Friday

After a two-week hiatus, I went back to T.O.P.S. and it was puzzling: I went up 1.2 pounds at home, to 125.6, but down.07 at the meeting to 125.8. No prob, since I'm still in my comfort zone, but dunno why that large a discrepancy.  The meeting was reasonably okay. Lennie asked me to lead next week and before we left, I asked the other five to think of one of the most distressing  or hurtful experiences relating to overweight that may have prompted them to take it off.  I'll build a (short) program on that. 

Didn't get breakfast until 10:15 and  after a few chores, I packed my lunch and bused to the mall. Instead of eating outside, I found there's a kind of large terrace off the second floor, with small tables and chairs, so I went there and enjoyed it. Here's the view:

I was home by 3:00 and ran into Suzanne. I invited her in to chat for a bit and we caught up with each other's lives. Sadly, she said she had seen Vickie, who seems to be sinking down and is terribly discouraged at her condition. She's dealing not only with the cancer, but with the hip problem and now an infected toe again. I'll get in touch with her soon.

Speaking of getting in touch: At 9:30 pm, my phone rang and it was Jeanne Painter. It's a good thing I've been training myself to stay up later, because a few weeks ago, I would have been in bed and  asleep at that hour. I do like hearing from her, although she was clearly three sheets to the wind, as the saying goes. When she calls, she spends a lot of time bemoaning the fact that she does everything for John, who's now 95 years old and does little but sleep and drink heavily of Seagram's VO. She's been with him for fifteen years, and assures me over and over she's "in the will." She also told me of the disgusting behavior of her father during her glory days when she was a contestant for Miss Atlantic City, but I'll leave that one alone.

Lunch at Micky Dee's again with Diane today. 

Thursday

About 7:00 am, I was busily Facebooking when my phone omitted a horrendous siren blast and announced an earthquake. I was advised to take cover, etc. and AAGH! However, I didn't feel anything. Diane texted me that she had seen her medicine cabinet shake and ran into the closet to hide, although I'm not quite sure that's protective. 

😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

Terry and Larry came at noon and we first spent two hours talking and talking, then looked over a very small part of the early Byrne family pictures and artifacts I have. That was a lot of fun and Larry enjoyed it immensely. Here's one on the Ventnor beach, circa 1940, Larry and Frank next to Dad,  Betty and me in front:

And the one below is from the party for Mom's eightieth in 1982 at Betty's big house on Atlantic Avenue. From left, yours truly (clearly in one of my chubbier periods), Jimmy, Gene,* Frank, Betty, and Larry. (It boggles the mind to realize I'm now seven years older than Mom is here).  As Terry remarked, Frank and Larry look like Mafia drug lords.  

At one point, we started talking about the sudden and horrific accident that took my father's life on June 2, 1950. To my amazement, Larry began to cry; then so did I. He was never at all emotional as a boy or even later in life and it was somehow refreshing to see and feel honest emotion from both of us. 

We cheered up and went to the Stone Fire Grille for lunch. Larry and I both had personal pizzas with sides, Terry a vegetable platter and we chatted happily. After, we drove to town, parked at the museum,  and strolled Main Street, stopping into various stores and shops. It was very quiet, I guess because by that time, it was late in the afternoon. 

Walked back to the museum and off we went back to Telegraph Drive to said our goodbyes. What fun it was to have them here! There's a bare possibility I might go to the big Byrne Christmas gathering in December, but who knows?

Called Cheryl to ask her to pick me up for T.O.P.S. today, which she will. So now I guess I'm back into my normal life. It's a good life and the way I want it, but when visitors I love leave, I have to adjust.  

* My mother was given the middle name of "Eugene," not the feminine vesion of "Eugenia,"as that was the name of the doctor who delivered. My sister was named after her and we always called her "Gene." When she got older, it embarrassed her to have a man's name (and presumably, she constantly had to correct other's spelling), so she started spelling it "Jean." However, it's my blog, I knew her as Gene, she's not around to contradict, and I'm going with the RIGHT one! 😁

Wednesday

Ellen picked me up at noon and we drove off to Margarita Villa at the Ventura Harbor. Terry and Larry were already there and shortly, Carolyn came. What a great time we had celebrating Ellen's birthday, especially with the additional of the special guest, Margarita.                                                 The birthday girl chose strawberry: 

                                          

The cousins, Carolyn, Terry, and Ellen:

And here's the group, after a good Mexican meal:

After, we went to the museum, watched a fascinating movie about the Channel Islands, then browsed the exhibits. Here are Ellen and me on the lookout bridge:

And Terry and Ellen:

We didn't leave until after 5:00 after a fun family day. Carolyn drove home, Terry and Larry went back to the Best Western, and Ellen drove me home. Today, the Floridians will come over, we'll look over some of the Byrne/Figenshu memorabilia, then go downtown to stroll and lunch. I'm thinking of the botanic gardens, too, but I'm not sure if Larry could handle the height-terrain. 

Note: While we walking to the museum, I got a call from Victoria Care Center about Jim. I asked about his appetite and as told he ate from 75 to 100 percent of his meals--that's encouraging, I guess. Also spoke to the P.T., who said he was "holding his own." She said it still takes two people to help him stand up. Once the company leaves, I try to get over to see him next week. 

