SUNDAY

Early on, I stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry to put them in the wash. Before breakfast, I put them in the dryer so they were finished once I came upstairs again, at which point, I remade the bed. 

Dyan joined Keith and me for breakfast, then At 3:went out to walk Della. I went back to my apartment, took a nap, and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. Sat with Keith and Kathie, but skipped the main entree--meat loaf and sides--in favor of a turkey sandwich. It was so big I took half home to eat later.

After, I took my hat, sunglasses, and book, and sat outside for forty-five or so. Came in and assembled my medications, RX and OTC, which takes a fair amount of time. One of these days, I'll count the total, but it's too depressing to think about right now.  

At 3:00, I went down to play Yahzee. Besides Cindy, the volunteer leader, only Beverly and Keith were there. Didn't win, but it was a fun diversion. 

Dinner with Trudie, Carl, Barbara, and Carol, and we had some fun discussions. Carol's from Brooklyn, as is her husband, whose name I can never remember; as a rule, he doesn't join in the conversation.

Went upstairs to my apartment and Ellen called to invite me to come over on Wednesday and we'd go out for lunch, then we'd visit a few shows and she'd make dinner. Great and I'll call the Access Van today.

Mike facetimed me and we discussed the two graduations and other famly info. Watched some T.V. after, then turned in and slept okay. 

SATURDAY

 After breakfast, I took an hour nap, which has gotten to be my usual habit. I then just mostly played my Big Fish game, Jewel Royale Match, which has become an absolute addiction.

Lunch with Kathie and Keith; Dyan, my "next door neighbor" joined us, which was enjoyable. Dime Bingo started at 2:00 and, of course, I went to that--annoyingly, although I had my usual four cards, I didn't win a single game. Keith won three and Dyan won two--they must have eheated!

When I went back upstairs, I found at my door the hot plate I had ordered from Amazon. I'd be willing to bet management would have a problem with it, but I'm not going to tell them.

Hung out until quarter of six, when I went down to meet Susan at the entrance. She had some problem finding it, but did and off we went to dinner. We went to Water's Edge down at the harbor, a place I haven't frequented, but was there two or three times. I like it a lot--panaramic views of the harbor, with luxury yachts lined up and the sunset illuminating them. 

We had good, good talk, reacquainting ourselves with each other, and a leisurely meal. Didn't get home until the ungodly hour of nine o'clock and just got up at 6:30. I greatly enjoyed myself, but now, as ever, I'm relieved to realize I have no plans until tomorrow when I go to dinner with Soaring Spirits friends. 

FRIDAY

Another discouraging weight report: up 1.4 at home to 130, up 1.1 at T.O.P.S. to 140.9. Okay, now I've  got to get serious. No more fooling around and I'm going to plan a strategy.

Home at 10:15 and I put in a large load of wash. The machines were in use at my closest laundry room, so I went down the hall and around the corner to the other one.  Lunched with Kathie and Keith and it was "Marry Me Chicken," which they've served before and I like it. After, I retreived my clothes, folded them and put away, then went downstairs where a "jewelry boutique" was taking place. I could hardly believe how inexpensive each piece was and I proceeded to buy a ring for Vivian, bracelets for my daughters, and a necklace/earrings set for myself, all for thirty-two bucks. In the rotunda (it's in the round so that's what I call it), residents Lisa and Helen were selling crocheted items and hand-made greeting cards. I passed on the crocheting, but bought four lovely cards for five dollars each. 

Kathie called to say she wasn't going to the dining room for dinner, as she had cooked up some pork chops. I went downstairs, but Keith wasn't there yet, so I sat with Trudie, her husband, Carl, and Barbara. Actually, it was nice to converse with other residents; I saw Keith later, who was eating alone, and said hello; I'll probably sit with him today for breakfast.

Susan texted back suggesting we get together today at 6:00 pm and go to dinner. She'll pick me up, which is fine by me and I'll text her directions. 

I had popcorn last night, but at least walked (around the building) several times, so got some exercise in. Slept well--until 5:30--and that's encouraging, too.

THURSDAY

 AAGH! I usually write up my blog entries the evening before, then just top them off in the morning, and confirm. Now it's 8:00 pm on Thursday and I'm just getting started, so this will be a quickie.

