Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

This is all a very strange feeling. It all started this morning. I'd gone to sleep at 1 after setting the alarm for 8. I felt that 4 hours would be plenty of time to have a leisurely brekkie and to play with my hair and clothing.

Well, my mind and body had different ideas. Such as not hearing two phone calls AND the cellphone alarm. So ... what time did I open my eyes? Oh, after 9:30. Eeeeeeek. My pickup time was 12:25. I'm thinking that, instead of keeping me awake, my two plain ibuprophen just knocked me right out. No kidding.

So ... quick cup of coffee, juice, vegetable curry for brekkie (which I regretted as soon as I took a bite because of its strong flavour). Then eye drops, brushing my teeth and putting moisturizer on, all the while staring at my unflattering hair and wondering what I'm going to do. I added a sparkling powder finish to my regular makeup.

( In and out of the closet with pretty stuff! )

Now all I had to face was my hair. Is that all? Oh, dear. Well, I used a different curl-boosting spray that seemed to be more effective. After shellacking everything with hairspray, I felt almost decent. Still not thrilled, but at least not too disappointed. Though I won't know what it all looks like until the episode is released.

When I went downstairs, my minivan was already waiting. Ahhhh. One worry erased. I arrived at Brian's around 12:40, but made a stop in the powder room in the entrance to arrange and pin my sparkling shawl properly.

He'd decorated the fireplace mantle with a sparkly (note all the sparkle everywhere) layer under which were soft green lights. There was a wee decorated live plant tree, along with candles on either side and more tiny Christmas trees. My special card was propped against a big pillar candle.

His small oval table was covered with a white tablecloth on which were several dishes. Silly me, I thought they were cookies. But, no. They were our lunch - all appetizers (or should I say appeteasers?).

We filmed both the intro and ending to our show at the same time (so we'd still look "fresh"). We toasted each other with sparkling fruit juice, something we really love to drink. I gave Brian the card during the ending, as it was a special card for our baby toddler show that is growing and making many new friends. [Why, yes, I give cards to inanimate objects and even ... concepts!]

( So, what's for lunch, Brian? )

( Why don't we make dessert next? )

We'd been listening to music all afternoon. Brian had been alternating between (at least) BoneyM, Josh Groban, and Il Divo, but he put some neat jazz on. It was the right kind of afternoon for it.

( Time for dinner, already? )

( Dessert? Just how full am I? )

Brian escorted me downstairs but left me there, as he had cleaning up and collapsing on his immediate schedule. I can quite understand. My bus was a wee bit late, but I wasn't complaining. I got home at 8:35, cleaned off my makeup and have temporarily decided what I'm going to wear to church tomorrow. But that's another day. So, until domani, I'll wish everyone a sated but not too-stuffed good night!

Indeed.
It started off in a bad way when I went to bed at 12:25 and woke up at 4:48. Arrgghh. Somehow I managed to fall asleep again but woke up at 6:30. I stayed in bed with my eyes closed until around 7:10 when the objective was to leap out of bed and try to do eye makeup in the few minutes of clarity available. Uh ... clarity not so forthcoming, especially with the eyeliner on the left eyelid.

Amidst the heat, I still had to do the dishes (and that activity plus super-hot water makes me even hotter), rewatch Home for the sga_squee community, get dressed of course and finish my makeup and hair. And try to prevent my makeup from running. Commence frantic fanning of face!

Somehow, I managed to get everything done (wearing my usual leopard print long skirt, brief top and black capelet) and, despite my intention to take painkillers, went on a minivan ride without any meds. At least I had a lot of time to relax when I arrived VERY early. And I goofed because I wasn't aware that we had to register down the hallway (I didn't know there was anyone there) for our meal preferences and to receive a folder of info. When my sis, RS, showed up, she registered me. Even so, everyone was served dinner and I was still waiting. And getting hungrier. Finally, I got my burger and hot dog, salad, and apple juice. Later there was a fresh fruit plate and lemon meringue pie.

So, the weird thing is that we were visited by a team promoting diabetes prevention. But - really stupidly - they offered to do glucose blood sugar tests AFTER we'd eaten. Still, I went ahead and it really hurt my finger. I guess I was just already sensitized to pain in general. I also received a sealed bag and wonder what stuff is in there. No, I'm in too much pain to investigate.

There were a few people I recognized from earlier events and church. Though it was a mixed event, it was overwhelmingly dominated by women. There'd been a slightly creepy guy (I don't know WHO he was) doing some political advocacy. I'm just hoping he didn't write down my name and phone number when I gave it to the diabetes project team.

