Thursday

 I had every intention of going to Bone Builders, but didn't get there, due to a nap that ran over. 

Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula and skipped the pork chop entree for my yummy bagels and lox (salmon). After, Jeanne Painter called and we had a good, long conversation. She had attended George Wimberg's ninetieth birthday in July and told me about it, also the fact that George's wife is in hosptice with Alzheimer's and other problems. The three Wimberg sisters, Lois, Carole, and Joan had jointly bought a house in Hawaii and invited Jeanne to come visit--she may or may not. Anyway, it was fun to hear again from the prettiest girl in our graduating class.

At 3;30, I attended the final "Japan Month" presentation, by a woman named Leanette, who is of Japanese decent. She was born here, but lived in Sapporo, Japan with her military husband and family:

Leanette and I posed with the Japanese display I provided. 

Leanette was accompanied by another Japanese woman. In front of them is the Kota, a Japanese instrument Leanette played.

 She also shared scrapbooks and other items with the audience.

I spoke to Leanette after and learned that she comes to the "Hawaian Meeting" at our clubhouse every Saturday. I may go over and join them sometime.

Directly after the presentation we had dinner; I sat with Kathie, Paula, and Denise. Unfortuantely, Paula, with whom I had scheduled the "rickshaw" type ride for this afternoon, told me she was unable to go. I asked Kathie if she'd like to and she will. T.O.P.S. first, of course. Mary Ann will pick me up and no, I'm not optimistic, but who knows what? I don't.  

After dinner, I put in a white wash, retrieving it later just before I changed into my jammies. I've seen a resident now and then--once in a while, not often--got get their laundry while dressed in robe and slippers. I'm not going to be doing that.  

WEDNESDAY

Slow day. Had lunch with Paula and LaVerne--Kathie was out with her daughter. I did little else except some minor financial stuff, nap, and play dime Bingo. My friend, Beverly, wants to give me a pillow that goes on the walker--she's getting a new one. It should be useful, especially when I go out to eat and can barely see over the table, at Sea Fresh, in porticular.

Napped after lunch, then did a few household chores, but mostly played games on the laptop. Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise. After, I rode the stationary bike for twenty minutes--that was about the only sustained exercise I got yesterday.

I stayed up until after 10:00, unusual for me, but slept well and just got up at 7:30. 

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This came up on One Drive. That's my father, reclining and looking impish on the second row right and my mother, two away from his right, on a picnic before they were married. Circa 1923.

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TUESDAY

 Slept okay and got up at 7:30. I dressed, got my coffee, then took  45-minute nap until it was time for 
Bone Builders at 10:15. After, I stopped into to Mindy's place to sign Paula and me up for the "bike" rider on Friday. Sat with the regulars, Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise, for lunch.  

At 2:00, I went down to dime Bingo. I won a game although, because there only six of us there, it was a miniscule amount, but I didn't care, I enjoyed it. 

What I did next, I didn't enjoy: I checked the mail. In it, there was a notice from management that my rent will increase by $323 a month starting November 1. What I find most infuriating is not that the rent was increased--I expect\ that every year--but I still have to pay $55 a month or $660 a year for the damn medic alert pendent that I've never taken out of the box. My insurance provides me one free of charge, but of course, managment will never allow me to skip the payment.  

Okay, enough of that boring money stuff. Ellen came at 5:30, bringing my paper towels, medication, and so on, then we left for the Dudley House covered dish, pot luck dinner. It was fun and interesting, as ever, and it was good to see my old D. House friends. However, I think my days of docent-hood, i.e. leading tours, are over, as my memory isn't what it used to be. The speaker, whose name I forget, impersonated Benjamin Dudley and talked about his experiences fighting in the War Between the States:                                                   

                                                   

Here, he's showing some of the reins of the horse he rode in battle. 

The buffet--brought by the guests--was good and I had several pasta dishes. I was surprised--and mildly disappointed--that there was no wine. At every other potluck, several people had brought some, but last night, it was simply water and Sprite; I had the latter.

It was after 8:00 when I got home--the middle of the night!--and I settled in to play Jeopardy on the tube. No plans for today, but there's balance class at 10:00 and dime Bingo at 3:00 and I want to go to them. 

MONDAY

I bestirred myself sufficiently to go to balance class at 10:00. I was sorry to hear that leader Jackie has to go upstate to deal with a problem of her son, who is in a mental hospital. Jackie won't be here on Friday or for several days in the next two weeks.

Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula, during which Ellen called. I got back to her later and we discussed our plans for this evening, when we attend the Dudley House potluck. She'll stop at the supermarket to got something to share there before picking me up at 5:30.    

I was glad to get a text from manacurist Elika asking if she could do me at 3:00 today, istead of 3:30. Yes, that will be much better, as I was getting both fingers and toes down. Went up to the salon and was out of there in an hour and a half--time to got down to dinner. It wasn't nearly the ordeal I anticipated, as Elika is a nice young woman and an excellent manucurist. Unfortunately, when I took off my shoes, she told me the nails on my two smaller left toes had fallen off. I never even noticed, as I can't see that far.  Elika said she believes I have a fungus--I'll call Primary Medical today to get the P.A.'s advice.

