SATURDAY

 A slow morning with just my usual Block Champ, then hour nap. Sat down for lunch with Kathie and Paula, then Ray joined us. I get a kick out of him, but Kathie dislikes him--he does have a tendency to never shut up--but LaVerne didn't show, so the fourth chair was empty.

Back at my apartment, I stopped at the little store for T. paper and small bags; I really didn't need or want anything else they stock. At 2:00, I went down to quarter Bingo--won two and a jackpost of almost ten dollars. Okay, you don't get rich, but I enjoy it.

Shortly after Bingo, it was time for dinner. Sat with Paula and Mary T. The latter is the flower arranger and greeting card maker who always strikes me as having a sadness around her. It was interesting to hear, though, that her husband, who died just a few  years ago, had been a fundamentalist Baptist minister. They had lived in nine or ten different states, moving around a lot, as--I guess--conditions demanded.

We said goodbye, then I chatted a bit with Kathie and Mary G. Back in my place, I played Block Champ, but abour 7:00, my conscience prompted me to get some excerise, so I went to the exercise room (just two rooms down from my apartment) and did twenty minutes on the stationary bike. 

Darn, my mouse has stopped working and I don't like using the attached keyboard. Darn two, I slept poorly, but guess I'll live through it.

 

FRIDAY

 Again, I skipped T.O.P.S. because of the continuing discomfort in the knee. If it isn't noticably improved by Monday, I'm going to call Primary Medical again. I weighed myself at home, but wearing only my bedclothes and not the one I wear to get weighed in. I registered at 141.8, a loss of 1.2, but again, since I wasn't wearing what I do every week, not really accurate. It's certainly too much, but I'll work on it.  

Lunched with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. Entree was pork rosst, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans, the perfect meal for a cold and snowy evening. Oh, but wait--this was lunch, it's August twenty-eighth, and 91 degrees outside. So I ordered a hot dog, which was, as always, good.

At 2:00, I went downstairs to the gathering for new residents, of which there were five--four women and one man. They were seated at a table in the front and "interviewed" by Mindy. I was interested to hear that new resident, Dottie, had ancestors who lived in a house in Connecticut, where she was born, which had a "safe place" for escapted slaves. 

At 3:00, Happy Hour started in the same place. The singer, Kevin Gillmond, was terrific and he brought his girlfriend, who is half Caucasion and half Japanese. I talked to them after and found they had met in Osaka and are now engaged. It was so enjoyable and so was the Chardonay I sipped during it.

Went back to my place before ascending again for dinner. I sat with Denise and Paula, then Keith joined us and we had some pleasant conversation. Chicken for dinner, which was pretty good, but the no-sugar-added ice cream is still nowhere to be found. 

Mike Messaged/Facetimed me at 7:30 and we had our usual weekend chat. Saw Violet for a minute or two and he'll be taking her to the Savannah College of Art in Design (SCAD) in Georgia in two weeks. I think her mother, Paula, will be going, too. 

THURSDAY

 I went downstairs shortly before 11:00 to find Erica already there. We hugged and then I saw that Becky had also come. Becky had worked with Erick and me in Fractured Actors and just came to learn some financial tricks. About fifteen people came and they seemed to receive Erica's presentation with interest. Ellen came about 11:15 and also enjoyed it.  After, Erica spoke with Mindy and they decided she'd come periodically if anyone wanted to consult her on financial matters, especially as they relate to retiirement. El took this picture of Erica during her talk: 

Ellen, Erica, and I then went to The Little Lion for lunch and had a great time. I had a delicious hamburger alone with a big salad, which I took home. After, we said goodbye to Erica and El and I went to Walmart to stock up on various. When we came to The Orchard, we saw there was a Brazil-themed celebration in the multi-purpose room, so I stayed to watch it and El took my purchases upstairs.  

Brother Larry called and we had a good talk. He's doing okay at 94, but is slowing down a bit. We  chatted for a few, then said goodbye.

Shortly, it was time to go down for dinner; I did and sat with Denise and Paula. I like them both and we had a good time. Dinner was cod and sides, which was okay--I like seafood--but not anything special.

WEDNESDAY

My knee may be somewhat better, but it still isn't completely okay. I'll follow the N.P.'s advice to use heat and keep taking the pain-killer/anti-inflamatory. I mentioned at lunch that I didn't have a heating pad and my friend, Paula, immediately offered to lend me hers. I accepted with pleasure and will use it soon.

Stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry room. Before lunch, I transferred them to the dryer, and retreived them after lunch. I ate with Paula, Denise, LaVerne, and Mary; we had chicken corden bleu, which was very tasty. Denise mentioned that she wanted to put (artifitional) flowers on the top of her cabinets, so I told her I'd give her some of those I had just bought and decided against. I did so, kept some, but was glad somebody could use some of the others.

At three, I went down to the multi-purpose room to attend the Social Hour for new residents. To my surprise, a dime Bingo was going on instead. I quesitoned Mindy about it and found she had announced the change, but I hadn't heard it. I wish she wouldn't do this OR that the schedule would be posted on-line. All right, not all the residents use the Internet, but the schedule could still be printed. So I attended Bingo, of course, borrowed dimes from Mindy, paid them back, won two games, and had a Margarita.  

