THURSDAY--DAY ONE OF THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY-SIX

Awake at 6:15 and lay in bed for a time. I decided to skip breakfast, which is too early for my taste. Spent the time until lunch in filing my piling of papers and doing some other office work. 

Down to lunch at 11:45 and sat with Linda and Rick. Rick was born and brought up on a ranch i Amarillo, Texas and, I surmised, is pretty much a fundamentalist Christian, as he came out with some homilies. (The two are not a couple.) Linda will soon be traveling to her other home in Florida in February--she spends half the year in each. I started asking if those two were wild as teenagers, telling them how we used to go to the bars in Atlantic City--I can hardly believe it myself, considering how we became so straight and narrow. Linda was more restrained and, as for Rick, he voiced his disapproval and quoted the Bible as proof that those practices led to damnation. Preserve me from the pious...

Spent a lot of the day filing, bringing various business stuff up to date, and preparing a few other things. Ellen called; she had planned to pick me up on Sunday and we were going to shop for a table  but it's going to rain then and for several more days, so what if she came today, instead? Sure thing, so I'll go to T.O.P.S. in the morning, then she'll pick me up at 11:00.

I texted Suzanne and Vickie, inviting them to come for lunch and we settled on Sunday. I'll get guest meal tickets, as I don't want them to know there's a charge. I'm looking forward to seeing them. In fact, I have a lot coming up: Noreen for lunch on Tuesday, BCNN meeting on Wednesday, BCNN dinner on Thursday, and more coming up. I'm a social animal! 😁

Had dinner with Kathie, Cheryl, and Keith and enjoyed it. However, Kathie said she decided not to go to T.O.P.S., as it's just too early for her (she skips breakfast at 8:00 most days, also), so okay, Mary Ann will pick up just me.

Showered, watched T.V. for a bit, and slept well. 

WEDNESDAY

For breakfast, sat with only Keith and we had some good conversation. After, I went to the laundry room down the hall to put in a color wash. Ran into Du-lani (finally got the spelling right and it's pronounced "Do-Lanni"). I was mistaken that she's of Indian descent; it seems she's actually from Sri Lanka, so I guess there's something Asian I don't know. I chatted with Du-lani and complimented her on her cleaning. 

Had tilapia for lunch with Keith, Kathie, and Mary; Keith and I liked it, but Kathie and Mary didn't. After, got my clothes from the laundry room, then took a short nap. Kind of at loose ends, I watched T.V. while eating the leftover acorn squash I had taken from the So-Fi place.

Dinner with Lisa and David, the love birds, who have a major secret I'm sworn not to reveal:

Cheryl came over to say hello, dressed in a golden outfit: 

At 6:30, the big bash started. The middle area was decorated and a long table was laid out with  appetizers, fancy hats, and champagne flutes which activity director Mindy filled. A big bunch of balloons was secured overhead:

The entertainment was terrific with the couple we had seen at happy hour last week performing the old songs: 

Of course, there was then the obligatory descending of the balloons; Lisa pulled the ribbon and we tossed them around: 

The big bash was over in an hour or so, which was fine by me. As I rounded the second floor balcony, Mindy called up, "Rosemary, happy new year!" from the first: 

HAPPY 2026!

TUESDAY

Had breakfast with Keith alone--Cheryl doesn't eat breakfast and Mary was in Seattle. He has a interesting background--moved a dozen or more times as a kid before his parents bought a turnkey farm in Turlock, CA. It was hard work and when he grew up, he went to college, then was in the military for two years, then went into logistics, married twice, divorced twice, no child, has had some health problems (although they're not evident), and moved here six months ago at the age of seventy-seven. Keith is a nice guy and a big reader, always carrying a book. 

After breakfast, I continued the work I've been doing for days, then lay down for a nap. I was awakened by Di-lah (?), who was there to clean. I told her to please come back later, as Ellen was coming at 1:00 and we decided on 2:30. 

Had lunch with Cheryl and two Marys before Ellen came. We went to Target, then to SO-FI to drop off my keys and get my final mail items. Home, We ran into my former neighbor, Katherine, who asked how I liked The Orchard. I said fine and she said she wanted to move to intendent living, but wanted a place that didn't include meals. That seemed silly to me--why didn't she just hire a housekeeper? 

El and I got my mail and visited the office to turn in my keys, then went to Target. I didn't find the kind of hamper I want--guess I'll look on-line--but El bought a few things. She had game night, so had to leave at 3:30 (Ma-jong was calling), so said goodbye; she'll be back on Sunday. When I looked around,  I was pleased at how good it looks, especially the bathroom. I switched things around and put things away because I went down to dinner, stopping at Tiffany's office first to tell her what a good job Di-lah had done. Sat with Cheryl and Keith; after took a shower and washed my hair. Slept pretty well.  

It's New Years Eve--whoopee and where did 2025 go?

MONDAY

 For a change, I had breakfast with Mary--one of the Marys, that is--there seem to be dozens living here. Back upstairs, I continued my chores and am finally nearing the end, sort of. Had lunch with Cheryl, Keith, and Kathie, who had asked to accompany me to T.O.P.S. next time. Called Mary Ann to ask if she'd take Kathie, too, and of course, she will. Good thing I called her, though, as she thought Friday was New Year's Eve and that our meeting was the following week. 

