FRIDAY AND SETTLING IN

 I'm in.

My helpers had the whole scenario laid out. I was picked up early on and taken to breakfast at the Hill Street Cafe while Ellen received the movers, who came about 9:30. We went to the harbor and the beach and and I took some of the hazy and overcast sky. I prefer the sun, but like life itself, his was so beautiful and mysterious, it was wonderful to be there: 

After the beach and back at my new place: The movers had left my possessions damage-free, but oh, boy, was there a lot to unpack, set up, move around, and put away. I had been dropped off to attend 

the weekly Happy Hour. This had a Christmas party theme. A terrific duo played and sang and I spoke to them after; gave them my card, told them to get in touch in January, if they might want to explore possibilities with Fractured Actors. Here they are, singing some of the old favorites: 

BTW, the Margaritas were good, too.

We then went back to my apartment to continue some of the settling in. Of course, it will take a long, long time to complete, but I can at least function. Ellen set up my laptop and T.V. and I was touched to find this note on my desk from my darling daughter: 

We said goodbye about 6:00, then put away a few more things, had just a bite to eat--I decided not to go to the dining room last night, as I gotten up at 5:15, and was very tired by then. Did some things on the laptop, watched a bit of T.V., then fell into bed. Slept like a stone until 10:30...

...that pain in the rear, Michelle, my former SO-FI neighbor, called at 10:30 to see if I was in my new place yet. I was barely coherent when I assured her she had awakened me and I wasn't happy about it. However, I fell back to sleep right away and just got up at 5:30.

Breakfast this morning is listed as French toast--maybe I'll try it, but if I'm not mistaken, I can order eggs or something as an alternative. Helpers are coming about 11:00 and we'll continue doing what we're doing.

Lucky me.  

THURSDAY AND DOWN TO THE WIRE

Slept okay and got up at 6:15. The whole place is, of course, more or less chaos, but now I'm used to it. After breakfast, I gathered all the items--medication, underwear, and so on that I'd need for this morning, stowed them in a carrying case, and put it near the door. Ellen came about noon and proceeded to clean, wiping down the cabinets, and a lot more. Once she got here, I took a shower and washed my hair, which felt good. 

We had lunch, then I took a nap while El continue the last minute stuff--until 2:30, that is, when we drove to Dr. Sui, my dermatologist, who sprayed my face lesions. Luckily, they don't seem to be a cause for concern. El and I were amused that we were finished and out of there about ten minutes before my actual scheduled appointment time, but hey, we weren't complaining.  

Home and El dismembered--or dismantled-- the T.V. and did several other chores. After she left, I thought of calling Muckie D. Did so, and we talked for a whole hour. I caught up on her cancer journey, which is, of course, on-going, but we also, naturally reminisced about HSHS days. I told her I had been touch with Bob McGinty (I don't think anyone calls him Muff anymore) and other grads. He isn't on Facebook anymore, but I came across this picture of him from the Atlantic County Squash Club nine years ago. He's the big guy on the right:  

For dinner, I had more of the yummy pizza Suzanne had sent me home with, along with the single IPA that was left here. The others IPAs, plus the rest of my fridge and freezer food, had already been transported to my new place. 

Okay, gang, this is it: 

                                                           MOVING DAY!

WEDNESDAY

Early on, I called brother Larry about my move and was alarmed to hear he had fallen two days ago. It was a horrifying scenario: He walked down his driveway to get his mail and incredibly, although he'll be 94 next month and it was dark and raining, he didn't bother to take his cane. He slipped and fell into a puddle onto his back and couldn't, of course, get up. Luckily, he had his phone and called 911, then his daughter, Elaine, who lives only four houses from him. She and her grown son came immediately and the 911 crew shortly after. Elaine and her son lifted him up and the others treated the scratches on his arms. Luckily, no long-term problem seems to have occurred, but a tragedy could have, as Elaine had driven to Larry's place in case he had to be taken to the hospital before the ambulance got there. If Larry hadn't remembered to warn her, Elaine would have driven over him! The hazards of growing old--whew.

