family

All posts tagged family

Family – Part 2

Published February 25, 2019 by helentastic67

Family Part 2

So, it is to say, I think health issues, brain injury, disability, all of it takes a toll on families. I’m lucky, I still have both parents, however my relationship is different with both.

Takes a toll 1

Divorced how for over twenty-five years, my mum will drop everything and has to come and be with me, sit by my bedside, drive me all over the place, move me countless times and on one occasion even shower me. (Yeah! Yet to write about how that came to happen) Yet my father whom I love, I have to guilt him into helping me, which is usually in the form of well, most recently, bond, removalist costs. So, nothing to sneeze at, but guilt into helping me.

Guilt trip

I also have two sisters (surviving), one older and another sister much younger. Despite the closeness in age between my older sister and myself (two years) we don’t see each other often and the two times in my twenties we lived together has put a wedge between us.

Sisters living together 1

My younger sister is almost sixteen years younger and keeping in mind she was young, I changed her nappies and as a youngster our experiences as siblings as children and “whatever” we have all had very different experiences.

Changing nappies

My younger sister, you could say has been raised by a single parent with older Aunties (I’m the cool one, of course). Also, I’m the second child, a confused second child, as when I was eight (exactly) my younger sister was born and died fifteen months later. After being the second child again, I was the middle child again, at almost sixteen, hence the confusion.

Second born

Family – Part 1

Published February 18, 2019 by helentastic67

Family Part 1a

Family – Part 1

As you may well imagine, I have a network of people I know with brain injuries and the simple thing about brain injuries that there are no two alike. No diagnosis is the same, the same treatment, recovery etc. Finding? Don’t get me started on the finding. However, suffice to say I recently heard one in my network say her settlement date was looming. I’m sorry WTF?

Settlement looming

They still live at home, while my age they haven’t lived out of home and when they visited my home some years ago, she wandered around asking if each bit of furniture was mine. Everything in my home is mine. I don’t rent furnished homes.

Still living at home

So, I wasn’t sure how she could afford her own place in such a great location, however when discussing this conversation with another her reasoning was simple.

Great location

“She said, her family are assholes.”

For all sense and reason, I think she wouldn’t argue with me when I say for what she has told me, her family is the same.

Family Part 1

I know she recently told me her family and cousins all went away for a weekend of a week and didn’t invite her. Huh? What?

Family weekend

When she asked why, she had been overlooked? She was told, because of her chronic pain, they thought she wouldn’t want to come.

Chronic Pain

Now, let me just suggest, when you suffer chronic pain, it’s never ending, no matter what you do or how often you can be guaranteed it will return and be with you forever. No matter where you are.

Chronic Pain 2

So, if you swim, do yoga, take pills, sleep a lot, you will find a way to do whatever you need to, to cope and sometimes a change of location makes all the difference.

Change of Scenery

Question Time

Published January 4, 2019 by helentastic67

question time

Question Time

If you are not at all familiar with ABI/TBI or even disability, let me give you a very simple piece of advice. Never, ever, ever bombard someone with questions without time to answer. Actually, that’s relevant to decent human behaviour, however it’s even more important to people with an ABI or simply a disability.

one question at a time

Now, I’m very lucky I think and process quickly, however it’s not normal for anybody with a brain injury.

My mum has been known to ask a question when helping me move house and by the second question, I answer with a further “Yes, No, No, Yes, No” and she will ask “what are they for?” to which I inform her “Your next three questions. We laugh and all is well.

answer mums question

However, it’s common someone else I’m related to who doesn’t spend much time with me will throw a question at me. (Note; How I’ve kept writing this topic? Because what the hell, my family don’t read my blog anyway.) I suspect that’s common for a lot of bloggers.

stupid question

Moving into an apartment has meant over the winter I will need to rely on a clothes dryer to get things dry and I don’t have one. I’ve already upgraded my washing machine to a brand-new front loader, so I use less water and it spins better. I now need a dryer which will sit directly on top.

washer dryer

‘Someone’ stated to me. “You probably don’t need one.” Then proceeded to attempt to convince me I could visit a laundromat and rather than wait for me to explain how that just couldn’t work, I am assaulted with reasoning and assaulted with reason’s why going to the laundromat with a pile of clothes, towels, sheets, heavy blankets (they wouldn’t go in the dryer).

