Filing Cabinet

Published May 17, 2017 by helentastic67

Filing Cabinet

The lovely man came to mow the lawns today. Yes! I know, I’ve got actual lawn. He’s been here before and he replaced the front lounge blinds, but I’d struggled to remember his name.

I stuck my head, OK all of me clad still in my PJ’s and bed socks to offer him a coffee.

I thought I’d remembered his name. So, I said;

‘Is it Erin or Arron?

To which he replied “Jack”

I was never going to win, was I?

“Damn it”

He smiled. So, all is forgiven.

But funnily enough I remember he came out to Australia from Holland and now I’ll remind myself he’s a Jack of all trades and I’ll remember his name in the future.

Jack of all trades 1

So, I’m using name association to recall his name and it just goes to show the brain is like a filing cabinet. It’s all in there, you just need methods of filing them away.

I think that’s why I managed so well in the Case Management role I worked in. There were plenty of systems and everything has a place an uncluttered space, means an uncluttered mind.

Uncluttered

Look around you right now.

What do you see?

If you see clutter?

Organise,

Organise

Organise!

Organise

Hot off the Press – 15th May 2017

Published May 15, 2017 by helentastic67

Here is the news 150517

Wow! What a painful week! And here’s where I struggle to tell it in dot points so I’m still motivated enough to unpack the shit that was in an actual post you can read in well, some time from now…….

Painful week

Same as last week really, Osteo/Mio/Remedial/Chiropractor/Acupuncture….& Physio!

And when I got to the Physio it was she that was opinionated enough to tell me I was doing too much and how was I to know what was helping?

Hear from the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) this week they couldn’t justify a review to help pay for my Shrink (sorry, Psychologist) or my Chiropractor or my friggin’ shoes!

Apparently, none of these things are from my original diagnosis: WTF!

I don’t know about anybody else but I didn’t have the need of a Shrink! (I know, I prefer to call her that as it sounds more like I’m crazy?) or need my weekly Chiropractic appointments until my body decided every little thing I took for granted before it wouldn’t do without paying me back in weird ways….. Like reaching and closing the car door puts my ribs out?

Or the underlying migraine I’ve had for the last week?

And by Friday, the Physio was proved right! I hate that so much….. because it hurt to weight-bare on my left leg. As in sharp pains shooting up from my foot to everywhere in my body. And I do mean everywhere! By Friday evening I had booked another appointment with my Chiropractor on Saturday….Need I remind everyone Saturday is my Off-Grid day? No email, no social media….no adult, no responsibility, no bra or shoes! And therefore, I rarely leave the house on a Saturday…. I did all of those things including spending $50 the NDIA doesn’t seem necessary just so I could only late today (Sunday) move around my home without my walking stick for short periods of time!)

Sore body

I did implement Single Girl Date Night reasonably successfully, I watched two films I had recorded on my Toppy.

Single girl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topfield

In simple terms, it means I can record two channels at once on live TV while watching something previously recorded.

Good to record films & comedy….. Then watch whenever you like, while skipping the ads.

I didn’t watch anything ground-breaking this week, the films were “The Longest Ride” and “Cowboys & Aliens”. If you haven’t heard much about these films there is good reason. The first was a love story. The end! The second was what you get when you are a beautiful actress, retired 007! And Harrison Ford. My point is none of them (beautiful or not) no longer need to work and it seems they thought, let’s do a cowboy and ‘What the Hell’ film because we don’t need to make money…….or I’m being very cynical. In short.

Cowboys and aliens

Finished 13 Reasons Why finally proving to be a tough week!

13 Reasons Why. Really well done. Challenging to watch but well worth it for anyone still undecided.

13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why (stylized onscreen as Th1rteen R3asons Why) is an American drama-mystery web television series ba…

Started watching season two of Billions with Damien Lewis this week also. I have a habit of not watching some shows until I have the whole season.

And to update, I actually read a whole comic today in one go! Ok, considering migraine all week this was a win. And there was the added pressure to report I’d read at least one considering I still head to my comic store once every few months to collect my order. I’ll try to read one tomorrow since I’ve decided I need a long weekend.

