Monday, May 18, 2026

SUNDAY

Slept unti 8:00 and didn't go down for breakfast. Later, I went down and got a banana, which they usually have for the taking and had that. 

Mike Messaged me and we talked about Vivian's graduation; he'll be in Hawaii another four days. He said he'll send pictures of ex Paula and him with Vivian--good.

Lunch with Kathie, Keith, LaVerne and a newcomer: Kathie's friend, Agatha, newly arrived from Australia: 

                                                 

She and Kathie reminisced:

And here she is with the three of us (Keith came later):

It was kind of a game day later: played Bingo (not dime) at 2:00, then ran into Keith and Elaine, who were off to play Yatzee together. I joined them and actually won the first game.

Dinner with Kathie and Keith, then Elaine sat down with us. She's a pretty interesting person: five children, grandchildren, and nineteen great-grands, but I'm pretty sure she's younger than I am. She's very out-going, is an "ambassador" for The Orchard (unpaid assistant, I calls it), and I'd like to get to know her better. Enjoyed my now-only-weekly IPA with dinner, later had a bit of cream sherry, and slept well. Just got up at 6:15.
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Incredible: Yesterday was Jeanne Dollard Painter's ninetieth birthday. Even more incredible: My twin sister's ninetieth is in December, so that makes me on the cusp--AAGH!

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Sunday, May 17, 2026

SATURDAY

 I did little yesterday except watch granddaughter Vivian's graduation ceremony at University of Hawaii. That was three hours long and, as all these affairs are, was tedious. But I heard her name announced and saw her receive her diploma, so that was good. Her Dad sent some pictures, too:


He also sent a video of her actually receiving the diploma, but I haven't been able to copy that. It's a huge school and the stadium was packed with thousands of people--graduates, faculty, guests, and so on. It's just as well I didn't go after all--my children were not in favor and they were right.

Since I was watching the ceremony, I didn't go down for lunch, but just microwaved a pizza I had in the freezer. I was able to go to dime Bingo, but again, didn't win a single game--my luck has been going sour! However, it was fun and I stayed after for Trivia.

Had dinner with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne and I took the baby parade trophy down to show them; They were charmed.

I had put the picture below  on Facebook, noting that in a little more than seven months, I'll "join" Aunt Maggie in being ninety--AAGH! This was at the party we had for her at Betty's big house on Atlantic Avenue. My three younger children are on the right and Betty's Carolyn is the little blonde next to the birthday girl:

Saturday, May 16, 2026

FRIDAY

Weight report: I was down 2.2 at home to 137.4; at T..O.P.S., I was down 2.3 to 138.3. Those numbers are gratifying, but still not within my desired weight zone of 125 to 130.

Got home in time to join the balance class with Jackie, then lunched with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne. After, I just fooled around on the laptop until it was time for  Bob's big hundreth birthday party at 3:00. It was in the multi-purpose room, which barely held the crowd. Besides residents, a number of Bob's relatives were there, including young children. There was a quartet who sang, a lemon meringue pie for Bob, and lasagne and cupcakes for the rest of us. And Bob danced with several women! Here are some pics from the party:

At the end of the table: Carl wore a party hat over his baseball cap. 

Kathie called to say she wasn't coming to dinner, as the med she takes for her migraine leaves her with no appetite. She can stand to lose a good fifty pounds, so that's actually not a bad thing. Ate with Keith and LaVerne and just had a half portion of chicken and sides. 

Showered before bed and turned in about 9:30. Was wakeful and got up to play Jewel Match Royale, but then slept until 8:00, so that's okay. Skipped breakfast, which suits me okay. 

Friday, May 15, 2026

THURSDAY WITH BETTY AND CAROLYN

And a good day with my dear niece and twin sister:  I skipped breakfast, instead sleeping until 8:30.  Just cleaned up a bit, and worked on the laptop until Carolyn at 10:30. After visiting for a bit, we left for Santa Barbara. Carolyn had an appointment, fo w went first to house, where I stayed with Calvin, Tony, and Drizzle* until she returned. In the meantime, I managed take a nap on the couch, which was refreshing. Before we left to see Betty, Carolyn gave me this precious Mothers Day gift:

It's the trophy Betty and I won in the Ventnor Baby Parade of 1937.