laurndromat

Eventually, when this person paused to take a breath, I pointed out I would injure my back carrying a plastic tub of heavy damp items. In reality, I would have trouble getting it out of my apartment as the door is heavy and awkward.

apartment door 1

I would need to put it down to dig out my swipe card to use in the lift. Again, putting down my laundry basket (these days a square plastic cube) and picking it up again. Once on the ground floor, I have to press a button to close the entrance door, then get the door open, pick up the cube and get outside.

laundry basket

Did I mention, I use a walking stick when out? Do I need to finish describing the ludicrous mess (is that a word) of that suggestion?

walking stick 1

Sometimes, family will do their very best to convince you of another way so you don’t need to spend that money. They don’t need to help you do ‘that’ thing and then they don’t feel inadequate or pressed to fit you in their lives.

family assistance

It’s great to be loved.

to be loved

Hostage

Published December 24, 2018 by helentastic67

Hostage

There is a reference I often make to what it’s like having a disability and I’m certain people who have more severe disabilities than I, feel this way.

Disability Hostage

Now, I also premise this by saying I’m pretty sure my family don’t read my blog. So I’m good to go. I can write what I like.

Let me just say, the breakdown of my family is this. My parents are both still amongst the living (not complaining), they divorced when I was about twenty-five and I knew it was coming for the ten years before that. I have an older sister by two years, who I see once or twice a year (she lives closest), I have one surviving younger sister (16 years younger) who lives with my mum. My parents both live three and half hours drive away, my father, I see at Christmas when I’m up that way. He won’t travel to Melbourne to see me and if in town, he won’t bother to visit either. He has not seen most of the places I’ve lived, in the last twenty years. I think he’s seen one, he doesn’t call me, I call him.

Family

I speak to my mum twice a week and while that’s five times less than it used to be, we got along much better than we used to. Mum comes down every so often for serious appointments and such.

Ah, background done. Now to my point!

During smiley holidays and such (Christmas, Easter, what-not) I will go to spend time with family. It’s that or stay at home alone. So, I go and then I lose my independence immediately. I have my mum’s bedroom and I hibernate. I want a shower I have to negotiate when someone is prepared to assist me if I go outside, I generally don’t step off the verandah as the last time I went outside my mum called to me: “If you go for a walk be careful by the water tank there’s a snake over there!” I promptly went back inside to relative safety. Motivation to go anywhere is hard to draw on.

Snakes

To go anywhere requires someone to drive me either twenty minutes to a decent meeting place with medicine(coffee) or an hour where I can arrange to meet friends who might visit family once a year at Christmas time. Any of these adventures requires money I don’t have and logistical nightmares of being able to get home again when I need it.

Drive for coffee

I put my things in the fridge and when I go to get them out again, two other people have moved them to get to other things and I might be standing in just the wrong spot/angle and my things are in my blind spot and I can’t see the forest for the trees.

Fridge

The environment is a very comfortable space for the two that live there and throwing me into the mix I feel terrible to put someone out to be able to join in. Everything I can do to contribute, someone has to move things to prepare for me and I feel more of a hindrance than an adult. So, I hibernate.

Hibernate

Oh yeah, where I spend Christmas, I’m also socially isolated by other means, no mobile reception, I divert my phone and if they can’t remember their wi-fi password I’m screwed. So, hostage. Like I said.

Christmas Hostage

Today’s Lunch – 26th September 2018

Published September 26, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays Lunch

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day!

Life has been way too chaotic lately. What is going on? Is it just me?

Chaotic

Last Thursday, my young carer and I went over to the west. My artist friend Larissa had organised a huge Fringe event called Disability Pride. Here is a little taste. You can see photos of the event on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/helen.caligiuri

Disability Pride 1

Disability Pride 2

And if you can share the posts already on fb for this event. I’m still struggling to share to that page. I’m doing it wrong, obviously. https://www.facebook.com/larissa.macfarlane

Disability Pride

And like my sleep isn’t challenged enough? Enter this scenario. Late Monday night far, far away in the country. My mum chases in Two cats (One likes to stay out later than the other prompting me to tie them together.) I can’t believe she bothered to tell me why she couldn’t do that. Then she drove to Melbourne (3.5 hours) to arrive at 2.10am, I was in bed around 3am and my younger sister was returning from her first overseas trip. I woke at 7.30am, to wonder where they both were? I had expected to wake to an extra body snuggled down asleep in my bed. Did I need to give her intensive border control training? Doubtful. Getting luggage took for ever apparently. So overall, four hours sleep. Not good at all.

