Helenka, Queen of Outer Space

Not only did I forget to post about these yesterday, I forgot all about the second point today. My brain, she is tired.

So what's the what? Well, one of the best things about church is seeing Brent perform baptisms. Oh, my, a baby in his arms is just the most adorable thing. Well, yesterday, he got to perform a double baptism, for a newborn (I'm wondering if she was a preemie because she was tiny) and her older toddler brother. Just a terrific way to start the service.

And the other thing? Well, when I entered the social hall, I was struck by the two walls of art surrounding the elevator. Most of the pieces were those I'd donated to the thrift shop. Aww. In an impulsive moment, with time to spare after the service, I went up to enquire about the native carving and the Egyptian cat figurine. What was I thinking? That it had only been a couple weeks since I'd moved - instead of 6 months and a bit? Well, I was gently informed that they'd been snapped up very quickly. So I asked about the DaVinci style Enterprise. The PIC couldn't recall it. Sigh. Finally, I asked about the Egyptian bronze nude. Apparently, there are two potential buyers for it.

So what's my lesson? That what I gave away is truly gone and that it would be far better for me to stop longing after it. Can you see my face? Naturally I'm pouting. But, yeah, I can see the logic (yuck). And, after seeing an item on the news about a hazmat team being sent into a hoarder's house in TO today, not to mention an upcoming segment on Dr. Phil later this week about a hoarder who insists she doesn't have a problem, I guess I should feel lucky (okay, okay, I'll admit to "content") that I am no longer burdened with decades of stuff. And I certainly do appreciate the little that I have left. Which reminds me, I have to listen to some of my choral works soon.

Friday, April 11
One massive ouch. The new bed is too hard for even me. I think I'll need lots of piggies to bounce up and down on it to soften it up. But, still, I did sleep in until nearly 8.

After brekkie, I moved the dresser over next to the bookcases and lifted the heavy mirror on top. Okay, that's enough for the time being. I was still in pain, so I went back to bed, even with its faults, as I felt it was better to be lying down. I didn't set the alarm, but simply stayed quiet for a couple of hours. Then I decided I'd better get industrious, so emptied the big green tote that held my cleaning products. I managed to find a home for most of the things. I had a scathingly brilliant idea and inserted the two green totes into the two rectangular ones, then placed a tiny surviving fraction of my smallest stuffed animals (hey, when it's only Giggly Ballerina Piggly, Massager Piggy, Screen Duster Piggy and Billy Bear, that IS a minuscule fraction) along with my oinking piggy snack bowl on top. I'll have to buy a small tablecloth to hide the fact that these are storage totes underneath. I finally found a home for my two lit trees between the totes and the dresser, with one tree on the floor, the other on the totes. It's so nice to have some cheerful lighting. [Note to self: SELF, you MUST buy lots of energy efficient lights to brighten the place, and to avoid using the utilitarian overhead ones. Yuck.]

And, now, I'm exhausted again. Finally ate lunch (after 3). It was a couple of lemon meringue pudding cups. Yes, Rodney McKay would be horrified. But then he's not in the vicinity! And I'm hungry as I continue to run out of provisions.

Had another pretend nap in the evening, then finally did something revolutionary (well, at least I hope it wasn't revolting, lol): I started writing again. I'm working on a fic on subjects I used to be quite ignorant about (transgender and intersex), not to give the impression that I'm any authority, but my eyes (even the blind one) have been opened. Thank goodness for a couple of decades to educate myself.

Had another unsatisfactory viewing of an educational film. Well, it really was. But, without sound, all I could do was be a voyeuse. Sigh.

Finally doddered off to bed at midnight, even though I really hadn't wanted to turn off my tree lights. 'Cuz ... pretty and the blonde loves her pretty. Such. A. Dork.

Well, I was back last night, but was too overwhelmed with reacquainting myself with long-lost friends (by which I mean most visited sites ... and also peeps on FB).

Because I'm so focused on details, I'm still going to post everything I kept track of while I was in online and electronic limbo for almost two weeks. Here goes:

Tuesday, April 1
Don't ask me how ... but I did get finished packing everything up, though not when I was supposed to. Luckily, there were two guys who showed up so, after both had dragged everything out, one of them wrapped up my breakables and boxed them, while I was busy packing away my jewellery. Surprisingly, it wasn't such a big deal that I'd been dreading. But, then again, I had downsized my collection considerably before the last move. And, before the guys came, I'd emptied out my closet into plastic bags.

