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). 

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.