Sleep

My one appointment Tuesday was cancelled without anyone bothering to tell me so after my family departed I had a kip and I finished the day with a friend coming for dinner and a film. I had managed to convince my friend Susanne (her real name) to watch Deadpool with me.

Forgive the irony, I told her she could hit me if it was too violent. I forget, I find the violence so highly stylised and the humour for me wiped my memory of the violence. I gotta hand d it to her, the moments she closed her eyes and blocked her ears, I stroked her leg (more of a pat) and told her “butterfly kisses!” And reminding her of Ryan Reynolds rack, eighteen minutes from the end she waved the white flag, she had, had enough and I didn’t get my slap.

Deadpool

It’s now very early Wednesday morning as I tap out this blog and another crazy day is ahead.

Crazy day

So, today’s lunch, Spanakopita with a side-salad and medicine. Nom! Nom!

Spanakopita

Latte

Cheers

Happy Wednesday

Today’s Lunch – 12th September 2018

Published September 12, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays Lunch

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Well, this week has been very different from normal, I even left the house (apartment) on Sunday. I went to what I like to call the crazy cat lady festival. It was the cat show on at the exhibition buildings in Carlton.

Exhibition Building

CCF 1 CCF 2 CCF 3 CCF 4 CCF 5

And my friend, her son and the son’s girlfriend that were nice enough to take me, great day! Just great!

Even when pulling out of the underground carport, after getting lost looking for the exit. “Look toward the light! Go to the light!” And my friend’s son replying to me “I’ve had just about enough of you!” Totally felt like part of the family…….

Go to the light

Tuesday I was at the committee meeting I go to for the self-advocacy brain injury group I’m a member of, coming home with the standard side serve of migraine.

Committee Meeting

Super!

Wednesday, now today! No Chiro or acupuncture to help with the migraine. I definitely had to get out to my favourite location for some normal. That said! Today’s offering? The brain grain salad, with the standard medicine and carrot cake, does it count for one of my veggie servings for the day? Just asking!

Brain Grain Salad

Latte

Cheers,
H

Midweek 1

Cheeky

Published August 3, 2018 by helentastic67

Cheeky

Now, I like to imagine by now, you are fully aware I am a bit cheeky. I can’t be my usually cheeky self around family, because they don’t get it. Weird right? But I’ve got a new carer who takes me shopping and she has worked out very quickly how ‘fresh’ she can be with me, which is good.

Family weird

We have been doing a little driving to locations, I can get to certain things without adding to the chaos and me having to carry things.

So, last Friday, after driving to a Health Food shop where I get some of my ‘good pills’ which I get in bulk, so they are cheaper. We drove to a neighbouring suburb to the Petshop. This pet shop has a cat that requires re-homing, there might be a kitten, bunnies, fish. Yeah! That kind of pet shop.

Pet shop

We pulled up in a car park on the street and when my carer was ready to disembark, she came out with a command.

“GET OUT”

Get out

To be fair, I wasn’t expecting it, but after a snort, I burst out laughing and so did she.

Burst out Laughing

To be fair, it is always good to have a laugh when out with my carers because people don’t just see me as someone with a disability. People see me out with my ‘girlfriends’ laughing. Sharing stories and wit and people then don’t notice my disability. However, some carers don’t realise if they think they can out do me with wit, they are mistaken.

Hanging out with friends

All I have to do is stand still and let out a screech.

“STOP IT”

And then

“YOU’RE HURTING ME!”

And people might come to my aid.

Hurt me

Hot off the Press – 20th November 2017

Published November 20, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 2011

Hot off the Press

OK, by the end of this post! Watch how I smash shout outs to my Little Red Truck guys, me Mum (Yes, on purpose) and my carers and a few special time-poor friends who never fail to deserve my thanks!

