The Seasons

Published January 21, 2018 by helentastic67

Seasons

The Seasons

The weather is Melbourne is always a heated topic. Everyone gets grumpy in Winter because it’s so cold. I think I’ve coped better this Winter as I’ve had an electric blanket.

Winter

Spring was over before I could get it together and write a decent post about it.

Living here is the best in Spring, there is a peach tree outside my bedroom window. While it was raining a lot in the early part of Spring, watching the tiny green come out on the peach tree followed by the sudden burst of blossoms.

Peach Tree

It’s like watching a slow-mo nature documentary. Then the gust of wind blows the blossom away and now the end of November, Summer is really here.

The butter on the kitchen bench has become a melted oil slick, the jar of Coconut oil is about to follow the butter into the fridge.

Butter melting

I want to bake some cookies later, I wonder if I can do it without turning the oven actually on? Definitely can’t do it while I’m in the kitchen.

Cookies

Clothes dry on the line in no time at all. Bonus!

The best positive of all.

My coffee takes one minute and 10 seconds less to prepare. I get the bottle of prepared coffee from the fridge, pour into a glass, add milk, some sugar and stir.

Coffee

Get on with it

Published January 18, 2018 by helentastic67

Get on with it

Fuck the whole world!!!!

I wanna get off! Oh, wait my bad. The time is “Stop the world I wanna get off!”

Stop the world

Been dealing with all the usual shit lately and because there’s no point talking about it, because I can’t change any of it. (I’ve been too busy just dealing with it) I basically, event to the head down/ bum up and get on with it.

Head down

I’m not saying it’s worked super well in the past however it’s my default mechanism.

Miracles

Today’s Lunch – 17th January 2018

Published January 17, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays lunch 1701

Today’s Lunch

Happy Hump Day!

Hump day

Haven’t left the house in 2 days and back at my favourite cafe! Was looking forward to a nice healthy salad, but alas by the time I got here they were sold out. But as you will notice consistency is the key. Pancetta quiche with side salad. With my standard medicine! And rather than try carrying it myself, I asked for a glass of water and this is what arrived. Feeling special!

Water Quiche

Latte

Have a nice little migraine bubbling along behind my left eye since late yesterday so really looking forward to seeing my chiro today. She has been away the last two weeks so I saw a fill-in. Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Or realistically, head, neck(atlas) ribs, back, just everywhere. Ad nauseum!

Head Shoulders 1

Rather warm in Melbourne today! But hellonwheels will make it a breeze………..
Also, big shout out to my pen-pal friend from Texas! Phoebe! I received an amazing parcel from her yesterday. I sent her a late birthday gift last year and am about to post her my last Christmas parcel. Seriously, why should Christmas and birthday presents be on time and just once a year? Anyway, rambling. My left eye hurts.

Texas

Have a great rest of the week!
Cheers,
H

Good week

Bikini Body

Published January 15, 2018 by helentastic67

Bikini Body

I had gone into the kitchen to make a cuppa T and put the dishwasher on.

Jamima follows

Human in kitchen, must be feed-again.

“Meow” the sweet sound of encouragement.

Wanting food

To which I reply…

“Yes, I know, we’ve had this conversation. Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you”

From the other room, my mum laughs.

Today I was describing to another friend with cats and that Jamima has been very fussy lately with her food. I describe it as ‘she’s’ trying to get her bikini body back again.

No Longer bikini body

Then I stated she needs to accept for both of us, our bikini bodies are behind both of us.

There is no going back.

It’s over…

Jamima

Hidden Pain

Published January 12, 2018 by helentastic67

Hidden Pain 1

Hidden Pain

Some people are really quite oblivious to the strain and pain on my body when I’m out and about because despite my walking stick and my left arm being in a sling (collar and cuff) and that I’m out of the house, it’s presumed I’m always wandering around with a smile on my face.

Walking stick and sling

In reality, sleep or lack thereof means my left leg works even less than “I make It” and the eyesight in my left eye is worse than people would realise.

Often what I carry and how it affects my mobility even more.

In my own backyard, even moving a few small terracotta pots around means my left hip hurts! WTF! I don’t even use my left side to do anything, so I’ve asked an OT/Physio what that is all about and she had no words of wisdom for me.

Small Terracotta Pots

Yesterday, I went to the city, I travel by car to a train station closer to the city, then a train from there.

When I’m out and about my ‘handbag’ (hate the term) is a large street-wear bag with the clash on it. (I just like the image) the strap on the bag hangs from my left shoulder and the bag sits on my right hip and gluts as in Gluteus Maximus. If I buy something when I’m out, it must fit in that bag. If I can’t carry it, I can’t buy it…

But yesterday, I also had to transport a delivery of Ginger Kisses. I have a cool bag, big enough for six cans (so Australian for those serious drinkers; not me, other people) and in it were 2 large ice blocks (heavy) and 30 Ginger Kisses (cool).

Ginger Kisses

I got out of the car at the train station carrying the walking stick and the cool bag and walked the twenty metres to the train platform without the aid of the stick.

I missed the train by “that much”. A train station staff member told me I’d missed it. No shit Sherlock! Because he hadn’t held it for me for two seconds despite my efforts.