I was really surprised to see how small the van Mar-- had rented was. It was almost like a utilities truck. Don't ask how, but since Mar-- was driving and I'd hoisted myself up into the saddle ... er into the passenger side seat (which was dreadfully high), the guys managed to squeeze themselves somehow into the back, along with my walker to boot.

Unloading didn't turn out to be a breeze because, believe it or not, they couldn't get my box spring downstairs, even on the diagonal. Arrgghh. So that as well as the collapsed frame are in SuM's shed out back, while I have to sleep on a mattress On. The. Floor. Um ... please send rescue piggies in the morning, because I fear I won't be able to get up off the ground. The suggestion was made that, if I want to keep the frame and mattress, then I should buy two narrow single bed box springs and then lay my mattress on top. Oh, terrific. Because I are so made of moniez, right?

After they'd all left (arrived at 1, left at 4:15), I just sat on the couch (yay, couch with pretty cushions) and was stunned. Also extremely exhausted. And surrounded by mega boxes and bags.

After a bit of a rest, I managed to find the cartons designated bathroom, so have filled the mrrored wall cabinet (yay) with my necessities and – for the time being – have shoved all the bags of linens in the corner (laundry room). I've put up my shower rod over the entrance to my walk-in closet (well, I really can walk into it) and hung my pretty curtain that matches the decor (even though it's a mix of cream and pale mint/sage green while the walls are a pale blue).

The clothes are still in their bags, shoved into the closet on the floor. No way I'm hanging anything tonight. I managed to have my dessert from my meal really late (and ate my entree COLD so it tasted awful). Right now, I've taken my evening supplements as well as a pain pill. I'll take another one before bed.

Tomorrow, besides unpacking more stuff (like finding out where the turntable to the microwave is!), I have to decide where to put my bookcases. Also, the unit SuM assembled turns out to be 5' tall with shelves and doors, so I can store lots of stuff that should not be on display. Just have to think of what. Brain supplies the answer: pantry.

At least the micro-furnace is keeping me toasty warm. That's a good thing. SuM came down in the early evening to set up my computer. Well, poor Liblikas didn't care for having strangers play around with her insides (and the glass side cover had slipped off during the move so had to be reinforced with what else but duct tape). When she was turned on in her new home, she hissed! It's a little like the sound of crickets. And, with all the speaker wires shoved into the wrong holes, I have no sound. So, I can't even watch a DVD or listen to music. Wah. I'm sure that, when her Uncle Brian finally gets around to coming over, he'll be able to put my baby to rights again. ::crosses fingers:: Mind you, I'm not on SuM's Wi-fi, because she doesn't know what her password is! Her laptop just connected automatically. Not fair!

Oh, yes, as if I didn't feel disconnected enough, I don't know how to connect the TV to get power. Wah. I missed Jeopardy tonight. That's tragic, if you ask me!

Back to my bed woes. The guys left my mattress standing up propped against the wall. Church-John had suggested I sleep on the couch. Uh ... it's a love seat. I call "fail". So, I lowered the mattress (yes, all by my lonesome) in the direction I wanted it to go (along the wall) but was stopped by my CPU. Also, doing it that way cut off access to the fridge and microwave in the back corner. Uh ... why am I having all these issues? So, after a while – a looooong while – I got up the strength to move it again, this time jutting out into the room. Fine, no interference with the fridge or desk, but there's very little room to walk in front of it, because there's furniture and cartons and bags and mirrors, etc., etc., in front of it. I'm now so fed up with the situation, I think I'm going to throw the whole bed set out and use the small bed that SuM originally had down here. I've had the bed for 8 years, so it's not as if it hasn't amortized itself sufficiently. The only good thing about a small bed is that finally all my sheet sets will fit, including my fabulous fishies!

Okay, now that I've had a chance to moan and groan a bit, I'd better go wash up, make the bed (already preselected the blue-floral-on-white set), add instant piggies and hope I can sleep in a new environment. Somehow, considering how much I hurt, I don't think that'll be any problem.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be back LIVE by Wednesday. Please ... universe, just this one small thing?!?

Sigh. Nothing worked the way it was supposed to. Oh, wait. Defrosting the fridge was a snap. But, other than that, lots of oochies and ouchies.

At least more packing DID get accomplished. But I was frustrated when I hadn't heard from SuM and the afternoon was morphing into evening. So I called and had to leave a message on her phone. And I continued to wait. Arrgghh. To complicate matters, I received a text from someone (no name) from the Young Adult group who could have moved my TV and computer TONIGHT. Sigh.

