WEDNESDAY

Early on, it was pretty much the same old, same old. Breakfast with Keith, tidied up a bit after, lunched with Keith, Cheryl, and Mary, then took a nap. 

The P.T., Alain, arrived at 3:00 and put me through my paces. He had me walk down the hall using my cane and showed me the proper way to handle it. He also corrected some of my posture in doing my exercises, as well as adding some new ones. These are all to address my balance, of course, and I'm determined not to let them slide.

Called Quest Diagnostics to make an appointment for blood work in August. Katherine texted me and said she'd like to go to "Women of the Night," the show at the Santa Paula Playhouse that my friend, Suzy, is in,  on Sunday, March1. That's perfect for me. Julie won't be going with us,  but that's okay. 

Ellen called and we talked over a few things. I had given her the pictures painted by my Uncle Frank of the farmhouse where he and my father were brought up. She hung them in the guest room, sent me a picture, and I like how they look: l'll see her on Friday, when she takes me to the neurologist. 

Dinner with all four of the group. I got the main entree, pulled pork and bourbon beans. We all thought that last was hysterically funny--there was no booze evident in the beans and it sounded weird, anyway.  

Slept well and got up a little after 5:00. 

TUESDAY

Up at 6:15, showered, then went down to breakfast with Keith. Upstairs after to work on the entranceway decorations. I put the slender shelving there, with a few artifacts--may alter  it later. 

Lunch, bur for a change with Allan and Beverly. Ellen came at 1:15 and we tried to figure out if I had been doing my BP measurement properly. Maybe not and I'm going to concentrate on that. We got to the cardiologist's office on schedule at 2:40, filled out some papers, and met Dr. Wang. I wished her a happy new year and she returned the sentiment.

As for the medical stuff, it seems I have a heart murmur which nobody else had recognized; however, it seems not to be of concern. She added a medication for, I think, the BP, but Ellen has all that stuff down. We went to CVS immediately to pick up the new meds, during which it started to rain. I waited in the car while El got my new meds, as well as the nice bottle of cream sherry I requested. (In addition, Express Scripts will be sending a refill of another of my medications.)

Back at my place, El started filling my pill boxes while I went down with dinner. I sat with Keith and we had a good talk-session; the others were at another table. Home about 6:30. 

Slept well again and didn't get up until the alarm rang at 6:15.

MONDAY

I awoke to the steady drum of rain on the window. I'm certainly not going out, but will get some ever-lasting work done--I think.  Had raisin bran instead of my usual poached eggs and I enjoyed it. Once I went back to my place, I gathered up whites and set them awash in the laundry room. I then fell into bed and was sound asleep within minutes. Got up an hour or so later and did something or other--don't  remember what. 

Ellen called and I found I do, indeed, have an appointment today--with a cardiologist, Dr. Wang, in Oxnard, at 2:40. Ellen will pick me up after lunch. Well, at least, I'll be here for the Chinese New Year celebration--a special lunch and something else I don't remember.

Lunch with Kathie and Keith. Cheryl was originally at the table, too, but moved to another with Mary. Tilapia for lunch, which was so-so.  After, I sat down to put my pills in the pill boxes. Ellen will check them when she comes.

Below: decorations for celebration of the Chinese New Year. There'll be a special Chinese-themed luncheon today.

   

 

Dinner with Kathie, Keith, and for a short time, Cheryl. This was called "Chuckwagon Sandwich," but was actually a kind of slider on a Hawaiian bun. It was really good and we're all going to compliment the chef. I napped after lunch, so was a little worried I wouldn't be able to sleep, but happy day, I just got up at 6:10.

Cardiologist appointment this afternoon. 

SUNDAY

David picked me up at 8:00 and off we went to Two Trees. It was busy, but not as crowded as I've seen it and we had a good time. David, being a bird scientist, said he was pleased at the trees on The Orchard grounds--they're full and vigorous, not trimmed heavily as the ones at SO-FI.

Got back about 10:30 and did a little cleaning up before Vickie and Kay picked me up at noon. We met Suzanne, who had been distributing communion, at Rincon and settled in to have a wonderful time. It was so good to be with old friends; much as I like many of the people I've met here, we have no common history, at this point, anyway, and that makes a difference. Vickie and I treated the birthday girls, Suzanne, 78 and Kay, 80. That last is hard to believe: Kay looks, to me, anyway, no older than in her sixties:

Vickie, Suzanne, Mimi, Kay

We had a wonderful time, thanks to my companions, and I'm looking forward to more outings. Got in about 2:30 and I promptly fell asleep (maybe I don't have as much stamina as I thought I did). I didn't wake up until 4:20, almost time to go to dinner!  I knew I wouldn't be able to eat a thing and brought a container. Drank an iced tea with Keith, Cheryl, and Mary, then excused myself and took my dinner upstairs. 