Had dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise and the orange chicken was pretty good. Slept well and just now stripped the bed to wash. I like to do that on Tuesdays, as that's the day Doo-Lannie comes in to clean. 

SUNDAY

I spent a good portion in the morning on the phone. Talked to a family member in Jersey, then Sharon, then Noreen, both here, then Doris in Virginia. After that, I went to The Orchard library (near my apartment) and borrowed two books. I wish a librarian could be kidnapped and made to put the shelves in some kind of order. I rarely read fiction and it's hard to find non- among the lady novelists.

Went downstairs to ask Tia to print me out a monthly schedule. Every week, we're left at our doors a meal schedule and an activity schedule, but not the monthly one and sometimes if I don't know what's coming up, I'm off campus and miss it. 

As I was going back to my apartment, a young woman visitor asked me if I had made the wreath on my door. No, my niece gave it to me, but we started chatting. It seems her in-laws had just moved in down the hall; unfortunately, her mother-in-law fell and broke two ribs, but is recovering well in the hospital. I'll look forward to meeting them. On the elevator, I met another new resident, this one named Judy (I know three other Judies here) and we chatted; I hope to see her again. 

Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and Denise and we had our usual enjoyable time. After, I road the stationary bike for twenty minutes--little enough, but at least, I did it--while reading the new book I picked up in our so-called library about the royal families and its problems. 

Poured clog drainer in the kitchen sink. It really isn't clogged, just seems rather slow and I figured it couldn't hurt. Aside from that, I cleaned up a bit during the quiet day.

I had planned to go to Yatzee at 3:00, but I saw Tia and she said didn't show today. No prob, I'll just find something productive to do--HA! I spent my afternoon playing various games on the laptop. 

Kathie and LaVerne stayed in their apartments for dinner, as they often do, but Paula and Denise were at our usual place. Trish joined us and it was fun to have her there. Several years ago, she broke her--hip? vertebrae? I can't remember which, but she's in a wheelchair and has an aide. Her mind in sharp, though, and she really doesn't belong is assisted living. Anyway, it was good talking to her.

I asked Paula if she'd like to go with me and take the "bike" ride I enjoyed so much last week.  Yes, she would and I'll let Mindy know tomorrow. (She's off on Sundays and Mondays.)

SATURDAY

 Not much activity in the morning besides my usual routine. Had lunch with Kathie, Laverne, and Paula. Kathie again complained of virturally everything about The Orchard, comparing it to Scottsdale, as she always does. Personally, I like the place and am glad I'm here. I like Kathie, too and feel sorry for her, as she has some problems, of various kinds--but it gets wearisome to listen to her constant complaints.

Went to quarter Bingo at 2:00 and won three games. Mindy brought her adorable little kitten in and we had a ball playing with her. M. also brought in and gave each of us a brownie, but I don't eat sweets and took it to dinner to see if anyone wanted it.

As it turned out, Denise joined Kathie, LaVerne, Paula, and me and I gave her the brownie. I always enjoy Denise--she's full of fun--and she enjoyed seeing my pictures of the sock hop. She would have gone, but was out with friends for the day.

Before dinner, I decided to put in a load of color wash. Went the the laundry closest to me and found both washers were taken, so I took them to the one on the further wing.  I didn't mind, though--I'm glad they're available. 

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Note: Wonders will never cease here in Fairyland: What I call "toothpick ice cream" (i.e., with no added sugar) has been offered after dinner since I asked Chef Michael about it at the "Food for Thought" meeting the other day! 

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FRIDAY: TOPS AND THE HOP

 The weight wasn't good, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. At home, I put on .08 for a weight of 141.4 and at T.O.P.S., I added .06 to 142.3. It's certainly well over my ideal, but I'm going to work on it.

Instead of going to balance class, I took a nap, then had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Paula. After that, I went up to the salon to Caitlin and my haircut. She did a nice job--just under the ears--and when she was almost finished, who came in but Kathie, her daughter, granddaughter, and two adorable little great-grandsons, 3-year-old Tanner and 5-month-old Lane, along with their little puppy--he was in the baby coach. 

I went directly from the salon to the clubhouse, where the "Sock Hop" was happening. I missed the food, but had a Margarita and actually jived a little to the music. Here are some of the fellas and girls going to it with the swinging '40s and '50s tunes, courtesy of entertainer Kevin Gillmond. I know all the party-goers, but there's no point in identifying them, so I won't. Anyway, it was fun:

We don't have that many couples living here, but many of the few who do were on the dance floor. 

By the time the hop was over, it was almost dinnertime. I went upstairs to get a few things, then joined Kathie and Paula at the table. The entree, glazed ham,  didn't appeal to me, so I had a turkey burger, which was good, as ever. And yes, toothpick ice cream was available--chef Michael had kept his promise.