Most everyone had been picked up early by the fleet of busses that kept pulling up one after another. Luckily, my minivan arrived around 8:30 (my pickup time). Not so luckily, the back seats were made for people who were - I'd estimate - at least 5'8" tall. Um ... stupid manufacturers ... I'm 4'11". If you can't provide at least a foot rest so that I can be supported somehow, why do you insist on building such stupid vehicles. Even worse were the head rests that were way above my head. ::growls in frustration and pain::

So, stupid minivan (and I reserve the right to write "stupid" as many times as necessary), following meandering neighbourhood streets in the dark. Not only can I NOT see where we're headed (only trees and houses), I'm getting bounced by Every. Damn. Speed. Bump in existence. By the time I arrived home (around 9:55), I was ready to cry. In fact, I still feel like crying.

At least posting about my rewatching comments lifted my spirits, as did reading the other watchers' posts. And, as you already know, I gave up on staying upright before midnight.

::growls in continued pain while contemplating nap vs shower::

And I had a weird night sleep-wise (or should that be unwise?) and many stomach upsets this morning which did not predispose me to want to get out of bed. So, after a few semi-naps, I finally got out so I could have a lovely shower (uh ... I may have also inadvertently flooded the bathroom floor). It had been thunderstorming vigorously in the morning and I didn't expect much from the weather, certainly no warmth. So I decided to wear my long, low-cut black dress together with my sparkly capelet, along with a blue-green flower in my hair and my pakua shell earrings ('cuz I answered "blue" to Brian's colour scheme question).

My ride was early, so I arrived at Brian's at 4:55 (along with a stowaway, namely Giggly Ballerina Piggly). I went upstairs and was invited into ... oh, look, it's an indoor jungle. He made me a different jungle two years ago. There were all sorts of adornments on the table, from a sparkly centrepiece, to a reproduction Greek urn to a male nude statue (hey, where'd that come from?). I received a beautiful menu (printed on exquisite heavy paper) as a memento of the event.

So what'd he serve me? We started off with aged cheddar and blue cheeses on crackers and garlic toasts. Then came shrimp cocktail. The drink was a refreshing homemade lemon-limeade. The main course was very messy (at least for me). It was broiled lobster tails with a Chardonnay/lemon sauce; also served with a real crabmeat & farfalle salad. The entrée was accompanied by the rest of the New Zealand Chardonnay.

Okay, by now we were both stuffed and I'd had to rip apart my lobster with my fingers (thankfully OFF camera, 'cuz we filmed this as an epi of the show); so I got to open gifties. I received a pink pig silicon pot holder (squeeeeeeeee), a wee butterfly and a bottle of my fave liqueur, Hypnotiq. After gifties came dessert. I kid you not, but Brian spent the whole week making this cake: multiple layers of coffee-infused chocolate with mousse and a bright blue enclosure covered with leaves, flowers and butterflies. ::wails:: It was so beautiful, I didn't want to cut into it. But he photographed me making the first cut. And then I had a few bites along with a glass of sweet, sparkling Moscato wine. I brought most of my piece home as well as many of the decorations. I need to take a picture.

I was so stuffed, I thought we'd need to roll me out the door. And, eeeeeek, it was 7:55. Where'd the time go? Brian escorted me downstairs. My ride arrived at 8:15 (only 5 minutes late, so I was relieved). I was home in a flash and was so happy to fall apart (after putting the cake in the fridge). I spent the last 80 minutes rewatching last Sunday's church service, so I'll be all set for tomorrow. [Yeah, you can tell I'm making that up, because I'm so full and exhausted.] I've tried to tell my tum to behave by swallowing a pill and drinking a glass of tonic water. I hope it helps.

Anyway, I had a splendid day celebrating my birthday while trying NOT to feel every day of those 5 million and one years of my existence. So, I'm exaggerating. And I've told Brian that next year we get to have a very simple b-day for me: a picnic with a potato salad. After all, I want him to survive, too! Okay, sleep now. Real life returns tomorrow!!!

Though last night's sleep was a bit uneven (first being too hot and then too cold), I did eventually wake up to the alarm at 8. Brekkie was those mini cinnamon buns, 'nanas and a glass of prune juice. It was SO horribly cold out (though not reflected by the actual temp) that I had to close the balcony door at 10. I then crawled into bed, hoping to have a wee nap. No such luck, as I kept getting phone calls. So I struggled out of bed and re-watched yesterday's as well as last week's epis of Glee.

