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). 

FRIDAY PARTY

Cheryl picked me up at 8:45 and we went to our T.O.P.S. Christmas brunch at Maryann's place, which is very attractive and nicely decorated. Just as we came in, her husband was leaving. We met him and I told him I have and have read his pacifist book, A Great Flash of Light.  I was intrigued with her Nativity structure, a kind of grotto: 

Her patio has a lovely flowering vine; I want to ask Green Thumb what it is and hope to get some for my new place: 

Above: the flowering vine

Sharon and Cheryl, ready for brunch

Our hostess, Mary Ann, with her Christmas crown. 

Sharon was jaunty in her red outfit.

Sharon gave me this pretty Christmas necklace for my birthday.

Lennie with a kind of Norwegian wrap from her native North Dakota.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Katherine, who had to leave early for another commitment. Anyway, we had a fine time and the party didn't break up until 12:30.

Home and I cleared up a few things, then we went to Wal-Mart and after that, Von's. Took a nap later and also went through some boxes. It seems I'm going to move into new digs next Friday, the twelfth, not the seventeenth, as I had thought. Okay, I can do that, since I'll have both places until the end of the month.  

Slept well and didn't get up until 5:30. Not sure what's on the agenda for today, but know we'll be busy. 

THURSDAY

Things are buzzing, but reasonably manageable.  Got up at 5:30, which was okay and ate the other half of my hamburger from the Hill Street Hotel for breakfast, then took a shower and washed  my hair. Futzed around doing this and that, then wentt to my 1:00 P.T. appointment--my last of this series. I was pleased and proud when Brian--such a neat guy--put me though a series of drills, then celebrated the fact that I had bested my initial performance. I'm still anything but well-balanced--at least in my body, not sure about my mind (ha!)--but will continue to do the exercises. 

Home, I added a little to lunch, then started on my jewelry chest. This is really a kind of bureau, about four feet high and with  multiple drawers designed for jewelry. It was quite a job to decide what I wanted to keep and what to donate, but I did it. I was so pleased to find the bracelet that my co-actor in Steel Magnolias had given each in the cast some fifteen years ago. A scene had invitees to wedding describing what they'll wear. My character describes her dress as beige and pink with white trim and I got a bracelet in just those colors. I've always cherished it and, when appropriate, have worn it it several show, including Backstage Bedlam. However, when it was over, I couldn't find it and thought I had left it, but no, I found it in the case I had taken with me. Took a short nap after and finished the jewelry pack up. 

Vivian had brought me a tee shirt from U. of Hawaii, from which she'll graduate in May--and El and I are going--yay! (At first I thought it meant "gay pride," which would have been okay, too.) She should get a kick out of this:   

                                                            

Today, we have our T.O.P.S Christmas breakfast at Maryann's house, which isn't far The Orchard. It's a pot luck and usually, I bring a dish I make from scratch, but this time, I shamelessly volunteered to bring orange juice, which Ellen picked up for me. Hey, I can barely cover what I have to do, let alone adding a concoction I make myself.  

WEDNESDAY

Julie and  Katherine picked me up at 10:45 to go to the BCNN Christmas luncheon. Lots there and I had a good time chatting with old friends, new acquaintances, and--well, new friends and old acquaintances. Anyway, we talked, laughed, commiserated with each other, and generally had a good time. Talked with Regina, who looked pretty good, although she's had some major health issues lately. Also chatted with  Barbara, outgoing prez, and Dusty, former prez, whom I've always liked. Both of them were in my acting group and several asked if I was going to have one in the new year. At this point, I can't even think of taking on anything else and if I ever change my mind, it's not going to be gratis.

The lunch was buffet and hardly gourmet, but pretty good, plus I had an orange blossom and, with lunch, an IPA. We drove home after, and I had intended to nap for a bit, as I had slept poorly. However, I didn't have time, as Mike came, as planned, about 2:00 and after packing up my loads of books, we drove over to The Orchard and Mike, having borrowed Ellen's hand truck, went back and forth taking them to my place. When we arrived, we found this on my door, noting my birthday in December: 

We looked around a bit, inside an out, then chatted with several residents. I saw Anita, the "resident ambassador" with whom El and I had had lunch during my first visit. I was amazed at her appearance: tastefully assembled outfit, perfect makeup, and diamond jewelry. In that respect, I was reminded of Diane, who would never step outside the door without looking like a model, although incredibly, Anita is ten years older than she. 

After our visit, we stopped at CVS for something or other, then went to the Hill Street Cafe for a light dinner. Mike drove me home, stopped in for a bit, then we said goodnight. 

Today, I have P.T. again, damnit, but it's my last one in Oxnard, at least. 

TUESDAY: P.T. AND BOOKS

A relatively slow day. The SCAN Transportation (Uber) picked me up at 10:45, early for my 11:30 physical therapy appointment, but that was okay.  I had been so busy on the Internet, that I had to rush to get out front, so didn't have time for breakfast. (Feeling like a ragamuffin, I snatched up a piece of bread on my way out and ate it on my way.) Uber came in a few minutes and we took off for Oxnard.

P.T. went okay and after, then I called Uber to pick me up. The driver a terrific guy named Troy. We fell into a conversation and I told him I was moving to The Orchard. He said that his mother, who's in her eighties, was considering an independent living place, too, so I gave him my card and said his mother could call me if she wanted to.