I can't ever remember who my lunch dates were, but after, I decided I'd eat outside. Took my book and walked to what people call "the clubhouse." This is an entirely separate building across campus, which can be reserved with no charge by residents with tables and chairs outside. However, the wind was blowing so strong, I didn't stay, but took my book to the center area, which is nicely set up with chairs and tables, and sat there for forty-five or so before I went back upstairs.

Dinner with Cheryl and Keith and we had an interesting discussion about a piece Cheryl did in college on whether upbringing--that is nurture--influences activism. According to her, it doesn't. Hmm...that's puzzling if, indeed, it's accurate.  Anyway, we three had a good session.

I re-set the alarm to 6:30, as I have to go downstairs for breakfast before 8:00 and I want time to top off this blog, plus I dislike a rush to breakfast. Ellen's coming today--yay!--and I can't wait to see her.  

SUNDAY

 When I got up, I continued the ever-lasting task of stowing away, switching around, and generally putting things to rights. Breakfast with Julie and July, both of whom use wheelchairs, and with one of the Marys. We had a good time chatting.

Up to my own space again, I organized my medical supplies and set up for the coming weeks. Lunch with silent Helen, newcomer Rick, and Keith, of whom I've seen a lot. He grew up on a turkey farm in southern California--they had something like 30,000 turkeys (how is that possible?) and I told him about my grandparents' dairy farm in Roxborough, Pa. Interestingly, Rick had been an amateur magician, just as is the minister who hosts a service here every Sunday.  

Back upstairs, I indulged myself with several sessions of my favorite digital game, Royale Match. Tidied up a bit, took a nap, and spent the rest of the day with the never-ending task of unboxing, finding-a-place for and stowing away. Actually, incredibly enough, it's coming together and I'm making real progress.

Dinner with Cheryl and Keith; I had spinach ravioli, which was actually pretty good. Slept like a stone and just got up when the alarm rang at 7:00. 

SATURDAY: GOOD FRIENDS AND ALOHA

I stripped the bed and went down the hall to the laundry room to wash the sheets. I had understood that would be done by staff, but so far, it hasn't. Also, I was told the apartment would be vacuumed and the bathroom cleaned once a week. So far, I've done it myself--'nuff said. 

I spent a lot of time finally attending to the considerable amount of things still in boxes and was able to make room for most, although there's still plenty to do. Made the bed, took a shower, then went downstairs to wait for Julie.

She picked me up, as scheduled, at 11:30, and it was so great to see her. While driving, she said Regina would be coming, too--great! We got to Club Zak to find Regina already there, but tried to enter and saw it was open only for dinner yesterday. Why, I don't know, but just as well, as we decided on the Aloha, instead. I hadn't there for six months or so, and it's one of my favorites, right on the beach, so off we went.

The promenade was full of people--so festive, with walkers, runners, bikers, children, and those on the benches looking out at the sparkling Pacific. We got a table right at the window and it was fine. I got their fabulous Cobb salad with salmon, so ample I took half home; with an icy cold IPA, it made a delicious meal. Julie treated for lunch (and the Aloha is no diner), Regina gave me a tin of chocolate truffles, and here we are: 

The server came with a big wedge of ice cream cake and, of course, a birthday candle for me to blow out. (Thank Zeus they didn't sing The Song.) She then hoisted a big frame in front of me and I had a birthday portrait, which was fun, weird though I look: 

We shared it, of course, and it was good. I told them I want to have them over after the new year for lunch. 

Home about 2:30, I took a nap, cleaned up a few things, then it was time for the too-damn-early dinner. I decided to take a container and have it later, which I did. Waiting for it, I sat with Cheryl and Keith and we had some good conversation.

Unfortunately, I slept very poorly, getting up several times during the night. It's just as well I don't have anything scheduled today--I'll definitely take a nap. 

FRIDAY

Ellen and I got back to The Orchard at 11:30 and she started to affix the holders to the shower wall. They have to dry or something for 48 hours and she'll do the rest on Tuesday when she comes again. I skipped lunch--neither of us were hungry--in favor of chatting with El for a bit. She left at 2:00 aNd I went down to the newcomer social, which was followed immediately by Happy Hour:

Tatjana was fabulous. She sang and danced in the guise of Elvis and any number of other jazzy types. Cocktails were served and we all clapped and cheered with each number. Three of us, as newcomers (this is my two-week anniversary), were presented with lovely, hand-made cards (by Anita, whom I know and like) and a plant: 

The festivities lasted more than an hour and after, I went to the laundry room to put in a load of wash, then it was time for dinner; I sat with Kathie, Cheryl, and Keith. Kathie, who has a weight problem, asked if she could accompany me to the next meeting of T.O.P.S. on January 2. I said sure (assuming Mary Ann will be okay with it) and will tell her more about it later.

Julie called and will take me to lunch today. We also made dates for January 8 and 12 for BCNN dinner and lunch. Happily, I just got up at 6:30 and feel well rested. 

Home about 6:30, retrieved my wash, put it away, then watched A Man In The Middle. Luckily, I slept well and just got up at the next six-thirty.   

It was fabulous.