Hot off the Press – 9th October 2017

Published October 9, 2017 by helentastic67

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Hot off the Press

It’s going to be a crazy week. I can always tell.
Monday, went to the DAC (Disability Advisory Committee) where I spruik myself as a community member/blogger/Girl about town!

DAC

Got to see Young John on the way there and back. He’s still sick but he’s sounding somewhat better.
Ended the day, with an hour-long call from me Ma (not me-maw) going over some admin to make having new carers in my home easier.

Tuesday plans went sideways immediately when my lovely massage was cancelled. So, I moved my GP appointment and the pastry order I made at my fav cafe was cancelled also. I had been hoping to post an extra post this week, to showcase what you should buy when going to a real patisserie. Of yummy goodness. It shall have to wait.

Cancelled appt

Have noticed a few neighbourhood cats have been coming up the front steps and loitering on the front lawn. I haven’t ever been able to go near them (one is old and blind, I’m told by a neighbour) but I never encouraged them when I had Jamima. But today I lost a pen! I know, doesn’t sound significant and it’s not expensive however, having had a cat I was in a habit of always putting something on top of whatever pen I was using. It’s a habit I’ve made sure not to break so when I have my next cat I don’t need to retrain myself of non-cat household habits. So, I’m wondering if Jamima can be blamed for my pen going missing? A friend told me I couldn’t blame her, but can’t I? Maybe these other cats and my pen being stolen from my bed is Jamima visiting and sending the clear message it’s time for a new fur-baby?

Visits

Wednesday, if you read my Foodie good mental health day post? You know, I was such a zombie I needed 2 lattes’. Medicine that is. Robert the owner even stopped by to chat briefly. He is gearing up for Spring Carnival and Christmas.

Wednesday

Saw my Chiro who has been banned from using her elbows in my glutes! It has been known to have her hand slapped away. Today was one of those days. She exclaimed she wanted to help my lower back I pending disc bulge 2.0 issue. I suggested she help it and not try to cure it. Laughter all round. God help me! (In a non-religious way)

Chiro

Dropped in on Sinny where I buy cards and such and as he is closing down soon so I picked up some leather gloves for next winter. While negotiating, I queried how much they were? ($45) And how much they were now? ($32) I stated “Deal!” Then humorously after explaining I can only wear one of them (my left hand gets very cold but I don’t want to try to get a glove on it! So, I told him I only needed the right one? How much for just one? ($32) but he would throw in the other one, I told him I just needed to find someone who needed the left glove? I really will miss him. I once had my mosaic bordered mirrors for sale in his shop and many a gift I have purchased there.

Gloves

Had a great visit with Bella, she left her fur all over the legs of my pants.. Not complaining. Got to acupuncture late but was given the VIP room. So, made some calls. Guilty, not what you should do with 8 acupuncture needles in you.

Thursday! Got to have my massage that I didn’t get Tuesday. Making me a very happy girl. I was so organised I managed to get up and have breakfast before Caroline or even my carer arrived. Caroline was very impressed. Quiet day at home and caught up on calls. Afternoon kip and even managed to get dressed without help. Try putting a bra on one-handed! Not fun. Bra

But dressed I was when my normal Friday carer arrived and we headed to ‘scray’ (short for Footscray) to an exhibition opening.

Thursday
My friend Larissa, who does much for advocacy in ABI and disability is a very talented artist. She does Handstands and does post ups. (She featured at the Arts Centre recently as mentioned in a previous Hot……..) and she does amazing Lino prints. Which I love.
Here are some photos.

Handstand Handstand 1

Don’t mind my hair, it’s at its worst by Thursday late and I do look like I’ve been dragged through s hedge backwards……certainly how it feels.
Here are some photos of some of the other pieces that caught my eye.

