FRIDAY AND A DAY OF MUSIC

Remarkably, my weight was down at home by 2.2 pounds (to 142) and at T.O.P.S. by 2.1 (to 143). That would have been reason for great rejoicing except for the fact that I was up so high last week. Oh, well. Here's Sharon with her Japan outfit, which she said she chose expecially for me:                              

Home, I took a short nap, then went to lunch. Ate with Kathie, Paula, and LaVerne; Denise was out and Pat sat elsewhere. It was fried chicken and looked pretty good, but I had the Santa Fe salad and took half home.

Went to Happy Hour at 2:00 and enjoyed a Margarita while being wowed by the fabulous Dynatic Duo:

He's a marvelous keyboarder!

When I got back to my place, I saw that George Wimberg had called and I immediately called him back. He's still semi-active in the undertaking business, along with his son and grandson and is in good physical shape. Considering he turned ninety in July, that's pretty good. Unfortunately, his wife, Marilyn, is not good. She's in an assisted living facility with some kind of dementia--I'm not sure if it's Alzheimer's or not. We had a great tiime catching up and will keep in touch. 

Had dinner with the usuals, including Pat; it was gumbo and cornbread, which I thought was pretty good. What happened after was unprecedented in my experience: Mindy announced there would be a ballet troupe in an hour. I went to that and was so glad I did, as it was lovely:

It was a great, unexpected pleasure and we all enjoyed the musical day so much. It was such a contrast: the Dynamic Duo singing the fifties hits and the beautiful young girls dancing to the classic Nutcracker. As for me, I loved them both. 

THURSDAY

I took a load of color wash to the laundry room, but the closest one was in use, so I went to the other wing. Wrapped the modest birthday present for Kathie and took it to her place on the third floor. Didn't do too much else of note until going down to lunch.

When I got to the dining room, I was delighted to see thar Chef Mike had extended our usual table with another, so six could sit comfortably. This was at our request and we all thanked him for it. (Now to see if others try to usurp it.) Lunch was tilapia and sides and was yummy. I gave Doo-Lannie her gift--today is her last day--and she was very appreciative. 

At 2:00, I went down to the "Balance" presentation. In this case, it meant balance in the food we eat and it was good. Chef Mike featured whole grains and, besides wine, several different kinds of bread were served. They were all delicious and were accompanied to pepper jack cheese, ripe olivees, butter, and  a yummy creamy spinach and cream cheese spread. I ate two there and took several home to enjoy later. 

Lazed around after until dinner.  We sat at our new table; Kathie, Pat, Paula, and Denise were there, and Bea joined us. LaVerne didn't show for either lunch or dinner. It was good, though: turnkey meatballs, sweet potatoes, and green beans.

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   Betty and me on our front porch, c. 1950:

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Mom and me on our lawn on Easter, on our lawn, c. 1952:

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WEDNESDAY

I went to balance class at 10:00, then asked Frances on the desk to copy my contract letter for the power of attorney thing. She did and I had one for me and each of my daughters. If we decide they want it, I could Message a copy to the boys.  

Called SCAN to tell them I had lost my OTC credit card; they'll send another, as I have $140 waiting to be spent. 

There was a "Veterans' Tribute" at 11:00 which I did not attend; as a pacifist, that would have been hypocritical of me. Of course, I remember when it was called "Armistist Day," commemerating peace, not war, but our controllers changed that to focus on the exact opposite. Met my friends after for lunch.  

I came acoss this Instagram of my nephew, Betty's son, Steve, who writes for the on-line magazine Lifehacker:

 https://www.instagram.com/?target_user_id=52143297809&ndid=65ff6bd24a2bfHc23fb9511H65ff706baa591H5e&utm_sour

Ellen came at three and we had a long talk about private matters. I'm glad she was able to bare her emotioins and stresses to me. We indulged in several hours of intimate talk, both of us being emotional, but that was all right. We love each other and each knows that. El then put my printer in her car and we set off for Asurion ("Ubreakwefix"), dropped off my printer, then went to Chile Basil Thai restaurant for a good Thai dinneer.

Home at 8:00--the middle of the night--and I settled in to play Solitaire on the laptop and watch my hour of T.V. before bed. Slept again--yay!

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I'm not sure whether this or the Instagram above will come out, but I'm trying them:

https://www.jigsawexplorer.com/online-jigsaw-puzzle-player.html?url=aHR0cHM6Ly9waG90b2dyYXBocy52ZW50dXJhbXVzZXVtLm9yZy9maW

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TUESDAY

 Darn, I usually write the bulk of the blog the day and evening before, but it's now after 6:00 pm and I'm just getting to it.  Okay, here's a quick synopsis:

I again had poor sleep, so took an early nap, but went to Bone Builders at 10:15. That lasts an hour and is fairly strenuous at times, but I managed. Lunch after and I sat at our new table with the regulars: Kathie, Paula, LaVerne, Denise, and Pat. I skipped the tacos for a large chicken salad and we had some good conversation.