Monday! The start of the big moving week. I take possession of my new home. An apartment on the second floor of a six-story building. I’ve never done such high density living and I have paid my first month’s rent but was given grace to get bond assistance. Made a call and found out I didn’t get it. The whole process of being able to keep a roof over my head is the most soul-destroying balance of proving I can afford the rent on my income. Rent must be less than 55% of my income, but I had to prove I earn less than $48,000 yearly. (What I could do with that!) and apparently, I earn too much to qualify for bond assistance! It’s fucking ridiculous……….

Rental assistance

Now I have to find money for bond and to pay my removalist. I know I haven’t mentioned, but in my family, works on guilt. My mum travels often to do whatever needs doing no matter how financially strapped she is or how unwell or exhausted she might be. It’s a true testament to a mother’s love. My father doesn’t. He previously was able to contribute a little financially to my staying out of a group home that would have me go crazy! Or a nursing home, same result! My younger sister has actually assisted with some short-term loans, which feels so wrong. And my older sister who lives the closest to me will, help on the day.

Family help

By the end of Monday, my mum had managed to have my father help me with the bond and the removalist costs and I think he has disowned me because he feels I cost him too much money. If you can’t shake the funding out of a tree for people like me? Shouldn’t I be able to call on family?

Tuesday, moving day woke at 5.30am, at 7am, just gave up on sleep and got up. Didn’t stop all day. Everything I picked up was too heavy but I managed to stop myself from lifting my slow cookers or my LeCruset pot! (So heavy!) My moving guys came in the form of the Little Red Trucks! Two trucks by the names of RZA and GZA, (members of the rap group Wu Tang Clan), and Lenny and Carl (apparently the lovable duo who hangs out at Moe’s Tavern on the Simpson’s. My guys in red on the day were Dylan, Rory, Henry and Rohan.

Little Red truck

I first used Little Red Trucks was two moves ago when the guy I booked (the only person who is primarily booked by low-income people and funded by the NGO’s) stood me up by six hours. By the time I heard from this guy he told me he had been to the hospital he was so sick, by that stage I had not wanted to hear from him, I wanted to hear from his next of kin to tell me he had died! I felt it was the only reasonable excuse for not turning up!

When I first used the Little Red Trucks, they only had three trucks. Two of the trucks were called Hall and Oats, Salt n Pepper and I can’t recall the other. The drivers are all in bands, so it provides them with a regular income from a day Job. The first guy I dealt with years ago was also a carpenter. The trucks are traditionally named after musicians who have influenced them. I don’t get the Simpsons reference, but anyway. Having 4 guys made it very quick and efficient!

I hope you are aware, I’m a real ‘housey’ kinda girl so I have a lot of things. On the day, as I was going from a three-bedroom unit that felt like a house, to a two-bedroom two bathroom less than 5-year-old apartment. So, down-sizing!

I issued a warning early: Any mention of ‘she has too much stuff’, it’s too small, it’s not going to fit! you owe me a dollar. I needed to set the standards early. My older sister arrived on time an hour after the guys and She pulled the last of everything all together. While my sister was demanding where some last-minute things could or would go, I introduced her to one of the guys, it went something like this, I was going to mention someone looking a bit like me but grumpier would arrive soon. She let out a “Hey!”, I turned to Dylan with the prosecution rests. All in good fun!

https://littleredtrucks.com.au/

Wednesday, everything hurts. Just everything, worst case of OCD ever. (no disrespect for people who actually have OCD) You know, you’re looking at an area in your home and think I’ll just move these few things and you have to find ‘something’ and you get distracted by the other ‘something‘ and I managed to find my immediate bathroom items, very handy.

OCD

The day went like this – moved some things, unpacked some things, did some washing. Left the house in shorts! (So, I don’t expose my legs to the general public, nobody needs to see that!) I offered my chiropractor, that she could make one comment! Then, we would never speak of it again!

Wearing shorts

The new apartment is starting to come together. But I still haven’t found the TV remote and that’s proving to be a needle in a haystack! It’s now late and I might struggle to get to midnight. I’m so tired and everything still hurts.