Reading comics

So, finally I guess I did do too much last week so I’ll be skipping Physio for a few weeks to give my body a break. And it didn’t help she played Devil’s Advocate suggesting the NDIA shouldn’t need to buy me shoes when everyone wears and buys shoes. Which was fine when I could wear my Adidas Gazelles at the cost of $130 a pair and I bought 2-3 pairs a year……But now I need medically approved shoes at $460 a pair and should have the option of two pairs, it shouldn’t be too much to ask I can’t and don’t buy my own shoes…..

Shoes

If all goes well by this time tomorrow my food parcel will be safely in Sydney in Noelle’s hands.

Food Parcel

I shall save my brush this week with a famous chef for a full-blown post. Stay tuned!

Charge!

New week charge

Life

Published May 12, 2017 by helentastic67

Life

If you’re not living; You’re just waiting to die. I’m often forced to re-evaluate what life is all about.

My dreams

I used to think life would be about having my own family, my ideal picture more recently being a husband and cat and dog. A mortgage (likely) a career, a business of some sort and enough freedom to afford a holiday to foreign shores every now and again.

crazy disability

Since my diagnosis and then my disability, some of these things have faded from being possibilities or a reality?

In many ways, I do feel like I’m just passing time and I’m not sure what life is meant to be about, in the big scheme of things. I’m still trying to make a difference every day with the little things I do and the everyday interactions, but right now I’m wondering what I should be doing differently so I’m not found months or years after I pass away, unnoticed by the world in my armchair as an old lady surrounded by 20 hungry cats…

Cat lady

Who You Gonna Call?

Published May 10, 2017 by helentastic67

ghostbusters_who_you_gonna_call

Who Can You Call

No, it’s not Ghostbusters, if you’re feeling down, who could you really call if you need talking off a ledge? If you were to really think about it, I have both parents still. Not complaining, they are still around and I have two sisters, an older, who lives an hour away and a younger sister who lives with our mum again, 3 ½ hours away.

My older sister, I won’t even send a Facebook request because it would hang in limbo.

My mum and younger sister, I can’t call when Masterchef is on, or Survivor, or even Bachelor. I can’t call before midday and I can’t call certain days of the week after 7pm. They work odd hours and sleep worse hours than me and there seems to be an all-round they don’t want to hear from me, so I don’t bother.

Masterchef

Had a call with mum today with my Case Manager here and the call went surprisingly well. I was eating my breakfast at the time so had to be very patient. We were collectively discussing my application for the NDIS. Occasionally when my mum got distracted by the “problems” and couldn’t get to a solution, I found my words.

Phone conversation

I finished the call with my usual sign-off “Love you and leave you” and my mum gave me the phone equivalent of a “whatever”.

Hanging up I shared a moment with my Case Manager that he understood my pain and yet, if I need “talking off a ledge” my mum would want to hear from me.

My advice to anyone, if you’re feeling down, if you’re having a hard time call someone.

Feeling down

Don’t do anything stupid, just call someone. Start a conversation and if you’re that person someone calls and you don’t know what to say? Just say something.

Sometimes, it’s OK if you don’t know what to say, just talk, give them company.

Having said all of that, there is a rare evening the phone rings after midnight and I laugh when I answer. She asks “is it too late?”

I laugh again.

It’s often a very prompt, matter of fact call. Which is fine.

By that time, I’m trying to wind down and arguments don’t help.

Midnight call

Hot off the Press – 8th May 2017

Published May 8, 2017 by helentastic67

Hot of the Press

Ready! Set! Go!

Osteo Remedial/Mio. Chiropractor/Acupuncture. (B.T. Dubs, it’s called Wednesday, commonly referred to as my Punchy/Stabby Day!) Physio. Completely missed lunch 2 or 3 days this week. Mum was down from Monday Night & 2 nights we were up doing ‘Someone else” Job so late I got to sleep around 3am.

