Pets

Published December 15, 2017 by helentastic67

Friday look

Pets

I know someone, not really a friend, but an acquaintance I guess. She has two cats and a dog and a husband and a job. Whatever, irrelevant.

She told me once how her cats would go out the pet door and play during the day and when she returned home, she would do a ‘head count’. She would find them lined up in the lounge.

Head count went something like this.

‘Cat, cat, dog.’

2 cats and a dog

One day the head count went something a little different.

‘Cat, cat, cat, dog.’

Extra cat

What the?

Apparently, they had bought home a friend.

Reminds me of this……

Meerkats

Last week, I went to put something away in the linen cupboard, I stopped at the fridge in the kitchen spotting something in the laundry.

There was a black and white thing ‘eating Jamima’s food!’

Visitor

“Hey!” and some other inappropriate words.

The back door was open and Jamima had obviously came back inside and clearly this ‘thing’ that feels our home is its second home, decided to come inside.

The ‘thing’ scrambled away.

I guess Jamima just lost her privileges to come and go from the backyard as she pleases.

It’s really ordinary feeling when you feel like you’re on the outside looking in or the inside looking out.

Looking outside

No one understands or seems to care to try to understand. They don’t seem to care that your being left out.

It’s cold and lonely out here and the sharpest uncaring comment has the power to lead me to tears.

It’s a really shitty place in a family to feel like the black sheep.

Black sheep

Now, to cry myself to sleep.

Friday

Today’s Lunch – 13th December 2017

Published December 13, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 1312

Today’s Lunch

Hot! Its hot today in Melbourne.
Luckily, I scored a seat in the back room in full blast range of the aircon. It only sucks a little when the back door gets opened and I’m overwhelmed by a blast of heat.

And something a little different today. Is Pizza! On a tummy fluffy base with buffalo mozzarella.
A bigger than normal side-salad and that little Sicilian cannoli is actually BREAKFAST! (No judgement please) had to get out when Young John could fit me in.

Pizza

Salad Cannoli

Planning to pick up Young Johns beautiful panettone today as his wife Young Betty (of course) will be at Chiro later and can take it home so it doesn’t melt. Gabriella even thought to mention I might reconsider taking it today so it doesn’t melt, I buy one panettone here each year and I gift it to Young John and his wife. They are so important to me and the panettone so pretty.

Panattone

Ironically, I didn’t eat panettone as a kid. Mum recently informed me when we visited my Nona & Nonno, it always appeared dry and unloved so we always avoided it. Now, I buy about 4 cheap supermarket ones every year for my baking!
Sssshhhhhhhh!!!!!(secret!)

Guess I should point out the pizza’s here are like what I had in Italy way back in 1994! Really thick base, made in a huge tray. Simple toppings and very, very tasty.

Italian Pizza 1

And you only need a slice.

Here are some photos for you. Before I leave and brave the heat.

Hot outside
Cheers,
H

Wednesday

Hot off the Press – 11th December 2017

Published December 11, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 1112

Hot off the Press

Monday! The worst sleep ever! Decided to skip the DAC meeting, went to Osteo where I learnt the term “Firm but fair,” from the VU (Victorian University) lecturer Sue.

Was scooped up by my CM and taken home. Brief visit to supermarket where I always get looked at like I’m some child-molester because I’m with some much-younger guy. (Are people not aware I’m always with some much younger gay guy? At this rate, I won’t make it to midnight. Just so tired.

Young gay guys

Tuesday, three appointments today. First were two fillings at the dentist which I bare-knuckled to avoid the injections. Didn’t manage to avoid getting a blue plastic drop sheet shoved over an offending tooth with a plastic ring over it which almost drowned me! (Seriously! Gotta be a better way?) it was all to make sure my filling could dry properly. Maybe I had too much saliva due to anxiety?

Dentist

Next! Got stabbed by someone different, since my Dr Stanley was away. Last appointment was with my B-Team beautician. She does my waxing (calm down, just underarms) and lives a very short walk from home. She has a day-job and does waxing from home in her after hours. Even got a visit with Wilbur today!

Wilbur

Between all of my appointments I was able to return home for some chores, or I arrived early and used my time to make calls. It just never stops.

Phone call

Wednesday! Seemingly a much more relaxed day today. Had a bit of a migraine as I headed to lunch and Chiro. Some of my more sociable plans went sideways, however made it home in one piece. Chiro reports still putting my ribs out! Made it home to do some admin and catch up on some TV.

Wednesday

Thursday, had a bit more of a cruise-day. Not had enough social/down-time. So, a great change lunch at a very local hipster cafe. Had some delicious calamari ‘thing’ with some delicious lettuce and green apple salad with aioli. (Note absence of Photo….Sorry. Missed breakfast Sorry I forgot, I was starving!) Medicine and dessert, a lovely chocolate ‘thing’ with vanilla and coconut ice cream.

