Friday, July 24, 2026

THURSDAY

Niece Carolyn called and we had nice chat. I told her about the letter from her mother from 1956 which I would send her. Did that after we said goodbye.

Went downstairs to the multi-purpose room to attend the session with director Tiffany and chef Michael. It was satisfying, if not particularly important. Lunch after, which I enoyed with Kathie, LaVerne, and Denise. Mailed the letter copy to Carolyn, then straightened up a bit in preparation for Ellen's and Greg's visit.  

They came just before 4:00 and Greg immediately put together my new desk chair--YAY! It's so good not to have to pile sofa pillows on it to be high enough to reach the keyboard. We then went to Steven's Greek for dinner; I had a lucious Greek burger with sides and a good beer. 

Home after that and Ellen and Greg came upstairs with me. On the way, we passed the library, which is right next to my room and contains a table a chairs. There, playing Rummicube (or whatever it's called) were Keith and Dyan and I introduced Ellen and Greg to them. 

A few minutes ago, I got a call from Groendyke Insurance--at 6:30 am. I guess, being in the dark ages of Jersey, that don't know about time zones. Okay, I'll call them back now. 


Thursday, July 23, 2026

WEDNESDAY

Lunch with Kathie and LaVearne, then little* Julie sat down with us. Keith came, as usual, later and sat with others. Lunch, shrimp scampi, was good and so, of course, was the conversation. After, Kathie asked if I wanted to see two apartments near her on the third floor. These have recently been redone and the doors were open. One is a studio, but laid out better and more spacious than just a large room. The other is a two bedroom, two bath. I don't really like that layout, but it has wonderful views of the mountains.

Went to dime Bingo at 1:30 and won one. Back to my place at 3:30 and busied myself with looking at items to sell at the flea market. 

I want to send niece Carolyn a letter my twin sister had sent me seventy years ago when I stayed in Florida after visiting Pat, my later-to-be husband. I didn't want to send the original, so typed it on the laptop and will send a copy of that. It contains the reactions of family and friends--how strange to re-read it after so many years later. 

Dinner with Kathie, LaVerne, and Bea. It was spaghetti with meatballs and marinara sauce containing mushrooms and spinach--really good. After, as usual, I went back to my place and settled in for the niight. 

Ellen and Greg are to come about 4:00 today to put my new desk chair together; maybe we'll go to dinner after.

*Julie is probably about 4'10" and is of Filipino descent. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

TUESDAY

 Laundry day: stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry room about 9:30, then left for Bone Builders class at 10:15 in the clubhouse. That's an hour-long session, so it's always almost time for lunch when its' over.  After putting my sheets in the drier, I went downstairs; sat with Kathie, LaVerne, and Keith. After, I retreived my linens and re-made the bed. By then, it was time for dime Bingo, so I went downstairs for that. Incredibly, I won three games--now I have so many dimes I can barely carry them.

At 2:30, I went over to the clubhouse to attend the FBI scammer program. It was about what you'd expect, but reasonably interesting. Back to my place, I played a few games, then lay down for a nap, but forgot to set the timer. Once more, I'm afraid, I slept through dinnertime. However, I was still pretty full from lunch and, in fact, there were refreshments at the FBI thing, so I wasn't hungry, anyway.

I spent some time going through some of my jewelry with an eye to selling it at the flea market here a week from Saturday. Called Ellen to tell her about same and invite her to bring some items; she might and I'll see her and Greg tomorrow. She asked me to send a picture of the box containing my new desk chair, so they'd know what tools to bring to put it together; I did so. 

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

MONDAY

Again, I lazed around a lot--I seem to be going through a phase. I did, however, go to balance class at 10:00. After, I cleaned up the kitchen area a bit, then went down to lunch. Of our regulars, only Kathie was there, so we could talk more intimately together.

I called Maureen, my agent at Groendyke Insurance to try to straight out the mortgage lapse. I then called Chase and somebody named Christine said the payment had been sent on the fourteenth. Called Maureen back to tell her and will check later. 

I asked management if my T.O.P.S. group could meet there on the thirty-first and they'll let me know. Since our flea market (I might participate) is the next day, it may not be feasible. 