Ellen came over at noon, bringing her her high-powered vacuum and proceeded to clean under my bed, which was very dusty. She then soothed and placated me after I had hysterics over the charge for the medic alert by my new place. I won't even go into all that, but I simmered down after I found out it was included in my rent. It still seems infuriating that they charge $55 a month, when I already have one provided by my insurance for no charge.

Another crises calling for my horrified response: I had removed the eight-hundred dollars cash for the movers from my purse, wanted Ellen to hold it, but couldn't remember where I had put it. But we looked, found it on the table where I had left it, Ellen will take charge of it, and the day continued on a better note. We took a short walk around the complex in the warm sun and that was so enjoyable.

Ellen finished her chore, then took me over to Von's for coffee, sherry, and a few other items. We parted about 6:30 and for dinner, I had leftover salad and what remained of El's good chili. Watched some T.V., then fell into bed, and slept soundly until almost 6:00. 

Today, day-before=transfer, my helpers will come early, then Ellen will drive me to my 3:20 appointment with the dermatologist in Oxnard. 

Wider:  t's getting closer and closer:

https://scheerpost.com/2025/12/11/house-and-senate-agree-to-make-draft-registration-automatic/

TUESDAY AND A PARTY

Yet another day of the usual packing up, but this one included a problem with my phone and Bank of America on which I don't want to elaborate. Luckily, Ellen seems to have resolved it, but it was a hassle. I called the Ventura Star to cancel the paper and was told, incredibly, that I was paid for the daily delivery until February something. Why was that? Because of the frequency of days it wasn't delivered. I demanded a refund and got all kinds of reasons why that won't happen. All right, I give up; must remember to drop the automatic payment.   

We continued the clearing out, had lunch, then El left and we went to The Orchard. We brought in the patio things--chairs, tables, and succulents--and I spent some time arranging them. I sat out there for a few minutes and greatly enjoyed it and the magnolia trees it faces. Also, I like the fact that when you walk in the door, the patio greenery is directly opposite.

We met more residents, all of whom seemed to be interesting people. Saw Anita doing one of her interminable jigsaw puzzles, and chatted with Barbara, whom I had met before. We also ran into Mandy, the activities director and she urged me to come to the happy hour on Friday. Hmm...that's the day I move in, so maybe I can--we'll see.

Home at 4:00 and had a small salad. Played my Jewel Match Royale until it was time to go next door to Suzanne for my going-away/birthday pizza party. It was so very pleasant to be with my two dear friends and the pizza was yum, yum, yummy, especially as Suzanne had asked V. and me what kind we like best and had it topped by thirds with our my favorite toppings Since I like all of them except pineapple, mine had pepperoni, onions, sausage, olives, anchovies, and maybe the kitchen sink.

 After we ate, I was presented with a yule log cake and the traditional song was sung: 

The three of us--boy, do I look haggard! 😣

I was then presented with gifts: from Suzanne, a wonderfully thoughtful kind of cloth carrier, which will come in very handy for the things I need right away when I move. Vickie gave me the book,  The Women, plus a lovely mug with this inscription: "She is clothed with Strength and Dignity--Proverbs 31;25."  We chatted and reminisced until about 7:00, then hugged goodbye. I'll certainly have those two over for lunch first thing after I settle in.

El called after I got home to discuss today's plan: More of the same, of course. 

MONDAY: KATHERINE AND A CAR RENTAL SNAFU

My mantra: sort, pack, donate, and toss--repeat every day, all day, with snarls of annoyance. Hey, if it wasn't for my helpers, that would be the drill, but happily, I'm getting through okay.

On Friday at the T.O.P.S. brunch, Katherine (my "newish" friend, as she characterized herself), offered to give me bubble wrap left over from her own recent move.. I appreciated it, but didn't know if any of us could get to her place to pick it up. Then that generous person texted to ask if she could drop it off. She could and she did and we were gifted with several large and small rolls, which were immediately put into use. Hey, newish or oldish, it's good to have such friends.

