Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

::sighs::
No, I didn't go out today, not with the temp climbing. Even the prospect of cute, adorable, pretty, freshly-manicured toes (yes, I get carried away, but I just love my polished toenails) wasn't enough to get me outside. Ugh. ::shudders::

So I took it easy. After waking up around 7:20 and brekkie, I started to feel lethargic, so took my phone and solitaire game to bed. It's hilarious to see how quickly the phone will start to drop out of my hands once I get drowsy. I tried to have a wee nap, but it didn't really do much to give me more energy. Also had more of the solitaire drowsiness in the evening.

I watched Tabula Rasa for the sga_squee rewatch tonight. OMG. I simply hated it for its stupidity, exceedingly illogical story line and execution. So I simply offered up ONE comment (you know how UNUSUAL that is for me) and am done with it. Gads. Let me wash off its ickiness under the icon. Oh, speaking of icons, I added to my Glee collection (which is still tiny); this one is of Kurt in his new more dandy NYC clothes. I still need to get one of him in the gold pants, 'cuz ... yeah....

Okay, I need to read something now and eat cherries and try to cool off. At least the temps will be lower tomorrow and on Sunday. Yay for that.

I can haz ALL of my icons back. ::sighs with relief::
Yes, I paid. Because expressing myself through icons is important. Well, to me it is.

Now all I have to do is find a couple of good icons for Castle and N.C.I.S. And anything else that catches my ... er ... fancy.

Oh, happy day!

You'd think wrong. I went to bed around 11:30, setting the alarm for 7, so I could change my ride home from church. But, alas, my body (or mind) had other ideas. Arrgghh. So I was up at 5. The funny thing is that John was leaving reeeeeaaaaaallly early, so - when I went into the kitchen after he'd left to boil water for coffee - I saw the most exquisite golden-apricot sunrise. I wish I'd had the forethought to grab my camera but this was, after all, a short-sleeped and coffeeless me.

Brekkie was butter chicken with jasmine rice. And it's a good thing I remembered to place my order yesterday (yet another chore) for next week's delivery. I'm trying a couple of new dishes, including Oriental Tofu. Well, we'll see.

In the afternoon, I got around to watching the second week of the Battle of the Blades. Even though the women are paired with big strong men, it's still terrifying to see the lifts being done by guys who've never done stunts like that before. But it was fun and the couple I liked in the bottom two was safe for another week. Yay. I didn't really bother eating lunch, but had some tortilla chips with the queso salsa. Just a few nibbles.

I finally got in the shower in the early evening which felt strange, because I'd kept my window open for most of the day and I'm sure by now you know how much I hate cold air, especially after coming out of the shower. I also finally received the readings for the lector auditions tomorrow. After John came and jujed my printer so that it would actually acknowledge it was ... er ... turned on, I printed off a copy in 24 pt Verdana and bolded at that. Only then could I read it from a semi-respectable distance. I'll practise reading the passages (from Romans) again tomorrow morning.

Dinner was that gorgeously lovely Bavarian bread with cheddar cheese, a tomato and the pre-cooked eggs. Very satisfying even though it was cold. Well, let's see how brave I am tomorrow when I go outside (and hope the weather's decent). After a 2-hour nap, I've been back to reading but will have to go to bed soon. I want to be all perky for church. Oh, go ahead. Gag me with a spoon. On second thought, don't. Just tell me to take my perky self and press POST. Though, speaking of posting, I lost my additional package of userpics today because I haven't paid the renewal fee. Frankly (ha, play on words), I think it's ridiculous that LJ's PTB would give us extensions on our paid journals (mine is in a month's time) but not drag along any peripheral services. I just hope when I pay this week the icons will just come back like magic. Why, yes, I believe in magic. ::claps hands and thinks reeeeeeeeal hard::

Yes, I know I was busy.

After going to bed around 1 (and I distinctly remember WHEEZING in discomfort), the next thing I knew it was after 8:30. Wow! I'm still unsure as to how I can fall asleep without a proper intake of oxygen. Though I'm finding the after-effects most displeasing (being unable to breathe for most of the morning). So, because of the breathing difficulties, I didn't get around to calling the bank or the nurse. I just ... couldn't.