Artwork

Friday morning learnt a valuable lesson!
Remember that statement I would attempt to get to bed earlier? Achievable outcome? 1am! Yeah, turns out my standard 2am bedtime is more accurately achievable and I have even been coping. But, as I was out last night at the exhibition opening I got home around 9, ate dinner then did my usual catch-up-on admin/TV/emails, etc. and didn’t get to bed until 2.30! Disaster………..woke up like a zombie today!

Friday

Will binge some BBT (Big Bang Theory) to avoid a kip before going shopping. It is now (roughly) the end of Friday, officially Saturday. The dishwasher is now on a third time. It is only a single draw bench top dishwasher. Made some yummy things with my carer, have bagged and tagged for the freezer, to go to Sydney next week.

The weekend! Super lazy. Great weather for getting washing done. No Chinese laundry amazing. Still no single girl date night movie. Have still been binging and catching up on TV. Currently, watching season 2 of the Australian show Glitch and the other is called the Wrong Girl. Both thanks to my Toppy. (Topfield)

Wrong girl

Saturday. Night and I finally succeeded getting to bed by my self-imposed bedtime 1am, I mean I was still awake at 3am but still Winning!

Back during my club days, had I ever left a club that early my friends would have asked if I was ok? I know, still gotta write about my club days, otherwise referred to as my 20’s and the 90’s for everyone else. I will get there.

Clubbing

Some more comics moved around my home, not as many as last week but nothing to sneeze at.
Might get back into house hunting this week, if only it were that easy. It is only really when I stumble across a property that fits my requirements. Space versus value. Wish me luck.

Cheers,
H

New week

I.D. is not ABI

Published October 6, 2017 by helentastic67

ID not ABI

I.D. is not ABI

Apples and Oranges, it is often that people will assume all people with Brain Injuries are idiots or in some way Intellectually Disabled.

(I.D.) to be fair, it depends if that person was an idiot before they got their ABI or how long they were in a coma (if that is relevant) No idiots ‘here’ I promise!

One of the people in my ABI network had a rant the other day about an organisation I’ve only heard of recently.

There was no background for why I needed to hear the rant, but one of my fearless leaders in her need to rant explained said organisation was originally based around providing services for people or carers of people with I.D. In recent times, they have expanded their services to be more inclusive (don’t we ‘love’ that word?) to cater to other disabilities.

Ranting

All of this is relevant as my mother now months passed did some ‘training’ with said organisation where there were only 11 other ‘carers’. The training was for how to do the application for the funding for NDIS. The training was 2 days a week over 6 weeks and mum travels (unfunded) 3 ½ hours each way to do these things. She generally stays an extra day and by the 6^th week she was here a whole week.

Training

By the last week, we had really had enough, to be fair, mum has a foot in both worlds. When she’s home, she doing “her stuff”, but I’m sure it plays on her mind what I need help with. When she’s here with me, she’s mindful of being home to work and make some money.

Like a Rockstar, my mum might arrive at midnight and she leaves so late a few days later, she cranks me when she gets home and it’s 3am. If she doesn’t ‘crank-me’ I worry. I’m generally still awake anyway.

Rockstar

When Mum’s down, she is always very tired, she has her head in a book or culling emails as until recently, she has had 3^rd world internet access where she lives.

Internet

No, really when my younger sister and mum are rarely visiting, they have their heads in their laptops and they are like two teenagers (67 and 28-year-old teenagers) and while I’m on it, now my mum has the NBN now, so I’ve lost one excuse not to go home at Christmas.

Anyway, I digress.

The training my mum participated in was with eleven others. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to attend also. I do manage all my own “day to day”, all my own accounts and dealings. But it became more obvious when mum explained to the other eleven people were carers for ‘kids’ with ID. Varying ages, from Primary school age to my age. But severe ID with complicated and multiple issues, including ‘PIKA’ – type issues.

No eyebrows, eyelashes, no whiskers on the cat – poor cat. Bad! Bad! Bad! Complex issues. Did I mention I live by myself?

While mum was down, she would constantly point out to me that I had to ‘act’ more responsibly in public, because the Disability sector and people with disabilities are being disrespected and I therefore had to carry myself in a way that was beyond reproach.