We toiled away and have actually finished most, including the fridge and freezer, except that which I'll use until Friday. We* then loaded the patio chairs and potted  supplement plants into the rental van, preparing to take them to The Orchard...but DAMN, the engine wouldn't turn over. The rental place (in L.A.) was called, we waited until they finally called back, then came to fix the van, but the problem wasn't resolved, so we stayed here, public transportation was called into play, and they're supposed to deliver a new car at10:30.  

This evening, Suzanne and Vickie are having me over for a little going-away pizza party, next door at Suzanne. I'm looking forward to that with pleasure. 

* "We?"--HA! My heavenly helpers did it all.

SUNDAY AND LISTENING TO THE MOON

Well, we're coming down to the wire--four days to go and boy, we haven't been sitting around. Started in with more clearing out and packing at 10:00 and pretty much continued all day. The mountain in the living room keeps growing, but that's progress: 

Ellen came over about 1:30, bringing her delish homemade chili. I had made sandwich, but wrapped and stowed in the fridge to eat today. We continued our work, then my bedside tables were delivered, which I decided I no longer want. El put them in her car and will return them via UPS. We then used Ellen' hand truck to pack some things in the car and took off for The Orchard. 

We got the stuff put into various closets, shelves, cabinets and drawers, then left. As I was locking my apartment door, a woman came up and introduced herself as Diane, my next door neighbor. I was surprised, as she looks considerably younger than 65. (Come to think of it, the age limit may be 55--will look it up.)  I was very pleased, as I sensed a vibe and hope we become friendly.

After putting things away, we went back to my place and toiled on until dinnertime. El then suggest we eat at Chili Basil, the Thai restaurant across from Von's. Did so and enjoyed it. We said goodnight after that and I got my p.j.s on, watched a little T.V., then flopped into bed.

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 

Saturday at the El Roblar hotel: 

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Note One:

I forgot to mention earlier that El ran into Leah from upstairs, who said her mother and sister from Pittsburgh would be visiting for Christmas and she'd like us to get together for lunch. They won't get here until the 23rd, so we'll set up a date closer to then. 

Note Two: 

I found this on the Internet and it rang a bell with me; I must put it in practice: 

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

SATURDAY AND MY BABY BOY

Talk about busy; yester was. We got into it just after breakfast, continuing our packing up and throwing out, which went on for hours after a brief break for lunch. Got the kitchen cabinets, shelves, drawers, and counters virtually emptied, as well as the hall closets and bathroom. Mike came and spent his time going over my income tax copies from earlier years, plus other financial stuff, then separating and discarding the older ones. Anyway, same old, same old until we left for Ellen's about 4:00.  

Monday had been Mike's birthday, but we decided to celebrate it a day late. Sat down together while he opened his cards and presents. As his real gift, I treated him for dinner. Here's the birthday boy on his last one as a fifties person: 

                                                                       

Above with his pal, Cessy.

We then left for dinner at El Robar, the newly opened restaurant at a new hotel in Ojai, where I understand rooms are six hundred bucks a night. We had such a good time and the food was excellent. I ordered oyster mushrooms; we laughed over the fact that I thought it was a dish with both oysters and mushrooms, but no--it was "oyster mushrooms"--ha-ha!*  It was excellent, though, and included a wonderful green sauce. I didn't take pictures then, but Mike did and I'll add when I get them.

After having a ball, we went back to Ellen's and I (sob!) said goodbye to Mike, who is leaving this morning. Happily, I'll see him in May at Vivian's graduation. Ellen took me home--I thought it was about midnight, but it was 7:30. With many thanks to my remarkable, beautiful, and loving daughter, I go into my p.j.s, watched T.V. for a bit, then stepped into Dreamland and was out until 6:15. Today, more packing and we plan to take some smaller items to the new place. 

* 
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are popular, oyster-shaped edible fungi known for their mild, slightly seafood-like flavor, meaty texture, and nutritional richness (fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants).