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. 

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

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.

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

SATURDAY

 My knee was somewhat better, although still sore. Got up somewhat late, got my coffee, and did my usual morning this and that, then lay down for a nap. I always set the alarm for an hour, which I did, but foolishly, I turned it off and fell back to sleep. Didn't wake up until 12:30--OOPS! 

I rushed down to the dining room and Kathie, Paula, LaVerne, and Denise made room for me. They twitted me about sleeping through lunch, but of course, jokingly and I enjoyed it. Kathie was kind enough to bring me a container of Biofreeze for my knee and as soon as I got home, I applied it. I think it helped; in any event, the arthrtis seems less intense.

Went to quarter Bingo at 2:00 and won a game for a big seven dollar jackpot. After the first few, we reverted to dimes, but I enjoyed it; the prize money doesnt' even interest me that much. 

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. Kathie said she'd be sitting with others today and for a week and I think it's a good idea for all of us to do that. I like being with Trudie and Carl, for instance, also with David and Lisa, so I'll be expanding my sitting habits, too. 

FRIDAY

I think I forgot to mention it before, but I called Cheryl on Thursday evening to tell her I wouldn't be going to T.O.P.S. My knee is still bothring me, although it's better than it was, and I decided against it. Later, Sharon called me to give me a report on the meeting. Only Lennie, Lanie, Cheryl, and she were there yesterday and it sounded as if I didn't miss much except Forster, the guest, but I've heard him before. 

Ellen came at 12:30 and we went first to Wood Rance for their terrific BBQ chicken salad. I ordered only water to drink--I'm dropping the IPA consumption 'way down--and took half the salad and three of their wonderful garlic rolls home. From there, we went to the UPS store, where Ellen sent somthing back she had ordered. Nearby it Dollar Tree and we both got a few little items. After that, it was CVS, the store from hell to get my medication which, once again, was the wrong dosage. We found that the correct one, 2.5 mg, would be available in seven days. Don't ask me why, I don't know and don't care. We then stopped at the post office branch near here, and Ellen went in to send my things and were finally finished my errands.

El came in after and I gave her a gift I had seen on Instagram and couldn't resist getting for her. It's Maj-jong pasta--the pasta shaped in all kinds of game tokens. Since she plays that with friends, she was delighted and I was pleased. I had also sent for pasta in pickleball shapes, which I'm giving to another family member.

We didn't get home until 4:30 and it was soon time to go down to dinner. I ate with Paula, Denise, and Keith; neither Kathie nor LaVerne showed, but I'm sure I'll see them today. Back in my apartment at 6:30, I settled in to play Block Champ and put some of my day's purchases away.  Knee is still bothering me, but I think less than before. 

THURSDAY

My knee was still hurting, however, I managed to get a large white wash to the laundry room and between awaking and lunch, wash, dry, and fold, and put it away.

Lunched with Kathie, Paula, and Bea, a congenial group. I mentioned that Valtaren had no effect on the knee and Kathie suggested BioFreeze, which I may try next. After lunch, I took a short nap, then started this entry, the got ready for Elika and a manicure at 3:45. Went upstairs to the salon and settled in to have Elika do my nails and catch up with her doings. I like her so much and have met one of her two daughters and her son, and her Bengal cat. Anyway, I picked my color, she expertly painted them, we chatted and laughed, and it was good.

Finished in time for dinner.  I stopped at my place to get my lemon chunks, then went downstairs.  Ate with LaVerne and Keith; Katie didn't show and Paula sat with others. That was okay, as Keith and I discussed the Orient. He's been to Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, as I have, and we both enjoyed our visits.

My knee bothering me, I called Ellen to tell her about it and we agreed I'll call Primary Medical today and see if I should get an x-ray. She'll come over, also, although she has line dancing later and will have to leave by 3:30, but that's okay.  

Now, on Friday, I just got up and found that my knee is considerably better. I'm debating whether to call the doc (P.A., that is) today or just wait and see if it improves more.