Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

First, though, there was this pesky matter of waking up around 4:30 ... and deciding going back to sleep just wasn't in the cards. So I really d-a-w-d-l-e-d over my morning routine. It's back to being stupidly cold out, though the ground was completely dry. Still ugh.

I had a really nice driver today. Though, when I boarded the bus, he was supposed to be taking me for a 55-minute drive! But, when he got behind the wheel, he noticed the route had changed and I was going to be delivered to the church immediately. What a relief. Still, we had a terrific time talking about food and eating in TO. I recommended Brian's and my (sadly lapsed) cooking show with all the ingenious variations I'd suggest. I also talked about how I used to be photogenic, yadda-yadda, and had a well-modulated speaking voice. He said I still speak very well, with precisely-enunciated words. I told him that was very important to me. But enough chit-chat as I got to the church and scurried indoors to get warm.

I was nothing but smiles, telling everyone of my good fortune. When I mentioned to my fave deacon that SuM had called me an "amazing person", he replied that I am! Awww, shucks. Then I got to telling my pew-mates the good news. Church-John is offering his movers again. I think it would be irresponsible of me NOT to use them. He's also ready to deliver more cartons. Gee, I guess I'd better start packing, lol. I also asked Ashley if she could help me move my clothes and linens in advance.

Once again, we were graced by the presence of a husbandless Maurice (though he had enjoyed a brief two hours with Rev. Tom on Friday, so we ribbed him about his "conjugal" visit). Brent was back after burying his mother. He mentioned how difficult it had been to wear both hats, as presider and mourner.

It seemed to be even colder after the service, so I was just relieved to get home. Until I actually got in, because there's been a freaky freezing draft under my feet all day. I've put a tiny rug under my feet and won't be removing my leggings until it's time to go to bed. Ugh. Um ... I think I'm headed in that direction because I can hardly keep my eyes open. And I just yawned. Yes, yes, message received! Nighty-night, all.

Sometimes that's the best you can hope for ... that you're not in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can't even begin to fathom the horror but, in a way, I'm glad I can't watch TV and rarely listen to the radio. Besides, I'm not sure how much coverage there'd be from another country.

So, I was oblivious for most of the day, until I revisited SLOG. Even that was too much for me. Earlier in the day, I'd watched last night's Glee which was all sorts of weirdness. I worked on the SGA rewatch but was far too tired to get much beyond the first third. And I also had to work on the blog post for the Christmas show. I finished that and then texted Brian ... who hasn't acknowledged me. ::shakes head:: I don't know what's happening, but this current disconnectedness worries me.

Sitting in front of my 'puter for so long gave me both a sore butt and a screaming spine. I don't know why all of a sudden I'm wriggling and can't find a comfortable position. ::sighs, 'cuz bodies are weird:: I'd already talked myself out of going out today, even though it was mild out. I'm not sure about tomorrow, either, because I just feel drained. The only good news is that I finally got my ride home for Thursday after the vision loss group's party, so that is a huge relief. I had an unscheduled and UNsatisfactory nap, but I guess I should be grateful for anything that removed me from the pain, even temporarily. And right now I think I'm just going to read some feel-good fic.

Nope, it's not an internet thingy. And I'm not stuttering (though I really feel like faintly bleating "What? Where? Who?" It's short for WHIRLWIND WEEKEND WRECK. Which - if you hadn't gathered - is what I am today.

Somehow I survived the weekend, but at a high physical cost. Of course I had to go to sleep very late (early Saturday morning). As I was paranoid about sleeping through the alarm, I set TWO. At least I did wake up with plenty of time to look through clothes. Mind you, opening the closet door was eeksome. I finally decided to wear the long black gown I wore last year with a rectangular black sequinned shawl slung diagonally between hip and opposite shoulder. I attached two smaller hairpieces to a ponytail at my right ear and added my black fox hat. Along with my pretty ruby bee earrings, I was all set. We'll just ignore that I had heavy duty socks, leggings and boots on underneath, as well as my Irish cape. Because it was c-c-cold out and extremely windy.

My driver was already waiting for me at 11:25 and I arrived at Brian's very early. Oh, I'm so excited to be there. He did a wee bit of discreet decorating, so that made me very happy. There was a fairly bushy tree on the mantle with a musical Enterprise ornament, also a white fibre optic St. Nicholas (definitely NOT Santa). Also a scaled back garland and beads.

