Today’s Lunch – 26th June 2019

Published June 26, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Well, this week has been so crazy! Let me tell you in photo form.
Monday! Osteo….

If we didn’t have churches great architectural features would be lost. Hope I get to the Notre-Dame one day! What? I might get there one day? I didn’t see the Sistine Chapel when I was in Rome back in 1994. It’s not even funny, but I always figured it meant I would go again. Right?

I digress, Tuesday, I provided the catering for an event for BIM the self-advocacy group I’m a part of. Basically, did the hunter/gathering, bought the cards, got everyone to write in them. Might get a little career being the buyer for people seeking cool birthday cards. Got an amazing cake for our lovely admin’s birthday! Here is a photo I got before it was almost gone! (#: Another reason Hellonwheels cannot do Insta)

Then, with many steps on my smart phone and minus any medicine. I was home, changed, make-up on and ready to be scooped up Foran event at the (wait for it) Government House Melbourne. It really is spectacular! The invite stated dinner and an upcoming post with better detail the issues with a dress code. But, in short, it’s a challenge for me to find something deemed ‘Appropriate You will see some pictures with me doing ‘Appropriate if you look closely.

Wednesday is looming as I write this. Another crazy day ahead and no sign I’ll get to Clifton Hill to my favourite cafe. No sign I’ll have lunch before this post goes live.

To be continued………………OK, I had lunch but it wasn’t photo-worthy.

Cheers,
H

Retirement

Published June 24, 2019 by helentastic67

Retirement

I have a term for my form of retirement. It’s bullshit retirement where I’m poor, I’m underpaid, I have no holidays, no grandchildren to tend or husband (Yes, I’ve always wanted one, but it just hasn’t happened) and despite being retired, my week is pretty full.

In a perfect week, this is what my diary looks like:

Monday- Shrink, Medicare (the other bank) Osteo, admin, emails, blogging, brain training, bed.

Tuesday – Remedial, GP, admin, emails, blogging, sleep.

Wednesday – Chiropractor, acupuncture, blogging, admin, emails, some self-advocacy, sleep.

Thursday – Cleaning at home, data entry, admin, emails, sleep. At this point you might be thinking ‘What’s with all the sleep?’ You need sleep every night. I seem to these days and I get to bed so late and it’s noisy and I get woken up over and over again. I’m just impressed I’ve banished the afternoon kip during the week.

Friday – a carer for shopping where we get all the hunter/gathering done, any extra shopping I need, any serious cooking as a one-off for the week. Admin, brain training and emails.

Saturday and Sunday – I try to go off-grid on the weekend. No emails, no social media, no mobile phone. Note, I used the word ‘try’ I can’t let it slide completely or else Monday, I would have too much to catch up on.

Over the whole week with phone calls to keep all the balls in the air (euphemism for juggling) emails/calls to keep my home in working order.

Start everyday with a personal carer for one – one and half hours, so I can leave the house fresh and presentable to be seen in public. End most days taking washing off the racks on my balcony and then often having to hang the washing on other racks inside to complete drying, unpack/repack dishwasher process the mail and bills that come in, pay the bills or schedule when I can afford to pay them, order products to keep my independence needs next. This is why I try (there’s that word again) to go off-grid on the weekends.

Weekends are for sleeping, eating, watching TV, sleeping some more, then on a Saturday night forcing myself to do absolutely nothing by putting on a film where all of my attention is taken up by single tasking. Do you get ‘Single tasking’ is a dirty word to me?

All the balls don’t stay in the air by single tasking and if some of these things seem a bit of a luxury and that I’m super lucky. They are not. All of these things need to happen like clockwork, so I maintain at least the level of independence I have now and preferably no less.

Oh, there are also the once a month committee meetings or the ‘other’ bi-monthly committee meetings I participate in to give life meaning. It’s getting monotonous, there aren’t many exciting things to look forward to.

Oh, did we notice an absence of three regular meals a day? Yeah, I prepare in advance back-up breakfasts I can pack and have on the go, on trams, trains or have lunch at 5pm, when I get home. It’s not a great plan, but it’s what it is.

I would have been happy to work until 70 because it would have meant I would have been able to and I would have a decent comfortable standard of living and life.

Hence, my term a ‘Bullshit form of retirement’.

Daisy

Published June 21, 2019 by helentastic67

Daisy

Because I can’t help but mix it up a little, I’m not suffering OCD however, I am likely to circle back to other topics. Today’s post is about when people are in our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime.

So, once upon a time I worked at a large environmental company as an admin. Don’t get excited, I wasn’t an OH&S officer (that’s short for Occupational Health and Safety) let’s call her Daisy.

Whenever someone had an injury in the office, even so much as a paper cut and someone called out that they had hurt themselves, someone would call out “Daisy!” even though she was not located anywhere near us.

Rumour was, if you got a paper cut, she would bring you a tube of cream and I suspect she did a regular stocktake of the bandaids in the tearoom first aid. Paper cuts, big problem in admin, should qualify for hazard pay or just BYO bandaids.

