FRIDAY

Weight: 139.6 at home, so no change; 140.6 at T.O.P.S, so up .05. Not too bad, as I had expected worse. Meeting was rambling, as ever, but okay. Maryann left early, as planned, and Cheryl took me to CVS to pick up my meds. I was annoyed that the Ramipril was sent to the other CVS, but the pharmacist at this one made me up another. Home a little after 10:00 and I decided I'd wait until lunch to eat. 

Did so and sat with Kathie, Keith, and LaVerne. After, there was a "celebrations meeting" where residents suggested new activities and themes. I suggested the servers be introduced by Chef Michael when he gives daily talk at dinner and Mindy liked the idea. We talked about a few other ideas and suggestions and it was a good meeting.

On-line, I ordered from BevMo some of the IPAs I enjoy; incredibly, they were delivered forty-five minutes later. There's a ten dollar fee, plus tip, but considering the hassle it is for me to get there and get the buy home, it's well worth it. 

At 3:00, I went upstairs to the salon to get a manicure. Elika did a great job on my often-breaking nails, plus I have fun talking with her. She had her eleven-year-old son with her and showed me pictures of her two daughters--beautiful girls aged 18 and 15 and we had a long talk about the fun--and frustrations--of child raising. I was tickled when she show me the flyer circulating at The Orchard:

Those are my hands and that's the last manicure Elika gave me! I've greatly enjoyed showing it to my fellow--and sister--residents. 

I didn't see either Kathie or Keith, so had dinner with Barbara, Trudie and Carl, Carol and Stan. As usual, we had some good conversation and laughs. 

I slept well and just got up at 6:30. Stripped the bed and took the sheets to the laundry room where they're now sloshing around. 

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I do Wordle, Connections, and Blossom every single day and yesterday, for the first time in almost three years (December 11, 2023), I got Wordle on my first word. It was "plume"; the earlier one was "chain." 

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THURSDAY

 Breakfast with Keith and Rambling On Ray sat down with us. After, I took my hour nap, then went down to wait for Rick to drive me to Von's and CVS. He did and I got--almost--everything I needed, including B12, Ny-Quill, cream sherry, and Mother's Day cards for my daughters and DILs. I called to be picked back up at noon, but somehow, the message didn't get through and I had to wait for about a half-hour. That meant I was late for lunch, but no prob, as I had plenty of good leftovers from The Lazy Dog and I ate that in my apartment. I then realized I had forgotten to pick up my meds at CVS--damn! 

Filled out and mailed the cards for my daughter-in-law in Japan and ex-DIL in Singapore. I don't even recall what all I did after that except play Jewel Royale Match. I dd call Maryann to be sure she's pick me up for T.O.PS. this morning--sure, but she has to leave early, so I called Cheryl to ask if she'd take me home and stop on the way to get my meds. Yes, she will, and I'm lucky to have such friends.

Called manicurist Elika and she'll do my manicure at 3:00 today. 

Dinner with Keith, Kathie, and Dyan and we had some interesting talk. Keith, of course, takes piano lessons and Dyan mentioned that Brian Wilson, of Beach Boy fame, had given her his white piano to hold for him--I don't remember the circumstances. She also said her mother had been the pianist at a silent film theatre. I asked when her mother was born and she said 1917. Later, I looked up infor on when the silent movies faded out in favor of talkies: 1930, so her mother would have been 13. Of course, there were still a few playing, I guess, until the last which I read was in 1936, so I suppose it's possible. 

T.O.P.S this morning and I'm not looking forward to getting weighed, but I'll take my medicine.

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast with Keith and Dyan, then Ray joined us. After, I straightened up the apartment a bit, as we had been notified the annual inspection would be conducted that day. I lay down for a nap, but before I fell asleep, my friend, Lora, called from Arizona. We had a good talk and caught up with each other. I hope to see her when she comes here in August.

Vickie picked me up at 10:30 and off we went to Oxnard. We asked the aide to bring Jim and and he did. Jim was washed, clean-shaven, and well dressed, and I was pleased to see a Happy Birthday balloon:                                                    

...plus a birthday cake had been provided: 

Jim had already eaten and I passed on a piece, but Vickie indulged. I gave Jim his present (the book on opera), which he seemed to appreciate:

We stayed until noon, then said goodbye. We assured Jim we'd be back and next time, I'll bring lunch for the three of us.

Vickie and I then went to The Lazy Dog for our lunch, and sat outside. I had a yummy Loco Moco Hawaiian dish, which, coincidently, had been on the menu at The Orchard for lunch. V. dropped me off about 2:30, after a very enjoyable outing.

