WEDNESDAY

 Went to balance class at 10:00; leader Jackie is still away, but resident Kathy led the group. Hung out after that, then had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise, five of us at a table for four, but it was fun. 

Kathie asked me to call her daughter, Stacy, who had the idea of offering her services to residents for any small chores and errands they might need. I called her at we had a talk. She seems a bright and well-spoken young woman (well, not so young, she's a grandmother) and I gave her my opinion on her ideas.

Went to get my BP measured at 1:00. I got a satisfactory 133/85 (66), which for me, is good. Jasmine used my own BP machine and now I'm beginning to think I just don't do it right--or something.

Back to the multi-purpose room for dime Bingo and I won two games. Also, Mindy had a raffle and I won twice. However, the "prizes" were contraptions that I guess are supposed to go on a walker and they're labeled "Ventura Post Acute." I think I'll donate them to GoodWill.

Had dinner with LaVerne, Paula, Denise, and Keith (we again added a chair to the square, four-person table) and we enjoyed each other's company. Home after, I put the arthritis medication on my knee, which has been bothering me for several days. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to help and I may have to call the doctor. I've been using the walker even in my apartment because of the knee.  

Slept okay, but the knee is still bothering me. 

TUESDAY

Followed my usual morning routine, then went to Bone Builders at 10:15. Lunch after and I sat with Kathie, Paula, and Denise; LaVerne was at another table. At 2:00, I went to dime Bingo and won one. Saved a place for my friend, Anita, and she won, too. That lasted until 3:45, after which Trivia is usually scheduled, but Trudie, who ususally runs the game, just had a biopsy and the news isn't good. I'm writing this on Tuesday afternoon and I hope to see Trudie at dinner...

...I did and sat with her and Carol.  She was open about the biopsy of her lung, although she hasn't gotten the results yet. She said she had had terrible pain from the "needle biopsy" injected thorugh her back. Doc said to take Tylenol--she did and it helped. I hope the news will be better than she's afraid it will be, but she's not optomistic. 

Before being in for the night, I did twenty minutes on the stationary bike and was glad I did.  Slept well, but my arthritic knee is still bothering me, though maybe not as much as  it did. I haven't yet applied the medication I sent for, but will today. 

MONDAY

I didn't sleep well and got up to play Block Champ on the laptop for a time. Got up at 6:30, had my coffee, followed my morning routines, dressed, and took an hour nap; that's also getting to be routine, for better or worse.

Went to balance class at 10:00. Leader Jackie is sitll away and Kathie (not the one with whom I usually eat) led the group. Kathie is an R.N. and one of my favorite people here. I'm not sure how long she's lived here, certainly longer than my seven months, but I was interested to hear she also suffers from migraiines, but doesn't get the aura, as the other Kathie does. After, I stopped at the desk to see if Thea had gotten my request to print out the aura info, but she hadn't seen it yet.

Went down to lunch and saw that two people were sitting at our usual table with LaVerne. I could have joined them, but didn't want to be subjected to J.'s non-stop talk and R.'s silence, so told LaVerne I'd see her later. Sat with David and Lisa, whom I like a lot--unfortunately, the fourth chair was taken by Ada. Ada is the absolute champion talker of The Orchard, hands down and believe me, there are plenty of also-rans. She never shut up about her marriages, her seeminly psychotic mother, how her friend won't let her drive (no, I didn't understand that, either), and so on and on. I couldn't wait to leave and did as soon as I finished my lunch. 

Soaring Sprits dinner is usually the third Monday of the month, but I hadn't heard from Susan and decided to skip, anyway. Texted Susan to tell her and she wrote back that she wasn't going, either, as her father, who's in his nineties, had had a bad fall. I know she's very concerned and and is with her parents in San Diego. 

Before dinner, I spent seventeen minutes on the bike (stationary) and want to continue doing that daily.  I was pleased to eat with my usual dinner companions: Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. Keith sat at another table, but that was okay. I skipped the BBQ pork in favor of a chicken Caesar salad, which is very good and I've had often.  

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I came across this reel on the Dionne Quintuplets and am saving it here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAXqRQlowxs

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SUNDAY

Slept well, I'm happy to say, and got up at 6:30. Hung out in the morning, took my now-daily early nap, then went down for lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. It was meat loaf, but I opted for a bagel with salmon instead; actually, I asked for two so I can eat one as a snack in the evening. Unfortunately, Kathie suffers from migraine headaches and has since she was 8 years old. She gets "auras" along with them, which means her vision is affected oddly. She's scheduled for an MRI this week; I hope she gets some answers. I told her I'd look up the aura phenomena information, did so, and asked Thea to print it, as my printer is still misbehaving.  