Thursday, had a carer for 5 hours and Sana and my mum really pulled it all together starting to look like a home. Had my first PJ day, since I’ve had a crappy cold for weeks now and haven’t had time to even stop.

PJ Day

Friday, had my young carer Jennifer again. Oh, how I’ve missed her! (She was on holiday) Managed to vote! (So I don’t need to go out on Saturday!) Shopping, just the basics. Late Friday night my mum left but not until she managed to give my old landlord an appropriate serve! My mum is not even a bit Italian, but she managed to tell him to make ‘this go away! And told him how dare he ……….xyz! (Just trust me you don’t want to know!) She got the biggest hug for that.

Friday

The weekend! Didn’t get to go off grid, hardly stopped unpacking, barely did any TV Catch-up! And haven’t completely nailed this 1am curfew to get to bed. Last night, it was practically 2am! But I’ve decided the foodstuff that won’t fit into the pantry I’ll just have to eat and I’m working on my bookcases.

Weekend

So, shout outs to my Little Red struck guys again. Dylan, my mum, my older sister Jo-Bunch! Younger sister A-Super chook, Tamsin and I help for tech support and Silvia for giving me the term, Sentimental. As in I can keep this T-shirt I’ll never fit into again for sentimental reasons and her partner Sam for assisting with my scooter shed. Countless carers who have had a piece of the puzzle.

Thank you

While, I’ve still got the cold, Mum and Jo got it eventually. Caring is sharing! I haven’t had a migraine! Winning!
Stay tuned for photos…….
Cheers,
H

New week

Hot off the Press – 6th November 2017

Published November 7, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the press 0611

Hot off the Press

Why! Why! Why! Do I bother?

So, I realise in hindsight last week’s Hot post was very busy. And I guess it was accurate to my week and my weeks often are very busy. At the moment it seems there is no way to reduce the busy……….but I shall try.
Monday, head hurt. Saw my shrink. Had medicine. And lunch out.

Pork Rice Paper Rolls

Dealing with lowering my expectation of how much family will assist me to reduce my belongings. I will be downsizing, slightly and while I still have things I intended selling five years ago when I moved here, I have not realised the assistance I need so I can sell them. I have issues with expressing to family that I’ve lost so much already, I don’t want to just give away everything else. I thought at this point in life I would be married and have kids, (well, at least have that picture of a family in my existence) and it’s now less likely and far more challenging to foresee that image in my life. So, while stuff are just things, it’s harder to part with. Look! See how impossible it is? (to write a shorter post on a Monday?) I cannot shorten my life……….

Moving

Tuesday, despite the roadworks happening outside my front door! I had a massage at home. (You can’t make this crap up, seriously!) Went to my rehab specialist and a belated birthday gift! I got BOTOX! I my calf!

Botox

Sounds weird, right?

And it’s not even to take out the wrinkles? No. To help soften and stretch my calf muscles and stop my hyper extension and hopefully save me from needing a knee replacement in later life. Yeah, lazy day. Still knackered. Next!

More roadworks again Wednesday! God help me! I bet I move and then the long promised and long-awaited speed humps get installed down this street! I have a few hoons that like to Fang it down the street even though not far is a roundabout………

Roadworks

Normal Punchy/stubby Wednesday. Hope you saw my foodie post?

After a delay, I signed my lease today for my new home……and despite the law that will be soon to come in I am not allowed to get a cat YET! And no, I don’t know when I can. Bit grumpy.
Back to my old neighbourhood for a late birthday lunch with a friend Susanne… Here are some photos of the Red door corner store.

Red door 1 red door 2 red door 3 red door 4

Did my first visit to the bottle shop for some boxes. I like to make jokes about buying unopened boxes of brandy or such, drinking it all then recycling when I move but again, not a drinker. Made some calls to get the funding side of moving organised including an 8AM start with a carer next week and a day out with a carer to get stuff done. Keep smelling something weird today…….wondering if I’m having a stroke? I keep smelling pot (as in Mary Jane) again, I have never smoked it however my fav housemate used to…. Guess that’s why he was so chilled out, right?

smell weed

Friday! Meant to get some serious laundry done for the next week, sine I will soon be living without a close. Line? WTF! (Sorry, I know some of you are not fans of potty mouths) I just don’t get how I’m going to get queen sized sheets dry living in an apartment with a tiny, tiny balcony. Didn’t get much done at all today for the big move! Booked my trucks…….my little red Trucks. They have moved me the last two times. Ending the week feeling like I’m getting a cold or something. I don’t like it.

