Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

... then there was the rest of my day. First, I got to waste two hours of my time waiting for my meals to be delivered. Surprise, blondie! Someone forgot to deliver them. ::growls in irritation:: So, I'll get them tomorrow. ::crosses fingers:: At least I had some good info from church-John. I wanted to go to church on Saturday to meet the new senior pastor, but he's suggesting this Thursday as there'll be a much more in-depth session about the selection process. Yes, please!

I finally got a chance to start getting ready slowly. Funny thing is that SuM and gf came home exactly when I was leaving. They enjoyed the boat ride. I sat in the hot sun (what an amazing day - finally) waiting for my minivan to arrive. It. Was. Late. Oh, well. I still arrived in good time shortly after 6:00 at the pub on the other side of the city. My new friend Janet had brought her mom again. And, natch, our leader was there. He'd already ordered appetizers to share with everyone. So I got to taste a deep-fried pickle (whoa! temperature too hot), calamari with garlic aioli (yummm), and some veggie bits (rejecting the hummus).

I myself ordered a summer special: thinly sliced seared tuna and mango on a bed of arugula, with avocado and sesame seeds, dressed in a wasabi vinaigrette. Wow. It was fabulous. Added a side order of sweet potato fries most of which I brought home. I also had two light beers with wedges of lime. As I was expecting my minivan at 8:30, I went to sit outside before 8:25. It arrived at 8:35.

I started feeling uncomfortable especially as we were travelling east - away from the sun. By the time I got home, it was 9:35. The driver helped me get into the garden and then I had help getting in the house. So ... I did this particular pub once, but I'm not going to travel that far again, especially not at night. Sigh. OTOH, I poked Janet to find us a Chinese restaurant to visit - even if it's nearer to her place.

Now it's time to let the painkillers do their work. Bouncing around in a minivan (why did it not have a stool for my feet) with legs hanging off the floor is always a recipe for disaster! So, pills, a tiny bit of reading, and then blissful (she hopes) sleep.

Sigh. I could feel my pulse in my neck as I burrowed my head into my pillow trying to find a position where it wouldn't happen. Somehow (magic?) I managed to fall asleep but it certainly wasn't enough when I woke up at 5:40 ugh-o'clock.

But I was a happy camper off to my blind group meeting. I finished the word game and packed it up along with my iPad. Yes, I was experimenting, carrying it in an old designer handbag that had always looked and felt awkward. But it fits the iPad perfectly and the semi-long straps can hang off my walker handle. Total win for the blonde who just saved some money.

What did not please me was walking out onto a wet deck, then cringing as I stepped through soaked grass with open-toed shoes. Ick. I arrived at the centre really early, so tried reading my book in the lobby. Rats. There was too much glare from both the overhead lights and the windows. So I guess I won't be packing it any more.

The meeting was lots of fun. We played my game and there was lots of laughter. Now I have a whole year to come up with another one. Before lunch I paid for church-John's and my trip tickets. Yay!!! Lunch was terrific: a selection of subs, 'tater salad and a homemade pasta/quinoa/slivered veggie salad, cheese'n'crackers, a variety of cookies and cakes, and cans of drinks. Yum. My new friend Janet and her mom Avis sat with me. Janet is a scream: we're egging each other on. If I go to something, she'll come, too; and I'll do the same thing. She's coming on the trip but said she's also attending the pub night next Tuesday. So I decided to do it, too. Even though it's all the way across the city and I'll be getting home late. SuM had better leave the kitchen light on.

When I got home I e-mailed Janet, confirmed times, RSVP'd the group, booked my rides, exchanged more giddy e-mails with Janet. Yes, we're officially silly. Today I was lucky that Grumpy actually came inside the house when I called him. What a relief. Exchanged texts with SuM, and also with c-J about the trip.

Read a bit more of "Rogue One" and I should be sliding into bed soon and reading for a while. And, then, I'm hoping for some respectable sleep. ::crosses fingers::

So, I still got wet, but I do dry off, lol. After I got to church and Jan arrived, we decided to go back outside to get some fresh air. Lo and behold, the sun was coming out. It was fabulous, with a tiny hint of a breeze.

Church was amazing. The music superb. I was on duty and found out later that I'd been on the webcast while serving communion ... and there were these adorable painted toenails sticking out of my open-toed shoes. Awww. I asked church-John whether he might take me to Canadian Tire (the one in my 'hood) some time this week. I have a whole bunch of summer-related sprays, etc. I need to get. I also suggested we could visit the new restaurant I'd been to. I'd really like that. There was a surprise at the end. The search committee for a new senior pastor presented the successful candidate (who still needs to be voted in). He's a United Church minister from the prairies. He's young, has a quirky sense of humour, and seems to enjoy saying naughty things (as does Brent). He'll be here in two weeks' time. Yay!

When I got home, naturally, I had to write my summary. It took a very long time. Sigh. But I was pleased with it. Then, when SuM came home from work, she texted me, saying she'd like to donate to my blind group. Yaaaaay! So she gave me a cheque.