SuM finally called me back. She'd just expected me to show up some time this afternoon. To make things worse, her answering machine was malfunctioning, so she wasn't even aware there was a message on it. As it was going to be dark soon, there was no way I was going to walk over (and there goes the measuring beforehand), so she offered to bring the key over. Whew. That's a huge relief.

At least I could enjoy the rest of the evening - slightly - by pouring the last glass of church-John's wine. I had it with buttered bread ... my supper. And I watched an entertaining epi of MasterChef Canada for a change. Also, for a welcome change, I really appreciated tonight's The Blacklist. I finally got to enjoy the strength of Elizabeth's character and the ever-swirling muck of deception around her.

Okay, now I'm off to bed. I'm setting the alarm for 6. Yuck. Make that double yuck!

Well, obviously, with all the current upheaval in my life, I wasn't about to go walkies by my solitary self. Or sit in the dark when I have so few candles left. So I've had the TV and computer on, keeping me company. And heat aimed at my back to ease the stiffness from filling and lugging cartons around.

I'd used up everything church-John had given me, so was relieved when he came over around 5 and dropped more off. He sat for a wee bit and we had a chance to chat. Too bad the ad disappeared from Kijiji, so I couldn't show him the pictures. But he said he'd be seeing the place eventually anyway. And then he was off because Brent wanted to go out for dinner. It must be really nice to live close enough to be able to socialize with Brent, especially when Brent is giving John some space (or is it the other way around?).

I got a really cute e-mail from my friend in the youth group. Ha - he mentioned in the e-mail he'd sent out to the group members that it was a good thing I'd reached out for help to people who were "young and strong". I replied (only to him), being all nostalgic about how I'd once been "young and strong" ... and related an anecdote of putting up lattices, lights and silk vines. Ah, yes, the Good. Old. Days.

Okay, I'd better pack it in. Time to take another pain pill and slide into bed. Because, after church, it'll be more packing. Oy.

And not the cranky kind, either! I blame (er ... thank) the glass of wine and goat cheese. Yay. If I hadn't heard the tread of footsteps on the stairs before 9, I might have still been sleeping when the alarm went off at 9:30. I scurried to do a hand-written note to my meals provider about the address change. And then waited. And waited. But my gorgeous meal (I so love chicken and rice) was delivered before 11.

I think it was hilarious when the food made me extra sleepy (well, the rice had a mushroom sauce in it, the veggies were corn with pimiento, and ratatouille - so it's no wonder I was in the mood for sleep). And I did, amusing myself obviously with lots of vivid dreams for about 90 minutes.

The doom and gloom outside affected me (and my vision). I struggled to see what printed matter I should throw away and which I should keep. I can't wait to benefit for the 60s light fixture in the new place, of those cones on an upright pole. Now that's a good reason to have a pole in the living room!

Watched the usual TV shows and then finally started composing my e-mail to church-John. Oh, boy. It was a long one, but then he's not aware of the changes that have happened since Sunday.

Anyway, I'm being seduced by my bed - again - so I shall not resist but acquiese with grace. Yeah, yeah, I know. Not kidding anybody here!

Um ... I don't know why I can barely keep my eyes open. After all, I actually had a good sleep last night. Oh, well. I think my brain is on a timer and it's winding doooooooown.

So I got a bit of a shock from Mar-- this morning. She says that I can't stay on until the Saturday after April 1; nope, I must be out on Tuesday! Yikes! But she tempered that, when she heard that I won't have a kitchen, by giving me the bar fridge I've been using. And saying she'll rent a truck for me while her very helpful neighbour (the one who's always shoveled the snow after a blizzard so I can get down the driveway) and equally strong pal do all the heavy lifting. That'll really be appreciated, so I can spend money instead on trying to buy something like a rolling kitchen cart. And a dining table would be nice, too.

Once I got used to the moved up date, I finally started packing stuff. I've got three cartons done so far, holding my DVDs and books. I love the pre-assembled cartons church-John brought over because, even though they knock down flat, they're half done and easy to finish. Wow. I wish I'd had those the first time I moved. I'm also being very organized by numbering them and noting the contents in a spreadsheet. Go me! I want this move to be as painless as possible.

I sent SuM an e-mail about the need to move the date up but haven't heard back from her. ::crosses fingers for tomorrow:: I also have to text c-J, but was (obviously) too tired to do that tonight. I'm thinking that, instead of coming over on moving day (well, unless he really WANTS to, lol), perhaps we could go scrounge me the cart (and table). There's still that second-hand store on the main drag.

Wee-ha. I had fun playing Jeopardy tonight. But trying to focus on N.C.I.S. was difficult, because of the inclusion of all sorts of extra characters. And having a lot of the action take place in New Orleans. It doesn't help that it's (at least) a two-parter.

