Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

More than eight hours of sleep in a delightfully cozy, cheerful bed did me a world of good. Mind you, I still had to stretch my boundaries, finishing off the steam cleaning of mf the bathroom and then doing a small load of laundry. I think I've definitely determined that pushing the machine and inhaling steam improves my vision.

As the day wore on, the pain returned, so I spent much of the two-hour Executive Zoom call in discomfort. Good thing it was audio only. At least I was happy to hear how pleased our members have been receiving their winter treats and our other efforts to their benefit. Just makes me really grateful for belonging to such a group and being able to contribute.

Anyway, I'm fading quickly. Trying to watch a titch of TV before bed. Earlier, I'd watched yesterday's repeat of Bull that was heartbreaking - about a respected member of society who'd overcome his unfortunate upbringing by paying it forward - establishing a summer camp for at-risk youth. The only problem is that he ended up putting them at risk - from his increasing sexual advances. The ultimate proof (after "He said" vs the only "He said" the team was able to secure) was found in cameras stolen from the man's house which still contained film of some of his improprieties. Taking their existence as probable cause, the authorities carried out a raid and found current evidence that he was still seducing assaulting 13-year old foster children.

Okay, I'm yawning and my fingers are getting all fumbly. Nighty-night, all.

So, let's begin with the mind. After missing a couple of Final Jeopardy clues even though I knew the identity of the person but couldn't remember the name (e.g. key and lightning but not Ben Franklin and prosecutor of Jean Valjean but not Javert), my faith in my ability to recall things - especially music - was restored as I finally solved the earworm from Thursday's Young Sheldon. While Sheldon is in the middle of a quandary, there was this driving music in the background. I first thought it was from Glee but then recalled it was a flash mob during America's Got Talent. Still don't know the name of it.

Anyway, even though the vision was only so-so, I watched ST: Disco (even though S. had to explain what happened at the salvage place) and got something out of Battle of the Blades.

I was too tired to post on Friday - just before my electronic disaster on Saturday. I restarted my computer and allowed Windows 10 to update. Uh-oh. Windows was refusing to talk to ZoomText, leaving me with no method of accessing any browsers or files or anything. ::shrieks::

I couldn't get in touch with Brian because I checked FB on my phone and saw he was visiting his sisters and toddler nephews, so I figured I would wait until yesterday to text him of my woes.

In the meantime, SuM, S. and I planned to watch "Aquaman" on Netflix Sunday night. I thought it was a stupid movie with all those explosions underwater. But it wasted a few hours. I'd asked if S. could visit me to see if there were things she could do, because I can't read the screen.

So, today, after S. tried and failed to resolve things, I texted Brian again. He phoned back. Oh, joy, he took today off as a holiday. With him on speakerphone and S. at my keyboard (and Brian eventually taking over control remotely), I had my ZoomText uninstalled with colours applied through Ease of Access (huh, can't they call it Accessibility?), so I can now read everything more clearly than before in browsers, but not documents. I guess I'll have to tackle that independently. It was a little insulting to learn that my version of ZT is considered "Legacy" aka Ancient!

Anyway, I'm just finally relaxing and watching TV. I think I'll watch Bull and then collapse. I need to scrape my freezer tomorrow morning before I get more (yummy) meals delivered.

Thankfully, two more pills helped and I slept all the way to 7:44. Alas, the morning pills felt disinclined to kick in, so I had to rely on the power of imagination and glorious symphonic music as I watched last night's epi of ST: Disco. I loved the whole Trill thing. I also watched last night's Battle of the Blades even though I didn't really have enough sight to watch figure skating. Sigh. Tonight I watched another compelling rerun epi of Bull though hearing Christmas music was jarring. As is knowing the Ho-Ho season will soon be upon us. I don't want to think about it. Helping me was the fact we're in the middle of another mini heat wave with temps around 70 every day.

I also distracted myself with a couple hours of work for blind group. I just have one thing hanging over my head for the morning.

Okay, back to watching pain-crunching TV.

… leaving me utterly exhausted. He showed up before 5 (ha - just as our Thai food was delivered) and left around 7:30 but, in that time, he dropped off dwinkies (prgamoc juices, instant coffees, and sparkling wawa), then dished out the food onto red lazy susan platters out on the back deck, supervised me feeding dinner to the cats, continued eating yummy Thai dishes, before adjusting my electronic devices in his wake.

But, wait. I'd already been exhausted before he'd arrived, having woken up at 4:33. Sigh. At least I still had vision, so I could read. It was a very cold morning but I would soon warm up as I did a couple loads of laundry, contort myself in making the bed, and tidying up. I wasn't feeling cold when I got in the shower, lol.

After my chores, I snuck in a couple epis of Bull, a show that always leaves me feeling hopeful. I also laughed. SuM and S. intended to be on the road at 6? They left at 9:19. Anyway, the cats are safe and sound and I am about to conk out. I may or may not stay awake during the news. Not that it should matter as my vision has been pathetic for most of the day, surprising even my BFF.

I so should not have tempted fate last night. After a tolerable day, I went to bed at 2. The attack of muscle lock was immediate, compounded by digestive problems as I'd had a second entrée at 10. In retrospect, I figure I was pushing it. So, I gave in to another couple Robax and one Grrvol. Fell gracelessly back into bed at which point I finally felt a comforting heat in my back and then blissful sleep.

Hated the fact that I'd set the alarm for 9, in order to receive my meals personally. After that, I was able to relax abd gi ti bed where I had an unscripted nap.

