Today’s Lunch – 9th January 2019

Published January 9, 2019 by helentastic67

todays lunch

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Sometimes good things happen when least expected and even better if I can give a life lesson. You know I worked in nightclubs back in the 90’s for 5 years? Yeah, it felt like 10, but it was intense three to six nights a week. No drugs and barely any alcohol. Yeah so last week I had lunch with a chick I knew from back in those days. Yes, we were friends yet I hadn’t seen her since those days, losing touch because I moved back to the country for two years and her relocating across the ditch. This was before everybody had a mobile phone.

working in nightclub

While my club career added to my skill set, it didn’t lead to further employment shall we say.
However, meet Skye Bromberg. She was the receptionist at some of the clubs I worked at and the Door-Bitch at another. Telling young guys in bad suits they couldn’t enter the club because she “couldn’t guarantee their safety”, (because the regular patrons would want to sort them out)
Club work really can lead to bigger and better careers.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2010/11/04/3056809.htm

And here is Mika playing with her new toy. Many thanks to Stephanie, she loves it!

mika & fish

And then just before Christmas a gift arrived into my letterbox. It was from ‘Santa!’ and while I do all my gifts from ‘Santa’ if I put it in your hand you know it’s from me. Now, this gift was are specially from the man in red, and I am stumped! Welcome to my Happy Socks!

I have been asking everybody! It’s going to drive me crazy! Just crazy!

going crazy

One more week and my favourite cafe is back! So, today’s lunch was closer to home, much closer.
Today’s offering is a beetroot salad with goats’ cheese and my medicine, of course.

salad

latte

Cheers,
H

Rehab – Part 6

Published November 5, 2018 by helentastic67

Rehab Part 6

Rehab Part – 6

I have carers, as you know who take me shopping and even my morning carer that helps me get ready after my shower, to face the day, they all become my friends. It’s inevitable, the ones I can’t crack are usually very reserved, on account of them not planning to put down roots and those don’t plan to stay in the job long term, choosing to move onto other things.

Carer morning routine

When out and about on my shopping adventures, it’s much more like I’m hanging out chatting with a girlfriend.

Shopping adventure

I might have mentioned, my carers are usually older, sometimes younger, rarely my actual age.

I’m now 46 years old and I get along with all my carers regardless of their age.

Carer friends

Off to the supermarket on Friday, I don’t remember what we were discussing when I said “Yeah, well, I finished High School in 1990.”

Supermarket shopping.

And she said

Wait for it.

“I wasn’t even born then”

not born yet

Yeah that just happened and then later that day.

Today’s Lunch – 23rd May 2018

Published May 23, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 1

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Meeting a friend

It’s funny how my weeks pan out at times. Every week is the usual crazy. But this week, I’ve managed to make it more social. So, Monday. Had lunch close to home with a friend. This is my lunch and hers.
Little Henrys Little Henrys 1

Tuesday, had planned to go to another place a little further with a friend who has just returned from a holiday in Cuba, I always invite her to visit and I take her on an adventure and I love that she is open to doing different things. We have done the tulip festival, visited my Mr Miyagi, many, many lunches, we have visited a large bonsai supplier, and the day was no different. While, the intended location of lunch was not open we went for a wander and came across a cafe that we both enjoyed a vegetable curry. Mine came with a roti folded in the shape of a napkin.

Vegetable Curry Roti

We had a discussion that my Wednesday posts have already hit a Arancini slump I fall into for winter. So, in my efforts to change things up a little, I hope you enjoyed these pictures for something completely different.

And finally, today’s offering, Moroccan chicken and turmeric rice salad.
And my standard medicine!

Chicken and rice

Latte

Cheers,
H

Blessing

Normal

Published May 14, 2018 by helentastic67

Normal

Lately, I’ve had a new batch of carers come to me for a variety of different services. They have come from different cultural, religious backgrounds and different ages and beliefs and education.

Different

And again, here I come explaining some common-sense stuff, some manners (you heard me) and that it’s not sad or against God if someone is Gay.

Common Sense

I’m not Gay, but seriously I didn’t survive this long without having Gay friends. But it’s weird that again a new batch of carers and I have to be the one to explain what I accept as normal is actually ‘NORMAL’.