Okay, I think my day is done. Hee - even the cartoon character on TV just said, "It's bedtime." So I really ought to obey, right? Nighty-night, all.

It feels absolutely marvelous to be the recipient of a compliment. I was thrilled to get responses to my two e-mails from SuM (hee, I'm having fun making up acronymic nicknames), the owner of the house to which I'll be moving in almost no time. In one of the e-mails, she called me an "amazing person". Wow. Though, TBH, I think it's just an oversimplification of the fact that I'm coping with my physical problems. And we know I've had a few years to get used to them. ::rolls eyes::

I woke up way too early (I seem to be cycling through 4-6-8 hours) but stayed up anyway. And it was a no-interesting TV shows kind of day, though I did enjoy playing Jeopardy. But I didn't get the Final Jeopardy question. Though I wasn't the only one to say "voir dire" when the correct question was "verdict". And, then, at a loss with nothing else to do, I decided to watch the season premiere (excuse me? in March??) of DWTS. I was really impressed by some of the participants, especially the Paralympian snowboarder who was a double leg amputee below the knee! Now that's really amazing.

Anyway, I'm going back to staring at the pictures of my new place ... and moving furniture in my mind. Also gearing up to the idea of going for a walk Every. Single. Day, most likely beginning in May, once I've settled down and the weather has as well. You hear that, weather? I want you to start behaving!!!

And, now, it's time for me to go to bed ... still with a smile! Boy, will my friends be shocked to see my face tomorrow all lit up with relief and joy. They'll probably wonder where I hid the pod, lol.

After a good night's sleep, I'm certainly optimistic. About what? Well, there's an ad for a place just about a block away from here, with all sorts of positives that I'm currently missing: like a bright gleaming place as well as two cats and a wee dog. So I exchanged bunches of e-mails with the homeowner and I'm set to visit on Friday. You can bet I'm keeping all appendages crossed! I texted church-John, asking for prayers. Who knows? He might actually do so.

Other than that, I had a very sleepy day. I just didn't expect to nod off halfway through MasterChef Canada, so I don't know how the elimination challenge went, where the inspirations were supposed to be those all-Canadian classic desserts, aka butter tarts, nanaimo bars and mumble-mumble blueberry mumbles. I woke up just as the episode was ending. Then I managed to stay awake until Castle aired. I won't be watching that one a second time. Ho-hum.

Anyway, I'm now battling my stupid eye ache, so I've taken both a pain killer and a sinus pill. Hoping (ha! there's that word again) they'll kick in soon. Other than that, well, does BLAH sum things up? Yes.

Ow-ow-ow. Why'd I wake up at 5:15 yesterday? I dunno. But I stayed up. It's unfortunate that I wasted the more decent weather, too, as it got up to at least 48F. ::sighs::

Mar-- and I had a wee conversation when she picked up my garbage to take outside. I've been obfuscating my latest trials and tribulations, ( okay, blondie, what's the bad news now? ) ... and not by my quirky charm and wit, lol.

So, Saturday, I really REALLY must send out some e-mails, asking for assistance to see if any of my friends can suggest a place. And I do have at least one long-time well-off friend who I'm hoping will offer me sanctuary. Yes, I'm ready to display my vulnerabilities to him. OTOH, he may be entirely ignorant of the current reality of housing opportunities (virtually non-existent) for people living on disability pensions and low incomes. It's not at all like the good old days. Where my friends like Uncle Billy (who was his close friend too) and Uncle Ernie simply applied and got decent apartments. Immediately.

I finally texted church-John to see when he might be able to drop off the sturdy packing cartons. He said he'd come over Saturday (which is now today). Yay – that means I'll be able to get some groceries too (finished my last orange Friday). And I'll use him as a sounding board regarding the recommendation I received last week, just in case it turns out to be my ONLY option. God, I hope not ... as it would mean coexisting with a smoker again. Ugh.

I finally sent my reply/acknowledgment of the apology from my rides provider. I was gracious yet firm. I'm hoping there'll be no recurrence of a person intervening (interfering, really) and screwing up my rides in the future. Computer error is bad enough; I certainly don't need the contamination of the human factor. ::sighs again::

On a more positive note, I gave myself a pink grapefruit peel-off facial yesterday afternoon which just coincidentally fit in with one of the naughty discussion topics on Savage Love where I got up to all sorts of mischief! Hey, it was fun and I so needed the distraction, especially after the Jeopardy disappointment.

And that was my Friday. Posted now because I woke up early ... again.