Happy Off-grid Saturday. Put on a Toppy film while I started packing some lighter things.
Sunday, more packing, but lazy day until the evening when I Again did something unusual…..I went OUT!

I seldom go out in the evenings anymore. Going to see a band a rarity. But last night I went to see a Melbourne band from the 90’s called Snog! (No, really) Let me just say they are heavily sample-based and once you hear a few of their lyrics you will not forget.

Dave Thrussel came out onstage wearing a gold suit and a seriously hideous Donald Trump mask. The woman had come out on stage wearing frog masks and the dude at the back was wearing a gimp mask! (We were all later accused of being guilty at taking a glance at his crotch) I promise, I didn’t, because I couldn’t really see that far. The Trump mask made much more sense when he started with one of our favourites………Corporate Slave…….(Alpha 66 Remix)

They also have another great track called Shop!……..

Keep in mind they will seem very dated. Online content has come a long way……..Snog is a very interesting listen. Enjoy.

Had a fun time getting to an accessible toilet at intermission. Really should have gone with my first instinct and followed the guy in the wheelchair. Crossed the venue twice following false information, before correctly being directed to the lift and upstairs. Yes! The guy in the Wheels had beaten us! As he should have. Ran into one of my club buddies from back in the day, D5 (there were too many Dave’s to keep track of so I numbered them!) he tapped me on the left shoulder…..I really must tell him I don’t feel much on that side. Ironically, he said it was great to see me out and about…….(I’m out and about most days, it’s the nights I just don’t often do anymore)

Afterwards we went to Coles where I argued with the self-serve checkout. (Don’t be so impatient!) where I bought juice. So, Rockstar! Arrived home just after midnight. My Renegade Tri Jacket got a compliment also and I was asked if people offer to buy it? (Never going to part with it) It’s one of those rare items from my clubbing/Street-wear days I can still wear. I just save it for the rare but good times. I think the highlight for me were being in a small band venue with a sound system that made the floor vibrate and sound like it could strip the paint off the walls. I miss those days and if only my pedometer on my smart phone could count wriggles……that’s my dance style these days. Ok, I gotta finish this at some point so it can go live. At least on the day it is intended. My bad, I’ve been busy…….please forgive. Stay tuned for next week.

Pedometer
Cheers,
H

Great week

Hot off the Press – 23rd October 2017

Published October 23, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 2310

Hot off the Press

Monday! Such an early start when some SOB (scratch that) person! Rang my doorbell! I again presume my landlady who should be aware I could drop down and ring her doorbell at 2am when I go to bed and I won’t attempt to rush down her front stairs or if I did I could injure myself. Ah, I guess if I injure myself it’s their fault? Just checking.

Insurance? Ka-Ching! Not worth it but I’m having a little internal chuckle. Game on! So, cannot wait to move!

Adventure

Busy day, adventure to neighbouring suburb. On the povo-trail as I call it. (Povo, short for poverty)
I skipped my Osteo appointment so I could make sure I would be at my best to go see a property close by. It’s cheaper and has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms! Ok, one less bedroom than here. No street view, backyard or grass anywhere, and a smaller balcony than my current backyard. But a potential home for my new cat? Warm in Melbourne, have I ever mentioned 25 is my happy place for warm weather? I am such an old lady remind me what happened to spring?

Poverty trail

Tuesday! Starting to get better with having breakfast before my carer every other week when I have my massage at home, after we went for coffee.
And…..
Oops! Did it again!

Almond Crossiant Latte

Saw my GP, had lots on his list today. Turns out there is no test for diagnosing Thorasic Outlet Syndrome, it’s only a clinic diagnosis. So, I just need that in writing please so I can have NDIA to fund my Osteo, Mio/remedial needs Funding? Mmmmmmmm……. Caught a tram home, I got out part way to visit some shops (all walking distance.) Did some hunter/gathering and decided to walk home via a visit with Wilbur.