We started off by recording our opening greeting and, then, after redressing the set, our parting wishes for a happy new year while drinking bubbly. And, then, we got down to the business of filming what we did over the hours, including eating a yummy brunch, then baking and decorating cookies, then Brian prepping for dinner, then having three fondues, plus drinking more bubbly that really got us giddy. We were so very stuffed, but we'd had a fun time and actually got to review the raw footage because of his new mini-Mac. But, alas, 8:00 was approaching so I had to leave, along with a goody bag of leftover cheese fondue, some of his baking, etc. Only problem is that my ride didn't show up. I wait until about 8:37 when he finally came. What. A. Relief. However, when I got home, I zonked out inadvertently (from the bubbly and tiredness) only to wake up a couple of hours later, hot, achy, and completely unable to fall asleep again. Waaaaaaah. So I got out of bed and decided to explore my old files on my HD. Oh, look, a 300-page story. Yeah, I read it and then deleted.

After that, it was already past 6 a.m. and time for me to start getting ready for church. Oh, saints and angels deliver me, as I was in no condition for it. But, somehow, I pulled myself together, added lots of layers to my black/gold pullover with citrine jewellery, and headed out. I arrived really early so just enjoyed chatting with lots of people. I even managed to sing a few hymns without croaking. And I discussed Christmas Eve with Church-John, so I may have someone to sit (and sing) with. After church, I was deliriously happy my cab was on time (even though the city was hosting the Canadian football final) and got me home quickly. Even better that I networked with one of the other passengers who told me I should be able to use my cellphone gift card at a special site online. Oh, yay.

I treated myself to the extra entrée I've been saving and snoozed for a bit. But I'm still a wreck. I shudder to think of how Brian's surviving, though - to his credit - he has his relative youth and health to keep him going. Lucky dog! However, I did at least manage to fulfill my self-imposed obligation to review The Kindred Part 1 for sga_squee where I posted a few shortish comments. I actually came away with a deeper understanding (though certainly NO appreciation) of the episode. Still, yay, for getting it done. Now I think I'll look for something to read that will lull me to a bliss-filled and needed sleeeeeeeep.

Oh, what a busy and all-over-the-place day. I woke up early, intending to wash my hair at that time. Ha! Instead I took my first med and put on eyeliner. I should have had brekkie at 9, but it got delayed to 9:30. And that's how things went all morning.

I called in my meal delivery order. Finally washed my hair at 12:30. Imagine that: I didn't smear my eyeliner. Then I did something so smart, I wonder why I didn't do it before. Instead of ordering med refills in person, I phoned in my order at 1 and said I'd be over to pick them up at 4. In dorkier news, I left a comment on the Star Trek FB page. I said my fave memory from a ST con was dancing with Mark Lenard at Klingcon in Albany, NY 20 years ago. [Alas, no piccies, as the film in my friend's camera jammed.]

I managed to watch this week's epi of N.C.I.S. I'm actually liking this 4-part fire/terrorism arc. It's not too outlandish. After that, I alternated doing the dishes with getting dressed. I don't know what I was thinking but I wore my winter coat out. Well ... it had felt cold this morning.

I picked up my meds and then did a tiny shopping at the supermarket where my purchases were being scrutinized by a small girl. Yes, child, I am quite fond of oranges (10 lbs.). And, no, I'm not buying lots of stuff, just 8 items. I had only minutes to spare before Brian's usual call time, so I scurried home, huffing and puffing. I got in at 4:45 and he called at 4:52. Whew! I had just enough time to change tops and switch into my spring coat. I finished the blog at the wire: 5:19 p.m. I went to wait downstairs for him; he was delayed a titch, but we finally got on the road.

He served me a possible candidate for potato salad for my birthday, but I didn't care for it. OTOH, I gobbled up the exquisite ribs he'd roasted for 4 hours at a lowish temp. It's a good thing I wasn't wearing makeup, because I had a colourful face when I was finished.

We talked about my hair. I wore it pulled back from above the ears and secured with my polka-dot floof. So I think I'm going to grow my hair but have it cut in layers, for body. He said he'd always liked me with longer hair and I have to agree nobody would ever think I'll be older than dirt in 4 weeks from tomorrow.

After dinner he worked on getting our episode published (but was having probs as his Wordpress settings had changed). While he was doing that, I was playing on his new super-thin tablet. And, yes, I mean playing. He'd shown me where the music thingies were. So I tried the keyboard, but it was really hard to not hit a wrong note when my fingers were about as big as the keys. Still, I had fun making all sorts of sounds.