I had apples for brekkie because it was so late. And, then, my 'shroom and sauerkraut pierogi for lunch. As I knew John would be going out with a friend, I had a lot more time at my disposal ... so I really stretched things out. I managed to have a shower after the dishes were done. And, then, I decided to bake some more chocolate cupcakes, this time with butter i/o oil (and that meant softening the butter). After finding the second oven rack (and washing off cat hair), I managed to bake both pans at the same time. And then it was already after 9:00. ::sighs::

I had a very politicized day. From FB, I protested the stupid new App. What's the App for? An ex-gay group. Just what the world needs. NOT!!! Imagine seeing a commercial I made up in my head:

Want hate? There's an App for that!

Well, that was just the start to insanity. I made several comments on SLOG and Savage Love, including Ann Coulter (imagine there was a time when I didn't know WHO she was) talking about all the benefits of radiation; also the IRS getting into women's medical insurance claims (about a hot topic in the U.S. that I don't want to talk about here) so I just went ahead (mighty bossy of me) and invited ALL autonomous and intelligent women to just emigrate to Canada already (ahead of the insidious spread of an Atwood-style theocracy) as well as a run-of-the-mill immature person seeking Dan's advice. And more stuff like that.

Anyway, John came back a little while ago and we've been talking away (about all sorts of things, as is our custom). But I need to calm down down and let my dinner (bagel and cheddar and the chocolate cupcake rejects) digest properly. And check out whatever's been happening on LJ.

Oh, right. That's not all. I rewatched this week's Glee (squeeeeee) and then made the icon. Alas, I just can't get the hang of Paint (I so miss my Jasc); but at least I managed to play with the brightness to lighten the background and make Kurt's skin luminous. Semi yays for me. Okay, I go now but I promise to return tomorrow. ::giggles::

Okay (except NOT), now it's official. I'm suffering from nasal rebound congestion. Well, the package said not to use it for longer than 3 days. I had some relief on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And, then, last night, it was time for vengeance. I had to give up trying to sleep and stayed up until 3-ish, at which time I fell into a weird sleep, waking up at the first hint of noise around 6. Grrrrrrrrr.

Is it any wonder I had a good brekkie (aka ham and cheese and lettuce and pickles on a bagel). Lunch was special for Valentine's day. Yes, it was chocolate cake. When I went down to get the mail, I nearly shrieked (well, back inside after I'd opened the envelope). Not wanting to risk being charged with slander (as if someone will snoop around here), so all I will say is "You have GOT to be kidding me!!!!!" Just wait until I tell Brian. I also commented on SLOG. No guesses as to the topic. Okay, I'll spill. It appears that when same-sex parents raise adopted children in red states, there is a direct corelation between how accepting the state and its people are and the mental health of the children in their first year of adoption. I also worked on my latest McShep, but wasn't finished yet. And I finally made a McDex icon for my two (and possibly future) McDex fics. Yay!

Dinner was a bagel with tomato and melted cheese. Yummy, of course. And some popcorn. Because I am silly. And so very tired. In cute news, John's sister called from overseas and we had a wee bit of a chat. In the evening, I just happened to catch the special edition of Jeopardy where two of the highest-earning players (::waves a fond hi to Ken Jennings::) were pitted against a super-computer (named Watson). It was fascinating to see the way the developpers had worked with the computer and also silly to see how it could misunderstand a question. Also its top three answers as well as a probabiility factor which, when it wasn't reached, prevented the computer from - uh - pressing the buzzer.

After that, it was Little Mosque on the Prairie. And, finally, a very sleepy watch of Castle. You'd think I would have learned by now that watching something at 10 p.m. while lying down is dangerous. You'd think. And, now, I'm dreading lying down without any relief for my nose, except for the exhortations of my two piggies. Unfortunately, "You go, mum" has yet to be patented as a decongestant! ::scratches head:: Not sure why.

Well, it seems a bit less indulgent than saying JFlan's mouth. But you may stare at it while I babble.

First of all, yesterday did not exist. Not as a day, but only as random minutes and hours. Okay?

Today I was set on repeating yesterday's non-existence when M and our friend called. M had tried watching an award-winning Polish film but couldn't access the subtitles, so I was lent it for a couple of hours (it was due at the rental place tonight). So I watched the entire film and understood most of it (yaaay for me); it was only after I'd watched the entire thing, I went into Extras and found the place to enable subtitles. But I hadn't needed them (well, except for the swear words and I wasn't brought up that way). I'll have to read about it because I don't know if the film was supposed to be a political metaphor.