I also enjoyed John's weird combo soup (red beans, brocolli florets, beets) because it was hot. I took out my psychadelic (tangerine, mauve, iris blue, etc.) low-cut ruffled neck/sleeve blouse with matching sarong-scarf and decided to wear it under the black suede jumper, together with my short-sleeved black jacket. I added my curly pony-tail holder hairpiece and a tangerine flower in my hair. I also got out my vivid Hawaiian print purse and was ready to be picked up at 3:55. Well, after I put on my WINTER coat. Arrgghh. And after I'd swallowed an emergency Perc to counter the stirrings of skewering pain.

I was the first volunteer to arrive at the church before 5, so stayed outside enjoying the slightly weak sunshine. But the cold forced me in. After picking up my raffle tickie and dwinkie tickies and name tag, I chose two comfy armchairs near the front of the stage at a table for 6. My pew-mate John showed up eventually as did some people whom I didn't know (but I think they knew me).

Brent was there (post-op himself) and came up to me and asked how I was feeling. That was very sweet of him. I told him I had staples and asked about him. He had stitches. As he's still having to take it easy, he first thanked all of us and then said Grace from the stage before excusing himself to go back home.

I had three fruit-punch drinks, the second spiked with rum. Dinner was lasagna, salad and a buttered bun, with a piece of lemon cake for dessert. After dinner they gave out a whole bunch of raffle prizes, followed by a comic act. And then came more raffle prizes. I won one that had me jumping up in joy: it's a 30-minute massage session with someone who has magic fingers. He used to give me back massages often when I was at the information centre. The only problem: he lives beyond the city limits. Ack! What is it about these people living outside of Toronto?

Even though church-John was supposed to drive me home, my neighbours were there too and offered to take me. I got in around 9:11, reminded roommie-John of the outfit I'd worn (that he'd paid for), but he didn't remember it at all. Anyway, I really have to go to bed now, as I'll have lots to do tomorrow (show blog and finding a suitable hat for Brian's surprise). So, one pillsy or two? Decisions, decisions.

Well ... now that I have your attention, that happened this evening. Other things happened prior to that.

Despite my best intentions, I didn't crawl into bed until 2-ish. And, yes, of course I was wheezing in desperation. So, please imagine my utter shock to wake up around 8:30. Just as I was puzzled by my insomnia, I am now even more mystified as to HOW my body can allow me to fall asleep without being assured to a decent, regular oxygen supply.

OTOH, there are repercussions. After getting a reprieve each night, my body retaliates (hmmmm, I'm using all these "r" words) by stuffing up my nose for the entire morning. There's no rhyme nor reason (hee, "r"), but it happens every morning.

After I managed to reestablish breathing, I had brekkie of many apples and two 'nanas. John finally went out grocery shopping and I washed dishes. He came back with 80% of my requests: a tasty sausage & pepper pasta sauce, 6 bottles of Coke, 2 boxes of facial tissues and 'nanas. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to find the raw almonds. Then, he went off to putter while I had lunch (two reheated chicken thighs).

We were expecting his friend to arrive for dinner, but she left late. The intention was to walk out onto the promontory to catch the full moon and then return to the dinner that was a joint affair. Well, Carol showed up and I bundled up in my long suede jumper over my nightie, not to mention boots, turtleneck, jacket, coat, yadda-yadda. Unbeknownst to me, someone (building management?) had put a proper gate into the corner of the fence behind the barbecue pit (and closest to the water). So I dragged my walker and we had a wee bit of a dangerous slide down the hill. When we got out to the promontory the sun had already set, but there were still golden striations of colour in the western sky. But we glanced around. Where is this full moon of visual significance? Not where we were. So, after tossing back a goblet of the bottle of Margaritas I'd provided, we headed back (especially crucial as John had neglected to wear scarf, gloves or socks).

We were such happy campers to be back inside. Dinner was on the table soon. We started off with French onion soup that John had made this afternoon, topped with Munich rye bread and decadent Brie before being slid under the broiler in my traditional handled earthenware bowls. After that came the bagels, sliced cuke and tomato, chopped onion and deli cream cheese (from Carol) and a small side of smoked salmon as well as a cool potato and beet salad (from John). And gherkins. We polished off the bottle of Margaritas. And, despite being full, there was just enough room for my large oval chocolate cupcakes.

And then I excused myself, saying I needed to get ready for church. So, imagine my surprise to find burrs stuck along the front hem of both my nightgown and even the suede jumper. Ick-ick-ick. Get them off me. Well, I changed nighties and then tried to pick off as many as I could. Le sigh. I don't have anything more exciting to do on a Saturday night? Ah, well. I'm going to have a few more sips of my cold cranberry herbal tea and then reacquaint myself with my very fresh bed (as I'd kept my window open throughout dinner and even beyond). Nighty-night, all. Yes, even to the absent moon.