Alas, too soon it was time to go. My ride was expected at 7:50 and was a few minutes early. So I got home at 8:02. I'm now sitting here with the window wide open and believe I'll leave it that way. I can't believe how much the weather changed in one day. The rain held off and didn't start until after I'd come home. ::thanks the clouds::

I just hope my horrible aches will dissipate overnight. Brian gave me two little blue pills (no, they weren't what everyone associates with the colour) but they barely helped. ::whimpers and plans to crawl off to the sleep piggies::

This morning I watched Castle and was mightily relieved to see the ten-foot thick brick wall start to crumble. The familial stuff was adorable. Then, in the afternoon, I watched Glee TWICE (not to mention - you won't squeal on me, right - THE audition piece like LOTS of times). I wasn't too thrilled with the way the deadly serious subject matter was treated but, then again, Ryan M has done this many times before. Whether it'll be unearthed again, who knows. Oh, before I forget, the makeup people did an amazing job on Chris Colfer's face. Mind you, I know it's not just makeup, especially when he gives us that BIG-eyed incredulous stare.

Other than that, my meals were delivered 30 minutes early, so I had to hop (on my wonky ankles) to the living room to buzz her in. Ouch??? But my ray of sunshine was delightful as always. She said the meals arrived much earlier, so they began their delivery route.

I stayed away from doing any work on the blog. I guess I'll wait to be inspired ... tomorrow. Won't be the first time I've waited until the last minute. And I had a shortened nap in the evening, 'cuz I was trolling fb and SLOG.

I'm glad I had the TV shows as a distraction. Well, it was that or the ... uh ... blinding pants. Hee!!!

LA: Trundling off to bed around 3 a.m. and setting the alarm for 10.

BLAH: Listening to John tell me that I shouldn't colour my hair, that it's a very flattering shade of grey. Uh, John, I think you're still under the influence of the analgesics from the visit to the dentist. 'Cuz, oy, I'm going to be dying my hair until the day I ... well ... die!

LA: Watching the Outdoor Fun episode we'll be posting this week and starting to work on the blog. Oh, barbecues are simply yummy!

ARRGGHH: Finding mail correctly addressed to me in the RETURNS bin. So, our postie stuck it in someone else's mailbox. Said someone is too damn lazy to knock on the door to redeliver and sticks it in the bin. It's not the first time this has happened, so I shall be making a formal complaint to Canada Post.

BLAH: As I have to be up fairly early for my meal delivery tomorrow, there was no room for a nap tonight and I'll have to go to bed at a ::groans:: reasonable hour.

LA: Catching up on SLOG and fb. And commenting, comme d'habitude.

OMG(aga)

[I just woke up, ahead of schedule (and a few times), but that didn't prevent me from sinking back into the same dream (or non-cohesive continuation) of it.

The facts first: at 7:11, I set the alarm for 9:15, then realized it should have been 10:15 (you know me and my 3-hour requirement). Fixed. But I'm feeling weird because my feet are bare. Still, I do fall asleep.]

In the dream, Brian and I have some unusual plans for the day. I'm cooking pasta and end up with a wide broad bowl of linguine; I believe there are strands of carrots and tiny squares of cheese on top. [Why this is supposed to be special, I do not know.]

Brian's supposed to drive over and pick me up. He does, but somehow I'm walking up a set of concrete ramps (imagine those old-fashioned metal fire escapes, but solid, at a less acute angle), with each landing being someone's terrace. Some of the terraces appear to be almost maze-like, with intricate interconnections.

I see someone over on the terrace that is opposite Brian's, lying on a chaise longue. It's either someone I have had a relationship with, or wish I'd had. [After I woke up, I couldn't even remember if it was a man or woman. Irate Note To Brain: Hey, you, why you keep secrets from me? Brain's Response: Nyahaha!]

Brian's hurrying after me (Ha! In my dream, I'm the fast one); now it seems as if the dish he's carrying has morphed into a take-out oblong container. He's been followed by several people who suddenly are interested in our cooking show and MY blog in particular. They're all sliding folded money into the space between the lid and bottom. I remember a five dollar bill escaping and falling onto the floor (that's no longer concrete but wooden slats). I grab it, because every five dollars is important (Ha! That's real life talking).

One person, an important man, says to give him a call about the blog and slips in his card as well as a twenty.

Now it's back to the food and the pasta is in a smaller deeper bowl. Brian's been complaining at the lack of heat. [This is one of his peeves, that hot food should be served hot! It's no wonder I got myself the heated serving tray.]

[At this point, I'd already woken up a couple of times, the first at 8:24. I'd also heard something like a badly-creaking floorboard when someone steps on it. And finally, when I checked the cellphone again, it was 9:24 so I gave up and struggled out of bed.

The moral of the story is that, if you're going to eat a hard-boiled egg and a muffin and not wear socks to bed, you'll have a weird dream. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Now I'm going to have a tomato-on-rye (it was the fresh package of bread falling onto the floor that must have caused the very loud creaking sound).]