Normal is normal

If I’ve got a guy in the peripheral of life who is my friend, values me for who I am, is the right amount of bitchy, right amount of foody talk and a decent degree of understanding and empathy. What do I care they are into penises? And not V-jay jay. It makes life easier that I know they’re not trying to get into my pants.

Gay friends

They obviously appreciate me for the other parts of me. I think I’m lucky for my Gay friends.

Oh, yeah the manners part.

Good Manners

Sometimes I have carers who just help themselves to things, like tissues or rechargeable phones (WTF). Some girls walk through the lounge, grab a napkin (and I’m watching this as I follow them) they scrunch it up and throw it in the kitchen bin.

Seriously, I’m more than a bit “Green” and I’m not made of money.

Not made of money

Muslims

Published April 10, 2018 by helentastic67

Sorry I’m late…

Muslims

Here is my very simple rant on the topic of both Muslims and Terrorists and to follow a few witty stories.

It’s very simple, so I figure (and keeping in mind) I was raised a Catholic. Anglican mum, Catholic dad.

Muslims and Terrorists.
Muslims are Muslims,
Terrorists are Terrorists,
and I don’t like to presume one automatically means the other.

Muslims vs Terrorists

To be fair, I have one Muslim friend and we were friends while we did a course together, for a year or so, then life moves on and her life got busy and now we are only Facebook friends. When she hears my witty comments on her posts she tells me, she misses me.

Muslim friends

But here’s the funny part.

One day we were driving to another friend to meet for afternoon tea and I asked what her hair looks like? (she wears a scarf only), so her hair has never been visible, we did a deal.

Wearing a scarf

At the afternoon tea location, she would remove her scarf, if I would take out my hair. It’s become the norm to just wear a bun. Mostly since I was sixteen, with the exception of when I had NO HAIR.

Helens bun

The deal was struck.

Two things came out of this, as far as I could tell.

When people don’t see your hair you really don’t care what condition it’s in and I suspect you can’t pamper yourself by going to a hairdresser to get it done. (I get mine done once a year and I’m overdue by months now) But more amusing.
She told me, if I wore mine out I’d get a ……… wait for it…. A HUSBAND

Hair down

Does anyone else feel the irony?

Find husband

Hot off the Press – 5th March 2018

Published March 5, 2018 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press

There are times I do miss my standard Hot off the Press post! When I’ve had a busy week and there’s plenty to share. Or maybe when ‘something’ happens that I think no one would believe it if I didn’t take a photo.

Busy week

So, that said. Occasionally I want to create some social contract with friends that I don’t get to see very often I will schedule a spot to catch up even if I lose a free lazy day during the week. Of course, all of my appointments have the potential to be social adventures because I see the same people every week, so it’s natural they have become friends. But just social catch-ups are important too. I schedule things weeks in advance to work around mine and others busy schedules and this is why I book my standard maintenance appointments months in advance. Those being my Chiropractor, acupuncture, Osteo/miotherapy, etc. those are the things that keep me independent. So, social is a bonus.

Socializing

Monday, Osteo saw Natalie at the Welly who was exhausted but excited as she bought her first home. Can no longer do the happy dance. I encourage the 5th year Osteo student to do it for me. It’s the dance where you jump on the spot with your arms up and maybe chant something appropriate to the occasion like “Natalie got her first home!” Nothing to arduous, but more than I can manage……….

Cheering on

Tuesday, had a spare day, after having rescheduled my normal maintenance and my mio/remedial a
appointment fell over. (It happens), I go out on Hellonwheels for an adventure and delivered some homemade muffins to Lucy (she and her hubby own a milkbar and holds my Sunday Age and is Megi’s sister). Then I delivered to Megi’s, my old neighbour and free food trade agreement partner! Then I went to a semi-regular cafe for another delivery. This time to Mina. Over coffee I did some writing for my blog. Seem to have been inspired this week. I’m actually catching up. Tuesday was rather warm and while it would have been ideal to have been in air-conditioned comfort I got out and had a good day. Even made it home and continued the successes by doing some admin.

Tuesday

Wednesday, you would have seen my foodie post? Standard Punchy/stabby day. With one small exception. This!