'Cuz that's what I had today. Mind you, that hot lemon drink didn't work last night and I was up in the middle, with a wee break on the 'puter before sliding back into bed. This time it was because I couldn't breathe. Um, isn't that what the hot lemon drink is for?????

When I woke up, I had a new entree for brekkie. Um ... I thought meatloaf was supposed to be ... crumbly. This was three very thin slices of spam-loaf. The 'shroom gravy was good as were the smashed 'taters and baby Chinese veggies. But I obviously will NOT be ordering it again.

( Helenka loves to party! )My charming companion mock-threatened to sing Christmas carols and I wish there had been some entertainment. So, next year, I'm going to get a bunch of us together to arrange to have some music playing softly in the background, as well. Also, if people want to be ready to sing some carols, that would be great because, honestly, it's a bit much to expect people with severe visual impairment to read sheet music at a moment's notice. And I would like to bring one of my semi-naughty word games. So it's good I have stuff to plan.

Anyway, I was happy to be picked up to get home to have a few minutes' rest (and to wash the dishes). Brian picked me up around 5:30 and we were off to have ... breakfast for dinner. We made Baked Eggs with Spinach, served with toast. I mixed up wee dishes of spicy ketchup. And there was French chocolate fudge cake for dessert. He wanted to show me all four of our consecutive Christmas epis (yes, kiddies, an hour-long show!), but his TV was not behaving, so I'll have to catch the rest on my 'puter. Anyway, I was picked up shortly after 8 and got home in an instant. I know I've kept threatening promising to do chores, but I really, really, really have to get started tomorrow. I'm running out of time and that's not a good thing. So, fingers crossed and all that ... and goodnight, all.

Well, after I got to bed around 4 a.m., that is. So you might say that waking up was postponed until quite late morning. And, then, I had a delightful entrée for brekkie. It was two slices of ham in honey mustard sauce, accompanied by scalloped 'taters and spring mix veggies (baby corn, carrots, beans and - ooh - water chestnuts). I really should have licked all of the sauce off the plate, it was THAT good.

I managed to catch this week's Castle and liked all of the twists and turns, especially the revelation of the name at the end. I also spent a bit more time working on the blog and was surprised to get an invite from Brian, treating me to brekkie for dinner at The Waffle Works, giving us a chance to talk about new directions for the cooking show. Of course I said yes. Then I went digging into a box of antiquity, finding the passport for the first huge party we created in January of 1993. And our promo. I want him to put those things into our blog and on the site.

I was happy he left work on time, so he was able to pick me up around 5:20. The only problem: the waffle place was closed. Huh. Perhaps, as it's fall, they're not staying open late. So, we went across the street to the restaurant that M and I used to visit all the time. Because we were still in a breakfasty mood, that's what we ordered. Two identical plates of home fries, very crisp bacon, two eggs over easy, toast and strawberry jam. I also asked for malt vinegar to go on the fries and Brian taught me a trick with the eggs. Pour a dollop of ketchup on the plate, then dribble Tabasco, mixing it in. Oooh. Yummy combo. After we bounced ideas back and forth, getting all excited (no, we never get tired of OUR ideas), Brian escorted me next door, so I could withdraw money and also get some coins in change after treating myself to a Coke. And, then, I was home at the end of what had been a miserable, cold and drizzling day. But my insides were sure warm and toasty.

Anyway, I can't stay up as late tonight, as my food will be delivered tomorrow late morning. So I must look ... alive and attentive. I'll wish everyone a good night.

... deserves its own post.

I spent a pretty awful day with abdominal pain. Ack. After two gravol and 6-8 pepto bismol and a 30-minute lie-down after my makeup was on, I was able to continue getting dressed. I wore a long flowing black dress covered with my sparkly capelet, together with one of my sparkly Dior pendants (a crystal studded globe that opens into a lip gloss with mirror) and art deco crystal earrings. My ride was early and I arrived so quickly that I was able to catch the last few remnants of the sunset through the windows of his party room on the top floor.

So, I finally saw what he'd been keeping a secret from me. He had a table on which there was a PYRAMID, a DHD, a STARGATE, the path to the pyramid lined with palm trees!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so I thought he'd bought a prop. Um ... no. It. Was. A. Cake!!!!!!!!! Not enough !!!!!!!!! A golden pyramid and all the rest, with Happy (etc.) written in heiroglyphs (I want him to send me a piccie so I can check out the accuracy).

( yadda, yadda, yadda all about the party )

After that, people started helping to clean up. As my ride home was scheduled for 12:10, I left around 12:03 carrying a loot bag. Yay - and, yes, I am so FIVE! When I got down to the lobby, my ride was already there, so I got home very quickly. Mind you, I still didn't get to sleep until 2:00 a.m. Eeeeeeeek. I need sleep because of church. But that's another post.