Sweets

Latte

Aunty Christine stopped by for a coffee before turning to show them both my new home! They both said their favourite room was my study! Reminder: Bookcases, desk, Vogue Livings… Oh, and possibly the best news out of Australia, for the day? Same sex marriage is finally legal! I can’t believe I might actually get to be a bridesmaid after all? I know more than my fair share of gay men! (Kidding about the bridesmaid’s part) but you know, we got there!

Bridesmaid

Friday, is it really here? Just gotta get through today and I’m off-grid. Still negotiating my afternoon carer for shopping and home are around midday! Had to swap the shift to a different service provider and I got a head start with my morning carer. Got shafted again! On My podiatry appointment, ended up solving the problem myself and booked a very basic service with my beautician. Costs slightly more but so much more flexibility and don’t get stuffed around with schedules.

Beautician 1

Got stuck in the local German supermarket. Trapped is the word I used to my carer. You know, you get in that middle section, Christmas cakes right next to weird fish things, do you know the one I mean? It’s very local to where I now live and I’ve barely ventured there.

Christmas cake

Received a barrage of calls just before 5pm for stuff that needed to be organised by then! I just love when people manage their day avoiding work! And I’m still trying to get my scooter shed put up!
And it is the one in a hundred times I didn’t save a useful phone number in my phone. I don’t know how I could possibly get more into the day. I’m finishing my admin after midnight! Next!

Saturday went a little differently this weekend. Was invited out to a re Italy. (You know I saw a band called Snog a month ago, so recital is rather foreign) the night saw me being collected around 5.30pm, driven to the Melbourne Recital Centre

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/

Saw the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Brandenburg Choir and it was beautiful! It was the Noel. Noel Christmas Event. And confess I heard the best version of the 12 days of Christmas ever or is it 7?? Rather than the standard version mentioning doves and such. His version included a scented candle smelling like cheese! Vouchers, a T-shirt with his face on it and a soap from Target he would never use, very humorous!

Had a small bite to eat beforehand and had a short walk to the car choosing to keep my host co pony on the walk rather than her walk alone. delivered to my door by 10pm.

Confess, I was rather underdressed for the putting as I don’t have a wardrobe for such adventures, but from the photo. I did my very best in my Tux T-shirt. It’s the best I could do.

Helen & Ro

Followed by a crappy night’s sleep (no idea why), Sunday included a short visit from my sister to collect plastic tubs my plants were relocated in a month ago and we exchanged Christmas presents as we won’t see each other before then. Made a conscious effort to clear my couch and the dining table. Still!

Crappy sleep 1

Ready for another big week! Sliding into Christmas. I’m not ready!
Cheers,
H

New week

Jealous

Published December 7, 2017 by helentastic67

Jealous 2

Jealous

Crazy day today well, okay, yesterday officially. I still run on a Nightclub clock. It’s not the next day until you have had sleep. Even if the sun has come up. Technically it’s after 1am on Friday morning, but anyway.

Friday

Yesterday I had a Carer, it was a day I don’t normally get one, but I had more stuff to do. The fourth day in row and the last three with a migraine. The kind to make me really seedy, but not cripple me enough to keep me from going to the things I’d prefer to be left out of.

My Carer today, one of my regulars didn’t turn up until 11am. I’d gotten up earlier, put on a load of washing and gone back to bed. My Carer apparently wake at 6.30am and lay in bed considering the possible excuses to not get up and go to work.

Getting out of bed

Then she remembered she had me, so she got up. By the time she got to me, she had already given six others a shower. While helping me to dry and dress, she made another confession. When she pulled up outside, she noticed the blinds on the windows here, still down. Her first thought was;

Getting out of bed 1

“That fucking bitch is still in bed!”

I cannot tell you how much I laughed.

Laughing girls

She laughed too, just so you know.

It’s rough when they have all the things you don’t and yet the simplest things can make them envious.

weekend

Today’s Lunch – 6th December 2017

Published December 6, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays Lunch 0612

Today’s Lunch

So! Another crazy day!

Let’s do a stocktake for something different? Who is ready for Christmas? Who has all their gifts? Done their baking? Sent all the parcels to other countries or States to get there in time for Christmas?
Mmmm, not I! Shame!

Christmas stocktake

Lunch today is the Mediterranean quiche with side salad.
Medicine with chocolate mignon. (just saying how hard it is to do food-stylist one-handed?)

Lunch

Chocolate

I really was never to be a Visual Merchandiser after all. It is what I studied not what I wanted to study.

Visual Merch 1
And done!
Cheers,
H

Wednesday

Hot off the Press – 4th December 2017

Published December 4, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 0412

Hot off the Press

Putting out to the Universe to give me a calmer week! Moving and having a cold can really take it out of me when half of my body is not on-board with the other half.

