FRIDAY

I gained 1.2 both at home and at T.O.P.S.; to 138.6 and 139.8 respectively. Okay, I'll work on that. The meeting was meandering as usual, ranging from Mormonism to Sharon's backgroumd. Speaking of whom, here she is in the latest outfit, pretty in lavender:

Home a bit before 10.00 and I quickly changed and went down to balance class; I was pleased to see Kathie there. Ate lunch with her, LaVerne, and Bee. We saw Keith sitting elsewhere, after he returned  from the outing to Ventura Botanical Gardens. 

I took a short nap before going to Australian Happy Hour at 3:30. A nice young duo sang sixties songs. Seems to me that the fifties would be even more enjoyable, but it was fun. Back up to my place to add to this entry, then at 5:30, I went down to attend the Sabbat dinner. 

It was enjoyable, actually. There were fifteen people there, not all Jewish, and Art did the grace-- or sabbath prayer, whatever--before we enjoyed the brisket, salmon, veggies, and so on, as well as red or white wine. Peter did a Catholic soliloqy, which seermed to me very inappropriate; he's one of those very conservative types and I asked if he had been in the seminary. No, in corporate law, which seems to be on a par.  Good dinner and conversation before I left at 7:00. Before I did, Mindy asked me to send her Suzy's contact info, which I did once I got home. I hope that means she's ready to engage Suzy to appear here. 

I'm wondering if I should venture to the mall on the city bus today and/or call Noreen to meet me for lunch at Danny's Deli. Hmm... 

THURSDAY

 Went to Bone Builders class at 10:30, then directly to lunch with Kathie and Keith. Did this and that afterwards, then went down to the multi-purpose room to check out the original, homemade soaps by Biancha's cousin. I bought two for gifts--one in a pretty crystal heart and the other in a ceramic container. They were only ten dollars each, which seemed reasonable. Also bought raffle tickets for a large basket of the fancy soaps. Later, I was pleased to learn I had won not the basket, but some smaller prizes. Great--they'll make good gifts. 

After, I went outside to sit at the clubhouse and make a few phone calls. As I always do, I wished so much I could call Muckie, but of course, I never can again. Took a nap after, then went to participate in trivia... 

...but "Sip and Paint" was still going on and the five participants were working on their shore scene. Oh, well, I just accepted a glass of white infandel and sat down with Leila to talk. Actually, she talked and I listened; she's one of the many, many "it's all about me and I want to tell you my life story" who live here. If they're not elaborating about their grandchildren, they're giving advice, unsolicited or not.  Oh, well, there are others with whom I enjoy being friends.

I ordered from Amazon coffee, paper towels, and several other things. They should get here today or tomorrow. Dinnner with Kathie, Bee, and Pat; Keith didn't show.  

T.O.P.S. today and we'll see how that goes.

WEDNESDAY

 Stripped the bed, took sheets to the laundry, and re-made with others. By the time I had them in the dryer, it was lunchtime, so I went down to eat with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne. Went back and forth to the laundry room to retrieve the sheets, put in a load of clothes, and slice up some lemons.

At 2:00, I went down to dime Bingo/Happy Hour. I actually--finally--won two games, playing my usual four cards. Good, that means I have a new supply of dimes. Stayed for Trivia, then went up to get the second load of wash. 

Dinner with Kathie, Keith, and Pat; the latter blessed himself and said grace before the meal. I skipped the ham and beans stew in favor of a hot dog; didn't feel like eating that much. 

Signed up to attend the Sabbat dinner tomorrow. I may be the only non-Jewish person there, but I don't care. I'm interested in other cultures and some of the friends I've made here are Jewish.

Showered and washed my hair before watching my hour of T.V.

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Here's a picture of Vivian's graduation with both parents, which Paula put on Facebook. I was glad to see it because no matter what went before--divorce and bitter feelings, I'm afraid--they are still the father and mother of a lovely young woman: 

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TUESDAY

Skipped breakfast and at 10:00, had Rick take me in The Orchard van to CVS to pick up my medication. The Eliquis cost me $126.00. All my other meds are covered by insurance; don't know why this one isn't, but it was for a three-month supply, so a little more then five hundred a year, which is doable, 

I had intended to get a pedicure via Nails D'Elegance, but when I went in, they were short-handed and said I had to come back later. I decided to skip it and will look into having Elika do it here. Called to have Rick pick me back up, which he did.

