Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Once again, all my plans were in vain, as I did … nothing. I just didn't feel like it: partially from pain, and partially from lack of motivation. Sigh. SuM popped her head in to ask if I wanted to do another Movie Night tomorrow, but I felt so listless, I declined.

The bright lights? I'd emailed Brian to ask if he could do some personal frivolous food shopping and it fit into his schedule to do it today and make a delivery tomorrow afternoon. That was wonderful news. I also received my annual Christmas email from my childhood friend Danny. As she and I had been in touch a couple times during the year, there was less urgency to share everything. I sent her my wishes for the new year. Watched my usual TV, including the beginning of two weeks of retrospective Jeopardy!, the first show featuring Ken Jennings approaching the 2 million mark in winnings.

Now, let's bring on tomorrow's goodness.

So, I did something stupid last night. Taking my pills around midnight, I stayed up to watch the finale of Battle of the Blades; I didn't climb into bed until close to 3:30. Of course, the pills had worn off, so I had to take two more Robax. Only then did I - eventually - hit total amnesia. I woke once an hour after 10, then 11, and finally decided I needed to get up before 1 so I could eat and take my "morning" pills.

Managed to keep the pain at bay. But I'm booooooooored. I decided I want to order delivery of chocolates, but need to find out if the specialty cheese shop in Brian's neck of the woods does online deliveries. I hope so. I want to be super self-indulgent this year.

I was really puffed up about getting Final Jeopardy! correct. I am not familiar with the positioning of most countries in Africa, but guessed Uganda as the largest land-locked country. Kudos to my unconsciously-acquired memories.

Anyway, pills are calling me.

It's been a mix of good and bad with some delicious distractions and delightful indulgences.

So ... I may have stayed up reading until 2:45 a.m., even if my vision was crap. But the book was compelling. After that, I was relieved to achieve amnesia-coma sleep, not waking up until 8:38, eventually getting up at 9:27, leaving me enough time for a proper brekkie and my pills before 10.

My vision was better today, so I continued on with the book. In the afternoon, I was resting and received a phone call from a co-member of the executive (and part of our book club). I enjoyed having an extended talk with her.

There was even a new epi of Peppa Pig tonight featuring stone-age art and caves. And the beginning of the 37th season of Jeopardy!

Now back to the spasms. They began around 9, leaving me feeling vulnerable as I wouldn't be able to (or shouldn't) take my muscle relaxants and pain pills until midnight. So I toughed it out and am back at my computer, intending to read more. If I can finish the book tonight, that will be ::imagines the voice of Monty Burns:: "Eggcellent!"

Well, it was just the first step, but at least I got off my metaphorical duff and sent an online application to get a new family doctor! How did I find the application? Oh, it was on Page 9 of results from Google. I may be s=l-o-w but at least I'm stubborn when I get going.

So, the benefits of this clinic are its location, its rave reviews, and a whole host of labs and specialists in one location. ::crosses fingers a lot::

In other news, I managed to stave off pain (a miracle in itself) AND have mostly decent vision for most of the day. I may even try to catch up on my library book.

Watched the usual TV and nibbled on the special crackers (made of seeds) from Brian. They are very healthy, too! Okay, back to reading and keeping my mind active. [BTW, I was very proud to have gotten tonight's Final Jeopardy! correct. Gotta love those distant nooks and crannies of the mind.

OMG. I am so stuffed after having had a delightful dinner procured at Dairy Queen overlooking a beautiful valley on a lovely evening with my fave baby bro Brian. Just as well that I had only a lemon tart abd juice for brekkie and a tiny bag of chips for lunch, just to leave room. The bacon cheeseburger was terrific, but the large onion rings were way too much (so I brought them home). Then I threw common sense to the wind and ordered a medium blizzard with Coffee Crisp. Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Too. Much. Ice. Cream.

Brian and I also talked about me getting a new phone. ::shakes head:: I'm so confused. And I don't think we resolved the issue of the iPad switching background colours on a whim (only in Overdrive and my Solitaire game, as far as I can tell). Maybe it's something in the air?