Chiropractor

Gave mum her early Mother’s Day gift. A cute little teddy bear I hid between her pillow and the doona in the spare bedroom. It has a little button on its Tummy and when you press it a child-like voice says “I love you Mum!” She was very coy but I think she really liked it because that night I thought she would wear out the battery. Totally worth it!

Mothers day

But we got there. Even made a decent frittata this week, haven’t made one in years and visited the local pet shop. The only furry beast in residence was Vigaro, a somewhat friendly young male with black and white fur, some cute black marking on its mouth. The pet shop always has one cat from Maneki.Neko Cat Rescue Neko.org.au. (Check it out)

He loved a good head rub from me and Mum even had a cuddle. This visit came about because it looks like I’m not moving any time soon. Not much around and none of it very nice in my price-range. so, why am I waiting to get my new In-House Mental Health Care Provider?

Black and white cat

Well, I could afford the $120 cost of a fully vet-checked fur-child but, not the cost of the food & kitty litter as I returned or gifted every bit I had 6 weeks ago. Meanwhile Vigaro bit my Mum…..Hope he finds a nice home all the same. I have also created the very short Pro’s (versus Con’s) list of not having a cat! I only spent $50 on people food last Friday.

Managed to catch up on some admin today. Even read a comic. (only one this week) in the constant battle to clear my couch which is more like my in-tray. Received some emails from some blogger colleagues this week which was lovely, wondering who is responsible for the T-Birds & Purple Tree’s posts from some time ago (You know who you are!) and when I might see another?

At the age of 40 my mum finally got around to making her second daughter a quilt! My mum is a Mad Quilter. Ok, she says passionate, I say Mad! Same/Same! That was four years ago it’s finally been on my bed for the last 2 nights! Couldn’t have had the quilt on my bed with Jamima……she was a scratcher, when it came to bedding.

Quilt

Have been watching Homeland and 13 reasons why, the second reminding me of the painful years of High School. Not quite finished, so no spoilers please! Would be a great soundtrack.

Wondering if these Hot off the press updates work for people? I enjoy the routine & that it works out to be current for everyone however I find as life is always busy I make the excuse not to prioritise some time to write down other ideas into actual laid-out posts.

Feel free to comment & provide feedback? Please keep it positive?

It’s the start of a new week all over again!

New week

Census

Published May 5, 2017 by helentastic67

Census 1

Census

Going back in time to the Australian Census…

Well tonight, sorry last night was Census night! I’m going to presume you know what that is?

I made a joke to Noelle tonight that I turned away a booty call to make filling in my Census form easier. But as I said that was a joke.

Booty call

Ten years ago, when I had the best housemate ever, previously mentioned as ‘B’ (Fred’s been overworked).

At the time, I worked in Admin and B was a roadie. We both sat on the couch on Census night and handed the form back and forth taking our responsibility, seriously. It hard to justify and explain what you do for a living when you make people do work for the dole.

Job description

Answer phones, encourage client to attend, set up sponsors, host and negotiate with other Government agencies. Basically, make unemployed people do things they don’t want to.

How to describe what a roadie does? We learnt to simplify.

Lift heavy things!

Lift heavy things

12.53am

Published May 3, 2017 by helentastic67

12.53am

So, my day is still going! I’ve been writing for a few hours, inspired to write about the day and while on a tangent getting through the backlog that has been plaguing me.

creative-writing-final-meme

I write when inspired and I write when I’ve got stuff to say and it all seems to come together at the right time.

Feel free to ask questions and I can see if I can get to them.

Asking questions

Hot off the Press – 1st May 2017

Published May 1, 2017 by helentastic67

Here is the news 010517

Shock horror! I’ve kept to the self-challenge of a weekly post fresh from my brain to the iPad to Noelle. Woo-hoo!

We have had two long weekends in a row, one was thanks to Good Friday and last Tuesday was due to ANZAC Day.

Good Friday

In very simple terms I found myself explaining to one of my two youngest carers the significance of this day admittedly, this carer is not Australian born.

