Birthday Sucked as Predicted

Published November 8, 2026 by helentastic67

As predicted this year’s birthday was less than spectacular. I need you to know how terrible it will actually be every year but know I will be underwhelmed. The terrible started the day before on the Tuesday, my birthday landing this year on a Wednesday. I had the first meeting for my local councils new DAC. (Disability Advisory Committee.) You know it’s not called that now; I don’t know what it will be called. But some years ago, in the last thirteen years I think I’ve been attached to the group they decided to break down all the fun accessibility words like Access and Inclusion, Cultural Diversity, Indigenous and the other things into separate groups. Because it always helps to create a safe place for these groups individually and when you expect them to get long out in the real world, do I need to finish this train of thought.

So, I was all about to go out to this meeting when breakfast decided to come out the same way it went in. I’m all about the graphic description today, so strap in.

I cancelled my taxi, took off my shoes and my AFO and called it. I went back to bed; I call this a late scratching. I attempted to have a protein shake later in the day and that went badly also. Both ends. That’s my attempt at being a little more diplomatic. You’re welcome.

By 9pm I actually rang one of my carer providers to see if I could have a carer. I was lucky to get a carer, who while new to me came and stayed with me for a few hours.

Seems the perfect time to use the best quote from the film Bridesmaids

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridesmaids_(2011_film)

If you are not familiar, you just got homework and the best quote ever from this film is “Oh my God! It’s pouring out of me like hot lava!”

My birthday I managed to finish the hydrolyte I started early in the morning. My carer was dispatched to do a few things; I managed a shower in the late afternoon.

A text from an older sister suggested even after stating how unwell I’d been still suggested I eat cake. My younger sister rang me late that night and we had a long call in which I cried.

Honestly, family is like death by a thousand tiny cuts. I did get out on the Thursday briefly for an appointment and a bit of hunter/gathering on the Friday. But it really took a week to bounce back.

A friend cheered me this week by pointing out a situation that would be worse than the two days I endured. Said friend has colonoscopy bags. Just so it helps to imagine. I thought this would make the “Hot Lava” situation easier? Until he suggested if the person who had to change the bag could not do so in time. You are so welcome.

Next time someone tells you their birthday sucks believe them. But always also be aware they know it could be worse.

Happy

Published May 3, 2019 by helentastic67

Happy

Sometimes the littlest things make me so very happy. Not everything in my life is all hunky-dory. I’m still trying to encourage family to assist me to buy a clothes dryer and that is a monumental fucking nightmare. So, today on my scooter ride down to lunch, I did a little scooter stalking.

That’s where I scooter behind someone walking rather slowly along the footpath, oblivious to anyone else around them. I just pick my time to open ‘it’ up and overtake them and by the time I get to a major intersection close to where I’m going, I’m waiting at the lights and I spy someone I knew from the DAC (Disability Advisory Committee) opposite me and I give him a big cheesy smile and a wave if there is time.

I sometimes imagine that when I see people, I know who I have a history of friendship with and can have a conversation with a few words and facial expressions. I encountered Young John at this intersection and he called out to me that I was making him late and he would call my mother. So, I imagine to others who think all people on mobility scooters or people with disabilities cry into their cups of tea all the time, can’t smile (sometimes) or laugh or be happy.

Sure, it’s harder, it’s not as often, but when I laugh or smile, it’s contagious.

Catch some happy!

Hot off the Press – 9th October 2017

Published October 9, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 0910

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