However, at the time my boyfriend who lived with me, also worked at the same place as an Environmental Scientist. He was far more qualified in his work. But at home, Daisy followed us everywhere. If in the backyard I would be hanging my washing on the line, the garden hose curled out across the concrete, creating a delightful tripping hazard. One of us would generally call out “Daisy” and then we would share a little chuckle.

Daisy was a bit of a joke in the office. You all get her name was not Daisy, don’t you? Because one day on ‘site’ there was a gate to enter a site and Daisy had gone out to check on the ‘safety’ of the job. I suspect it was a disused petrol station or some such, which is what my ex worked on or ‘whatever’. Daisy should have parked outside the gate and entered carefully on foot or better yet parked and called out for the guys to escort her on to the site. But NO, apparently, she drove in and proceeded to drive all over the site.

But with the absence of the ex or the other people that were in my life at that time, the “OH&S chant “Daisy” has gone. Sadly….

I’ll share some more soon.

Today’s Lunch – 19th June 2019

Published June 19, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Happily back at my familiar lunch spot this week. The roadworks on tram route is over for now, I rang the PTV to learn they have started the accessible tram stops. Thank Fuck! As last week I almost managed to get myself killed. Or at least dragged along beside a bus! You can stay tuned for the long version of that one, sorry.

I’ve just sent my next 40 posts to Noelle. Still so much to catch up on.

Another hectic week so far. Throw in a massage, a migraine by 2, a pre-dinner kip, midnight dinner. A quick half day in the city for admin and chores. This little duck I gave Caroline and how she has used it?

I thought it would remind her of a great You tube clip of a comedian talking about…….maybe just watch.

Also went out for din dins with a friend previously mentioned as my Gay Silver Fox and his husband! Cos that isn’t rubbing it in. Finally got to Giro D’Italia where I had this amazing Gnocchi with beef ragout and Tiramisu. They would not help me eat and again reasons why Hellonwheels cannot do Insta, I forgot to get a photo!

And finally, today’s lunch, Pancetta quiche with side salad and my medicine.

My Kitchen, My Way

Published June 17, 2019 by helentastic67

My Kitchen, My Way

One thing that is a particular challenge being one handed, is how my kitchen is set up. I think I’ve moved four times since my diagnosis and every time I’ve moved since my disability, my mum has been there for at least a week after helping me set up. It’s very important for my kitchen to be unpacked before she goes, she makes that a goal before she will depart, knowing I will get the rest sorted in time.

It’s equally important for me to be part of the sorting of the kitchen. Mum will shove all my oven trays in a cupboard to get them put away, but it’s some time before I get back to it, so I can see/feel/manage what’s in there. What I need to use regularly and put the items I rarely use somewhere else.

Last week I tasked one of my carers to get out a muffin tray and after she swore and carried on, I got up to help. As long as the carers aren’t swearing at me and I’m not swearing at them, it’s fine.

Crazy People

Published June 14, 2019 by helentastic67

Crazy People

Now before anyone jumps up and down about the heading, just wait. I have again completed another Neuropsych test and I like to say ‘Neuropsych test’ not just for crazy people. The term ‘Crazy People’ predates the whole politically correctness, this and it often referred to people who were schizophrenic or other equally awful serious infliction’s.

However, I digress a neuropsych test is literally a series of tests, verbal, that help work out how well your brain works. If you think of your brain like a filing cabinet, different parts manage different tasks, artistic, creative, problem solving, decision making, etc, etc.

One of the first tests (without giving too much away) is with numbers and you need to keep in mind the woman doing the test speaks in a calm, quiet, monotone, unemotional tone.

She gives me two figures, let me give you an example: 1, 4
I repeat back to her 1, 4.
Sounds easy, right?
Then the number of digits increases to three, then four, then five, etc.
Still OK, right?
Then she gives you numbers and you have to reverse them. The first example, again 1,4.
Answer 4, 1.
Then she increases the amount again.
Note: I’m not giving you a cheat sheet here, if you are ever required to do one, however.
Then she gives you a random collection of digits and you have to put them in order of value.
For example: 2, 5, 7, 8, 1, 6.
Answer: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Don’t try this at home!

The woman who delivers the test and comes to her findings, has qualifications. I say woman, because I’ve never had a man deliver this test, finally a test that doesn’t include needles and feeling like I’m being punched in the head from the inside.

It is a test, however that is rather mentally fatiguing. If I don’t finish with a migraine, I usually need a kip afterwards.

Diagnosis – Not Crazy

Today’s Lunch – 12th June 2019

Published June 12, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Firstly an apology to anyone that may have been looking forward to my Monday post. We had a public holiday and it makes me smile a little that Noelle forgot to do a post. She said that it felt like Sunday and I confess to say Tuesday was a harsh return to the norm. Off to the city for the monthly committee meeting, a meeting that always leaves me with a migraine. Spent an extra few hours there with some help from Amy at VATT. (my bad. Voice at The Table) I am applying to sit on another committee board. To be continued.