Anzac Day

ANZAC day is when we commemorate/celebrate the Australian and New Zealand diggers efforts in WW1, now 102 years ago. To be completely fair, it’s been pointed out to me I would not pass an immigration test on some Australian topics and I was born here. But I had to explain to said young carer they would not cancel or postpone the March through the city because of a little rain. Rain was the least of the problems faced the day they landed in Gallipoli.

This year they emphasised the younger generation of soldiers who seem to be over-looked despite them dealing with fresh PTSD and re-entering society. And there is no excuse, we now know these things exist.

My two youngest carers these days are both half my age, I occasionally have to remind them and thank them for making me feel sooooo old!

This weekend I dug out some clothes from my former lives working in clubs and an office environment. I have not been a size “tiny” formerly known as “petite” for some years. It’s not like I would ever wear them again, it’s just been a process of letting them go. Maybe after a wash, iron and photographing I can sell them online. Worn by people far, far away and I can continue living in the style that I have become accustomed to.

Petite

Haven’t seen any new properties this week. We started the week feeling a little like summer wasn’t completely over and by Wednesday it was ‘full winter! What just happened?’ So yes, the woolens are now out!

Oh, this week despite getting back into my baking and my plan for World Domination through people’s stomachs, I put a rib out!

rib out

Did you hear me? I put a rib out…….oh, how I hear you ask? Well, I get to ride shotgun when ever in a car, due to motion sickness dating back to day dot! And because it’s more room? This means in OZ, I sit in the front on the left. My left arm doesn’t work, so I twist and reach with my right arm to close the door. That’s how I do it.

My chiropractor puts it back in. First on my back, then the front. Finally putting some tape on my ribs under my left ‘girl’ (breast) it both tickles and hurts.

Lastly, I have felt Jamima’s presence (if you believe in that kind of thing) several times since her parting. Most recently, this morning, while I was in bed trying to sleep. A pressure of the blankets pushing down against my legs. My shins to be more exact. I didn’t move, but accepted the presence to be her checking in on me. One of my blogger cohorts said good bye to their Rumpydog last week bringing it all back. At least Meimi now has the husky dog keeping her company up there.

Rumpy Dog

Nearly midnight, must be time to single task!

Lots of love

Guinea Pig

Published April 28, 2017 by helentastic67

Guinea Pig

I find I’m often asked to take part in trials because I seem to respond well to treatments and I’m articulate enough to tell people what’s going on.

There are Pro’s and Con’s to this.

The simple ones being I get to do things I can’t afford and aren’t available through the public medical system. The down side is, I get given less than spectacular equipment that helps them get the results, ongoing funding things they need after lying to me about all the great things they will do/give me.

Guinea Pig 1

All while sabotaging me from getting what I need. Case in point, I was part of a Botox trial to stretch my calf muscles and improve my walking and fix my hyper-extension, so in the time I wouldn’t need a knee replacement.

I was told I’d be put in a cast and if I managed to not fall over, they’d send me home. I’d be recast after a week in a slightly more uncomfortable position (calf to toes) and maybe again for a 3^rd and 4^th week. During the 1^st and 2^nd week I left the hospital in self-funded taxi’s (taxi’s I couldn’t afford) and went back to my neighbourhood to appointments I couldn’t live without.

I did get good coffee.

In hospital, I was bullied and not given pain meds my own GP prescribed me. I had supplied my own meds and while kept under lock and key, they refused to give them to me, adding to my stress.

But even after two weeks, they refused to let me go home. They insisted on keeping me in despite knowing it stressed me and I didn’t need to be there. They kept insisting to keep me in because they thought I’d get my cast wet if I went home. My cast got wet! EVERY SINGLE SHOWER I had in hospital.

Eventually, I think I growled sufficiently at a new doctor at the rounds and they set me free.

Public hospitals: They have a body in a bed and they get funded!
Every person their cat and dog came to visit me, access me, learn from me, all so they can tick their boxes and get more funding.
They told me they’d send me home with shoes they would fund. I could no long wear my beloved shoes.