Monday, had a nice day at home with my Friday carer. Got to put more stuff where it belongs and need extra hands. Introduced her to vacuum seal bags! I always sell them with “You will love it!” And then they do. I have clothes I want to sell and winter things I want to store over summer and I need the space more than ever.

Monday

Tuesday, start with a much-deserved massage with the lovely Caroline. She was very impressed by how my new home me has evolved. She was here Day 1, when she, Mum and I bought all my prints, and my clothes on hangers. So, she really was impressed. She set up her massage table in my study. Have I mentioned my bedroom is so small and my bed so big, I can’t close my bedroom door! Apartment living! Winning!

Massage

Anyway, where was I? Got to have lunch with Caroline today. Here is what I had, Quiche with Mediterranean, with a side-salad and medicine. Then off to see my GP. Like to imagine you saw my Wednesday Good mental health foodie post? Standard Punchy/stubby day………..still hot. Otherwise, a long day.

Quiche

Latte

Learn late my Thursday/Friday carer was sick. Couldn’t help myself as I replied with a “FARK!” At least they replaced her and even though my case manager didn’t turn up to help get things moving with my new NDIS funding. Starting to seriously need shoes and I’ve been wearing the ones I have every day for 4 years? That’s not right, is it? (It’s not like I can just get them in any shop anymore…..)

Shoes

Friday, now I should prime this by saying. Melbourne is known for 4 seasons in one day. Weather-wise. Summer had come early after a cold but rather dry winter and we have been warned we are about to have 4 wet days, that will cause flash-flooding. In fact, all the rain due in summer will be coming in the next 4 days. So, kinda happy I live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. Right?
Wrong!

This is the drain on my balcony……remember I’m on the second floor?
No, I’m not sinking, but I prompted my property manager that the Body Corp may have neglected something. Perhaps the storm-drains? Meanwhile, a water feature on my balcony!
I’ve never lived in something so new, (under 5 years old) as an adult at least. I normally prefer an old terrace house or such, but here we are.

Cooler and wetter on the off-grid weekend. Serious catch-up on TV, have neglected my comics lately but have been busy, thanks for nobody mentioning it!

Sunday ends with me exclaiming “I’m unpacking the last box,”
Leaving you with pictures of the study. Including my collection of the heavy Vogue Living. 25+ years ………..

Bookcase 1

Bookcase 2

And these are my Christmas Lillie’s which are to come out at Christmas! So, I guess Christmas came early?

Lillies

To another crazy week to come!
Cheers,
H

Have a good week

Good News/Bad News

Published December 1, 2017 by helentastic67

Good news Bad news

Good News/Bad News

Last week (early October 2016) I received some good news. I made the decision not to splash it all over Social Media, thinking it would be poor-form.

I told only those I see in person and my Carers. I delivered the news by saying;

“I’ve got some good news and some bad news!”

Approved

Of course, everyone wanted to know what the bad news is.

A week ago, I didn’t know what the bad news was, I explained I didn’t know yet!

But, wait! Impatient!

The good news is that I got approved for the NDIS. Yeah! Balloons! Celebrations. A Carer and a shower every day of the week and even on weekends.

Celebration

And they will be paid for.

That alone, I could be $60 better off every month. Then I started thinking about all the other things I would no longer have to pay and that I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Savings

I didn’t dare calculate how quickly I could pay off my Visa. But roughly, I thought I would not need to keep paying my shrink (officially a Psychologist) or my chiropractor, who I could now actually pay then what they are worth, not what I’ve only been able to afford to pay.

I also wanted to have it cover my beautician costs. God knows, due to steroids for brain swelling, I’ve paid $6,000 for electrolysis to my face. It’s about time someone else paid for it.

I mean, I can’t be a single straight barren celibate spinster with a beard.

Bearded Lady

I do like to imagine I might still meet the man of my dreams one day. It’s OK if he has facial hair.

I don’t need it…

Friday

Today’s Lunch – 29th November 2017

Published November 29, 2017 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 2911

Today’s Lunch

There is never enough time! And repeat! Have noticed some signs of anxiety lately. Not the kind to alter my medication but enough to take stock and slow down (as if) and give myself some down time…

never-enough-time-you-have

That said I was able to get here yesterday also before my GP appointment and it’s been a bit of a quiche week. Yesterday it was a quiche with Mediterranean veggies.

Yesterday's lunch

Today’s offering is the Pancetta quiche with side salad. (Note some effort made to style it!)

Pancetta Quiche Todays latte

By the time I got here I felt like I had 20 minutes to inhale lunch.

Not enough time!
Cheers,
H

Wednesday

Hot off the Press – 27th November 2017

Published November 27, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 2711

Hot off the Press

Allow me to predict the week in advance?

Watered some plants, unpacked some more boxes exclaims of “I unpacked a box!” And summer has started early and I’m not thrilled about it! No appointments Monday so kept unpacking and sorting things at home.