Just looked outside and ugh, it's raining. I understand that messiness will go on for several days, so I'm glad I had my outings yesterday. Had a terrible time sleeping last night and feel groggy right now at 8:45. That suggests a nap later today, which could lead to to bitter cycle--AAGH! But not, I'm not going to indulge in negativity, of which there's too much around here to begin with.

 

SATURDAY

Breakfast with Keith and lunch with Kathie and Cheryl. The chicken plicata was excellent and we all enjoyed it. Back in my apartment, I called Elika, the manicurist who comes several days a week and, luckily, I was able to get in at 2:00. She did a great job and also, I enjoyed talking to her--born and brought up in Santa Barbara, three children, and so on and so forth.  I love to question strangers, especially young people, and see what makes them tick. 

I had had every intention on trying the city bus with the walker for the first time yesterday, but at the last minute I lost my nerve. I'll try for next week unless I decide to take the Access Van, which is kind of a pain. 

Darn, I can't find the box of cards anywhere and today, Vickie and I are taking Suzanne and Kay out to lunch.  Think I'll ask David, with whom I'm going to breakfast, to let me stop at CVS or The Dollar Tree to pick some up. What's even worse is I still haven't dug out my Dad's pictures of his high school debating group and Villanova track team. Where could they be? 

FRIDAY

The Access Van picked me up shortly after noon and got me to town before one. Noreen was already seated outside at Paradise Panty and we settled down for lunch and a visit. We both had turkey pesto grilled sandwiches, which are superb (I don't know why more restaurants don't serve them) and she enjoyed sangria, while I did the same with a Purple Tears IPA. It was so pleasant to hear about her doings and telling her mine.

We lingered for an hour or so, then said goodbye. I walked along Main, stopping in various shops. Didn't buy anything, but was pleased to again be in town, just looking around and getting exercise. Walked back to the museum where the Access Van delivered picked me up. I Messaged my ex-daughter-in-law, Paula, congratulating her on Vivian's achievement in being accepted by University College London, one of the top schools in the world, according to Wikipedia: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College_London

Later, Paula responded and we had a good back-and-forth exchange. Dinner with Kathie, Cheryl, and Keith, after which Mike Facetimed me for a chat. It was a good day and--may wonders never cease--I slept well, just getting up at 5:15--happy day! 

Note: Unfortunately, I can't find the 9 x 10 pictures of my father's high school debating team and college track team and the snapshot of Betty and me in his Ventnor garden. In my SO-FI apartment, I had had them grouped over my dining room/kitchen table and it seems impossible they were lost, but I'm getting more and more nervous about it. Will keep looking. 

THURSDAY, BRIDGET, AND PICS

After breakfast (I reverted back to my two poached eggs on toast), I prepared for the P.T. and for the new picture hanger. The former was to come between one and two and the latter after 3:00; both arrangements suited me fine. I worked all the way up to lunchtime, which is quarter to twelve around here.  

Soon after, I called another picture hanger who texted me he could come after 3:00 yesterday(much as I like Ryan, I didn't want to pay the $175. per hour he charges). Great, especially since the P.T. was coming between 1 and 2. She did and boy, I haven't enjoyed myself with any other medical person except my own daughter! Bridget and I sat down to get to know each other and while we chatted, she mentioned she and her twin sister were the youngest of five daughters. "Hey, you must be Catholic," I said, and yes, indeed, she is. After that, we settled into friend talk before we got down to business. Bridget herself has two sons and is a practicing Catholic. She said her twin other members of her family are--well, depending on your beliefs, either "fallen away" of "recovering." However, she's also interested in the Law of Attraction and may call Ellen to ask about it. Anyway, it was great to talk to her. Bridget also, of course, assessed my balance and instructed me in what we hope to be effective exercises to help correct it.  

The picture hanger, Sergei, wasn't here by dinnertime, so I texted him and he responded he'd get here at 6:00, so I went down to dinner.  I was almost finished when Activities director Mindy came over to say he was here. Went back to my place with him and he hung the pics in the living area. I decided not to ask him to do the bedroom ones. I want to have some over my desk, the bookcase, and so on, and I may have strategize to get them to fit. Anyway, I haven't come across the ones of my father's Villanova class pic, so I'll hold off.

I wish I could hold this sleeping pattern off. For the last two nights, I've awoken at one or two and couldn't get back. I hope that will change tonight, as I'm meeting Noreen for lunch and will be more active.