Missed Train

So, I asked him to help me put the cool bag on better. I gave him both the stick and the cool bag. I eased the two loops of the collar and cuff down over my hand and proceeded to have him put the handle of the bag on my arm up under my elbow. The collar and cuff goes back on and keeps the bag from slipping down.

The weight of the bag hangs by my side and doesn’t obstruct the forward motion of my left leg.

On the train to the city I often find myself eating my breakfast. Vegemite and cheese on toasted bread. Good breakfast for on the go, not great every day.

Cheese and Vegemite

I got to the city, scooped up my coffee in my keep cup in Degraves Street and got to the AGM for the Self Advocacy group I’m part of. There was only one table at the front that four people were to sit at in a ‘panel formation’.

Degraves St

I put my bags down and looked around. No-one! So, I dragged a table over. At which point my left hip is hurting. Seriously, don’t know what it’s complaining about when it does nothing.

Had the meeting.

Did some serious walking.

More serious walking.

Walking

More serious walking.

It’s now been several weeks since I started this post. I think I got lost in the details. Relevant details, but today I was off to the city again with that damn cool bag.

Cooler bags

I realised how the added weight changes how I move and balance and the impact on just walking by the end of the day…

Hidden Pain

Today’s Lunch – 10th January 2018

Published January 10, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays Lunch 1001

Today’s Lunch

I do solemnly swear to not forget to eat the yummy food before I take a photo, on the other days I eat out at the cool hipster cafes closer to home. As I know I did promise to include those pictures in this post also. I promise to do better…………

Do better

So, again this week my managed to make it to Cliffy Hill with some time for lunch. My favourite cafe/bakery/patisserie is still closed for a few more days.

So, had to find an alternative destination. Today’s medicine, think we call this design – the I was too fucking lazy to pay attention at Barista school to do leaves and love hearts.

Lazy Barista

So, today’s lunch is a healthy quinoa salad complete with mustard seeds and goats cheese.

Lunch

Last year I had a rum ball with my medicine here and despite not being a drinker I found the golf ball sized rum ball both lacking in rum or good quality vanilla essence. Just learnt they make the rumballs themselves on site but he said they don’t have them from where he’s from? Note faint accent, he is from San Fran. Ok, I will allow.

Rum balls

But healthy salad at 1pm, winning! Hope your midweek is coming together?

Midweek

Update on Hikaru the curious cat? He is home from the vet but not only housebound after his snake bite but also contained within a cage. Hikaru is not as healthy and energetic as he believes. The vet said they were lucky he made it.

Cat in a cage

Cheers,
H

Great week

Stalker

Published January 8, 2018 by helentastic67

Stalker

Today’s post is bought to you by Hikaru. Please send him a big hello in the form of a Like.

He is currently vacationing at a vet on a drip because he was found Saturday on the back veranda after suffering a snake bite. An hour-long drive to a decent vet and he has only 6 lives left. He was given the anti-Venom and put on a drip but his brother Karou is missing his brother.

Hikaru

Hikaru is getting a reputation as the walking vet bill, such is his habit of getting injured. He was only under house arrest over Christmas with a missing claw and infection and the short-term nickname of Thumper, dragging around his back foot heavily bandaged. Damn cat!
Here is a picture of the 2 brothers……..

Brothers

Now back to my normal post…

Have I mentioned my Landlady has the stalker gene? She likes to bring the secateurs down and poke at the roses while she stares at my front door.

Roses

I, of course am seeing her do this from my seat on the couch in the lounge. I have lace curtains. The horror! Right? I always said I’d never have them, but I like my privacy too much.

Lace Curtains

Stupid Landlady did nothing about the black spot on the roses, I did spray them a few weeks back but, I have yet to go back out and pull off all the infected leaves.

She chose not to notice the lawns are getting to be a jungle. They originally would mow them, themselves, but they have decided they are too old to do it.

Lawn

Jack the nice guy who does it now is older than they are. He’s a Jack of all trades because he replaced my front lounge blinds…

Jack of all trades

Cheers,
H

Alone

Published January 5, 2018 by helentastic67

Alone

There is nothing like a letter in the mail box that reminds you how alone you are in the world, to set you down a path of depression.

Every year, at my birthday I receive a card from Mepacs, it’s signed by all the ‘staff’ that work for them.

Birthday Card

Remember Mepacs…..

Mepacs

And I am very well aware the staff signed a card which was sent to the printers to use as a template or “whatever” and then they printed off 50 thousand printed birthday cards and then one eventually gets sent to me.

Some of the facts and figures there might be a little off, however the facts remain the same. With the card came a letter basically asking for an update of my contacts.

Contact details

Now, the first point of call, if I don’t hit the button by 9.30am in the morning is ME! I know, it sounds a little ridiculous. But my ‘in case of emergency’ contacts are my mum (3.5 hours away) and this letter reminded me I need to contact person is within thirty minutes from me.

Emergency Contact

I don’t have anyone….