Secret message in a bottle
Hint:



::giggles::
Happy Birdy to Brian
from Helenka
( what was inside the bottle )

I just got home about forty-five minutes ago.
I am drunk.
I am happy.
I am the birthday girl (well, not officially, 'cuz that's not until 12:26 p.m. on June 1st, but I celebrated early).

So, what about the oops? Well, I was on duty this morning and, when I was leaving the altar level after anointing, I couldn't see where the steps were and I slipped down the two steps and scraped my ankle!!! Ouch. And, also, will I see it on the webcast? So I was in pain and feeling anxious about going up to serve communion, 'cuz there's rules about what to do when you drop the elements. Le sigh. Well, I took things v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y and survived. My ride came early and I had the interesting driver who likes to talk about outrageous things. So we had fun talking. And I have homework from him (to watch a couple of videos). When I got in, I tried to rest, even going to the extent of napping for half an hour, also hoping that the dizziness would dissipate.

Brian called before 4, saying he would be leaving shortly. Okay, I have to be awake now and not nauseous. Tall order. I'm so glad he didn't tell me what the theme was. He transformed his place into a tropical paradise: a seaside patio. There were seven tropical plants or trees arranged around the perimeter, as well as a vase of gorgeous flowers. The serving table was covered with a white linen cloth. We sat at the teak(?) table. First served were crinkle cut slabs of blue and cheddar cheeses with an assortment of crackers. I love the wheat thins. Accompanying that, we had freshly mixed pina coladas in his cruise glasses. Then the appetizer. Broiled spicy Thai shrimp in the shell. Can you say hot ... and extremely messy. The entree was Pacific salmon in a rum/garlic/brown sugar/butter crust, with rosemary parisienne potatoes, haricots verts (which are much more delicate than mere green beans) and roasted baby tomatoes with garlic and salt & pepper. The perfect drink with that was a bottle of Helenka Trocken. Oops! I meant Henckell.

It was all really divine. To add to the ambiance of the tropics, there was a small fan hidden behind the trees, making the leaves rustle. And he was using his sound machine with the night jungle theme. He was running a slide show of his various tropical vacations on the flat screen TV. When the night jungle sounds stopped, he switched over to ocean waves. Oh. My. That was so convincing. It was as if we were on our private patio with the ocean just a few feet away. And, even though the weather had been forecast as cloudy (it was definitely cold), the sun came out and the rays were so pure as they glanced through the foliage (and the crystal on the bar). Am I relaxed? Oh, yes. As he was responsible for driving me home (and responsible, period), he had one glass of the bubbly and I polished off the rest. Now, I'm even more relaxed. Dessert was more decadence: a chocolate fudge cookie cake with dulce di leche sauce ('cuz Brian likes to drizzle that on everything).

Finally, sated and slightly tipsy, I was finished with dinner. While I'd been eating, Brian had had his camera on a tripod and I'm sure he was recording my meandering but still interesting monologue. And, then, he placed my birthday card in front of me. As I was opening it, he created a "Curtain No. 1" feeling by draping the white tablecloth over something in the middle of the table. The card was absolutely hilarious. The punch line was that he was younger than I am. And I just let out this enormous laugh. It felt wonderful.

Then, voila, he drew off the cloth and pushed the birthday basket over to me. It was my task to see what sorts of odds and ends were in it. First off, two containers of epsom salts. Yaaaay. A tiny ginger scented bath kit. Ooh - I'll bet the aroma is hypnotic. An enormous pepper mill and an equally enormous (and weighing nearly a pound) sea salt mill. A tiny bottle of Bailey's (he said I should use it when I'm stuck on one of my rides). A box of Turtle's chocolates. And, finally, an ingenious over-the-sink cutting board with a collapsible silicone collander. He said he didn't want me wrecking my knives on my glass boards. Okay, so I'll just use the glass for meat. The plastic will be for fruits and veggies (that usually require the whole washing thingy) and the wood is reserved for bread. And I got the leftover cake.

Okay, you know I don't want to go home. I just want to float in my birthday bubble for ever. But, before we left, I took pictures of all of the plants and the way everything was placed. And speaking of nice feelings, the fake-curmudgeon who sits behind me at church couldn't believe how old I was going to be tomorrow. I had him stroke my forearm to show him how soft my skin was. Very!

So, I have possibilities before midnight strikes. Drink some club soda. Have an epsom salts bath by candlelight. Nap. Something. Well, I'll go off and do ... something and I'll talk to you all tomorrow.