THURSDAY

A somewhat slow day. After breakfast with Keith, I took my half-hour nap, then spent time productively (ha!) playing my favorite laptop game. Did little else until lunch...

...when I sat with Kathie, Mary, and Bee (Keith was at the dentist). We talked about our childhoods; Bee seems to have an odd background--in fact, she's pretty odd herself. However, it was fairly interesting, but I sometimes wonder if I should look for other meal companions. I might occasionally sit elsewhere, just to get to know others. 

Jay, the P.T., came at 2:30, as scheduled, and put me through my paces. Bridget, the head P.T., will come today at 10:30 and some day next week, I'll be traveling to Second Wave Physical Therapy. 

Went to Trivia at 3:30, but it was a bore. Before that, I saw part of the story of St. Patrick, which was okay. Mindy put up this throw, which may or may not be hers: 

Went from there to dinner and sat with Keith, Kathie, Mary, and Cheryl. Main dish was chicken with pasta and sauce, which was pretty good.

Back at my place, I showered and washed my hair. Ellen called to tell me the other P.T., Brittany, wanted to come today at 10:30. I don't know why she would come the day after Jay did, but I agreed. I hope and assume I'll be home from T.O.P.S. by then, but if not, she'll have to wait.  

WEDNESDAY

Mary joined Keith and me for breakfast; she was agitated because she had to go to the DMV to get an official ID. Once upstairs, I took a nap, then fooled around with this and that. Activities Director came to my door to ask if I could take the van a little earlier, as she had others to drop off. Sure, why not, so I got ready and went out to climb aboard. Mary was on, too, and when I told her she should have various proofs of age, address, and so on, she seemed to discount that. However, later, when Mindy mentioned it, Mary went back to her apartment and got them.

Got to Hill Street Cafe a little early and waited for Erica. The restaurant has an "Easter tree," fer cryin' out loud, and I couldn't resist taking a pic:                            

                                                            

Erica got there shortly after I did and we preceded to have a wonderful reunion. She's younger than my children (53), but we have a close rapport and I've always liked and admired her. She studied acting and directing, but was employed in finance for many years. Recently, she branched out on her own as a financial advisor, especially for women contemplating divorce. I asked her to send me info on her business and I'll make it known to those here. 

Erica took me home and shortly after, I joined a group of about fifteen in the multipurpose room for dime bingo. It was actually fun, in a quirky kind of way; Keith was there and lent me four dimes after I ran out; paid him back at dinner. 

I had asked Mindy if any more festive "theme" lunch or dinners were planned and she said there would be an Irish one near St. Patty's day. I mentioned the fact that I make "Molloy's Irish Creme" and she asked for the recipe. I gave her a copy and I think she's planning to include it in that dinner.

Ellen called to tell me that Jay, the P.T., will be coming today at 2:30, I guess to judge my progress or something. I also have appointments at Second Wave Physical Therapy in a few weeks.

Dinner with Keith, Mary, and Cheryl and it was a really good large salad with walnuts, salmon, and a lot of other ingredients I like, plus strawberry dressing.  As I told Mindy, I think the major meal selections are improving; lately, there have been innovations and most are very good.  

TUESDAY

After breakfast--with Keith, of course--I stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry room. While they were washing, then drying, I puttered around with this and that. 

Got a call from Susan, of Soaring Spirits, that she and her parents were coming in at 10:00 to see The Orchard as a possible place for them. I told her about the two thousand dollar "finders fee," which I would halve with them; she was interested and said they'd mention it to Tiffany. It seems like long shot, but we'll see.

Stopped in the office to ask if 1.) I had authorized my rent to be automatically paid and 2.) if I could reserve the clubhouse or the private room for my T.O.P.S. group on March 27. Yes and yes and I'll ask the group how they want to do this: just weigh in and have a meeting or do that and include breakfast, too.

Joseph came to install the new mechanism for the heat lamp in the bathroom and we had a fun talk about what he prefers to be called--"Joseph," "Joe," " Joey," "Jose," or "Hey You"; think I'll chose the last one. 😂

I had meant to go to the Bone Builders class at 10:30 yesterday, but what with the bed and all, I didn't get there. Now I'm determined to attend Jackie's Balance class today at 10:00 and I hope be a regular at the sessions three times a week.

Lunch with the girls--Kathie, Mary, and Cheryl; we didn't see Keith, so maybe he ate out. After, I went outside and took a short walk. Didn't stay long because it had gotten a little too breezy and cool. Went back up to water my porch/patio flowers and make a baked (in the microwave) apple to eat later. 

I actually went downstairs to participate in first, bingo, then trivia. Both were total bores and I probably will not go again. What I want to do is attend the balance classes and Bone Builders. Hope I can keep that resolve.

Dinner with Keith, Mary, and Cheryl and it was enjoyable.  

MONDAY AND A SIGH OF RELIEF

Breakfast with good ol' Keith (he's probably a decade or more younger than I am), then I got ready for Ellen's arrival. She got here about 8:45 and we drove off for my 9:30 neurologist appointment at 9:30 in Oxnard. Got there early enough so we took a little walk outside the complex first, then went in to wait for Dr. Taylor...