I then got my purse and sunglasses and took off on the city bus for CVS and Von's. When I got to the pharmacy at CVS to pick up my Equis, I discovered 5 mg had been sent. However, the doctor had cut it in half last time--I informed the pharmacist of this and she said she'd call my doctor and ask about it. That's okay, because I still have plenty of the last RX. At Von's I got cottage cheese, salt, and a few other items, then bused home. I'm glad I ventured out. 

As often happens, neither Kathie nor LaVerne came down to dinner; Paula wasn't in evidence, either, so I sat with David and Lisa, then Bea joined us. I enjoyed it--David is an attorney and has a good sense of humor. As we chatted, Bea mentioned that her given name is with the French spelling, Beatrix; she then casually added that she's distantly related to the Dionne Quintuplets. Wow, what a revelation! Of course, I had to tell her of my interest in, and my presentations on, the quints, as well as my collection of books and artifacts on them. Bea said she thought her mother's brother--or sister--was married to one of the quints' siblings. 

No plans for today, in fact, the rest of the week and that's good, not bad. 

SATURDAY

 I'm relieved that my knee is much better; even so, I'm glad I ordered the arthritis ointment, which arrived today.  Took a color wash to the laundry room and popped it in; transferred my clothes to the dryer before lunch.

Lunched with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula, then went back to get my clothes. Did this and that, then went downstairs at 2:00 for quarter Bingo. Incredibly, I won four times! However, Linda also got Bingo and I told Mindy to give her the winnings; I was actually embarassed to have won four in a row.

After Bingo, I did fifteen minutes on the stationary bike, then geared up for dinner. Had that with the same companians as for lunch. I skipped the roast beef salad in favor of the chicken Caesar salad and it was very good. 

Mike Messaged me to ask if I was available for a call and of course, I was. We facetimed and had a nice talk; I also said hello to Violet. Mike and his ex, Paula, will be taking Violet to the U.S. on September 9 when she starts at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I wish he/they could come here on the way back, but we'll see. Mike said his "friend" (hint, hint 💕). Monica,  sent greetings to me, too. 

Nothing scheduled for today and I'm considering taking the bus to Von's for a few small items.

FRIDAY

Mary Ann picked me up at 8:15 for T.O.P.S. and I met with Disaster: I was up 1.2 at home to 143 and up 1.4 at T.O.P.S. TO 144.2. I must buckle down now and reverse this trend.

Unfortunately, more bad news is that the arthritis in my left knee has started acting up again. It usually doesn't bother me, but suddenly became active and it hurts to walk. Mary Ann had mentioned a rub-on medication called Voltaran and I sent for that via Amazon. 

Napped before lunch, then went downstairs and on the way, I ran into Keith and his friend, Bob, who was visiting and to whom K. introduced me. Sat down to eat with LaVerne and Paula. L. said Kathie had called her to say she had a doctor's appointment, so wouldn't be in until dinner. Keith joined us and I told him about the Liberace bio on Prime and he was interested.

Mindy stopped me and asked if I wanted to be on a "team" to play some kind of word game she had  just instituted. However, I guess I'm not a team player because that didn't appeal to me; I do my three daily puzzles and also Block Champ, but don't want to play with anyone else. 

Went down to see the Dynamic Duo at 2:00. As ever, they were terrific; the Chardonay was good, too. 

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. Unfortunately, Kathie suffers from migraines and had had one yesterday, which is why she wasn't at dinner. After, I did fifteen minutes on the stationary bike and I want to do it daily, in fact, increase my exercise in general. 

BTW, luckily, the arthritis isn't nearly as bad this mornng. Also, I ordered a rub-on called "Voltaran" on Mary Ann's recommendation and it should be here today. 

THURSDAY

 Slept okay, but am not sure about tonight, as I took a long nap before lunch. Sat with LaVerne, Paula, and the newish resident, Judy. The latter is a non-stop talker, all about herself, of course, and her art work. It was "Brazil Day" and lunch was pretty good, but too much of it for me: both steak and chicken, plus a vegetable medley, rice, and potato salad. In addition, the usual bar-type table was set up and I had a beer. Mindy then came along offering cocktails and I had a pink something. 

Did little of consequence the rest of the day (do I ever?). Took another nap--not a good idea if I want to sleep at night, but I'm writing this at 7:00 pm Thursday (I top it off in the morning) and don't know yet.

Had dinner with Paula, Bea, and John, a person I hadn't known before. I saw neither Kathie nor Keith, but much as I like them, it was fun to be with a newbie. Skipped the dinner--tuna melt and fries--in favor of a bagel with salmon. Actually, I asked for two and took one home to eat whilst watching T.V.

Called Ellen because my laptop was acting up and she walked me through the solution. 

T.O.P.S. this morning and I'm anything but optimistic.