Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

With that intro, you may be sure that I did little decorating, other than putting the summer flowers into storage and removing the lovely scarves from the bathroom door. Well, there's always tomorrow.

First, I had to be dressed to wait for my food delivery because I was expecting my surprise gift bag. Oh, it certainly contained surprises. I'll post separately of the contents. The delivery volunteer was even wearing a hat - I presume Santa's as I couldn't see, and she was definitely jovial.

After that, I had to wait for Brian to arrive with his delivery of goodies. I had the phone turned off, but managed to intercept a call from my former group's co-leader who was calling to wish me a happy Christmas. And then Brian showed up. He's so silly. He threw in items from his pantry, as well as a "sliced" loaf of round bread, four bagels, cookies, and his special Newfie snowballs.

After he left, I had to send my thank you email to the meals administrator, thanking her for her thoughtfulness in a year when it must have been much more difficult to secure donations on behalf of all of their clients.

I'd changed my mind about having a movie night tonight, so joined SuM and S. at 7, bringing treats with me. We exchanged gifties, nibbled on Brian's baked goods, and drank peppermint tea while watching "Ma Raimey's Black Bottom". After the sugar rush (the cookies had been my supper), I bonelessly returned to my space, to relax and watch TV.

I'm so ready to slide into bed, with not only decorating but also all my planned emails to friends. ::waves hand languidly:: Nighty-night.

At least the day started out funny. My phone alarm gives the weather forecast, too. When I woke up at 9, I was thrilled to hear that it would be 62! Um … blondie, it's not early spring. It's actually a bit cool.

I had an unexpected delivery of several gifts accompanying my meal delivery. In a canvas bag was a book of word puzzles, a granola bar, a lip balm, disposable masks, hand sanitizer, a pretty quilted double-sided mask (that matches one of my placemats) by the quilting guild, and a card I can't read. But it all made me feel better.

I as also pleased to hear that SuM and S. will actually take their shortened trip, leaving tomorrow, so I will get to be a cat mommy and get and give lots of cuddles. Awww.

Knowing the house would be empty and the weather semi-decent, I immediately emailed Brian who's agreed to either tomorrow or Thursday to visit me for another dinner on the back deck.

So, with all that positivity, what could bring me down? Alas, we had a depressing Exec meeting via Zoom. We continue to cancel events. Now I have to get my coins rolled for our postponed collection event and get them changed into bills that I can submit via eTransfer. Sigh.

Anyway, after that I watched my TV shows. Finally, there was the depressing news the Raptors lost - badly - last night. Okay, kid, you'd better find some uplifting stories to read before bed!

So, even though the alarm was set for 8-something, I woke up at 6:30. Sigh. But I had a lot to do, including stripping the bed, doing a couple loads of laundry, gyrating gymnastics to remake the bed. And that was just the morning. I had no idea when Brian was planning to come over; he finally said it would be around 4:30-5:00; he planned to order Swish for both of us to be delivered at 5:30. Okay, now I can relax. I needed to lie down for a wee bit first.

The food arrived shortly after he did. And there were surprises such as more of his yummy jam, and Daddy Pig as a b-day prezzie. I guess I'll have to look for George Pig on eBay.

We had dinner out on the back deck and stayed out after while Brian tinkered with my iPad and phone. OMG. He gave me smart invert on the iPad, so I can watch all media au naturel! Now I can catch up on church services.

We also discussed getting together at other times during the summer. I can come out to his place and then we can dine on a nearby patio. Sounds terrific! Anyway, he finally left t 9. While he'd been with me, my sight had kept getting crisper and more colour-accurate! He really is the best medicine! I just hope it lasts after I return from the mall tomorrow so I can read. ::crosses fingers:: At least I watched a really clear Jeopardy! tonight.

Well, on wht I still call Dominion Day (long degraded into lacklustre Canada Day or - in Quebec - Moving Day), I had two naps instead of one. Woo-hoo!

I was feeling wordy, so I sent a long response to a reader who really enjoyed one of my recent stories; I also finally got in touch with one of my oldest church friends who always sends out animated cards. He'd sent me a delightful b-day card and today there was a Canada Day card. Though I couldn't really see what was happening, I loved the rendition of the national anthem.