As I was hobbling across the street to get from my favourite lunch cafe to my Chiro, I encountered some guys educating the general public to the plight of someone less fortunate. (Apologies, I didn’t notice) and I do make a conscious effort to shut down the do you want to sponsor this charity talk pretty quickly because I’m poor but I attempt to chat so they have some interaction. I confess to say, they do prompt you with a “oh, what are you doing today?” Thing and very quickly I do the I’m sorry but I’m running late. (Not a lie) these agencies normally employ foreign travellers. This one was Irish and while we briefly spoke I was distracted by something over his shoulder, I asked him to confirm what I was seeing? Irish Guy was having trouble hearing, being a traveller, medical appointments being expensive, I offered some very generic medical advice.

Needless, to say I might be half blind but I did. I did. I did see a guy in the bakery behind him with a snake around his shoulders! Irish guy insisted it was a python and not poisonous. I moved to cross the street and the snake guy left the bakery and headed in my direction. I was concerned the snake would be next to me while I waited to cross at the lights. I shot a startled glance to the Irish lad. But all was well, when snake guy sat on a bench to drink his drink he had just purchased. Meanwhile, snake had a mind to depart. I couldn’t miss a good photo opportunity, right? I’m not snake phobic, just appropriately snake-reluctant.

Snake on bench

After the awkward “is it a boy of a girl” moment, she! Is 4.5 years old. Sure, sure.

Got to Chiro and my Chiro was very blaze. “oh, yeah. He’s famous in this area” like it’s a regular occurrence to see a person walking around carrying rats or a snake (yeah, seen rats on occasion, too)
Prompting me to ask, is it normal to just take your snake for a walk? “C’mon. Walkies”

Snake on shoulders

Then, as if my week hadn’t been. It’s enough, Thursday! Went to my very local and had lunch with a friend. She had this amazing excuse to have a lot of cheese. A glorified toasted cheese sanga….

Cheese sanga

And I added chicken to the beetroot salad. Which looks like this!

Salad

Standard Friday home in the morning, shopping with young Jennifer and some very efficient cooking ok, not from scratch but still. Then like my week wasn’t crazy enough to implement my off-grid Saturday. I found myself doing full adult (wore a bra all day!) in preparation to go out in the early evening. My artist friend Larissa (previously mentioned for her handstands) had some work in a local exhibition. I got it together, changing my clothes and putting on my AFO and shoes and hobbled off to the grand opening.

Friday

Turns out it was a fundraising event for the local Greens member Alex Bhathal. I should mention, I live in the district of Batman! How cool is that? For my American followers, we register at 18 to vote and it is compulsory to vote. The artwork was all kinds of interesting. Always and her partner bid and won a piece of Larissa’s work. The other also being bought as were they all. We left this event after dark (during Day lights savings that’s around 8pm) and Larissa and her friend gave me a lift home where we had a nice cuppa tea and a chat. (issued my medicine Saturday! It’s fair to presume I could have died without my latte.)

Batman

Now, like that wasn’t enough. I had planned a Sunday lunch catch-up with some work colleagues from about 15 years ago. I catch up with both of these friends separately, but rarely so, because they have both got busy lives. I’m the common denominator and our last coffee catch-up was about six years ago. Got ready to do full-adult again. When I got a message, lunch was postponed and I couldn’t have been happier. Back to bed! As a Sunday should be spent! And to those who love to tell me I could have a job (you heard) because I’m pretty switched on. My question to you is: where would I put that? (and the migraine I’ve had on and off all week!)

Sunday

Another crazy week ahead with mum down to do Team Helen stuff. I’ll try to include some details on my Wednesday lunch. Hopefully my Punchy/stabby day goes to plan. I could do with a little less. Crazy chaos somewhere this week. Here’s to another crazy week! Who-hoo!

New week

Today’s Lunch – 28th February 2018

Published February 28, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 2802 1

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Ok, I have some catching up to do on photos and explanations, because occasionally I’ve had lunch out, unreported because I ate before forgetting to take a photo as proof.

Friends

So, last week I went out for lunch with a friend very local to home and my friend had this – I’ve had it previously. It’s a quinoa and cauliflower and chickpea salad. I would add chicken strips because I eat meat so just try to imagine it?

Quinoa

I had the salt and pepper calamari with salad. It was missing some colour this time. Pomegranate season must be over.

Calemari

Yesterday, I got it together despite it being a great day to stay inside with air conditioning, I went on a big adventure to deliver some of my muffins in my old neighbourhood. On Hellonwheels, ending my adventure at a cafe for a coffee and some writing. This was the medicine I had.

