Home Again, Home Again...

(For some reason, I can't get these pics under the text.) This is the quilt Sally and a friend made, which commemorates her athletics career--mostly running, but also the two Ironman contests in which she participated. What achievements and she didn't "retire" until she was seventy-three!

I got up, as usual, early--about 5:15--dressed, posted my blog entry, then took a brisk walk around the High Country complex. Sal got up and we had coffee; we skipped breakfast, knowing we were going to go to brunch before my train left.

Duane and Ani picked us up at 11:00. I was pleased to see that David, Sally's other son (and she has a third in Colorado, plus two more daughters) was in the car. He lives a distance away, but had been ill and Duane had picked him up, brought him to Encinitas, and installed him in one of the many bedrooms in his house.  David is limited mentally and was mostly silent through the meal, but we were able to draw him out a bit. 

We went to a restaurant near the station, but it was crowded and it took some time to be served. We finally were, but I was antsy (I get that way thinking I'll be late for something) and darling Duane took me to the station while the others finished their meals. Of course, I first kissed and embraced my dear cousin, her precious boy, and his beautiful lady. What a family and how lucky I am to know them!

Got the train and settled down for the almost six-hour trip. It was pleasurable to see the landscape speeding by, but the stops came about fifteen times and it got tedious. Happy day, Ellen was there at the Ventura station to pick me up and what a joy to see my girl! We went to Aloha on The Promenade for dinner and were surprised to see an arch outside set up for a marathon run. 

Had a good meal and good talk; got home about 6:30, kissed El goodbye, got my mail from Suzanne, and immediately jumped in the shower, then a bit of TV, then bed.

Golly Gee Oh Gosh, I had a wonderful time in Encinitas, but home is where that hunk of flesh is, and I'm glad to be here. 

Tuesday

Got up early--5:30--and after coffee, took a walk around the complex.  Sally got up in a bit and we had breakfast. Sal took a shower, then she, Maggie, and I went for a walk, stopping in to see a friend of Sally's. Chris, who's in her early seventies, is planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, in Spain, in September. This is a hike of nearly 500 miles, which P.J. Steward's son, Bryan, walked a few years ago.  He wrote a book about it: My Own Pace, which I bought, read, and enjoyed. (I mentioned it on a blog entry of a few months ago.)

I've actually gotten to like Maggie, Sally's dog, but no, I don't want one. Here she is:

Sally's daughter, Theresa, picked us up at 2:30 and drove us over to where she lives in Carlsbad. Whew, what a place! It had been The Resort Hotel and was converted into some of the most beautiful apartments I've ever seen. Only 800 square feet, but seeming much more spacious, it includes one bedroom and two baths, a big kitchen, dressing room, and a lovely balcony. We sat there and chatted over wine and soda (Teresa doesn't drink) and it was fine. In the powder room was a "map" of the San Diego area; I took a picture, as I find it helpful to understand how the area is arranged:

We left for Happy Hour at the Brigantine on the beach and met Teresa's son, Tristan, 21, there. What a neat guy! He's somewhat chubby, but good-looking, and has an appealing personality.  Like another, younger Tristan I know, he likes to cook and may pursue a career in the restaurant field. After various drinks and tacos, we shared a huge slab of coffee ice cream with whipped cream--also shared life stories, likes and dislikes, and other topics.

Home about 6:00 and I took a shower, then sat with Sally and watched some the San Diego Padres/ Phillies game. We followed that with glasses of brandy and our intimate, far-reaching, and ever-so-satisfying heart-to-heart talks until 10:30.  Again, I slept soundly. We'll meet Duane and Ani at 11:00 for brunch near the station, then get my train at 12:40.   

Monday

Sally and I had long, good talks after breakfast. We've both had some concerns and worries about our children--all parents do to some extent--but nothing that time and loving care didn't remedy. She told me about her grandsons, one of whom was born female, but transitioned in gender. He'll graduate from college this year.  

The painting below is on Sally's wall. It shows a little girl and behind her is a child's chair.  I thought it was some kind of nineteenth century scene, but it's actually Sally as a flower girl in a fashion show. She's kept her little chair for--oh, eighty years--and had it reupholstered in the original blue.  

Duane came over after lunch; he had a number of errands to run, but stayed for a half hour or so. I asked him to tell me more about his casita venture in Mexico.  He and two partners are building small airbnb houses there. I can't remember the name of the town, but Duane said it was wine country and somewhat of a mecca for tourists.  Four are already built, two each of one bed, one bath and two beds, two baths. They're furnished, of course, with full kitchens. He said they might be ready for rent in June--maybe. I definitely am interested as a possible vacation spot. The area is only a three-hour drive from Encinitas, where I am now, but of course, much farther from Ventura.

After lunch, I told Sally I needed to take a walk. We had been sitting down almost the whole day and I knew I need to move.  It's sad to realize Sally can't walk very far or fast now.  She had been a marathon runner well into her sixties and completed the Iron Man route several times. This is incredibly grueling, as it includes swimming, biking, and a marathon in quick succession. But Sally has had some heart and other problems and needs to take it easy. She was fine with me walking out and I ambled around the area for about an hour.  

I wanted to take Sal out for dinner as a kind of hostess gift and we went to Casa De Bandini. It was huge, filled with people, and wonderfully authentic Mexican décor. We both ordered burrito platters and yummy Margaritas. The portions, which included sides, were huge and we both took containers home. 

When we got back, we sat and talked and talked and talked, filling in the fifty or so years of what went before. It was close to eleven when we turned in and again, I slept like a stone. 

Today, we'll meet Sally's daughter, Theresa, and another grandson, just turned 21. I was charmed to be told his name is Tristan and he likes to cook--sounds like another Tristan I know, but that one just turned 14.

At Sally's

I'm finally able to add to the blog, but it took awhile and I'm going to cut this short. I just want to write briefly about the party last night:

At Duane and Ani's palatial* house in Encinitas, we had a terrific gathering. Besides the host and hostess, plus Sally and me, attendees were Sally's daughter, Teresa, Duane's daughters, Kendra and Jasmine (both in their early twenties and gorgeous), Kendra's boyfriend, Conner, and Ani's Dad, Ray. What a congenial group and what a beautiful setting.

We ate out by the pool--a huge enclosure which includes a guest house (sitting room, bedroom, bath, and doors to two other rooms) and various plantings. Before we left, we saw Ray's model ships--wonderfully majestic and meticulously crafted. He is staying with Duane and Ani for a time until he gets his own digs. Great food, wonderful company, and we had a ball. 

Here's my cousin, Sally, back at her place the next day:

 ("The Mermaids" is the name of the water aerobics group to which Sally belongs.)  

* Palatial in the sense of "mansion," "huge," and "this ain't Newark, New Jersey." And if anyone deserves to own it, it's warm, kind, fun, out-going, and good-looking Duane.

Saturday

Stripped the bed, did a white wash, and re-made. After that, I put in a color wash--now everything I own was washed except what I was wearing. Spent a lot of time selecting clothes and checking my list of what I must take, such as meds, brush, charger, and so on and on. I know I tend to overpack, but I can't seem to help it, plus I always confront myself with questions, such as wondering if I should take light or warm pajamas. I'm taking my laptop for sure; in this modern world, I'd be lost without that and my phone. 

I watered the plants inside and out and scrubbed, roasted, and stored in the freezer the three pounds of potatoes I still had. Took out the trash; I'll do the same this morning before I go. I just hate going on a trip, then coming back to a messy home.

At 3:00, I set off for the market; walked there and got this and that, then bused to the transit center. I thought I'll look for a new mesh laundry container; my old one is just about shot. Looked at Ross, but they didn't have any, so I'll check Target when I get back. If they don't, I'll order on-line from Wal-Mart.

While I waited for the 10 bus, Ellen called to say hello and we confirmed she'll pick me up on Wednesday. I'll see if she wants to go to Jasmine Thai for dinner after.  

Darn, I didn't sleep well. Got up for the usual about 3:00 and only dozed until the alarm went off at 5:30. Okay, maybe I can sleep on the train.

Friday

Took to T.O.P.S. the program I mentioned from MedPage Today and conducted the meeting. Also took my applesauce. Everybody seemed to be interested in the program and liked the applesauce. Incredibly, Sharon brought doughnuts. This is a weight loss group, folks, and Sharon brought doughnuts. That's not some pretend low-cal doughnuts, or rice cakes disguised as doughnuts, or one doughnut for the six of us to share. No, she bought a dozen of regular doughnuts. This is a woman who weighs four pounds less than three hundred, with severe diabetes, and who can't walk across a room without getting short of breath. She brought doughnuts. Nobody ate them there, but did take one or two home. I didn't. As for me, I gained a pound to 130.8 at home and 129.3 at T.O.PS. I want to get back down to my comfort zone, but I'm confident I will. Not, though, if I start eating doughnuts.

Walked to the P.O. to mail the little book to grandson Mr. K. and found it would be $28. I took it home. Trying to decide if I can maybe take pictures and send it that way. We'll see. Bused from there to Wal-Mart and got page protectors for the ancestry booklet I made up for cousin Sally.  Stopped at CVS for cream sherry--I bought two, thinking I'd give one to Sally. But boy, I'm going to have a big suitcase and my laptop; maybe I should just take her out to dinner, instead. I spent the rest of the day making up the booklet. My feeling is that, although Sally was adopted, if the Fiegenschuh (Figenshu) and Bub (Bubb) antecedents hadn't come over from Germany, her mother wouldn't have been born--at least not here--and Sally wouldn't be in our extended family. Tortuous reasoning? Maybe, but I'm sticking to it. 

I just came across this video on YouTube. Sophia is the granddaughter of my friend, Susan, who lives across the street from my house in Sunrise Bay. I guess she's a pretty good drummer, although the goth makeup is startling--but, hey, kids are kids and she's only 16. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOJjhFJwJs

Nails, Hair, And Lunch With LaVonne

Went across to the shopping center at 9:30 and got a pedicure at Nails D'Elegance, so my feet feel good. Right after, I stopped in at Great Clips and got a trim. All was accomplished before noon, when I walked to the Hill Street Café for lunch with LaVonne. We sat outside on the patio, which was so pleasant--about 70 and sunny. 

Left there and walked home. Since I had been out late the night before and still got up at 5:30, I lay down and took a good nap. Was awakened about 3:30 by a call from Primary Medical. Long story short: I was supposed to have a yearly skin examination (since the lesion on my nose was removed) and Dr. T. has left the practice. I had called to ask for a referral to someone else and the call was to tell me my primary doc wants to see my first. I don't see why, but made a appointment for June 7. Darn, she's on Johnson Drive now, too, which isn't as convenient.

Once I got up, I continued copying family pics and documents on the Figenshu side for Sally. I need to pare it down and also, to figure out a way to present it. I also wrote a note to little grandson, K., and will send it with the book Mike got him--today, I hope. 

T.O.P.S. today and I volunteered to do the program. I found an interesting article on MedPage Today which poses the question "obesity is a major factor in mortality, so why don't insurance companies support treatment?" They do to a point, yes, with covering costs for senior programs, such as "Silver Sneakers." But that's for only a select group and things like bariatric surgery are regarded as cosmetic. I won't read the whole thing to the group, but will mention a few points, then have them read the comments from medical professionals.

Niece Carolyn called and we had a good talk, with a few tears and Ellen called on her way home from school, just to say hello.

Wonders Will Never Cease Department: I've been sleeping well and the newspaper's been at my door for the last several days. Yay!