And that was basically it. I'd had a decent 6 hours of sleep overnight without pain (though I can feel my muscles clenching and will be relieved to take my pills soon). Watched a titch of TV (including one of Jeopardy! James's spectacular wins) and received a pleading email from the meals admin. So I'm considering giving in to the publicity photo … as long as it is taken from my right side! Even better if I can approve it before they run it. I'll email her tomorrow.

And that's a wrap.

After yesterday's feeling dejected and isolated, I woke up to a brand new day that blossomed in many unexpected ways.

First of all, S. was going shopping, so I gave her my extensive and off-beat grocery list. I wanted to satisfy my newest craving for celery! Then, I called Peter (the leader of the book club) and we had a 50-minute discussion about yesterday's book. I really enjoyed our wordy interaction.

When S. returned bearing many food goodies, she also brought in the mail. I had two pieces: the first was totally unexpected, namely two brownies along with a gift card sent by one of my oldest church friends. Let's just call her my newest fairy godmother - since my last two FGs are living in New Zealand. The second (expected) package was the free face mask from my blind group. It is so beautiful, with flowers on an ivory background reversing to a pattern against a dark colour. The only weird thing is that I'll have to fumble with four long ties. I guess I'd better start practising.

The only downer to my day was forgetting to take my Robax at 4. I didn't gulp them down until 6. My body so did not like my tardiness. Yeah, yeah, I get it already. Stick to the schedule.

The rest of the day was spent reading another library book, lying in bed, and reading. I also sent a heartfelt thank-you email to my FG!

Yes, it was my birthday and all my special plans went awry. But I still had a wonderful day. Gee, the blonde is finally getting wise.

The day started off when I sprang awake at 5:25 (yes, I do love my palindromic numbers). The best part is that, despite falling asleep with the TV on, I was in no pain and had exquisite vision. So, I washed my face and put on eye makeup. Yippee!

Later, I tidied up and decorated. I took a chance by reaching up to my shelf in the closet and grasped the clear bag that held my cheap (but pretty) fake flowers. As I'd smashed my green vase, I had to put the stems into an empty peanut jar! Then I tried to remember where my more expensive and artistic rope was with flowers attached (created by one of the designers at the Shaw Festival). I found it, too! I added it to my bannister.

I made space for my iPad on the dining table. I'd planned to pour myself a glass of Coke, but ran out of time. I quickly put on my black/gold spider scarf on my head and added my two jewelled butterfly clips. I'd cut my bangs earlier, too. And, then, I tried to find the invite Brian had sent me. But I couldn't find the gmail icon I normally use. Help! So I was in the alternate one, but I couldn't read the print. Sigh.

Naturally, Brian called while I was scrambling. When I answered the phone, I think I disconnected the hotspot. [Of course I did!] It turns out S. had d/ld the incorrect app; so Brian and I talked while he and Peter were on Zoom. It was frustrating and I was pouting. And only then did Brian send a link to the correct app. Um … Brian … why couldn't you have done that in the first place? So, after the hour was up, Brian said we'd reconnect next weekend and he'd give me a tour of his special trailer.

After that, I was so weary. I'd already had to take a couple extra Robax. I enjoyed the rest of my lambchops and finally had that glass of Coke and the lemon tart I was supposed to eat on screen. At least I made use of my vision by racing through another book. As for birthday greetings, I was delighted to receive a pretty email from my childhood pal Danny and I emailed her back. There were also other electronic cards and greetings which I will answer tomorrow, as well as a pretty card from SuM and S. I was completely floored to get a phone call from the meals admin who wished me a happy birthday. She also mentioned that they'd received Covid funding for Seniors was were extending fully-paid subsidies for two months. Well, that was nice to receive. She also asked if I'd answer some questions about how I first enrolled in the program. I can still remember Brian nagging me to apply!

I finally had to lie down for a nap at 8. But wait, that's not all. We had a power failure in the house! Good thing I use my cellphone alarm. Anyway, it was restored and I slept for about 90 minutes. And then had to restore my last session. Naturally (sigh), there were complications.

Still, it was only the first of several celebrations. I told the boys I'd keep the decorations up until we do Peter's birthday in two weeks' time. Now, at the end of the day, I think I'm going to have some chocolate and another wee glass Coke.

It was a silly, fun day for church-John and me. He arrived shortly after 10:30 so we could drive downtown to an Irish steakhouse for our special Winter-licious lunch together with many from my blind group. Pir server was from Ireland (had a luscious accent). I wanted to know what special cocktails they had with Bourbon. Oh, wow. Did I ever get the special "special". It was only about 17 bucks and the most amazing smooth and smoky quality. I only needed one! C-J ordered a Cosmo.