Latte 1

Even had a little visit with Wilbur yesterday. The newsagents he resides at during the day has relocated in recent weeks. The cat-Mum had to tell me where he was hiding. He is settling in well but his new favourite place is behind the registers and under the bench top. She encouraged me to reach over the counter and I to a hole where my hand met with Wilbur’s head. I gave him some scratches and pats and rubbed his ear.

Cat hiding

I have my first inspection in a few weeks and despite the law not coming into effect until 2019 (so far away!) I’m really hoping I can start to prepare for my next fur-baby! Sick of being that weird crazy cat lady without a cat.

And of course, today. Today’s offering is a pancetta quiche with side salad and my standard medicine! (Need to mainline my medicine today; straight in the vein!)

Pancetta Quiche

Latte 2

Cheers,
H

Cat day

Homebody

Published February 23, 2018 by helentastic67

Homebody

I confess to say, I don’t often go out for lunch or dinner or anything else exciting. Obviously, that is to say I go to my favourite café every Wednesday where I’m writing this post right now. But I mean other than that.

I have a few friends that take me out occasionally each year and those adventures, I really appreciate.

Adventure

Firstly, these were the characters I called friend that day and for obvious reasons, I’ve also taken the liberty of creating acronyms.

There’s the oldest in the party who was very anxious and socially awkward that day, feeling she was over dressed. Let’s call her (A.S.A.). Then, there was the youngest, a jeweller, the only one in real life, the tallest. Let’s call her the Giant.

Friends

These two have been housemates for the better part of twenty years, so they have back catalogue of experiences and conversations only they share. I’m already the third wheel with these two and these two stayed at my house the night before and escorted me to lunch.

House mates

The other two characters are best described as Miss Piggy (self-confessed, I didn’t say it) and the down to earth surfy chic. (who is not a leggy blond) Sorry guys.

I often feel socially awkward around these friends, it’s a bit passive/aggressive and I seem the only one who is aware that some of them are rather grumpy with one of the others. Miss Piggy to be exact. But we all catch up so rarely everyone puts on a happy face.

Socially Awkward

I should mention it’s a week before Christmas and it’s a Christmas gathering. I feel like I get a lot of criticism from the moment the day starts and as two of them get ready at my home, I’m aware Miss Piggy and the Surfer Chic have probably made a bet as to, if we will be late or not as we have the lesser distance to travel and if we’re late I will somehow be to blame. I booked a carer at the appropriate time, so I would be ready to go without any assistance.

being late

Hot off the Press – 14th August 2017

Published August 14, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press kitten

So, today’s Hot! Off the press is bought to you by this picture…………

I saw these clocks a while ago at the Swedish warehouse and figured I’ve got a big empty wall in my lounge. This would be cheaper than framing a poster from my trip around the UK and Europe in ’94.

I know I don’t have eyes in the back of my head to see said clock on my lounge wall. But semantics.

When I was in the Swedish warehouse debating with my mum if I could afford the clock, I said; “What’s that? If I carry it I can get it?”

The wall is still bare.

Monday had a use day going to the DAC I’m part of. Ok, fine! Disability Advisory Committee, as usual I end up doing a little facilitating because I have something to share and I’m able to do it in a pointed and formatted way. The meeting was actually on housing in the region particularly the needs of people on the public housing list and that in the Next 10 years over 14,000 more people are expected to settle in the area to call it their home.

Meeting

I used the example of the house that was demolished across the street from me last week. Although it’s only properties where there are more than 30 apartments that will be required to cater to people with disabilities. This is how public housing is trying to avoid the ghetto mentality of some large developments. As there will be owner/occupiers as well as investors/renters that choose to reside there. The general public are outraged the carparks at shopping centres and markets (council owned) look to be redeveloped for these purposes.

Public housing

While, I don’t love it, I get it. I might also not like to live there, I might not have a choice. One day.

From there to my Osteopath appointment and the day went smoothly from there.

My friend Michael dropped me home after an adventure to J-Car! A place I refer to as another tech-friends Temple. I still managed to pick up a few short extension cords. 1 and 2 metres. Always handy to have.

Tech support

Arrived home and Michael attempted to do a little tech support for me. I have a 5 turn-table CD player that I have not been able to use for years as I no longer have an Amp and I wasn’t prepared to sacrifice any of my other tech creature comforts. My DVD provides my surround sound. For everything else.

