Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Let's start with the best one: I slept until 10:14 (with one brief 7-ish wakeup). Mind you, then I had to scurry as my meals were expected soon.

When I placed my meals order, the phone was answered by the admin who deliberately tones down her accent so she's not recognized. Well, except for me and my exquisite hearing. She told me she brought me back something from her vacation back home. Hmmm. I'm curious now. And it is very sweet of her to bring me personal things.

Watched last week's MacGyver that was both scary and smushy. Managed to stay awake through the news and game shows. Also watched tonight's premiere epi of MasterChef Canada which wasn't as much of a cattle call as the other ones. The chefs began by visiting 21 home cooks across Canada with personal invites to the competition. After one epi, they're down to 12 finalists.

Now what else that was good happened today? Oh, yes, the visit on a cross-Canada tour by a "celebrity" pig, namely Christopher the Pig! Who just happened to be staying at the Royal York Hotel ... with his personal staff (lol). The reporter said he's housebroken, gets lots of baths and is very friendly. Awwwwwww. Piggy. It would have been wonderful to have met him, but at least I did see him on TV.

Now it's back to fannish-reading (when I ought to be reading my library books, sigh).

The best thing on TV (while I was thankfully awake) on Wednesday was the addition of a real live piggy on Dragons' Den as an enticement for the Dragons to invest in a plant-based bacon substitute! I was surprised when the owners called it a pot-belly pig because I thought they were all dark coloured, but this one showed the more typical (at least to me) piggy-pink with large spots. The piggy was simply enchanting and I believe one of the female dragons took her home!

Yesterday was devoted (finally) to a huge shopping trip with church-John. He showed up around 12:15. I had a bit of trouble wobbling through the un-shoveled snow (but I'd also been having serious problems shoving my feet into my boots). It was a gloomy overcast day but the dreaded winter snowstorm hadn't really impacted the city. Our first stop was Bed Bath and Beyond where I picked up a couple of items including a bedskirt which I'm afraid to remove from the packaging as John picked out one whose drop is too long; OTOH my bed seems to be longer than the size on the label, so I may not have an option (I might just do some judicious pinning in the middle of the mattress).

Then we were off to Costco. I picked up a cute umbrella (having just discovered I'd lost mine out of my tote), some gorgeous foodies (two packages of Oka cheese, two baguettes, a trio of turkey packages, mini pound cakes, and another bag of miniature milk chocolates). Unfortunately, there was very little in the lighting aisle, so we headed off to Ikea. I found the weird Medusa lamp (much less attractive live) and the three-gooseneck floor lamp which unfortunately took very low-light bulbs. We asked for help and I ended up with two fascinating floor lamps with a swinging arm that take a high-light bulb (costing 18 bucks each). And, for frivolity, I picked up two strings of clear LED lights and a transformer, along with two stunning clear square vases to house the strings. I'm going to place them at the foot of the fireplace as bookends while hiding the electrical connection underneath the fireplace stand (yes, I'm smart!). I also picked up a third string of LED lights that change colours. Really cool seeing them through my new anti-glare visor. It's amazing to see how far LED prices have dropped in a decade. Yippee! Additional frivolities were two packages of smoked salmon and a jar of mustard'n'dill sauce.

Was so relieved to get home at 5:30 and saw that our wee sidewalk had been cleared. Got everything into the house and then church-John took off ... still with one of the vases in his car (though he assured me he'd removed everything). I was so out of it from pain and exhaustion that I just zoned out. Me staggering is not a pretty sight. I guess I'm lucky I managed to stay away through most of A.I. Woo-hoo for Dalton being the first pick. When I did wake up after midnight, at least I arranged the beautiful tulips in one vase on the dining table. As it could only hold a dozen, I put the other five in one of my mason jar mugs and onto my microwave.

In any case, I still haven't recovered today. Just as well I had no reply from Ashley, as I'll be spending Saturday doing major laundry and struggling with the bedskirt. Assembling the lamps may be just a fantasy. Sigh.

I forgot to mention that I finally got fed up with missing two of my fave channels in the satellite lineup. When I browsed, I found an alphabetical channel guide that could be downloaded. So I did. And was overjoyed to find the other children's network (giving me an extra 20 minutes every weekday of Peppa Pig!).

I also found W. When I clicked to it, there was already an epi of Property Brothers on, but I watched it anyway because the couple was choosing two farm-type locations, one called the old homestead and the other (oh, come on, guess) ... the pigpen! And there were actual piggies in it. The latter had a barn that was in excellent shape and just needed updating in the house. The couple put in a condition that they wanted the pigs included and got the property. Imagine my delight to see them deliver at least two horses into the immaculate barn along with one dog and at least one cat. Now that sounds like an ideal "personal" farm.

There was a listing for a Fireplace channel (in French???) but it wasn't available on the basic tier. Still, I am a very happy camper, yes, indeed!!!

... local. As in my room. But, oh joy, I'm reconnected and able to post. ::sighs::

This morning was a bit of an eeeeek. After staying up until 2:30 (well, I had to watch Castle), I woke to the alarm at 7 to book my trips to the hospital tomorrow. [It's a good thing my vision support group meeting is next Thursday, as I was reminded by a call from our fearless leader.] And then I stayed up. Brekkie was the fine bread with peanut butter and apricot jam. After that, I finally tackled washing my hair. Why can't hair growth be stopped at just the right length? I know, I know. That would be sf. And delusional. After that, I finally did some laundry so I'd have a choice of clothes to wear tomorrow. While I was doing it, I watched this week's N.C.I.S. Another eeeeeeeek. Cliff-hanger is ev0l.