Went down to the new residentt rceception at 3:00 and "met" LaVerne and Michael, plus ondulged in a strawberry Margarita. Back upstairs at 4:00 and fooled around on the laptop. Dinner with David and Lisa, and just hung out after. Slept fairly well and just got up at 5:30. 

TUESDAY

 I was surprised to see Cheryl sitting with Keith for breakfast, but sat down with them. However, the table was the one that got direct sunlight, which bothered my eyes, so I moved and sat with Trudie and Carl. Carol was also there, back from her trip, and she regaled us with travel notes.

Took my after-breakfast nap, futz around, then had lunch with Kathy, LaVerne, and Dyan. After, six of us boadered The Orchard van went off to Bart's Books in Ojai. We were there for about two hours and--I must be nuts--I bought fifty-two dollars work of books--six of them, ranging from murder to philosophy. For Jim's birthday, which is today, I included for him a book called Opera, The Impossible Art, which I hope he'll like. 

Vickie called to confirm our visit to Jim today; she'll pick me up at 10:30, we'll visit for a bit, then go out to lunch. I'm going to try to make it a fairly short visit. 

Dinner with Kathie and Keith, which was pleasant, as ever. Upstairs, I found a notice at my door that inspection would be conducted today between 10:00 and 4:00; I won't be here during some of that time and that's fine by me. 

Had a difficult time sleeping, so will nap after breakfast and before Vickie picks me up.

MONDAY

Breakfast, as usual, with Keith, then my (now also usual) hour nap. At 10:00, I went down to Balance Exercise with Jackie. Ellen called after and we had a long talk, mostly about her conviction that I should hire an aide to drive me places, be here when I take a shower, and otherwise help out. I said I'd consider it and I will, but I'm not sure how I would utilize the person or, more worrisome, how I'd adjust. I also told her about Ani's complaints about INSS and sent her a copy. El will call them and tell them to disregard my application, which she had submitted. 

Lunch with Kathie and Dyan, plus Ron, whom I hadn't met before. Dyan  is my  next-door neighbor and Ron lives just after her, so we're in a row on the second floor. He seemed okay, although pretty reticent. 

After lunch, I called Community Memorial; I had just gotten a bill for $600, which I had paid several weeks ago on April 16.. The person acknowledged that and said it had been sent on the fifteenth. Well, I got it two days ago, which illustrates the sorry state of our postal system--or lack thereof. Anyway, she said to disregard, which I surely will. Priinted out Ani's lament about INSS and will give it to Kathie today to give her daughter.  

Had dinner with Trudie, Carl, and Barbara. We had a good long discussion about how we met our husbands and significant others, then Trudie mentoned Yasso Greek yogurt popsicles and offered to give me one. I accompanied them to their apartment and received it. Also was treated to an array of Trudie's framed needlepoint on the walls--very attractive.   

Showered and washed my hair before settling down to my hour of T.V.

SUNDAY

After breakfast, I took a nap for about an hour and a half, hoping that won't affect my sleep time at night. Didn't do much after except compluter games, until it was time to go down to lunch. Sat with Kathie, Catherine, and Dyan and enjoyed it. Back upstairs, I sent birthday wishes via Facebook, to Jen, my great-grandsons' mother. 

I then took a big load of wash to the laundry room. Once I put it in the dryer, I went down to join an inpromptu Bingo game. I played my usual four cards and won two games. This wasn't dime Bingo--winners simply got "funny money" to use at the little Saturday store.

Retrieved my wash, dried, folded and put, then assembled my meds for the week and got them in the daily containers. 

Dinner with Kathie, Keith, and Dyan, which was pleasant. Upstairs before 6:00 and I watched the end of Lake Erie Murders, then turn in and slept well. 

SATURDAY

Ray joined Keith and me for breakfast again and we heard the never-ending story of his slojourn in the Mercent Marines--counldn't wait to escape. Just hung out with this and that until lunch, which I had with Kathie and Keith. I showed Activities Director Mindy the pictures I had taken at the India gathering on Thursday and she asked me to text them to her, which I did.

Went to dime Bingo at 2:00 and actually won a game (I made about a buck twenty) and enjoyed it. Stayed for Trivia--which attracted just the other Kathie, Trudie, and me, then Just hung out after until it was time for dinner. I joined Trudie and Carl for that; Trudie does tend to go on and on about her daughters, but I like her and have no problem with it. 

Called Vickie and we decided to go see Jim on Wednesday. First, though, I'll have to call the place where he lives and make sure it's convenient. Both Vickie and I have commitments later that day, so we'll go in the morning and not stay for lunch.

I received another interesting communication from Community Memorial Hospital: They want another six hundred bucks for my stop there in January. Wait a minute, I already paid them, so what gives? I'll call them tomorrow and find out.