Had dinner with Trudie and Carl and enjoyed it. We were amused that on the menu, it said "Presto Pasta." (Would the server bring it  with a "Viola!" gesture?) It was just a misprint and should have been "pesto," of course. Actually, it was pretty good. 

I invited Ellen to come today to my friend, Erica's, talk on retirement planning and she will. After, we'll go to lunch and maybe I'll invite Erica. Here's the flyer Mindy sent out about her: 

Showered and washed my hair, then settled in to watch a bio on Queen Elizabeth. Slept well and am looking forward to seeing my old (well, she's 60 or so) colleague from Fractured Actors. Here are Erica and me on stage when we appeared together in Welcome  Home four years ago. She's standing second from left on my right, pouring a bottle of champagne to toast the arrival of the new baby, my granddaughter: 

TUESDAY

I debated washing my hair during my shower in the morning, but decided I'd better not, considering my knee. Sharon called to ask how I was doing and we chatted for fifteen or so.  

Went down to dime Bingo at 2:00, but had time for only two games before I had to go next door to Primary Medical. I saw the nurse practioner, Sharon, whom I liked a lot. She agreed that the knee problem was arthritis and that I should continue the Biofreeze (which I just received from Amazon). She said if it worsened or continued, she'd have me see a doctor. Okay, I'm satisfied.

Got back in time to see the Kevin (don't remember his last name), a fabulous musician and singer, who plays the violin with three different symphanies in the ares, but treated us to Elvis and Credence Clearwater pieces and similar ones. Our server, Blanca, came in and did an improptu dance, then was joined by resident Ada:

After the show, I couldn't resist taking a picture of Tom, who wears the most hilarious tee-shirts:

"If you don't want a sarcastic answer, don't ask stupid questons."

Tom is a great guy, who cares for his wife, Cherry, who's afflicted with both physical and, it seems, cognitive problems.

Anyway, the show was terrific and I was happy to hear Kevin will be back in November. I went from there to dinner and sat with LaVerne, Paula, and Mary T.; Kathie was out with her daughter. 

This morning, Wednesday, my knee feels a little better--I think--and I'm now going to apply the BioFreeze and I may try the knee wrap Ellen lent me. 

MONDAY

Somewhat of a draggy day. We had been notifed the annual fire sprinkler inspection would be done between 8 am and 3 pm. Maintenance guy, Joe, and the inspector came at 10:00 and the inspection took about three minutes.

Because my knee is still somewhat of a problem, I called Primary Medication and will see the nurse practioner today at 3:00. Called Ellen to tell her and we also discussed my birthday party. I'd rather not even aknowledge it--nobody wants to be ninety unless they're a hundred--but suggested I want mostly just family there. She asked if I wanted to have my friends here come here to another party and yes, I do, and we'll plan that.  She also discussed power of attorney for her and another family member. Sure, fine by me. I hear people talk about their children trying to get their money and it shocks and amazes me. I have complete faith and confidence in my children and trust them with anything I have, including my money and my life. 

Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. I was surprised Kathie was at our old table, as she had said she was sitting elsewhere for a week and actually, was gone for only one day. Anyway, it was good to have her there. I hope she signs up to see Erica on financial matters, as she's one who can use expert advice. 

Put in a color wash about 3:00, put it the dryer before dinner and retreived it after.  I saw neither Kathie nor Paula in the dining room, so sat with LaVerne. She's ninety-four, but mentally sound and had been a para-legal. We had a good talk. 

Other that all that, nuthin' much going on. 

SUNDAY: GAME DAY

 Slept okay, but the knee still is not completely better; put more Biofreeze on it. I just more or less hung out until lunchtime, when I went downstairs for lunch. Sat with Joyce and Berta and enjoyed talking to the former. She and I both play Bingo and it was scheduled for 2:00.  Back at my place, I continued to indulge my cockamamie fixation of Block Champ until it was time to go to The Big Game at 2:00.

That was dime Bingo, of course, and we played until 3:45. I won two and collected seven dollars and change. After that, guess what? Volunteer Cindy (an area resident) came in for Yahtsee and I decided to go with that, too. Keith, Mary, and Pat joined us as, incredibly, I won the first game. That was because I rolled Yatzee (five of a kind), which is good for fifty points. I didn't win the second or third game, but that was okay. 

Because our regular table members had decided to follow Kathie's lead and sit with others for the week, I saw Denise and we sat together. We had a fine time and I gave her a flyer about my friend, Erica, coming as a financial planner on Thursday. I hope she gets a good turnout. Paula sat at a nearby table and before she left, came over to say, "I miss you." I responded, "I miss you, too," and we'll look for each other for meals. 

After dinner, I invited Denise in to show her the bus pass I have; she wants to get rid of her car and start taking other transportation. After that, she had me over to see her place, which is right down the hall from me. This is also a one-bedroom, but different from mine. I have a good-sized first room and off that, an adequate bedroom and bath. Denise's apartment is considerably smaller and has some awkward angles in kitchenette, living room, and bedroom. 

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My friend, Erica, is coming on Thursday and I hope she gets a good turnout. Particularly Kathie and her daughter, should go, as Kathie has some knotty financial issues, thanks to her dearly departed husband's business problems. Erica and I were members of Fractured Actors and appeared in several plays together, beginning with Welcome Home years ago.

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