...and wait...and wait. At about 945, we were told the doc had an emergency in Santa Barbara (he's on the staff there, too) and could we come back at 11:00? Okay, so we took another walk, then sat outside in the sun for a time, then went back in. By the time, Dr. T. arrived, it was close to noon. However, all was forgiven when we heard the good news: the aneurysm didn't seem a cause for concern. He told us to get another test (I can't remember what kind, but Ellen knows) in six months to a year; in the meantime, continue to address the blood pressure with an extra dose of Ramipril. 

Breathing sighs of relief, Ellen and I went to The Lazy Dog for lunch--yummy yum--then drove to CVS to get the Ramipril. However, the pharmacy was closed for lunch, so El came back to my place to set up my pills for the week, then drove back to CVS to pick up the meds; finally, she dropped them off to me.

I put in a load of wash in the laundry room, then went downstairs to request the van for tomorrow, when I'll go to the Hill Street Cafe to meet Erica for lunch. 

Dinner with Kathie, Cheryl, and Mary--Keith sat elsewhere--and we had a good time. After, I retreived my wash from the laundry, folded and put it away, then settled in for the night. 

SUNDAY

Breakfast with Keith and after, I did indeed, take a nap. Katherine picked me up at 11:45 and off we went to Oxnard. She suggested we lunch at Tradewinds, which is near the Elite Theatre and that's where we went. It was pretty crowded and we had to wait a bit, but that was okay. I had Taquitos and an IPA, which were good.

We got to the theatre in plenty of time for the 2:00 pm start. The Elite is a small, somewhat makeshift theatre which, unfortunately, has lost its lease and is looking for a new site. I've been there before and, although it's not uncomfortable, it's hardly Broadway level: 

Well, it's sideways and for some reason, I can't right it, so it'll have to stay. 

The show was a little sappy, but fun to see and my pal, Suzy, was great--full of energy and bounce, as she is in real life.  We greeted her after and, as she does, she gave me a big hug while calling me "baby girl!" I get a kick out of that.

Katherine dropped me off in time for dinner after a fun day. She's considerably younger than I am, but I think we have a lot in common. She's bright, well-spoken, and has a sense of humor, all attributes that appeal to me. I went directly into the dining room and had dinner with Keith and Kathie. It was pretty good--New England clam chowder with grilled parmesan bread.  

When I got to my apartment, I looked at my calendar and realized I had told people I had an echogram today, but actually that's on the sixteenth. This morning, I see Dr. Robert Taylor (no, he's not in the movies), who's a neurosurgeon, and I'm nervous about it. Gawd, I'm sick of doctors. 

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This was in my email and brought back memories. It's a character named Arnelle, a hair dresser, and me, playing Clairee, the widow of the town mayor, in Steel Magnolias. Incredibly, this was with LETCO (Little Egg Theatre Company) sixteen years ago--hard to believe.

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SATURDAY

A quiet day, but not unpleasant. Kathie came down for breakfast with Keith and me, after which I was annoyed myself by taking a nap. Not sure why, but I just felt sleepy. By lunchtime, I was perkier and the chicken coq au vin was really good. After, I spent time on minor little chores, but mostly playing games on the laptop. 

Katherine called and we decided she' d pick me up at noon today; we'll go to lunch, then attend the show at the Elite Theatre in Oxnard. Can't wait to see Suzy on stage again.

At 2:30 or so, I went outside, taking a can of the non-alcoholic IPAs niece Carolyn had brought me, along with my book, War Made Invisible, by one of my favorite pro-peace activists, Norman Solomon. I sat in the lovely sunshine, read, and enjoyed it. 

It was 4:00 by the time I went home and shortly, time for dinner. Cheryl is back from Mexico and sat with Keith and me. She has a condo in Rosarita there and has it up for sale, so wanted to oversee a few things and talk to her relator; also has a rental property in Oregon. It was fun to talk to her. Kathie didn't show, nor did Mary.

Had a somewhat restless sleep, but it wasn't bad; got up at 5:15. I'm thinking I might take a short nap after breakfast--maybe yes, maybe no.

FRIDAY

T.O.P.S. catastrophe: I went up .08 at home and 0.9 at T.O.P.S. for totals of 137 and 138.3, respectively.  To that, I can only respond with 😬AAGH! However, I resolved to do better, starting with skipping the evening eating, except for popcorn. At the meeting, Sharon wore an interesting Japan shirt:

Home, I had a late breakfast of cottage cheese on bread, then did a few household chores. Joined Allan and Beverly for lunch, as I didn't see either Keith or Kathie. 

Ellen got here, as scheduled, at 2:15 and we went off to Primary Medical to consult with P.A. Natalie, one of my favorites. She went over my info and it seems pretty straight-forward, including the echogram I'll have done on Monday.  

Back home, El and I went over a few things, then we went up to the third floor to await Elika and my manicure. She came at 4:00, I said goodbye to El, and got my nails down in a pretty pale pink. Just for fun, I added flowers on a finger on each hand.

Dinner with Keith and Kathie and it was pretty good: spinach wrap with all kinds of veggies inside, including avocado and tomato. I slept well, so hope the new medication is working.