The Hills and Insomnia

I decided to go in search of the Ventura Senior Center and followed Google directions. Whew, it's 'way up in the foothills in an area I had never seen before. Talked to the nicelady receptionist--I assume a volunteer--then the director, a good-looking guy in his thirties. He was very cordial and we discussed the possibility of my doing my Dionne Quintuplet presentation. I said I usually received a stipend and he was okay with that, as attendees are charged a fee, then there's something like a sixty-forty split with the center. Seems kind of unorthodox, but I'll tuck it in the back of my brain and maybe bring it out sometime.
Went from there to the library, where I stayed just long enough to print out a document, part of the marathon financial affairs stuff.
Called my friend to congratulate her on her last work day. then drove to the store to pick up this and that.
For the first time since I got here, I had trouble sleeping last night; tossed and turned for what seemed hours. I finally dropped off, but feel a little groggy still. Maybe I'll take a nap later on.

Pretty Much of a Lull

A major portion of the day was taken up, boringly enough, with yet more arranging of financial affairs. You'd think I was Hetty Green, for Pete's sake, but these things do take time and I'm not finished quite yet. Aside from that, I was in and out doing chores and visiting stores.
Betty called to tell me my sister-in-law's only surviving sibling had died; he was ninety-something and had had Alzheimer's for years. John Maloney had been a friend of my brother, Jim's--I think they went to St. Joe's together--and John introduced Jim to his sister, Therese. They were married on June 28, 1958, one week after we were. Coincidentally, exactly a year later on that date, I gave birth to our first child.
And so it goes.

A Job and Relatives

Busily busy, as usual, but even more so because--yikes, I applied for a job! It's as a demonstator of new products at supermarkets and sounds like fun. It did require a lot of documentation, including proof of citizenship, so I went to the library in town to scan and attach them, but found they don't have a scanner. The very pleasant librarian suggested I go to Office Depot and that's whatI did.
Sent the documents, but it occurred to me that if I accepted an assignment and my furniture came that day, I'd have to skip. I called the person at the company to tell her to please hold off and I'd call her once it came.
Went to the Social Security Office to request an S.S. card. I haven't had one--or needed one--for 50 years or more. but it was part of the application process. Took almost an hour, but the young woman who helped me was so nice. I didn't mind.
Stopped for oranges and eggs and stuff. Returned Betty's call and after about five minutes, phone went dead--I had again run out of minutes--aagh! I jumped in the car, drove to Vons and bought more; called her back from the parking lot and we had a good, long talk. She had had a slew of relatives in, including her own 3 children and their total of 6 kids for a week. On Sunday, they were joined by my nephew and his family of five; our brother, Jim, who's now the patriarch of the family at 89, with his wife and daughter; and my friend and her husband. That made a total of nineteen and they had a ball.

Good Stuff

A good day for a variety of reasons. The first was the nice talk with my dear brother, Frank, of course. I then set off to mid-town, determined to find the library. I did,pretty easily,too and what's more, I discovered that it's right in front of a free parking area,with steps leading to its rear door. I promptly signed up for a library card and also took advantage of one of their computers. Checked a few things and printed out what I wanted. I borrowed Roger Ebert's "Awake in the Dark." Ever since I read his autobiogrphy,"Life Itself," I've wanted to read more of his reviews, essays, and interviews. I started this and am not disappointed.
I had been furious with myself because of this doofy predicament: Thought I'd close out my Ocean First Bank (local in Jersey only) account by just spending it down with my debit card. I did so and finally saw I had only 8 bucks and change left. Bought some trifle at the Dollar Tree and paid 5 and change. The next day, I looked on-line and was horrified to see a $4.95 low balance charge. This had brought the balance to less than five, so they tacked on a $35 insufficient funds charge!
Aagh, aagh, and more aagh. But I called branch manager Donna, explained, threw myself on her mercy, and she kindly said she'd recind both fees and close out the account. Now that's the kind of thing that sets me up for--well,until the next crisis, anyway.
Note: It's August 11 and do I know where my possessions are? No, but they've gotta becoming soon, as they were promised to arrive between the tenth and the eighteenth; anxiously waiting...

