Today’s lunch
There is always something instantly therapeutic about my Wednesday routine.
No Hellonwheels today as my scooter shed is not up yet and she is currently without power.
She is not the Mothers Cat in this case it’s my mobility scooter.
Today’s offering,
Zaffarino Arancini with the side salad.
(Mint, peas with saffron rice)
With Sicilian chocolate cannoli
(Breakfast)
Medicine!
And when I walked in I was greeted by this:
And it’s too soon!
Cheers,
H
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……….
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Deaf Ears
In Memory of Jamima.
Pointless things to say and your cat. I love (note when I hear the opposite) when parents of children argue that being a parent of a fur-child is not the same.
Gave Jamima her three-monthly worm tablet last night in a rather expensive tin of food. Twenty-four hours later, it’s mostly still there!
“Come on, Eat your food”
“It’s got your medicine in it”
“You will feel better – I promise”
“It cost mummy a lot”
“There are starving kids in Ethiopia”
OK, I didn’t really say that one…
I guess this is why I buy three of the worming tablets at a time. The man in the shop, warning me not to poison my cat. Never fear, not much chance of that.
Usually the first tablet goes down a treat, three months later when else her next dose she eats some of it. A week later I’m trying again, placing another of her favourites. Again, barely touches it.
I’ve tried not feeding her more wet food to encourage her to eat it but all else has failed.
Open to suggestions…
Crazy Lady Hormones and AVM
This weeks “Today’s Lunch” has been postponed until next week.
This post is going to be exactly what you imagine it will be. So, if you are a guy (not sure I have many male followers to worry about) but if you’re still reading, strap yourself in!
My periods started at the usual time as most girls in my early teens. What we never realised is that those special blue pills that stop us killing men? (commonly known as Naprogesic) are blood thinners.
You add ½ a dozen of those, every month. Something probably happened more often than I realised, but didn’t realise exactly what, it meant was that in a perfect storm I was probably lucky I didn’t have a stroke.
One morning not long before my diagnosis I recall a bitterly cold morning, getting up to go to work. Conveniently a day Aunt Irma (IT Crowd reference) was coming to visit.
I conveniently had to wash my hair that morning and being so cold I made sure I had it hot.
Turns out water also makes your blood thin. When I had more blood in and around my brain, than normal I would get dizzy and I mean I was dizzy, I recall drying my hair a little with a towel and putting it up (in a bun that I still wear as my style) I recall drying and putting pyjamas back on, setting my alarm and going back to bed to sleep it off. I woke a few hours later to restart my day.
When I was finally diagnosed, I was told emphatically NO MORE BLOOD THINNERS!
After several years on and off the steroids (Dexamethazone) for brain swelling, sometimes my period just didn’t come for 6 months or more.
About 4 years ago, I actually went on the pill, because once a month I was an emotional mess. Rather than the previous five months, I just wanted to kill someone. I traded up to a whole day where EVERYTHING upset me EVERYTHING MADE ME CRY.
Get up, get undressed, cry! Get in the shower, cry! Get out of the shower, cry! Get the point?
Not let Helen take her second coffee in the cinema when she’d previously taken her first coffee in. Cry!
Have I mentioned, you don’t mess with me and coffee? No seriously!
About a year ago, I came off the pill to find out if I was menopausal. Yeah, that word. I was only 43 years old and no I wasn’t and still am not, to my knowledge.
Turns out it was probably a good thing I didn’t meet my soul mate (yeah, I believe in that crap!) because I might have wanted children. I always imagined I would, but if it had I might not be here at all.
When you’re pregnant ladies. (presuming only the ladies kept reading) your bodies blood volume doubles. My AVM would not have coped. If my child had made it (there has been no child) I might not have made it.
So, babies, right? Not for everyone.
Privilege not a right.
Anyway, a lot of background to get to my point!
Had a bit of a tummy ache this week. Would have been mistaken to think it was Aunt Irma and except she visited last week for all of about 12 minutes. Felt that way anyway. Think I sneezed a few times and it was over.
Meanwhile the app on my phone last week had told me, it was due in six days, on the 2nd February, 2017 and its currently early October.
Don’t know when you’ll be reading this but my point ABI/AVM/Crazy Lady hormones.
Not happy Jan.
Oh, and with the no blood thinners, it’s hard, I just upgrade to Opiates – Oxy Norm!
The End…
Hot off the Press
So, Monday. I can now confirm I have a cold, it’s the second this year, not happy at all. I guess, a week ago I found about four boxes of tissues in the cupboard and thought rather than suffer a lecture from mum when they had to be packed, I’ll just get a cold use all the tissues and go buy more! Had to do the crazy admin and phone calls to arrange disconnections and reconnection. Locked in removalists and a cleaner and growled at a few people to encourage funding to pay for things. In full packing mode and feeling like the worst case of OCD ever!
Tuesday, had three lovely volunteers to help pack, it’s all coming together. Visit at the end of the day from Michael, who has helped me with my never-ending battle to empty my freezer and I gave him a two-course meal for dinner, all while still dealing with this cold.
Wednesday, I hope you caught my Foodie post? https://hellonwheelslifeonehanded.wordpress.com/2017/11/08/todays-lunch-8th-november-2017/
Thursday, I’ll just point out the last three nights (just give it to me) I’ve gotten to bed by 1am! Winning! Early start at 8am, to get out on the povo-trail. (Poverty: shit you do when you’re poor) my Josh was to get my first month’s rent. Tick! My bond, (still to happen) and I have $300 towards my removalist costs. To be continued. ……………
Friday, can’t believe I got here. My first service provider (where I get my carers from) has managed to inhibit my ability to be independent. Ironic since it’s one of their core-messages of why you would want to choose them. (anyway, I have no words to describe how I feel about this) I’ve requested carers twice this week and not had them provided. (I wonder who polices the Service Providers) Packing is coming together, even got out on Hellonwheels today and came home with six more boxes. So many things this week I’ve put into place only to ask for help to pay for my cleaner, or whatever and rather than come to the party I was given more work! Gggggrrrrrrrr………. Even given new information, would have been useful to have before I had to organise these things myself. I have organised everything for the move, including volunteers to help move some of the more delicate breakable things so I can make it easier for my removalists.
The first agency quarantined some of my funding thinking they would be providing most of my supports. As they started to struggle to do this, I moved some of those required services to the second agency but the first agency never released that funding making the other one, then two agencies run at a loss to keep me receiving services. Have I mentioned how I hate having a disability makes me a commodity? I’m feeling like I’m being milked, but under serviced. That just got weird didn’t it?
So, my last weekend at address 1/111 and there are not enough boxes still. Only a few more days until I move and I’ve started getting plants to go to their new homes and my bonsai to Mr Miyagi, to be re-potted. They will return once I’ve moved.
Late Sunday night mum arrives and is pleasantly surprised how much is done and I’ve still got the damn cold! I’m coughing up a lung now so I’m far from thrilled. Let’s see how well the next week goes.
Cheers, H
Today’s Lunch
I confess to say food doesn’t motivate me today. But, you know its fuel for the body and all that.
I’ve got a crappy cold! (Again!) this one is likely stress-related. As I’m moving house next Tuesday……. Today’s offering is a mushroom and sundried tomato Arancini with a side salad and medicine.
Apart from my cold, I have the added bonus of a rib out. That’s going to-be fun when my chiro puts that back in and sore tummy muscles. (Side-note: there is no muscle memory in that region!) and an added disability today…….this is a great way for able-bodied people to feel an instant deficit if you are game?
I’m a big texter and I’m a thumb-texter. Today, I’ve a Band-Aid on my thumb! It’s a new form of torture………
Lastly, feeling very-frustrated my case-management agency is undoing all my organizing and not helping me.
I did however hear my new NDIS funding has been approved! What that actually means is a completely different story.
Cheers,
H
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.
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……….
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!
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………
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.
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?
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.
Cheers,
H
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG
Every time I see some TV personality on TV, talking about when it’s acceptable behaviour to have sex in a public disability toilet, it sends the message that it’s acceptable.
It’s really a culture of anyone who doesn’t have a disability to not use those toilets.
It’s particularly abhorrent to me when I’m trying to get to and use a disability friendly toilet in public, when people are inside it using it for their own selfish gratification.
Hear me when I say, choosing to be celibate doesn’t make me a prude. I just think it’s totally uncool. I mean, really, are you 14? (that being an age of childlike behaviour still) not acceptable, just ‘young’ I mean. GET A ROOM!
Today’s Lunch
Just need s simple calm lunch today. Was meant to sign my new lease so I could start locking in appointments, removalist and cleaners and it’s all getting moved to tomorrow. The three weeks until move day has already become only two weeks and haven’t started packing yet.
I have been prompting and organising and no one else is doing their jobs. What’s the point of having this amazing thing called the NDIS if it doesn’t help?
So, today’s offering………is
Arancini bolognaise with a side salad. My standard medicine and a chocolate mignon. Because I felt like it.
On the way down today I managed to find a home for one of my plants. I am always multi-tasking, messaging, texting. Never a moment spare. Unless I’m asleep. Blessed sleep!