Anyway, after Brian got me home (and the contractor showed up unexpectedly for last minute deliveries), I finally collapsed and watched my usual TV (Jeopardy! from its fifth season and Young Sheldon). Now the big decision is which nightie to choose.

Even if it's the unmusical Anvil Chorus of drilling and hammering as the upstairs bathroom was being gutted. I guess I really needed the extra sleep, especially as I was so disappointed to be stuck with poor vision all day long.

The only fun distraction was watching the very first modern-day epi of Jeopardy! from the early 80s. I say modern-day because it's NOT the first iteration of the show that my friends and I watched in high school (during the 60s). The oddest things were how hyper Alex seemed and how overly-dramatic audience reactions were, especially when one particular contestant got the wrong answer. Just weird.

I'm continuing the distraction by trying to finish reading a story - even though it's all ghostly snow. And then hoping for blessed relief from my pills. I didn't even eat my meal today, ::crosses fingers::

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.

First of all, I made myself happy. I'm still so grateful for the ability to conk out (most of the time) within minutes of going to bed. I wanted to wake up around 7, but really didn't want to set the stupid alarm. Not a problem, as all the piggies in the universe woke me up at 7:01. Yay. Then I got to tackle the covid-altered ride booking site. I had o answer a screening questionnaire first, then got the rides I needed for next Thursday. Yay, again.

In the afternoon, I was lying in bed staving off pain when the meals admin called. I hadn't sent her an email saying I'd reconsidered. She was just so grateful when I told her I'd do it. And I'll take a chance on the photographer's skill. ::crosses fingers:: After that, I called the hair salon and booked my colour and cut for two weeks from today. But I was shocked to hear I'd have to provide my own mask. Why? Because it's going to get hair dye and shampoo and water on it. So it needs to be either cheap or disposable. At least I have two weeks to find one.

Watched the usual TV including the final regular game Jeopardy! James played before being beaten. It's a run-up to this year's Tournament of Champions that will begin on Monday. Can't wait!

I'm also pleased that my vision improved over the day. Not perfect, but yellow against chocolate is … acceptable. I hope it's really good as SuM and S. picked up the "Nemesis" DVD for me at the library today. ::crosses fingers::

So, yes, I had sight this morning (and for most of the day). It wasn't perfect, but it was enough for me to discern both the outside and inside of Marilyn's card. It was a Happy Pride card, with a picture of her in the parade from several years ago, helping to carry the church's looooooong flag! And, on FB today, I saw a check-in by the church as they unfurled the flag at the park at the end of the street. I guess that's as much congregating that's going to happen. Missing was Rev. Jeff as he ushered his dad into the next plane of existence. I sent Rev. Jeff a warm note of sympathy.

There were also a couple of deaths affecting the blind group. Our treasurer suffered two losses: both his partner amd his dad. His partner's death was not a complete surprise, as she'd had cancer for over a year. But to lose both in close succession in a huge blow. I'll have to send him my condolences tomorrow.

I mentioned the card to SuM and we reminisced about events from yesteryear. Sne reminded me that we should have a movie night when they get back from vacation at the end of July. That should be fun as it's been a while. I also caved when it came to reading. I won't be ready for July's book club as I am on strike. So, instead, I borrowed the next book in the melodramatic series as it's easy reading. Obviously, I wasn't taxing my brain with my TV shows (with the exception of Jeopardy!, natch!).

Anyway, with my slightly improved sight, I won't make the same mistake I did last night, inserting the WRONG eyedrops. Oops!

Well, I have no explanation or idea of the source of this new-found energy, but I'll gladly accept it. Not so acceptable was waking up at 4:43! I summoned my focus and made myself fall asleep, waking up at the more reasonable time of 9:30-ish.

After brekkie, I finally did a load of laundry, climbed up onto a rickety step-stool to replace a light bulb, washed out tons of recycling, and felt very pleased with myself. The weariness caught up with me after 5, so I scheduled a nap until 7:30. Watched the usual TV shows including the Jeopardy! Teachers' Tournament. I've got a fave: she had a modest win today (none of them guessed Lawrence of Arabia in the final).

Spent the rest of the evening reading, even through leeching colour. Sigh.