Orthotic shoes

On the way home mum took me shopping for some temporary shoes, as there had been nothing but excuses. They eventually did fund me shoes that wore very quickly, I nearly twisted my ankle and it meant after 4 months needed replacing, I could get another pair funded for 12 months.

Expensive shoes

My mum paid for the cost expensive pair of shoes, I’ve ever owned and they are medically approved shoes. That I then had to find someone to reimburse my mum. She is not wealthy.

I still have my hyper-extension 2 years later.

Guinea Pig 2

Hot off the Press – 24th April 2017

Published April 24, 2017 by helentastic67

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Hot off the Press!

Another weekend has passed. Sadly, there is much ‘admin’ I still did not get to.
Including going back to revisit and edit last Friday’s post.

Autumn has settled in Melbourne and I had my first weekend of my lounge resembling a Chinese laundry. Right now, it’s Sunday night and I need to go to sleep before 3am, as has been the habit the last few nights. I have just not been able to switch off. I have however been catching up with some old friends. Making new friends, getting to know them and saying good bye until another season. I am, of course referring to my TV shows. Been doing some serious catch up. The basics go like this;
The Shooter, meh? It’s good. But you can live without it. If you are scratching around for something to entertain you, then give it a go. It’s 10 episodes so not a huge commitment.

Watching TV

Next, Blacklist Redemption, if you haven’t seen Blacklist then get it together. If your debating the spin-off. Must watch! It’s 8 episodes and you will want more but be ok that it’s a short and sweet season. Lastly, I caught up on Suits, I kinda save the best to last with this one. If you haven’t seen any of it I’m not going to tell you too much except to say watch it. Nice guy screwed over by the system? Trying to do good, not in the mood much for critiquing sadly.

Finally switched off the brain tonight and forced myself to single task. I put on the 2016 reboot of the film Hackers. You know the 90’s original is how Angelina and Johnny Lee Miller met and later married. Great setting in New York and even better soundtrack. This version, not so much. I don’t think I’ll be watching it over and over again like the original. Next!

Switching off Brain 1

Off to the city to see my shrink tomorrow. I prefer to use that term (more fun) although to be fair she is a Psychologist/Social Worker. I’ve been seeing her for 10 years and I’m still not ‘fixed!’ (A little mental health humour)

My weekdays, are becoming very busy. Autumn has meant it gets dark around 6pm and that means I try to be home around 5pm. Most of my appointments out of the house are around what ‘normal’ people consider lunchtime to mid-afternoon. Lately, I’ve had to scramble home to be collected to go to an inspection to see properties while in my price range are tiny shoeboxes. I just want to hurry up and relocate so I can get my new fur-baby or just settle in and stay here.
Then of course, I’ve been getting another carer around dinner time to help with food prep. That could be actual food prep or admin or folding clothes to be perfectly clear. I’ve even started outsourcing the preparation of my pill containers. Everything in the effort not to be still doing emails at midnight. Such is this rubbish form of retirement I find myself doing.

On the upside, after an 18-month period where Stupidlink have struggled to do much right, they did finally decided I am still eligible for my Disability Support Pension. Good for them, right? I did walk into a Stupidlink with my Mum and announce who I was and that I was sorry I was late for my JCA (Job Capacity Assessment) appointment and the staff member replied that, that was for people with a disability! I motioned to my arm in the sling, my walking stick and the badges explaining my low vision. I’m sure I gave her a frown and she apologised. Hidden disability or just plain stupid, I ask you?

Anyway, the cold has gone but the little wheezy cough has returned, not happy at all.
Oh, one last thing before signing off, I visited a pet shop a few weeks ago. No, not the kind with cages and pets for sale, but the kind with pet food and grain and such. I knew they had a cat in residence perhaps to help with mice and such? I went to have a pat and perhaps some ‘Love’ (not meaning to be creepy) that cat was so fickle! Must have sensed the recent grief from losing Jamima wash over me and that cat wouldn’t come near me.

To the start of a new week! Charge!

New week