After that I was in pain (what else in new) but at least I could rest and have a chickie leg for lunch. Then the day slid into evening. Dinner was celery, carrots and another portion of pasta. And pain killers (yay). I discovered a new TV show. I'd seen ads for it before. It came on right after Jeopardy so I watched Dragons' Den on the Canadian national TV network. It was amusing and fascinating. And I'm not saying that just because they had a piglet (and baby goat and chicks and lots of other adorable farm animals for one particular investment proposal).

After that, I heard John moving furniture. I knew he planned to move his desk and 'puter and ... then ... yes, it's time for a third eeeeeeeek ... my connection was lost. Oh, noes. So I told him and he fixeded it. And also mentioned he'd forgotten to offer me cake from the weekend. So I guess that's what I'm having for brekkie tomorrow. John, John, John. ::sighs:: Anyway, while I was disconnected, I actually wrote a bit of my really delayed fic. And also took a look at an old WIP. I know I have hand-written notes for the next chapter but will I even be able to read them? WIPs are dangerous IMO.

Anyway, now I'm going to decide what I want to do until beddies. Watch another show or read? Decisions, decisions. But at least I DO have a choice!

I guess this is just one little piggy's way of emulating BABE and wanting to be the best little sheep-pig EVER! Of course, that leads to the eventual question whether - in 3-day eventing - there would be piggy dressage as well???

This absolutely adorable piccie was sent to me by swestrup. Hee! He knows ALL about my piggy obsessions. [But, then, again, it's no secret from any of you, either.]

In more normal life, I stayed up late, ended up abandoning what I was writing (for brendan_vincent) because it required too much back story and fiddling. But, once again, I had a very deep sleep when I did fall into bed. Brekkie was Chicken divan with yellow/green beans and squash. And, then - yes, you guessed it - I went back to bed. It's not just because I'm tired, but my back screams at me when I'm on my computer, as the only seat I have is my ottoman with two bed pillows stacked on top. Can you say unstable? Yup, I thought you could. Lunch was two portions of 'shroom soup and a bagel. And dinner was a catch-all of the last of the cheddar as well as the last of the crackers left-over from the Jams & Jellies episodes (from the summer).

I'm still undecided whether I'll be in this week's stargate challenge. Coughing up my lungs has a way of ... diminishing interest and ability. Well, I still have a couple days to go. In the meantime, I think my lovely bed is calling out to me. Nighty-night, all. And sweet piggylicious dreams!

Just turn the music down, waaaaaaaaaay down.

So, John and I went off to the Ex this morning. ( Helenka's adventures )

When John's friend joined us, she allowed me to test drive her scooter. Okay, universe, this was the Very. First. Time. I'd. Driven. Anything!!!!! I decided to circle a large garbage can, going only right (because at least I have some vision in that eye) and too scared to go in reverse (hey, I never even learned how to skate backwards). But I think I did an amazing job, keeping as close as possible to the garbage can without bumping into it. So, yay for me!

( Of food and cats )

Our driver showed up around the expected time (1:20) and it was way easier to get out of the grounds. But the traffic coming into town was horrendous, because of the Ex and a game at the stadium. When I got in, I was so zonked and my foot was throbbing, so I just had brownies and ice cream and then crawled into bed.

When I woke up, John had already gone out for the evening, so I did my expected chore (to remove the huge carton underneath the kitchen sink and to sort what cleaning products were still useful, etc.). I pitched a lot and tidied up the rest. Dinner was in two parts: a bagel with cheese, turkey and mayo to start and then a lonely ear of corn John gave me yesterday.

Then I did my second chore, namely calling Rogers to make usre they were changing my cellphone plan as I wanted. I was on hold for less time than I feared and the whole thing was done in less than 30 minutes. Whew! I've had an otherwise dull and boring evening but may read a bit in bed before going ... Nighty-night!

What a shock!
Really.

I woke up before 7 to book rides for John and me for tomorrow. Then I crawled back into bed, but John telephoned me from the living room (hee). I mentioned wanting to go grocery shopping, so he said he'd accompany me. Okay, no more nap. After a quickie (well, at least for me) shower, we both got out the door. Because he was with me, we jaywalked across to the bank machine.

I got some lovely stuff at the supermarket. Milk, 'nanas, praline ice cream (to go with the brownies), more peaches, sliced turkey breast, mayo, cheddar cheese, avocados, and three kinds of granola bars (on sale). We also stopped at the discount store where I got paper towel and energy efficient (equiv. 100W) light bulbs at an excellent price.

So ... I now have lots of light in the bedroom, even if there's an alien tinge to it. I'm sure it'll be a titch easier to read in the evenings, even though my eye seems to tire quite quickly.

I had some lovely food when we got back (after only a 'nana for brekkie). I tried out the turkey and cheese on a bagel with the mayo. And dinner was just a tomato and avocado. Oh, but I'm forgetting about the dish of ice cream with broken brownies. John complained that I hadn't offered him any, and I explained that I wasn't proud of my baking effort, but I gave him a wee taste.

We ended up having one of our massive discussions in the evening. He suggested bringing out my Hypnotiq (which has been sitting on the dining table since August 4th). We sat on the balcony for a couple of hours with four candles and just enjoyed the evening and moonlight. Mind you, he put his hands on his hips (theoretically) and said I have to get moving on many different fronts regarding my various claims. And, as there is ample proof that both my foot and hands are making it virtually impossible to be mobile without auxiliary methods, he wants me to apply for a scooter NOW ... even if we have to suspend it from the ceiling. Okay, I think I'm on board.

Anyway, I have my water to drink, my inadequate pain killers to take and then it's off to bed for me. Because tomorrow we're going to the Ex for the cat show. And ... and ... ::squeeeeeees:: real LIVE piggies!!!!!