Training 1

If we were out shopping together, I might do a little grumpy ‘pout’ about something (I’m not beyond a little grumpy pout on occasion) but mum would growl at me and scold me.

“Remember what we talked about? Well, stop it!”

Yeah, that shit!

So, my point if you stayed with me is, when I found out the organisation in question was from an ID background it explains why mum was treating me less like someone who manages everything for myself.

Of course, I really now feel more for those with ID and how they get treated.

Ironically, when I’m out and about with my Carers, we chat all the way around the supermarket or wherever I have to go. Whatever topic we are discussing, we will put a ‘Pin-in-it’ when we have to stop and focus on a purchase or product or whatever else.

Shopping

And then we walk to the next shop or location and the previous discussion continues.

If I’m telling my Carer about a topic that is a bit less – public consumption. I abbreviate to make a point and at times I turn my head toward them to deliver the punch line, so only they hear it.

They often burst out laughing and I can’t help but smile and this is often what people see of me when I’m out and about.

This is one of the huge differences between family and my carers. My carers are only concentrating on the moment. I know they get paid to be there with me, but we are engaged and however their day started, going out with me cheers them up. Whatever stress or drama they had going on earlier, I manage (without intending to) to take their minds off it.

I think this is my gift to those people who allow themselves to be immersed in spending time with me. Of course, I attempted to explain the difference, I found in my mum dealing with me when she’s attending this training and scolding me.

“How dare you…….. on how I choose to help you!”

That hurt.

Truly, this is why I blog!

I hope you can tell my mum and I love each other, however we often do better apart…

Mum and me

Today’s Lunch – 4th October 2017

Published October 4, 2017 by helentastic67

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Today’s Lunch

Well,

A brief Hot off the press moment! Unit 2 have left the building! A huge truck was in the driveway this morning……I am sure the truck might have been half empty. (Unit 2 is smaller than units 1 and 3)
You may recall, I didn’t hate the tenants in unit 2, I just intensely didn’t like them?
Ironically, the energy is different already.

Moving 1

I attempted to bring you a different …….foodie offering.
But it hasn’t happened.

Today, is a different Arancini. This has pumpkin and spinach. Still with the side salad.

Pumpkin Arincini

And the medicine, might need two today. Feeling like a zombie.

Cafe Latte

It’s a nice day today in Melbourne. I’m hoping I don’t regret wearing my merino wool cowl neck vest over long sleeves. I just wasn’t ready to go full scooter t-shirt! (yes, I have one!)
To be continued………

Scooter

Cheers,
H

todays lunch 0410

Hot off the Press – 2nd October 2017

Published October 2, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 0210

Hot off the Press

Monday, rudely awoken at the crack of nothing! At 3.45am. There is no God! Who rings anybody’s doorbell at that hour? I imagine it wasn’t even mine but likely unit 2………did I mention they told me they are moving? They were given notice to vacate using the excuse that family was moving in. I doubt it but, it’s the excuse landlords can use to get rid of tenants. When they told me, my neighbours suggested others would move in I would hate instead. Rude! I don’t hate them I just intensely disagree with their use of the doorbell rather than a key to open their own door and their definition of the term ‘Hippy!) Anyway, saw my Shrink, so good start to the week despite feeling knackered!

Doorbell

Glad I took photos of the concrete bollards in the Bourke Street Mall as the LEGO has been discarded. Ah, I’m sure it will be replaced. Give us time.

Lego bollard 1 Lego bollard 2

Ran into a retired Nun getting off the tram and decided to attempt to convince her to vote Yes, on the upcoming Same sex marriage equality postal vote. She actually doesn’t mind if two men love each other or two women love each other, it was just the use of the word ‘marriage’. I attempted to give her other points to consider and even after telling her I was a “Bitter single straight barren spinster” (yes, I told her I wasn’t bitter) she gave a little laugh and I gave up. I just hope it gave her something to think about.