Cheers,
H
Hot off the Press
Another. Crazy week is under way already!
Learned a new term the young kids are using now……Pods! Ok, not the young kids but Pods is short for Podiatrist and I got to see one just in time for my NDIS review on Tuesday. I had never met this woman before and she was the coolest chick and we clicked immediately. And she is only days from maternity leave so I have to wait a whole year before she returns…….but she is going to follow Hellonwheels! Yeah me!
Mum arrived around 11pm to prepare for my big meeting with the NDIS and we did this by going to bed well after midnight. No, not preparing for our big meeting but just doing stuff. What can I say? We are not morning people.
Tuesday, arrived at my review with the NDIA just in time. Struggled to find their location and the Planner I was expecting to see had been given a different job only last Friday so the Planner we did see had only been given my file two minutes before she met us. (To her credit she coped very well) My CM (Case Manager) had made it in the nick of time and I think the three of us make a pretty good team.
Fingers crossed I get some things actually paid for this time. I’m trying to get them to cover my shoes, at $440 a pair they are the most expensive shoes I have ever owned (and I’m trying to get two pairs), I’m trying to get my monthly psychologist appointments covered as this good mental health comes at a cost, then my weekly chiropractor appointments. Everybody thinks they keep Helen upright and walking and talking but they don’t, my chiropractor does.
Mum and I had a late lunch sitting in a fast food location close to home. Doesn’t happen often so it was very, very good. No teasers here. Stopped to scoop up some medicine (coffee) from a local independent wog supermarket close to home. Mum bought a huge slab to take home. Plenty of jokes that we would be OK for a day or two.
Home again, medicine, pills and off to my B Team beautician for some waxing, 1/2 leg and under arms. Again, 10milograms of Oxy Norm, I have found is my Happy Place. My left leg doesn’t have the same sensation but when I get them waxed they still hurt the same. Legs itchy for the rest of the night.
Mum too tired to cook her amazing fish so took us to a great Vietnamese restaurant to pick up some take away. The woman always looks at us like “These white people don’t know what to order.” Too tired to do any food styling….. Order was veggie spring rolls wrapped in lettuce leaves with a mint leaf inside, then dipped in dipping sauce.
Followed by beef in black bean sauce on rice. My favourite. Then finished with something they call two Colour!
It is this weird drink with red kidney beans in the bottom, green gelatine in the middle and ice on top with coconut milk on top. It’s weird but interesting. It melts some while you are eating so you finish with it. Not like a dessert but a cleansing way to finish. By 9pm I wasn’t sure I would make it to midnight. Was already in my PJ’s. At midnight I had finally caught up on the admin and happy not to start Wednesday behind the eight ball. Next!
Wednesday, the calls to start arranging the stuff to move has begun! What has a girl got to do, just to get a call answered? Rang a place so long today, there was an outgoing message stating they were too busy so to call back later. I just laughed and my mum queried …. Is that it? Shit like this for me these days is like water off a duck back. I have yet to signed my new lease but am trying to get my bond funded, my first month’s rent covered as my new rent will be under 55% of my income it will qualify me for assistance. Trying to get ahead of the chaos! Rang for bond assistance and the guy sounded like he was going to direct me to call the previously mentioned organisation and I told him if he said I had to call them, I would come down and punch him! (Most others realise my sense of humour and laugh but I think he really thought I would go punch him). I think he lightened up somewhat when I mentioned I’d had bond assistance many times previously and it had always been returned! (implying I was a rare but good client)
Had my mum taxi today so didn’t see Young John again this week. Had lunch with mum and did Chiro…….Quick visit to Bella who decided to come out of her warm bed to get some attention. Visit with the lovely beautician and made it in time to see my acupuncturist but he had already stabbed everyone for his 3.30pm session so he told me it was my school friends fault. He loves to remind me I went to high school with the current Victorian Premier. (Daniel Andrews) I keep reminding him we had not been friends. Mum scooped me up and we went home.
My older sister and partner dropped in and collected the first batch of plants to go to a new home. My new apartment will have limited space for plants…….sadly. I must also find a new home for my 500+ outdoor pets that come with their own plastic home……I’m referring to my worm farm. Get it? Long day! Mum left around 8pm for the long drive home after spending some time reporting my plants ready for the move and weeding. She can’t help herself, my backyard is much more manageable than her acre and a quarter. It’s now midnight and I’m still attempting to catch up on my admin.
Oh, had a call today about my Friday service. You recall, the one where my regular carer is currently away? The backup carer I am told is unavailable…….(I think she just isn’t confident parking in my driveway) and they wanted to know if I would be OK to cancel until my regular chick is back? My brain hurts! Did I mention, this service is my weekly shopping? And my homecare and only food prep assistance? I had to suggest they find me someone, or would they outsource it to another agency? I ended up swopping my own shift to another agency and luckily, they found someone for four hours, no food prep assistance. Any wonder I have a migraine!