In the evening, I didn't do much other than watch the news. Stayed on the 'puter, read my "Figaro" mystery for a while, and just vegged. At least I'm feeling mostly cool. Anyway, time is fleeting. I'm going to finish my Perrier, then go back to reading. Looking forward to a mostly lazy day tomorrow.

So ... I had another goal today, to find out about the trip to the Science Centre. Oops. I had the wrong day marked down, and then I saw what the specific focus would be and I simply wasn't interested. So, it's a good thing I'm not submitting my body to pain for no decent reason.

While I was dealing with matters pertaining to my vision loss group, I RSVP'd to the BBQ portion of the Walk-a-thon and confirmed that I was available to volunteer that day. Now I just have to find the specific address ... for that part of the beach(!) so I can book my rides this coming Wednesday. Let's just add it to my list of goals, eh.

After all, it was an excruciatingly looooooong day that began (against my will) at 3:22 a.m. So, what did I do? Reached for my iPad to continue reading "Life of Pi". I'm getting closer to finishing it. Too bad it didn't start to engage me until about chapter 60 (of a 100). But I'm being stubborn in wanting to finish it. There may still be surprises.

It was really overcast when my driver picked me up at 9:00. I'd been so worried about rain, I completely forgot to adorn myself with my tropitcal scarf/sarong. Felt so plain as we sped up north. Ahem! Blind blond is still a better navigator than most. Why? Well, the driver got distracted by construction. I asked him what cross street we'd just passed. He replied "Broadway". Uh ... driver, that's NORTH of where I need to be. His distraction had made him think I was headed to the hospital further north. Sigh. But no prob, as I was early enough to sit and enjoy the sun - hey, where'd that come from?

Our meeting was AMAZING!!!!! First of all, our monthly guests provide us with a booster vaccination against depression. Whenever we're feeling down on ourselves because we can no longer do (or were never able to, if blind since birth), we're introduced to people who broke barriers and persisted. The retired lawyer, now activist, gave us a stumble down memory lane as he talked about the barriers just in studying to become a lawyer. Decades ago, he had to rely on monster reel-to-reel tape recorders and a human reading service that could only allot him a couple hours per week.

After our break, our leader told us of the fabulous trip planned for this year. This time, it'll be to Stratford Festival (I haven't been in decades), to see "Pirates of Penzance" with a hands-on costume and prop tour, lunch in the theatre lobby, and descriptive audio headsets, as well as a comfortable bus ... all for a reasonable price. The trip is set for Oct. 9 (the Friday before our Thanksgiving holiday weekend). I'm already soooo excited. Oh, John.... ::giggles:: I also found out more about the fund raiser for which I'll be posting a personal plea to my FB friends. I just have to write it. Before I left, I reconnected with the pleasant woman I'd met two meetings ago. We really do have to go out as we're so vivacious together.

When I got home, I had to deal with weird cats. The sun had disappeared and more rain was on its way. No wonder I was in so much pain. After I'd fed them, Ce-Ce started behaving oddly, even before the thunder came. She'd flattened herself against the floor and was trying to crawl under my door to escape. I tried to get by her, but she was too quick for me. She headed to the side of the couch where she hunkered down on the floor. Again ... weird. After she left (of her own accord), I started nodding off, from a planned 90 minute nap before the news, to dozing off in the next couple of hours. missing significant swaths of news. Sigh. But I got good mail: my new health card. Oh, look at the fuzzy picture. Would you believe I don't look much different from my employee ID from 4 decades ago (and then I was wearing a curly wig)? Not sure why the pic is so overexposed. Weird.

Unfortunately, that's not how the universe works. Yet. At least I did manage to sleep all the way to 7:22. But the general run-down feeling (still stemming from not having used my walker on Saturday) will be with me for days. Sigh. And, speaking of misadventures, I sent a very VERY long e-mail to customer service of my rides provider about the tale of two cabs.

Tried to read some more of "I am Pi". Finally am appreciating some of the style. Gee, it only took about 37 chapters! Also worked on the game for my blind group. Then sent an e-mail to the leader about the concept of the hilarious word game we could play at the year-end party at the end of June.

Reconfirmed that my jeweller will drop off my pendant and restrung pearls on Wednesday. Obviously, I can't wait to see the final results, including a mechanical clasp - to replace the ridiculously fiddly, secured by a mere wire, clasp because - duh - people should always trust the security of something worth $1.5K to one skinny wire. Yay to no more worries.

Right not, I just need to go to bed so I can rest up before blind group tomorrow. Also, pain? Scram.

Well, the rain part is (mostly) self-explanatory. The storm(s?) from the U,S. finally hit, bringing rain ... something our heavily saturated ground didn't need at all. So there have been contingency efforts happening since yesterday, especially along the waterfront, but also in key bridge crossings. Even evac plans for residents of our only residential island (a ferry standing by) and diverting commuter trains from potential flood zones.

It hadn't started when I was picked up shortly after 11, but I still had a mostly gloomy ride. Well, the weather was gloomy but the driver and I were howling with laughter as we listened to a call-in show. Today's topic? How much people (American parents?) loathe a French-Canadian cartoon aimed at four-year olds!?! For the sake of not drawing anyone's ire, I won't name the cartoon. But ... seriously??? Apparently so.