Sleeping

Oh, also had some time with this bit of fluff, Frankie whose dad told me he must really like me. Although this is Frankie ignoring me. His dad had gone inside to order and return with more doggy treats.

Frankie

Made it home in one piece with 5,300+ on my pedometer. So buggered didn’t help that it was rather warm today.

Wednesday, my standard Punchy/stubby day without the shabby part. My acupuncturist is away rubbing shoulders with political minds. Dropped in for a visit with Bella. No joy. Scootered home and dropped in for a visit with Matt, who has developed the 9 apartments down the street with his wife and friend. Shared some photos of cars. I don’t drive, but I like a nice car. Here are some photos of the car Matt had worked on earlier that day.

Austin 1st Car

By the end of the day I networked and shared some photos of my uncle’s cars. He has restored.

2nd Car 2nd Car 1

Otherwise, just some nice photos of cars for you if that’s your thing. (It should not be imagined that I have money, am related to people with money, or have friends with money.) Just an appreciation for nice cars I will never drive.

Ah, must mention before I move on, at the start of the day I couldn’t feel my left foot and most of my left leg and side. By about 2pm I could as it had started to hurt, stock standard day really. By the end of the day, ok almost Midnight, I’ve realised it’s almost the end of the year in the bigger scheme of things and I’m wondering if it’s normal I’ve only seen one family member all year! Thank God for my mum, right? I haven’t seen my two sisters or my father. I have two cousins in Melbourne. One of which I wouldn’t mind seeing at more than funerals. Again, is this weird?

Weird family

Have I mentioned, my home is so hot in the warmer months that I have to put anything that melts into the fridge. Chocolate, Nutella and now, coconut oil! It’s completely liquidified. It’s time to move!
Does anybody believe in the concept of ‘Timing?” This week marks the passing of me applying for my 4th apartment this year. And knowing I can’t give notice to vacate until I find my new home,because, I can’t just live in any flat, unit, apartment, whatever. I don’t drive, so can’t live miles away from transport or my (well, let’s not mince words: Clifton Hill and my fav cafe and stomping ground) and I can’t do stairs or a shower over the bath and electric stovetop, etc. etc. Today I found out I got a place and now I can give notice! I can even start stalking my next fur-baby, by Christmas!

Melting chocolate
Excited………………

Wow! That didn’t take long…… Life can’t let you be happy for a single God damn minute can it? Believing the Universe will look after things all goes to hell.

Welcome to my Friday, where I have mentioned the Wheels fell off! My replacement carer for my Homecare/shopping my only Foodie Prep shift cancelled sick. The agency didn’t have a replacement, I outsourced myself to my newest agency and was very lucky to get someone for only 2 hours towards the end of the day.

So, I pulled up my big-girl pants and got on Hellonwheels got a jaunt to the other supermarket I live in-between two major supermarkets. Near (it will be my milk bar when I move. Won’t even need my scooter) got half of my shopping list and on the way home stopped at my old real estate. Gave notice! Thinking I should have waited a few more days as the new apartment won’t be available until the 18th and I need a few days to arrange carpets and cleaning to be done before my notice is up here. Family politics doing my head in. Again, seriously thinking to spend Christmas at home alone. With my new fur-baby. No, haven’t gone to meet any new cats, just know I’ll be getting one ASAP!
Finishing the week feeling flat and sad.

Going shopping

Saturday. No medicine! Must be dying not to fit in a coffee!

No Coffee

Sunday, skipped lunch to squeeze in my medicine. Then had lunch for dinner, happy Sunday. Half a comic was read this week. Comics didn’t rate high on the priority list this week. I’ll catch up in a few to be sure.

Sunday

Have my NDIS review this week! I will finally have the meeting with an actual Planner about my “Goals” pity I didn’t get this meeting a year ago. I don’t know how they imagine I can find my way to knowing what my Goals might be when money is so tight. I would be happy to start with if they paid for my shoes, my chiropractor and my Shrink. As well as continue to pay for my carers……..so I can start to breathe a little. Then, maybe I can consider some Goals.
Another big week to come.

Goals
Cheers,
H