Daisy

Published June 21, 2019 by helentastic67

Daisy

Because I can’t help but mix it up a little, I’m not suffering OCD however, I am likely to circle back to other topics. Today’s post is about when people are in our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime.

So, once upon a time I worked at a large environmental company as an admin. Don’t get excited, I wasn’t an OH&S officer (that’s short for Occupational Health and Safety) let’s call her Daisy.

Whenever someone had an injury in the office, even so much as a paper cut and someone called out that they had hurt themselves, someone would call out “Daisy!” even though she was not located anywhere near us.

Rumour was, if you got a paper cut, she would bring you a tube of cream and I suspect she did a regular stocktake of the bandaids in the tearoom first aid. Paper cuts, big problem in admin, should qualify for hazard pay or just BYO bandaids.

However, at the time my boyfriend who lived with me, also worked at the same place as an Environmental Scientist. He was far more qualified in his work. But at home, Daisy followed us everywhere. If in the backyard I would be hanging my washing on the line, the garden hose curled out across the concrete, creating a delightful tripping hazard. One of us would generally call out “Daisy” and then we would share a little chuckle.

Daisy was a bit of a joke in the office. You all get her name was not Daisy, don’t you? Because one day on ‘site’ there was a gate to enter a site and Daisy had gone out to check on the ‘safety’ of the job. I suspect it was a disused petrol station or some such, which is what my ex worked on or ‘whatever’. Daisy should have parked outside the gate and entered carefully on foot or better yet parked and called out for the guys to escort her on to the site. But NO, apparently, she drove in and proceeded to drive all over the site.

But with the absence of the ex or the other people that were in my life at that time, the “OH&S chant “Daisy” has gone. Sadly….

I’ll share some more soon.

Today’s Lunch – 19th June 2019

Published June 19, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Happily back at my familiar lunch spot this week. The roadworks on tram route is over for now, I rang the PTV to learn they have started the accessible tram stops. Thank Fuck! As last week I almost managed to get myself killed. Or at least dragged along beside a bus! You can stay tuned for the long version of that one, sorry.

I’ve just sent my next 40 posts to Noelle. Still so much to catch up on.

Another hectic week so far. Throw in a massage, a migraine by 2, a pre-dinner kip, midnight dinner. A quick half day in the city for admin and chores. This little duck I gave Caroline and how she has used it?

I thought it would remind her of a great You tube clip of a comedian talking about…….maybe just watch.

Also went out for din dins with a friend previously mentioned as my Gay Silver Fox and his husband! Cos that isn’t rubbing it in. Finally got to Giro D’Italia where I had this amazing Gnocchi with beef ragout and Tiramisu. They would not help me eat and again reasons why Hellonwheels cannot do Insta, I forgot to get a photo!

And finally, today’s lunch, Pancetta quiche with side salad and my medicine.

My Kitchen, My Way

Published June 17, 2019 by helentastic67

My Kitchen, My Way

One thing that is a particular challenge being one handed, is how my kitchen is set up. I think I’ve moved four times since my diagnosis and every time I’ve moved since my disability, my mum has been there for at least a week after helping me set up. It’s very important for my kitchen to be unpacked before she goes, she makes that a goal before she will depart, knowing I will get the rest sorted in time.

It’s equally important for me to be part of the sorting of the kitchen. Mum will shove all my oven trays in a cupboard to get them put away, but it’s some time before I get back to it, so I can see/feel/manage what’s in there. What I need to use regularly and put the items I rarely use somewhere else.

Last week I tasked one of my carers to get out a muffin tray and after she swore and carried on, I got up to help. As long as the carers aren’t swearing at me and I’m not swearing at them, it’s fine.

Crazy People

Published June 14, 2019 by helentastic67

Crazy People

Now before anyone jumps up and down about the heading, just wait. I have again completed another Neuropsych test and I like to say ‘Neuropsych test’ not just for crazy people. The term ‘Crazy People’ predates the whole politically correctness, this and it often referred to people who were schizophrenic or other equally awful serious infliction’s.

However, I digress a neuropsych test is literally a series of tests, verbal, that help work out how well your brain works. If you think of your brain like a filing cabinet, different parts manage different tasks, artistic, creative, problem solving, decision making, etc, etc.

One of the first tests (without giving too much away) is with numbers and you need to keep in mind the woman doing the test speaks in a calm, quiet, monotone, unemotional tone.