Breakfast with Keith, took a nap, then got out to the Access Van about 11:45 and was taken to Ellen's on Ojai. From there, we had an interesting day in Santa Barbara. Got there about 1:00 and went To Harry's for lunch. I had a yummy non-spicy chili with Caesar salad. The chili was served in a bread bowl and was so large I took half of it home.

From lunch, we went to the Apple store to look at watches. We saw and tried on a number of them, but the more I did, the more I wondered if I really want one. Ellen felt the same way, so we're both probably going to defer a decision. 

From there, we went to Wal-Mart for some necessary items, such as T. paper, then home. El came in to inspect my medicaiton setups--I did them okay--and fill out some paperwork. By the time we said goodbye, it was 6:30. As I had intended, I missed dinner, which was fine by me as I was still full from lunch. I ate the rest of that while watching T.V. Slept well.

I'm not looking forward to T.O.P.S. this morning, as I know that--once again, dammit--I've gainined. 

WEDNESDAY

Noreen picked me up at 11:30 and we went off to Two Trees for lunch. After, we stopped at the Dollar Tree next door so I could get wrapping paper. Got home just in time to play Dime Bingo and--yay!--I won one with a payoff of a dollar eighty! I stayed to play Jeporady, then Trivia,  and that was enough of the game world for me. 

Dinner with Kathie, Keith, and Beverlee (yes, that's how her parents spelled it), which was enjoyable. Beverlee has a masters from Columbia, as one of my sons does, is from upstate New York, and had been a physcologist for teenaged patients. She lives with Greg and an odder couple I've rarely encountered. 

Later, I went up to wrap some graduation presents and otherwise prepare for going to Ellen's today. We plan on going to Santa Barbara, where I'll look at Apple watches, and then have lunch at Harry's Restaurant, where I have a gift certificate. I also want to stop at Raine's Department strore, as I also have a gift card from there. 

TUESDAY

When I went down to breakfast--with Keith, of course--I saw Rick, the van driver, and told him I had changed my mind about going to Bocelli's in Ojai for lunch. I just felt draggy, so instead, took an hour nap. 

Lunch with Keith, Kathie, and for a change, Elaine. She's been here more than a year and, interestingly, used to live in Jersey. She also owned, with a partner, a weight-loss business in Northfield. Elaine is an "ambassador"--i.e. an unpaid worker--which most facilities like The Orchard, seem to have. Anyway, it was fun talking to her.

Went outside after and called Jeanne Painter. she's going to turn the big nine-o in a few weeks and her family will be having a party in Jersey.  

Dime Bingo at 2:00 and I had four cards, but didn't win any games. Back at my place, I did this and that, then went down at 4:00 for Trivia. That was fun and once it was over, it was time to go to the dining room for dinner. Kathie called to say she was beat, so would eat in her own place, so I sat with Keith. Put my IPA in the fridge with a note saying whoever took it would be proscecuted--ha! Dinner was actually pretty good, beef and spinach ravioli, and Keith and I had some good talk about our respective backgrounds.

Back at my place at 6:15 and I tried to text Noreen, then realized she doesn't use the Internet. She's to  pick me up today at 12:30 to go to lunch and I had suggested Cafe 126 near here, but will see if she'll go to Two Trees, instead.    

MONDAY

Breakfast with Keith, then a nap. Called Second Wave Physical Therapy to cancel today's scheduled visit, as I'm going on the Orchard excursion to Bocelli's Restaurant in Ojai. Also rescheduled the April 28th session, as I'm going to Bart's Books then.

Lunch with Kathie, as Keith sat elsewhere. She--Kathie--had an appointment with her attorney at 4:00, so I made plans with Allan and Beverly for dinner.  

After lunch, I sat outside for a bit--it was sunny, but a little cool. Called my old friend, Nancy, who lives near Ojai in Oakview and we had a good talk. I then took a walk down Wells Avenue. This is a nice residential area and across the street is a lovely view: 

I probably walked no more than a half mile in all, small potatoes in my old days of three miles there and back to Wal-Mart, but it was better than nothing.  I sent away for a list of things to eat, limit, and avoid to lower blood pressure. After that, I futzed around with this and that until dinner time. 

Ate with Beverly and Allan, plus a new resident, Frances. Incrediby, once again, my IPA was missing when I went to retreive it. Tia got me a Harp (Irish beer) from the all-purpose room, but this is getting very annoying.