FRIDAY

 Friday was pretty much a disaster for a lot of Ventura. When Cheryl picked me up for T.O.P.S., she said the electricity had been out for her whole section. She and her husband live up in the hills with a great view, but precarious electrity.  The high winds meant Edison had turned off the juice. Luckily, that didn't happen here. What did happen is that the Internet went down later.

First, though, my weight: I was up .02 at home and .01 at T.O.P.S. for respective weights of 141.8 and 142.8; not good, but not too terrible. Sharon was already dressed in one of her many Halloween-y oufits with matching earrings:    

They're hard to see, but are actually little witches with a fringe.

Sharon also brought me some cute little earrings she had made--kitties in pumpkins!

Besides all that, Sharon invited all of us to a fifty-fifth wedding annivesary for her and Lewis. It's on November 14 and yes, I want to go.

Home about 10:00 and I'm not even sure what I did until I went downstairs to partipate in a kind of "throw the cloth bag into the hole" game. We played in two teams and the game will resume today, as it was dinnertime before we finished. I thought I'd be bored, but actually, it was pretty good fun.

What followed dinner, though, wasn't: The Internet went down in the whole building--maybe, for all I know, areas around the campus. I think it may have beern because of the incredibly strong winds, as that caused the electricity outage. Luckily, it was on when I got up just now at 6:00, and I fervently hope it stays.

Had a terribly time sleeping last night and will definately take a nap before lunch. 

THURSDAY

Put in a white wash, then went down to lunch with Paula and Denise; I'm not sure where Kathie and LaVerne were, but we had a good time. After, I finally started separating the mile-high pile of paper I need to file. 

 I forgot to mention that on Wednesday, Mary Hoffman had called me. She said she had run into George Wimberg and he asked that I call him.  I did so yesterday and we said hello, but he was at a function and said he'd call me later.

Virtuous me, I then spent an hour filing the mountain of papers I had accumulated over weeks. Also sent the water bill to Lori, my tenant, as she's the one who pays it. Finally finished, I went to dinner and aside from Denise, the regulars, Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula were there. It was Mediterranean shrimp with sides and was pretty mediocre, I thought, but I ate it anyway. 

Slept well, but again am not  looking forward to T.O.P.S. for obvious reasons. 

WEDNESDAY

 Had lunch with LaVerne, Paula, and Denise--Kathie was out with her daughter. We had cod with a good sauce and asparagus and even better talk. Denise just had to have two teeth pulled and is still recovering, but she was in good form.

After lunch, Ellen called and we discuss the power of attorney thing. She spoke to the attoney who did her friend, Joanne's, mother. Sounds good, as it will include "in trust" stuff and so on. I'm glad she's taking care of this.

Went downstairs to have nurse Jasmyne do my BP. Happily, it was 132 over 81, good for me. I think the increase in medication Natalie made did the trick, as the BP has been good when I take it, too. 

I watered my plants on the porch and cleaned up a bit out there before changing to meet Katherine and Julie when they picked me up at 4:15. We were early at Portolas Restaurant in Oxnard, but that was okay. About fourteen of us met for dinner and had a great time. I had fettuchine Alfrado--yummy--and a good hazy IPA, and enjoyed the talk and laughs all around. Home a little before 7:00 (I'm not often out that late) after a very enjoyable outing. Hmm...much as I like living at The Orchard, it's good to be away from there every once in a while with other friends. 

TUESDAY

Finally, I kept my promise to myself and attended Bone Builders at 10:15. I actually like the balance classs better and I'll be there this morning.

Lunch: Of our group, only Paula, LaVerne, and I were there, which was okay. It was "Taco Tuesday" and the beef taco was good.  After that, I just hung out until dime Bingo at 2:00. That really wasn't that much fun, as Mindy had other obligaitons and had resident Ada call. Ada means well, I guess, but was wasn't much of a caller. However, I won two and replenished my dime trove.

I was pleased to have my friend, Kathryn, text me to ask if I wanted to go to the BCNN dinner group  today. Sure, why not, and she'll pick me up at 4:25. 

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise and mistakenly told them I won't be in for lunch today. Should have told them dinner, but no big deal. 

Slept well, I'm happy to say, all the way to 7:00 am. 

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Memories: A co-worker and I at our place of employment, c. 1956; I'm on the right. Yes, I dressed like that every day, including the four- or five-inch heels.

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MONDAY

 Lunch with Kathie, Paula, and LaVerne. The chicken and sides didn't appeal to me, so I ordered a turkey sandwich; ate half,  and took the other half home for my evening snack.

Ellen picked me up at 1:00, leaving off the detergent and lemons I needed, and bringing me two pairs of sneakers. She had bought them on-line and can't wear them; one fit, the other was too big. We then  went to Primary Medical. We consulted with Natalie, the P.A. whom I like a lot and who seems to me as knowledgeable and careful as any doctor. She went over a lot of my medications, eliminated one, and increased the dosage of another. Fine by me. While there, I also got a flu shot. 

On the way home, El broached the subject of medical and legal power of attorney. With my knowledge and approval and that of her brothers, she and her sister will assume those duties. She had gotten the information about an attorney from Betty's daughter, but I want to call a few places first.

Home after 3:00 and I just played solitaire on this laptop until time for dinner. Sat with Kathie, Denise, and Paula; LaVerne sat elsewhere, presumably because she objects to putting five at the table. Okay by me, as we had less in common than the other three.

No plans for today, except for dime Bingo at 2:00.     

SUNDAY

Unfortunately, I again didn't sleep well, so took a short nap. I then stripped the bed, washed, dried, and re-made. Lunched with Kathie, Paula, and Denise; LaVerne didn't show. It was salmon with sides of sweet potatoes and rice, plus special olives from Italy-- very good.

Back at my place, I did some paper/laptop work, then wandered downstairs. I was surprised to see dime Bingo was being played and I immediately sat down to play. I won two before Cindy, the volunteer area residents who conducts Yahtzee, showed up and invited to come upstairs to the card lounge and play. I did, although frankly, I don't even like Yahtzee much. I do, however, like Cindy, so joined her, Beverly, and Reggie to play for an hour.

Dinnertime was shortly thereafter and I enjoyed Paula and Denise--sometimes, it's just as well not to have others at the table. After dinner, Denise and I sat and talked and talked--interesting stuff. Back home, I showered and washed my hair, then settled in for the night. 

SATURDAY

Slept okay, but still, took a short nap before lunch. Had that meal with the usuals, excluding Denise, who sat at the next table. Before LaVerne came, Kathie told us she, LaVerne, said she had felt "smoushed" with five of us at a table for four. Okay, we'll see about putting tables together to sit six. 

I went to the docutmentary on John Lennon at 1:00. I actually got a little bored with it, but stayed until the end, then went to the gathering room to play quarter, then dime Bingo. Won a few and enjoyed it. 

Of our little group, only Paula and I showed up for dinner, which isn't too unusual, as the other three often cook for dinner. As usual, Paula and I had some good conversation.

Mike facetimed me at 8:00 and we had a good Mommy/Boy talk. He'll be going to Japan shortly and, I hope, will see the Tokyo Trio. No plans for today, which is fine by me.