C-J and I both had the tomato-based veg soup with big carrot chunks. Then he had the fish pie with scallops while I had chicken curry, rice, mango chutney and a papadum. He finished with a chocolate brownie while I tried to revive myself with fresh fruit that was slightly less then impressive. But we were happy campers, not leaving until 2 p.m. Then came the pain as we walked from the hotel to the parking lot under City Hall. I even paid the 20 bucks for parking! So I'd mentioned during the drive that I want to take a luxury train trip across Canada (inspired by an ancient epi of Moonlighting during which Maddy takes a solo cross-country train trip). Perhaps I was being a bit too ambitious. I think I'll look into going up into Northern Ontario as close as possible to Hudson Bay. Ontario is an absolutely gorgeous province with tons of trees and sheer walls of blasted rocks on either side of the highways, with tons of lakes. Okay, time to start investigating.

Even though the day was supposed to be All. About. Him, it turned out he had extra boxes of the special chocolates he'd given me before Kissymas. And did I want one? ::rolls eyes:: Silly question. By the time he got me home, all I wanted was a nap. Alas, I had church editing to do. So I got that out of the way, then took myself and the pain to bed where I watched all my accumulated judge and game shows. Now I'm feeling a little queasy, so I had a plain bagel. Anyway, a good time was definitely had by all.

But, first, the best news: I slept until 10:24. It was … delicious. Finally got around to making my lamb in the slow cooker after brekkie. I was left with scratching my head, wondering whether lupini beans were excavated a long, loooong time ago. Because, even after one hour on high and 4-5 hours on low, the beans were still not cooked properly. But everything else was tasty.

I broke up an afternoon of pain by lying in bed, watching my TV shows, then sitting in front of the computer for the webcast from the 15th so I could begin writing about it. I have most of it written but just don't have the energy to finish and post. So, yeah, tomorrow. After that, the two final ones which may have to wait until January 1. But, considering the fact that I'm forcing myself to write through the pain, I'm certainly not berating myself.

Received a visit from SuM in the early evening. She announced she had |"treats" and she did. She'd done some baking and gave me a small gold tin of her cookies. Yum. I told her how delish the cranberry chutney was. Too bad she hadn't bought any for herself.

Anyway, I've just taken my pills. I still need to pour off the liquid from the lamb and soak the pot. Nighty-night, all.

Accurate colour perception and crisp colour contrasts right from the moment I woke up (at 8:16). Yes, Merry Christmas to me! Well, except for the fact that I was in pain, so could ONLY tolerate cookies for brekkie.

The second-best prezzie: an adorable flying pig from church-John along with a story of how she starred in one of the stories he used to tell his pupils when he was teaching (something about the little piggy befriending an eagle). There was also a mama pig with what I thought was ribbons along her side. Well, I had vision, but not that much. So, natch, I sent him a thank-you email which is how I found out about the teaching connection.

After that, I was back in bed, trying to stave off the pain. I dozed off and had a weird dream which, IIRC, contained c-J and later S. who was being very inconsiderate in the dream (she is anything but). I delayed dinner until around 5 when I had roast chicken which I accompanied with several spoons of the cranberry chutney which SuM and S. had brought back from the cranberry bog and I'd saved. Oooooooh, it was so subtle and scrumptious!

I still had my sight after dinner, but the pain prevented me from sitting at the computer and reading. Sigh. So, it was back to bed (which was the coziest place to be) and watching my recorded daytime TV shows.

Now I'm enjoying macadamia nut chocolate clusters while I'm back to fuzzy vision. Well, it was a treat while it lastest. Hoping everyone had a good day.

I may have had to wait until around 12:15 for my meals delivery, but that was bearable as I got my bag of meals AND a large gift bag of treats. I'm always intrigued to see what each year's selection holds. I uncovered:
-the requisite double-sided quilted placemat
-two different baggies of assorted cookies and baked treats
-tetra-pak of juice
-jar of honey
-miniature breadsticks (?)
-apple cinnamon tea
-piece of glazed fruitcake
-flavoured (prob. cinnamon) breath mints
-one salt grinder
-one pepper grinder

So, definitely, all yummy!