Went to dime Bingo at 2:00 and won two games. After, I stopped at the desk to see if I could speak privately with director Tiffany. I could and I did, asking her if Provincial Senior Living, the corporation that runs The Orchard, has any affiliation with religion, specifically Christan. She said no, but when I pointed out the number of religion-oriented acitvites they had, she agreed. Of course, I didn't expect her to say she'd cut them--many people do attend them and why shouldn't they?--but maybe a bit less enphasis would be more comfortable with we non-religious. I saw Mary and Barbara after--they feel the same way--and filled them in on what we discussed. 

Ellen called to see if I wanted to go with her today to shop, then to dinner and I do, of course.

Had dinner here with the same regulars mentioned above. It was seafood chowder, which I liked, but didn't thrill anybody else. 

Happy day, I slept the night through and just got up at 7:30!

MONDAY

Determined to finally reform my laziness, I went to Balance Class with Jackie at 10:00 and directly after, did twenty minutes on the staitonary bike. However, aside from opening my box from Amazon, setting up tomorrow's morning coffee, taking trash to the trash place, and a few other minor chores, I didn't do a lot else.

Of our group, only Paula and I went to lunch and Beverly joined us. Later, Kathie called to say she would go down early, in order to secure the larger table. I said I'd join her and we'll see how it works. I did and Kathie, Paula, LaVerne, and I were joined by Pat, a very nice guy. I like the new table and hope we can retain it. 

Vickie, Suzanne, and I had intended to have lunch together today, but unfortuantely, Vickie has developed a respiratory problem. I think her health is precarious, considering her breast cancer treatment. She texted me to let me know and I called Suzanne. We decided we would go another time; I just hope Vickie is well enough to go to Sharon's anniversary party on Friday. 

I had another bad sleep day--or  night--and will probably have to take a nap before lunch. I want to go to Bone Builders class at 10:15, but am not sure if I'll make it. 

SUNDAY

Before lunch, I stripped the bed and washed the sheets, then left them to dry while I showered. At lunch, I was surprised to see LaVerne sitting at "our table" with Kathie, Paula, and Denise. I joiined them and enjoyed the shrimp luncheon.

After lunch, I remade the bed and took an hour's nap. I was surprised that Thea called from the front desk to say Cindy was there and did I want to play Yahtzee? I said no, I was about to get in the shower and I'd see her next week. I checked the schedule and actually, Sunday's said "Card Playing" instead of the usual "Yahtzee with voluteer Cindy," I don't know why the confusion.

I called Kathie to ask about the LaVerne-back-at-our-table thing and K. said she had called L. and they discussed it. We're now planning to move to a larger table and let's hope everybody will be happy there. 

Ellen and Greg came at 4:00 and we spent some time chatting, plus Ellen tried to fix my printer, but it didn't seem to work, so we may have to take it to Asurion. We decided on Lure in town for dinner and after  hour or so, that's where I went. Their seafood is superb; I had lobster ravioli with an IPA and El and Greg had sea bass. That looked delish and I had a bite of Ellen's--I'll order it next time we go.

Home after 7:00, which meant I had to use my opener to get in the building. No prob and I had enjoyed  a pleasant outing,

SATURDAY

 Nothing much going on until lunch. I set up my meds (that's read medical talk!) for the week, morning and night. Bestirred myself long enough to sweep the porch/patio, which had some dead leaves from the magnolia trees outside.

Lunched with Paula and it was beer battered cod--very good. After, I just hung around until 2:00 and time for quarter Bingo. Went to it and won two games. Paula came in to sit with me and watch--she's unable to read much, even alphabet letters. After, I just generally chilled out until dinner...

...which I ate with just Paula alone. Denise is still away and Kathie didn't show. I was surprised when Paula told me that Kathie had sat down with LaVerne at breakfast, but will ask her about that.

Ellen called about 8:00 to see if I wanted to go to dinner tonight with her and Greg. Oh, yes, I'd like nothing better, so we'll go to Stephen's Greek or Lure Fishhouse in town.

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I came across this pictu;re, c. 1939, after my brother, Larry's First Communion. My brother and sister, Jimmy and Gene, are on the left,;Frank, Betty, and me in front of my mother; Larry with my cousin's arm on his shoulder; Jackie Bihlmier with Mrs. Clark's hand on his shoulder; oother adults are relatives and close friends. I don't know who the other boy is or whether my father was there--maybe he took the picture. 

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