I brought my iPad to my blind group meeting but didn't really use it (other than showing it off and how I could actually read from it). Luckily, my jokes weren't needed as our resident jokester was present (she's been absent for a long time as she's undergoing cancer treatment). So, instead, I told them a story about a certain blonde and her microwave mishap! Yes, I'm always willing to laugh at myself ... as long as nobody is harmed. Everyone loved my new curly do. Yay! We learned of the current scam going on (especially south of the border) where unregulated clinics promote all sorts of miracle cures by injecting stem cells in one's eyes. The usual outcome? The injection leaves people BLIND!!!!! I also pondered whether there had yet been any whole eyeball transplants. I guess I have a project for our next meeting. But, before we concluded the meeting, we had tea and goodies including the most delightful mini blueberry cupcakes. Yum.

My driver was late picking me up, so I was worried he'd been held up by the rain that was now falling steadily. But he still got me home at a reasonable time (5:40). I was so grateful to stumble indoors and head for dryness and warmth. Meant to have some soup and a bagel, but settled for spicy tortilla chips, guacamole and queso. Oops? Watched the news (where I learned about the sandbagging, etc.) and my game shows. Then I dozed off for a couple of hours. Now I'm going to enjoy a chocolate chip muffin and Perrier with my pills. With all the rain expected for the next three days, I'm just relieved I don't have to wake up or go anywhere until Sunday. Yay for cocooning. And more reading.

Yes, I was a zombie. Again. Somehow managed to survive the day. Finished reading my Tanya Huff book. Couldn't believe I did not remember a single page of something I'd read decades ago, the exception being that Vicki had to be turned at the end, in order to live. Tried to read the SGA novel (the only one available from the library) and was thwarted by a d/l error on my iPad. ::growls in frustration:: So, I'm rereading the heartfelt "Come From Away" tie-in.

Ended up dozing through half the 6:00 p.m. news. And, believe it or not, this was Final Jeopardy!: after Jennifer Lawrence as the highest-earning actress, this alliterative-named actress was next. I drew a blank. So did the contestants. It was actually Melissa McCarthy!

Even though Big Bang Theory was a rerun, I laughed. A lot. And there was no MasterChef Canada, only the Jr. edition, so I slept-watched it. So. Very. Sleepy.

The only thing I accomplished - after receiving a response from our esteemed music director - was to slot in all of the names of our fabulously talented musicians at our Easter service. We are really lucky. Also received a call from the co-leader of my tiny blind group. One of our old-timers (who's the joke-mistress) will be at our next meeting. That takes the pressure off me. Yay.

I even got to sleep in until 8:58. Remarkable. Spent the day doing nothing, finishing my Huff book, moving a dining chair to my desk (because I was getting thoroughly irritated from the caster malfunctions), conversing electronically with Brian about another get-together either this Saturday or next (not sure what we're doing but, hey, I'm flexible ... at least in my mind), dozing for a bit, and watching a minimum of TV (news, my game shows).

The only thing that's gotten me excited is finding out a few minutes ago that the Maple Leafs just beat the Washington Caps, in OT (just a single one). This makes me jump up and down - well, metaphorically. Toronto's a happy town tonight.

As for any potential for jumping up and down, I have reluctantly concluded that I will not be able to be a participant in the fundraising 5K walk for my blind group in June. I so wanted to acquire pledges, etc. But church-John gave me a reality check yesterday. And I have to admit he's right, considering how many falls I've had over the last 16 months and not being a spring chicken any more. He suggested I volunteer during the event instead. Okay, common sense will prevail.

Anyway, I think I'm hitting the hay because I am wiped. ::yawns widely for emphasis::

The day got off to a good start when I woke up at 7:37. Sat in bed and read stuff off my cellphone for about an hour before getting out of bed. Finally got up and thought about eating. Also caught up with a slew of phone messages (Hello, blind institute? You need to SPEAK more slowly just in case peeps need to take notes) including one from the neighbour who wanted to be sure I was okay. I sent her a text. As she has no cellphone or e-mail (what a shock), she received it as a voice-text to a landline. Ooh, cool. I also called my meals provider and spoke to the boss-lady who's asking for speech-writing assistance for next Monday when she'll be addressing members of the provincial legislature including the Premier. Hee! My words can be found ... everywhere!

I was so out of it that I needed to have a nap around noon and settled down on newly puffed-up pillows without even setting the alarm. Slept for a couple of hours after which I decided to rewatch Monday's Murdoch Mysteries. A second watch helped a lot, so I texted SuM to let her know. I also managed to find homes on my bookcase for all of my new Blu-Ray and DVD purchases. Uh, they might not be in order, but at least they're off the couch. ::inflates with self-satisfaction::

In the evening, I watched my game shows, a years-old epi of Big Bang Theory with Sheldon at his most irritating (I know, how can one really differentiate), and then the season-ender of Dragons' Den. And, finally, I'm back to reading Tanya Huff. About half way through the first book. Anyway, I think that covers my day. Well, there was also bacon. And a vodka tonic. My nightcap will be a ginger beer to wash down my evening pills. Ahhh, the beauty of a good digestive.