Unpacking boxes

Tuesday, really not ready to do Full-Adult (bra, shoes and leave the house, you know) and I had a message from my GP that he was sick……Yes! (No! That came out wrong) another day at home. More boxes………..Managed to make it to the letterbox, met the previous tenant outside to give her some mail, I was prepared to forward. Hot! So hot!

Full Adult

Wednesday, someone needs to get into the kitchen, because they left the oven on! Thankfully, a week ago today it was a bit warm but it was moving day. The next few days it rained. Not quite side-ways kinda rain but decent Melbourne spring rain. Now, I’m thinking summer came early and it’s way too soon. I did a lot of walking today despite the heat. Scooter yet has power, met Young John, he thinks I don’t mention him, he cheers me so. Hope you read my Wednesday post? Handed back the last of the keys for 1/111 and my bond claim form. Visited the post office, dropped my NDIS plan into my acupuncturist, the lovely Angela is going to study it for interest sake, to get an understanding of how much they need to simplify and use simple English! NDIA hear me! Use simple English so I know what I can have!

Wednesday

FYI: My new NDIS plan was approved! I found out last week amongst the chaos! I believe my shoes are funded, but there is red tape. Isn’t there always?

Red Tape

Then standard Punchy/stubby day! No sign of Bella! Damn cat was easier to find in winter even though she was sleeping tucked in between pet mats. At least then I could get a tickle in before she bit my inquisitive hand.

Bella

Thursday, the unpacking has reached a standstill. My study, has an island of boxes in the centre, I can’t unpack until I get all the other Vogue Livings unpacked and sorted.

Vogue collection

Friday, ah. Blessed Friday! Had a carer just before midday, kinda standard! My next carer, recently returned from a holiday to New Zealand and she arrived at 2pm. Did some shopping, scored some summer shorts, long pants to get taken up, and a pair of 3/4 length pants for only $30. Hey, big spender. Not setting any fashion standards these days. By late afternoon, headed west for a friend’s exhibition opening night Extravaganza! Had my cold coffee and custard scroll on the drive over (lunch today!) Hung out for a few hours colouring in and doing some paste-ups! Paste-ups! Fancy term for slapping homemade glue on a brick surface to get a paper poster or such to stick for some time. I got to colour in my About page from Hellonwheels (really must update it! )

Paste up Paste up 1

Arrived home in time for the rain by 8.30pm and my carer departed. Bed around 2am.

Dark skies

Saturday, not completely off-grid, got my 25+ years of Vogue Livings packed away in my study. Hoping I didn’t put any ribs out this time. (It’s usually the upper right ones on my back)
Learning about Apartment Living! I live on a busy corner and there is a tram stop at my doorstep. (ok, my apartment complex doorstep) and a pub across the street and even more apartments. It’s hot in Melbourne but we had a cooler night so I left my balcony door open. Barely got to sleep and it got noisy at 4am! WTF? Slept the afternoon away and got stuck back into my study when most people are having dinner. Still settling in and still coughing a little wheezy cough.
Next!

Week ahead 1

Inclusion

Published November 24, 2017 by helentastic67

Inclusion

A few months ago, mum and I went for a drive to visit my sister and do lunch. My sister in recent years has started being a Carer in her part of Victoria. It’s a completely different clientele in her area. I imagine she was led to believe she would have plenty of work under the NDIS.

The NDIS is for under 65-year-old age bracket.

Her clients are largely over that age bracket and self-funded retirees.

Anyway, in an effort to ask her about her new job and bond, mum asked her about any interesting stories.

Her story goes like this;

She received a call to see if she would take an elderly man grocery shopping. She wasn’t prepared to take him out in her own car as the previous time he had continence issues and the work vehicle. She asked if he still had this issue.

Incontinence

She didn’t hear back about this shift for the client. I can’t imagine it would have been easy to problem solve this issue. To broach the subject with the client or their family member in a way that returned to the gentleman a level of comfort and dignity for better health.

Dignity

I think, I embellish to make her story more interesting.

Now mum has never asked me for interesting stories, but I volunteered one all the same.

One of my Carers arrived one day and I think it’s rather telling of my rapport with my Carers that she announced her arrival with a question.

“Do I smell like……?”

Do I smell like

Clearly the word that is missing is the punchline to this story, so you will have to keep reading….

This Carer went to an elderly lady with some dementia, she works with many clients with dementia and she is very loving and caring and respectful in the way she does her work.

While with this particular lady she went about cleaning around her while she did the woman’s personal care (or her shower).

She noticed a small mat on the floor in front of her armchair, that she sits in. It was covered in crumbs, so she picked it up and took it outside to give it a shake.

It was one of those mats with a rubber backing. As she shook it, a wave of urine came back up at her and splashed all over her.

Smells like pee