Chores, Dinner, and Cait Jenner

Even with little furniture, there are household chores; they took all of ten minutes when I did them yesterday. Swept my tiny kitchen floor, scoured the double sinks, and rearranged the walk-in closet. Folded and stowed the laundry and that was about it.
Went to Target to look at shopping carts, which I want to get eventully. Stopped at WinCo Supermarket, which I favor because it's employee owned, but I also like the produce, organic and non. I like their prices, too.
Showered and washed my hair, then turned to this lovely machine (or diobolical contraption, depending on my mood) to see I had just missed a web cam call from the far east, as it used to be called. I quickly called back and after some frustrating misconnections, was able to greet precious little K., Daddy and Mommy.
This little boy is growing so fast, physically and otherwise. He showed me several sets of his trains, pointing out the "geen" and "boo" ones in English, the yellow one in Japanese. What a darling baby and soon too be two!
After that happy interlude, I donned slacks and a fairly dressy top, then put on makeup, the first time for both since I arrived. Don't know why, I just felt like it. Drove over to Ellen's--early, of course, I wouldn't want to spoil my record--and we took off for Outback.
I was surprised at how crowded it was, but we had a reservation and were seated right away. We both decided on the mixed BBQ grill of shrimp, chicken, and ribs with a beer for me and a watermelon Margerita for El. Very tasty and I took some home. Happily, my gift card just covered the meal and a little of the tip; El left the rest.
Back at her house, we sat and watched T.V., a novelty for me, as I don't have one; saw "I Am Cait" with the former Bruce Jenner and some of some of her trans friends. Fun to see for awhile, although I know these "reality" shows are scripted, or at least guided to a fare-thee-well. Got home just as it was getting dark after a good day.
More good: just got a call from brother Frank, my fellow Californian and we had a lovely sib visit.

Thisa and Thata

Got an early call from long-time friend and high school classmate, Jeanne Dollard P., asking for contact info for long-time friend and St. James classmate, Elva Gruhler B. It seems Jeanne came across a painting she thinks may be valuable and she would like Elva's advice. I had taken Jeanne up to Elva's art gallery in Lambertville a few years ago; coincidentally, Elva had called me last week while we were at the roller rink.
Forgot to mention I talked to sister-in-law Therese and brother, Jim, the other night. They were going down to see Betty and her gang yesterday.
Aside from that, things are still pokey. I took a drive (and got gas--it gets easier with practice) toward the ocean and beach. but didn't quite make it. Where I come from, Ventnor--for that matter, all of Absecon Island--there's a nice straight shoreline. The island's only eight miles long anyway, so sooner or later, no matter in which direction you go, you hit water. Ventura sprawls for miles and its beaches are craggy, rocky, and irregular. Actually,that seems to me more interesting than straight and steady, but it takes some getting used to.
This place has lots of amenities, but two it doesn't are individual washers and dryers. There are coin operated ones and this morning (with some apprehension, as I haven't used them for roughly 60 years), I took the plunge.
Hey, no prob! It takes 45 minutes, it said, and I set the timer, went back to work on the Sunday crossword for that long, went back to put them in the dryer, and now have clean clothes. Soon, I'll go to WinCo Supermarket for supplies, and later, will shower and dress for dinner with Ellen at Outback.

Nothing Much

Well, I don't have a clue as to whether my recent posts are actually being added to this blog or not. I wish one of my mutitude of readers (ha!) would post a comment to that effect if they can read this.
As for yesterday, nothing much went on. Bought two pretty purple plants with the few dollars left on my Trader Joe's gift card from Anne Mary. Found a nice park nearby my place and will eventually explore it. Talked to El and we made a date to go to Outback for dinner tommorow (Greg works until 8); I'll use the gift card I received as a going away present from Sunrise Bay friends.