in her direction and my friend asked if I wanted her to go give her the lecture about corn. I snorted my response because that had been exactly what I had been thinking. I added that if she had a bucket of fairy floss she was to steal it for me and I would take the lecture for that later.

And because advocacy for people with disabilities is never done, I took the time to speak to the manager after the film as both before and after the film I visited the disabled facilities and had found no toilet paper. Ok, there was 4 squares the first time, ur it’s as good as NONE!

I explained to the manager I struggled to get into a normal toilet with my walking stick, my jacket over my arm, and my bag, because I just had to go! But people in wheelchairs don’t have that luxury.

Let’s see if it improves for the next time I’m there. Time will tell.

Finding the timing of last Fridays post rather interesting timing.

Wednesday. Standard Punchy/stubby day. Hope you read my Wednesday foodie good mental health day post? Then you know it was cold. I wore full winter layers and ended up doing 3000 steps on my left foot I could barely feel to start with. Lots of standard admin and calls to keep the balls in the air and life ticking over. And as you can see a huge shoe rubbing visit with Bella/Killer. Ok, by the time I got my phone out to snap a photo she was just happily sitting there ignoring me. I didn’t want to leave.

Bel 1

Thursday, woke super early with pain in my right hand from the carpel tunnel. Not happy at all! Finally got back to sleep and had one of my nice carers arrive in time for me to get ready for my massage at home. I’ve not been getting to the Osteopathic or Mio/Remedial appointments so had rather a relaxing day at home.Lounge already resembling a Chinese laundry.

Chinese laundry

Have been dealing with alternative rostering issues as my regular Friday girl is taking the day off for football finals. Gggggggrrrrrr…..it’s fine as she is not a Collingwood supporter. I was given the name of her replacement and I asked to confirm that she had/has a car and can drive. Also has insurance, because some agencies don’t stipulate that their carers need all of these things in order to do the job. They rang back later in the day with a completely different name. God help me!

Friday, I knew the world had been off its axis last Friday. (The day I actually had lunch at an appropriate lunch-ish time) Today’s second carer arrived at midday, so I forewent breakfast and went straight onto lunch. Four hours with my carer to do Homecare (cleaning)shopping and some food prep, an hour or so of me sorting out my ‘chores’ and two coffees later all is right in the world for a mostly “Off-grid” weekend!

And here’s introducing Wilbur!

Wilbur

Was lucky to get to squeeze in a visit to the local newsagents also. Perfect end to the week, despite a crazy cat lady practicing her German to poor Wilbur. (She is learning and has no one else to practice with) no idea what she was trying to say but Wilbur jumped down from his perch to escape. The week ended with a comfy warm bed ready for spring! Introducing my Spring doona cover. I don’t know, it just makes me happy and the simple things in life make life worth living. (OK, only a week late, better late than never, in terms of this time of year in bed-linens)

Spring Doona

Oh, I don’t know about anybody else but I already have my 2018 diary! I refuse to start carrying it around until at least December but again proof that I’ve a weird form of retirement! Retirement, my bottom!

My weekend the standard less the better filled only with food, TV binging and sleep exactly how I need it. Again, no film for single girl date night but plenty of TV shows to catch up on.

Sunday evening my friend Phillip arrived in time to catch up for a few hours. He lives 3.5 hours from Melbourne in the country and has to fly to Sydney for the day tomorrow. I rarely have friends come to visit so it’s ironic that one that lives so far away makes the effort to visit for a catch up even if only for a few hours. He will be gone by the crack of nothing in the morning. It’s so good having a spare room for people to stay over when in town.

Visitor

Only three comics were read this last week. That number dropped slightly on previous weeks. I think after sorting my collection a few weeks ago made me consider I might catch up by Christmas……..2020! So, I could relax on attempting to hurry and get through them. Don’t want to run out now do I?

An update from Young John and his wife Young Betty sees them not returning from Greece until at least the 23rd. So, another week dawns and I need to get to appointments this week, so I suspect I might also get a little damp. Next!

Greece

Cheers,

good week

Intentions

Published September 8, 2017 by helentastic67

Intentions

You know those days where you have the best of intentions to make the world a better place for the next poor bastard whose life sucks more than it should? And well, it was never meant to be?

Had a lovely day on Monday. No appointments to work my stressed body or brain, so instead booked a friend to come do lunch.

There must have been way too many milkbars (or Corner shops) in my neighbourhood in the past as the ones that managed not to be renovated to within an inch of its life have become cool hipster Café’s. Beards, dyed grey hair, great food and coffee. Happy Days.

Cafe

Add a trip to the cinema and you have a perfect Monday.

So, here’s the thing where I tried to pay it forward and make the world a less shitty place.

Before going into the cinema, I went to use the facilities. I generally use the disabled toilet, because A. I have a disability that is physical. B. I struggle in a normal public toilet cubicle. What with the wriggling around in a small space, closing and locking the door, putting my walking stick down, taking my bag off my body (it hangs from my left shoulder to rest on my right hip/buttocks). So, I digress, disabled toilet, NO TOILET PAPER! Grrrr!

No toilet paper1

Luckily, I always check before I pee, no drama. Go to the ladies, deal with getting stared at. Before and after I wriggle into a toilet cubicle. Deal with all of the above-mentioned challenges.

No toilet paper

Bit of growling, wriggling out hence probably the strange looks once I’d extricated myself from the cosy cubicle and before going into the movie session, I wandered back to the staff checking tickets to mention the lack of toilet paper in the disabled toilet…

disabled toilet