Tuesday

Terry and Larry picked me up a little after 10:00 and we drove to Santa Barbara. Got there shortly before noon and found Betty in the recreation room. I asked to have her brought out to the atrium, and the very kind and accommodating staff member wheeled her there. Shortly after, Carolyn and her son, Finn, arrived and we settled down to have a long, good, family gathering. Here's Larry saying hello to Betty when we got there, Terry in the doorway:

And in the atrium, here are the three survivors of the once eight-member Byrne family:

And here we are with Terry, Carolyn, and Finn:

We had a wonderful, two-hour afternoon with Betty, before we said goodbye to her, Carolyn, and Finn. The three of us then went to the pier for lunch. I suggested the Moby Dick, as I had been there in January when Mike, Paula, and the girls were here. We then went to the Santa Barbara Mission, thanks to Terry's suggestion (and her expert driving). Greatly enjoyed it and here are a few shots:

Home after a wonderful day, thanks to my dear niece, Terry, and my dear brother, Larry. Today, we'll go to the Margaritaville Restaurant at the Ventura Harbor to celebrate Ellen's birthday. Ellen will pick me up at noon, Larry and Terry will meet us there at 12:30 and Carolyn will join us a little later after an appointment. 

Monday

 Did a color wash, then spent the rest of the morning tidying up. Larry and Terry called when they were a short distance away and, after some confusion about which entrance I could beam them in, we met up and it was so good to see them. I got them in the Hill Street gate, so they could park in my spot, then we strolled to my apartment. We sat and chatted for a bit, then I suggested the Thai restaurant right across in the Von's shopping center and that's where we went for lunch. We had a great time and I got to know Terry  better: 

She's 64 and lives in Mississippi. She was in the navy for four years and now teaches business courses at a college. Married to (yet another) Mike, has two daughters and a grandson about to start college. She's an outgoing, talkative type and it's fun to be with her. As for Larry, at 92, he's slowed down a bit and uses a cane. However, he's mentally sound and we three enjoyed getting to know each other over lunch. 

We strolled back to my place and decided we'd go see Betty today, then Larry and Terry went back to their motel. I called niece Carolyn and she'll meet us at Villa Alamar. Tomorrow, all five of us will take Ellen to a birthday lunch at Margaritaville at the Ventura Harbor. Later, I called Larry to suggest he and Terry might like to eat at Aloha and stroll the harbor; I think it's fairly near the motel. 

Happy day: I slept straight through and just got up at 5:30--that feels so good.

Sunday

Sunday routine accomplished: changed bed, did crossword (got every one except the capitol of Oregon), and took weekly med. After breakfast, I dry-dusted the hard floors, then wet-mopped the kitchen area. 

What my grandson in Japan would like is U.S. coins, so I gathered pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and will send, along with an ordinary silver dollar. Maybe I'll go to the bank and add a two-dollar bill. Came across two silver dollars that are actually silver. They were in my drawer and I just can't remember where I got them. One of them is dated 1878 and, after looking it up, I saw it may be worth a fair amount--two hundred bucks or so. Eventually, I hope to get to the coin collector and ask. Don't think I'll send him that. 

Today is Mr. K.'s actual birthday--Japan is a day ahead of the U.S.--so I sent him an e-card. Will send the paper one with the coins.

Packed my lunch and ate it again in the middle: 

While there, I called Ellen and she'll come over here on Wednesday, her birthday and go out to lunch with Larry and Terry. Greg willl be back from Colorado and he plans to take her for her Bday on Thursday. Niece Carolyn texted Ellen and me and we'll be meeting up shortly, along with Larry and Terry.  

Sizzling Saturday

Hot. I'm writing this a half-hour after twelve noon and it's 85 degrees. It's expected to be 88 at 4:00. These temps are unusual for Ventura, but pale in comparison to Ellen's Ojai place. There, it's--gulp!--104. 

As for my day, I washed the bathroom rugs early on and will mop the hard floors today or tomorrow. Should vacuum, too, in preparation for Larry's and Terry's visit. I then walked over to Von's--wanted to go early before the noonday heat. Got some strawberries, fresh veggies and frozen meals, as well as paper items. 

Washed and sliced the strawberries, then sweetened with Stevia, and stowed them in the freezer. I'm not sure why, but I like them better thawed after being frozen rather than eating them immediately, but I do. Later, I had some with cottage cheese--yummy.  

Toyed with the idea of going in the pool, but didn't. I did, however, make my lunch and eat it in the middle. It was actually pleasant--up to 88, but there was a light breeze and it felt good.

Aside from that, I spent time on an e-card for my grandson in Tokyo, who will be eleven tomorrow. Sent it, but also went to CVS to get a "real" one, which I'll send shortly with his gift. Also bought a card for Ellen, whose birthday is this Wednesday. Also gathered up some items for whim which I'll describe tomorrow. Other than that, I didn't do much except watch yet more episodes of Frazier.   

It's supposed to get up to 91 today.