The protagonist keeps getting screwed, yet is the most compassionate character, overcoming every adversity. He and the slightly less-than-all-there buddy live in a place without electricity and the fridge is full of books! There's also a baby - had to be the best behaved baby (and quite adorable interacting with the main character) In.The.World! And that's coming from someone who doesn't automatically go gaga at the sight of a baby.

Anyway, one of the extras was seeing many of the awards it had won nationally and internationally and one of them (Polish, obviously) was the Golden Duck! So, I guess I'll have to check out this unusually named symbol of excellence.

Other than that, I just watched Dr. Phil (can we say stupid, drunken girls on Facebook?) and The Biggest Loser. M was supposed to be watching the first ep. of American Idol but didn't, instead tending to the needs of Miss Widge.

I thought I'd already reached the limit of my userpics, so imagine my surprise when I saw I had over 20 slots to fill. So, um, JFlan's mouth, and 2 more suggestive SGA ones are Now.Entirely.Lickable. Yaaay.

So, that was my day, all brought to you courtesy of the Golden Duck Award!

Slightly quacked hugs,
H.

Hee! Can't get away with that innocent routine.

Well I did necessary things and I did fun things today.
Necessary:
...Lots of laundry.
...Lots of garbage.
...Making the bed (and struggling with the quilt cover).
...Nap.

Fun:
...Adding icons (like yummy RDA above). ::licks his bare shoulder::
...Reading flist and finding out that bethynyc has a chipmunk icon. I need one. Stat!
...Talking to M earlier. I get to be a cat whisperer tomorrow.
...Watching Little Mosque on the Prairie. I love the character of Rayyan, a doctor at the clinic. Although she fully embraces the wearing of the veil, having commented that covering her hair shows modesty, she wears the most exquisite veils, matching them to her clothing. Last week there were sparkles. And, yes, I am vain, noticing these things, but I do like to see depictions of progressive motion in traditional religions.

Ah, and lest I forget, the utterly BAD:
...I went to bed at 7 (yes, this morning) and -arrgghh- Canada Post was knocking at my door after 9 with an insignificant package delivery. Arrgghh, again. So I got up and washed my hair. [Hmmm, is this washing of the hair at strange hours becoming significant?]

Anyway, that was my day and that's a wrap.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Silly hugs,
H.

I don't think LJ has ever been this quiet. Okay, so was everybody celebrating cinqo de Mayo? And didn't invite moi?

Ah, well, you're not here to reply, so you must still be out celebrating.

Unlike me, because I spent the day resting. Going up to the stables with M yesterday was very draining. I even fell asleep in my chair in the lobby. And was cold and miserable. M even said my eyes were bloodshot. Gee, thanks, darling. I love it when you tell me things like that!!!

So, obviously, resting was of the good. Got groceries delivered. Talked to John and to M. They'll both come over tomorrow for French toast (which John will make) and ribs (my specialty). Then we'll watch a movie together. My only accomplishment today was to make (okay, copy) an icon of one of my favourite works of art by Lemieux, a French-Canadian painter. I saw it at the art gallery about 30 years ago and was searching for it since then. So, I guess I'll use it tonight. And listened to the second half of Andrea Bocelli's Sacred Arias concert which included Neidermeyer's formally elegant Pieta, Signore (also known as Pie, Jesu).

And, now, I'm going to go have a chocolate croissant, because I can.

Talk to you tomorrow.
Ciao, tutti.
Hugs, as well,
H.

Has anybody noticed this yet? I must have clicked on a part of my screen randomly and up came the LJ hypnotizer offering enhancements if one upgraded for only $2.00/month prepaid. And it includes 30 userpics. I so want that, because 15 is just not enough, esp. when one finds teh pretties that are shareable and snagable. But, I feel guilty for spending the money. [And, yes, this is the same me who spend OMG.How.Much on skincare and makeup yesterday. But that I can rationalize, because my skin looks great. My LJ doesn't need to look great. Poor LJ - it's feeling all ugly duckling.]

So, maybe, maybe I'll treat myself as a New Year's prezzie ('cuz I've already overloaded with the Christmas prezzies).

Silly, silly-me hugs.

So I caved - for 9 more userpics. I switched to a sponsored account, just for the userpics. But, so far, I've only put in 3 more, including the one tepintzin made of me and the photo of my (yes, I said MY) lake!

And, BTW, this is all also Teppy's fault (thank you, thank you, thank you) for what she does I emulate - well, at least where LJ is concerned.

Just see me blush, all for 9 more userpics!
Bashful (!) hugs,
H.