Alone and Depressed

Today’s Lunch – 3rd January 2018

Published January 3, 2018 by helentastic67

Todays Lunch 0301

Today’s Lunch

Well, the first few Wednesday’s of the New Year are a bit of a shambles. My favourite cafe is shut for a break which is completely understandable. Between my home and my first appointment, there are plenty of options for cafes to discover with great food and medicine.

Shambles

However, I try to have my lunch a short walk to my chiropractor and the benefits of my favourite cafe is that I can be guaranteed of options no matter how busy they have been or if they are likely to have run low on savoury type options. The other plus is I know roughly what lunch will cost me. It’s not a huge expense generally setting me back less than $15. Occasionally, I’ve attempted to save the money however, the benefits to getting out around normal people and activities is worth the expense.

Going out to lunch

With my recent relief of now paying less rent, I thought I’d get out and about locally on another weekday, staying close to home. As mentioned on Mondays post and I might sneak in a description and picture the following Wednesday. It’s now Wednesday and while I was out on Saturday that’s not my normal routine. So, I would now be admitting I haven’t left the apartment since Friday late. Wednesday’s are also the day I like to do my Out-Reach! I text a great deal. I shoot messages to friends to check on their mental health some respond, others don’t. But the point is they know I care. It also sends the message think it’s ok to not have it all together all of the time. I have friends who have a series of health problems or what seems like the perfect life. Wife, kids, job all those things, but they have times of great distress or depression. My point, is erroneous can suffer depression, everyone’s emotions are valid. And it’s ok to have days you feel like crap emotionally, as long as you know not to catastrophise and let it snowball.

Depression

The next day, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get on with living. I like to look for all the little things in life to get joy from.

Finally, I made it to a cafe close to home and I made it there just in time for their kitchen to be closed!

Not happy and starving, I managed to get an almond croissant, not from my favourite cafe and medicine.

Almond Crossont Medical Latte

I shall plan better next week.
Cheers,
H

Happy Wednesday

Hot off the Press – 1st January 2018

Published January 1, 2018 by helentastic67

Hot off the Press 0101

Hot off the Press

Happy New Year everyone!

Because, despite all the posts and such of well wishes for the New Year for about the last week, causing me to think the last day of 2017 was Saturday night! It wasn’t, it was last night, Sunday night and it made no difference to me whatsoever I still failed to make it to midnight without a kip!

So, that leads me to my plans for Hot off the Press in 2018! A few of you comment that my life is busy and because I write a few lines of those posts every night, it does seem that way, so to explain. Each week is all about appointments that keep me independent, healthy, physically, mentally and reasonably well adjusted. That said, the year flies by when you see the chiropractor every week. Sometimes twice, hence the well-adjusted comment. I see my acupuncturist every week also. I could do Osteo and Milo/remedial every week, if I can get it. My GP, I see monthly, and he and I share case-managing of all my medical care. Then, enter my shrink (yes, yes, psychologist!) once a month. And then there are the 1-3 weekly appointments to do my nails. My fingernails I could get done weekly, my toenails every three weeks and because the public local community health is so painful and inefficient and inadequate I think I’ll be paying my beautician rather than deal with the public system any longer. It might be a worthy expense if it saves my mental health in any way. My beautician is close to my other services and has agreed to do what I need for a reduced fee. I might even pay for an occasional pedicure.

Appointments

While this sounds like very first world problems, my only exercise is walking and no one is looking after my feet except me. Wearing only one pair of shoes that lasted four years, every day has failed to help either. I still need a second pair and The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) who manage the Scheme, have yet to press the button to allow me to use my funding. Who knew a government such as ours in Australia would score points and pat themselves on the head for helping (sorry, claiming to help) people with disabilities, yet they make it impossible to access the funding that is supposed to be there for me to better my situation. Again, hating feeling like a commodity.

Shoes

So, going forward, I’m wanting to free up time in my life so it’s not so stuck in survival mode and perhaps step back from the fighting to survive and attempt to have more good things? Even if I park myself in another cafe closer to home, write posts or read comics and this will get me out in the community and not so secluded at home. I will try to do this another day other than Wednesday, however while I won’t post on it that day, I might add those pictures to my standard Wednesday post. I will continue to comment, reply to comments, follow and offer any positive support I can to other bloggers who might be struggling more than I am. It’s how I can reach out and touch people in this community I have come to love being part of. You can always feel free to email me at hfantastique@gmail.com.au

Lunch

Also, moving forward I’m going to have Monday’s, Hot off the Press posts are going to be suspended and bring you some of my older articles that have been waiting to be posted, these normally only go live on a Friday. Those are my well, thought out posts on anything and everything. I might even get around to writing the post that explains the whole reason why I blog. I might even rush it and jump the queue.

New direction

Lately I haven’t been terribly inspired to write these posts as I’ve been busy with the day to day and not inspired to write when there is already a huge backlog of those carefully written posts. I often sit and smash out four or more posts at once when I’m in the mood and that leads me to get to the other things I keep putting off writing about. So, here’s hoping you have stuck with me through this post and feel free to hit the Like button and comment. I do like to know how people came to misunderstand my appreciation of the Like button. I might need to adjust my description in my About page? I definitely need the validation just like everybody else.
Cheers,
H

Inspiration