She gives me two figures, let me give you an example: 1, 4
I repeat back to her 1, 4.
Sounds easy, right?
Then the number of digits increases to three, then four, then five, etc.
Still OK, right?
Then she gives you numbers and you have to reverse them. The first example, again 1,4.
Answer 4, 1.
Then she increases the amount again.
Note: I’m not giving you a cheat sheet here, if you are ever required to do one, however.
Then she gives you a random collection of digits and you have to put them in order of value.
For example: 2, 5, 7, 8, 1, 6.
Answer: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Don’t try this at home!

The woman who delivers the test and comes to her findings, has qualifications. I say woman, because I’ve never had a man deliver this test, finally a test that doesn’t include needles and feeling like I’m being punched in the head from the inside.

It is a test, however that is rather mentally fatiguing. If I don’t finish with a migraine, I usually need a kip afterwards.

Diagnosis – Not Crazy

Today’s Lunch – 12th June 2019

Published June 12, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Firstly an apology to anyone that may have been looking forward to my Monday post. We had a public holiday and it makes me smile a little that Noelle forgot to do a post. She said that it felt like Sunday and I confess to say Tuesday was a harsh return to the norm. Off to the city for the monthly committee meeting, a meeting that always leaves me with a migraine. Spent an extra few hours there with some help from Amy at VATT. (my bad. Voice at The Table) I am applying to sit on another committee board. To be continued.

Left after 4pm, realised how tired I was on the way to the train station at Flinders Street. Caught a train to Clifton hill where I normally change to a tram. There where roadworks everywhere! Eventually, a younger guy directed me to a replacement bus stop as there was no one else around and my eyesight did not help me. It was getting cooler and getting towards dusk. (Have I mentioned I can’t see in the dark?) Also lost two of my regular carers today. Sad. I just lost two friends. Eventually, after a bus ride home in peak hour traffic I arrived at my destination safely.
No migraine but can’t really feel my left leg.

Despite my day not going as I had planned, and things being more challenging than I had expected, I still had a better day than a few others.

Today, sending love and respect to a friend Christie who is grieving. You are in my thoughts and to my lovely administrator Noelle. To whom is responsible for the memes we all love, whose day was well above mine on the level of shitty not that I was complaining. On the upside(barely) a parcel is on its way to Noelle today! It’s got a little of this in it.

So, to Christie and Noelle. You both win! Your days sucked more than mine!

Not prepared to navigate the no tram bus after my favourite lunch location to get to acupuncture on the way home my Girl Wednesday and I found a more local place. So, today’s offering, fish and chips. Or as I prefer fush n chups! We had lunch in Fairfield today for convenience.

Cheers

H

Happy Stupid Millennials

Published June 7, 2019 by helentastic67

Happy Stupid Millennial’s

Today, I was down in Collingwood where I rarely go these days and after I saw something that rather pissed me off. I got to do something that made me happy, then very quickly grumpy.

Firstly, I saw a young Millennial take a bite of something out of a paper bag, crumble up the bag and throw it behind her into the gutter.

To be perfectly clear, I would have handled this scenario the same way twenty years ago, or even fifteen years ago before my disability. This shit is like a red flag to a bull, to me. I motioned to her to stop. I told her to go back and pick it up and that there would be a bin around her somewhere and go put it in the bin. This makes me happy to growl at the ‘younger people’.

Then she completely ignored me, walked past me back into the shop she likely got it from, to get something else, that she didn’t do as I suggested, pissed me off even more.

Today’s Lunch – 5th June 2019

Published June 5, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

Another week!

Actually, had Tuesday at home this week. Multitasking one-handed like a pro. Very good thing I have both a mobile and a landline as I used both at the same time to catch up on serious admin/organizing & negotiating. Also managed to write some posts ahead of printing and posting to my blog administrator next week.

Cleared up the trays that cover my coffee table and my couch. A calm mid-week lunch in my punchy-stabby day.

Today’s offering is a Bolognaise Arancini with side salad and my medicine.

And this, I don’t know what it’s called, but how could I not? And yes, I’m sharing it!

Cheers,
H

Self Advocacy Never Done

Published June 3, 2019 by helentastic67

Self Advocacy Never Done

I’ve often said there is no holiday from self-advocacy and you might not have any idea what this means, so allow me.

Wednesday arrives and so does my carer and the phone rings, the agency calls and I’m happy to hear from her because we have a decent friendly repour. Until she tells me she needs to fill my next shift, because the carer rang in sick, it’s 10am and my next shift starts at 12.30pm (because they won’t cover taxi’s) my carer now helps me efficiently get from home to my favourite Café to my Chiropractors, then back to her home at the location I get stabbed (acupuncture) by 3pm.