Home, I made a tuna sandwich for lunch and ate it while watching A Chorus Line. I hadn't  seen it for years and damn, that is one great movie. I sometimes think that dance is the most artful of the arts and this was dynamite, Incredibly, it was made fifty years ago, but if I didn't know that, I would ever have guessed. Now that I'm in the mood, I may look up All That Jazz. 

Took a short nap, then turned my attention to my ceiling-high bookcase and separated them into "keep" and "give to Greg to sell at Bart's books." Hmm, I could donate them to The Orchard, too, but will go with Bart's: 

                                   

And now the bookcase is bare, aside from the artifacts: 

And oh, gawd, I have an enormous number of "artifacts"; sooner or later, I'm going to have to keep, donate, or toss--AAGH!

MONDAY AND SOARING SPIRITS

Busy day, but a good one; slept well and didn't get up until 6:30. Called SCAN Transportation to take me to my 11:30 P.T. appointment in Oxnard today. Julie called to see if she could pick me up for the BCNN Christmas luncheon tomorrow. and I accepted. Vickie texted to say she and Suzanne would like to treat me to a pizza farewell lunch; I'll let her know. I may or may not go to the T.O.P.S. Christmas breakfast on Friday--depends on when it is. Hey, my calendar is filling up again. 

Spent some time pulling together more of the memorabilia together. Mike and Ellen got here at 12:30, bringing Ellen's hand truck, which was an enormous help. Mike got it all in the van he had rented and off we went. Before we started, I ran into my neighbor, Katherine, who said she was thinking of eventually moving to The Orchard. Hey, that would be nice--and financially advantageous--see below. 

Because yesterday was the official day of my move (I'm overlapping both domiciles to the end of December.), we stopped at the desk to get my key. We ran into Director Tiffany and Sales Manager Carissa and chatted happily. I mentioned that Kathrine might be interested and was told that if I was the referral person, I could earn a few thou. Sounds good to me.   

I was pleased to see my apartment again. The front room seemed a lot more spacious than I had remembered and I could envision placement of a lot of the furniture. We brought with us some paper goods and hand soap for the bathroom and will add a few more things as we come. I met several other residents and we introduced ourselves, including some men. They all seemed congenial, although I'm not naive enough to think I'll find soulmates, but who knows? We stopped at Wal-Mart after for a few staples, then the kids (😉) dropped me at home. 

Vera  picked me up at 5:15 for the Soaring Spirits dinner at Stone Fire Grille, the last with our dear leader, Vera. (Ugh, that sounds like  Kim Jong il!) There were just seven of us there, but we had a great time:

Around the table: the hunchback, Susan, Donna, Glenda, Lynell, Renee, Gayle, and Katherine (Vera took the pic)

Glenda, Renee, and Vera

Susan, Donna, and Vera. We were all thrilled to see Donna, who had been a member, met widower Mark at an SS gathering, and they've been married for several years. Of course, she's no longer a member--not allowed--but we skipped the rule and welcomed her happily.

Gayle looking pensive; she has a lot of medical and other issues.

With Susan, Renee, and Glenda

Christmas ornaments were exchanged and Vera gave each of us this ornament, which I will cherish:

Vera with Susan, her stand-in leader

We stayed later than usual, until we closed the place at 8:00 am. Vera took me home and we said goodbye. I leave for The Orchard on December 17 and she leaves for Oregon on January 1. I hope to maybe take her to lunch before she goes. Not to get all philosophical, it seems the end of a life chapter for both of us. Anyway, I'm mostly glad for this book I'm reading and look forward to turning the page.  

SUNDAY

 A quiet day. I was able to pack up some of my family memorabilia, acting material (scripts, etc.), and other written material, but there's plenty more. I also have of lot of Dionne Quintuplet material, which I want to preserve, of course. When Ellen and Mike get here today, we'll be transporting some to my new place. We won't meet for lunch, but they'll pick me up after at 12:30  and go to The Source. El has dance class later and Vera will pick me up at 5:15 for our last (sob!) official Soaring Spirits dinner. We do a gift exchange for that one, but I'm not going to participate--I am, however, giving Vera a turtle (she raises them) bracelet as a going away gift. 

Stella called to see it I wanted to got to the museum and lunch, but I told her I'm not able to bus anywhere at the time. I'd like to get out, but it's just hazardous for me at the moment, so we'll keep in touch and maybe meet for lunch ne of these days.

Vickie texted me to say she and Suzanne would like to have me over for a farewell lunch at Suzanne's and asked me to let her know when I'm available. I wrote back to tell her I'll have to look and see what else is going on.

Ellen called to say she and Mike will pick me up at 12:30 today and we'll go to The Orchard, my new place, bringing some of my stuff there. We'll be able to get in and start moving my possessions there. She has to leave for her dance class about three.

I texted Vera to ask if she'll pick me up for our last "official" Soaring Sprits dinner this evening and, of course, she will, at 5:15. She leaves to move to Oregon within a few days, darn it. 

After a late breakfast, I took a nap. Not sure why, but I've been somewhat draggy lately--possibly because the weather has been cool and cloudy, my least favorite. Hope it improves soon.