Same sex marrige

Tuesday! Ladies? Because I don’t think I have many male followers………would you prefer a trip to the dentist or the gynaecologist? I confess I’ve never seen a gyno but get my regular Pap smear every two years as it is recommended and as I went to the dentist today I confess to say, I vote pap smear! I had my teeth cleaned today and I confess I squirmed the whole time, and wringing my hands. I absolutely hate it and I’ve had fillings without needles. I’ve had needles driven into my lower back near my spine with only a local anaesthetic. But Pap smear! I confess I kept holding up my right pointer finger to indicate I was drowning! (They suggested my left hand) but I had to remind them my left arm didn’t work and I promised not to get in their way. So, I guess it took longer than normal for that reason. I agreed to an x-ray which I later regretted as now I have more appointments to mend 4 fillings!

Dentist

Standard Wednesday, with a drop-in visit with Bella. She is often hiding and today I worked out the perfect way to encourage her to emerge. I can’t believe it has taken me so long. The shop has many, many pet toys. (You know the ones that squeak?) I love those toys. I just go crazy with the squeaky toys and she comes running. Awww.

Squeaky toys

Thursday, having family generally ignore my needs and isolation from family or friends and continually under delivering on promises. Therefore, sabotaging my ability to have funding or use things I need. I had the severe case of the CBF’s!

I kept my head down for the day and was largely off-grid. The few people I did reach out to didn’t improve my outlook much. Afternoon nap and rather late lunch was just what Doctor Helen ordered. A late text to a friend Michael and I learnt it had been his birthday! So, I gave him a call. Phone calls with Michael can cover a Plethora of topics and go for hours. Tonight, was nearly an hour, a short one all things considered. Ate dinner after midnight! I’ll get back on track tomorrow. Michael reminded me I’m overdue a trip to the community centre I go to for my free Osteo/Mio appointments. It’s a great way to feel your own life is normal.

Happy birthday
Friday, a long weekend bought to us by the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne. I mentioned I’m not into sport? Yes, very un-Australian. It also makes fun for going out shopping. Plenty of woman with a ‘kill or be killed’ attitude and men who have the day off work and don’t know how to act in normal society. Mixed with school holidays and a handful of teenagers treating the shopping complex like a playground. Running around playing kiss-chase? Is that what that was about?

Kiss chase
All I can say, is my attitude to people who are likely to knock me over? I go down, you come down with me! (Can’t wait to see what Noelle comes up with for that comment!)
Challenge issued……… Challenge accepted

Threw together a double batch of my special muffins and my carer left with the first 4 out of the oven. Muffins for everyone over the weekend! Ate dinner late and still ploughing through emails around 1.30am. So much for off-grid Saturday. At least I got to have a quick visit with both Bella and Wilfred this week. Looking forward to not having a schedule for a few days.

Muffins

Saturday, grand final day in Melbourne. Best afternoon kip ever! Didn’t want to get up. Late dinner, later coffee then went to bed at 2am. Still awake at 4.30am. No judgement please, coffee keeping people awake is for amateurs……

Sunday morning. What!? It’s day lights savings? There is no God! It takes me all summer (and the rest of spring) to get used to it. As another week begins……I’ll leave you with some photos of my discoveries in my back yard. It’s a concrete jungle.
Orchids 1 Orchids 2

Orchids 4

Orchids 3

Lastly, read six comics this week. Note, failed to mention the pitiful number last week but more than made up for it this week. I’m currently reading Buffy season 9. But it did take a conscious effort to achieve that number.

This week I might attempt to get to bed before 1am, as I do like to have a realistic and achievable goal. I have started with the new service provider for my carers. My local council is no more so, here’s to a new week where every day I’ll face a brand-new carer, do my own in-house induction and within 20 minutes they will see me naked! Luckily, they get paid for that torture! I wish I had kept a tally over the years, there have been so many carers.

Showering
To another crazy week ahead!

Crazy week
Cheers,
H

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

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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