I used to do this all without the assistance of a carer, but because my chiro relocated, I can’t do it all efficiently in a day via Young John, my scooter and a tram. Then I get some steps done walking here.

So, agency calls and she is letting me know they might not have someone, my morning carer in the background is trying to see if she can be the silver bullet to solve the problem.

We have a brief discussion about the availability of my regulars. Not the silver bullet. Some only work certain days, others study also, others again have a full day and would end up working ten hours, which is NOT ALLOWED. (not complaining)

So, I’m asked ‘which carer wouldn’t I like?’ I give her a ‘Don’t be like that!’ a little tartly and she says ‘Remember when we started, I sent “XYZ” (not her real name) and you loved her. Here’s the advocacy part. SHUDDUP I got there. It was all relevant.

“No! No, I didn’t, she was the first carer you sent to me and I was being professional and diplomatic, but I could tell there was a little something ‘off’ about her.

That first day she made a point for me to know she was a ‘white aboriginal’ woman and she loved to brag about her wealthy private clients, that had indoor swimming pools and a lift. “Hey, I have a fucking lift too, now I’m doing apartment living.” She came to my new home after Christmas because they were short staffed and she looked down her nose at my home, saying “she couldn’t do it!” Then she stole my letter opener and Seinhausen headphones.

So, No! No! I don’t want her back again. I was asked if I would be OK to have a male carer? Of course, they will not be needing to see me naked. So, fine. They found someone for me and that little hurdle is conquered, but it’s pretty much how every single day goes. Either it’s the agencies, my property manager, my carers or even my family, or complete strangers in the street.

It’s NON-STOP, it never ends.

Sally

Published May 31, 2019 by helentastic67

Sally

Now, I think you all know me by now and you know I don’t often use people’s actual names. I don’t mention companies; I deal with good or bad or otherwise.

Unless, I mention Apple products, because I use them and only have my laptop, iPad and iphone because about five years ago I had one-off funding that helped pay for those things and maybe one day before I have to do a Go-Fund-Me page they might sponsor me for these things. Hint! Hint!

So, Sally the overlocker, it’s not actually about either of those things, but once upon a time back in the 90’s when a few people would gather at 5am in my lounge for raisin toast and cups of tea after the clubs, at my home in South Yarra.

A few of the guys were discussing some ‘guy’ topic. The other two ladies that were there and myself got a wisp of their blokie conversation.

To not be left out, we created a fictitious lady-friendly topic and we name dropped, you guessed it. Sally the Overlocker.

Clearly, a fictitious personality we dropped her into conversations at random intervals, even to the point where one of the two guys looked over rather curiously.

FYI, South Yarra is a rather exclusive suburb to live in and I was ‘crawling’ distance to the Jam Factory on Chapel Street and the house I was in, while not at all amazing, was the cheapest rent I’ve ever had in Melbourne. $262.15 per calendar month in 1993. Those were the days.

Today’s Lunch – 29th May 2019

Published May 29, 2019 by helentastic67

Today’s Lunch

Good Mental Health Day

First I really need everyone to know winter has arrived to Melbourne. Officially a few days away still but have already unpacked my woollens and jackets! Mika is already loving sleeping on the polar fleece blanket but still yet to work out the benefits to being a lap cat. Sadly……….. She has started being less fussy about what she will eat or not. FYI: I got lucky with my fur baby, Mika. She is not food motivated! So, I have worked hard in the last 7 months to put some condition on her.

Also, heard news one of parcels was received in Norfolk, UK. Here’s a link……

https://oscardandelion.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/thank-you-helen/

Yesterday, I went to the cinema! I went to see John Wick Parabellum! Mmmmmmm, Keanu! (Sorry) the consensus might be that I am a little immune to unnecessary violence. My friend would likely count the rounds used (as in bullets) I would count the number of bodies. And I suggested the headcount first.

Should mention the hilarity of accidentally going into the incorrect cinema first. Saw five minutes of the new Rebel Wilson film The Hustle. Definitely need to see that next. I don’t get to the cinema much but when I do it’s totally worth it. I want one of those armchairs, it’s was amazing I nearly fell asleep I was so comfortable, just need a pillow and doona. (It’s like a blanket)

So, because I again have had to reschedule my dinner out with friends, third week in a row, I’ve decided to have some winter stodge for lunch! Today’s offering a Zaffarino Arancini with a side salad & my medicine