For lunch, we went to Cody's Cafe, where I had a good salad. Then it was off to Villa Alamar to see Betty. She was, as I had seen before, confused and unable to clearly communicate, but she is not unhappy and that's what we must remember. Carolyn has had a mural painted on Betty's wall and it's so serene:


Here are the twinnies and their 88-year-old trophy;

We stayed about 45 minutes, then she drove me home.

Had dinner with Kathie and Keith and when I got home about 6:30, I was tired and actually fell on my bed and slept for two hours. Got up, watched T.V. for two hour, then slept through the night. I'm not sure why I felt so exhausted, but I suspect, emotional stress.  

T.O.P.S. this morning and I don't feel like going, but I will. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026

WEDNESDAY

 I've decided to start anew, turn over a new leaf, and reform my life for the better--or something. As noted before, I skipped breakfast and went back to sleep after a wakeful night. Dressed and did some chores until Ellen picked me up at noon and off we went.

First we went to Lowe's where El got a number of items for her house--curtain rods and so on. She just bought a new T.V., too, and Greg will help her set that up. I looked for a kitchen towel rack, but didn't see anything I wanted, so will look again on-line.

After, we went to Wood Ranch for lunch. We both had big salads--El barbeque, I Asian--which were, as always excellent. I asked El to stop at the bank so I could get dimes for Bingo and she did. She dropped me off after a fun day and I went immediately to the multi-purpose room for dime Bingo. Didn't win a one.

Dinner with Keith, Kathy, and LaVerne. It was pizza and pretty good. I told them I may or may not be going down to breakfast and certainly won't be here for lunch today, as Carolyn is picking me up and we're going to go to Santa Barbara to see Betty, a melanchony prospect.

I had again been restless overnight, and just got up at eight something. Skipped breakfast, as Carolyn said we'll have lunch before Villa Alamar and Betty. I'll ask C. to stop at CVS first so I can pick up my medication.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

TUESDAY

As soon as I dressed, I stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry. After I put them in the dryer, I did a load of regular clothes. Had the usual breakfast with Keith and a nap after. I can't even remember what I did until lunchtime, but when I went down, I didn't see Keith and Kathie had called to say she wouldn't be here for lunch. Sat with Trudie and Carol, Ruth and Stan. 

At 2:00, I went down to play dime Bingo; had my usual four cards, but again, didn't win a single game. Back in the apartment, I finally looked at papers to be filed--AAGH! There was such a stack of them, from receipts for co-pays and so on, to T.O.P.S. lists, to miscellaneous scraps--it was a daunting task. However, I got it done, although there are still a few things I have to go through.

Kathie didn't show for dinner, either, so Keith and I were on our own. We had some interesting discussions about murder, capital punishment, and the Readers' Digest. Back upstairs just after 6:00. 

Mike, now in Hawaii for Vivian's graduation ceremony, Messaged me this picture: 

How I wish I could be there. 

I had a terrible sleepimg again--was up periodically all night. My alarm rings at 6:30, but I'm almost never still asleep by that time. I was this morning and I promptly decided to skip breakfast and go back to sleep--which I did until 8:30. Now I feel good and may decide to make that my routine--dunno at this point.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

MONDAY

 After breakfast, I took my hour nap, then went downstairs to the Balance Class with Jackie. It was good to be there, except that I get annoyed with Jackie, She spends the first ten minutes or so (it seems like ten hours) talking about her daughter and others in her family. Geez, she's as bad as some of our residents. 

After that, I went up to do various small chores in the apartment, then virtuously spent five minutes on the cardio bike. Lunch with Kathie, Keith, and La Verne, after which there was a fire drill and we assembled outside. Those who were unable to use the stairs, though, had been told to stay in place, which some did. Chef Michael was kind enough to carry my walker down and up the stairs; I can descend and ascend myself, so no prob. 

I fooled around with this and that until 4:00, when our Second Players Zoom meeting was held. It lasted an hour and we discussed a lot about the tribute to Carol show we're doing on June 28. Went down to dinner after with Keith and LaVerne; Kathie was nowhere to be found, which surprised me. The dinner entree was a turkey wrap and potato salad, both of which were very good. Of course, I had my reglar iced tea with it. 

Ellen called and we made plans for tomorrow when we'll have an outing. We'll probably go to Lowe's and get me a kitchen towel holder, then lunch out. 

SUNDAY

Slept unti 8:00 and didn't go down for breakfast. Later, I went down and got a banana, which they usually have for the taking and had th...