Left after 4pm, realised how tired I was on the way to the train station at Flinders Street. Caught a train to Clifton hill where I normally change to a tram. There where roadworks everywhere! Eventually, a younger guy directed me to a replacement bus stop as there was no one else around and my eyesight did not help me. It was getting cooler and getting towards dusk. (Have I mentioned I can’t see in the dark?) Also lost two of my regular carers today. Sad. I just lost two friends. Eventually, after a bus ride home in peak hour traffic I arrived at my destination safely.
No migraine but can’t really feel my left leg.

Despite my day not going as I had planned, and things being more challenging than I had expected, I still had a better day than a few others.

Today, sending love and respect to a friend Christie who is grieving. You are in my thoughts and to my lovely administrator Noelle. To whom is responsible for the memes we all love, whose day was well above mine on the level of shitty not that I was complaining. On the upside(barely) a parcel is on its way to Noelle today! It’s got a little of this in it.

So, to Christie and Noelle. You both win! Your days sucked more than mine!

Not prepared to navigate the no tram bus after my favourite lunch location to get to acupuncture on the way home my Girl Wednesday and I found a more local place. So, today’s offering, fish and chips. Or as I prefer fush n chups! We had lunch in Fairfield today for convenience.

Cheers

H

Happy Stupid Millennials

Published June 7, 2019 by helentastic67

Happy Stupid Millennial’s

Today, I was down in Collingwood where I rarely go these days and after I saw something that rather pissed me off. I got to do something that made me happy, then very quickly grumpy.

Firstly, I saw a young Millennial take a bite of something out of a paper bag, crumble up the bag and throw it behind her into the gutter.

To be perfectly clear, I would have handled this scenario the same way twenty years ago, or even fifteen years ago before my disability. This shit is like a red flag to a bull, to me. I motioned to her to stop. I told her to go back and pick it up and that there would be a bin around her somewhere and go put it in the bin. This makes me happy to growl at the ‘younger people’.

Then she completely ignored me, walked past me back into the shop she likely got it from, to get something else, that she didn’t do as I suggested, pissed me off even more.

Today’s Lunch – 5th June 2019

Published June 5, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Another week!

Actually, had Tuesday at home this week. Multitasking one-handed like a pro. Very good thing I have both a mobile and a landline as I used both at the same time to catch up on serious admin/organizing & negotiating. Also managed to write some posts ahead of printing and posting to my blog administrator next week.

Cleared up the trays that cover my coffee table and my couch. A calm mid-week lunch in my punchy-stabby day.

Today’s offering is a Bolognaise Arancini with side salad and my medicine.

And this, I don’t know what it’s called, but how could I not? And yes, I’m sharing it!

Cheers,
H

Self Advocacy Never Done

Published June 3, 2019 by helentastic67

Self Advocacy Never Done

I’ve often said there is no holiday from self-advocacy and you might not have any idea what this means, so allow me.

Wednesday arrives and so does my carer and the phone rings, the agency calls and I’m happy to hear from her because we have a decent friendly repour. Until she tells me she needs to fill my next shift, because the carer rang in sick, it’s 10am and my next shift starts at 12.30pm (because they won’t cover taxi’s) my carer now helps me efficiently get from home to my favourite Café to my Chiropractors, then back to her home at the location I get stabbed (acupuncture) by 3pm.

I used to do this all without the assistance of a carer, but because my chiro relocated, I can’t do it all efficiently in a day via Young John, my scooter and a tram. Then I get some steps done walking here.

So, agency calls and she is letting me know they might not have someone, my morning carer in the background is trying to see if she can be the silver bullet to solve the problem.

We have a brief discussion about the availability of my regulars. Not the silver bullet. Some only work certain days, others study also, others again have a full day and would end up working ten hours, which is NOT ALLOWED. (not complaining)

So, I’m asked ‘which carer wouldn’t I like?’ I give her a ‘Don’t be like that!’ a little tartly and she says ‘Remember when we started, I sent “XYZ” (not her real name) and you loved her. Here’s the advocacy part. SHUDDUP I got there. It was all relevant.

“No! No, I didn’t, she was the first carer you sent to me and I was being professional and diplomatic, but I could tell there was a little something ‘off’ about her.

That first day she made a point for me to know she was a ‘white aboriginal’ woman and she loved to brag about her wealthy private clients, that had indoor swimming pools and a lift. “Hey, I have a fucking lift too, now I’m doing apartment living.” She came to my new home after Christmas because they were short staffed and she looked down her nose at my home, saying “she couldn’t do it!” Then she stole my letter opener and Seinhausen headphones.

So, No! No! I don’t want her back again. I was asked if I would be OK to have a male carer? Of course, they will not be needing to see me naked. So, fine. They found someone for me and that little hurdle is conquered, but it’s pretty much how every single day goes. Either it’s the agencies, my property manager, my carers or even my family, or complete strangers in the street.