Manicurist Elika had texted to ask if I could come to the salon at 2:00 instead of 3:00--no prob and I did and got my nails done. Stopped to chat with Anita after; in December, Anita will be 96 two weeks before I'm ninety.  Called Ellen if she or Greg could put my new desk chair together. She suggested Thursday and they'll come then. 

Susan picked me up at 5:15 to go to dinner with the Soaring Spirits group. Besides us, only Gayle, Renee, and Narall were there, but we had a good meal, good talk, and a good time. We stopped at CVS after and I got the Ny-Quill I needed; the RX meds at the other CVS can wait. Home at 8:00 and I immediately switched on the A.C., topped off this blog, and settled in for my nightly T.V. watch. 

Monday, July 20, 2026

SUNDAY

 I again did a few household chores, too boring to detail. They included cleaning a few items on the porch/patio in preparation for the workers redoing the flooring there.

Had lunch with Kathie, Keith, and Carol and enjoyed it.  We discussed emotional health--Carol was treated for depression--and discovered we each take (mild) mood enhancers or whatever they're called.  

Set up my meds containers for the week and so on. My new desk chair was delivered, but darn, it needs to be assembled. Maybe I'll see if Joe, the maintenance guy (whose birthday was yesterday--we all signed his card) will do it for ten bucks or so--otherwise, I'll have to ask Ellen and I hate to keep asking her to handle so much of my stuff. 

At 2:00, there was an impromptu dime Bingo; I went to that and won one. After, I did this and that in the apartment, then lay down for a nap. When I awoke, I was startled to see it was 5:30. I was still full from lunch (sugar-glazed ham and sides), so just decided to skip dinner.

Susan texted me to say she'd pick me up for Soaring Spirits dinner at 5:15. Good--I can use a meal out. Showered and washed my hair, thn settled down to T.V. at my usual 8:00.  Unfortunately, probably because of my long nap, I didn't sleep well, but am feeling okay. 

Sunday, July 19, 2026

SATURDAY AND A PUZZLEMENT

 This is going to be very short, as it's so difficult for me to type on the attached keyboard. Did two loads of wash in the morning and did a few small houshold chores. mymmmmntHad lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Denise; it was white fish with sides and very good. Keith joined us later and we had some good conversation.

After, I played some of my current craze, i,e, Block Champ. I then went downstairs for a marathon run of dime Bingo and won three days. That took me to 4:00 and almost time to go to the dining room.

Had dinner with LaVerne, then Ray joined us. We had some good talk and Ray wanted to  know the name of a new resident--he seems to have a crush on her. I told him name is Alice, but that's all I know. When I was leaving, Denise joined me and we both signed up for the FBI presention on Tuesday: 


Incrediby, just now at 7:00 am on Sunday, I found that my mouse and keyboard are now working again. I'm thrilled over that, but deeply puzzled--why did it go bad, then go back? No idea.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

FRIDAY

 I don't know what's wrong with this blog, but I was sure I had started the Friday, July 17 entry, but it isn't here. Okay, to repeat: Had lunch with Kathie, LaVerne, and Bea, then got ready for Ellen to come pick me up for the cardiologist visit. She did, at 2:30 and we got there for the 3:00 appointment. News was good, Dr. Wang sees no heart problem and that wasw a relief.

We got back in time for me to go to Friday Happy Hour and that was enjoyable; so was the Margarita I had, of course.  After, it was almost time for dinner (since it's so early), so I went back down. Didn't see any of those I usually eat with, so sat with Allan, Beverly, and Frances. That's okay once in awhile and Allan's a nice guy, but Beveley simply complains about everything imaginable: the food, the service, the housekeeping, the this, the that--it annoys the hell out of me. Keith came down, but very late, as usual, and he sat by himself. No prob for him, as he carries a book everywhere he goes and simply reads during meals if nobody sits with him. 

Now I can't use the unattached keyboard and the mouse isn't working either--darn!

THURSDAY

Niece Carolyn called and we had nice chat. I told her about the letter from her mother from 1956 which I would send her. Did that after we s...