I should be growling in irritation from waking up around 5:30 but, as I'm sooooo tired, all that's emerging is a whimper – a puny one at that. Yes, up too early. Yet, when I made my ride bookings for tomorrow, I wasn't given the time I wanted to be picked up. Ack. But I can't be late for the doctor's appointment. ::sighs::

I tried a new dish for brekkie. It was Chicken pesto rotini. It was surprisingly good. After that, I had to buckle down and do massive loads of laundry. How massive? Well, I was down to using my leopard print skirt as a nightgown. ::sighs some more::

I dawdled too long in the afternoon and then had to scurry to get ready. Come on, hair. Dry already. So, today, we got the amazing early summer weather, but it'll be gone overnight.

I wore my long rayon jumper together with a cotton capelet. Oh, what a relief to not be wearing tons of clothing.

Brian picked me up at 5:15. He's been a sick baby (with a cold) and that's bad, because he's leaving on vacation tomorrow. Aaaah-choo! But he felt well enough to host me and to prepare "slop" (one step down from "gruel") for supper. He's so silly. It was actually potato-leek soup he'd doctored up with several spices.

He posted the outdoor episode of the blog I'd been working on and then we were joking around. We were contemplating what I'd do with 50 million dollars. You know, a completely rational discussion. NOT! Anyway, he was tired, I was tired, so he escorted me downstairs and bid me goodbye with air-hugs only. My bus was a tiny bit late, but I got home, so that's a win.

I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open (probably from the painkillers I took before dinner), so I'm heading off to bed. Still not looking forward to confronting my GP tomorrow. ::sighs a third time::

Oh, forcryingoutloud (as Jack O'Neill would say). More of the middle-of-the-night waking up – a couple of times. Finally, I gave in after 6. I tried to do some stuff, but everything was protesting.

At least brekkie was surprisingly not bad, even though its name (Tuna primavera noodle casserole) would be sure to make a purist scream. It came with tons of peas and was surprisingly delicate. Wow. Two days in a row.

I finally buckled down and did most of the cooking blog. ::smirks:: I'm sure Brian will be surprised to see the direction I took. That's why I love the liberty to write whatever I want! ::listens to that "I have the power" echo:: And I've been working on my fic; yes, the one that's due tomorrow. ::shrieks::

Well, I've had my nap, my two glop-of-the-day soups and should get back to writing. It would be nice if I could finish this early. Then all I'd have to do is figure out how to post on AO3. ::rolls eyes:: Okay, back to writing NOW!!!

Oops. Not quite. I just remembered the story I read on Yahoo about squirrels eating 10,000 tulip bulbs in a Windsor (Ontario) park. The problem is that the ground wasn't frozen enough to keep the squirrels out. I e-mailed the link to John as - guess what - we've had a squirrelly interloper on the balcony, happily digging through white lily bulbs. The-the-the sneaky bastard!

Also, I'm pouting because PARTS of the province had summer today. We had fog and a high temperature 20F lower. Arrgghh. I do not like yucky damp and cold. Okay, I'm done ranting NOW!!!

To ouch or not to ouch. Sorry, I don't have any options. I'm ouching and lurching a lot.

Up too early after 6. Ouch. The only good thing was one of my fave brekkies, namely Fish'n'chips. Yay!

Had a nap really early, too. Woke up at 3:15. Started working on tonight's sga_squee close to 5. Didn't finish until close to 10. That doesn't make any sense to me, as it's the second (third including audio commentary) rewatch this week. Maybe I'm just feeling dragged down by the pain. It's not just in my ankle. It feels as if I actually had fallen, with odd radiating pains in other parts of the body (knee, wrist, etc.). But I guess I should be thankful I didn't fall. Still, it's a relief to know I won't be on duty at church, because there's no way I could even hold the implements. ::sighs::

Anyway, I posted my impressions about this week's epi. I'm just glad I had something to take my mind off the pain. Actually, it was enough that I forgot ::rolls eyes:: to take any ibuprophen. And it's far too late to take any now. ::ponders:: Or is it?

The other distraction I had was the sound of my own voice as captured on the cooking blog published yesterday. Now don't get the wrong idea: I'm not insufferably vain, but hearing my voice be all sophisticated is something that really makes me happy. 'Cuz, otherwise, you ALL know I'm like doddering, going on 5!

Well, I think I've talked myself into painkillers. My left wrist gave me a very persuasive argument. After that, I think I'll read for a bit. And, then, it's sleep-time with the piggies. Yay!