My old pal, Doris, called and we had a good talk. I hadn't heard from her for some time, so it was fun.

Kathie callled to say she was going to Wal-Mart, then lunch with her daughter. I didn't see Keith in the dining room, so sat with Trudie, Carl, Carol, and Stan. Had the Asian salad, which was pretty good. 

Dime Bingo at 2:00 and wonder of wonders, I finally won a game. Unfortunately, there were only twelve people there, so I didn't get a big payoff, but so what--it was enough to keep me in the game. Also, we're doing dime Bingo again this afternoon, combined with Happy Hour--YAY! 

Activities Director Mindy mentioned she was planning a Columbia-themed day and I told her Ellen had been there a few months ago and did she want pictures? Yes, indeed, she did, and was delighted after I forwarded Ellen's to her. 

Ate with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne; this time, Pat (a man) joined us. I had met him and seen him around and he seems a nice guy. 

Slept well and just changed the bed before sitting down to top off this entry.

MONDAY

Again skipped breakfast, which seems to be working for me--anyway, I get hungry for lunch and enjoy it more. Fooled around on the laptop, then went down to Jackie's balance class. She knew Bob and when I mentioned I had taken pictures of his 100th birthday party the other day, she asked me to send them to her, which I did. 

While downstairs, I requested the van for today, Tuesday, at 10:00. I want to go to Von's, CVS, and Nails L'Elegance, all in the same shopping center, across from where I used to live. Maybe I'll see if Vickie or Noreen might want to meet me for lunch there. 

I really just lazed around after the balance class until Susan picked me up at 5:15. We met Lendal and Glenna there and had an enjoyable time chatting. I had the cauliflower appetizer, as I was still full from lunch. Home at 7:45 and that was it for the day.

SUNDAY

Slept unti 8:00 and didn't go down for breakfast. Later, I went down and got a banana, which they usually have for the taking and had that. 

Mike Messaged me and we talked about Vivian's graduation; he'll be in Hawaii another four days. He said he'll send pictures of ex Paula and him with Vivian--good.

Lunch with Kathie, Keith, LaVerne and a newcomer: Kathie's friend, Agatha, newly arrived from Australia: 

                                                 

She and Kathie reminisced:

And here she is with the three of us (Keith came later):

It was kind of a game day later: played Bingo (not dime) at 2:00, then ran into Keith and Elaine, who were off to play Yatzee together. I joined them and actually won the first game.

Dinner with Kathie and Keith, then Elaine sat down with us. She's a pretty interesting person: five children, grandchildren, and nineteen great-grands, but I'm pretty sure she's younger than I am. She's very out-going, is an "ambassador" for The Orchard (unpaid assistant, I calls it), and I'd like to get to know her better. Enjoyed my now-only-weekly IPA with dinner, later had a bit of cream sherry, and slept well. Just got up at 6:15.

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Incredible: Yesterday was Jeanne Dollard Painter's ninetieth birthday. Even more incredible: My twin sister's ninetieth is in December, so that makes me on the cusp--AAGH!

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SATURDAY

 I did little yesterday except watch granddaughter Vivian's graduation ceremony at University of Hawaii. That was three hours long and, as all these affairs are, was tedious. But I heard her name announced and saw her receive her diploma, so that was good. Her Dad sent some pictures, too:

He also sent a video of her actually receiving the diploma, but I haven't been able to copy that. It's a huge school and the stadium was packed with thousands of people--graduates, faculty, guests, and so on. It's just as well I didn't go after all--my children were not in favor and they were right.

Since I was watching the ceremony, I didn't go down for lunch, but just microwaved a pizza I had in the freezer. I was able to go to dime Bingo, but again, didn't win a single game--my luck has been going sour! However, it was fun and I stayed after for Trivia.

Had dinner with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne and I took the baby parade trophy down to show them; They were charmed.

I had put the picture below  on Facebook, noting that in a little more than seven months, I'll "join" Aunt Maggie in being ninety--AAGH! This was at the party we had for her at Betty's big house on Atlantic Avenue. My three younger children are on the right and Betty's Carolyn is the little blonde next to the birthday girl: