Thursday

Suzanne and I took off for WinCo at 8:30 and got back about 10:00. I was glad to be able to buy some bulkier or heavier things, such as t. paper (I'm being coy) and Drano, and so on, without having to take the bus with my cart.  When we got home, Suzanne gave me half of the red cabbage she had bought, as she didn't think she would eat it all. 

I also bought dry red beans and chicken broth and when I got  home, put them in the slow cooker, along with seasonings and turkey bacon. I always read at meals and finished the last Kellerman book at lunch. I packed it up, along with two others, put it in my cart, and walked to the Little Lending Library in the park. It was a lovely day--in the middle and upper sixties, with plenty of that glorious California sunshine. 

The literary pickings were  disappointing, though. I got a so-so paperback and two "The Week" magazines, for some strange reasons. I almost never so much as open the T.O.P.S. mag, "Time," which Suzanne keeps giving me, or "West World." But--hoo-boy, I started the Epstein saga and that should be a lulu. 

From there, I took the bus to to Target at the mall, where I bought some underwear and five pounds of apples. Read an email from Mike while I was traveling concerning the presents for Vivian that came late to Ellen's--I'll send it today. As for El, I called her when I knew school was over and was relieved to hear she was feeling better. 

I didn't mention much about this before and I don't want to elaborate, but I'm not going to Singapore for Viv's graduation. It's not a problem and nobody's mad at anybody, but there could be all kinds of complications and we decided against it. Possibly, I'll be going another time, but we'll consider that later.

This is from David Swanson, of World Without War, with whom I've been a Facebook friend for several years. I signed it today:

Veggies, Vision, and Avarice

As promised, Julie picked me up at 9:30 and we went to the farmers' market. Here are my yummy purchases: 

We then went to Wal-Mart where I exchanged the phone adapter which didn't fit my charger, for one that did (but see later--damn!).  As soon as I got home, I spent a pleasurable hour or so prepping my goodies. I trimmed, pared, and chunked the "white" (actually kind of pink) beets, then put them in the oven; trimmed the broccoli and stowed it in the fridge. I cut up four big onions I had; julienned three and chopped two, then put them in the freezer.  Later, I took out some I had chopped before because I want to cook them up with beans and broth in the slow cooker.

Julie picked me up again at 1:15 and drove me to Miramar Ophthalmologists.  She was going to wait for me, then take me home, but I insisted she leave, as I wanted to go to the library in town to pick up the book I had requested (Perversion of Justice/The Jeffrey Epstein Story). Incredibly, although I was early and prepared to wait, I was taken early and got out of there in about forty minutes total, even having consulted the optician person.* I wasn't thrilled over the fact that I was advised to make an appointment to see the retina specialist re the macular degeneration, which I had been told about a year or so again. This doctor also recommended the vitamins for women over fifty, which contain some for vision.   

From there, I caught a bus to the library, picked up the book, then strolled around town a bit. Ellen called to say she was dropping off the Christmas package Mike had ordered for Vivian. It had come too late, so he asked if I could send it to him. Will do.

Before dinner, I noticed my phone was at 41 %, so thought I'd charge it with the new adapter. An hour later, it read 40 %! What the--? It looks as if the new one doesn't work, so I'll have to take that back, too. 

I called Ellen's fiancé, Greg, to ask about the eye drops (that's his specialty at Whole Foods) and he gave me some good info. I'll try to get over there on Friday to pick up what he recommends. 

*When I was a girl, there was a clear distinction between a physician who specialized in vision (ophthalmologist) and those who made and sold eyeglasses (optician) in a commercial venue. The medical profession is now so corrupted, it seems, that the two enterprises are combined. At least they are when you go to Miramar, a huge, state-wide conglomerate which is the only one my insurance covers. I'll repeat it: In this society, there is only one god and his name is Mammon. 

Tuesday

I'm on a roll! After breakfast, I took up the bath rugs and in-tub mat and popped them in the washer. Got the Bona components out and dusted, then mopped the hard floors. Put in an additional wash (color), then tackled the big job: sorting, categorizing, and filing the mountain of paperwork I had let accumulate. Had lunch, then swept up the patio--didn't go into much depth, as I'll wait until the weather warms up--and took two big bags to the trash area. These chores took me the entire morning and some of the afternoon, but it's a big relief to have them done.

Got a call back from the secretary at attorney Williams' office. She told me what to bring to get the trust paperwork finished and we made a date for Thursday, January 13, at 10. 

Went to Von's for supplies--I'm running low on food (ha! I have only about a month's worth in cabinet and freezer.) Carolyn called just as I got home and we had a nice chat. Happily, Wes is well again and back in Chicago and all those who had been with him here tested negative. We also discussed my (possible) trip to Singapore in May; she might know someone who'd like to go with me. 

About 5:00, I texted Suzanne to see if she wanted to sit down for a chat. She did and I went over there; for some reason, when we do this week or so, I go there rather than vice versa. No prob on my end or hers either. We talked for half an hour or so and she asked if I wanted to go to WinCo tomorrow. Yes, I do, so we'll leave at 8:30.

This morning, Julie will pick me up at 9:30 for the farmers market, then will take me to my eye doctor appointment this afternoon. 

 Note to myself: Today I accepted Amazon's credit card offer (Synchony Bank). Also ordered a phone lanyard and a "Make Coffee, Not War" poster, both free. I made a file for that and put printed letters in it. . 

 

Getting Things Done

Busy, busy day, and I got a lot accomplished. I had lists of things I wanted to do and somehow managed to pull off most of them and--well, "semi-do" the rest. 

First, I tackled the OTC benefit from my Blue Shield medical insurance. This gives subscribers ninety dollars per quarter of over the counter meds and stuff. However, I kept having big problems with the web site, called a few times, and they said they were having trouble with it, so try again later. I did and it still didn't work. This went on over several months and I just got tired of trying. In truth, I don't use anywhere near $360 a year of OTC stuff. (My two Rx drugs are already covered in full.) After a long session with one rep who couldn't help, I finally got another. She couldn't get me into the site, either, so I just decided I'd do it by phone, which is allowed. I did and managed to get the whole amount, mostly because of a particular item of which I ordered three. Anyway, I got that done. 

Also: called the Grey Law attorney to make an appointment to sew up the trust thing. He was on a recording and I asked to be called back. I was dismayed to hear his firm is moving to Camarillo in February; I want to get this done before then.

Also: Walked to The Market, then Wal-Mart and--remarkably for me, got everything on my long list, including lithium batteries for my scale. At Wal-Mart, I got an adapter for the charger on my new phone--I thought. But when I got it home and opened it, I could see it didn't fit at all--damn! However, it felt so good to walk the three plus miles, I wasn't too upset. Anyway, Julie called while I was in town, so see later. 

Also: Stopped at the bank (BOA, with which I have a love/hate relationship--mostly hate) to pick up check registers. I had gotten from Theresa, my accountant, her usual instructional printouts re taxes, with places for everything on seven pagers. She's so savvy and thorough that every year I'm reminded how lucky I am to have found her. As for the registers, I write very few checks now--most of my operations are either through automatic payments or credit cards--but want to keep track by way of the year anyway, of course. 

After lunch, I bused to town and did another mile or two. While I was there, Julie called to ask if I wanted to go to the farmers' market tomorrow. Sure thing and she'll pick me up at 9:30. She also said she'd take me to Wal-Mart to exchange the useless charger; I hope they have the right one. Plus, she insisted she wanted to take me to my eye appointment at 1:45, too. Okay, I'll let her this time.

I still have a few other things on my list, but I'll chip away at them and I'm feeling highly accomplished at this point. 

Sunday And Sleep

Finally got a newspaper and enjoyed spending time on the crossword, although it wasn't one of my better crossword days. Finished and cleaned up a bit, then walked over to Von's for chicken breast and other essentials. 

Jim came at his usual 12:30 and we had a good lunch/talk session. I've noticed recently that he has seemed down recently--probably because his two classes this semester will be cancelled. There are only two signed up for one of them, four for the other. This trend, I believe, is prevailing all over the country. Maybe the COVID thing is combining with the idea that there's no need to study psyche or whatever for four years in order to have a productive career. Anyway, we had a good visit. He had pinot noir and I, beer with lunch, then we moved over to sit on the sofa and both indulged in small glasses of port. Jim didn't leave until 4:30, after which I cleaned up, then took a nap for almost two hours. Woke up feeling fine. 

On that topic: I've developed the nighttime sleep pattern of bed at the usual time (between 9 and 10), reading a chapter or two (I'm now into Kellerman's The Conspiracy Club), easily falling asleep, then waking to feel as if I've had a full night. However, when I look at my phone, I find it's only a few hours later--often, 1:00 or 2:00 am.  When that used to happen, I'd feel wide awake and get progressively more agitated with whatever my current worry or phobia was, then be unable to go back to sleep for an hour or more. Now, I lie there comfortably for a few minutes, then drift back to sleep.  I'm not sure why this agreeable development--well, developed--but I'm happy with it. 

Saturday, 2022

I hardly stepped foot outside the door on the first day of 2022, but that was okay. I started putting away the Christmas decorations about 10 am and, aside from lunch, didn't sit down again until 3:30. I am SO glad I thought to donate a lot before I put it all up. There's plenty left, but happily, it all fits fine in the high cupboards in the hall. 

Not content with that, I also cleared out and arranged some of the full-wall closet in the bedroom. I had had a lot shoved in that that either didn't belong together or that I don't need at all. It felt good to go through it and get it into better shape.

I got some of the patio cleaned up, also, and saw Suzanne outside doing the same. We chatted for a bit and I gave her two more of Ellen's wonderful lemons. I still had about a dozen big ones, so put them in the freezer for later. I left a little note re the new year on Suzanne's and Vickie's doors and Vickie called me. We had a nice chat; she said she had been watching the Rose Bowl (she's a big football fan) and I said my husband was crazy about the Eagles. She asked if I watched and I said I had had enough of that when he was alive. I was amused when she said she and Mary were going to mass shortly and added "I guess you wouldn't want to go with us." I said, "No, Vickie, I had enough of that when I was younger," and we laughed.  

Called Jim after dinner, wished him the usual, and we chatted. His classes will--or were going to--start a week from tomorrow, but he now doubts if he'll have them. It seems there are only four signed up for one and two for the other. That's ominous news for him. I invited him for lunch today, so I guess we'll discuss it further. Knowing Jim, "discuss" doesn't mean what it does for most people, of course. I dread to think of what his childhood must have been like. 

The big news and the best news is that my Ventura County Star was on my doorstep when I got up.

THE SUN SHINES ON THE LAST DAY OF 2021--YAY!

It stopped raining! And the sun shone and the sky was blue and it was ten degrees warmer than before! That lifted my spirits so much. 

Wrapped Joel's gift and walked to the post office. Good grief, there was a long line; I can't imagine why, unless people needed to have things postmarked 2021, instead of--gulp! 2022, which it is today. Luckily, I was able to use the self-service machine and got it stamped and sent off myself. I also sent out more than thirty little somethings, including to those who read this blog and they'll arrive shortly. 

I talked back and forth with Sharon R., our T.O.P.S. Sunshine person (she sends birthday cards), in order to get another person's address. Sharon has an incredibly horrible phone, which inflicts on the users static, distortions, dropped calls, and so on. I've known her almost as long as I've lived in California (she was in both my acting classes) and that's always been the case. I can't fathom why she and her family put up with that. 

Happy to use my little cart again, I walked to The Market after lunch for various staples. Bused part of the way home, so only got about two in, but that's okay. Ellen called just to say hello and we talked. I told her I was getting a lot more comfortable with the new phone--thanks mainly to her. She goes back to school on Monday. 

I Facetimed Mike and family, who left to go back to Singapore a few hours later. They're staying on what once was Charlie Chaplin's house. All four tested negative for you-know-what.

I forgot to mention yesterday that the rag, The Ventura Star--rather their "parent company," USA Today (the evil stepmother)--sent out yet another notice that they were combining the Friday and Saturday papers in to one, to be delivered either tomorrow. How they can get away with this, I don't know.

Note: I had a riotous new year's eve: Stayed up until TEN O'CLOCK with Don Corleone, Michael, and Fredo, until Sonny got his at the toll booth. Slept well after that.