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. 

WEDNESDAY

 Up at 6:15, but against my better judgement, napped from about 8:30 to 9:30. Then, proving my virtuous character, I went to balance class at 10:00. 

Lunched with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula; it was a BBQ cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and pretty good. Went to dime Bingo at 1:30 and won three games. 

Ellen came, as scheduled, at 4:00 and picked me up for the C.T.--or something--scan of the nodule in my lung. We went to Rolling Oaks radiology and it took only a short time. From there, we stopped at CVS at my request to get my meds. Then it was Jasmine Thai for dinner and that was yummy.

El came in after to pick up some of my donations for the thrift store. They included some clothes and some bed linens I no longer use. She left about 7:00 with my thanks in her ears--I don't know what I'd do without her. 

Slept well and I have no plans for today, which suits me fine. I'm thinking about calling Noreen for a lunch date at Danny's, but may or may not. 

TUESDAY

 I was in and out of sleep all night and finally got up at 7:20. Dressed, stripped the bed, and took the sheets to the laundry room. Went to Bone Builders at 10:15 and after, switched sheets to the dryer. 

Went from there to lunch and sat with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula.  Lunch was good--it was an enchilada with rice and veggies; I complimented Chef Michael after. 

Back upstairs and I made the bed. Do-Lannie had asked if she could do the cleaning in the morning instead of the afternoon as she usually does and sure, that was fine by me. As ever, she did a good job.

Went down to Dime Bingo at 1:30 and believe it or not, I won three games. After, Mindy asked Mary and me to stay so she could interview us. We did and the questions revolved around whether we were satisfied with our lives at The Orchard, what our daily routines looked like, and what could they do to make our lives here better. I'm happy here and actually enjoyed the interview. 

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula--we're getting to be a regular quartet--and enjoyed it. Later, I showered and washed my hair, then settled down to watch--of all things--a bio of Libarace. 

Radnet radiology today at 4:30; I'm not  looking forward to it.

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One of the guys who lives here; can't remember his name, but he has a huge collection of tee shirts. 

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MONDAY

 Up at 6:30 after a good night's sleep. After dressing and my usual morning laptop routine (blog, Wordle, Connections, and Blossom), I took a short nap, then went down to balance class at 10:00.  Leader Jackie is away, so resident Elaine led the class. Had my meager breakfast (cottage cheese on thin-sliced bread), then futzed around with this and that.

Lunched with Kathie, LaVerne, and Bea. I saw Trudie and asked how she enjoyed Suzy and the Skin On Steel band on Sunday. She said she did, but would much rather hear music from an earlier time than the sixties and seventies. Hmm...I decided to call Suzy and suggest that. Did so, and Suzy was perfectly fine with that; she said they were rehearsing that night and she'd convey that info to the rest of the band members. After lunch, I did the exercise bike for fifteen miinutes--all two short a time, but better than nothing.

Had dinner with LaVerne, Keith, and Paula, whom I'm getting to like more and more. Instead of the entree, I got another bagel with lox (salmon) and took half home to eat during my hour of T.V. Texted Suzy witih more suggestions, including as Mary had mentioned, Creedence Clearwater and I swore that would be the last nagging from me---actually, I think she appreciated the input. 

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Oh, this was a long, long time ago. On the left are a twenty-one year old girl I don't even recognize; her soon-to-be husband, Pat Molloy, and Bobo Burke. I don't remember the people behind Bobo, but to the left of the man is the Molloy's next door neighbor. The three to her left are my future father-in-law, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law, then Jack Jenkins. Boca Raton, Florida, c. 1957. 

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