Caught up with my TV shows in the evening. One of my fave Bull epis had been on last night, involving early-onset Alzheimer's and the desire to control one's destiny. Anyway, it's time for sleep without any hangers-on. ::crosses fingers::

I am always amazed to go to bed with agony-level pain, have it dissipate (even on a crappy bed), and wake up pain-free after 7 in the morning. I will definitely take it.

I am also closer to "looking" more human (but I'm not rushing into it). I phoned the nail salon and have a pedi appointment for next Thursday at noon. OMG. I can't wait! I decided to schedule my hair appointment for the following Thursday, just in case church is on (it's our Anniversary Sunday). Splitting the appointments means I can have two separate days to buy fresh fruit and veggies (yes, I'm dreaming of celery hearts again).

I was also surprised to get an unusual email from the meals admin in the afternoon. She wanted to come over next week to take a photo of me accepting my meals. Well, I gently declined. I like to have control of what pictures are released of me; also, with SuM working from home (which means open concept dining room), the whole thing would be disruptive. Anyway, I'd like to be coddled with this last remaining vanity!

Watched a bit of TV that included a Bull rerun (always entertaining). Also contributed to Savage Love after a brief commenting drought.

Okay, time for more Peppa Pig!

I didn't expect it, especially as I binge-watched Love It Or List It while sitting sideways on the bed, meaning that I was twisting my right side resulting in stupid pain. But, once again, I opened my eye at 9:16, nodded off and woke up at 10:47, and then spent a hour scrolling through FB on my phone. Okay, okay, I need food and pills.

Luckily, my previously-chosen selection in the freezer was the roast chicken dinner. Very yummy. After that, I returned to bed and vegged. I had a weird dream that included being Covid-isolated in an elegant rooftop restaurant, being entertained by two cats (one black, one white with spots), being asked what I could see out the window and looking through huge windows overlooking the roof where there were leaves, a working garden supplying the kitchen, and a valley in which a woman was rummaging around through the fall leaves. She eventually crawled out of the valley holding up a gaudy sequinned purse that held two forgery plates that I later recovered from the restroom of the restaurant! Whew. My dreams exhaust me.

I was happy to have shows recorded earlier this week to watch, including a repeat of Bull that made me cry and a first-run MacGyver that I'm guessing was the season-ender with his idealism winning the day.

The only downer of the day was fuzzy vision, making it nearly impossible to read. Sigh.

Let's just call it Grand Central Helenka Station! I had my meals delivered in the morning, my eyedrops in the evening. And, before that, with the help of my fave (only) baby brother, I ordered an outrageous amount of chocolate, nuts, and candy from the specialty chocolate place near Niagara-on-the-Lake. When will it be delivered? Who. Knows?

One thing I did know since the metaphorical middle of the night was searing pain that woke me up at 5:15. I took two Robax, cancelled my alarm, and went back to sleep. I was lucky it worked, making it all the way to 9:49, And my body hs been taunting me throughout the day. Ugh.

Back to more pleasant subjects, Brian and I dared to talk about P.P. (aka Post Pandemic). We can't wait to get together and go out to have a fine dinner. He might even drive us up ti the Japanese place in Markham which I would love. We were on the phone for quite a while. He'd surprised me by calling at 4:39 - a whole 9 minutes after his work day had concluded. After all, the poor dear had to commute all the way from his work computer to his home computer - a distance of ZERO. After I'd mentioned my problem ordering groceries, he said he'd sing in as me and try to get me untangled so I can begin to order (small) deliveries again.

In between stupid pain, I distracted myself with TV that included a repeat epi of Bull. Even a repeat is still a delight. Anyway, my pills are calling me, so I shall listen to their siren song, seeking relief.

I got help from two sources today. First, S. said she was going down to the local supermarket and did I want anything. Silly question, right? She came back with cinnamon raison bagels (a new craving) and bananas. Alas, the store was out of organic juice. Then, in the late afternoon, church-John said he was about to make the grand sacrifice of going up to Costco and, I guess, crossing the river in the valley to arrive at my place. So I sent him my huge supplement order and a request for … chocolate.

Unfortunately, I'd woken up much, much, much too early. I ended up watching last night's N.C.I.S. Nola I had also started working on my testimonial for the meals provider to use in a fundraising campaign. With frequent breaks to be in pain and lie in bed, I finally sent it off to the admin.

There were the usual TV shows during the day along with a stunning epi of Bull. That show is both clever and uplifting.

Anyway, I'm snacking on a naked bagel (though I'm dreaming of topping it with Brian's jam and whipped cream!) and catching up on reading while hoping the Robax kicks in soon.

Just one of the weird things happening today. The worst was going to bed after 3 with my torso tied up in knots. Don't ask me how I slept: it was a miracle.

The pain would only abate for about 30 minutes each time I took Robax, so I had a lot of misery during the day. I tried to read, then watched a repeat epi of Bull and found that the distraction was finally beginning to help the pain leech out of my body. As some point, I heard my message/text ringtone. I picked up the phone and saw a message highlighted (large text) from the worship logistics leader. I pressed what I thought was the PLAY message button but the phone rang instead and she answered it! But that wasn't the weirdest thing; the message had been left on March 7!!! Anyway, we had a lovely chat except for the phone interjecting "lost signal" every couple of minutes, 'cuz it was 8 p.m., probably the peak calling time.

After that, I watched tonight's violent N.C.I.S. where Kasie and Jimmy were featured. Anyway, tonight's Covid-19 news is that Toronto just cancelled the {rode {arade at the end of June, though apparently there will be Pride "events". I guess I'll just wait and see along ith the rest of us here.