Thursday, usually a prelude to my off-grid Saturday. I had a rather lazy start to the day and a friend arrived around 3.30pm and we went for a long drive to the Cat Lounge in a neighbouring suburb, this was my first ever visit. My companion, I fondly refer to as the crazy cat lady, number of cats two currently and let’s not talk about that. Straight away she was “Look at the kitties!” I think I was a bit speechless. I was offered a locker for my bag, and I now realise they want to discourage you taking in cat treats and such. I took my bag in as I wasn’t fazed to have a cat rub itself against it. (All the better to sneak a cat out in my bag, right?) Joke! http://www.neko.org.au/neko-hq/
Cats! Cats! Everywhere Cats. Some sleeping on the top of things like Trees, inside mushrooms. Running around, just everywhere. Have I mentioned my older sister is allergic? This is her idea of hell. Poor luv. When we arrived, there was a guy sitting at the table with his laptop and phone. I noticed a black feline curled up on his lap. He sounded to be a frequent visitor choosing to do his ‘work’ there once a week. He seemed reluctant to leave the black kitten. Suggesting it wouldn’t be there much longer. We both sat down and cats chose to come by for attention and others came to lounge on the couches with us. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I queried how many cats were in residence and suggested a game of Where’s Wally? But for the cats. Ms Tina was very good at Where’s Wally, I pulled a chair out from under the table to sit next to a rather large cat who didn’t seem prepared to move for anybody. The chair was covered in fur and I sat down anyway, you bet I did. She was a really sweet older cat who has already been adopted. So she had nothing to work for. I moved around to meet the different cats and even greeted the new arrivals tucked away in the corner. I offered a few kind words and a finger for a sniff and a tickle. I sat on an armchair and a cheeky female kitten (7 months old) came and I helped her settle up towards my right shoulder. She was cradled by my one good hand, but close enough for me to rub my cheek on. She just stayed there cleaning herself and settled into my Marino Wool jumper (Don’t know what I was thinking) we stayed that way for about 20 minutes, when I realised she had already been adopted. She is going to turn a dog guy into a very happy cat man! (A couple has adopted her) There was a 15-year-old cat called Maxine in the corner contentedly sleeping on an armchair, he had apparently been surrendered by his owner because his girlfriend wasn’t into cats) I know I sound judgie however, I couldn’t be with a guy who was prepared to give up his cat. Arrived home and got onto to phone calls. Still time in the day to order consumables (food handling gloves) and I’ve already started making calls about relocating my services to the new apartment. Because it’s only a month away and then I can get a new fur Baby!
Here are some photos from the Cat Lounge in Preston.
Ah Friday, my last day of being 44. (Yes, you heard right!) my normal day of squashing everything together with the assistance of carers started earlier than normal as my regular chick is still away. I managed to get the lovely woman from one of my other agencies again this week. Having discussed all things yummy, pastry, naughty goodness last week she arrived with a custard ’thing’ in hand.
Allow me to explain, in the week of your birthday, all calories don’t count. Well, I don’t count them, I don’t care at all about them, but more sugar is consumed and preferably shared in this week over any other time. Long day! Very long day. Including an extra trip to my chiropractor as my neck has been particularly ordinary. I’ve had a bit of a migraine all week. Yeah, I get those ones that feel like something is inside your eye sockets trying to push your eyeballs out with a spoon but not enough to cripple you and you must take to your bed. Super, right? Mmmmmm, no! So, extra Chiro visit and extra visit, to my favourite cafe! Thanks to my friend who scooped me up and took me there and back. Here is a photo of what we ate……
Emails, stuff, other stuff and more admin. My couch looks like I’m testing missiles and it looks like my birthday, will be spent doing something to ease the chaos. It’s now about 1.30am and officially a new day so off to bed! A rule leftover from my club days, it’s not officially the next day until you have had sleep. It doesn’t even matter if the sun has come up. Not the next day! Sweet dreams!
Sunday, time to get ready for a new week! Actually, got into my study and attempted to do some filing. At times over the last six months or so, I have started getting organised and ready to move. Rearranging things, sorting, putting things where they belong. Everything has a home and it’s an ongoing battle to clear the couch which is rather like a large in-tray.
I am already into Monday and really should haul myself off to bed. If I missed anything I’m sure to catch you up perhaps on Friday.
Have a great week!
Cheers,
H
Hell onWheels/Life One Handed 