It should be stating, I’ve deskilled for this kind of tech requirements over the years and as I can’t afford to pay anyone I reward with coffee and muffins. Everyone wins!

After 2 hours, I suggested if he couldn’t fix it I was ok to stand up for a smacking across the bottom. Michael suggested he should have asked more questions and it was more likely to warrant a smack across the face. Not what I’d prefer but a girl can try.

Solution? Helen needs some kind of Receiver. (So, in laments terms an Amp!)

Tuesday a very lazy day again! No complaints.

Wednesday, I was on the Provo trail for food vouchers. So back to the same neighbourhood as Monday but by taxi this time. Did a great deal of walking Wednesday, making up for Tuesday. I even caught the train for about five stops. Because I didn’t get a seat and didn’t want to have to ask for one I stood for about 20 minutes on the train which was like a slow Power-Fit workout. The day ended with 6,000+ steps on the pedometer.

Just an FYI, waving your smart phone in the air or walking around inside holding the phone does not get you steps. Holding the phone to your hip while getting those last 50 steps to get over the 6,000 mark. Gold!

I hope you are all aware I do things every day to help with my depression. I really appreciate the little things in life that put a smile on my face. Because life isn’t all about doom and gloom. Hence, the little witty stories that may seem out of place and make people wonder what Hellonwheels is all about.

Depression

Thursday, got to lay low and have a lazy day at home. Much needed after my marathon effort walking on Wednesday. Again, still not complaining!

Dropped into visit Bella/Killer and no joy! Last week I got to have a moment with her when a mum came in with young children who raced over to chase her away. Will try harder this week. Still no fur-child at Helen’s………….

Cat cafe

It seems this week I’ve had a day on day off all week long. By Friday late afternoon I had a migraine and couldn’t feel much of my left side.

I seemed to barely scrape through to be off-grid on Saturday. Again, ignored my single girl date night film evening to catch up on some TV, as I’m feeling the pressure since all the TV I watch starts again in September and I’m too far behind to allow myself to catch up on movies.

Watching TV

I otherwise had a little email contact with some of my blogger colleagues. It’s rare but really nice. Most days I send or receive messages from one of my blogger friends on Messenger. These small but hugely significant contact really makes my day. As other than my carer, I have no other human contact which seems insane.

Bloggers

Phillip my friend who visited some weeks back was surprised no one reaches out to me to ask how I’m going. I do my Outreach efforts mostly on a Wednesday while out and about and he is one person I reach out to. If he doesn’t receive a text from me by Friday I hear from him. Does anyone else share this experience?

Sunday night I watched the Australian 60 minutes and it featured a story about social media Influencers. An Aussie who takes a photo of herself in a bikini every day, because apparently, it’s beach wear we all live in. A few of my fellow bloggers and I currently suffer from the ‘we are not rich enough’ scenario, for want of a better term. Ladies? Bikini a day is taken. I wonder how many out there would pay not to see me in a bikini. I don’t think I’m touching a bikini ever again… Any takers? Just a thought. And I hope you all realise I mean this in a totally non-trolling kinda way…….perhaps we are not adapting to this new potential income stream that the youngsters are on?

60 minutes

Looks like I’m starting a new week with the migraine that has been lingering since Friday. Seems it is at least my constant companion.

Should be said; I managed to read four comics this last week! Feel like doing an impersonation of the Count off Sesame Street! I can totally justify collecting my three-monthly supply of comics on my trip to the city Tuesday. I receive a discount because I do this. File under cost saving hints!

Here’s for another week!

Happy Monday

Cheers,

H

Dumb Things………….. (People Say)

Published December 2, 2016 by helentastic67

dumb-things-said

Dumb Things…….. (People say)

It often saddens me the things people say when you are having a rough time of life. I caught up with a club friend from years ago when I had NO HAIR from radiation. Considering I used to have hair down to my ass, the change from that to a No. 1 buzz cut was pretty significant.

helen-and-hair

His response was that “he felt he had some decent friends at this point in his life, he could rely on if he needed help.”

Ummmm……..

What do you say to that?

friends

I have never presumed I could call on him if I needed anything and it’s ok, because that friend hopefully will never need learn how few of those friends will actually be there should shit ever really hits the fan. Not many.
Seriously, the stupid/senseless things people have said to me since my diagnosis, I could write a book!

dumb-things-2